Vintage is the oldest and grandest format sanctioned by the DCI. It has a history as rich and varied as the game itself. Despite that background, it is in a constant state of growth and flux. In today’s article, Stephen reprises his Ten Principles of Vintage, investigating the very cornerstones that underpin Magic’s most broken format.
Chris submits his entry for the Longest Article Name competition, with a natty little piece discussing a Standard deck based on everyone’s favorite fat green beatstick – Protean Hulk. Actually, I thought the Hulk in question was Ronom Hulk, but I’ve got Coldsnap on the brain…
Josh embarks on an epic series examining the current decks in the Standard metagame, looking at what they’re set to lose in the next rotation. He shares some skeleton builds that could make up the metagame come Standard Champs; excellent preparation for those wanting an edge on their local field.
One of the recurring comments about Legacy is the non-viability of Combo or Control in this format, supposedly because of the dominance of Threshold or Goblins. Combo is indeed quite absent from the metagame, and Control is limited to weak board control decks which cannot do anything else other than crushing creatures (R/W Rift or Mono-White Control, for example) and are thus usually relegated as pure metagame decks. Oddly enough, the four decks I have been playing after Grand Prix: Lille with a good success are all either Combo or Control decks…
Volrath is mean and nasty. He personally sacrifices hidden creatures (in your hand) in order to pump himself up. He has nasty shapeshifters that are designed to look like the dead. His evil laboratories create new, twisted life. His Stronghold breathes new life into the unliving. Where in here is Volrath a gardener?
Joe Black has been absent of late… he faced a writing conundrum. What does a self-confessed Constructed junkie write about when mired in a sea of Limited Magic? Thankfully, Osyp found solace in a 100+ player Legacy event… today he shares his thoughts on the format, plus his decklist of choice. As if this weren’t enough, he also shares some of the aborted articles he began in his creative drought, with his customary irreverent style…
In a break from high strategy, this week’s Moreno Monday chronicles Billy’s formative Magical years. He details his ascension from kitchen table player, to Pro Tour Qualifier attendee, to Pro Tour mainstay, in an evocative and honest style. While not loaded with top tech tips, this is a fine companion article that captures the beauty of our wonderful game.
With the change of time comes a re-evaluation of decks. I don’t play my Glare deck any more, having sold my Yoseis. My Zo-Zus have found a better home, my Meloku and my Shining Shoals having raked me in quite a tidy sum compared to what I paid for them, and I am as we speak idly picking my way through the trash bins of Coldsnap, seeing what might one day be worth something, and what, in the meantime, will be fun to play.
Hello and welcome back to another set of daily decks brought to you by the Deckmaster General. Reading too many Magic articles may be hazardous to your health.
According to Josh, Coldsnap is “a Constructed format in which you have to draft your decks.” With many broken strategies made possible by the odd slanting of card numbers, it is hard to disagree with his convictions. Today, he examines one such Constructed Draft archetype – the Icefall deck. This strategy has reaped rewards on Magic Online… can it do the same for you?
Sean investigates Time Spiral, with the aid of the Orb of Insight, and predicts what trends the coming set will introduce for Limited play. Can the information revealed thus far serve as a sufficient barometer to predict the overall style we can expect to see played out? Sean reveals all…
Home stretch now. You’re only three days away from seeing my face replaced with Tim Aten’s, or Billy Moreno’s, or, you know, someone people who dislike me want to see. Never going to quite grok how this works out. I mean, you can stop my stuff from existing – stuff you “didn’t pay for” – by just waiting a few days and looking again. Who knows, there might be something that you like put up here… though god knows if you’d tell them.
The dealer flipped over a king on the river, and that was how my bankroll excluded any other card game but Magic on the Saturday afternoon of Labor Day weekend. A local store was holding a 10-proxy Vintage tournament and promised a Mana Drain as the prize if 16 people showed up…
Once upon a time, Mike told us that Sakura-Tribe Elder was the best card in Standard. Today, however, he reveals a new love… one that, he believes, will warp the Standard metagame for as long as it’s available. He supplies decklists and analysis to reinforce his claim… and one deck is heralded as both competitive and hideously fun to play. Intrigued? Then read on…
It’s a strange time for Magic writers. Topics and ideas are thin on the ground. Coldsnap Limited? It’s been said already. Ravnica Block? Been there, done that. Standard? We’re waiting for Time Spiral. And Time Spiral itself? Not enough to write about. So, what is a writer to do… Luis steps into the breach with a fine piece on Gifts Rock in Extended. Matchups, decklists, strategies… it’s all here. Looking for a break from the norm? Look no further!
