Magic Online Musings: This Week on MTGO #4

This week, blisterguy concentrates on two things: the fluctuating price of singles on the Magic Online Marketplace, and some possible predictions for the upcoming Standard Pro Tour in Hawaii.

This week, blisterguy concentrates on two things: the fluctuating price of singles on the Magic Online Marketplace, and some possible predictions for the upcoming Standard Pro Tour in Hawaii.
Bennie Smith currently writes Into the Aether for MagictheGathering.com. In his life before that, though, he wrote for this here site. He’s a pretty good player, too, having won… well, if you don’t already know, you’ll find out later.
Ben shares his opinions on the Magic Invitational Writer’s Ballot, and outlines his Top 5.
For years, Rizzo was the most popular Magic writer on the ‘net. His stream of consciousness style, profane rants, and epic-length columns channeled Jack Kerouac and Lenny Bruce through Leo Tolstoy, with Richard Garfield as the editor. Then, he was gone. For three and a half years. Yes, other than four pieces, it really was that long. He’s back now, of course. Chris interviews him in style… enter at your own risk.
It is almost March. March means Pro Tour Honolulu, the start of the new Standard season, and the last few snow storms. It also means that Wizards is about to release the quarterly update to the Banned and Restricted list…
The incomparable blisterguy walks us through his choices for the 2006 Magic Invitational Writer’s Choice vote.

A double-dose of Chris Romeo today. While his excellent Daily series continues below, this article sees Chris bring a surprising deck to the table. He claims that he sucks… but this particular creation may prove otherwise…
In this intriguing article, Raphael presents some interesting theories. What exactly makes a good Magic player? What makes a bad Magic player? Are playing and testing the true keys to improvement? Where do you rate on the Scale of Magic Excellence? This article will fire the flames of debate in the forums, so make sure you don’t miss out!
Each day this week, your Premium writers will be commenting on the upcoming Pro Tour event, with analyses of what decks to see, how the format will shape up, and updated revisions of existing powerhouses. In today’s installment, Mark explores some possible directions for the popular GhaziGlare archetype with Guildpact, and brings us a detailed rundown of the more popular metagame matchups the deck may face.

Here’s the deck I opened, in rares:
Borborygmos. Yay! I’m totally playing Red/Green!
Godless Shrine. Yay! I totally got my money back!
Firemane Angel. Yay! I’m totally playing Red/Green/White!
…Except I didn’t go Red/Green/White. Why? Well, you’ll just have to see for yourself.
With the Ravnica/Guildpact Sealed Deck Pro Tour Qualifier Season in full swing, we are finally beginning to iron out the difficulties inherent in the format. Today, Chad throws his hat into the ring, dispensing wisdom regarding mana base math; tempo and card advantage; and Limited bombs. Excellent advice for those yet to qualify for Pro Tour Prague.
Chris begins what promises to be a highly entertaining SCG Daily series by interviewing the one and only JMS. In his own words…
If you read my stuff, I’m as close to a hundred-per-cent sure that you read Jay Moldenhauer-Salazar’s stuff. He really doesn’t need any introduction.
The voting for the 2006 Magic Invitational continues, and the hotly contested Writer’s Vote is just around the corner. One player, chosen by a select squad plucked from the writing community, will win a spot at this year’s show. Each day this week, a panel memeber will outline his choices. Today it’s the turn of the esteemed Teddy Cardgame.
This week, your Premium writers will be commenting on the upcoming Pro Tour event, with analyses of what decks to see, how the format will shape up, and updated revisions of existing powerhouses. We kick off with Mike Mason’s excellent run-down of the both the existing and approaching metagame. All the current contenders examined, with forthright commentary on strengths, weaknesses, and card choices.
Magic is all about moments… the lessons you learn, the mistakes you make, the triumphs you pull from the jaws of defeat. Today, Mike tells the tales that made him the player, and writer, that he is today. A wonderful article showcasing the many mistakes of “BP” Flores. Mike certainly learnt from his mistakes… can you?