fbpx

Search Content

Blowing Up The World

So the DCI blew up the world at midnight Eastern time September 1st by splitting the Type One and Type 1.5 Banned and Restricted lists. Type One players have been clamoring for this ever since the perceived misdeed of the Earthcraft and Entomb restrictions (which has long been blamed on 1.5, though I’ve heard 1.5 players deny that it made any sense for them, either). If I recall correctly, some of the leading 1.5 players actually didn’t want a split for fear of list mismanagement, because their format is a small niche even compared to Type One. But let me explain to you here and now why this was an amazingly good decision for the DCI to make.

By

Selecting 9th Edition Dilemma: Shared Triumph!

If Shared Triumph doesn’t win the vote this week, Ben Bleiweiss will eat the card. Or maybe he already has!

By

Selecting 9th Edition Dilemma: Glorious Anthem!

People obviously need a voice of reason for these votes because they just keep screwing things up. Since this is the last set of cards we will be voting on for another two years, I figure it’s time to recap and look at where the public went wrong this time around. Oh, and I get to beat up on Ben one last time, too. This should be fun.

By

One-Eyed Ophie Romps His Way to Top 8: Vintage World Championship Report

More than one hundred and fifty players came to Gencon to win an amazing piece of artwork and a sweet trophy. More importantly, they came to take their shot at the mantle of Vintage World Champion, but none of them were prepared to handle the return of Mono-Blue.

By

Whimsies

Because I haven’t had a voice in a few weeks, I have this miscellany of things to say, deck ideas and so forth. Entailed in this article are decks, musings, opinions, and more — all wrapped into one neat package.

By

What’s The Real Story, Anyway?

Usually, I manage to get an article written at least every four months as I have related the Magic storyline to the novels that are released with each set. However, those of you who look forward to my articles to get an update on the storyline without having to purchase and read the Magic novels may have noticed that I haven’t written about The Darksteel Eye or The Fifth Dawn (the books associated with the two most recent expansions). This is not for lack of interest and only partly for lack of time. No, the absence of these articles has been for lack of content.

By

What’s the Build?

Let’s begin with one of the more difficult draft decks I’ve had to build in the past few weeks from MTGO. I was constantly getting good cards late, but the problem was that they were all heavy on the mana requirements and in three different colors to boot. I’m going to list all of the relevant picks in order first and then go over some of the builds I went through during deck construction after some discussion about the draft.

By

Blog Fanatic: My Interview With Jamie Wakefield (Part 1 of 3)

Years ago, Jamie Wakefield was the most popular Magic writer anywhere. His books still go for $100 on eBay, and and when Mike Flores pretended to be Jamie on April Fool’s Day, we were flooded with emails from disappointed fans who thought that the King of Fatties himself had returned.

Well, this is the real deal! Ben Bleiweiss has finally tracked Jamie down. Find out what Jamie has been doing for the past five years, and hear his thoughts what he thinks about Green these days! Plus, an update on the lovely Mare!

By

My Top Ten Mistakes from Mirrodin Block Limited

We all make mistakes – some of us are just better at admitting them. Therefore, I bring you the top 10 mistakes made by Kartin’ Ken Krouner during Mirrodin Block Limited.

By

Sleeping With Brian Kibler – Your Guide to Guaranteed Results at GP:NJ *9th*

Some people will go to any lengths, just to get results and improve their Magic games. Star Wars Kid is not one of those people, but you can still learn from the story of how he went from never having qualified for a Pro Tour to ninth place at the largest American Grand Prix, all in the course of a single weekend. This scrub’s for you!

By

CHK It Out! Collaborate and Listen

Blue is back with a brand new invention! |*_*| No, I’m not starry-eyed because of Mike Flores’ boyish good looks; I’m genuinely impressed by the card.

By

CHK It Out! He’s a Radical Rat

Today’s article is best appreciated by having Microsoft Narrator read it for you while you scan the latest Worlds coverage for Kai Budde’s name. It’ll feel like I’m in the room with you! I’m even creepier in person!

By

Blog Fanatic: The Legends Rule Revisited plus Fun with Banning and Restricting!

There have been a plethora of changes in the Magic world over the past week – Wizards of the Coast released a new banned and restricted list, MagictheGathering.com began previewing Champions of Kamigawa cards, and the entire Legends rule was changed. Last things first, shall we?

By

The New Legend Rule is GOOD!

I suspect that with Champions of Kamigawa, Wizards will revolutionize the way they design Legends. Being a Legend is an inherent enough drawback to warrant ramping up the power level. Not only do you run the risk of”dead” draws by drawing multiple copies of the Legend, but now the Legend is vulnerable to a unique form of removal: a copy of itself played by your opponent. With Champions, if you’re willing to run the deckbuilding risks, you can be rewarded with great power.

By

Notes from Grand Prix Nagoya 2004

Standard hasn’t received the same level of focus as Mirrodin Block Constructed. You can draw some conclusions from the coverage at Kuala Lumpur and Nagoya, but here’s some more detailed notes and thoughts gleaned from the floor. I make few suggestions as to how to play or build the decks here, instead just analyzing what I learned from last weekend.

By