Ask Ken, 08/24/2003
What was Magic theory like when the game first came out? What was the metagame at that time? Who were the big players (the Kais) of the day?
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Blog Fanatic: A Day of Rest
Ben’s taking the day off today, but Blog Fanatic will return tommorrow. In the meanwhile, Ben was kind enough to put together a fully indexed list of all his previous Blog Fanatic columns!
The Return Of Ophie, The One-Eyed, Card-Drawing Snake
Type One has a store of decks waiting in the wings to make their big return. Often they are waiting for that new card to bring the deck back into the limelight. More likely, they are waiting for a shift in the metagame or banning to weaken rivals. If both conditions are met, then the stage may be set for an encore performance. Mono-Blue Control is one such deck.
From Right Field: What Chaps My A$$
The people have spoken. They like Blog Romeo. They like Romantic Newlywed Romeo. What the people really like, though, is The Pi$$ed-Off Romeo. As my man Ray Davies of The Kinks knows, you’ve gotta give the people what they want.
Ask Ken, 08/23/2004
I had a recent dispute with some friends over a mulligan decision I made in a MD5 Sealed GP Trial.
Ask Ken, 08/20/2004
My question is about gender roles in the game. Why are female players so far and few in-between? I can’t imagine the poor personal hygiene of many male players to be the sole culprit.
Blog Fanatic: Hashim Bello, What a Fellow! (Part 3 of 3)
One day at Neutral Ground, Hashim and Jon (Finkel) were playing a game of Magic. Jon was a bit of a rapscallion back then, and was in the habit of tossing pens at people, just to bother them. On this occasion, he threw a pen at Hashim. The pen went past Hashim’s glasses, and hit Hashim right in the eye. Both of them froze. Jon had a look of panic in his eyes…
The July Metagame Update and The Crucible Effect
You cannot be fully prepared for the Type 1 Championship at GenCon this weekend without having read this article. Pip outlines all the lastest top 8 decks, tells you how deck builds have changed in the past month, and warns that you better prepared to play against Crucible of Worlds or you will be sorry.
The Compendium of Alternate Formats, Entry 5: Scavenger Hunt Format
I initially remember being exposed to scavenger hunt format several years ago on a now defunct website that described alternate formats. When Ben and Matt posted that StarCityGames.com was going to host a scavenger hunt tournament, along with a list made up by Ben, I was thrilled! You see, to my way of thinking, there’s nothing better than a deckbuilding challenge.
Ask Ken, 08/19/2004
Today’s question about Limited mana curves is answered by four-time Pro Tour top 8 competitor Anton Jonsson.
Blog Fanatic: Hashim Bello, What a Fellow! (Part 2 of 3)
DannyO are you trying to be as funny as me? I noticed that when you mana screwed me two games in a row at that PTQ and I threw the table with Halo sitting on it, you ran out of the room. Does that mean that you are entertained or not? Let’s call a cat a cat. My temper is frightening not entertaining and I like it that way.
Peace,
Hashim B
Furniture throwing champion of the World
Pro Tour Seattle Report *64th*+ Mirrodin Block PTQ Report *2nd*
Four reasons to play this deck at your next PTQ:
Thoughtful Dismissal in the Type 1 Metagame
Reflexive dismissal should never have existed. Reasoned or thoughtful dismissal is a far more useful thing. I’ll define and discuss”thoughtful dismissal” more at length in this article and tell you why players continue to dismiss certain metagames and why it’s a good thing.
Selecting 9th Edition Dilemma – Blackmail!
I beat Ted so badly that he’s gone underground to lick his wounds. My opponent today is Josh Rider, who I hear is the mayor of Alaska. Fancy politicians do not scare me, because they are all susceptible to one driving force: Blackmail.