tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38661296346582056652024-03-18T07:18:32.539-04:00Writer Adeptgwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.comBlogger580125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-81831292994142981132017-12-19T18:24:00.001-05:002017-12-19T18:24:34.525-05:00Insight on Silverblack, Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.nextmedia.com.au/News/Ixalan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.nextmedia.com.au/News/Ixalan.jpg" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>As promised, today I have Part Two of <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/12/insight-on-silverblack.html">Luc3k's article on his thoughts and experiences with the Silverblack format</a>, which we used for Season 4 of the MPDC League which just concluded this past weekend. As I've mentioned now several times, if you would like to contribute your own voice to this blog, I would love to have you send me something. Contact me at gwyned at gmail dot com. So without further ado, here is the rest of Luc3k's thoughts on the format:</i><br />
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<br />
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Lucky for you this is the
end of my whining, as after a month I’ve earned some experience and had some
new thoughts, as well as the format changed and narrowed to Tribal. I saw the
chance for the ever present Energy to collapse. Back to times of Standard
Pauper it was easy to observe that Artificers had some serious potential and
worked well in UW colors. I was taking into consideration this variant, because
it seemed like some novelties from Ixalan might appear in this new format, mostly
Dinosaurs and Pirates. On the other hand I had some serious sentiment towards
my old deck and a approach of a 6-year old kiddo: “I. Want. My. Cars!” So what
better I could do than a mix of Artificers and Vehicles? (List and description
from Gwyned: </span><span lang="PL"><a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/1st-place-in-week-five-of-mpdc-league.html"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/1st-place-in-week-five-of-mpdc-league.html</span></span></a></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> ) I lacked cards like Unclaimed Territory and
surely I would put Abrade in the place of Lightning Strike, but I simply didn’t
have them in my collection. What I had though was a bit of luck in form of my
opponents taking mulligans. Also the deck was able to reward me for obvious
misplays. Best example: I’m on the draw, kept a hand consisting of 2 Swamps,
Ramunap Ruins, 2 Sky Skiffs, Unlicensed Disintegration and Aether Chaser; draw
Inventor Apprentice but clicked Swamp in a rush. I was annoyed with my misplay
but than I top-decked Inventor’s Goggles. It allowed me to put Ruins on the battlefield
and have a 3/5 Apprentice on the battlefield in the second turn.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>First week was a 5-0 win ratio for my deck, without a
single game lost, so I am confident to say that I’ve managed to build it neatly
with some nice synergies. Lack of sideboard in the format was definitely a
bonus for me. I wasn’t afraid of lots of artifact hate and removal in main
decks. I don’t want to sound too confident, I am aware of the fact that the
first week of Tribal was experimental, which was easy to see from the second
week results. It was a comeback of Energy, based on Vedalken tribe. But I have
to say that with those constraints the game was much more leveled out, where in
contrast to classic Silverback I knew I was able to compete and it wasn’t a one
sided game. When the dust of first week fights wear off and the whole situation
was more stable I’ve finished my second week of Tribal with the 3-2 result.
Unfortunately during third week I’ve played only 3 rounds, due to lack of time,
so the final result from 3 week Tribal was 9-4 for my Artificers. So the deck
is solid, but only in those specific constraints of the format.</span>
</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Obviously after 3 weeks of Silverback Tribal I had a much
more positive approach towards the whole situation. Still I don’t want you to
think that I suddenly fell in love with the format because I started to win. It
is an important ingredient though, everyone can get fed up if he or she
constantly loses. The first month was crucial to me in understanding the
format. At the very beginning I was afraid of those new, much more used to the
format players and the fact that I will be an easy prey for them. Which
actually happened :) I was afraid dealing with the bigger pool of card and it
was a thing for me I really needed to overcome. But the ending thought is that
in the end it wasn’t that bad. Actually it was pretty good. I needed to get
some beating up, look at how better players play and introduce some
improvements. Which I think at the end makes me a little bit better as a
player.</span>
</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>When I am writing this text we are at the end of first
week of Mono Color Silverback and of course I’ve taken the chance of coming
back to my B Vehicles. No idea how those fractions of percents allowed me to
win, again had some luck. My deck was lacking some of the basic black
uncommons, so I incorporated replacements from Standard Pauper. Once more I am
in my comfort zone and I feel quite good. I am playing with the deck I know
throughout. But when talking about the future, meaning next season:</span></div>
<ol>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Is Gwyned right that commons in Ixalan are weak and do
not push Standard Pauper forward? Definitely.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Would I want to go back to Standard Pauper
nevertheless? Probably yes, but not 100% sure on that.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Can we do something to make Silverback a little more
diverse? I think it is worth to play one more season with the current scheme,
maybe even cut down Tribal and Mono to two weeks each. Observe if we can adapt
in order to prevent Energy from being dominant deck. Maybe even wait for the
next expansion and see how it will shape metagame.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And what is your opinion on
this matter?</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Regards and till next time on #MPDC</span> </span> gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-43356386939536832782017-12-15T13:31:00.002-05:002017-12-15T13:31:38.992-05:00Insight on Silverblack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.nextmedia.com.au/News/Ixalan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.nextmedia.com.au/News/Ixalan.jpg" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Today's article is a special post by Standard Pauper player Luc3k. A couple weeks back, I posted a request for anyone who was interested in contributing to the site to send me an article related to Standard Pauper or the MPDC League, and this is the first such response I received. Luc3k had so much to say, however, that I am going to split it up into two posts, with the second part being posted this coming Monday. Enjoy!</i><br />
<br />
<i>Also, note that English is not Luc3k's original language, and that this was translated by a friend.</i><br />
<br />
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<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hello!</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A “guy with luck in his nickname” here. I am not an old
stager, my achievements are rather small and I play rather irregularly (which
you can see on my </span><span lang="PL"><a href="http://pdcmagic.com/"><span class="Hyperlink0"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">pdcmagic.com</span></span></a></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> profile). Still I wanted to share with you my insight
on changing the format from Standard Pauper to Silverback. This is a story
about leaving the comfort zone and dealing with new conditions, despite how
silly it may sound when talking about a card game.</span>
</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Brief introduction - beginning my adventure with Standard
Pauper (season 26-29 of SPDC and MPDC) I decided to pilot an aggressive RW
Heroic deck because of the simple reason: I am rather weak control player. I’ve
tried different things but the result was poor. My decks were always lacking
card advantage. But why is it even important in that story?</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>After a longer break (personal reasons, life gets in the
way you know) I tried to come back to the community. It was even easier because
of the changes in the way the matches have been scheduled. Players didn’t have
to sacrifice whole Sunday or Monday evening with the view of waking up early
next day for work. Changing the tournament into a form of league was very
important aspect allowing me to take part in the tournaments. So we have
reached the point when you have to choose a deck. Aggro would be best, RW was a
solid deck. So back to the question from the paragraph above - I need an
offensive deck, which can do something more than spilling cards from my hand.
The choice was <a href="http://pdcmagic.com/gatherling/deck.php?mode=view&id=28233">Mono B Vehicles</a>, which I simply copied from the player Julion</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. The only thing I changed in the mainboard
was -2 Swamps, +2 Cradles of the Accursed. And yes, I was fully aware that this
does not make playing Grasp of Darkness any easier. The deck was
offensive,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it had some removal, combat
tricks, card advantage, vehicles naturally avoided sorcery-speed removal and
overall I enjoyed them because of the flavor. It was a very enjoyable deck to
pilot, I’ve managed to win some games and irritate some of you ;) Than it was
time to change the format into Silverback.</span>
</div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There have been many different approaches how to handle
the change of the format. One of them was to choose a deck from the current
Standard, take out Rares and Mythics, put something instead of them (preferably
Uncommons) and voila! In my opinion this approach was good with Energy decks
(you didn’t have to take out many cards) and maybe BG Constrictor. But I had
some hard time at adapting for example Ramunap Red, where over 20 creatures are
at Rare and Mythic slot. Deckbuilding was a challenge and I wasn’t a fan of
those changes. I am still not a enthusiast of Silverback in the current format,
but I will explain this later.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Now lets go back to leaving (or staying in) the comfort
zone. I felt good about my black vehicles deck, I didn’t want to change too
much, but I want to be competitive. I leave the core of the deck untouched: 4x
Sky skiff and 2x Renegade Freighter, knowing that Skiff will be mediocre at
best but I don’t have better options. Night Market Lookout simply must stay,
without it the deck does not work. Mono B didn’t give too many upgrade options
- Walk the Plank is only a replacement for Grasp of Darkness, not an upgrade -
so I started examining other colors. Red was my pick, as Unlicensed
Disintegration and Weldfast Engineer work naturally with artifacts. For
consistency I’ve left Augmenting Automaton (which is weak in the format), Dhund
Operative (which is mediocre at it best) and Foundry Screecher (which dies from
basically anything). I didn’t wanted any tapped lands so my mana base consisted
of mostly basic lands and 2x Cradle of the Accursed, which basically was
looking bad even on paper.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As you probably already guess, the deck was not working
well. To be honest it wasn’t working at all. Demanding mana costs, poor mana
base, weak 1- and 2-drops. I’ve lost all my matches, without wining even a
single game. Very fast I had some material to think on. Also I have felt how
strong are the constructions based on Energy. Luckily during week 2 I was too
busy to take part in tournament, but I was able to analyze the results and
decks of other players after 2 weeks in this new environment, which still felt
completely strange to me. Most obvious finding was the domination of Energy
decks. So there were only two options: jumping on the wagon and building around
Energy or treating it as a deck to beat. I’ve chosen the second option, decided
that it is not the time to act as a hero of deckbuilding and came back to the
basics. I’ve built a mono red deck, based on 12 deserts, Firebrand Archer, Wall
of Forgotten Pharaohs with addition of Ahn-Crop Crasher and Sand Strangler.
Rest was burn spells. This deck was meant to imitate typical Pauper burn deck,
which I know very well and which is not difficult to pilot. I’ve played next 2
weeks with this deck, playing 5 or 6 rounds and had mediocre results. For me it
was more about getting used to the new meta and earning some basic experience.</span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>So the fact that I am not an enthusiast of Silverback,
which I mentioned in the previous paragraphs, comes mostly from the necessity
of adapting to those energy counters being tossed at you every two matches. The
format seems to have little variety, does not reward unusual and interesting
constructions. In my opinion the Energy mechanics is too strong itself. What’s
more, for me before the changes, when we were playing Standard Pauper, metagame
was richer, had more variety. I did not encounter the same decks over and over
again and each of us had his or hers own archetype, crafted over weeks of play.
So it was difficult for me to adapt to a new situation, and the sum of
objective and subjective aspects only made my negative approach worse.</span></div>
gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-15957333274194729002017-12-14T16:34:00.003-05:002017-12-14T16:34:40.681-05:00End of the MPDC Leader Season 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" /></a></div>
<i>I sent out the following as an email to everyone who has participated in the MPDC League over the past few months. But I had several of those emails bounce back, and I know that there are others who did not participate in the league but might be interested in future events and such. So I am reposting this here in hope of getting it in front of as many people as possible.</i><br />
<br />
This is the final week of Season 4 of the MPDC League. We will be taking a break for the winter holidays and will resume <u>following the online release of Rivals of Ixalan</u> on January 19th.<br /><br />1. If you have any ideas or requests for future formats, <b>please [comment below]</b> and let me know. Specifically, should we return to Standard Pauper, stay with Silverblack, or do something else entirely?<br /><br />2. <u>If you won a prize but have not yet received it (including Door Prizes)</u>, <b>please [send an email to gwyned at gmail dot com]</b> with <u>your username</u> and <u>which week(s) you are missing</u>, and I will get that taken care of as soon as possible. <b>If the prize(s) includes tickets</b>, it would be helpful to let me know when would be a good time for us to connect online so I can trade them to you.<br /><br />Thanks so much for your participation in the MPDC League. Wishing you the best in the coming New Year!<i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Last but not least, <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/12/writers-wanted.html">I sent out a request for anyone interesting in writing content about the MPDC League or Standard Pauper</a>. Well Luc3k did just that, and I will have his article up on Saturday. Be sure and check back then!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-80382602306800529882017-12-06T15:26:00.000-05:002017-12-06T15:26:10.750-05:001st Place in Week Eight of the MPDC League<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://media.wizards.com/2017/images/daily/cardart_XLN_Walk-the-Plank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="800" height="188" src="https://media.wizards.com/2017/images/daily/cardart_XLN_Walk-the-Plank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A week ago the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">MPDC League</a> shifted over to the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/mpdc-league-silverblack-mono-colored.html">Mono-Colored format</a>, which means today I have our first weekly champion's decklist to discuss. Our 1st place winner this week is Luc3k, who made the choice to play Black, no doubt in part to its powerful removal, Graveyard recursion, and hand disruption. In this particular case, Luc3k also chose to utilize Vehicles, which continue to be a potent addition to any deck. Let's take a look at his list:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UtCRO8uc8ABxb24PqbSnTHgd4GMVu9NdSZAwedX0AcPcYL_Qm6Fj7KmW-2LNbpsS5-e48YEGUvTLcQocj_dbwxKwyjehYFg2Q54qJGO4DBU7L4u2OqZ_TSEbZeYUJ5X9aO1IAoRLw41P/s1600/decklist.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="198" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UtCRO8uc8ABxb24PqbSnTHgd4GMVu9NdSZAwedX0AcPcYL_Qm6Fj7KmW-2LNbpsS5-e48YEGUvTLcQocj_dbwxKwyjehYFg2Q54qJGO4DBU7L4u2OqZ_TSEbZeYUJ5X9aO1IAoRLw41P/s400/decklist.png" width="146" /></a></div>
This deck relies on several smallish creatures that are cheap to cast and thus pair well with Vehicles, including a full playset of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Bone_Picker.html">Bone Picker</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Night_Market_Lookout.html">Night Market Lookout</a>, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Dhund_Operative.html">Dhund Operative</a>, and two each of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Gravedigger.html">Gravedigger</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Skymarch_Bloodletter.html">Skymarch Bloodletter</a>, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Seekers_Squire.html">Seekers' Squire</a>. These, in turn, help keep both <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Sky_Skiff.html">Sky Skiff</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Renegade_Freighter.html">Renegade Freighter</a> crewed and in the action, and much of the time are the deck's primary win conditions. Supporting this strategy is a combination of removal (<a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Walk_the_Plank.html">Walk the Plank</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Fatal_Push.html">Fatal Push</a>), hand disruption (<a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Harsh_Scrutiny.html">Harsh Scrutiny</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Duress.html">Duress</a>), Graveyard recursion (Gravedigger, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Supernatural_Stamina.html">Supernatural Stamina</a>), and just a touch of card draw from <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Live_Fast.html">Live Fast</a>. Throw in 18 Swamps and 4 copies of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Cradle_of_the_Accursed.html">Cradle of the Accursed</a>, and you have a surprisingly efficient and streamlined deck, capable of handling a variety of different archetypes.<br />
<br />
The Sideboard allows you to swap out less useful cards to bring others upto a full playset, including additional copies of Harsh Scrutiny, Gravedigger, Duress, and Live Fast. It also has additional removal from <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Die_Young.html">Die Young</a>, a tiny board-sweeper than can dramatically change combat in <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Make_Obsolete.html">Make Obsolete</a>, and a lone copy of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Cartouche_of_Ambition.html">Cartouche of Ambition</a>. With these additional options at your disposal, the deck can easily compensate for your opponent's specific strategy and counteract it accordingly.<br />
<br />
Luc3k was actually one of three players to go 4-1 in the first week of this format, narrowly edging out Red_Demon3 and br_laern, both of whom were piloting a White Weenie strategy. Congratulations to all three players on their great finishes last week.<br />
<br />
Finally, let me remind you that <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/12/writers-wanted.html">last time I put out a call for writers</a> to create content related to the MPDC League or Standard Pauper. Would love to have your voice added to the conversation. Contact me if you are interested.<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading and see you next time.gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-64575016228194759302017-12-02T08:50:00.001-05:002017-12-02T08:50:09.776-05:00Writers Wanted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj912-btL8QxJCHXYVU8rEnDF56rxog7T6es5_4lbpjcWZ0gsaCKapE8JGiHkBxPrdGC6hqw26pRTiSMTWwNHFk2taeyiwn2hipnElpkSpETpXYQAw2Bro8afTS-OboKc2k6n6_cKHmC_Ds/s1600/598_ertaiwizardadept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="620" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj912-btL8QxJCHXYVU8rEnDF56rxog7T6es5_4lbpjcWZ0gsaCKapE8JGiHkBxPrdGC6hqw26pRTiSMTWwNHFk2taeyiwn2hipnElpkSpETpXYQAw2Bro8afTS-OboKc2k6n6_cKHmC_Ds/s320/598_ertaiwizardadept.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-importance-of-integrity.html">Last time</a>, I wrote about how much I love the Standard Pauper community. But I think one of the biggest challenges we're facing right now is that we are a community without a home.<br />
<br />
PDCMagic used to be the defacto destination for all things Pauper. But with the transition to the most recent version of the MTGO client, much of the casual crowd went elsewhere, and soon thereafter Wizards made the decision to cease supporting in any official way several casual formats, including Standard Pauper. Various blogs and sites tried to take up some of the slack, but in the end, none of them have endured.<br />
<br />
Back when we started <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/mpdc-league-silverblack-tribal-rules.html">Silverblack Tribal Wars</a> in the MPDC League, <a href="http://forums.pdcmagic.com/viewtopic.php?t=13457">Polyjak wrote a great post</a> over at PDCMagic talking about the possibilities of the format. But I have no idea if anyone even saw it. I didn't even realize it was there until the League had moved on to the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/mpdc-league-silverblack-mono-colored.html">Mono-Colored format</a>. Which was a shame, because what he wrote was quite good and would have sparked some excellent discussion. Go ahead, <a href="http://forums.pdcmagic.com/viewtopic.php?t=13457">follow this link</a> and give it a look.<br />
<br />
So here's what I want to propose. Next time anyone has an urge to write something about Standard Pauper, send it my way. Right now, my blog seems to be the only place where at least some of our community are regularly gathering. I would love to open up this space for anyone who has something to say. There's no reason why it has to just be my voice here. Maybe somehow this space can, at least in part, be a place where we as a community can discuss what we're playing.<br />
<br />
What do you think? gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-8381333859701370192017-11-29T10:54:00.000-05:002017-11-29T10:54:01.164-05:00The Importance of Integrity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" /></a></div>
Today I want to talk about integrity.<br />
<br />
Integrity (at least in this instance) is being honest and having strong moral principles. When it comes to games, integrity means playing by the rules, not trying to get an unfair advantage, and being open and honest about what's going on in the game.<br />
<br />
For the MPDC League, unlike a professional Magic tournament, there's no judge to call or appeals process, at least not during a match. In fact, there are rarely any other people involved in a given match at all. Thus, it is up to both players to ensure that the match plays out in a way that is fair and consistent. In other words, that both people play with integrity.<br />
<br />
One of the things I have always appreciated about the Standard Pauper community is its openness, its kindness, and its commitment to fair play. In all my years of hosting, there have been very few instances where I had to deal with a suspicion of foul play. This is certainly a testament to just how special our community of players is.<br />
<br />
But this doesn't happen by accident. We all have to continue to strive for integrity. We all have to work hard to maintain this great thing we have going.<br />
<br />
So if you're participating in the MPDC League, do so with integrity. Report the results of your matches accurately and in a timely fashion. Pay attention that you are filling out the form accurately each time. If you make a mistake, or notice a discrepancy, please bring it to my attention. Be courteous to your opponent and don't take advantage of a person if they are unfamiliar with the client or having technical difficulties. Play to win, but don't do it at the expense of another person.<br />
<br />
In other words, play with integrity.gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-83591894627376668072017-11-24T11:27:00.000-05:002017-11-24T11:39:06.064-05:00MPDC League: Silverblack Mono-Colored Rules <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" /></a></div>
This current week is the last week of the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/mpdc-league-silverblack-tribal-rules.html">Silverblack Standard Tribal</a> format for this season of the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">MPDC League</a>. Starting on Monday, November 27th, the format for the league will switch to Mono-Colored. This format forces players to include one, and only one, color among the five colors of Magic for your deck. So today I want to quickly go over the Deck Construction rules for this variant.<br />
<br />
The overall rule for Mono-Deck is very straightforward: <b>Your entire deck, including Sideboard, can only contain cards with a single color (or are Colorless)</b>. But, of course, the devil is always in the details. So let's talk some specifics:<br />
<ol>
<li><i>Colorless cards (including ALL Lands and Artifacts) CAN be played freely in any deck, as these cards do NOT have a color.</i> While this isn't true for all Magic cards, it is true for all of the Commons and Uncommons in the current Standard set. Note that this means that Lands that produce multiple colors of mana, such as <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=432888">Cinder Barrens</a>, ARE still considered colorless.</li>
<li><i>Permanents that are multi-colored are NOT legal, as they contain more than one color.</i> This not only includes cards like <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=426896">Ahn-Crop Champion</a> but also split-cards like <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=430841&part=Appeal">Appeal // Authority</a>. See <a href="https://blogs.magicjudges.org/rules/cr708/">CR 708 in the official rules</a>, which clearly states that split-cards are the colors of both parts of the card prior to being cast.</li>
<li><i>An activated ability including a particular color has no effect on the color of that permanent.</i> For example, <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=423808">Aegis Automaton</a> is a legal card EVEN IF you're not playing White, <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=432880">Avid Reclaimer</a> is legal IF AND ONLY IF you are playing Green, and BOTH <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=430859">Desert of the Fervent</a> and <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=430866">Hashep Oasis</a> ARE legal in any deck.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
</ol>
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at gwyned at gmail dot com. Looking forward to another great week ahead!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-81428766739597888432017-11-16T11:13:00.002-05:002017-11-16T11:13:58.164-05:001st Place in Week Five of the MPDC League Season Four <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.wizards.com/2016/images/daily/story4r7_UAa3hnW1NI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.wizards.com/2016/images/daily/story4r7_UAa3hnW1NI.jpg" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="800" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
This week the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">MPDC League</a> shifted to <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/mpdc-league-silverblack-tribal-rules.html">Standard Silverblack Tribal</a>, which is a variation of the Tribal format in which at least one third of the total cards in the deck must contain the same creature subtype. Additionally, the format does not allow for any Sideboards.<br />
<br />
The winner this week was Luc3k, who piloted a Rakdos colored deck with the Artificers tribe, making use of this prevalent theme from the Kaladesh block. Let's take a look at his list:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV75x4vs-jKbbbzjOsJfi81IeZucIWwgvRYCqoZcfi-9CobZx8mjssZHZwV9_90ggPy7WNBP2iS4p7FyAmFP2tdJUtqXdfkyh0Wr_wD727S0FHlWPjrj785eXMMfgrEW37oruMvPVHN8j/s1600/decklist.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="235" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV75x4vs-jKbbbzjOsJfi81IeZucIWwgvRYCqoZcfi-9CobZx8mjssZHZwV9_90ggPy7WNBP2iS4p7FyAmFP2tdJUtqXdfkyh0Wr_wD727S0FHlWPjrj785eXMMfgrEW37oruMvPVHN8j/s320/decklist.png" width="196" /></a></div>
Unlike some recent innovations, this deck is simply about dealing damage as quickly as possible. It's constructed around six aggressive and/or mana efficient creatures: <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Aether_Chaser.html">Aether Chaser</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Sweatworks_Brawler.html">Sweatworks Brawler</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Weldfast_Engineer.html">Weldfast Engineer</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Aether_Poisoner.html">Aether Poisoner</a>, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Inventors_Apprentice.html">Inventor's Apprentice</a>. Not only do these beaters quickly ramp up the pressure, but each can immediately be equipped with <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Inventors_Goggles.html">Inventor's Goggles</a> as soon as they enter the battlefield, making them that much more of a threat. But the biggest threats of the list actually come from <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Sky_Skiff.html">Sky Skiff</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Renegade_Freighter.html">Renegade Freighter</a>, which are among the best Vehicles available in the format, especially since they are so cheap to Crew. Augmenting these threats are <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Lightning_Strike.html">Lightning Strike</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/PRM_Unlicensed_Disintegration.html">Unlicensed Disintegration</a>, the latter of which can not only deal with any opposing threat but also levels direct damage to your opponent. Finally, the deck includes a full playset of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Ramunap_Ruins.html">Ramunap Ruins</a> as well, which has become a staple in any Red-based deck for its dual role as a mana source early and as a direct damage dealer late to deal the final blow to your opponent.<br />
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Congratulations are certainly in order for Luc3k, who piloted this deck to a 5-0 finish, earning the 1st place trophy for last week. There is no doubt that the Artificers tribe is among the most powerful available right now, so it will be interesting to see if another tribe can fight through to victory. Hope you've enjoy this brief deck-tech, and I will see you next time.gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-2176670433601126512017-11-10T13:05:00.003-05:002017-11-10T13:05:58.522-05:001st Place in Week Four of the MPDC League Season Four <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the final week of Standard Silverblack for the MPDC League, another deck emerged to once again dethrone Energy. This time, well known Standard Pauper enthusiast joekewwl ran a powerful and streamlined MonoRed deck, taking advantage of the raw strength of various burn spells and one of the best creatures in the format right now: <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Ahn-Crop_Crasher.html">Ahn-Crop Crasher</a>. Let's take a look at his decklist:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GjHK3Aq0fepwnzwp7qKZx36yOfOH3QIJbNK5GKDaPuY9iETj0lzvug3-tTdpOBuH30BNCckI0cS5S570eyf6V8aFRtM6SAKxYtBx2FcGZ4a0FIvxRgGqSWVZDfYOrzIQGKKwDvGVtYOC/s1600/monoRed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GjHK3Aq0fepwnzwp7qKZx36yOfOH3QIJbNK5GKDaPuY9iETj0lzvug3-tTdpOBuH30BNCckI0cS5S570eyf6V8aFRtM6SAKxYtBx2FcGZ4a0FIvxRgGqSWVZDfYOrzIQGKKwDvGVtYOC/s400/monoRed.png" width="135" /></a></div>
Although this list only includes 5 actual burn spells (3 <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Lightning_Strike.html">Lightning Strike</a> as well as singletons of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Abrade.html">Abrade</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Magma_Spray.html">Magma Spray</a>), a few other cards serve a similar function: <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Ramunap_Ruins.html">Ramunap Ruins</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Sand_Strangler.html">Sand Strangler</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Fling.html">Fling</a>, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Struggle_Survive_f.html">Struggle // Survive</a>. The bulk of the deck is actually creatures, with a noticeable Artifact creature theme that stand well on their own but also enable utilizing the sweeper <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Incendiary_Sabotage.html">Incendiary Sabotage</a>. Of these, both <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Filigree_Familiar.html">Filigree Familiar</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Treasure_Keeper.html">Treasure Keeper</a> provide additional benefits when they come in and leave play, making them excellent sacrifices for Fling. Additionally, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Consulate_Dreadnought.html">Consulate Dreadnought</a>, along with the powerful <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Charging_Monstrosaur.html">Charging Monstrosaur</a>, provide two massive threats to finish off your opponent, especially if you can sneak them through using the Exert feature of Ahn-Crop Crasher. And as if these threats are not enough, the deck includes a couple copies of both <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Siege_Modification.html">Siege Modification</a> and C<a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Cartouche_of_Zeal.html">artouche of Zeal</a>, making your creatures all the more powerful.<br />
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For the Sideboard, you have additional copies of Lightning Strike, Abrade, and Magma Spray, along with 3 copies of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Blazing_Volley.html">Blazing Volley</a> to help knock down tokens and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Hijack.html">Hijack</a> as a nice way to turn your opponent's threats against him. Finally, both <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Blur_of_Blades.html">Blur of Blades</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Furious_Reprisal.html">Furious Reprisal</a> gives the deck some more nuanced ways of dealing with particular creatures.<br />
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Congratulations are certainly in order for joekewwl piloting this deck to an impressive 4-1 victory in this last week before we shift over to <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/11/mpdc-league-silverblack-tribal-rules.html">Standard Silverblack Tribal</a>. It will certainly be interesting to see which tribes emerge as the most powerful. Hope you'll have a chance to participate. See you next time!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-21159873211618642012017-11-06T09:33:00.002-05:002017-11-06T14:14:48.305-05:00MPDC League: Silverblack Tribal Rules<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">MPDC League</a> switches to the Silverblack Tribal format! Once upon a time, Tribal was actually a<a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/game-info/gameplay/formats/tribal-wars-standard">n official format on Magic Online</a>, existing in both a Standard and Classic variants. This format is all about creature combat, emphasizing a particular sub-type of creature to create what is essentially a theme deck of that particular sub-type. Traditionally, the rules for the Tribal format were as follows:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>One third of the total cards in your deck must share a single creature type.</b> Technically this does include non-creature permanents that have a creature type (although no such cards are currently in Standard). Also, <a href="https://blogs.magicjudges.org/rulestips/2011/02/artifact-is-a-type-not-a-creature-type/">"Artifact Creature" is NOT a creature type</a>, as Artifact is a card type, not a creature type.</li>
<li><b>No Sideboard is allowed.</b></li>
</ol>
For the MPDC League, <u>both of rules will be in effect</u>. Two additional rules exist:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>All cards must be either Commons or Uncommons that are currently in the Standard set</b>.</li>
<li><b>Your chosen creature type cannot be "Human"</b> (although you can include Humans that share a different creature type instead).</li>
</ol>
And just as before, there are currently no cards banned for the MPDC League.<br />
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If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at gwyned at gmail dot com. Good luck and have fun! gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-30672135795610566162017-11-02T16:31:00.000-04:002017-11-02T16:31:26.338-04:001st Place in Week Three of the MPDC League Season Four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the first time this season, a non-Energy deck managed to go 5-0 in this week's <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">MPDC League</a>. Long-time player smashin piloted a Golgari Rock style deck to victory, combining excellent spot removal, beefy creatures, and creature enhancements in the form of Auras and counters. I personally had the chance to play against this deck, and I can honestly say I got destroyed very quickly in both our games. Let's take a look at the decklist:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0fyX_TLeYvVaTFyIMS_l22E2HzE-_nbWAqA7AQw6un5poQPiAYpAAzvDrOe5s46XWg3mVsjZu5W9lQmHvc8Y9QT0SlRqtK3Sr4r3CErnS8gcxwr9xjMkdZXhsOWKqZMtlyxxX0qFtLkL/s1600/decklist.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0fyX_TLeYvVaTFyIMS_l22E2HzE-_nbWAqA7AQw6un5poQPiAYpAAzvDrOe5s46XWg3mVsjZu5W9lQmHvc8Y9QT0SlRqtK3Sr4r3CErnS8gcxwr9xjMkdZXhsOWKqZMtlyxxX0qFtLkL/s1600/decklist.png" /></a></div>
This deck definitely utilizes a creature-centric strategy with a nice Merfolk sub-theme. Both <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Merfolk_Branchwalker.html">Merfolk Branchwalker</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Tishanas_Wayfinder.html">Tishana's Wayfinder</a> can pump themselves with Explore, while <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Vineshaper_Mystic.html">Vineshaper Mystic</a> further enhances Merfolk and generally comes into play as a 2/4, making it tough for Red decks to deal with effectively. Additionally, both <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Ridgescale_Tusker.html">Ridgescale Tusker</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Winding_Constrictor.html">Winding Constrictor</a> both synergize well with all these +1 / +1 counters floating around, with <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Armorcraft_Judge.html">Armorcraft Judge</a> being the ultimate payoff if you can assemble the team.<br />
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The deck also utilizes <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Walk_the_Plank.html">Walk the Plank</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Fatal_Push.html">Fatal Push</a> for removal, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Blossoming_Defense.html">Blossoming Defense</a> to protect its creatures, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_River_Heralds_Boon.html">River Heralds' Boon</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Cartouche_of_Strength.html">Cartouche of Strength</a> to buff its already beefy creatures. Finally, the two copies of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Hashep_Oasis.html">Hashep Oasis</a> can also be used in a pinch to push through the last points of damage once you know your opponent can't do anything to stop your creatures.<br />
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For the Sideboard, you have the versatile <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Crushing_Canopy.html">Crushing Canopy</a> to counter either Enchantments or Flying creatures, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Lifecrafters_Gift.html">Lifecrafter's Gift</a> to further spread your counters against opponents with little to no spot removal, and 3 copies of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Cartouche_of_Ambition.html">Cartouche of Ambition</a> to allow you to not only deal with tokens or other weenies but also give you some much needed Lifegain against aggressive decks. Additionally, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Skittering_Heartstopper.html">Skittering Heartstopper</a> can serve as another cheap removal, while <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Destined_Lead.html">Destined // Lead</a> gives you additional ways to protect your creatures and can be used to setup the killing blow from your unblocked creatures.<br />
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This is definitely a fun deck, and one I highly suggest you check out. With it going 5-0 this past week, it's sure to be a contender, so be sure you're ready to face it!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-45667697530664114742017-10-31T09:11:00.000-04:002017-10-31T09:11:34.091-04:00My Take on Temur Energy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9arw260K0q5qO6ORUEgB0Nj7l8KV4kVXyO2trDRt7Z3CN3HdWEh2HjNICifUiIjYAlJQr2guwzPj6gblG7psYSmTzQIkhPaxfdeyevDTviOYpKGwf7MwnCbm6bXpSW3OYo_yLfCtwNHv/s1600/empv.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="429" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9arw260K0q5qO6ORUEgB0Nj7l8KV4kVXyO2trDRt7Z3CN3HdWEh2HjNICifUiIjYAlJQr2guwzPj6gblG7psYSmTzQIkhPaxfdeyevDTviOYpKGwf7MwnCbm6bXpSW3OYo_yLfCtwNHv/s320/empv.png" width="320" /></a></div>
If you've been participating in the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">MPDC League</a> (and let's face it, if you're reading this blog, you probably are), by now you are well aware that Energy decks have been the early front-runner for the most dominant deck of our small metagame. This archetype was piloted to back-to-back 5-0 records for the first two weeks of the league, and continued to place well for the third week as well.<br />
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As promised, today I want to look at my own version of the Energy deck, inspired mostly by <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/10/1st-place-in-week-one-of-mpdc-league.html">Polyjak's original list</a>. Here's my decklist:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvsZ8U-gue0Mg1HynYbEs6aTnCNNurwGmzO0ej2Fblel9vm8ZNZovF47eK5uiXpGXSpiyikQkeUFiql0LVdccl0VpzRIXqEleM7PFr4CHfKIGwaHp0mGi0BxDUbuHKjOl-ipFsWssd8LV/s1600/decklist.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="198" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvsZ8U-gue0Mg1HynYbEs6aTnCNNurwGmzO0ej2Fblel9vm8ZNZovF47eK5uiXpGXSpiyikQkeUFiql0LVdccl0VpzRIXqEleM7PFr4CHfKIGwaHp0mGi0BxDUbuHKjOl-ipFsWssd8LV/s400/decklist.png" width="140" /></a></div>
My intent in building this variant was to diversify my threats. I felt Polyjak's version relied too much on winning with a host of Thopter tokens from <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Whirler_Virtuoso.html">Whirler Virtuoso</a>, and didn't often do well when that plan didn't come together. So I opted to add in <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Thriving_Rhino.html">Thriving Rhino</a> as another important threat and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Aether_Theorist.html">Aether Theorist</a> to provide early blocking and card filtering. But more importantly, I also added <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Empyreal_Voyager.html">Empyreal Voyager</a>. This creature not only gives the deck a Flying threat, but also provides a potentially limitless source of additional energy, making all of the other Energy threats that much more powerful and consistent.<br />
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To make room for these changes, I had to cut all of the <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Ahn-Crop_Crasher.html">Ahn-Crop Crasher</a>s and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Rogue_Refiner.html">Rogue Refiner</a>s, despite how good the former card is. I also dropped to only 2 copies of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Servant_of_the_Conduit.html">Servant of the Conduit</a>, which I felt like was unnecessary considering how much Land the deck consistently drew. Finally, I also wanted the ability to extend the deck better into the mid- and late-game, and opted for <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Glimmer_of_Genius.html">Glimmer of Genius</a>.<br />
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I changed the Sideboard entirely other than <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Sentinel_Totem.html">Sentinel Totem</a>, adding in 2 <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Shielded_Aether_Thief.html">Shielded Aether Thief</a>s for more defense and card draw, 3 copies of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Manglehorn.html">Manglehorn</a> as my Artifact hate, 3 <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Blazing_Volley.html">Blazing Volley</a> to counter rival token decks, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Ice_Over.html">Ice Over</a> as an inefficient but necessary way to deal with creature too large for burn spells to kill.<br />
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I've had only middling success with this deck, going 2-3 for the last two weeks with it. But overall it's been decent. If you have any thoughts on how it might be improved, I'd love to hear it.<br />
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Next time I'll take a look at the deck that went 5-0 this week. And believe it or not, it wasn't an Energy deck!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-88875628077396369612017-10-24T21:24:00.000-04:002017-10-24T21:24:03.010-04:001st Place in Week Two of the MPDC League Season 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once again this week in the MPDC League it was all about the Energy. Congratulations to AEFabricio, who took his own version of the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/10/1st-place-in-week-one-of-mpdc-league.html">Temur Energy deck from last week</a> to an undefeated 5-0 record in Week Two of the MPDC League Season 4. This is all the more impressive considering that the field of players continues to grow, with 21 total participants for this week. For his version, AEFabricio added two very interesting artifacts that give the deck added reach in the long game and synergize quite well with its overall strategy. Let's look at his list:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcAmqcoY0t1RzNA-ye43ywNpQMsVGVEbrB3L-NVilp86VPojXWVJFfRZU9j7uFItkONf87-QKjomnyMqArURWmxi4uTtdAKWrkkosVqmxV4HjnxAoqkHeFjUn-6M_9tTAXxTAccGEl7dH/s1600/mpdcdlw2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="192" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcAmqcoY0t1RzNA-ye43ywNpQMsVGVEbrB3L-NVilp86VPojXWVJFfRZU9j7uFItkONf87-QKjomnyMqArURWmxi4uTtdAKWrkkosVqmxV4HjnxAoqkHeFjUn-6M_9tTAXxTAccGEl7dH/s400/mpdcdlw2.png" width="131" /></a></div>
As I mentioned, the biggest difference between the two lists is the inclusion of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Decoction_Module.html">Decoction Module</a> and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Fabrication_Module.html">Fabrication Module</a>. The former guarantees that you'll have a steady supply of Energy, while also allowing you to return your creatures to hand to generate even more. The other one makes the steady supply of Energy even more potent, giving you a +1/+1 counter for each time you generate one or more points of Energy. And, if you have nothing better to do with your mana, you can spend four to generate a single point of it (of course granting you another +1/+1 counter in the process). Additionally, the deck relies upon 2 copies of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Trophy_Mage.html">Trophy Mage</a> to allow you to fetch whichever of these two Artifacts is more helpful at that moment, making it very likely you'll have access to them whenever you need it.<br />
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Of course, to make room for these Artifacts, you have to give up a significant number of other cards. Gone entirely are <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Ahn-Crop_Crasher.html">Ahn-Crop Crasher</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Abrade.html">Abrade</a>, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Blossoming_Defense.html">Blossoming Defense</a>, with 2 fewer copies of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Rogue_Refiner.html">Rogue Refiner</a> as well.<br />
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This version also has a very different Sideboard plan. Blossoming Defense shows up as a 2-of here, as does <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Appetite_for_the_Unnatural.html">Appetite for the Unnatural</a>. Beyond that, you have <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Manglehorn.html">Manglehorn</a> for additional Artifact hate, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Fiery_Cannonade.html">Fiery Cannonade</a> as mass removal, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/JOU_Magma_Spray.html">Magma Spray</a> for spot removal and some Graveyard Recursion hate, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_By_Force.html">By Force</a> as a silver bullet against other Artifact-token decks.<br />
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If you've played with or against both versions of this deck, I'd love to hear your feedback about which you think is better and why. But it's clear that Energy strategies have become the dominant factor in the MPDC League right now, for better or for worse. In fact, I've got my own version that I've been playing with, and I hope to write about that next time.gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-59357770273066729812017-10-22T13:32:00.000-04:002017-10-24T21:24:36.135-04:001st Place in Week One of MPDC League Season 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.wizards.com/2016/images/daily/cardart_KLD_Whirler-Virtuouso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.wizards.com/2016/images/daily/cardart_KLD_Whirler-Virtuouso.jpg" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="800" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
So <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/10/whats-up-with-gwyned.html">despite my best intentions</a>, I didn't manage to get a second blog post done last week. I ended up traveling during the middle of the week, and with my kids all on an extended school break, my time in front of the computer was limited. However, I did want to cover the winning deck from the first week of the new season of the MPDC League, so I figured I would go ahead and get this up today, even though it's several days too late. But better late than never.<br />
<br />
For our first week of Season 4 of the MPDC League, Polyjak's Temur Energy deck went 5-0 to earn its 1st place spot. While there's lots of things going on in this deck, its primary path to victory is to create a host of Thopter tokens from <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Whirler_Virtuoso.html">Whirler Virtuoso</a>, backed up with several other strong creatures and some potent removal spells. Let's take a look at Polyjak's list:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknqBt5NPFKfxOJaPpKzsIpt_MPTTUKz-nJipGfsGZtngZXonHFmWiLhU-4dlFJjJ6UmpsYMRfutsv5RHRDIi7SCAy0HuG_EEYin6xvJhtLKUBLWEGTJx8zZI1zHkIiSUaE_DRQ4oRTfec/s1600/Temur+Energy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="191" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknqBt5NPFKfxOJaPpKzsIpt_MPTTUKz-nJipGfsGZtngZXonHFmWiLhU-4dlFJjJ6UmpsYMRfutsv5RHRDIi7SCAy0HuG_EEYin6xvJhtLKUBLWEGTJx8zZI1zHkIiSUaE_DRQ4oRTfec/s400/Temur+Energy.png" width="137" /></a></div>
Obviously the deck's gameplan revolves around creating lots of Energy, and it has several strong ways of doing so. <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Aether_Hub.html">Aether Hub</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Attune_with_Aether.html">Attune with Aether</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Harnessed_Lightning.html">Harnessed Lightning</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Rogue_Refiner.html">Rogue Refiner</a>, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Servant_of_the_Conduit.html">Servant of the Conduit</a>, and Whirler Virtuoso all produce Energy tokens when they come into play, while <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Longtusk_Cub.html">Longtusk Cub</a> gives the deck the ability to produce even more over time. Generally speaking, all that Energy goes to fuel a mass of Thopter tokens, but can also help make Longtusk Cub into a monstrous threat. Or, when all else fails, you can simply smash into your opponent with your diverse threats, utilizing the Falter-effect of <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Ahn-Crop_Crasher.html">Ahn-Crop Crasher</a> to push through damage at an opportune time.<br />
<br />
For removal, this deck makes good use of both <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/HOU_Abrade.html">Abrade</a> and Harnessed Lightning, the former which also gets good use as Artifact-hate. While you only have eight copies between them, generally this will be enough to deal with your opponent's most important threats.<br />
<br />
The deck's diverse mana requirements are easily filled by its six enters-the-battlefield-tapped dual lands as well as the fixing provided from Aether Hub and Servant of the Conduit. <br />
<br />
Out of the Sideboard, the deck has a nice suite of permissions spells in nearly a full playset of both <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AER_Negate.html">Negate </a>and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/AKH_Essence_Scatter.html">Essence Scatter</a>. It also includes <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Sentinel_Totem.html">Sentinel Totem</a> to help with Graveyard recursion, <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/KLD_Appetite_for_the_Unnatural.html">Appetite for the Unnatural</a> for more Artifact or Enchantment hate, and <a href="http://www.mtgotraders.com/store/XLN_Raging_Swordtooth.html">Raging Swordtooth</a> to give you some options against rival token strategies or just a big beater to throw at your opponent.<br />
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While I loved what this deck was doing and certainly couldn't argue with its success, in my own testing it seemed to keep coming up short. So for my own foray back into the league, I developed and piloted my own version of the deck. That's what I want to talk about next time.gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-4211252793999408252017-10-16T12:35:00.000-04:002017-10-16T12:35:12.238-04:00What's Up With Gwyned?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a question I'm sure many of you have asked yourself in the past couple months: what's up with Gwyned? I've been meaning to write this post for a while, but I kept coming up with excuses or other things to do. But I'm hoping that by finally being honest and open about my situation, I can begin to return to some kind of normal.<br />
<br />
Back in June, I learned that my position was being terminated. The organization wasn't happy with my performance, and while many of my co-workers encouraged me that it wasn't really my fault, it still took a pretty big toll. I continued working in my position through the end of September, which at least meant I was collecting a paycheck and had time to search for other positions. But my emotional state was pretty low, and as a result, I stopped doing almost any writing or Magic.<br />
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I've made excuses about being busy, but the truth is that it's just been too hard. I've been diagnosed with depression, and I'm on medication for it, and it's helping. But emotionally, my situation is still so draining that it's hard for me to flex my creative muscles. It's easier just to distract myself with other things rather than try to create something. And even worse, I'm afraid that if I fail, if I don't create something good, if I don't succeed, it will just make these feelings worse.<br />
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But I'm going to try. That's why I'm writing this post. It's not going to be easy. It's not going to change overnight. But just avoiding the situation isn't going to make things better. So I'll have more content this week, and expect to see me on Magic Online playing in the league again as well.<br />
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So that's what's up with me.gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-55764961669438367852017-10-07T13:27:00.000-04:002017-10-07T13:37:36.763-04:00MPDC League Season 4: SilverBlack!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" /></a></div>
First, a quick disclaimer: I spent the last couple months finishing up my job, and I am now unemployed. For various reasons, this has led me to not be blogging or playing Magic very much. Maybe at some point I will write more about that. But for now, blog updates are going to be very infrequent. My apologies. So with that out of the way...<br />
<br />
I am happy to announce that there will be a <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">Season 4 of the MPDC League</a>. Honestly, when I first saw the <a href="https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/ixalan/cards">full card gallery for Ixalan</a>, I was pretty disappointed with the new batch of Commons. So disappointed, in fact, that I'm not even sure it's worth posting a Standard Pauper review of the set. But after consulting with joekewwl, we decided that the best option would be to expand the cardpool in some way.<br />
<br />
So for Season 4 of the MPDC League, the format will be Standard SilverBlack. SilverBlack is the common term for allowing all Commons and Uncommons. At one point there was at least one Player Run Event using this format, but as far as I can tell, it is no longer running. Therefore, this seems like a great option to help make up for a somewhat lackluster crop of cards.<br />
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Additionally, we are also going to experiment with two short segments of the league with additional rules. For weeks 5-7, we will be doing Standard SilverBlack Tribal, which means that at least one third of the cards in your deck must have a shared creature subtype. Then, for weeks 8-10, we will be doing Standard SilverBlack Monocolored, which means that every card in your deck must either be Colorless or share the same single Color. The exact schedule can be found on the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/mpdc-league-schedule.html">schedule page</a>, along with the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/mpdc-league-tournament-rules.html">new rules for card legality</a>.<br />
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Let me answer a few questions regarding this season:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Why SilverBlack? Why not just stick with Standard Pauper? </b>In addition to my disappointment with the Ixalan Commons, participation in the league has dropped as of late. Expanding the cardpool seems like a great way to revitalize interest and breathe new life into the league.<br />
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<b>2. Doesn't adding Uncommons make decks a lot more expensive?</b> Actually, the cost of most Uncommons isn't much more than the Commons. There are a few Uncommons with a price closer to a dollar each, but most of these are cards that have limited availability online and thus more expensive due to their demand by those trying to redeem sets.<br />
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<b>3. Will WotC be offering additional prizes this season? </b>As of right now, we do NOT have any sponsorship from Wizards of the Coast for this season. Thus, the booster packs we awarded during the first three seasons are not part of the prize package for Season 4.<br />
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If you have any additional questions, feel free to comment below. I'm looking forward to getting this season started this coming Monday. Hope you will join us!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-15505235903507187012017-09-03T13:41:00.000-04:002017-09-03T13:41:13.504-04:00Mistborn House War - Two Player Variant?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/012/364/625/43670e54997699f7c7c2946e77e63ef5_original.jpeg?w=1536&h=864&fit=fill&bg=FFFFFF&v=1463757031&auto=format&q=92&s=db88583a17f31c712c85a1d5941eaf40" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/012/364/625/43670e54997699f7c7c2946e77e63ef5_original.jpeg?w=1536&h=864&fit=fill&bg=FFFFFF&v=1463757031&auto=format&q=92&s=db88583a17f31c712c85a1d5941eaf40" width="320" /></a></div>
Within just a few days after GenCon, my Kickstarter copy of <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2016/08/mistborn-house-war.html">Mistborn: House War</a> arrived on my porch. While I didn't get a chance to play it this year, I did demo it at last year's GenCon, and its promise hasn't lessened in my mind since then. The game's only problem, however, is that it requires at least three people to play. Which means I'm still waiting for the opportunity in the midst of a very busy schedule to get together with my game group and try it out.<br />
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In the mean time though, I've been thinking about how the game might be adapted for only 2 players (or possibly even just one). Having played a lot of <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/169786/scythe">Scythe</a> recently, I was intrigued by the <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1611970/prescience-and-fog-war-solo-review-scythe">Automata feature of that game</a>, which essentially uses a deck of cards to substitute for the actions of a human player. While I wasn't ready to develop something quite that complex, I was curious if I could come up with a simple set of rules to govern a "dummy" player who the two human players would be competing against.<br />
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You see, at its heart Mistborn: House War is a social, semi-cooperative resource management game. Everyone's working for the same end, and you work together to solve Problems before they "erupt" and make the overall situation worse. You do this by contributing your own resources and agreeing with everyone else how much Favor you'll receive for your aid out of the total available. But at the same time, you're all individually competing to earn the most Favor, which is awarded for each Problem solved before it "erupts." You can <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2016/08/mistborn-house-war.html">read my review here</a> for more details.<br />
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My design strategy looked something like this:<br />
<ul>
<li>Make the "dummy" player always act out a simple script. In this case, it always plays a card during a deal, always gets any Favor that won't divide evenly from any deal it participates in, and only solves Problems during its turn if it can do so without any help. </li>
<li>The human players have to agree on any actions that the dummy takes; if they can't agree, determine the result randomly. Furthermore, they can never decide to target the dummy player with negative consequences unless those consequences are equally applied among all three players.</li>
<li>Finally, to incentivize the players to deal with the dummy more often, any time a Problem "erupts," it increases the Unrest track by one. And should that track reach 8, the players lose. This is in addition to whatever the normal consequences printed on the card when it "erupts," even if that includes additional Unrest.</li>
</ul>
I'll be testing this with my wife over the next few weeks. It's been a fun diversion and let me enjoy playing the game without having to wait for a full group of friends to come together to play. gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-2396998631940209862017-08-29T15:30:00.000-04:002017-08-29T15:30:33.464-04:00MPDC League Season 3 - Esper Artificers, Mark 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" /></a></div>
Another week of the MPDC League brings...yet another victory for the Esper Artificers deck, this time piloted by the renown joekewwl. While his version is certainly similar to the one that cRUMMYdUMMY has played over the past few weeks, joekewwl's version definitely has some interesting variations. So I thought for today's post we'd take a quick look at some of his choices.<br />
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First, this version adds a couple of new cards into the mix. While earlier versions have typically included several copies of <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Fireforger's%20Puzzleknot">Fireforger's Puzzleknot</a>, joekewwl also included <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Metalspinner's%20Puzzleknot">Metalspinner's Puzzleknot</a>, which gives the deck significantly more card draw. He also added <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Djeru's%20Resolve">Djeru's Resolve</a> to presumably give it some creature protection as well as <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Compulsory%20Rest">Compulsory Rest</a>, which serves as an alternate removal spell to <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Unquenchable%20Thirst">Unquenchable Thirst</a> (and as such doesn't require the deck to run any Deserts).<br />
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Second, joekewwl's version is more creature light, trimming a single <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Thraben%20Inspector">Thraben Inspector</a>, <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Aether%20Swooper">Aether Swooper</a>, and two <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Aviary%20Mechanic">Aviary Mechanic</a>s to make room for the full playset of <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Self-Assembler">Self Assembler</a> and almost a full set of both <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Cartouche%20of%20Ambition">Cartouche of Ambition</a> and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Cartouche%20of%20Knowledge">Knowledge</a>.<br />
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Finally, while his Sideboard was fairly similar, joekewwl's version made room for <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Dispel">Dispel</a>, which is one of the better permission spells in a Control vs. Control matchup.<br />
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Overall, these changes definitely push the deck towards the Control end of the spectrum. It plays fewer creatures, but draws more cards, and generally will be stronger in the late-game than cRUMMYdUMMY's version. It would be interesting to read the thoughts from both of these players on which version they think is stronger, and why.<br />
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Hope my readers are enjoying this third season of the MPDC League. gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-51794040887657709182017-08-24T16:20:00.000-04:002017-08-24T16:20:41.381-04:00GenCon 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I mentioned earlier this week, this past weekend was GenCon here in Indianapolis, Indiana. In case you are unfamiliar with it (and I am always amazed at the people who live in the Indy area and yet have no idea what it is), <a href="http://www.gencon.com/">GenCon</a> is the largest gaming convention in the world. Their motto is, "The Best Four Days in Gaming," and as far as I'm concerned, <a href="https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/board-games/news/diana-jones-award-for-excellence-in-gaming-given-to-gen-con-on-its">they live up to that claim 100%</a>. This year was their biggest attendance yet, with well over 200,000 people in attendance over the four days. In fact, for the first time in their history, they<a href="http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2f77d2f8c77398c0b064223ba&id=765c85de0e"> sold out of admission badges</a> the week before the event began. This convention is so large that it not only encompasses the entire Indianapolis Convention Center, but spills over into event areas of seven other nearby hotels as well as Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts.<br />
<br />
I got the chance to play several great games, including:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/169786/scythe">Scythe</a>, a 7 player asymmetrical civilization and warfare strategy game</li>
<li><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/201808/clank-deck-building-adventure">Clank</a>, a deck-building adventure game (by the same company that makes the CCG Eternal)</li>
<li><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/201825/ex-libris">Ex Libris</a>, a card drafting and set collection game that feels like something from the Harry Potter universe </li>
<li><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/173346/7-wonders-duel">7-Wonders Duel</a>, a 2 player variant on the popular 7 Wonders civilization strategy game</li>
<li><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/213893/yamatai">Yamatai</a>, an Asian mythology themed route/network building strategy game that is highly reminiscent of <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/157354/five-tribes">5 Tribes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/154203/imperial-settlers">Imperial Settlers</a>, a asymmetrical civilization card strategy game </li>
</ul>
I also have to mention attending the fantastic <a href="http://www.genconwriters.com/">Writer's Symposium</a>, which is an entire mini-seminar within the conference itself that brings in the top authors in the science fiction and fantasy genre to host topical panels for aspiring and beginning authors. Just like in previous years, my wife and I got sit in on the live recorded sessions of <a href="http://www.writingexcuses.com/">Writing Excuses</a>, which is highly recommended. And for once, they had the whole cast there, which has not happened in previous years.<br />
<br />
But the highlight of the weekend was the special panels I got to attend with <a href="https://www.patrickrothfuss.com/content/index.asp">Patrick Rothfuss</a>, Brandon Sanderson, and the cast of Critical Role. Rothfuss is absolutely hilarious in person; listening to him reading his Princess book is not to be missed. I also managed to get a special promo card from Sanderson for the <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/craftygames/mistborn-house-war">Mistborn: House Wars</a> board game that just arrived on my doorstep straight from its Kickstarter fulfillment. And last but not least, seeing <a href="http://crittersrpg.com/critical-role/show/">the amazing cast of Critical Role</a> is an experience that should not be missed.<br />
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If you're a gamer of any sort, you should come to GenCon. It's well worth whatever it takes to get you there.gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-15197670885535373222017-08-22T17:21:00.002-04:002017-08-22T17:21:58.923-04:00MPDC League Season Two Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" /></a></div>
And just like that, the second season of the MPDC League is over. Thanks to all 22 players who participated, who logged nearly 250 matches over the 5 weeks that we played. For <a href="http://imgur.com/tBulQnk">Week Five</a>, cRUMMYdUMMY not only again took the trophy for the week, but also managed to secure the title of <a href="http://imgur.com/QA0eQK3">Season Two Grand Champion</a>.<br />
<br />
Couple of logistical points of interest. First, we're running back-to-back seasons for Hour of Devastation, which means <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/mpdc-league-schedule.html">Season 3 has already begun</a>! Second, while all of the HOU booster packs for Season 2 have already been distributed, the Season Total prizes from MTGOTraders won't go out until early next week. joekewwl is also working on getting the Door Prizes from Season 2 distributed to the winning players. If you believe something is in error, please contact me right away at gwyned at gmail dot com.<br />
<br />
cRUMMYdUMMY went 5-0 once again with his <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/08/mpdc-league-season-2-esper-artificers.html">Esper Artificers</a> deck, using the exact list he mentioned <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/08/mpdc-league-season-2-esper-artificers.html?showComment=1502908282599#c132778204634330452">in the comments</a> in my previous post. This deck has proven to be quite strong, so it remains to be seen if the metagame can adapt and find a way to consistently beat it. If you've got some ideas on how to do that, I'd love to hear it in the comments below!<br />
<br />
Finally, on a more personal note, I recently was let go from my job, with my current position ending at the end of next month. So in the process of applying for jobs, interviewing, and the like, my blog posts probably will be a bit hit or miss for the next couple months or so. Sadly, this probably isn't that different than what it's been recently - but at least now I have a better excuse!<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'll be back later this week with my promised write-up of my experience at GenCon 2017!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-41605672662732756802017-08-15T21:12:00.000-04:002017-08-15T21:12:23.551-04:00MPDC League Season 2 - Esper Artificers, Take Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" /></a></div>
With a short Season 2 of the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">MPDC League</a>, we're already at the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/mpdc-league-schedule.html">final week for this season</a>. Interestingly enough, this week's winner is once again cRUMMYdUMMY, who piloted a very similar list to the one from Week One to capture the trophy for this week. <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/07/mpdc-league-season-2-esper-artificers.html">You can view his original decklist as well as my breakdown of its contents here</a>. So today, I thought I would look at some of the changes that he made for this week.<br />
<b>I. Maindeck:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>-2 <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Self-Assembler">Self Assembler</a> (both moved to the Sideboard).</li>
<li>-3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Cartouche%20of%20Knowledge">Cartouche of Knowledge</a> (1 moved to the Sideboard)</li>
<li>-1 <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Brilliant%20Spectrum">Brilliant Spectrum</a></li>
<li>+1 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Cartouche%20of%20Ambition">Cartouche of Ambition</a> (1 moved from the Sideboard)</li>
<li>+4 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Boon%20of%20Emrakul">Boon of Emrakul</a></li>
<li>+1 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Ironclad%20Slayer">Ironclad Slayer </a></li>
</ul>
<b>II. Sideboard:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>-1 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Forsake%20the%20Worldly">Forsake the Worldly</a></li>
<li>-3 <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Grasp%20of%20Darkness">Grasp of Darkness</a></li>
<li>-1 Cartouche of Ambition (moved to the Maindeck)</li>
<li>-1 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Metallic%20Rebuke">Metallic Rebuke</a></li>
<li>+2 Self Assembler (moved from the Maindeck)</li>
<li>+1 Cartouche of Knowledge (moved from the Maindeck)</li>
<li>+2 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Renewed%20Faith">Renewed Faith</a> </li>
</ul>
The two biggest changes are the inclusion of a full playset of Boon of Emrakul and the inclusion of two copies of Ironclad Slayer. Boon of Emrakul seems like a perfect inclusion, as it can serve both as conditional removal (killing any creature with 3 Toughness or less) or as a way of pumping up your own creatures once they are large enough. Ironclad Slayer also seems right at home here, with at least thirteen targets in the deck between the copies of <a href="https://deckbox.org/mtg/Inventor's%20Goggles">Inventor's Goggles</a> and the Cartouches. The deck is also slightly less controlling with the removal of Brilliant Spectrum and only a single copy of Cartouche of Knowledge remaining in the deck, and that only in the Sideboard. But the most interesting change is the inclusion of 2 copies of Renewed Faith (which is considered Standard Pauper legal thanks to being printed as a Common in Onslaught block). Pure Lifegain spells are usually pretty bad, but the fact that this either grants you a hefty six Life or can instead be cycled and still gain you two Life makes this a pretty reasonable option, particularly against very aggressive decks.<br />
<br />
Congrats to cRUMMYdUMMY on his second 1st place finish of this short season!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-73528284433999573992017-08-08T18:15:00.003-04:002017-08-08T18:15:43.276-04:00MPDC League Season 2 - Bant Sacrifice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="151" data-original-width="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuU9ORYyTzGYHA-9asdu8XFyPEVRc49xXmhXxDZ3Gbfrc9Xg8d6BrOr1yubWAWqkCeK7INBLuhu5oxm-zwTfPOcbFEX_NygcWlHslU33d4uJ8HR5sX75Q6jO2NOo4hUv6D0B-LmZRy0Y/s1600/MPDC.png" /></a></div>
The third week of Season 2 of the <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">MPDC League</a> is in the books. This week's 1st place winner is MisterMojoRising, who went undefeated with his Bant Sacrifice list. While I am still waiting for the trophy from Polyjak, I am happy to see that the <a href="http://visualdecklist.com/">new visual decklist program</a> is working once more. Definitely let me know if you prefer this style to <a href="http://jamuraa.com/pure/deck_new.php">the 'classic' PureMTGO list</a> that includes links for each of the cards. Anyway, let's take a look at the winning list.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_HaLm3kkc6QWkFInfLb4ENoqW_k_yiX9ixuJQNg-8iNEHj0B-5L0uW3VUcGNUpSFQe31VW7QyY8ITU2UZPanqlrYxyeI7TRUmTB6SxaBhf3-a3UALCiidz4VArxiTqVS8Djrt4v3tFi-/s1600/Bant+Sacrifice.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="198" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_HaLm3kkc6QWkFInfLb4ENoqW_k_yiX9ixuJQNg-8iNEHj0B-5L0uW3VUcGNUpSFQe31VW7QyY8ITU2UZPanqlrYxyeI7TRUmTB6SxaBhf3-a3UALCiidz4VArxiTqVS8Djrt4v3tFi-/s640/Bant+Sacrifice.png" width="211" /></a></div>
This deck uses a lot of the same sacrifice mechanics as <a href="http://writeradept.blogspot.com/2017/08/mpdc-league-season-2-bg-sacrifice.html">last week's winner</a>. <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Bloodbriar" target="_blank">Bloodbriar</a> and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Lifecraft%20Cavalry" target="_blank">Lifecraft Cavalry</a> are the main recipients of such sacrifices, but the theme also synergizes well with <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Thraben%20Inspector" target="_blank">Thraben Inspector</a>, <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Wretched%20Gryff" target="_blank">Wretched Gryff</a>, <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Lunarch%20Mantle" target="_blank">Lunarch Mantle</a>, <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Angelic%20Purge" target="_blank">Angelic Purge</a>, and even <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Renegade%20Map" target="_blank">Renegade Map</a>. But unlike the Black Green version, this deck generates a ton of tokens as fodder for these sacrifices with the tokens created by <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Eldrazi%20Skyspawner" target="_blank">Eldrazi Skyspawner</a> and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Peema%20Outrider" target="_blank">Peema Outrider</a>. Adding to this strategy is some removal in the form of the aforementioned Angelic Purge as well as <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Rabid%20Bite" target="_blank">Rabid Bite</a> and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Hunt%20the%20Weak" target="_blank">Hunt the Weak</a>.<br />
<br />
This variant can also ramp out its creatures faster thanks to the Eldrazi Spawn tokens from the Skyspawner as well as the mana acceleration of <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Ulvenwald%20Captive" target="_blank">Ulvenwald Captive</a>. Even better, the flipside <a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=414480&type=card">Ulvenwald Abomination</a> is one of the biggest creatures in the format, making this deck a little better in the long game than its BG version.<br />
<br />
At its heart though, this is still a fairly aggressive creature based strategy, looking to smash into its opponent with its bigger creatures and leverage the sacrifice mechanic to generate significant advantage along the way. But, should you find yourself paired against a more Control-oriented archetype, the Sideboard does provide some additional resources to help you combat that archetype.<br />
<br />
First, the full playset of both <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Negate" target="_blank">Negate</a> and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Pulse%20of%20Murasa" target="_blank">Pulse of Murasa</a> go a long way in keeping you alive in the long game and countering your opponent's specific gameplan. Second, you can augment your removal suite with additional copies of Rapid Bite, Hunt the Weak, and the lone <a href="https://deckbox.org/system/images/mtg/cards/417743.jpg">Take Down</a> that specifically targets flyers. Finally, the extra Lunarch Mantle is great if your opponent is light on removal.<br />
<br />
So congratulations to MisterMojoRising for piloting this deck to a 5-0 finish and taking the 1st place prize for Week Three of the MPDC League.<br />
gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-34467389988196965622017-08-03T15:55:00.001-04:002017-08-03T15:57:23.860-04:00Writing and Perfectionism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thefeelgoodlifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Picture-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thefeelgoodlifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Picture-11.png" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="505" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
My wife recently linked me to an article entitled <a href="http://www.ravishly.com/you-arent-lazy-youre-just-terrified-paralysis-and-perfectionism">"You Aren't Lazy — You're Just Terrified."</a> The author writes about her own struggles with perfectionism and how impossibly high standards make it so difficult for her to actually write anything. She had three insights that I thought were particularly relevant to most writers, myself included:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Laziness is often a symptom of fear.</b> When we think we're being lazy, the real problem is actually a fear of failure, or at least of not measuring up. Perfectionism whispers, "If you can't do something perfectly, don't do it at all." And since we can't measure up to our own standards, we end up doing nothing. But the problem isn't laziness. It's fear.</li>
<li><b>Mistakes are a necessary part of the process.</b> The only way to success is to fail. Falling short, missing the mark, not meeting the standard - all these things are a normal part of the process to achieve success. It's not just taking a risk that is necessary; it's failure itself. Failure is, perhaps, the best teacher of all.</li>
<li><b>Perfectionism is exhausting.</b> It's a whole lot more effort to figure out the perfect way to do something than it is to just sit down and do it. You only have a finite amount of time and energy in a day. You can use that time being productive, or you can use that time figuring out the perfect way to do something. </li>
</ol>
The author's last words <a href="http://www.ravishly.com/you-arent-lazy-youre-just-terrified-paralysis-and-perfectionism">in the article</a> are particularly poignant:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"It’s the only advice that has worked so far: Do the work. Write the story. Wash your dishes. It will never be perfect, but that does not mean that it can’t be good. Life is a lot better when you allow yourself to live it."</span></span></span><br />
<br />
I certainly need the reminder to aim for "good enough" in my writing. gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-76407008654220409592017-08-01T15:57:00.001-04:002017-08-01T15:58:20.800-04:00MPDC League Season 2 - BG Sacrifice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/003/083/622/large/tomasz-jedruszek-bloodas.jpg?1469470072" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="800" height="235" src="https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/003/083/622/large/tomasz-jedruszek-bloodas.jpg?1469470072" width="320" /></a></div>
Better late than never, right?<br />
<br />
Yesterday's attempt at this post did not go well. The <a href="http://visualdecklist.com/">cool visual deck editor program</a> I used last week isn't working for some reason, and it takes quite a bit of finesse to use the<a href="http://jamuraa.com/pure/deck_new.php"> old PureMTGO Deck Editor</a>, since it is no longer updated for the new cards. So eventually I gave up and went to bed. Fortunately, things seemed to go much smoother this afternoon, and as a result you're now reading this blogpost.<br />
<br />
So for Week 2 of the MPDC League, we actually had two players go undefeated - Armont with a BG Sacrifice deck and afreeAk with a Izzet Spells deck. But Armont narrowly edged out afreeAk in tiebreakers to <a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGJiA-EUMAIBcEU.jpg:large">claim the trophy for this week</a> - which was once again created by Polyjak. Let's take a look at Armont's list:<br />
<br />
<div class="mtgodeck" style="background-color: rgb(204 , 204 , 204); border-bottom: black 1px solid; border-left: black 1px solid; border-right: black 1px solid; border-top: black 1px solid; position: relative; width: 600px;">
<div class="deckheader" style="background-image: url("http://puremtgo.com/userfiles/image/decktops/bg.png"); background-repeat: no-repeat; height: 40px; padding-bottom: 10px; position: relative;">
<div class="deckname" style="font-size: 25px; left: 3px; position: absolute; top: 3px;">
BG Sacrifice
</div>
<div class="deckformat" style="font-size: 14px; left: 5px; position: absolute; top: 28px;">
1st Place MPDC League Season 2 Week 2</div>
</div>
<table><tbody>
<tr><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 200px;"><b>Creatures</b> <br />
4 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Blisterpod" target="_blank">Blisterpod</a> <br />
4 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Doomed%20Dissenter" target="_blank">Doomed Dissenter</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Bloodbriar" target="_blank">Bloodbriar</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Defiant%20Salvager" target="_blank">Defiant Salvager</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Gavony%20Unhallowed" target="_blank">Gavony Unhallowed</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Primal%20Druid" target="_blank">Primal Druid</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Voracious%20Null" target="_blank">Voracious Null</a> <br />
2 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Gravedigger" target="_blank">Gravedigger</a> <br />
<span style="font-size: 70%;">25 cards</span><br />
<br />
<b>Other Spells</b> <br />
4 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Altar's%20Reap" target="_blank">Altar's Reap</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Bone%20Splinters" target="_blank">Bone Splinters</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Cartouche%20of%20Ambition" target="_blank">Cartouche of Ambition</a> <br />
2 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Dead%20Weight" target="_blank">Dead Weight</a> <br />
1 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Murder" target="_blank">Murder</a> <br />
<span style="font-size: 70%;">13 cards</span></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 200px;"><b>Lands</b> <br />
9 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Swamp" target="_blank">Swamp</a> <br />
5 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Forest" target="_blank">Forest</a> <br />
4 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Evolving%20Wilds" target="_blank">Evolving Wilds</a> <br />
4 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Foul%20Orchard" target="_blank">Foul Orchard</a> <br />
<span style="font-size: 70%;">23 cards</span><br />
<br />
<div class="decksideboard" style="background-color: #aaaaaa;">
<b>Sideboard</b> <br />
4 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Festering%20Mummy" target="_blank">Festering Mummy</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Pulse%20of%20Murasa" target="_blank">Pulse of Murasa</a> <br />
3 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Appetite%20for%20the%20Unnatural" target="_blank">Appetite for the Unnatural</a> <br />
2 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Soulstinger" target="_blank">Soulstinger</a> <br />
2 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Murder" target="_blank">Murder</a> <br />
1 <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Grasp%20of%20Darkness" target="_blank">Grasp of Darkness </a> <br />
<span style="font-size: 70%;">15 cards</span></div>
</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top; width: 200px;"><img alt="Swamp" border="0" height="285" src="https://deckbox.org/system/images/mtg/cards/414452.jpg" width="200" />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
This deck thrives on Graveyard interactions. <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Blisterpod" target="_blank">Blisterpod</a>, <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Doomed%20Dissenter" target="_blank">Doomed Dissenter</a>, and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Primal%20Druid" target="_blank">Primal Druid</a> are perfect sacrifice targets, replacing themselves with another card while also fueling the boost to Power and Toughness on <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Bloodbriar" target="_blank">Bloodbriar</a>, <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Defiant%20Salvager" target="_blank">Defiant Salvager</a>, <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Gavony%20Unhallowed" target="_blank">Gavony Unhallowed</a>, and/or <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Voracious%20Null" target="_blank">Voracious Null</a>. <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Altar%27s%20Reap" target="_blank">Altar's Reap</a> and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Bone%20Splinters" target="_blank">Bone Splinters</a> are also perfect additions to this deck, providing needed card draw and creature removal while still synergizing with these creatures. And even once these creatures have entered the Graveyard, <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Gravedigger" target="_blank">Gravedigger</a> is there to return them to play again and again.<br />
<br />
This deck is almost entirely creature based, but it does include a few additional spells. <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Dead%20Weight" target="_blank">Dead Weight</a> and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Murder" target="_blank">Murder</a> provide a few more choice for creature removal, while <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Cartouche%20of%20Ambition" target="_blank">Cartouche of Ambition</a> provides not only some much needed Lifegain but also helps to make sure combat is in your favor by shrinking your opponent's creatures while also buffing yours.<br />
<br />
From the Sideboard, <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Festering%20Mummy" target="_blank">Festering Mummy</a> and <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Soulstinger" target="_blank">Soulstinger</a> fit right into this deck's strategy of sacrificing creatures for big advantage while gaining a small advantage in the process. It also includes 2 more copies of Murder, as well as a singleton <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Grasp%20of%20Darkness" target="_blank">Grasp of Darkness</a>, when you need a more removal-heavy option. <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Appetite%20for%20the%20Unnatural" target="_blank">Appetite for the Unnatural</a> is there to target Enchantments and Artifacts, while the powerful <a href="http://www.deckbox.org/mtg/Pulse%20of%20Murasa" target="_blank">Pulse of Murasa</a> provides additional Lifegain as well as creature recursion, pushing an otherwise creature-centric deck into a more midrange option than can better survive over a longer game.<br />
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So congratulations to Armont for piloting this deck to a 5-0 finish and taking the 1st place prize for Week Two.gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3866129634658205665.post-72550630848144614512017-07-27T13:34:00.001-04:002017-07-27T13:37:14.949-04:00Excitement as the Secret to Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i1.wp.com/www.altinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/excitement-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="552" height="170" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.altinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/excitement-l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://mailchi.mp/xmission/david-farlands-writing-tips-be-excited?e=bb4b82c12e">David Farland's Writing Tip</a> for this week offers a simple hint for how to increase your productivity as a writer. For him, he says the key to getting a lot of writing done is simply to be exciting about what your writing. It sounds simple, but actually, for many writers it's easier to be discouraged than it is to be excited. So how do we cultivate excitement? Farland offers three tips:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Blot out negative thinking.</b> This is the big one, I think. Like I said, it seems like it's way easier to be discouraged than to be excited. Writers feel inadequate, inexperienced, unprepared, and under-resourced when it comes to the task of writing something great. And when those fears turn into negative thinking, it's hard to be excited. So relentlessly get rid of all that negative self-talk!</li>
<li><b>Accept your flaws</b>. One of the most helpful things I discovered as I began to write stories is that first drafts are universally terrible. Seriously. Go find an author who has posted a first draft; even better, one that lets you compare a first draft to the final published work. Even professional writers don't create beautiful prose the first time around. So why would you expect anything different from yourself? </li>
<li><b>Cultivate excitement. </b>In other words, figure out what makes you excited. Is it imagining how your readers will react to your story? Focus on that. Is it picturing the money you might make, the awards you might win, or the changes it might bring to your life? Keep those thoughts at the front of your mind as you write. Maybe it's just talking with friends or family about your story. But whatever it is that helps you get excited, keep that at the forefront of your mind. </li>
</ol>
I hope you find these tips as helpful as I did. And if you'd like more of the same, be sure and <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/21ed5c76fc1ed2cda61d1dc4e/images/a2b3153a-30a0-4db2-a7df-6f13ecd17607.png">subscribe to David Farland's Writing Tips</a>, which get delivered weekly via E-mail. And thanks for reading!gwynedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04485618352600615066noreply@blogger.com0