Marcie and Jon Talk Magic

[MC74]

I only dumbed once and got to play without too much of a railroading, so yeah, it was fun! Looking forward to more later tonight

Same, hon. I missed this.

 

[MC74]

I noticed quite a drastic change to the standard format. It occurs to me that the format has been extended in such that sets that normally would've rotated out in the fall are still part of the format.

 

[MC74]

Found a suitable replacement for Lava Spike for my burn deck, and because it's in Foundations, that means it'll be in Standard for a good while, so a pretty damn good staple to have in mono red decks if you want to go for the fast grind on the ladder.

 

[TD]

I can't figure out how to add people, but:

(I may dabble with decks this weekend and maybe be up for a game or two. My laptop is old and sucks but might see if it runs on that, phone is rough on my eyes because it's so tiny)

Spoiler

 

[MC74]

Friend request sent!

 

[Jon]

Found a suitable replacement for Lava Spike for my burn deck, and because it's in Foundations, that means it'll be in Standard for a good while, so a pretty damn good staple to have in mono red decks if you want to go for the fast grind on the ladder.

View attachment 24924

This is how power creep starts lol

 

[TD]

So - if I had decks built from years ago and there are cards now seemingly missing, I assume this is likely due to cards getting banned or whatever?

 

[Jon]

So - if I had decks built from years ago and there are cards now seemingly missing, I assume this is likely due to cards getting banned or whatever?

Cycled out, yeah. I'm not as familiar with how arena does it compared to the paper game, but standard rotates active sets keeping mainly the new sets in rotation while cycling out the older ones. The older ones aren't gone, though. They can be used in building decks for formats where the rotation isn't in play (like commander).

 

[TD]

Do y'all usually follow the "meta decks" or do you just build whatever seems like it could be interesting?

 

[MC74]

So - if I had decks built from years ago and there are cards now seemingly missing, I assume this is likely due to cards getting banned or whatever?

There are lots of cards that are still not on Arena as of yet, but they will come in due time. Also, depending on what format you select in the deck settings, it will show you the cards legal for the format.

 

[TD]

What format do you guys play? I won't play the public ladder or whatever so just want to make sure I'd do decks that I can use with you.

 

[MC74]

Do y'all usually follow the "meta decks" or do you just build whatever seems like it could be interesting?

A combination of both for me, but part of what makes Magic so fun is building a deck that identifies with you. When I first started getting a better grasp of things, one of the first decks I built was a mono red burn deck that focused on throwing burn at your opponent's face. Burn decks are like Brannigan's Law. Hard & fast. Just my style.

What format do you guys play? I won't play the public ladder or whatever so just want to make sure I'd do decks that I can use with you.

All of them. I like switching things up every now & then, even if I have a personal preference for legacy decks. But I also like standard too. ^^

 

[Jon]

What format do you guys play? I won't play the public ladder or whatever so just want to make sure I'd do decks that I can use with you.

In paper, I play commander. Standard/Draft standard in arena when I play it.

 

[TD]

Final question (for now):
Is there a good external deck builder that can import into Arena?

 

[Jon]

I BELIEVE you can import text files into arena, so any deck builder should be able to export to the clipboard. I personally use Archidekt, but Moxfield and MTGoldfish should also be capable.

Marcie can probably answer more certainly.

 

[MC74]

I BELIEVE you can import text files into arena, so any deck builder should be able to export to the clipboard. I personally use Archidekt, but Moxfield and MTGoldfish should also be capable.

Marcie can probably answer more certainly.

Yes, you can. There are websites with decklists that allow the option to copy the clipboard and import to Arena.

 

[MC74]

Speaking of which, I better share this for 5K free XP before this expires in February.

1 Case of the Stashed Skeleton
1 Extract a Confession
1 Furtive Courier
1 Glint Weaver
1 Granite Witness
1 Homicide Investigator
1 Leering Onlooker
1 Meddling Youths
1 Novice Inspector
1 Out Cold
1 Reckless Detective
1 The Pride of Hull Clade

Go to the decks screen and import this deck. After you import the deck, make sure to rename it specifically to thewayisopen

After that, you will get a notification in your inbox to claim the 5K XP, and potentially net you a couple of free packs depending on where you are on the XP path.

 

[MC74]

So, what decks do you play or have in your collection, @TD?

 

[MC74]

Posting some more pictures of older cards I have in my collection. Well, not exactly old, but certainly not new either. These were the pictures I took after I found the box they were stored in. Afterwards, I sleeved them up in a binder.

Photos are not exactly that good in quality, and I apologize for that.

 

[TD]

So, what decks do you play or have in your collection, @TD?

I haven't really had a chance to poke at what I have too in depth, I apparently have like 20 decks.

Among that what I gathered;
- A black/white lifegain deck
- A blue/white flying deck
- A blue/white High Alert deck (iirc, high alert gives same power as toughness so it's centered on low cost high toughness creatures)
- A green growth deck (I assume this is all about rushing for early high mana output)


Not really sure what the other decks are, yet.


I'll dig my physical cards out of my closet later but they are ooooold.

 

[MC74]

I haven't really had a chance to poke at what I have too in depth, I apparently have like 20 decks.

Among that what I gathered;
- A black/white lifegain deck
- A blue/white flying deck
- A blue/white High Alert deck (iirc, high alert gives same power as toughness so it's centered on low cost high toughness creatures)
- A green growth deck (I assume this is all about rushing for early high mana output)


Not really sure what the other decks are, yet.


I'll dig my physical cards out of my closet later but they are ooooold.

Ah yes, the good ole' pump spells. They were what threw the infect decks over the top.

 

[MC74]

Made it to Platinum rank with the mono red burn deck. This deck is absolute gas. Might have to post a deck list later.

 

[MC74]

This is how power creep starts lol

Yeah, and this card is actually a better version of Lava Spike. The big difference is that it doesn't target, which means it gets around cards that make the players themselves hexproof. That's insane.

 

[Jon]

Yeah, and this card is actually a better version of Lava Spike. The big difference is that it doesn't target, which means it gets around cards that make the players themselves hexproof. That's insane.

I was thinking of it in terms of Lightning Bolt too. Yes, it's not targetable to ANY target, but it's to all opponents for the same cost. It'd be great in a commander deck.

I forgot there exist things to make players hexproof, lol.

Gotta love it.

 

[MC74]

I was thinking of it in terms of Lightning Bolt too. Yes, it's not targetable to ANY target, but it's to all opponents for the same cost. It'd be great in a commander deck.

I forgot there exist things to make players hexproof, lol.

Gotta love it.

Yup, and it being a 1-mana burn spell that does 3 damage is great value. You know what else I did too, Jon? I paired this up with other cards to make a makeshift legacy burn deck. It pairs excellently with the spectacle mechanic, and even though Goblin Guide isn't on Arena yet, Viashino Pyromancer isn't a bad option to feature in the deck either.

 

[Jon]

Yup, and it being a 1-mana burn spell that does 3 damage is great value. You know what else I did too, Jon? I paired this up with other cards to make a makeshift legacy burn deck. It pairs excellently with the spectacle mechanic, and even though Goblin Guide isn't on Arena yet, Viashino Pyromancer isn't a bad option to feature in the deck either.

You need to make sure you have all the cards that say things like "when you deal X damage, deal two times that."

I'm sure you already do lol.

 

[MC74]

You need to make sure you have all the cards that say things like "when you deal X damage, deal two times that."

I'm sure you already do lol.

As much as I'd love to have a card like Fiery Emancipation in the deck, it's just too mana-intensive.

However, what if I told you there may be plans for a potential dinosaur deck down the line since Ixalan is back in the fold?

 

[Jon]

As much as I'd love to have a card like Fiery Emancipation in the deck, it's just too mana-intensive.

However, what if I told you there may be plans for a potential dinosaur deck down the line since Ixalan is back in the fold?

One of my favorite commanders is Pantlaza, so... yes.

Except for when Etali hits the field. Then I cry

 

[MC74]

One of my favorite commanders is Pantlaza, so... yes.

Except for when Etali hits the field. Then I cry

Methinks we need to have a game of commander at some point.

 

[MC74]

Don't you love it when people rope you? -___-

 

[Jon]

Don't you love it when people rope you? -___-

Because they are losing as think maybe you can get a cheap win when they rage quit?

I enjoy that. I say to myself "you go ahead and do that. I have Cup Heroes on my phone. I'm good."

 

[MC74]

Because they are losing as think maybe you can get a cheap win when they rage quit?

I enjoy that. I say to myself "you go ahead and do that. I have Cup Heroes on my phone. I'm good."

Shows how much of a big baby they are. Never understood that mentality. Whenever I know I'm losing the game, I just scoop and move onto the next. Otherwise, if it's with a friend, I see it until the end.

 

[Jon]

Exactly. I say it a lot, but wasting time is one of my biggest pet peeves. If I'm in a losing fight, It's say GG, and forfeit for them.

 

[MC74]

Exactly. I say it a lot, but wasting time is one of my biggest pet peeves. If I'm in a losing fight, It's say GG, and forfeit for them.

I get that there are decks people hate playing against and burn tends to be one of them, but at the same time, you're playing on a ranked ladder....in a competitive environment where most people will have their decks optimized. Not saying you necessarily have to bring a meta deck to the table, but it's far better to be more proactive in testing out what cards work in the current game state and bringing in cards that will help you in the long run than it is get mad cause you faced a deck you didn't like.

 

[MC74]

On the flip side, I got nostalgic chills when I came across my anvil artifact sacrifice deck from the Kamigawa Neon Dynasty set on Arena. Had some good times with that one when it was in standard.

 

[Jon]

On the flip side, I got nostalgic chills when I came across my anvil artifact sacrifice deck from the Kamigawa Neon Dynasty set on Arena. Had some good times with that one when it was in standard.

Neon Dynasty was such and amazing aesthetic and set. I am hopeful Aetherdrift will bring some of that back.

 

[MC74]

Neon Dynasty was such and amazing aesthetic and set. I am hopeful Aetherdrift will bring some of that back.

I really wanted a booster box for that set so badly. The last time I bought one was a few years ago when I purchased the Hour of Devastation one. Pulled a Bolas in that one.

 

[MC74]

Might as well post a pic of the best pulls among that box while I'm at it.

 

[Jon]

Dat Nicol Bolas tho...

 

[MC74]

Dat Nicol Bolas tho...

I used him on Arena once to steal an Ulamog from a Tron deck. It felt amazing!

 

[Jon]

I used him on Arena once to steal an Ulamog from a Tron deck. It felt amazing!

Oh my god, your opponent must have LOVED that!

Please tell me it wasn't poor Crustal? lol

 

[MC74]

Oh my god, your opponent must have LOVED that!

Please tell me it wasn't poor Crustal? lol

Nope.

 

[Crystal]

poor Crustal? lol

My toasty sibling?

 

[Jon]

My toasty sibling?

FAT FINGERS FTW! Or ftl, depends on perspective.

 

[Crystal]

FAT FINGERS FTW! Or ftl, depends on perspective.

All good, lol

 

[MC74]

On the topic of Aetherdrift for a sec, that is a set I'm really looking forward to. The Kaladesh block featured interesting mechanics & cards, along with the theme itself. I loved the steampunk setting that came with the plane and thought it made for great flavor.

Bomat Courier still remains one of my favorite cards from that block.

 

[Jon]

On the topic of Aetherdrift for a sec, that is a set I'm really looking forward to. The Kaladesh block featured interesting mechanics & cards, along with the theme itself. I loved the steampunk setting that came with the plane and thought it made for great flavor.

Bomat Courier still remains one of my favorite cards from that block.

Steampunk Neon Dynasty Vehicles

I'm in for it.

I'm expecting a Vehicle precon to upgrade lol

 

[MC74]

Steampunk Neon Dynasty Vehicles

I'm in for it.

I'm expecting a Vehicle precon to upgrade lol

Fatal Push will probably get a reprint, so that will be good for black decks.

 

[MC74]

Definitely looking forward to the vehicles returning too. Kaladesh featured some sick vehicle decks.

 

[MC74]

Got a funny story for you on what happened today in a match between Crystal & I earlier today. So, I was playing my mono red burn deck against her while she was playing U/R Tempo. After she killed my Monastery Swiftspear, I was unable to draw a single creature for the rest of the game, though I wasn't lacking in burn spells. The problem was having to constantly assess the threats on board, and Crystal's deck had ones that gained counters for every spell cast.

Things were dicey. I had all this burn in my hand, but no Light Up The Stage to keep the cards coming, and when I ran out of burn for a few turns, I spent the next couple drawing land. By the time I stopped drawing land, Crystal had already established a board that had to be answered until I could draw a Swiftspear or an Eidolon that could punish her for every spell she cast.

Knowing that the game was lost, I stayed in it out of spite. I kept fighting till the bitter end, used every last one of my burn spells to stop Crystal from dealing lethal, and then when my last turn came around, I dealt the finishing blow to myself with my own Viashino Pyromancer. Jokingly told Crystal that she doesn't get the privilege of finishing me off. Only one who defeats me is me.

That was one hell of a session! ^^