Well, before I write my huge blog post about my times this past friday, I'd like to discuss my current #1 pick for standard.

B/G control.

That's right.

BLACK GREEN CONTROL.

Not rock.

CONTROL.

Check my list.

3x Glissa, The Traitor
3x Wall of Tanglecord
3x Doom Blade
1x Go for the Throat
4x Sylvok Replica
3x Duress
3x Inquisition of Kozilek
4x Liquimetal Cooling
3x Green Sun's Zenith
3x Ratchet Bomb
3x Mimic Vat
2x Consume the Meek

And that's what I've got so far.

As you can see, the main idea is Liquimetal Cooling + Glissa + Sylvok Replica + mimic vat. Now before you go all "OMG YOU NEED ALL THREE WTF BAD" let me explain each card's significance.

The best use of Glissa is to turn her sideways. She is a powerhouse for three mana, and Green Sun's Zenith will bring her into play instantly. Well, not "instantly" but you get the point. She's nuts. Her ability complements the deck if it gets hosed by...artifact hate. But that's exactly what this deck does itself.

The liquimetal Cooling + Sylvok Replica combo allows you to blow up lands. Let's go over the costs. Essentially I have this.

G: Sacrifice this creature: Destroy target permanent. If that permanent was a creature, return this card to your hand.

Not a creature? Consume the meek and get tons of artifacts back with Glissa. All the while, feel free to pop their creatures, amass the good ones that go to the graveyard with Mimic Vat and beat face in. Eventually your win condition is controlling the field with mimic vat + sylvok replica. Every turn you have 3G: destroy target permanent. Now that's insane.

Now yes, this is a junky combo. But the ideaology is that the deck runs good cards. GREAT cards. That happen to work well together, but are not junk by themselves. Ratchet Bomb and Mimic Vat are just the nuts. Destroy most of your dudes, take the best ones and recur them. Nice cantrip? I'll take. Grave Titan? Nice. Game.

Through mass removal (Deathtouch, Doomblades, Ratchet Bomb, Sylvok Replica, artifact regrowing (Glissa), and nice synergy, I believe the deck stands a chance at developing into a competitive archetype.

Post your comments about the mana base/what you think the deck could use to improve itself in the comment section.

More to come from my Friday night adventures here soon.

A Card of Great Interest to Me

Hey everyone. Just another topic I'd like to discuss. Is this guy right here.

He's pretty much the definition of awesome card. I know you're probably thinking that he's so lack-luster, or that when you play him, you're just already winning. But let me implore you, find those creatures with GREAT cantrips, and you will be successful. Now, in strictly competitive environments, there are just tons of cards he goes with. Check out www.cardkingdom.com and just use their advanced search and type "When" and "enters the battlefield". You'll be shocked! I promise that blink mechanic is an upcoming theme that will be Tier 1 competative play.

Why would they print this card if he wasn't going to be the REAL DEAL?

All I can say is, I'm pumped to see where they take him, and I know that you want to snag your playset while this card is 5-10$ each. Trust me on this one.

Thanks for all the comments, I hope I responded to everyone. I'm out for the night, got to get some rest for the big day tomorrow, I'll be sure to bring back many pictures and videos and try to give a good advice segment on what works and what doesn't. :)

Psychology

So I'm sitting here this evening in my psychology 210 class. I'm a psychology major, and I'm realizing how much psychology really can apply to Magic: The Gathering.

I think back to when I'm in a tough situation, and complex math saves me. But sometimes, my saving grace is more the sheer look of terror on my opponents face when I make a great play. I know he's beat. I know that he has no answers in his hand to what massive bomb I just dropped all over the playing field.

I think it's so subconscious and complex to think that your choices in a trading card game are based on facial expressions and sounds, movements, pauses and other simple human motions. Understanding these clues are key for a great player.

Tomorrow night I will employ these tactics and post back with what I noticed and what really happens. :)

Current Type 2 Deck

Well guys, last night I sleeved what I had. Here's how it's looking so far.

2x Hero of Bladehold
1x Emeria, the Sky Ruin
4x Accorder Paladin
4x Leonin Skyhunter
4x Leonin Relic Warder
3x Journey to Nowhere
2x Brave the Elements
And that's all I have so far.

Hopefully this Friday I can aquire some more cards through redrafting of rares. But then again, I'm wondering whether or not I should drop this archetype and go for a more GW midrange as I discussed earlier. That way I could run Lead the Stampede, which is insane creature tempo. It would allow me to run higher CC threats, and have a more control aggro archetype instead of basically white weenie rush.

Not to mention that I think it would provide a lot more protection against bolt and Day of Judgment effects.

Anyways, going to see how things go tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Friday night schedule.

So the game-plan is to draft this Friday, gonna be three Mirrodin Beseiged, as it was for the launch party. Last time I merely drafted UW flying for a second place finish, making me pumped for Friday.

I ended up taking Hero of Bladehold as my first pick from the prize pile, but unsure if that was the right choice. I think in the current meta I'm looking to get into a heavy mono white deck, and really shine through with midrange powerhouses.

That or GW midrange with answers. I've always loved GW. Will report back once I get my Type 2 deck up and running.

Starting a Blog..

Hey everyone! This is my first post, but I plan on talking about my experiences drafting and playing constructed magic the gathering at my local shop, as well as posting strategies for success and tips that I encounter.

Check back daily for updates and information!