Magic: The Gathering

**zoobernut** · 2012-01-17 12:49

Seconding the draft thing. I completely stopped buying product to keep up with standard. I only get new cards by going to drafts/sealed or buying older cards on craigslist and then trading them for newer stuff or selling them to fund drafting/sealed tournaments. It makes the game so much more fun and so much less stressful for me.

**Myrrh_Quetz** · 2012-01-17 17:17

Do online if you have no friends or local game store to play magic. If you have either of those, don't even consider online Magic.

**madpersian** · 2012-01-17 21:29

Ok. Thanks for the advice. Ill check out those decks you posted. Although I thinking I should get in with a cheaper deck to get used to the game before investing in a competitive deck.

**Xerlic** · 2012-01-17 23:30

I would start drafting before you build a standard deck. It's a really good way to become familiar with how the current block works, and Innistrad is supposedly one of the best draft sets to come along in a long time. Drafting is also a way to satisfy your desire to crack packs while at least getting some value by drafting since 9 times out of 10 the rare that you pull will not be worth the price of the pack.

Netdecking is fine, but try to figure out what type of deck you want to play before you start buying expensive singles. Aggro decks like the ones Weltall posted are very strong in the current meta, but keep in mind that the new set is coming out in a couple weeks so prices might fluctuate.

**Cantih** · 2012-01-18 02:00

Fling is back!

**miokomioko** · 2012-01-18 15:01

http://media.wizards.com/images/magi...slc1pk0_en.jpg

http://media.wizards.com/images/magi...vtgoyl7_en.jpg

http://www.magicspoiler.com/wp-conte...rs-216x302.jpg

http://www.magicspoiler.com/wp-conte...ur-216x302.jpg

http://www.magicspoiler.com/wp-conte...er-216x302.jpg

http://www.magicspoiler.com/wp-conte...er-216x302.jpg

http://www.magicspoiler.com/wp-conte...er-216x302.jpg

I hope there's some white/black gold-bordered cards in there somewhere~

**Weltall** · 2012-01-18 15:02

The vampire captain seems good. Are there enough vamps worth playing?

**Cantih** · 2012-01-18 15:09

I know it's meant to be paired with something, but
http://www.magicspoiler.com/wp-conte...rs-216x302.jpg
is one of the more wut cards they've printed.

And FUCK Thought Scour.
I do not like it on a man, I do not like it on a can.

**Nama** · 2012-01-18 15:12

Only decent aggro vamps are Stromkirk noble and Vampire Interloper. With captain out Child of night is 3/2 first strike, lifelink which is decent. Certainly not the level of reach vamps had with zendikar but its getting better. They just need a few tricks like highborn/bloodghast gave them to help close games. Right now the only card that actually encourages vampires to be played with other vamps is Stromkirk Captain.

**Diamicles** · 2012-01-19 10:57

Originally Posted by miokomioko

http://www.magicspoiler.com/wp-conte...ur-216x302.jpg

so, they brought back careful study in red, but now mental note is slightly improved and in blue still!

**Nama** · 2012-01-19 11:07

Spoiler: show

Some new ones~ Tragic slip ftw

**Cantih** · 2012-01-19 11:17

Goddamnit, if only the wurm were one mana less.

**miokomioko** · 2012-01-19 17:48

Yikes, that Tragic Slip.

**miokomioko** · 2012-01-20 02:09

**Norellicus** · 2012-01-20 08:46

Holy fuck Counterlash

What is going on here

**Nama** · 2012-01-20 08:54

Amazing for EDH but pretty meh for constructed. Its costs to much to be played in anything but draw-go which arnt that good atm. Sitting on 6 open mana it kinda huge tell.

**Weltall** · 2012-01-20 13:20

Yeah, that counter doesn't seem too good at all, even if Draw-Go it would only be good in a mirror match lol. A 1-of sideboard card?

**Xerlic** · 2012-01-21 12:13

I've been playing Esper control for the past few weeks, and even in the control mirror I don't think it's worth it. I'd much rather resolve something that will win me the game for that much mana like a Jace or a Karn. That's pretty much a multiplayer or EDH card.

Second week in a row I haven't pulled complete jank with my prize packs in FNM. Last week I pulled a Sword of WaP and a Snappy. This week another Sword and a Surgical.

**Qalbert** · 2012-01-21 12:32

has anyone mentioned Elbrus? shit is ridiculous.
http://www.examiner.com/magic-the-ga...dark-ascension

Every Magic: The Gathering set needs some “Whoa!” to go with the new mechanics and abilities, and Elbrus, the Binding Blade // Withengar Unbound fills one of those slots nicely. This expensive mythic piece of transforming equipment turns into a legendary demon that comes in ready for a kill, and you you’re playing a multiplayer format Withengar can move from player to player stronger with each passing victim. MTGSalvation has posted this leak on their forums, and although there is no confirmed image yet the card appears quite real. Image will be added as soon as it is available.

Elbrus, the Binding Blade

7

Legendary Artifact – Equipment Mythic

Equipped creature gets +1/0.

Whenever equipped creature deals combat damage to a player, transform Elbrus, the Binding Blade.

Equip 1

///////////

Withengar Unbound

(Black)

Legendary Creature – Demon

Flying, trample, intimidate

Whenever a player loses the game, put thirteen +1/+1 counters on Withengar Unbound.

13/13

Elbrus, the Binding Blade is fairly difficult to unleash, requiring a 7 mana investment and a creature to get through carrying the demon depth charge. Even after all that, your opponent is still going to get one turn to deal with Withengar before it’s able to fly over and destroy him, and there are plenty of options in Innistrad/DKA Limited to handle the situation, ranging from Claustrophobia to Tragic Slip.

That said, if you do manage to transform into this demon and get in with it, there is very little outside of hard removal that will be able to stop you. By the time you’re at 7 mana, your opponent may have already exhausted removal supplies and Withengar will waste no time in feeding its demonic appetite.

Elbrus, the Binding Blade looks better suited to “cheating” into play via Stoneforge Mystic or other such effects, as the equip cost is very cheap – It’s just the initial casting cost that’s a barrier to entry. Maybe players will start building with Grand Architects and Invisible Stalkers to push out the Blade fast and carry it in unblocked, but that does seem like a lot of work for an arbitrarily large creature. You’ll want to be on the lookout for such concoctions in casual play after Dark Ascension release.

Elbrus comes with some extra features for Commander and multiplayer formats. Each time one of your opponents bows out, Elbrus will enjoy a massive boost to its already immense size, allowing it to feast on the next foe with increase efficiency and strength. Since high mana costs and acceleration of all kinds are popular and easier to utilize in Commander, expect to see this demon harvesting souls at your next multiplayer table.

Get your first chance to wield this demon-transforming blade at Dark Ascension prerelease events, running January 28-29!

**Olo401** · 2012-01-21 16:12

Full set to be revealed on Daily MTG this Monday..

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