My MVP's of the Winter Derby: Nightmare

In reality, this card should have it's own entry truly talking about how amazing it is. It's influence is so important, both in Oldschool, and to black as a color, that's its been standard legal for almost as long as standard has existed. It's probably one of the most reprinted black cards in the game, and in my opinion, it's the best black creature in the format.  I've run him as late as Theros limited in a mono-black control/devotion deck, and while he didn't help w/ Devotion, he didn't need to. He did the job himself.

I wasn't running a beta one, but it's appropriate.

While building the deck, I realized that I just didn't have the cards to make it a proper suicide black. A lack of Juzam sealed that fate, though I considered substituting Juggernaut (Derelor was sadly out of the question). Stone Throwing Devils just weren't feeling it for me, and without Hymn, the Dark Rit's weren't nearly as good as turn 1 cards. So instead, I went the control route, and realized, I needed an actual win condition.

I looked at my black beaters (under valuing artifact creatures like a noob), I made a list, with Nightmare at the top, other contenders included Sengir Vampire, Fallen Angel, Demonic Hordes, Lord of the Pit, and finally Mold Demon. I evaluated each of their strengths and weaknesses, and concluded Nightmare would make the best of the list, which it became a two of (though I wish I found room for Sengir, maybe next online event).

Nightmare became a quick 'answer creature', finding himself typically settling down in a nice cottage (and maturing some great life for me), going to the disco, or facing God himself. When he didn't befell one of these awful fates, he typically hit hard and fast, and even the -1 from animate wasn't that big a feal.
Edit: Someone pointed out he also can't be Control Magic'd, which is a plus I didn't think of.

If I could go back, would I run him again? Maybe not. There were games where I had some wimpy Nightmares, and while I never encountered an Armageddon, that doesn't change the fact it's very much possible. Further more, there are better artifact creatures at 6 mana, though not as strong at the raw power as him.

My MVP's of the Winter Derby: Xenic Poltergeist.

The Winter Derby was an event that happened over the course of December and into January. Using Sweden Ban/Restricted list, the tournament had 7 rounds before a top 8 cut. I originally going to run a red/blue burn control build, a classic if you will.

Instead, I was forced to go mono black control, and it didn't do well. Among my seven opponents included a Land's Edge deck, two burn-control builds, and three rocket launched/infinite mana decks. I have however learned some good things about mono-black, and the format as a whole.

The deck, note the two Ashes to Ashes which proved to be useless.

 

 

The Side board

One card in there proved to be more valuable then I'd ever given it credit for before hand. No it's not the Gate (which was useless), nor was it Nightmare (who was the win condition). it was small throw away card I put in the deck as a budget option.

That's right Xenic Poltergeist proved to be extremely useful in the format, and for my deck. Often under looked in many cases until it was too late.

Mono-black has few answers to artifacts, and I wanted something that I could get away with throwing in the main deck. Originally I put him in, as a way to kill Moxes. After all, it breaks jewelry. The other benefits came as I actually played it for the first time ever in any deck.

First it had amazing synergy w/ Oubliette, allowing me to animate a pesky artifact (say a Howling Mine or Winter Orb), and remove it from the game. It could also trade another artifact in a field wipe (not uncommon when I played Nightmare), turn my discs into 4/4's, give basalt monolith summoning sickness, and block if needed.

I actually realized despite the lack of Icy, I ran some Royal Assassins because of the number of artifacts he could have killed w/ this guy would be spicy.

However, hindsight is 20/20, and I almost wish I didn't run the Disc along side him and oubliette, because that created some difficult situations.

I'll be posting other MVP's over the week, and I hope you enjoy them.

Keldon Warlord: Terror of the playground.

"Barbarism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural. It's a whim of circumstance, and barbarism is ultimately triumphant"--Robert E. Howard

"Battle is our religion. This fortress is our temple"--Latulla, Keldon Overseer

As we've grown as players, and as people, we realize some cards, no matter how cool, just aren't good. The number of bad ass creatures of yesteryear are numerous. In the larger MtG, this can be attributed to power creep, with creatures getting flashier as time goes on. However, in this format, in theory these former power houses should be able to shine in there glory, and for some, they do. Mahamoti, Serra, Sengir, Shivan, all bad ass creatures in there own right, shine on once again, as if it was 1994. Other former popular creatures haven't fared so well. One of these creatures is Keldon Warlord.

The Keldon's are a group of Conan the Barbarians. Living for battle, they are actually separated into two races, the 'pure' Keldons who are hulking massive brutes who worship War as a religious act. Then there are the Gathan's, genetically engineered rogues who was made by a wizard that felt Urza's bloodlines project didn't go far enough into making the perfect warrior. Skyshroud Elves also appear among their ranks post Phyrexian Invasion.


Numerous Keldons appear throughout the lore, including Maraxus, Latulla, and Radha, however, this is talking about the original Keldon, Keldon Warlord.

What if they threw a war and everybody came?

I remember as a kid, he was a common sight among many red decks. After all, in a time where cards were scarce (especially when in the country), you didn't always have a playset of Shivan Dragons, and you filled spaces. Secondly, he can in theory, be HUGE, even if on average he's probably only a 2/2 or a 3/3. Even on the gatherer comments, people talk about how cool he was as a kid, leading your army of Orcs and Goblins into battle, being just generally huge.

I can honestly say, I didn't see him in the Winter Derby, nor did I expect to, after all, while he holds a place in my heart, there are better options. It can be argued that Hill Giant with it's consistent power/toughness is better. Even if it isn't, Mountain Yeti certainly is, with it's protection and landwalk ability.  Sedge Troll is better in B/R. Stone Giant is even better, being able to give creatures flying (and juggle trolls). In a time when every card is at our finger tips, both visually and limited only by our finances, the Warlord just can't compete.

However, there is no doubt that he is hands down cool. He's art would find a place on any 80's metal album, he looks like he's riding a nightmare, and Mr/ Bockschmidt's ability to exaggerate leaves a good mental mark. He's also the one lord of way back when that doesn't have the 'lord' ability, instead leading by example by being stronger (and thus attacking).

What if they threw a war and everybody came?

The Art is easily his best feature. As said earlier, he would look fitting on the cover of an old pulp fiction comic or metal record. The warrior has exaggerated features, having the muscles of someone who been weened on red meat, pure iron, and steroids since he left the womb. Even his sword is over the top, not only being unpractically large, but containing over the top decorations and gems.

Even the surrounding atmosphere works, with the flaming castle being the major focus point, showing his latest conquest, which obviously he drew no quarter. Even his helmet is unpractical, but also extremely awesome, and the shoulder bad is just icing on the cake.

The only issue is the tiny leg (which isn't that tiny) below the sword. It's as if he's skipping leg day.

 Kev Brocksmidt revisited this art and has stated it as one of his most popular.

Art gets a solid 4/5.

Playability: As said earlier, where he excels aesthetically, he doesn't work as well on the battlefield. Not only is his fluctuating power risky and inconsistent. It can be lethal, as damage can kill him later in the turn as card remove from the battlefield. Sure, in a token deck he can get stupid big, but honestly, how many of those are there, especially in this format. I've debated running my beta one as a one of in mono-red aggro, because as I said, I like him, but I'll admit his playability is not good.

2/5.

Flavor: This is where he makes it. The fact he doesn't check walls just adds to this (because how do walls give moral). Instead, his power increases with his prestige, and decreases as his prestige declines. That's probably his most redeemable feature. He just feels so, right. It's one of those cards you could pull out of a pack and not only enjoy, but think how you could make him good, and that is the type of card that allowed Magic to thrive throughout the 90's 3/5.

A solid 3/5 overall. It's nothing special, but it's a good addition to have in the card pool, even if it's just in the box.

Check out Kevcartoons.com to see what he's been up to.

Also Kev has made two new arts, the one for the art book

Revisited, I'd actually like to see this on cardboard.

What could have been: Super Hero

Play test cards are always fascinating. They show cards that could have existed, and what could have happened, (and what didn't). Alpha makes this more interesting, because everything is possible, and because its influence on the game can't be understated.

Alpha as an expansion, and philosophy certainly doesn't match up w/ the stiff rigid design of the modern color pie. Green land destruction, blue burn, land changing cards across all colors. In reality, it's a strange but amazing thing to look at. That's just what made it to print, many other classical tropes didn't make it to print. These included a Red Time Walk, a card that randomized ownership of all lands in play, a card that killed trolls and vampires, and among others the card I'm going to talk about today.

 

 

It's a bird... it's a plane... it's a strictly better Terror...

 

Superman here is actually a really good creature. For those not in the know, that mana cost would translate into either WWW or 2W depending on who you ask, because during playtesting, they couldn't quiet get the concept of mana down. So with that knowledge, lets look at what we get:

-A Gray Ogre (or Pearled Unicorn) with a very relevant ability.
-An Instant Speed removal spell with feet.
-Superman.

Well realistically it probably wouldn't have kept that name, and certainly not that art. The 'Prince Charming' is speculated by some to be a possible working title. It's concept is pretty good, if not a bit generic, the hero who dies facing off against an impossible foe, being a martyr in the process. Much like Beowulf, he can die fighting a Djinn or Dragon, sacrificing his own life for glory (and because you made him).

This actually reminds me of a YGO(Yu-Gi-Oh) card "Exiled Force" in which you can sacrifice it on your turn to destroy any monster, regardless of it's power. The influence this card would have had on the game, particularly the color white can only be speculated, but it's very likely white would have become a color of self sacrificing creatures much earlier in the games life. Plus, this guy would be seeing play in white decks throughout the 90's.

In a lot of ways, I'm glad he didn't make it, because of his power (at least as printed). He can bury a creature, swing, counter spot removal, and be an amazing chump blocker.

Tenth Post!

How many of you still have some cards from 'back in the day', I bet many of you do. I managed, despite thieves, accidents, bad trades/ good trades, and drinking, have managed to keep a few. Today, in honor of my 10th post, I will show one of these bad boys (and threaten my ability to remain somewhat anonymous at the same time).

I'm aware my hand is filthy.

This time worn relic is Eron the Relentless, an immortal man who in the lore died numerous times. I can tell you this time worn piece has died countless more then that.

A small list of things that has happened to this piece of cardboard:
-Shuffled in dozens of decks, both sleeved and unsleeved.
-Shoved into book bags/boxes/pockets.
-Was part of a 7th grade diorama
-Had soda spilled on it
-Was in a deck deliberately sabotaged by a friend
-Spent three years in a damp basement in NY.  

One of my very first Legends, Eron I realized was amazing, being uneffected by summoning sickness and being able to survive combat allowed him to be more useful then some of the other jank I was playing at 5 mana (like Orgg and Goblin Mutant). More importantly he directly interacted on the cards with Joven and Chandler. I actually remember at a sleep over reading the lore about him with Retribution and Anaba Bodyguards, and why they aren't minotaurs (or weren't).

The best part was, my young mind assumed Legends, by the title, must be better creature types then other creatures (I was wrong!). It didn't stop me from making a deck later that combined the color friends feats of Invasion block w/ the legends from Chronicles (and Lady Orca). It eventually grew into a 400+ card monstrosity full of flavor and function, but that's a story for another time.

I almost got this card signed at Gen Con, but I had the foil TS version on me instead. Mr. Rush passed shortly there after. I'm glad I got to meet him. Alas, this is a small  update about a card I care very much about, who's been with my and my lot for a very long time.

Lich: What's the price of immortality?

"I will go to any length to achieve my goal. Eternal life is worth any sacrifice."

—Zur the Enchanter

I was just getting out of the shower!

The quest for Immortality has plagued man for as long as man could think of self. History is littered with stories of people pursuing it in vain, from Emperor Chin, to the Pharoahs of Egypt, to Ponce de Leon, to the transhumanist of modern times, people have pursued some attempt at immortality for as long as we've known the self. Even Christianity, Judaism, and Catholicism, with it's emphasis as a death cult of sorts, promises immortality after the end of days.

However, Immortality is either too impossible to reach, or becomes a chore. Immortality is often shown to be a chore of sorts, a punishment even. People live to watch even there most loved ones die, the world around them change without them able to keep up. One article in 'Weird USA' (a website published by the gentlemen who publish Weird New Jersey) claims he met a man who said the Fountain of Youth in Florida was discovered by  a secret society sometime in the 1800's, and extreme measures have been made to keep it hidden. He also showed a list, with a number of American folk heroes on it, some who died at extreme ages, but not from disease, nor hunger, or age. Whether this is true or not, can you imagine how strange it must be to live so long, to realize that time suddenly has no consequence? I'm almost 30 years old, and I can barely understand the world in these unusual times, can you imagine someone 130?

Still this perspective never kept anyone from trying, whether it be through alchemy and science, philosophical thought, great quests for mystical items, demonic deals, or technology, some individuals will always long to live forever, no matter what the cost. Which is where we come to today's card.

"A lich was a wizard who wretched free his soul, for to keep safe in phylacrity, forsaken all life for immortality, plus immunity to lightning is cool!"---Dan, the Bard. Procrastinating Demi-Lich,

A lich is an Old English word roughly translating into 'Corpse'. Given it's archaic nature, the term lich was a common term for any animated corpse, and even skeletal animation, in many early fantasy books and short stories. The idea of a Lich being the dead remains of an animated wizard who cheated death first appears in the story "Skull-Face" a swords and sorcery story by author Robert. E. Howard, as well as number of short stories by Clark Ashton Smith. Another early passage of a sentient raised corpse appears in the short story ''The Death of Halpin Frayser" by Ambrose Bierce. 

"For by death is wrought greater change than hath been shown. Whereas in general the spirit that removed cometh back upon occasion, and is sometimes seen of those in flesh (appearing in the form of the body it bore) yet it hath happened that the veritable body without the spirit hath walked. And it is attested of those encountering who have lived to speak thereon that a lich so raised up hath no natural affection, nor remembrance thereof, but only hate. Also, it is known that some spirits which in life were benign become by death evil altogether."--Ambrose Bierce, The Death of Halpin Frayser, 1891.

However, the popularity of Lich's in popular culture is thanks to it's portrayal in Dungeon's and Dragon's, in which a Lich was an epic villain, often commanding entire armies, and scheming over the course of many centuries.  This served the basis for base set card Lich. After all, even a planeswalker, in all his might and splendor is ultimately mortal.

Art: The art, despite the bad quality, shows exactly what it says on the tin. The Lich in the art is seen with holes in it's flesh, barely being held together by dark magics. A stone engraving is in the back, and a spell being casted in it's hand, which serves at the only light source in the piece. Some minor details can give the robe an age'd effect, but alas it's a simple portrait. I like Gelon, but this one only get's a 3/5 from me. It works with the source material, and it's gets the message across, but it's not the first image anyone is going to remember.

Play ability: Lich is one of the most controversial cards in the game. Costing 4 black, it's the definition of not splashable, and it's most severe drawback, when it's destroyed you die, is enough to make most Planeswalkers put it down as quickly as they picked it up. It also has a drawback of turning your cards (not permanents mind you) into your life, forcing you to constantly sacrifice your resources to stay alive. You also can't pay life fore effects, since your life total is at a constant state of 0. It's boon's however, are incredibly powerful. Whenever you'd gain life, you instead will draw that many cards. This turns Healing Salve into an Ancestral Recall (I'll let that sink in), an Alabaster Potion into an instant speed Braingeyser. El-Hajjah now gains you a life everytime he deals damage (at a minimum), Charms now cantrip, Drain Life becomes stupid powerful, and even Fountain of Youth reads "2, T: Draw a card". Further more, it can realistically buy you a turn or two to draw an answer for the game, since you don't need to worry about conventional damage. Further more, it's uneffected by life loss, so any effect that forces you to lose life, forces you to lose none (Personal Incarnation anyone?).  Plus this is an instant win with Mirror Universe (and unusually flavoristic as well).

In reality, only a few cards can destroy it:

-Tranquility (the only well played Green enchantment removal)
-Disenchant (Yes, this card makes it extremely dangerous to have, I admit)
-Disk (Not as threatening, but very real).

A few other examples that fall into fringe territory include Northern Paladin (which is badass in it's own right) and Boomerang (Very much so this).

Now, like many classic black spells, it offers great power at a terrifying price, but if you can harness that power, you can be nearly invincible. 3/5.

Flavor: Like almost all Alpha enchantments, this is where the card shines. It's both amazing and sad this NEVER got a reprint, but I suppose that is part of the flavor itself. After all, only the most dedicated would hunt down the needed path to even find a spell needed. The drawback refers to enchantment as the Phylacria itself, and if it goes so do you. In the current rules of the game, you'd die as a state based effect before that trigger resolves, and that is a relic from the pre-6th edition rules where you'd normally not die until the end of the phase. It's life=draw is a strange argument, but I'd suggest it's the idea that you accumulate knowledge in some form. The draw back can be the same, as you take damage, people destroy your items, hoping each one is a phylacria, however, that one is stretching it a bit.

I'll give the flavor a 5/5, if for nothing else, the meta idea that it's impossible to find.

Note: Several cards have copied and improved on this through out the years, but eventually the idea of you becoming a Lich was scrapped so creatures could be Lich's instead.

More Note: One of my favorite decks of all time was a deck where I'd use Lich with Form of the Dragon to become a Draco-Lich, in it every end step I drew 5 cards, and I couldn't be attacked by non-fliers. It was pretty dope tbh.

What does it mean to be a Warrior?

"This card is more flavorful then every card in Kamigawa block combined"

--Iandustrial, Gatherer, 4,20,2009

"A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm"

--Yamamoto Tsunetomo

What it means to be a warrior is something that stretches amongst all warrior cultures across the world and across time. From the Hittites, to the Marine, from the Channel of England and France down to the orient of Japan, every culture that has had a warrior culture or caste has asked this question. Many have come up w/ different answers, but one that stays true is the ideal of putting yourself at the best of human ability. Virtues of the culture are idealized (if not realistically practical), and are remembered, even when the less then savory facts aren't. Everything from the naked Zulu, half naked Spartan, to the heavy armored knight, to the technologically advanced Marine and SEAL, these ideals are championed in an attempt to separate the Warrior from the other castes of society. 

Naturally, like other philosophical questions, this ended up portrayed on an early Magic card. It's a simple, usually overlooked Magic card, but like many of the era leaves a profound mark beyond it's play ability (outside Shandalar of course). 

Art: The art shows what can be best described as a classical cinematic depiction of a Samurai warrior. Anson, who is famous for his horrific horror artwork, manages to show his versatility with this. Particularly in the detail of the samurai's uniform and the light source. The light source being something in the viewers direction (we will say the sun). In this, we see the light reflect off both the samurai's slicked back hair, and the well polished statue. The statue isn't of any character or symbol in particular, but it feels so right. The samurai makes no mind to it, as if it's part of his everyday life. Behind himis a simple green wall or bush, depending on your perspective and opinion, it fades into the light source, but a focused eye can see small details showing it didn't disappear. 

The best part of this is how realistic the samurai looks, his eyes steady, his cowl humorless. He isn't exaggerated like some of the art of Kamigawa, nor is he done in a historically accurate style (like Tetsou Umezawa). Instead we are giving a simple but evocative picture of a samurai standing, whether it be on guard, in front of another samurai, or in mid stroll, is unknown and irrelevant.

Art gets a 5/5.

Ability: It's strange that vigilance was once stretched across the color pie. In today's rigid design, It's a white mechanic, with it occasionally appearing in green. It does appear on a few blue cards, and many multicolored cards, but almost all those blue cards require white (The last one not being Serra Sphinx and Auramancers Guise back in Planar Chaos). However, it's across the color pie, and a few are red, including Axelrod Gunnarson, Windseeker Centaur, and card posted above! Green had Rabid Wombat, and even black got it's only mono-black creature in the form of Ghost Hounds.

The greatest warrior

It's strange to imagine a world were 'Attacking doesn't cause to tap' would be shared between white and red, but in a way, it almost happened. This card's plabaility is hurt like many, due to being an aura, however, it's effect even if only used once, can be pretty damn amazing, because attacking without needing to tap is an amazing feature to have. It allows you to cover your bases. I will rate this how I rate many aura's, with the idea that you treat is like a sorcery speed combat trick, that simply gets better if it can last longer. While it doesn't do much, it does what is needed, and gets it done. 

3/5 on playability, even if it only works once. 

Flavor: Now here is the philosophical point of the post.Why is making your creature a warrior allowing it to attack and block? Is it because it now has proper training? Does it make your creature faster, stronger? Is your creature just simply more dedicated to the cause? The idea that a warrior must be more vigilant then others around him, to be more then good, be exceptional, works extremely well with this. It's easy to know why Serra Angel, the Falcon, and Yotian Soldier have vigilance (the two fly, the last one is a robot that can move unusually quick). It's not so easy for other creatures, I mean, making your Djinn a warrior isn't keeping it from smacking you in the face, nor does making your raiders a warrior ever make them stronger. Maybe instead, you are imbuing them with the idea that they are stronger, and they try harder? I was actually disappointed this didn't get updated text and new art in Champions of Kamigawa (we got a white version called Vigilance instead).

Either way it's flavor gets a solid 4/5. 

12/15. Not bad for a card from Legends. 

In it's native Nipponese