5 Cards I wish was in Scryings

You can't please everyone, and while I'm certainly in that list, and I don't intend to play Scryings much, I will say that without a doubt, Scryings is a fun set none the less. I can understand the thought process that went behind it, nothing too game breaking (so things like Squandered Resources, Necropotence, and Fireblast would be out), nothing past Weatherlight, and it's fully excluding Portal (which technically came out between Visions and Weatherlight), and no mechanics that aren't legal in "old school" which includes Cantrips (and slowtrips), pitch spells, Cumulative Upkeep, Phasing, and Flanking.

With this in mind, their are still numerous cards, both old favorites, and fan favorites alike, that I wish made the cut. Here, I would like to talk about just a few.

Mtenda Lion

 

 While I wish Fallow Earth was around, I understand the threat a card like that could pose. However, when I was Ogre's younger brother of the OG stompy deck didn't make the cut, I was a bit set back. Sure my favorite elephant, and Riverboi was around, and I understand not all the pieces of that deck could be in the set (sorry Harvest Wurm), I still think this guy, the thinking man's stompy creature, should have been included, though looking back, it seems quaint to try and flush out blue mages counterspell mana to prevent two damage.

Taste of Paradise

 

Very few Magic cards depict romance, and very few Magic cards are good life gain cards. This one is both. I actually had a flare deck at one time, with Vernal Bloom, mana flare, and overabundance, in an attempt to gain life and burn out players with X burn spells. Sure, this one has some bias, but it's strictly better than the amazingly simple Stream of Life.  Plus we got the other "multi-kicker" spell in this set, that is Primitive Justice.

Swamp Mosquito

 

I felt this was the perfect opportunity to throw in one or two more Poison counter related creatures. It was a hard choice between this awesome guy, and Sabretooth Cobra, but settled on the Mosquito, because of it's versatility and it's built in invasive ability. 

While I'm on the subject of Poison counters deck....

Fire Whip

 

The Johnny's secret, Fire Whip is suprisingly versatile. Once upon a time, it could be seen (rather poorly) being enchanted to Marsh Vipers and Pit Scorpions, to get around the evasive limitations of those cards. Since neither of them had built in evasion. 

You could also, equip this to Nicol Bolas, and during the end of the draw step blowing up hands at instant speed. and speaking of Bolas.

Shallow Grave

 

Like many early tournament stories, theres a legend of someone playing this and Pox and turn one to aggressively swing with a turn one Bolas, thus discarding the players hand, and assuring his own victory. Now how true this story is, is debateable, but it's a cool story none the less. 

With Pox, and Bolas legal, I'm surprised this one wasn't included. Plus, it can make, since it's instant speed, an awesome combat trick as well. 

Honorable Mentions: Benalish Infantry/Shield Bearer/Kjeldoran Knight

 

 

 

Ultimately I was disappointed in the lack of my favorite mechanic, banding. While I could go on about all the banders you could include, in my opinion these three are among the bests not currently legal, if we ignore Volunteer Reserves. Banding, the mechanical embodiment of Old School Magic, was cut from the game with Enchant Worlds and Rampage in Weatherlight. 

However, I understand why some might not like the mechanic. While this isn't a complete list of card I wish was in Scryings, it's the most notable ones. 

Come back to my next article where I will rate every card in Scryings in one sitting. 

Until then.

The Last P.I. (pt 1)

(Please note, this short story has nothing to do with the usual content of my blog, nor anything to do with Magic: the Gathering. Please enjoy).


"It's the strangest case I've ever seen". Those were the words I heard on my phone at about 3 pm and a dreary Friday Afternoon. His voice, as with many who seek me out, was desperate, and it could be heard even across the landline.

The case, at first, wouldn't turn any heads, three gang bangers dead. However, it was how they were killed that was the cause of concern. The first one, two shots in the chest, apparently from his homie. The homie, in question, was found a few feet away, a snapped neck and a broken arm was what got him for his troubles.

The third one, a Tyrone McGee, had made an attempt to run for it, and got a hundred yards away, according to ballistics, frantically firing behind him, before apparently being cornered, and attempting a fight. It also ended with him being killed, but much less merciful, as his jaw and eye sockets had been shattered, and his chest cavity is apparently collapsed. A knife was also found near the body, but it apparently hadn't even his a mark, as no blood was found on the blade. Forensics had yet to comeback, however.

To all this, my contact said, was one witness, a migrant, who was failed to be picked by the local police. She refused to cooperate with the investigation, and has since disappeared, but was recorded describing the attacker as 'El Diablo'.

"We must have this 'devil' be discovered or disappeared. My bosses are starting to breath down my neck, and it's getting hard to have the local media to remain silent about it, this is the third incident like this, this month, and..."

He goes on like this for sometime. I reassure him, that I'm the best, and the case will be solved soon, and the rate will be worth him not losing his job.

Well, if you are listening to this, you must be wondering, well who am I? After all, something terrible has befell me if this recording is out, well I'm no G-Man or Spook. In fact, some who would fit that description are my toughest cases.

I'm, for the lack of a better word, a private investigator, but I do so much more. When a man receives a vision from God, I make sure it stays a vision. When some heiress is kidnapped, I'm the person that finds who did it, and if needed, make sure she doesn't end up in Africa. When some retired Majestic decides to take something into his own hands, I'm the one that convinces him to retire for good. Every time a child disappears without a trace, there is a pretty good chance someone in my field had something to do with it.

I'm the best, in my opinion, at what I do, and I have the record, and price tag, to prove it. Which is what's so alarming about this. There is a dozens of cheaper options, not to mention agents and detectives, that would do this case considerable cheaper, and just as efficiently, however, not as discreetly.

So why am I recording this, on tape, of all things? Well, something about this doesn't sit right, and I figure this would be a good insurance policy for myself. If this case is a set up, I'll use this with other evidence to bring down those who hired me.

Studying over the dossier that was faxed, I've concluded the suspect isn't ex-military, since his assumed lack of firearm training, nor is he a vigilante, since he left no calling card, as vigilantes tend to do. The other two cases, were just as random, an outlaw biker, and a pedophile, both brought down in surprisingly gruesome ways, which I won't repeat, both apparently by battery, and no evidence of fire fight. Nor any evidence of connection between the various men.

I've set up a rendezvous point between me and a local detective on the case through our mutual third party, early in the morning, and until then, I rest. After that, I shall search for the missing Jane Doe and check out the background of McGee. First day, goodnight.

-End recording-

Narwhals: Inventors of the Shish kabab

"Narwhals, Narwhals.

Swimming in the ocean.

Causing a commotion. 

Because they are so awesome"

--Weebl, Narwhals.

Probably one of the most memorable Internet songs of the previous decade, Narwhals have come back into public consciousness thanks to a recent tragedy. Due to my blog being apolitical, and being about Magic, I won't talk about it.

Enjoy this photo instead.

So how well does Narwhal fair on it's own? Well let's find out!

Playability: Narwhal is a 2/2 first strike and pro:red for 4. Since its blue, it automatically gets a point.

While First Strike is good, blue is not famous as a combat color. However, Protection from red is an amazing mechanic, and that immunity to removal. Protection on a blue creature has so much better utility then other colors, thanks to sleight. Plus Chaoslace is nice as well, which could be brewed around with sea sprite.

Utilize with Pyroclasm.

Plus a 2/2 first strike can beat a grizzly bears in a fight. 

Playability: 3/5

Art: David Cherry art is effective, showing multiple Narwhals trying to move forward, being the Jedi of the sea. The colors really fit the blue card, with the sea green water, and the salty looking sky.

The Narwhals can be more distinct looking, but it works.  Art 3/5.

Flavor: 

Narwhals having First Strike makes a lot of sense. However I don't understand why they have Protection from Red. Nor do I understand why such a massive animal is merely a 2/2. However,  I suppose a 3/3 for 4 with two good abilities would have redeemed Homelands to much for the EDT liking.

Flavor 2/5.

In conclusion,  2.8/5. A forgettable mediocre rare that is made famous time and time again thanks to things outside of Magic. I wouldn't want it to be any other way. 

Remember, just don't let them touch your balls.

Take me away on the winds of change.

"Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams (share their dreams)
With you and me
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night (the glory night)
Where the children of tomorrow dream away (dream away)
In the wind of change (the wind of change)."--The Scorpions, Winds of Change

 

 

 

Winds of Change is an interesting, and arguable bad card. While it provides no card advantage. it is one of the only red draw cards in the format, and while it's not as popular, or as numerous, as it's older brother Wheel of Fortune, it has found it's niche time and time again, whether abusing dredge, or going for the kill with Underworld Dreams, it's usefulness time and time again has been shown. So how bad is Winds? Well, it's not the power card that Wheel of Fortune is, but I wouldn't call it bad, it's certainly a trickster card at least.

 

 

 

 

 

Playability: Coming in a mere R, WoC shuffles in your hand, and draws a new one. However, it doesn't just do it to you! It does it to your opponent as well. This makes playing a first turn Winds one of the most strategically sound plays in the game. I've more then once heard the grunts and moans of a player who mulliganed down to n6, just to be given a hand they are disappointed in, and more importantly, they are stuck with.

 

The card also can work, as mentioned, in dreams. particularly well after a well played Wheel or Timetwister, just be careful in the mirror match.

 

I'll give it a playability of 4, because of it's niche.

 

 

Art: Is that a cliffedge, a mountain, or the ocean? Depth is not this art pieces friend. While it's certainly memorable, particularly between the sky, the broad use of contrasting color, and the warrior himself, and leaves a strong imprint on the imagination, it isn't without it's flaws. The leaves are a nice touch though.

 

I always liked the 5th art better anyway

 

 

Art: 3/5.

 

Flavor: I guess the winds of change can be chaotic, which is why it's red, though the name feels blue.

I guess the idea works on the card itself. In reality, I never got the flavor of this card, and while I've been a long time fan of it, for numerous reasons, I've never really reflected on why it exists. The possibility of the unknown that comes with change?

 

Either way, it's flavor is just going to be a 3/5.

 

 

In conclusion: A niche rare, but a good one none the less. While it's not the BEST card in magic, it certainly fills it's roll, and I'm glad it exists.

 

3/5. A fine addition to OS Magic.

 



Surfing Omegle

When I was asked to replace a person who dropped in the "Duel Commander: event for November, I had decided, after a heated argument, to build Abu Ja'Far. However, a talk about politics isn't alone, the other reason was for none other then I've had an itch to try my hands at White Weenie.

Why? I'm not sure, but it's something I hadn't built in a rather long time, and I always use to like white as a color.  Perhaps the idea of knights and soldiers, storming together and overcoming foes is my reason for this, or perhaps, I'm just bad at Magic, who knows.

Had I realized the starting life total was 30 instead of 20, I might have gone with something more midrange!

Creatures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Probably the biggest cost of this, was the lack of artifact creatures. While that will make sense in a second, it was rather a dumb piece of oversight, as the Abyss is very real.

 

Also, unfortunate, is I couldn't, no matter how hard I tried, find an Order of the White Shield at the last minute (basically I didn't own one). However I did want to utilize as many mana dumps and pump effects as possible, since the late game is often not a lot to do, and lots of mana available, which is why I included Icatian Priest and Kjeldoran Knight.

 

If only I kept the Trade Caravan, maybe...

 

Serra Angel and Aysen Crusaders turned out to be big MVP's, with honorable mentions going to Kjeldoran Knight, Icatian Lieutenant, Shield Bearer, and Abu himself.

 

 

Pump Effects

 

What would white be without them? I included every pump effect available in the format besides Angelic Voices (again, don't own one). This included Serra Aviary, which in retrospect, I question, but worked well with the idea of utilizing it as removal, and I once killed the Abyss with it.

 

 







 

 

 

Ashnods Transmiggathingy got put into the deck as a anti-terror/abyss tech, as well as a deterent in combat. While Moral and Army of Allah allowed them to utilize more constructive tactics.

 

Formation and Heal were both included in the deck for it's cantrip abilities (but lightning blow was in another deck).

 

Death Ward helped me in a pinch more than once, including against a disc at one point.

 

Finally Blessings was met with much fanfare, but did little, and most games I played it, I felt I put it on the wrong target.

 

 

Removal

 

 



 

 

Rather light, which is the biggest issue with the deck. I probably should have included disc, and maybe even Time Bomb into the mix.

 

 

In reality consistency is key, and against control, it became a race to see if I could do enough damage before a Moat or Abyss dropped. Against weenie or midrange, it became an issue of having to fight off bigger creatures. Which is where the issue ultimately stemmed from, and why the deck got it's name.

 

A bunch of small white creatures coming in strong, just to lie flaccid after a good start.

 

0-6. W/L.

Jacques Le Vert: Hero of Pendlehaven

Abandoning his sword to return to the lush forest of Pendelhaven, Jacques le Vert devoted his life to protecting the creatures of his homeland.

Jacques le Vert, or Jack the Green for us anglos, is probably one of the considerably more playable Legends legends, with his home arguable being the best of the Legendary lands. I recently acquired one, and started building an EDH deck around him. With a cut off of Alliances, it was full of removal and beaters! Like any good OS deck should be.

Playability: While a castle effect, even a permanent one, isn't the most amazing ability in the game, it does share some unique qualities, and the fact he pumps himself, effectively makes him a 3/4 for 4, not bad given the time period. The most notable thing, when compared to other castle effects, is he pumps only your creatures, a unique aspect in OS, and the fact he pumps himself, is a notable good aspect. Now a 3/4 for 4 isn't going to turn heads by it's own, but it does put a few classic green creatures out of Bolt range, and as stated above, a toughness boost is always a criminally underrated effect. In 95, you can also utilize him to good effect with Pyroclasm, and he works well with Earthquake as well, assuming the X is a relatively low number. Playability 3/5. 

Art: It's a shame Andi Rusu only did art for a few sets, because he's one of the better classic artists of the game, with a thick story book look. I already gushed over him in the Sir Shandlar article. Jacques stands there on what I must assume, is the English channel (or the Dominaria Equivalent), looking good for his inevitable portrait. The washed out colors, the facial features, the minimal but distinct background features. The art looks like an old worldly attempt to capture the color and cold of the coast on a foggy morning. 

Lets not forget Jacques himself, standing there with his Sword of the Meek, his tunic and armor show he's, at the end of the day, a warrior. The art is easily the best piece part of the card. It gets a 5/5 from me. 

Art 5/5.

Flavor: While both him, and his home, pump creatures, they do it differently. Sadly, most cards that reference him, actually reference his home, Pendlehaven, a tournament staple even to this day. I do like the idea that Jacques Le Vert's mere presence increases your green creatures resolve simply by his presence. I also like the idea of him pumping himself, but if he loses his green (say to a lace), his heart goes with it, and his resolve shrinks as a result. It's like an alignment shift, and it's something I wish came around more in MtG, but alas...

Oddly enough, he's not the only Green Legend that has an effect like this. Kaysa and Meng Huo have a similar +1/+1 effect that effects themselves as well. Just food for thought. 

Flavor 4/5. 

So according to my ultimate rating system, he'd be a 12/15, making him a 4/5. In other words, a good card. Not bad, for a Legends legend, and certainly not the worst Legends legend by any grade. Sure, there are more efficient beaters at 4 mana, there are better lords as well. However, for someone looking to spice up a deck, he's a solid inclusion, and as a gold card, you get style points!

I will end with this quote:

"...in one sordid case, Kaysa—wherein so much life was bid that we had to question the appropriateness of the player's relationship with the card. We found him two weeks later in a hotel room with a jar of peanut butter and a play set of Jacques le Vert."--Geordie Tate, A Magic Journey

https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/magic-journey-2009-11-23 (source).

Cruising on the Fallen Empires!

"Don't let the Swedes see this"

--William John Thomas II, the Conqueror, on the Duelist article, "The Power of Fallen Empires".

 "Absolute Madman"--Alvin Mason

"No-No! I'm not interested in score ;)"--The Friend of the East.

"Bad"--Mr. Oaks

These are just minor few rants or raves of what I managed to get off of the most insane deck I think I've ever built, and the second largest I've ever built. 

Unfortunately, earlier this week, a friend of mines father died, which prompted me to go south and help him move some stuff. While there, I stopped in at one of my flgs, and after buying several cards, including a Jacques le Vert, when the operator decided to invite me to a OS event, happening up the road, a two hour drive south for me, and after a day of weighing pro's and con's, my friend said he decided he'd like to go, and I decided to check it out. 

So why this 'deck'. Well the format used a points based value system for cards, straight out of Duelists #8, as well as a 8 maximum of any card, as long as the point value wasn't above 20. While mulling over what to build, a sarcastically posted 'This post gets two dozen likes, I'll run a deck of playset of every card from Fallen Empires". It didn't (the group didn't have two dozen people on it) get that many likes, but I was openly encouraged by a few, and outside a few rares I didn't have a full set of (Draconic Sylex(2), Sand Silo's (3), Dwarven Hold (1) Orgg(2), Ebon Praetor(2), Elven Lyre (3), and Icatian Lieutenant (3)). I also decided to run a handful of non-Fallen Empire cards, for the sake of consistency, Jacques le Vert, because I just bought him, and he was in a penny sleeve already, along with Arcades Sabbath for the same reason. A wheel of Fortune and Mind Twist because I enjoy those card. Playset of Righteousness, because it's my favorite combat trick, a play set of Untamed Wilds for fixing. Finally, a playset of Sleight of Mind and Magical Hack, because of all the color hate cards among Fallen Empires. I reached 20 points, added basics (20 of each basic), counting the lands of Fallen Empires, makes 40 additional lands. 

"Ever build a really stupid deck?"

 So the day comes, I wake up late, fly down 31 cutting through Indianapolis, and reaching the bar early, only to find everyone else is running late. So I buy a wrap, a drink, and start shuffling. My friend built a B/R Land Destruction deck. It had a set of Sinkhole, eight stone rain, a set of Hymn to Tourach, and other good cards.

Me on the far right showing off my set of Rainbow Vale, with my friend on the left in the checkers.

Game 1 (vs Land Destruction)

 Sometimes helping people work to well. My friend did very well, winning most of the pick up games. I did the best against him, running a small weenie aggro attack against him. However, I couldn't get anything further, and eventually, he would drop a Demonic Horde, or a Hippie. Then it would become an issue. I quietly lost against him, shook his hand, and went to game two. 

Sitting across for the first round against my friend. my reflection in the window is proof.

Game 2 (Vs Fish)

I went against a Fish deck. It was a quick, poor game, of getting beat down in an extremely quick manner. I moved on, ordering something to eat. 

500+ cards, all love!

Game 3 (Vs Black/Blue control)

Ever get beat down by Nightmare? I lost to six of them. I did manage to play Icatian Town in this game, and I did start an aggro move.  However, Pestilence did that in. I did do better in this, then the other two games as well.

It was a slow game, and I had hoped my hunter would hold the Nightmare at bay, until the Assasin came out.

 

Game 4 (Blue/Green singleton/jank). 

the jank I lost against

This gentleman ran a deck of synergy and beatings. Including Tim and Ship for burn. I don't remember much from this match, other then I lost it. I do remember game one, I ultimately lost to a Thelonite Druid, animating enough Forests to overrun my meager defenses. One of the best decks I ran in the event. At one point, I had multiple Homarids against him.

Game 5 (Mirror Lich/beatdown)

Lost to this gentleman and his impressive three color lich build. The other deck is pictured.

I actually played a different deck against this initially. However, I insisted to run one game with FE against this gentleman from the south. I lost to both a Lich/Mirror combo, as well as a Force of Nature, which he was running for reasons. 

Game 6 (Vs Alt. 4th).

The host, insisted on playing against the build. He ran a similar deck, a Black/White deck made from Alt. 4th cards he managed to get together. These games were some of the longest, and thus most entertaining, and the only game I managed to get out a Hand of Justice/Icatian Town combo. The games were long, were hard, but in the end, the lack of removal did me in. 

The Road game is the only game I won, a 5 man game of Planechase. One player had run a full power, EC w/u/b control version of the deck, and had locked most of the game with Moat/The Abyss. Next to him was the Alt. 4th deck, who struggled along, me, a flare/big red/burn build utilizing Power Surge, then Fish. 

After a concordant effort, the three players managed to kill the Control build, but Alt 4th left prematurely. The burn player killed fish, only for me to play a Icatian Priest, and swing for thirty two damage with Order of Lietbur. It was awesome.

All and all, it was a good time, had by all, and an amazing Luncheon. It reminded me why I loved Fallen Empires so much as a kid, and why I would want to go back to using the cards regularly when playing OS.