So, what are the thoughts on Chandra's parents that were revealed today? Looks to be a legendary Beetleback Chief at first glance, but I kind of like the idea of shooting Feldon tokens/etc at my opponent Siege-Gang style. Helps dodge targeted removal of our toys, and isn't too shabby as Feldon fodder itself. Definitely going to try and add it in somewhere, even just as a test.
"For example, I tried Opt in Origins for a while, but Delve + JeskaiAscendency + MonestaryMentor meant it was not the time for it."
One good thing though is that they were testing Opt at all for release into Standard, which means it isn't impossible to see later, just highly unlikely for a while.
So my LGS is looking into a Chaos Draft soon. Rules are simple; bring 3 packs of your choice and make the draft go in whatever way you want. Non-standard size boosters are not allowed. Tentative list of the "banned" sets are as follows:
The Dark
Homelands
Fallen Empires
Antiquities
Alliances
Chronicles
Unglued
Unhinged
Generally speaking, if the pack is 15 cards or 14 cards + a basic land, it's ok. Mirrodin Besieged Faction Packs and the Foil Alara packs are also allowed. This is NOT limited to only "normal" releases. Modern Masters/Conspiracy can also be used. Players open the packs they brought to avoid any feel bad scenarios about value picks. That being said, what would you bring?
I'm personally an old-school magic player at heart and I'm looking at the Urza block set for my three packs. I'm assuming I get absolute jank for value, but the set itself was fun to draft, IIRC. Mechanics aren't really parasitic and it can fold well into many other sets. The lack of gold cards is a good point in my opinion since I can't rely on what others bring.
Failing that, I was thinking of going in the other direction and doing Invasion block. That's definitely a fun block to play with and some of the cards hold up well today. Many of the players at the shop have not had any pre-Modern drafts before, so I'm trying to stay close to that, but I am open to ideas, no matter how crazy. I want to say my budget for this madness is $100 for whatever 3 packs I pick out. Since this is as much a learning experience for the newer players as it is a trip in history for myself, I'm willing to splurge a bit.
Enemy Color "Block" - Apocalypse, Innistrad, Eventide - Eventide will definitely be the last pack drafted since the hybrid cards will be easier to slot into decks.
Invasion Block - Fun, pre-modern block. Still has some relatively cool things that would make draft fun, including ally color stuff, enemy colors, and tri-colors. Almost want this one to see if Coalition Victory randomly appears.
Urza's Block - Most expensive draft set out of the above, but damn do I want to go deep on the old school stuff.
"True Chaos" - Legions, Torment, Alara Reborn - Draft? You thought I wanted to draft? Try chaos!
"Solid Gold" - Shadowmoor, Eventide, Alara Reborn - Good luck with these signals.
We know the five planeswalkers for the set and have an example of how they flip thanks to Liliana, Heretical Healer. One thought exercise that has been floating around my LGS is how each of the other 4 walkers could flip. Here are my ideas after some thought, curious to see what others think BEFORE any more spoilers arrive.
Gideon - Combat damage to a player / multiple creatures attacking along with him
Jace - Drawing 1 or 2 more cards beyond your first in a turn / milling the opponent (please not this!)
Liliana - Known
Chandra - Burning down a creature / X damage to a player
Nissa - Controlling X number of creatures (maybe keyed to green creatures specifically) / playing multiple lands in a turn
I don't think we'll get Buried Ruin. It was introduced in M12 which was just after NPH. I'm thinking the Ziggurat is more likely to help 5C decks more.
https://twitter.com/samstod/status/602502299726970880
"For example, I tried Opt in Origins for a while, but Delve + JeskaiAscendency + MonestaryMentor meant it was not the time for it."
One good thing though is that they were testing Opt at all for release into Standard, which means it isn't impossible to see later, just highly unlikely for a while.
https://twitter.com/blakepr/status/607935442848129025
Please, no killing the messenger.
The Dark
Homelands
Fallen Empires
Antiquities
Alliances
Chronicles
Unglued
Unhinged
Generally speaking, if the pack is 15 cards or 14 cards + a basic land, it's ok. Mirrodin Besieged Faction Packs and the Foil Alara packs are also allowed. This is NOT limited to only "normal" releases. Modern Masters/Conspiracy can also be used. Players open the packs they brought to avoid any feel bad scenarios about value picks. That being said, what would you bring?
I'm personally an old-school magic player at heart and I'm looking at the Urza block set for my three packs. I'm assuming I get absolute jank for value, but the set itself was fun to draft, IIRC. Mechanics aren't really parasitic and it can fold well into many other sets. The lack of gold cards is a good point in my opinion since I can't rely on what others bring.
Failing that, I was thinking of going in the other direction and doing Invasion block. That's definitely a fun block to play with and some of the cards hold up well today. Many of the players at the shop have not had any pre-Modern drafts before, so I'm trying to stay close to that, but I am open to ideas, no matter how crazy. I want to say my budget for this madness is $100 for whatever 3 packs I pick out. Since this is as much a learning experience for the newer players as it is a trip in history for myself, I'm willing to splurge a bit.
Enemy Color "Block" - Apocalypse, Innistrad, Eventide - Eventide will definitely be the last pack drafted since the hybrid cards will be easier to slot into decks.
Invasion Block - Fun, pre-modern block. Still has some relatively cool things that would make draft fun, including ally color stuff, enemy colors, and tri-colors. Almost want this one to see if Coalition Victory randomly appears.
Urza's Block - Most expensive draft set out of the above, but damn do I want to go deep on the old school stuff.
"True Chaos" - Legions, Torment, Alara Reborn - Draft? You thought I wanted to draft? Try chaos!
"Solid Gold" - Shadowmoor, Eventide, Alara Reborn - Good luck with these signals.
Gideon - Combat damage to a player / multiple creatures attacking along with him
Jace - Drawing 1 or 2 more cards beyond your first in a turn / milling the opponent (please not this!)
Liliana - Known
Chandra - Burning down a creature / X damage to a player
Nissa - Controlling X number of creatures (maybe keyed to green creatures specifically) / playing multiple lands in a turn
Dread Drone - 80
Mortarpod - 222
Azorius Chancery - 235
Boros Garrison - 237
Dimir Aqueduct - 239
Golgari Rot Farm - 243
Gruul Turf - 244
Izzet Boilerworks - 245
Orzhov Basilica - 246
Rakdos Carnarium - 247
Selesnya Sanctuary - 248
Simic Growth Chamber - 249