...You guys do know that some sets are supposed to be weaker in power level than others, right?
Anyways, a lot of their decisions seemed geared towards making limited fun more than serving constructed. I don't think it's a problem that rares aren't game winning bombs, considering how not having game winning bombs is something that makes constructed more balanced. Besides, it's more the job of rares to be complex and flavorful than straight up powerful.
So I notice that they seem to be trying to provide UG converge as a draftable archetype in BFZ, but we have yet to see much mana fixing for all 5 colors, even though it's something we seem to be expected to have access to. We have 1 1/2 5 card cycles of rare dual lands, and that's about it. Are there uncommon/common lands yet unannounced? Are there 2 mana mana dorks that provide various colors? Basic land searching? There's got to be enough for it to at least be viable in limited, so there's got to be a lot we don't see.
Now, first of all, I originally made this set to be for a fandom (sound horizon), but I have found some inspiration I really like and I've been more keen on building it from the ground up as opposed to making it fit the mold of the original works I'm basing it off of.
This set is supposed to created for drafting. I read up on some of the well reviewed drafting sets, specifically Innistrad and Rise of the Eldrazi, and I found the most common theme as to why it was so good was due to the variety of archetypes available. Someone said that "everything that looks like it can be drafted around actually can be drafted around". I want to go into this set trying to emulate that, or something similar to that. I have some ideas as to how to do this, but your more experienced opinion would be very much appreciated.
The main theme of the set is graveyard matters, with some emphasis on the viability of combo decks. Flashback is, well, back, and I've come up with some other mechanic ideas.
One of them is and ability word called Chronicle: when you cast an instant or sorcery with Chronicle, and you have at least one other copy of that card in your graveyard, another effect is added (functions similarly to spell mastery).
Another I'm playing with is some ways for creatures in the graveyard to have some impact on the game (mostly for green). One thing I've thought was bringing back scavenge. I'm also considering an altered version that I'll call Scavenge II. A creature might have "Scavenge II 3: 3GG (exile this card from your graveyard and give all creatures you control +3/+3 until the end of the turn. Scavenge II only as a sorcery)". Makes you think more about when you do it, but it still can't be used as a ridiculous combat trick since it's sorcery speed.
I'm also considering bringing unearth back.
I've also been playing around with other ideas like something I'm calling "inscribe" where you imprint a card from your graveyard when a creature comes into play, and you get some sort of effect based on what that creature is. Like, you could get +x/+x based on the inscribed creatures power or get to tap for 1 mana of its color.
If you have any ideas for mechanics, or comments on these, they would be greatly appreciated.
Anyways, I'll be creating sample cards soon and maybe a really rough draft of a common list.
An interesting set idea. I'm not sure how much your set screams "combos" so far, but there is some inherent synergy between mutate and scavenge and it definitely works towards making some big guys, and it definitely seems like a lot of fun, if a tad mindless.
I think materialize is an interesting concept. Do I play this low mana creature or do I wait for something to materialize with it? Or, perhaps, do I play this cool monster with materialize on its own or do I wait for it to have another creature to come in with? Of course, the latter would include you having an extra ability to go along with materialize. I'd recommend straight up ditching the mana cost aspect and making it an ability word.
Hi there!
First i'll consider Abzan Charm: is versitile, can save you creatures from bolt, can exile and make you some extra draw.
Scooze is for sure solid choise! I love anafenza too and i'm playng 2x, same for tasigur.
3x dismember is too much...think about it; same for hero's downfall.
About elspeth: i'm using new sorin wich is awsome; if you can afford duble W try the khint-errant: she is amaizing!
I'll look into abzan charm. Is there any reason as to why I don't want 3 dismember/hero's downfall? They're sort of replacements for path and deca as removal. I suppose I could choose some better ones, maybe. What would you suggest?
My main concern with ooze is that, if I have an anafenza out, then it won't be able to do as much. suppose it's still good. What do you suggest I take out for the scooze?
About Abzan Charm: help a lot exiling stuff, you can draw 2 extra cards in dead moments, and buff your own creatures if needed. Hero's downfall is nice but a CMC 3 removal is usually good in singleton more than multiple copyes.
About anafenza and scooze: anafenza exile only opponent's greveryard and this mean that you can recycle your own dead creatures! Scooze is nice 2 drop, consider it as replacement of Lions who are really slow.
Elspeth: i live her but 6 lands? Why not knight-errant? Or New Sorin? We play anough creature to use them nicely!
Yeah, I added in suns champion cause I felt like I needed to add something. I admit there's probably better options. Knight errant of Sorin, huh?
How is lion slow? It takes 2 mana to get out a 3/3 (with no babysitting required to get it stronger), and it has an ability that can force removal out of an opponent in some situations. It's not like I expect to actually have that ability resolve in most games. I feel like it serves pretty well as a goyf jr.
For the removal I just wanted could replacements for decay and path till I could buy copies. What would be better? I think dismember is good since it has the phyrexian mana. Maybe I'll use the abzan charms instead of the heroes downfall.
Hi there!
First i'll consider Abzan Charm: is versitile, can save you creatures from bolt, can exile and make you some extra draw.
Scooze is for sure solid choise! I love anafenza too and i'm playng 2x, same for tasigur.
3x dismember is too much...think about it; same for hero's downfall.
About elspeth: i'm using new sorin wich is awsome; if you can afford duble W try the khint-errant: she is amaizing!
I'll look into abzan charm. Is there any reason as to why I don't want 3 dismember/hero's downfall? They're sort of replacements for path and deca as removal. I suppose I could choose some better ones, maybe. What would you suggest?
My main concern with ooze is that, if I have an anafenza out, then it won't be able to do as much. suppose it's still good. What do you suggest I take out for the scooze?
This is what I'm considering making. I set it up so that it can be purchased reasonably, but so that it also can slowly grow overtime by having the subs be replaced by the stronger versions. Arena turns into Liliana, Dismember and downfall to path to exile and abrupt decay, and Duress to thoughtseize. I may switch Anafenza to Loxodon Smiter, since I may want to have Scavenging ooze instead of some of these cards.
My main concern with this deck is that the mana curve is a tad high, which, granted, will change once abrupt decay and path get added back in.
I decided to sub in Fleecemane Lion for Goyf. I don't think this will be too difficult to play with proper mana fixing. I like Fleecemane because in addition to being a 2 drop, it comes out from the gate as a whopping 3/3, giving you early board presence. It's ability, while hard to pull off, commands respect and can force out a removal spell from your opponent. And, if you get out its monstrosity, it gives you a big power boost. I understand Goyf is probably better, but I definately think this card is fills the void pretty well.
I went with 2 courser due to there not being too much use in having more than 1, and I put in 2 Anafenza/Tasigur due to them being Legendary.
I added in Elspeth as a sort of win condition at the top of my mana curve, though I feel like there's a better choice out there.
Any thoughts in how I can improve this? Advice on how to do the lands?
I think the removal of Annihilator is more of a blessing then we realized: Now the titans and other Eldrazi can have more varied and flavorful abilities. Ulamog is a good example. I do hope we can get more big guys at uncommon and rare that feel powerful like It That Betrays and Artizan of Kozilek.
You know the card Eldrazi Conscription? Well, what if some person had something special so that they were able to make a sort of... pact, with the eldrazi? That'd be cool.
Anyways, a lot of their decisions seemed geared towards making limited fun more than serving constructed. I don't think it's a problem that rares aren't game winning bombs, considering how not having game winning bombs is something that makes constructed more balanced. Besides, it's more the job of rares to be complex and flavorful than straight up powerful.
Please let this be a thing.
This set is supposed to created for drafting. I read up on some of the well reviewed drafting sets, specifically Innistrad and Rise of the Eldrazi, and I found the most common theme as to why it was so good was due to the variety of archetypes available. Someone said that "everything that looks like it can be drafted around actually can be drafted around". I want to go into this set trying to emulate that, or something similar to that. I have some ideas as to how to do this, but your more experienced opinion would be very much appreciated.
The main theme of the set is graveyard matters, with some emphasis on the viability of combo decks. Flashback is, well, back, and I've come up with some other mechanic ideas.
One of them is and ability word called Chronicle: when you cast an instant or sorcery with Chronicle, and you have at least one other copy of that card in your graveyard, another effect is added (functions similarly to spell mastery).
Another I'm playing with is some ways for creatures in the graveyard to have some impact on the game (mostly for green). One thing I've thought was bringing back scavenge. I'm also considering an altered version that I'll call Scavenge II. A creature might have "Scavenge II 3: 3GG (exile this card from your graveyard and give all creatures you control +3/+3 until the end of the turn. Scavenge II only as a sorcery)". Makes you think more about when you do it, but it still can't be used as a ridiculous combat trick since it's sorcery speed.
I'm also considering bringing unearth back.
I've also been playing around with other ideas like something I'm calling "inscribe" where you imprint a card from your graveyard when a creature comes into play, and you get some sort of effect based on what that creature is. Like, you could get +x/+x based on the inscribed creatures power or get to tap for 1 mana of its color.
If you have any ideas for mechanics, or comments on these, they would be greatly appreciated.
Anyways, I'll be creating sample cards soon and maybe a really rough draft of a common list.
I think materialize is an interesting concept. Do I play this low mana creature or do I wait for something to materialize with it? Or, perhaps, do I play this cool monster with materialize on its own or do I wait for it to have another creature to come in with? Of course, the latter would include you having an extra ability to go along with materialize. I'd recommend straight up ditching the mana cost aspect and making it an ability word.
Yeah, I added in suns champion cause I felt like I needed to add something. I admit there's probably better options. Knight errant of Sorin, huh?
How is lion slow? It takes 2 mana to get out a 3/3 (with no babysitting required to get it stronger), and it has an ability that can force removal out of an opponent in some situations. It's not like I expect to actually have that ability resolve in most games. I feel like it serves pretty well as a goyf jr.
For the removal I just wanted could replacements for decay and path till I could buy copies. What would be better? I think dismember is good since it has the phyrexian mana. Maybe I'll use the abzan charms instead of the heroes downfall.
I'll look into abzan charm. Is there any reason as to why I don't want 3 dismember/hero's downfall? They're sort of replacements for path and deca as removal. I suppose I could choose some better ones, maybe. What would you suggest?
My main concern with ooze is that, if I have an anafenza out, then it won't be able to do as much. suppose it's still good. What do you suggest I take out for the scooze?
4 Siege Rhino
2 Anafenza the Foremost
4 Fleecemane Lion
2 Tasigur
2 Courser of Kruphix
4 Lingering Souls
3 Inquisition of Kozilek
3 Duress
1 Maelstorm Pulse
3 Dismember
3 Hero's Downfall
3 Phyrexian Arena
2 Elspeth, Sun's Champion
1 Ummmm, let me get back to you on this.
This is what I'm considering making. I set it up so that it can be purchased reasonably, but so that it also can slowly grow overtime by having the subs be replaced by the stronger versions. Arena turns into Liliana, Dismember and downfall to path to exile and abrupt decay, and Duress to thoughtseize. I may switch Anafenza to Loxodon Smiter, since I may want to have Scavenging ooze instead of some of these cards.
My main concern with this deck is that the mana curve is a tad high, which, granted, will change once abrupt decay and path get added back in.
I decided to sub in Fleecemane Lion for Goyf. I don't think this will be too difficult to play with proper mana fixing. I like Fleecemane because in addition to being a 2 drop, it comes out from the gate as a whopping 3/3, giving you early board presence. It's ability, while hard to pull off, commands respect and can force out a removal spell from your opponent. And, if you get out its monstrosity, it gives you a big power boost. I understand Goyf is probably better, but I definately think this card is fills the void pretty well.
I went with 2 courser due to there not being too much use in having more than 1, and I put in 2 Anafenza/Tasigur due to them being Legendary.
I added in Elspeth as a sort of win condition at the top of my mana curve, though I feel like there's a better choice out there.
Any thoughts in how I can improve this? Advice on how to do the lands?
Edit: And what's up with these "Treasures" and full art shocks/fetches?