man you guys are thinking way too hard over-analyzing what, at face value, was a rather straightforward decision.
like attributing choosing bridge over another card because they are greedy and only care about selling new product. is it not possible that bridge was chosen because it was actually the appropriate choice given its role in the most degenerate play patterns and its awkward and frankly poor design?
similarly their citing of certain data points but not including all the data they looked at isnt some deliberate attempt at deceive or hide anything. there isnt some set of immutable guidelines for ban decisions where some burden of proof exists. they are just people designing a game, and they adapt the 'rules' as they see fit in order to craft what they believe is a more enjoyable environment. so you either agree or you dont, and in turn you trust them or you dont. i get that players, especially ones that might use this forum/thread, would delight in more transparency; however it behooves wizards not to share everything they look at and the specifics because its needlessly constrains future decisions by setting precedent/expectations that most will likely misinterpret.
i mean did anything about the announcement seem unreasonable if taken at face value? regardless if anyone believed bridgevine didnt ultimately cross some line, i dont believe it can be argued the deck w/ bridge wasnt at least a borderline case.
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- Raalic
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Member for 13 years, 11 months, and 8 days
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Jul 10, 20197
tronix posted a message on The State of Modern Thread (B&R 08/07/2019)Posted in: Modern Archives -
May 31, 20193
Lectrys posted a message on [MH1] Modern Horizons Discussion ThreadPosted in: ModernQuote from izzetmage »Recruit the Worthy goes infinite with Intruder Alarm and enough creatures. It's cheaper than Sprout Swarm and in the same colors as the other combo piece (Steward of Solidarity).
No, Recruit the Worthy doesn't go infinite with Intruder Alarm. It doesn't have Convoke. -
May 28, 2019
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rowej posted a message on [MH1] Modern Horizons Discussion ThreadI'm legit shocked so many people are complaining.Posted in: Modern
Tons of cards in this set are going to Top 8 GP/PT's over the next year and we STILL have cards left to go... -
Sep 15, 20182
cfusionpm posted a message on [GRN] Guilds of Ravnica previews and spoilers: Modern editionI could see a Thing in the Ice, Young Pyromancer, Kiln Fiend deck dropping all Snapcasters for four Mission Briefing.Posted in: Modern -
Sep 12, 2018
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BlueTronFTW posted a message on [GRN] Guilds of Ravnica previews and spoilers: Modern editionMolderhulk - 7GBPosted in: Modern
Creature - Fungus Zombie
Undergrowth - costs 1 less for each creature card in your graveyard
When it enters the battlefield, return target land card from your graveyard to the battlefield.
6/6
Am I the only one staring at this with wide-eyes? Kinda like Bedlam Reveler in that it is getting its cost reduced without having to exile those cards. Jund Vengvine may have a new tool. -
Jun 12, 2018
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sylvanllewelyn posted a message on Core Set 2019 Spoiler Discussion ThreadSome cards are so stupid it's good. I am excited about Gigantosaurus. It's just so stupid.Posted in: Modern -
May 17, 20188
ktkenshinx posted a message on Does anyone else feel "lost" in Modern?The secret for success in non-Open and non-GP Modern events:Posted in: Modern
Pick 2 decks that don't have the same weaknesses and then exclusively play those decks. Switch between them based on your local field or, for MTGO, based on whatever the pros/general community perceives to be widely played.
For GP and Open events, it's the same but it really helps to get Byes.
I'll also add that Magic is packed with players who think they are secretly GP champs and deserve to do better than their records at various events. You might be such a player! But we aren't ALL such players, so a huge majority of people who believe this are probably overestimating their skill at various aspects of this game. -
Apr 26, 2018
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BlueTronFTW posted a message on The State of Modern Thread (B&R 16/04/2018)Posted in: Modern ArchivesQuote from Lejoon »
1. Twin allegedly reduced overall diversity. For Twin to be unbanned, it must be shown that Twin's unban will not reduce overall diversity.
First of all, I disagree heavily with unbanning of Twin needing any burden of proof.
This attitude may be the single biggest reason I want twin to stay banned. Most pro-twin posters here carry this same "I don't need to prove anything" argument. It is already banned, so if you want it back, give some rational statements with evidence to back them up. You then gave an argument with conjecture, personal anecdotes, and appeals to authority in the form of pro players which aren't proper evidence.
Like I care what Reid Duke thinks. -
Apr 12, 20181
Torpf posted a message on [DOM] Dominaria spoiler discussion for ModernI've been relatively quiet all spoiler season as I've been quite busy. Beyond that my computer crashed when I did a big writeup the first time and I never bothered to retype it. Now that the set is out I'll give my opinion on all of it and what I think will have promise in Modern and brews that I'll look into at some point down the line... In alphabetical order:Posted in: Modern
- Adeliz, the Cinder Wind will undoubtedly be tried in Wizard tribal. Prowess for your whole team is powerful, and I can also see it in the UR Prowess deck alongside a Jeskai Ascendancy to smorc down the opponent.
- Adventurous Impulse is another great cantrip forbluegreen! We already had Oath of Nissabut this puts the cards into the yard for Delve, Delirium, and similar effects.As it has been pointed out already, it would be good in the Turbo Devoted Druid deck.
- Artificer's Assistant is a great effect for combo decks artifact based combo decks (ie: eggs-like). The problem is that those types of decks don't tend to play creatures so if you do there will be a lot of removal dead in hand waiting for it. This card has potential but it won't get there anytime soon.
- Aryel, Knight of Windgrace I doubt Knights is going to get there anytime soon. Even if it did it'd probably be GW for Collected Company.
- Baird, Steward of Argive if you wanted this effect there was already Magus of the Moat or Windborn Muse. Note that it does have 4 toughness and is out of Bolt range so that's something.
- Blackblade Reforged could be some redundancy in a legendary deck alongside Hero's Blade. They both offer high stats for a low equip cost, but if you're paying anything to equip why not play a Sword of X and Y?
- Blessed Light Strictly better Swords to Plowshares.
- Blink of an Eye Strictly better Into the Roil.
- Bloodtallow Candle I thought I recognised this. Looks like it's the art from Profane Memento!
- Board the Weatherlight is like an Ancient Stirrings for White! I don't know why you'd need redundancy for 1 more but this is a neat card to have access too. I don't think any deck currently playing Ancient Stirrings wants copies 4-8 and wants to move into White, but I could be wrong. Maybe KCI Eggs?
- Broken Bond is a sweet sideboard card that will be tried out in Tron, Amulet, Scapeshift, and Devotion decks.
- Cabal Stronghold is no Cabal Coffers, but it does give Mono Black Dovotion a little boost. Once you have 5+ Swamps this starts to net you mana and has little risk to it running it in the deck alongside an Urborg and Nykthos. Yes playing things like Geralf's Messenger or Phyrexian Obliterator will get worse, but why not tone it back and play things with more in the lines of XBB? Lily planeswalkers, Phyrexian Arenas, etc... will slowly dump permanents into play and then you can have some large turn of using both Nykthos and Cabal Stronghold. Don't rely on so heavily on it, but I sure do want to try out some MBC with it.
- Cast Down is a solid addition to the format. It's no Fatal Push, but gives that Go for the Throat/Dismember/Victim of Night slot some more flexibility.
- Charge Doubt it will see play as Bolts are better but maybe just maybe in a Jeskai Prowess deck.
- Corrosive Ooze Looks like it's safe to bring back [card=Stoneforge Mystic]Stoneforeg now.
- Damping Sphere The headliner of the set. Not much for me to say other than what's already been said. I for one welcome our new Lantern and UR Prison overlords. (btw check out the prison deck, I've been playing it and it's sweeeeet)
- Dauntless Bodyguard I really wanted to play this in a Company deck but the wording just kills it. Maybe one will be passable as it is easily found with Chord of Calling, but overall it's going to be bad.
- Dread Shade is a neat finisher card for MBC. I only mention it as we haven't seen one for a while now, but I really don't see this being better than any of the other options currently available.
- Fungal Plots If people are going to be trying out a Saproling/Fungus deck then this could be a nice 1-of inclusion. It's a little manasink engine.
- Ghitu Lavarunner is not better than anything Burn currently has.
- Goblin Warchief is a great addition for Goblin decks. We saw one at what, 8-0 a few GP's ago? Just like any aggro deck it has some legs and is only a matter of time before it hits critical mass. Still missing some key cards though.
- Grand Warlord Radha could have a super super niche place. I was working on a basic land Harvest Season/Life From Limb/token/combo deck. Maybe if it ever gets working I'll post it.
- Grow from the Ashes is an amazing card for Green's Sun's Zenith! With every new set it gets closer to Tier 1!!
- History of Benalia could be what Knights needs to get from Tier 7 to Tier 6. It can really pack a punch, it's just too bad the deck doesn't.
- Jaya Ballard is maybe something Skred Red wants? I like the psuedo-brainstorm to really dig for cards, or playing her into an Anger of the Gods effect to clear the board.
- Josu Vess, Lich Knight Play 1 in your MBC deck, couldn't hurt if you have a lot of mana from Nykthos or Cabal Stronghold. By himself he is nearly modern playable (turn 4 yeah yeah) so the kicker is just icing on the cake.
- Karn, Scion of Urza I am betting this will see play in Eldrazi Tron. Imagine playing a Turn 3 Thought-Knot Seer or Matter Reshaper to protect him. He draws you cards which is something that isn't at the forefront of the deck, and even if he dies future copies can still get any of the exiled (+1) cards. Not to mention his -2 gets buffed by random Expadition Maps as well as becoming super scar with Hangerback Walker post-board. I tried him out when he was leaked and it was a great addition to the deck.
- Lich's Mastery is the sweetest card in the set. Doubt it will have any implications in Modern but goddam am I going to try.
- Memorial to Unity is probably the only playable one of this cycle with Memorial to Folly coming in second. You'd have to be going deep (see: Amulet Titan, and even then it's not really what the deck wants) to want these though since they come in tapped.
- Merfolk Trickster does similar work as Harbinger of the Tides and looks to be a great option for Merfold decks. This can blank a creature based combo for a turn allowing you to get one last alphastrike in, or it can make for some really crazy combat tricks and work like a killspell. I expect some number to see play.
- Mox Amber will be good eventually. Just give it time.
- Naban, Dean of Iteration is a big addition for Wizards decks and Snapcaster Mage & Vendillion Clique are only the start of it... I 100% expect people's Wizard brews will have some of these in the 60.
- Naru Meha, Master Wizard is kinda costly for her effect. Maybe at 5 mana you can copy a Bolt? I'd rather just a tempo Cryptic Command.
- Powerstone Shard I think this has some potential in one way or another. See my thread about it here.
- Precognition Field Already made a post about it here. Card is gas in the right deck.
- Seal Away is good removal for UW Control. You can probably spend the 1 more mana than Condemn and it will be worth it if you aren't worried about Abrupt Decay or Pulse,
- Shalai, Voice of Plenty Great card for the GW Creaure decks. Is a won-condition with the Druid-Vizier combo and protects it to boot. I think you'll see her appear as a flex slot whenever those decks do.
- Skirk Prospector Dirty Kitty is going to be around in some form or another. Go brew it here.
- Slimefoot, the Stowaway will be a neat manasink for Saproling/Fungus decks that people will try out. A thread was already started here. Personally I want to try it as a more aristocrats style deck since it has an easier time going wide.
- Song of Freyalise has potential in my land-creature ramp deck I mentioned earlier. Still brewing away with it but this should open up some possibilities.
- Sporecrown Thallid That Fungus/Saproling deck I keep talking about? This will be in it. WotC really likes 2cmc lords these days for every tribe but Zombies... :C
- Steel Leaf Champion will see play in Stompy lists or maybe in elves if they want to try and attack for a win faster. Obviously pushed card.
- Sylvan Awakening will possibly fit in my brew, but more importantly in Jeskai Ascendancy. It will ensure that the combo won't fizzle mana-wise and that you can get an easy win with your lands attacking. The downside is that you will need 4 mana or a Noxious Revival to start the combo. People more invested than me can try it out and if it seems to be working then I'll probably look to play the deck.
- Teferi, Hero of Dominaria could see play in UW Control in big Gideons spot. He draws cards, protects himself, and keeps up counter/removal mana. Seems good all around but doesn't help you stabilize as well as Gideon.
- The Flame of Keld There was talk about this in Dredge since you get to bin everything and then draw 3 on your next turn to set up for a big attack but I can't see it working that consistently. Perhaps a 1-2-of could have some neat payoffs to it.
- Thran Temporal Gateway is often going to be better than Quicksilver Amulet but will see as much play. (hint it's 0)
- Torgaar, Famine Incarnate is a big dude and there are definitely some black creatures who want to be sacrificed. To get the full effect, play it in Mono Black Affinity! Three 0-cost creatures, a Swamp and Mox Opal will let you play this guy Turn 1! Hopefully he pops up in a Goryo's Vengeance brew, or some other zombie-type deck. I like the card and will probably play him in EDH as he gets around commander tax.
- Traxos, Scourge of Kroog Grand Architect and Blue Steel just got a new toy. They won't have a hard time untapping it and it fits exactly into their gameplan.
- Unwind is another possible card for GSZ!
- Valduk, Keeper of the Flame If you can gut him equipped with Swiftness Boots then you'll have a great time. Otherwise he's going to eat some removal. I hope someone tries to make the deck work.
- Whisper, Blood Liturgist goes infinite with Intruder Alarm and token creating ETB creatures. Intruder Alarm will be a deck one day...
- Wizard's Lightning & Wizard's Retort are toys for the Wizards deck people will try out. I suppose the viability of these depends on how well you can keep a Wizard in play. I have no idea as to the rate of that so I'm not going to try and guess.
- Yargle, Glutton of Urborg Best cad in the set.
- Zhalfirin Void A better Wastes for Eldrazi decks but you have to justify cutting the basics which is super risky.
Overall it seems like every deck gets at least 1 card they can play in their 75 (hint it's Damping Sphere) with a new of them getting a few more. There are the obviously pwerful cards like Damping Sphere, Broken Bond, Karn, Scion of Urza, Seal Away , Shalai, Voice of Plenty, Steel Leaf Champion, Skirk Prospector, Traxos, Scourge of Kroog, and Zhalfirin Void, but beyond that there's just a lot of niche cards that have a chance to find a home. I'm hopeful for the impact of this set on the format.
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To the second point, BBE was banned because of Jund, not because of its intrinsic power level. Most arguments about the unbanning of BBE include discussions of Jund because of this, not because Jund deserves to be a tier one deck or because Jund is the elusive hero the format needs right now. The fact remains that BBE is an underpowered card in relation to the rest of the ban list, so it should come off. Jund will see a bump because of this, but BBE shouldn't be unbanned for that specific purpose.
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I don't think he was saying that keeping a 2-land starter is objectively a bad play, simply that it's silly to blame variance when a known possible—even somewhat likely—outcome happens (not drawing a 3rd land). If you're not acknowledging the existence of probability in your decisions based on draws, then that's on you. It is simultaneously a reasonable decision to keep a 2-land hand and a known risk.
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Forgive me, I just play so many mana dorks in my decks that I tend to assume it's obvious you're going to need them to support this card. It's only good in a small handful of decks, and they'll have a tough time finding room, but it could shine there.