Escapist Podcast: Bonus: Magic the Gathering

[The Escapist Staff]

Bonus: Magic the Gathering

Last weekend, a contingent of The Escapist Staff participated in an Invitational Qualifier tournament and we share our thoughts and feelings about the event.

Watch Video

 

[Slycne]

Two notes:

1) Show and Tell [http://gatherer.wizards.com/pages/card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=5697] is actually 3 CMC to cast. So one more turn until you can drop Mr Prot from Everything [http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=244675].

2) We still are having a little echo issues on this one, but I think I may have tracked down some of our audio woes. With luck the next podcast this week will sound better, especially on those longer segments.

 

[Kross]

I dropped out after three match losses with http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/ub-tempo-infect/

I never had so many problems pulling removal or blue mana as I came across that day.

(as in, dozens of test hands drawn with maybe 2-3 hands at most in an entire deck that didn't have a decent mix)

Ahh well.

 

[Chappy]

I dropped out after three match losses with http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/ub-tempo-infect/

I never had so many problems pulling removal or blue mana as I came across that day.

(as in, dozens of test hands drawn with maybe 2-3 hands at most in an entire deck that didn't have a decent mix)

Ahh well.

I'm not a great player so I'm not going to pretend I am but wouldn't it be a good idea to put just a few cards in that let you Scry [Edit - I meant in Sideboard, I forgot the term for a while]? Just incase you have the problem with Blue mana again on a off day you can change up and scry for some Mana.

Personally though I don't like Infect I prefer Phantoms with my Counterspell.

 

[Slycne]

For those curious, here are a few of the other deck lists. A few might not have the final updates before the event, but they should more or less be close.

Justin - Sly Haunted Human [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/sly-haunted-human/]
Josh - Wolf Jund [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/wolf-jund-2/]
Steve - Dubbed The Bouncy Tigger Deck [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/tournament-option-3/]
Janelle - Super Friends Esper [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/super-friends-esper/]
Greg - Breen Ramp [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/breen-ramp/]
Kara - Red Deck Wins [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/red-deck-wins-188/]
Alex - was running a WU Token
Newton - was running a BW Token

 

[Encaen]

For those curious, here are a few of the other deck lists. A few might not have the final updates before the event, but they should more or less be close.

Justin - Sly Haunted Human [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/sly-haunted-human/]
Josh - Wolf Jund [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/wolf-jund-2/]
Steve - Dubbed The Bouncy Tigger Deck [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/tournament-option-3/]
Janelle - Super Friends Esper [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/super-friends-esper/]
Greg - Breen Ramp [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/breen-ramp/]
Kara - Red Deck Wins [http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/red-deck-wins-188/]
Alex - was running a WU Token
Newton - was running a BW Token

I actually picked up some extra Titans and moved over to something closer to Conley Woods BGr build. I don't have it posted at the moment, but it looks a lot like Mamoru Nagai's deck Ratchet Bomb [http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/eventcoverage/ptdka12/top8deck]. I am thinking of moving back to Jund, though.

 

[ciancon]

Ah! I'm so happy to see this!
Every weekday i listen to the escapist podcast as i cycle to college and back. I usually finish the podcast after three days and have to wait another 4 before i can listen to a new one. But your Star Wars Podcasts and now this one are a nice bridge of that gap.

So thanks for being awesome!

 

[godofallu]

None of you guys did well? I am disappointed. Maybe its because you read the hexproof column.

You guys have a forum you can post on at any time, giving a decklist, and dozens of people will help you happily.

I have yet to check out Dark Ascension mainly because I play online. Still the set has been released in print already so I really should take a peak.

 

[KefkaCultist]

I've just started going to FNM after playing for about 6 years, so I'm getting more used to the constructed tournament scene. Took my RG werewolf aggro deck the last two weeks and have done okay with it. First time I went 2-3, went home and tweaked it for the next week, but then dropped after going 1-3 due to bad luck/bad matchups (I hate delver with war & peace).

EDIT:
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/werewolf-aggro-4/
http://www.essentialmagic.com/decks/View.asp?ID=916433
Here's my werewolf deck lists if anyone wants to check it out and comment on it.

EDIT2: I'm also working on a GB Birthing Pod deck. Here are the links:
http://www.essentialmagic.com/decks/View.asp?ID=916440
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/birthing-pod-98/

 

[Panayjon]

This might seem a little stalker-ish of me, but I'd like to know what you guys are doing. How about a bonus podcast for all of your hobbies? I'd love to hear what your DnD campaign is like for example. If Weird Al can make UHF, you guys can totally diversify your podcasts (which I'm sure some of the VG-only folks will complain about).

Though, as far as non-video games, I highly suggest branching out if you guys can find the time. Pathfinder, Legend of the Five Rings (CCG and RPG), Exalted, Eclipse Phase, New Gods of Mankind, Big Eyes Small Mouth... I mean, didn't one of you guys (help/contribute/design) make the newest kid on the block, Adventurer Conqueror King?

 

[Rakor]

Totally agree on DnD campaign story time.

Half want to get further into magik, but I just don't want to spend the money. I'm pretty good playing strategically with what I have, just don't want the investment since I'ld only really play for fun anyway. Used to play Friday Night Magik, then they started charging for it....must resist rewording that to an arrow in the knee.

 

[Mikeyfell]

Wow...
I don't know anything...ANYTHING about Magic the Gathering and I still listened to the whole thing.

I just like listening to you guys talk I suppose.
This was the best way I could spend my time waiting for the Mass Effect 3 demo to download...

 

[Slycne]

I mean, didn't one of you guys (help/contribute/design) make the newest kid on the block, Adventurer Conqueror King?

Yep, ACKS was designed by two of our own, with many of us being a part of the initial campaign/playtest that more or less grew from house-ruled B/X D&D into ACKS.

I could see us doing some bonus episodes about tabletop rpgs/boardgames though, it's certainly another aspect of gaming that a good deal of us enjoy.

 

[Spud of Doom]

I've never played Magic. I'm quite interested in doing so, but it's really expensive. I wish they would have something like the videogames YuGiOh releases on DS/PSP. To my knowledge, the only MTG games are those that either charge a lot of RL money for expansion cards or don't let you build your deck. No deck building is a deal-breaker.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I'd love to give it a go.

 

[Panayjon]

I mean, didn't one of you guys (help/contribute/design) make the newest kid on the block, Adventurer Conqueror King?

Yep, ACKS was designed by two of our own, with many of us being a part of the initial campaign/playtest that more or less grew from house-ruled B/X D&D into ACKS.

I could see us doing some bonus episodes about tabletop rpgs/boardgames though, it's certainly another aspect of gaming that a good deal of us enjoy.

Then what are you waiting for?

You have a platform from which you can shill your products! Shill! Shill like the wind!

 

[KefkaCultist]

I've never played Magic. I'm quite interested in doing so, but it's really expensive. I wish they would have something like the videogames YuGiOh releases on DS/PSP. To my knowledge, the only MTG games are those that either charge a lot of RL money for expansion cards or don't let you build your deck. No deck building is a deal-breaker.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I'd love to give it a go.

There is actually 1 really good program that I know of called Cockatrice.
http://cockatrice.de/
It's completely free, you get to make your own decks out of whatever cards you want and play against actual people. The friend list system is a little screwy, but overall it's a pretty good way to play Magic without shelling out a ton of money.

 

[Spud of Doom]

I've never played Magic. I'm quite interested in doing so, but it's really expensive. I wish they would have something like the videogames YuGiOh releases on DS/PSP. To my knowledge, the only MTG games are those that either charge a lot of RL money for expansion cards or don't let you build your deck. No deck building is a deal-breaker.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I'd love to give it a go.

There is actually 1 really good program that I know of called Cockatrice.
http://cockatrice.de/
It's completely free, you get to make your own decks out of whatever cards you want and play against actual people. The friend list system is a little screwy, but overall it's a pretty good way to play Magic without shelling out a ton of money.

Hmm. Is there anything which will let me play against AI or something? Since I'd need to learn how to play.

 

[bdcjacko]

I don't play Magic, I was never very good or cared to build themed decks or whatever. But man, I never realized how serious business Magic the Gathering.

 

[KefkaCultist]

I've never played Magic. I'm quite interested in doing so, but it's really expensive. I wish they would have something like the videogames YuGiOh releases on DS/PSP. To my knowledge, the only MTG games are those that either charge a lot of RL money for expansion cards or don't let you build your deck. No deck building is a deal-breaker.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I'd love to give it a go.

There is actually 1 really good program that I know of called Cockatrice.
http://cockatrice.de/
It's completely free, you get to make your own decks out of whatever cards you want and play against actual people. The friend list system is a little screwy, but overall it's a pretty good way to play Magic without shelling out a ton of money.

Hmm. Is there anything which will let me play against AI or something? Since I'd need to learn how to play.

Unfortunately, Cockatrice doesn't have a Vs. AI mode. You're able to make 1 Vs. 0 games and test play, but that's about as close as you'll get.

Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 is actually pretty good for learning the game even though you have to use one of their decks. As you play you unlock cards for the decks to customize them a little so there is some customization to the decks and it has a lot of tutorials on pretty much all of the major rules in Magic. DOTP2012 does cost money though unfortunately, but if you buy that it'll get you the basics of Magic then you can move on to Cockatrice. Most of the people there are pretty newb friendly. I only encountered one asshole on there when I was learning how to use Cockatrice.

 

[Rakor]

Cake >= Cake = Cake