XCB: Round 4 - Enter the MSS

[Cashew]

Ok First things first:

Your deck is composed of X cards which all start in your hand.
Your library contains 0 cards.
Random effects always go in their owner's opponent's favor.
You can see your opponent's hand, so you make the best possible play.
You don't lose as a result of not being able to draw a card.
You play each opponent twice; once going first and once going second.

For each win, you score 3 points.
For each draw, you score 1 point.
For each loss, you score 0 points.

You may not submit a deck that can win before the opponent's first main phase.
You may not submit a deck that can force an opponent to lose two or more cards from his or her hand in a single turn.

Besides that the game works the same as a normal game of magic.
You may only play one land per turn unless a card specifically alters that.
You must have the mana to be able to play cards unless otherwise able to do so.
You and your opponent each begin with 20 life.


Rules for this XCB Round Specifically:

1) Deck size is determined by whichever player has the first turn each game. If Player Noonya uses a 2CB deck and Player Bidness uses a 3CB, the first round will be played as if it was 2CB and the second round will be played as 3CB. This gives advantages and disadvantages to all XCB sizes.

2) You may only play up to 5CB. That means all deck sizes from 2-5 are legal.

3) Send me your lists in order of how you want them played. Whenever you are limited your cards will be chosen in the exact order so if you send me:
1 - Black Lotus
2 - Show and Tell
3 - Form of the Dragon
4 - Mishra's Factory

If you face a player with a 3CB deck one game you won't be able to use the 4th card - Mishra's Factory

4) This is a Vanishing XCB. All winning and excessively popular decks will get hit with a 5-Round ban. After the end they become legal again. This will ensure a slightly fresh format each week.


All Ante cards
All Promo cards not available on Gatherer/Autocard
All Unglued and Unhinged cards (excluding basic land)

Eladamri's Vineyard
Treetop Village

Black Lotus
Mesmeric Fiend
The Rack
Barren Glory

Mishra's Workshop
Wheel of Torture
Steel Golem
Ensnaring Bridge

Lion's Eye Diamond
Arrogant Wurm
Nether Spirit
Strip Mine

Mishra's Factory
Nezumi Shortfang
Thoughtseize
Chain of Vapor


Dryad Arbor is unbanned. I'm keeping this simple each round the top group will be unbanned and the bottom group will be the winning deck from the previous. So Enjoy! Also notice that Underground Sea was not banned. Lands such as it will remain unbanned. However, lands such as Mishra's Factory, Treetop Village, Strip Mine do not fare the same fate.

Sign Ups until 4/01
Decks Due by 4/03

(Don't try to read anything by this deadline. I timed it for when I'm back from vacation. I may not even be back to the 4th though try to get decks in before I'm back because I will not be around to prod you)

I'm playing with cards starting M, M, A, S, T

Big Hint: Play a deck that can compete at all XCB's levels if you want the best score. Some decks will fail miserably alot if it requires all the cards in the deck to work.

Participants (*waiting for deck list)
1) Cashew - Namaste!
2) Ryuzaki - Mr. No
3) Thunderhog - Click Click Boom
4) Frychikn - Ole No. 3
5) Shakadelic - Death by Snu Snu
6) Dazboot*
7) Tynion - Now with extra cheese.
8) Grentain - Old School Number
9) Ruven - Bzzzzzzzt!
10) sethrpg - Electric rat pie
11) AlasterEisaroh - This kitten has claws!
12) Niv-Mizzet Rulez! - Proving stalkers are bad news
13) Mogg*
14) 12q34e - Pocket full of Uzi's
15) 3n3dr - Deuces are Wild
16) Death_by_Beebles - Stunted Growth

[Ryuzaki]

/In. Enter the MSS eh? If I need to Invoke the Pingele to win..so be it..

[ThunderHog]

Count me in. I really haven't fared so well in past rounds, but I'm hoping I can come up with something now...

[FrycHiKn]

I'm in this time!!!!!

[Cashew]

You know what's really bad, I think I forgot what my symbols stand for.

[FrycHiKn]

Hey!!!!!!

My name is misspelled... I don't post your name like Cachiw or something like that XD...

And "Ole No. 9"? PM with the meaning with that, I don't get it... I'm intrigued... :paranoid:


Waaaaaa... :ahhh:

[Cashew]

To be honest. It means absolutely nothing.

[ShaKadelic]

In. :)

[DazBoot]

I'm in!

[Tynion]

Add me too :)

[Ruven]

yeah, I'm gonna try it out too, count me in

[sethrpg]

I Is In.

[Grentain]

Sounds good to me. I've got the perfect deck idea!

[Tynion]

10 players already. We need to get some more! Where is Beebles and Streetz? Get your clan mates!

[AlasterEisaroh]

I'm in on this round.

[ThunderHog]

Click Click, BOOM!!!

Anyway, I have a question Cash... Are players allowed to submit a new deck in place of their previous one as long as it's done before the due date?

Edit: Also, I think this format should develop a 'Permanent Banned' list and Barren Glory should probably be the first card on it. Cuz once Lotus becomes legal again, there's going to be a couple people who don't know how to be creative that are going to go flocking to that deck. XD

Edit 2: When decks are played that have different sizes (for example: one deck has 3 cards, one deck has 5) which one goes first when the max deck size becomes 3?

[Niv-Mizzet_Rulez!]

The insane Dragon is in the House. (a.k.a. I'm in) To the gather! *Jumps in the Niv-Mizzet Mobile(Which is just the bat mobile(Yeah...i stole it) with a giant dragon sticker on the bat symbol) and drives off*

[Cashew]

Edit: Also, I think this format should develop a 'Permanent Banned' list and Barren Glory should probably be the first card on it. Cuz once Lotus becomes legal again, there's going to be a couple people who don't know how to be creative that are going to go flocking to that deck.

We had a discussion over rules last round no one seemed to chirp up. As far as Lotus - Barren - oh well, if it wins people should have planned better. I for one will be playing to hose Lotus the round it becomes legal. A little Trinisphere, Chalice of the Void, Pithing Needle, Foil, Force of Will or Rule of Law goes along way against lotus-tech. Heck you could even go Gemstone Caverns + Force Spike to utterly destroy Lotus decks. In short, a prepared player is not concerned one bit about Lotus, it just means having a plan.

[Mogg]

Pithing Needle does nothing against Black Lotus because it can't prevent mana abilities.

And Caverns-Spike, really? Chant into Glowrider seems like the safer play, and even that's pretty weak.

I tend to take Cashew's stance on this sort of issue. There's very few cards that are really overpowered, especially when hand size increases. It might be worth noting, though, that the 5CB game at MTGS has now listed Barren Glory as one of ten banned cards (despite my heavy protestations).

Also, to ThunderHog, there is no correlation between playing good cards and lacking creativity. We seem to have different interpretations of the term 'creative'. I see it as finding the perfect solution to a metagame, maybe making use of an overlooked card, maybe not. You seem to see creativity in terms of playing a deck that no one else will.

I agree that it's good to experiment, which includes trying many strategies. However, this is what the planning stages are for. I try a lot of ridiculous ideas in the hopes that I'll stumble upon something really good. The decks I actually submit, though, are the ones that I think are likely to do well in the specific metagame for that week. They use cards ranging from Barren Glory to Thought Eater.

[Cashew]

Also, to ThunderHog, there is no correlation between playing good cards and lacking creativity. We seem to have different interpretations of the term 'creative'. I see it as finding the perfect solution to a metagame, maybe making use of an overlooked card, maybe not. You seem to see creativity in terms of playing a deck that no one else will.

I agree that it's good to experiment, which includes trying many strategies. However, this is what the planning stages are for. I try a lot of ridiculous ideas in the hopes that I'll stumble upon something really good. The decks I actually submit, though, are the ones that I think are likely to do well in the specific metagame for that week.

Quoted for Truth. I watch Top Chef. On it 20 some of the greatest unheard of chefs compete to create dishes in a truly outrageous culinary competition. Watching it these things are untasted to me - things such as patte, foie gras, caviar, etc are like their power 9. There might be 20 dishes containing foie gras, but every single one is unique and in right's creative despite all probably containing foie gras, salt and pepper amongst some type of oil/vinegar.

You can't argue with classic power, however you can flavor it to a unique approach. Barren Glory decks were unheard of for a long time - no decks on our site really played it with the release of Time Spiral, then someone innovated it and it worked. I remember I was one of the first to play Eldmari's on our forum, I played it like 4 rounds in a row perfecting the 3CB deck until it won. By the time I won 4-6 people were playing it as well - all of a sudden it wasn't a creative deck, which it still is.

The word you want is innovative, not creative. Creative people create extraordinary things out of existing materials, innovative people create new things out of existing materials. And no matter how innovative you are you probably won't create a great dish without some simple salt.

[ThunderHog]

Fun comparisons, but you have failed to answer my other questions...

Also, you're right. I'm thinking innovative and apologize for the confusion.

Also, I for one plan to hose Lotus as well. XD

[Cashew]

Also, I think this format should develop a 'Permanent Banned' list and Barren Glory should probably be the first card on it. Cuz once Lotus becomes legal again, there's going to be a couple people who don't know how to be creative that are going to go flocking to that deck.
No card has proven itself to be unbalacing enough to be permenantly banned in the temporary format. For a card to be truly unsettling it's deck would have to win every single round it's not banned. There are many powerful cards, I haven't seen any dominating ones yet as all have powerful commonly played answers. Strip Mine handles Mishra whatever. Disenchant handles roundly enchants and artifacts, and Meddling Mage handles about anything.


When decks are played that have different sizes (for example: one deck has 3 cards, one deck has 5) which one goes first when the max deck size becomes 3?
Max deck size is dictated by the starting player. Hence if the deck size is 3, the player playing first is the 3CB player. IF the deck size was 5, the player playing first is the 5CB player. This should be stated in the rules checking to make sure it is. Yeap it is.

[ThunderHog]

No card has proven itself to be unbalacing enough to be permenantly banned in the temporary format. For a card to be truly unsettling it's deck would have to win every single round it's not banned. There are many powerful cards, I haven't seen any dominating ones yet as all have powerful commonly played answers. Strip Mine handles Mishra whatever. Disenchant handles roundly enchants and artifacts, and Meddling Mage handles about anything.

I see... Instead of just trying to get cards banned, I might as well just meta against them.


Max deck size is dictated by the starting player. Hence if the deck size is 3, the player playing first is the 3CB player. IF the deck size was 5, the player playing first is the 5CB player. This should be stated in the rules checking to make sure it is. Yeap it is.

Well, now I just feel stupid... Thanks anyway. XD

[Mogg]

I think it might be better to run your hand size when your opponent is first.

For example, visualize a match between a 4 card deck and a 5 card deck. When the 4 card deck starts, deck size is 5. When the 5 card deck starts, deck size is 4.

Going first is huge in this game, regardless of how many cards people have. What I am proposing might increase balance. Either the first deck has fewer cards to work with, or the second has access to more answers.

Playing it this way would reduce the power of some really strong decks. A powerhouse 5CB deck until Barren Glory got banned was Archaeological Dig, Barren Glory, Black Lotus, Black Lotus, Thoughtseize. Limited to 4 cards on the play, it can still win, but its power is significantly reduced.

Of course, none of this would apply to the current round, but I think it is worth considering.

Also, I'm signing up.

[ThunderHog]

Why was A. Dig used instead of just a basic swamp? Was there any specific reason?

Edit: Nevermind... Got it now... Brainfart. XD

[AlasterEisaroh]

No I told you over MSN. Er reminded you.

[sethrpg]

deck submited

[12q34e]

ok, first times the charm... Im in

[Cashew]

I'll be out of town from Thursday until probably Sunday maybe Monday. If you throw me your deck list/send me a message to join don't fret if the thread doesn't get updated with it. I'll do it once I'm back in town and settled (it's the main reason this one is extended out a little bit longer than normal).

[3nd3r]

you know what i'm going to give this a shot. im in.

[sethrpg]

are the moxs banned in this format?

[ThunderHog]

Do you see them on the banned list?

(the answer to that question if the same as the answer to your question.)

[Tynion]

Do you see them on the banned list?

(the answer to that question if the same as the answer to your question.)

Why couldn't you just answer his question without being a jerk? His previous post indicated that this is his first try at the game. Think back to when you first tried it. This game requires a lot of absorption of knowledge. The last thing you'd think about was the banned list. Yes, he could have just re-read the intro and got his answer, but as a vet, you could have just said, "No, the moxen are not banned."

[Death_By_Beebles]

I'm in.

[Mogg]

Why couldn't you just answer his question without being a jerk? His previous post indicated that this is his first try at the game. Think back to when you first tried it. This game requires a lot of absorption of knowledge. The last thing you'd think about was the banned list. Yes, he could have just re-read the intro and got his answer, but as a vet, you could have just said, "No, the moxen are not banned."

That depends on the tone you're assuming. ThunderHog's post seems fine to me. It answers seth's question, maybe reminds him of the presence of the banned list, and anticipates and avoids further questions.

[ThunderHog]

My apologizes, but I didn't even think that I may have come off a little harsh. That post, in no way, was meant to be taken in a harsh tone. I'm sorry for the confusion.

[Tynion]

I don't think it was harsh, but look at it from his perspective.

You are poking around the forums, most likely trying to get points for the MSS, and finds a new game to try out. He reads the rules, KNOWS that Moxes are a tough breed and wants to make sure he didn't miss anything. He then asks a question, are they banned?

"Do you see them on the banned list?

(the answer to that question if the same as the answer to your question.)"

Now ask yourself, your first time trying something out, some moron posts this in response to your question, how do you feel about both him and continuing on pursuit of learning the game?

I think I would not look at you favorably, and probably say, [blank] you then, and you'd never see me again. Basically, I have better things to do then let someone be rude to me.

In a nutshell, you may not have tried to be rude, but you did come off as pompous, minimally.

Besides, we need him to play so we can get more points!!!!!!!!!!! Don't scare him away.

[sethrpg]

Hahahahahahahah......*rollsOnFloor*
I just thought thunder hog was just being funny.
and no this isnt my first time. I was just thrown off because no one else uses them.
I love XCB. You both made me laugh. If anything Tynion sounded rather pompous with his elaborate comeback.
Thanks for defending me an all, but that ruely was funny how quickly you guys reacted.

Secondly, I move to the motion that Mishra's workshop be temporaraly unbanned.

Thirdly: why is Eladamri's Vineyard banned when Magus of the Vineyard is better and not banned.

[Cashew]

It's a vanishing ban list. When a deck wins it gets banned for a few rounds, then is unbanned.

Also sign-ups end today. Once all decklists are in I'll put them up.

[Ryuzaki]

I await my old decklist's chance to once again win.

Any hints? It tied with PP once, and that's saying a lot.

[Cashew]

Get your decks in today! It's not too late.

[Cashew]

Anywho the decks now - Results later (anyone who beats me to them gets a special prize in the form of a kudos)

Dazboot
1 Meddling Mage
2 Mox Sapphire
3 Tundra
4 Foil
5 Tundra

Death_by_Beebles
1 Thallid
1 Daze
1 Tropical Island

3nd3r
1 Mountain
2 Raging Goblin

12q34e
1 City of Traitors
2 Illusionary Mask
3 Phyrexian Dreadnaught
4 Powder Keg

sethrpg
1 City of Traitors
2 Isochron Scepter
3 Lightning Helix

Ryuzaki
1 Mox Sapphire
2 Snow-covered plains
3 Meddling Mage

Shakadelic
1 force of will
2 misdirection
3 dryad arbor

Tynion
1 City of Traitors
2 Isochron Scepter
3 Lightning Helix
4 Force of Will
5 Force of Will

Niv-Mizzet Rulez!
1 Mutavault
2 Mox Jet
3 Blackmail
4 Oona's Prowler
5 Smother

AlasterEisaroh
1 Bayou
2 Skyshroud Cutter
3 Skyshroud Cutter
4 Mox Jet
5 False Cure

Ruven
1 Peat Bog
2 Swamp Mosquito
3 Swamp mosquito
4 Peat Bog
5 Swamp Mosquito

Grentain
1 Dryad Arbor
2 Scryb Sprites
3 Berserk

Thunderhog
1 Savannah
2 Durkwood Baloth
3 Swords to Plowshares
4 Demystify
5 Oxidize

Cashew
1 Mutavault
2 Mutavault
3 Swamp
4 Auntie's Snitch
5 Terror

Frychikin
1 foil
2 island
3 nether spirit

[ShaKadelic]

3end3r, wow, thats all i can say to your decklist. I even draw with you :D

[3nd3r]

first time so i figured i'd try something simple to figure this out.

[Niv-Mizzet_Rulez!]

BANNED LIST
All Ante cards
All Promo cards not available on Gatherer/Autocard
All Unglued and Unhinged cards (excluding basic land)

Eladamri's Vineyard
Treetop Village

Black Lotus
Mesmeric Fiend
The Rack
Barren Glory

Mishra's Workshop
Wheel of Torture
Steel Golem
Ensnaring Bridge

Lion's Eye Diamond
Arrogant Wurm
Nether Spirit
Strip Mine

Mishra's Factory
Nezumi Shortfang
Thoughtseize
Chain of Vapor
I thought nether spirit was banned...
Frychikin
1 foil
2 island
3 nether spirit

[ThunderHog]

Wow, I did really good this time. XD

2-0 against Dazboot
2-0 against DBB
2-0 against 3nd3r, even though I think his deck is funny.
2-0 against 12q34e
0-2 against sethrpg - hey, gotta lose to someone. Lol.
2-0 against Ryu
2-0 against ShaKa
0-2 against Tynion - since it's pretty much the same thing as Seth's

I'm having trouble guessing how I fair against Niv.

He goes first.
<his turn>Vault, Jet, Blackmail hits Swords
<mine>Land, suspend Baloth (5)
<his>Prowler
<mine>Baloth (4), Oxidize the Jet
<his>Swings - I pitch Demystify to reduce power. I'm at 19.
<mine>Baloth (3)
<his>Swings - I'm at 16
<mine>Baloth (2)
<his>Swings - I'm at 13
<mine>Baloth (1)
<his>Swings - I'm at 10
<mine>Baloth comes into play and I swing - He's at 15
<his>I'm at 7
<mine>He's at 10
<his>I'm at 4
<mine>He's at 5
<his>I'm at 1
<mine>Win

Talk about close. XD Seems I go 2-0 here too.

I think I actually lose both to Alaster, but I could be wrong...
I'm not sure about Ruven either. It's another close one but I don't feel like typing it out. XD
2-0 against Grentain
Draw with Cashew since we kill each other's only kill method.
Since Nether Spirit was banned this round, I'm not sure how Fry's situation is handled. Either way, if his deck is allowed through, it's a draw since we kill each other's kill method too. XD

[ShaKadelic]

Sorry TH, i fail to see how you beat me. :)

Doesnt matter who goes first, i`ll just counter your baloth. Or am i missing something? (I sure am, i`m ALWAYS missing somethign lately :D)

[Ryuzaki]

Daz, hats off to you; just for thinking like me and pulled my deck the same time I did. Tied with PP it did; oh the good ole times.

TH did pretty good, I thought I could Meddle his baloth, but then he'd remove it. I'd Meddle is Swords, but then he would in response remove it anyways....awwwww...

Oh well.

[ThunderHog]

Sorry TH, i fail to see how you beat me. :)

Doesnt matter who goes first, i`ll just counter your baloth. Or am i missing something? (I sure am, i`m ALWAYS missing somethign lately :D)

Actually, you're right. For some reason, I was thinking that you'd counter the Swords, but countering the Baloth would be the better move. My bad.

Draw, both games.


TH did pretty good, I thought I could Meddle his baloth, but then he'd remove it. I'd Meddle is Swords, but then he would in response remove it anyways....awwwww...

Oh well.

That's both right and wrong at the same time... The better move for you would be to do absolutely nothing and wait for me to make mine. So, even if you went first, the better thing to do would be to pass your turn. Come my turn, I play my land and suspend my Baloth. Your turn, you play the mage and nab Swords. For the next couple turns, I take a Mage to the face but when my Baloth comes unsuspended, I throw him at you multiple times FTW.

At least, that's the way I saw it.

[Ryuzaki]

In response to my Mage hitting play, you Sword it; regardless I was absent-minded to the Meta.

Note: Cashew: Are you sure Daz sent you Taiga? He can't play Meddling mage with a Blue Mox, and a Taiga! :P

I do like Cashew's and Alaster's the most. Innovative stuff; not forgetting DBB's classic Dazed Thallid build. Darn you PP, should have Evoked you instead of Invoked; next time maybe.

[DazBoot]

Note: Cashew: Are you sure Daz sent you Taiga? [/B]He can't play Meddling mage with a Blue Mox, and a Taiga! :P

*beats head against wall* No, he put that up right, I made a typo on my entry... I sent it from my cell phone so I didn't have access to the gatherer. :banghead: Those were supposed to be Tundras

[Cashew]

I've been in and out of town so often in the last two weeks I didn't have time to spot check decks, I'll make sure to do it next round. I should have caught the Nether Spirit though, and didn't. It is banned as a result sorry - make sure you check your decks when you submit them. I'm going to change the Taiga's to Tundra's as which basic dual land does not fundamentally change the spirit of his deck and was a simple mistake. Put a whole giant * by this round if you want, it deserves one.

I'll be out of town tonight and at a wedding all day tomorrow, if someone else can do the results I'd appreciate it as I probably can't get to them until late late Sunday night.

[Mogg]

Congratulations to Tynion for winning!

1. Dazboot
2. Death_By_Beebles
3. 3nd3r
4. 12q34e
5. sethrpg
6. Ryuzaki
7. Shakadelic
8. Tynion
9. Niv-Mizzet_Rulez!
10. AlasterEisaroh
11. Ruven
12. Grentain
13. ThunderHog
14. Cashew
15. Frychikin (Disqualified)

X|1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-0-1-2-3-4-5
1|X-3-3-2-6-3-0-0-4-3-6-2-2-0-x 34
2|3-X-3-4-3-3-6-3-3-1-3-6-0-1-x 39
3|3-3-X-3-3-3-1-3-0-0-0-0-0-0-x 19
4|2-1-3-X-6-3-1-4-1-6-6-6-1-6-x 46
5|0-3-3-0-X-0-0-1-3-6-6-6-3-6-x 37
6|3-3-3-3-6-X-0-3-3-3-6-2-0-1-x 36
7|6-0-4-4-6-6-X-3-6-0-0-2-2-0-x 39
8|6-3-3-1-4-3-3-X-6-6-6-6-6-6-x 59
9|1-3-6-4-3-3-0-0-X-4-6-4-0-6-x 40
0|3-4-6-0-0-3-6-0-1-X-6-6-4-0-x 39
1|0-3-6-0-0-0-6-0-0-0-X-0-6-6-x 27
2|2-0-6-0-0-2-2-0-1-0-6-X-0-0-x 19
3|2-6-6-4-3-6-2-0-6-1-0-6-X-0-x 42
4|6-4-6-0-0-4-6-0-0-6-0-6-6-X-x 44
5|0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-X 0

1st Tynion
2nd 12q34e
3rd Cashew
4th ThunderHog
5th Niv-Mizzet_Rulez!
6th AlasterEisaroh
6th Death_By_Beebles
6th Shakadelic
9th sethrpg
10th Ryuzaki
11th Dazboot
12th Ruven
13th 3nd3r
13th Grentain

[Ryuzaki]

Wow, so I had the right idea....just needed some Force of Will shenanigans; always assuming three cards is better then guessing to five.

*sighs*

[ThunderHog]

... I'm fairly certain I did better than that. Please explain how I lose against Niv, when I should, in fact, win BOTH games against him.

I only mentioned him because I didn't feel like checking everyone else's.

[Mogg]

... I'm fairly certain I did better than that. Please explain how I lose against Niv, when I should, in fact, win BOTH games against him.

I only mentioned him because I didn't feel like checking everyone else's.

Sorry, typos happen. I've fixed it now.

However, it would be a courtesy to provide a simple explanation of how you think a game should be played out. A lot of times, either the person who does the scoring or the person who is correcting misses something simple. Just saying, "you're wrong" doesn't do a whole lot to figure out where the problem lies.

You could also do the favor of checking the rest of your scores instead of saying, more or less, "I think you made more mistakes, but it's not worth my time to check my own scores."

I acknowledge that I make mistakes, and I'm happy to make corrections when I'm wrong, because it's important to me that this game goes well, which is why I bother to score it at all. Keeping that in mind, there are things you can do to make it easier.

Because I was a little rushed yesterday, I've now checked all the scores again. Most significantly, I realized that Dazboot can't play both Foil and Meddling Mage.

[ThunderHog]

I suppose that does make sense, and because of this - I'll be happy to go over the rest of my scores. If I find anything I will post them here.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Against Dazboot
He goes first
<Daz> Tundra, Mox, Mage (naming Swords)
<TH> Savannah, suspend Baloth (5)
<Daz> Swings - I'm at 18.
<TH> Oxidizes Mox, Baloth (4)
<Daz> Swings - I'm at 16
<TH> Baloth (3)
<Daz> Swings - I'm at 14
<TH> Baloth (2)
<Daz> Swings - I'm at 12
<TH> Baloth (1)
<Daz> Swings - I'm at 10
<TH> Baloth hits play (Daz does not have enough mana or enough cards to pay either one of Foil's costs) - Swings, Daz's at 15
<Daz> Swings - I'm at 8
<TH> He's at 10
<Daz> I'm at 6
<TH> He's at 5
<Daz> I'm at 4
<TH> Win.

Frankly, I don't see how Daz did well at all. If he goes second and counters something, he's forced to discard TWO other cards - Which leaves him with one land and his Mage at best and that one land is not enough to cast the Mage. IMO, I just think people forget that Foil requires an Island AND another card to be discarded.

That's all. @ Daz: I'm sorry if I just completely ruined your score, but I'm just stating what I saw to be correct.

[12q34e]

couldn't he play nothing and wait to foil your baloth and play for a tie?

[Mogg]

He could. ThunderHog, you might have been typing when I posted one of my edits. I noticed that Dazboot couldn't play both Mage and Foil, so I made an edit saying I was working on the scores and not to bother fixing things in the mean time. But, thank you for taking the time to check the rest of your scores. Everything should be right now.

[12q34e]

i think that perhaps i draw against thunderhog when i play first

I play city of tratiors, powder keg
He plays savanag and suspends
*fast forward i have six counters on keg and he doesn't have oxidize. I kill the baloth before he can beat me and then i play mask and naught and he swords it. Since i have four cards he loses his oxidize when i go first

[Mogg]

Thanks. I'm laughing at myself now. When I checked the scores this morning, I saw that 1-4, and thought I must have somehow missed Oxidize the first time around.

[ThunderHog]

couldn't he play nothing and wait to foil your baloth and play for a tie?

Ya know, you're completely correct. Good catch.


He could. ThunderHog, you might have been typing when I posted one of my edits. I noticed that Dazboot couldn't play both Mage and Foil, so I made an edit saying I was working on the scores and not to bother fixing things in the mean time. But, thank you for taking the time to check the rest of your scores. Everything should be right now.

No problem, and my apologies if my tone appeared to be a bit harsh before.


i think that perhaps i draw against thunderhog when i play first

I play city of tratiors, powder keg
He plays savanag and suspends
*fast forward i have six counters on keg and he doesn't have oxidize. I kill the baloth before he can beat me and then i play mask and naught and he swords it. Since i have four cards he loses his oxidize when i go first

Yup, that's exactly what happens and that's why I only have 4 points against you instead of 6. Lol.

[12q34e]

you used to have 6

[Tynion]

HOLY SHNIKES! I won an Xcard!!

*Victory lap...* I'll be back!!

[DazBoot]

Whew, that's almost a relief, if I won after screwing up the lands I would going to feel really guilty. And to be honest, I hadn't actually even realized I needed the extra card with foil (oops) I originally had FoW and just before I sent the deck list I was looking through some other XCB decklists and saw the foil there and figured it seemed just as good so I decided to be original. Future note to self: Reading is tech! Congrats all around!

[ThunderHog]

Eh, fourth isn't bad. Especially when the deck that got there uses both Oxidize and Demystify. Mwhahaha!!! Fear my use of crappy cards!!!