Speculation about Modern Masters 2017

It is pretty uncommon to be this close to set release and not have any spoilers yet. Surprisingly, absolutely no leaks.  By far from the packaging of Modern Masters 2017 boosters we may deduce we will get a Griselbrand, Domri Rade and Stoic Angel. The first spoilers should be announced on Monday. Hence, I would like to dwell on the possible money card reprints. I've divided cards into three categorie: high risk, medium risk, low risk of reprint.

High risk:
Griselbrand, Domri Rade, Stoic Angel, Craterhoof Behemoth, Liliana of the Veil, Snapcaster Mage, Past in Flames, Goblin Guide, Voice of Resurgence.

Medium risk:
Blood Moon, Cavern of Souls, Chalice of the Void, Noble Hierarch, Sword of ... and ...

Low risk:
Tarmogoyf, Dark Confidant, Vendilion Clique, Dismember, Inkmoth Nexus, Kitchen Finks, Lava Spike, Eldrazi Temple, Kiki-Jiki Mirror Breaker.


Are you ready for violent price movements when the spoilers begin?

Invasion Block Flashback Drafts

Its time again!

March 1st - March 8th: Invasion block draft (invasion-Planeshift-Apocalypse).

This is one of my favorite things on Magic Online.

I have written on this blog before about the format: http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2014/02/drafting-invasion-block.html


Force Grixis! Its the most fun! I love this format.

Here are a few sample videos as well:

I draft the format right after writing the above article:




And here my buddy Julien tries some IPA drafting:

Nationals are back

After five long years Nationals are coming back! Players from all around the world will come to represent their country for pride and glory. No more WMCQ in Modern format. We will play Standard, instead.

But first, to participate in Nationals, players will still need to accumulate a certain number of Planeswalker Points by the end of the Yearly Award Season (May 28, 2017), with a threshold differing based on the size of the country.

The top Pro Point earner for current season will become the Team Captain. The other two slots will be for the top two finishers at Nationals. It is a significant change, because teams used to have four members.

National Tournaments will be held all around the world on one of the following weekends: September 9, 16, or 23.

Thoughts on Modern and Modern Masters 2017

My friend Binkabi gives some deep thought to Modern in general and Modern Masters 2017 in particular.

Modern Naya Burn updated

I am still swinging Burn in Modern. Here is a sample match against Time Walk Combo.




This is my updated deck list.

Main deck

4 Atarka's Command

4 Bloodstained Mire

4 Boros Charm

4 Eidolon of the Great Revel

4 Goblin Guide

3 Stomping Ground

4 Rift Bolt

2 Mountain

4 Monastery Swiftspear

4 Lightning Bolt

4 Lava Spike

3 Sacred Foundry

4 Searing Blaze

1 Grim Lavamancer

4 Wild Nacatl

3 Arid Mesa

4 Wooded Foothills

Sideboard

2 Deflecting Palm

4 Destructive Revelry

4 Kor Firewalker

2 Path to Exile

3 Skullcrack

One extensive sideboard plan for Burn: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IAUv_SnPqTzsyRelnrOiotMBInzw0zKm5xeCN5ZJZdQ/edit?pageId=106024238989036834136#gid=1948138265

Another sideboard plan: http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/sideboard-like-a-grand-prix-finalist/

Splitting prizes

Players have an option to split future prizes anywise. Usually, it means to split prizes in a half. According to the rule book the agreements on the result and prizes must be done independently (there is one exception: Top round of tournament). So none of them are influenced by the other. What does it mean? Take a look at some examples:

Player A: I have better ties, even if you win this match, you won’t get a prize.
Player B: I will let you win, but I want something for this favor.

In this scenario, player B is committing bribery. He is asking for a reward if he concedes a game. How should it be done correctly?

Player B: Do you want to share any prizes that we may get?
Player A: Okay
Player B: Then I concede this match.

In this way, the prizes are not a compensation for the result.

Let's analyze another hypothetical situation where the prize is a flight ticket to a bigger evet.
Player B: I cannot go to the tournament. So, I'm taking all other prizes and you are keeping the ticket.

Again, Player B is committing bribery. You cannot talk about prizes that are outside the tournament when you split prizes, even though it is the final match. How could Player B struggle out of it?
Player B:  I can't attend to this bigger event..
Player B:  But, I want to go there.
Player A: Okay, take it so you can enjoy it.
Player B: That's really nice of you. I will give you the rest of prizes for being so nice.

Scenario number 3:
Player B: I’m generous, so please concede the match and then we can talk it through.

Player B is beating about bush, but everyone knows what he is suggesting. It is definately bribery.

Scenario number 4:
Time is running out and current state of board results in draw. Both players won't qualify for the top8, then.
Player B: Let's coss a coin. Head I won, tail you did.

You just can't do it!

Each bribery leads to disqualification. Player A must warn a judge right away, otherwise he will be disqualifed too. I know, that the difference often is very slightly, but be conscious of such rules. Watch what you say, especially during event to players you don't know.
.

Pauper Bombardment Tokens after the deck doctoring

I ran Pauper Bombardment Tokens on my youtube channel for four weeks and received a lot of feedback on the deck. The original brewer, Cannonspectacle, was also a part of the process.

Here is the last thrilling game vs Rakdos Burn:



This is the final deck list:

Main deck
4 Ash Barrens
4 Battle Screech
4 Boros Garrison
1 Cenn's Enlistment
4 Journey to Nowhere
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Mogg War Marshal
3 Mountain
10 Plains
3 Raid Bombardment
3 Rally the Peasants
1 Secluded Steppe
4 Soul Warden
4 Soul's Attendant
4 Squadron Hawk
2 Veteran Armorer
1 Wind-Scarred Crag

Sideboard
2 Electrickery
3 Fragmentize
4 Lumithread Field
4 Pyroblast
2 Standard Bearer

We went for Veteran Armorer as card 59 and 60 after testing several other cards in those two spots. 

Standard Bearer was the last card to get spots in the sideboard, mainly because of Hexproof. 

This deck is now quite well tested and had a lot of good matchups in the meta game. Try it out if you want to test something new in Pauper. 

Standard Showdown ver 2.0

Standard Showdown events have already came to an end, but Wizards are keeping up the momentum and trying to attract even more players to Standard format. This time we will be tempted by Battle for Zendikar lands given to players on the same basis as it was in Standard Showdown. But first, a shop must run fifteen Standard events between February 13 and April 16. So, it is nine FNMs plus six other events. Once the requirements are met each store, depending on its level, will receive special promo lands with masterpiece art. Thus, it will be 2 (Core) / 4 (Advanced) / 6 (Advanced Plus) copies each of Prairie Stream, Sunken Hollow, Smoldering Marsh, Cinder Glade and Canopy Vista giving in total 10 pcs for Core level stores, 20 pcs for Advanced level stores and 30 pcs for Advanced Plus level stores. Additionally, three playmats featuring art from a card in Amonkhet are added to the prize structure. To have a chance to get one you need to participate in at least six evetns. Promo cards and playmats will be shipped on the week of March 27 to all stores that schedule Amonkhet Prerelease.