Standards and Practices
Features
Behgz
24 July 2013
1868 views
24 July 2013
1868 views
Article Series on tappedOut; ‘Standards and Practices’
Hello I’m Behgz, I’ve been playing a lot of standard lately, and wanted to talk about it more here, so I started writing up games turn for turn that I played by piloting a deck here on TappedOut against one of my own or others. I pilot both decks that way I can get them written up within an hour of finishing a match, as I’m typing it up as it happens turn for turn, piloting both decks, unless I can meet with a friend for the day and proxy out decks we see here online and take notes as we play.
I thought I’d face up against the monster that is Bolas for a Better Tomorrow to start things off. Luckily for me, I’ve read all the most recently posted daily dose articles as they were coming out, a lot of the inspiration to write these up is from reading the daily dose of standard written by KrazyCaley.
This will be a best 2 of 3 match, SB unlocked.
Bolas opening hand; watery grave, drowned catacomb, swamp, devour flesh, counterflux, barter in blood, mystic retrieval.
Behgz opening hand; temple garden, 2x glacial fortress, farseek, snapcaster mage, 2x thragtusk.
Behgz wins the toss, on the play.
Behgz1: plays temple garden tapped, passes.
Bolas1: draws dragonskull summit, plays watery grave tapped. Passes.
Behgz2: draws sphinx’s revelation, plays glacial fortress, casts farseek, finds breeding pool, passes.
Bolas2: draws barter in blood, plays dragonskull summit, passes.
Behgz3: draws breeding pool, plays breeding pool tapped, passes.
Bolas3: draws gilded lotus, plays drowned catacomb, counterflux mana open. Passes.
Behgz4: draws azorius charm, plays glacial fortress, casts thragtusk, it runs into counterflux. Passes.
Bolas4: draws chromatic lantern, plays swamp, plays chromatic lantern, passes.
Behgz5: draws hinterland harbor, plays hinterland harbor, casts thragtusk, gains 5, lifes at behgz25/bolas20, Bolas casts devour flesh, thrag is sac’d, gets a beast, gains 3, lifes at Behgz28/Bolas20, passes.
Bolas5: draws dreadbore, casts gilded lotus, passes.
Behgz6: draws supreme verdict, womp womp, o well, discard fodder, moves to combat, swings with beast, no blocks, lifes at Behgz28/Bolas17, second main, cast azorius charm for card draw, draws; azorius charm, casts azorius charm for card draw, draws; angel of serenity, passes.
Bolas6: draws think twice, taps gilded lotus and chromatic lantern for four blue, casts mystic retrieval on counterflux, returning it to the hand, passes.
Behgz7: draws farseek, casts farseek, finds hallowed fountain, moves to combat, swings with beast, in response, Bolas casts think twice, draws devour flesh, nailed it. Casts devour flesh, beast is sac’d, gains 3, lifes at Behgz31/Bolas17, passes.
Bolas7: draws mountain, plays mountain taps gilded lotus, makes three blue, flashes back think twice, draws counterflux. Passes.
Behgz8: draws cyclonic rift, casts angel of serenity, it runs into counterflux. Passes.
Bolas8: draws swamp, plays swamp, flashes back mystic retrieval, targeting counterflux, returning it to the hand. Passes.
Behgz9: draws sunpetal grove, plays sunpetal grove, passes.
Bolas9: draws drowned catacomb, plays drowned catacomb, passes. at EoT, Behgz casts sphinx for 5, it runs into counterflux, passes.
Behgz10: draws hallowed fountain, shocks for 2, lifes Behgz29/Bolas17, passes.
Bolas10: draws think twice, casts think twice, draws; counterflux, flashes back think twice, draws; nicol bolas, planeswalker. Passes. at the EoT, Behgz casts snapcaster, it sticks, targets sphinx’s revelation, casts shpinx’s revelation for 4, it runs into counterflux, passes.
Behgz11: draws snapcaster mage, moves to combat, swings with snapcaster, no blocks, lifes at Behgz29/Bolas15, passes.
Bolas11: draws murder, casts bolas, casts murder on the snapcaster, uses bolas +3 to blow up temple garden, in response, behgz tap that temple garden and a blue source for snap caster, targeting azorius charm, then casting azorius charm for the card draw, draws; glacial fortress, Bolas at 8 counters, passes.
Behgz12: draws hallowed fountain, plays glacial fortress, moves to combat, swings at nicol bolas, planeswalker with snap, no blocks, nicol bolas, planeswalker down to 6 loyalties, passes.
Bolas12: draws sulfur falls, plays sulfur falls, activate bolas +3, nicol bolas planeswalker now at 9 loyalties, blows up breeding pool, casts dreadbore on snapcaster, passes.
Behgz13: draws sphinx’s revelation, plays hallowed fountain tapped, casts sphinx’s revelation, for 3, it runs into counterflux, Behgz casts cyclonic rift targeting nicol bolas, planeswalker, returning it to the hand. Passes.
Bolas13: draws sulfur falls, plays sulfur falls, casts nicol bolas planeswalker, activates +3, blows up breeding pool, passes.
Behgz14: draws Breeding pool, plays breeding pool tapped, passes.
Bolas14: draws nicol bolas planeswalker, activates bolas +3 ability, blows up Hallowed fountain, nicol bolas planeswalker at 11 loyalties, passes.
Behgz15: draws snapcaster mage, casts snapcaster mage, targets sphinx’s revelation, casts sphinx’s revelation for 3, gains 3, draws 3, lifes at Behgz33/Bolas15, draws; aetherling, glacial fortress, thragtusk. Plays glacial fortress, Passes.
Bolas15: draws counterflux, activates bolas ultimate, targets Behgz he discards 7, sac’s seven permanents, and takes 7 damage, lifes at Behgz26/Bolas15, discards supreme verdict, aetherling, glacial fortress, and thragtusk. sac’s seven land leaving 1 breeding pool as the mana base, passes.
Behgz16: draws temple garden, plays it tapped, moves to combat, swings with snapcaster mage at bolas, it connects. Passes.
Bolas16: draws dreadbore, casts dreadbore on snapcaster, casts nicol bolas planeswalker, uses his +3 to blow up a breeding pool, passes.
Behgz,17: draws snapcaster mage, one temple garden open, nothing else. One snapcaster in hand, nothing else… concedes.
KrazyCaley Bolas for a Better Tomorrow Wins.
Bolas sideboard options 3x curse of death’s hold, 2x dissipate, 3x essence scatter, 2x grafdigger’s cage, 2x pithing needle, 3x slaughter games.
Cards that would work against Behgz deck; dissipate, essence scatter, slaughter games, and possibly pithing needle, but after game two I’ll know if he sides in something that warrants the needle. At which point it can come in. cards that aren’t needed or can otherwise just come out include, Barter in blood, I held two that entire last game, never needed to worry about hexproof or indestructible, killed everything else with other kill spell.
Bolas sides 4x barter in blood for 2x dissipate and 2x essence scatter, 3x murder can come out in place of 3x slaughter games.
Behgz sideboard options 3x pithing needle, 3x renounce the guilds, 2x detention sphere, 2x witchbane orb, 2x council of the absolute, 1x aetherling, and 2x terminus.
Cards that will work against Bolas deck; pithing needle, detention sphere, renounce the guilds, witchbane orb, council of the absolute, aetherling. Pretty much everything but the terminus’s.
Beghz sides out 3x cyclonic rift for 3x renounce the guilds, 3x azorius charm for 3x pithing needle, 4x supreme verdict for 2x detention sphere and 2x council of the absolute. 1 angel of serenity for 1 aetherling.
Game 2
Bolas opening hand; drowned catacomb, swamp, mountain, 2x chromatic lantern, dreadbore, nicol bolas planeswalker.
Behgz opening hand; temple garden, breeding pool, sunpetal grove, pithing needle, renounce the guilds, 2x thragtusk.
Behgz on the play
Behgz1: plays temple garden tapped, passes.
Bolas1: draws dragonskull summit, plays mountain, passes.
Behgz2: draws hinterland harbor, plays breeding pool tapped, casts pithing needle naming nicol bolas, planeswalker, passes.
Bolas2: draws island, plays island, passes.
Behgz3: draws sphinx’s revelation, plays hinterland harbor, passes.
Bolas3: draws watery grave, plays drowned catacomb, casts chromatic lantern, passes.
Behgz4: draws centaur healer, plays sunpetal grove, casts centaur healer, gains 3, lifes at Behgz 23/Bolas20, passes.
Bolas4: draws dreadbore, plays watery grave tapped, casts dreadbore on centaur, passes.
Behgz5: draws sunpetal grove, plays sunpetal grove, casts thragtusk, gains 5, lifes at Behgz28/Bolas20, passes.
Bolas5: draws staff of nin, plays dragonskull summit, casts chromatic lantern, casts dreadbore killing thrag, gets a beast, passes.
Behgz6: draws farseek, moves to combat, swings with beast, no blocks, lifes at Behgz28/Bolas17, second main, casts thragtusk, gains 5, lifes at Behgz33/Bolas17, passes.
Bolas6: draws sulfur falls, plays sulfur falls, casts staff of nin, passes.
Behgz7: draws breeding pool, plays breeding pool tapped, casts farseek, finds a hallowed fountain, swings with thrag and beast, no blocks, lifes at Behgz33.Bolas9, at EoT Bolas taps staff of nin, pings Behgz for one, down to 32, passes.
Bolas7: draws dragonskull summit and slaughter games, concedes.
No changes to the sb.
Game 3
Bolas opening hand; sulfur falls, 2x swamp, chromatic lantern, counterflux, slaughter games, nicol bolas planeswalker.
Behgz opening hand; temple garden, hinterland harbor, 2x farseek, 2x renounce the guilds, thragtusk.
Bolas on the play.
Bolas1: plays sulfur falls tapped. Passes.
Behgz1: draws sunpetal grove, plays temple garden tapped passes.
Bolas2: draws dissipate, plays swamp, passes.
Behgz:2: draws aetherling, plays hinterland harbor, casts farseek, finds hallowed fountain, passes.
Bolas3: draws chromatic lantern, plays swamp, casts chromatic lantern, passes.
Behgz3: draws thragtusk, plays sunpetal grove, casts farseek, finds breeding pool, passes.
Bolas4: draws devour flesh, casts slaughter games, names pithing needle, searches Behgz hand, see’s two thrag’s, two renounce the guild’s, and foil aetherling. Searches Behgz deck, finds three pithing needle, exiles them, passes.
Behgz4: draws sunpetal grove, plays sunpetal grove, casts thragtusk, gains 5, lifes at Behgz25/Bolas20, passes.
Bolas5: draws nicol bolas, planeswalker, casts chromatic lantern, passes.
Behgz5: draws council of the absolute, moves to combat, Bolas casts devour flesh, thrag is sac’d, gets a beast, gains 3, lifes at Behgz28/Bolas20. casts thragtusk, gains 5, lifes at Behgz33/Bolas20, passes.
Bolas6: draws dreadbore, casts dreadbore on thrag, gets a beast, gains 3, lifes at Behgz36/Bolas20, passes.
Behgz6: draws centaur healer, casts council of the absolute, Bolas counters with dissipate, moves to combat, swings with thrag and beast, no blocks, lifes at Behgz39/bolas12, passes.
Bolas7: draws sulfur falls, plays sulfur falls, passes.
Behgz7: draws restoration angel, moves to combat, swings with thrag and beast, no blocks, lifes at Behgz39/Bolas4, passes.
Bolas8: draws counterflux, concedes.
Behgz Garden Hose Midrange (FNM results 3-1) Wins.
Thoughts on the match; Game one was all about Bolas, He stuck and there was nothing I could do about it after a point, you can only hold off on using cyclonic rift for so long.
Game 2 was kind of a blow out, pithing needle shut down the main win-con and a second needle would have named nephalia drownyard just for good measure.
Game 3 was different, you hit your early slaughter games and got rid of the needles but upon seeing my hand, realized I was holding 2x renounce the guilds, which completely hosed bolas just as hard. Not that you couldn’t get around that with some counter spells, but that would require the 8 for bolas and 3 more for counterflux or dissipate, which I've seen you do in the daily dose of standard plenty of times, it just didn’t happen in this match, you got stalled out at 6, which was enough for the staff had you drawn into it.
I'll be sticking to writing up game reports, If anyone is interested in being featured in an upcoming edition of Standards and Practices go ahead and leave a post and I will get a short listed posted, in case anyone is interested as to how the list looks now, I can tell you there's one name on it so far.
July 25, 2013 2:48 a.m.
Formortiis says... #3
Why? Do you not know how to download Camstudio? Because this is the link. Do you think using Cockatrice is "immoral" because it "robs" Hasbro of money? Because you can just use MTGO in that case. Either way, this is NOT the way you want to write this article. It's extremely tedious and strenuous.
July 25, 2013 2:57 a.m.
I've just recently been informed on how to better format the articles and this first article really was a trial run to hit the ground running and iron out the kinks as I go, so yea, I plan to spend even more time, tedious as that sounds, making the next installments that much better.
granted none of that pertains to what your goin on about. I understand you don't like to read the matches, you would rather watch them. I prefer to read the book, you prefer the movie. As a person who has a lot of stuff going on in his life, I have to find time to get on TO, usually its with my mobile browser, and I like to read things here on TO, like the daily dose of standard, it killed time while i rode the bus and was something I looked forward to everyday hoping there was another installment to Read. back to the mobile browser thing, its really hard to watch a 20+ minute movie and pause it and what not while on the go, head phones an everything tryin to hear the match dialogue, 3G service acting up, its just not for me. I enjoyed the video matches KrazyCaley and zandl have put up here, but like I said about the mobile browsers, I had to wait til I got home to enjoy them.
if you think these articles would benefit from being upgraded to video format give it a try, I'm sure it'd be fun to watch, but I'm gonna keep writing them up.
July 25, 2013 3:06 a.m.
I'm a bit confused on Game 3, Turns 4-6. If you cast the first Thragtusk T4, lost it during combat T5 to Devour Flesh , cast another Thrag on T5, and had it Dreadbore 'd the following turn, how were you swinging with a Thrag and Beast token on T6 and T7?
July 25, 2013 3:09 a.m.
must've been a reporting error, it should say two beast tokens, not a thrag and beast. Game 3 got kinda one sided there at the end, plus I'm sure I was starting to get tired, I had been typing games up all day. Aside from that though, the formatting wasn't done at all for this first article, I mentioned that in a previous post, and a second installment will look much cleaner.
July 25, 2013 3:17 a.m.
Are you choosing decks at random to test against or taking submissions as well?
July 25, 2013 3:23 a.m.
I've got my next article dialed up but nothing after that planned yet. I'd like to get other users on board with the series and I welcome user submitted decks for the article.
July 25, 2013 3:31 a.m.
Formortiis says... #9
So let me get this straight. You're telling me that this site not only lacks an editor who clears articles before their posted and that you wrote the article under the assumption that everyone else is encumbered by the same circumstances as you?
July 25, 2013 3:38 a.m.
The sideboarding really confuses me. Sure you might not have needed the Barter in Blood in game one, but you saw TONS of counterspells and lots of other removal. Siding out half your killspells is, at least in my opinion, not the way to deal with a creature reliant deck, even if you bring in 4 more counterspells.
Also in Game 1, turn 7 and turn, Bolas casts and flashbacks Think Twice s on his own turn? That is not how to play mind games with Bolas decks.
I always enjoy game reports, but those "errors" I mentioned, made it feel like you were stacking the odds against Bolas, even though I'm sure you did not mean to.
July 25, 2013 3:43 a.m.
@Formortiis this was a rough draft, first attempt, I'll admit its pretty rough around the edges formatting wise, and obviously play mistakes are being weeded out as I type this,I'm sorry if its a little rough but this was a trial run and now that I've been given the green light I'll be making a much cleaner article.
@Dallie Game 1 turn 7, bolas had nothing better to do that turn, he had ample mana and not much to do in hand, he was literally digging out of boredum, not lack of skill on the pilots part.
As for the sb choices I made, I wasn't in touch with the decks author at the time of play testing so I made the choices, obviously there will be speculation in that scenario. I made what I thought was the best choices under the circumstances.
For the record, all the constructive critism will be taken into account before a second article is started, and please be aware that it will be a million times better than this first one. I had actually spent a lot of time on the formatting but it got lost in translation being copy/pasted from ms word to gmail to TO, none of it transfered over and was posted as it was regardless, which I don't mind but aparently its a lesson well recieved, formatting makes a big difference and I'm gonna be doing a lot of it going forward.
July 25, 2013 4:04 a.m.
Well 3 mana with a Chromatic Lantern represents a Counterflux . I know mind games aren't too important when you're playing against yourself, but still.
I liked the article, and I feel that with a few improvements, especially on the formatting this next article will be an excellent read! Also, linking cards is nice.
Keep it coming man, I definitely meant no harm and I hope you didn't take too much offense of what I said. One thing I would like, was more of your commentary. You definitely know why you did what you did, and I think part of why DDoS is so popular is because it'll help players see reason to every play they make.
July 25, 2013 4:18 a.m.
I definitely enjoy writing these up and I'm very glad to hear you liked it overall.
July 25, 2013 4:26 a.m.
PrinceOfNeurosis says... #14
I enjoyed the article homie, and I'm excited for you that you finally got the opportunity to start doing these. Though they may not be for everybody * cough * Formortiis * cough * , they are an entertaining read and there is plenty to take away from them. Feel free to use The Voices of Selesnya for one if you are so inclined.
July 25, 2013 4:43 a.m.
KrazyCaley says... #15
@Formortiis - I clear the articles. It's Behgz's first shot at it; hang in there. Also, there are plenty of people on this site who prefer the writeups to a video log. I know this because when I made the switch, lots of people told me they liked the writeups better. To each their own, I suppose.
In any case, it was a good read for me.
July 25, 2013 4:55 a.m.
Formortiis says... #16
facepalm
Why am I not surprised that people on this site know nothing about website management?
July 25, 2013 4:58 a.m.
KrazyCaley says... #17
We're amateurs doin' our best. Always welcome suggestions.
July 25, 2013 5:05 a.m.
GureiSeion says... #18
Glad to see someone filling the written void.
Feel free to nab Junktown for a future matchup, if you want.
July 25, 2013 6:53 a.m.
Nice article man. @ Formortiis I am one the people who prefer this written version of both this and Daily Dose as I can read on lunch breaks and things. Some videos will be blocked and exclude me from the article. Everybody can read the articles but not everybody can watch the videos.
try to be constructive not just 'facepalm'
July 25, 2013 6:54 a.m.
RussischerZar says... #20
I also enjoy the text articles over videos since I can easily read them in a break at work and that's just not possible with videos. That being said when I'm at home and actually have time to watch a video, I enjoy it nonetheless.
That being said, why is it called standards and practices? You're just writing down what happens in a game, only afterwards commenting on roughly what happened, and during sideboarding. I enjoyed KrazyCaleys Daily Dose of Standard because there was always the insight in why he played what he did. It helped me a great deal in learning how to become a better Magic player. This article was rather boring in comparison, I even skipped reading the third game. Maybe you can do an while-playing-insight-thing as well?
I'm curious how your next article will turn out.
July 25, 2013 9:26 a.m.
Formortiis says... #21
Facepalming is appropriate when it's in response to something that denies even common sense. I really shouldn't have to explain why a text-based play-by-play of the game is a bad idea compared to a video that can actively not only show you the current board state, but show you changes to it far faster than words can and without seeming nearly as tedious.
I never thought I'd actually promote the man, but just watch one of Frank Lepore's Video Tech articles for TCGPlayer.com as it's effectively what this article wants to do. The latest one can be found here.
July 25, 2013 10:32 a.m.
While having a video can go more in-depth it isn't as convenient to people that read these articles at work or school.
Behgz, what is your reasoning for in game 3 not naming Thragtusk with Slaughter Games when you had not seen Pithing Needle in the previous games and tusk had won the previous game?
July 25, 2013 12:04 p.m.
Behgz Nice first effort. It will get better with additional experience: improved formatting, linking cards, explaining a rationale for decision making, etc.
I like text, because it's more convenient. When I'm on my iPhone, I can't see enough detail to watch a video. I'm sure there will be other articles or formats where video is used.
It's obvious based on the comments you've received that you'll get criticism for why you played a certain way, or why you made a particular sideboard selection, and that's fine (even if it's a mistake). Making mistakes is a great way for everyone reading to learn how to be a better player. I think once you start explaining your rationale for a decision, then it will become clearer whether it was the right call or not. But even when the rationale is solid, random chance can have things work out in unexpected ways.
My questions are how do you want to run this article series? I mean do you want to focus one particular deck of yours against one that is submitted? Or do you want to run simulations against two foreign decks? Or do you want to receive submissions for decks that are looking to go up against a range of deck types and you pick one. Didn't KrazyCaley once have a bunch of reference decks called things like "The Current Jund Zombies", etc. Anyway, all options would be interesting and I'm sure you'll make it interesting. Do you want to do an analysis of the post-game?
I think what you're doing is great and I miss the Daily Dose of Standard that KrazyCaley wrote, so I applaud your efforts. As you know, I've started doing some playtests of my own to help improve my own decks. It's been very useful to me. If you want it, I'd be happy to help out.
Anyway, good job. Keep it up!
July 25, 2013 1:20 p.m.
Game two I played pithing needle like turn 2..and it completely shut Down bolas
July 25, 2013 1:36 p.m.
It's called Standards and Practices because the series will only be focusing on current standard decks, and I'll be the one running them almost as if its practicing.
@Formortiis I've taken some public backlash for this article being rough around the edges and what not, but you just seem to be on a witch hunt. Please go away.
July 25, 2013 1:40 p.m.
For the record, everyone who enjoyed the write-up but don't seem to understand what the article is about or what it will do in the future aside from writing up standard matches. This article really is no different than the daily dose or even effin m, but of coarse it will be done in my own styling.
This first article was literally a rough draft thrown into the printing press, the next one will be a million times better, formatting and article match up break downs and summaries will all be more in depth.
July 25, 2013 1:45 p.m.
So it feels like no one is pointing this out so I'm just gonna do it..
Game one was so EPIC! Bolas had my number, he countered everything that could've helped me bring it back, while destroying my life with a resolved bolas, even a decoy sphinx to a cyclonic rift wasn't enough, he came right back out and dominated the field.
there at the end, after taking a hit from Bolas ultimate, I stopped to look around and saw I had one temple garden in play and one snapcaster in hand, it was Turn 17 and I literally could do nothing and there was a resolved bolas staring me down.
Definately one of the more epic moments I've had in a game of magic, I'm glad I was able to digitize it and share it with all of you. Thats the type of standard match write ups I want to bring to the table with my article series.
If anyone would like to see a deck they submit in a future article, just leave a post here or on my wall, if u have specifications like no sb unlock, or you want to play against a certain archetype in standard like naya blitz specifically, I can do any/all of that, I'm flexible and here to provide awesome content.
July 25, 2013 2:02 p.m.
@Azure124 in case you missed my first response, Game 2 turn 2, Behgz cast pithing needle naming Bolas, its why Bolas deck never tapped out for bolas game 2 because there would've been no point to cast it and not be able to use it.
because of that, Game three, when Bolas got the chance to slaughtergames, he chose the one card that shut him down game 2, it was a good pick but from what I recall Behgz was holding 2 Renounce the Guilds at the time of slaughtergames, meaning during Bolas turns having just cast the bolas', Behgz would've cast renounce the guilds at instant speed forcing them to sac the only multi colored perm they had which was bolas. they could've gotten one use out of his +3 or -2 before they would have to pass priority and immediately get hit by renounce.
the sb'ing really made the difference and it almost wasn't a fair fight, not even counting the questionable sb'ing i chose for the Bolas deck, just all the utility and answers the Garden Hose Midrange deck had in the sb, go back and read the section after game one where I break down the sb choices and what can/won't work against the opposing decks. the rest of the game pretty much wrote itself after the sb was unlocked.
July 25, 2013 2:16 p.m.
The number of users here on tapped out who have come in just to say they enjoyed the read and they found the time at work while on break or in the daily commute, it really makes me happy and thats exactly how I felt when I was catching the latest installments of the daily dose series. Part of the appeal to that was caley's dialogue and match summaries. I won't be trying to copy that, so much as provide an equally appealing article series. who knows, if we're lucky KrazyCaley will pop in to spice up an installment, kick it up a few notches to 11.
tentative list of user submitted decks in line for upcoming installments of Standards and Practises:
July 25, 2013 2:47 p.m.
I'm definitely going to enjoy reading up on these while I'm on breaks at work. Feel free to use my standard deck for this, Izzet a Cyclops? Yes, yes it iz! by Lavan
July 25, 2013 3:19 p.m.
Hey Behgz! Pencil me in for 3rd homie! Let's put my new These go up to 11... to the test!
July 25, 2013 3:32 p.m.
July 25, 2013 3:46 p.m.
PrinceOfNeurosis says... #33
@Formortiis: give it a rest bro. I've supported other posts of yours when everyone was against you, because I felt like you were just trying to help. I see now that you just want things to be your way, and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. It's not about being constructive, it's about imposing your beliefs and/or will on others, and when that's the case, you're just wasting their time as well as your own. There have been plenty of people now that have stated they like the raw text play by play format. A lot of people can read faster than they can watch a 20-30 minute video. If you don't like the format of this new article series, then by all means, watch your silly videos on tcgplayer.com or whatever, and leave the author of this article alone.
July 25, 2013 5:03 p.m.
Awe 4th it is. Haha. :) thanks man! Looking forward to next week!
July 25, 2013 5:46 p.m.
how about using cockatrice for the games and upload the replays? :)
July 25, 2013 6:44 p.m.
I found the games sort of difficult to read. The formatting wasn't the best, and some important events weren't very clear. It took me a while to find the link to your deck. Although I recognized the generic archetype, For example, T16 of Game 1, Bolas dies, but I didn't actually realize that until you cast the second Bolas. It can be difficult to keep track of these events. I think it would be more legible with capitalization and links to the relevant cards. KrazyCaley's Doses have good formats, I'm sure you've seen.
The games themselves were interesting though. Are you only going to be playing against good decks, or do you mind playing against weaker but funnier things?
July 25, 2013 8 p.m.
I'd have to assume the target audience is for standard enthusiasts, that being said, the more top tier the submissions the better the read will be, so to speak. Not that I'm denying any submissions as of yet, but please keep it in mind. I could write up about a pillow fort deck facing off against a mill deck but I don't think it would get a second glance lol.
July 26, 2013 midnight
If you don't mind, I'd like to have How to Wake Your Dragon featured. It plays like a well-oiled Gruul Midrange machine for me, though it can fizzle against a solid amount of removal. Thanks!
July 26, 2013 1:44 a.m.
July 26, 2013 1:48 a.m.
Honestly, the only criticism I can make is for more clear text. Punctuation, capitilization, and links to cards. And some minor formatting issues to make things more clear, but that mainly comes with time and practice at this sort of thing.
But all in all I can't complain about anything too major, I think this a great foundation, and still a fun read. Keep up the good work Behgz!
Also, I would like to comment on how awesome this community is. When someone like Formortiis comes in, the community doesn't rage or flip out. They handle it like mature adults and tell him politely to leave. I love this site.
I look forward to the next article Behgz!
July 26, 2013 3:01 a.m.
@Cdawg44 I'm glad you liked the article, I'm working up the next article right now, if you ever have interest in submitting a standard deck to be featured in this article series feel free to leave a deck submission here in the comments.
July 26, 2013 3:27 a.m.
Unforgivn_II says... #44
It would be cool if you played my For Victory or Death. It isn't quite done yet, plus it's built for post-rotation, but by the time you get to it, there should be a full sideboard and the mainboard should be good to go. Don't feel obligated to use a post-rotation deck against it either, my deck will presumably change once the cycle and Theros come anyway. The core will stay intact no matter what, Theros can only bring more support cards, so I'd like to see how the core does.
As far as written/video articles go, I'm pretty sure its been established how this article's course will run, but I'd just like to say that I too prefer it in text. I can't watch a video while I'm working, but I can sneakily read :P
July 26, 2013 3:33 a.m.
Well, if you don't mind, you could add Simically Rareless to the list. It was made a while ago, but really not much of interest to the deck has happened.
July 26, 2013 10:19 p.m.
MTGprojectzer0 says... #47
Hook me up! I'm building my 2nd FNM deck on a budget and I really like to see how it works out against top-tier decks. :D
Deck: E.C
July 27, 2013 12:09 p.m.
This was actually very entertaining for me and I enjoyed getting a feel for both decks at the same time. I really appreciate you taking suggestions from the community for the decks you will test :) Maybe you would consider my own? It's a 4-color homebrew: Duskmantle Seer's Weenies (post-rotation), previously titled "No Need For Such a Bad Tempo." As is obvious, it's for after rotation, but I could make some changes to it to make it more constructive if you'd prefer it!
July 29, 2013 2:43 a.m.
notamardybum says... #49
I definitely prefer the text based article, that guy's just trying to troll. Keep up the great work Behgz
Also, if you have the time, please try out my newest deck Reckoner of Sins
July 29, 2013 4:28 p.m.
July 29, 2013 4:56 p.m.
G2 bolas conceded at 9 life with a Staff of Nin facing a Thragtusk and beast token. i haven't looked closely at the decklists, and due to the formatting (which you are already planning to work on) i can't really tell what all Behgz had in hand. wouldn't Bolas take 8 and go to 1 next turn, and then have 2 draws to find outs? it's probable Bolas would lose either way, but i always hate scooping before i know 100% for sure that i'm going to lose.
i also agree it would be good to write out as many of your thoughts as possible, so we can see what you are thinking and make it easier to tell between play errors and transcription errors.
also i'd like to join the queue, though my deck might rotate out of standard by the time you get through your already impressive list of opponents. Gameday reanimator
July 29, 2013 6:56 p.m.
Thanks again to Everyone who took the time to read my first article, boy was it a piece of work haha. But seriously, the next installmnent Is Formatted as opposed to not at all. Stay tuned, there is plenty of standard action to come!
July 29, 2013 7:19 p.m.
I may have overlooked where it was mentioned, but how often do you plan on making these?
July 29, 2013 7:37 p.m.
at least once a week, maybe more if I have them ready, the 2nd issue is ready so expect that to be popping up soon.
July 29, 2013 8:16 p.m.
DjinnjerVitis says... #57
i'd like you to review A Vampire Always Pays His Debts... if you get the chance. its a standard orzhov midrange that fairs pretty well at FNM, and any constructive criticism towards it would be appreciated as well. thanks.
July 30, 2013 9:28 a.m.
I'm quite excited for your 2hg issue, can't wait to give it a good read!!
Formortiis says... #1
You know what would be WAY easier? Just play over Cockatrice, record it, and embed the video. It can't be that hard. After all, I can do it and I suck with HTML.
July 25, 2013 2:19 a.m.