Is it just me, or is Journey Into Nyx a bit of a let-down?
Standard forum
Posted on April 15, 2014, 1:58 a.m. by SpaderAce
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the new cards, especially Kruphix and Athreos, even Ajani. But I'm in high school, and I don't have a job and can't get one because I am taking 4 AP classes and play on the Tennis team. So with that being said, I love brewing and all these cards are SO expensive, I feel like I won't be able to innovate any further since I can't afford anything new. I have about $80 max to spend on a new deck, and I wanted to utilized Athreos until I saw the preorder for $30. Any ideas for fun winnable budget standard brews? $80-$150 for the whole thing (since I can trade to people too)?
Blizzicane says... #3
Don't worry after all the hype fades away the cards should go down (unless a card finds it way into competitive play). :3
April 15, 2014 2:03 a.m.
Nyx is not the underworld, it is the realm of the gods.
JOU looks fine so far. Preorders are inflated prices, so just wait three weeks after release to buy singles. The cards are individually powerful and look fun to play with. I see no problems.
April 15, 2014 2:05 a.m.
Well, I could shamelessly plug my own deck and tell you to take the shocks out, but that probably isn't what you are looking for (and probably wouldn't work). I assume you also don't want to do Red Deck Wins or Maze's End.
I feel like there is just enough support right now to make a Biovisionary deck. Probably not super competitive, but I can see it being somewhat fun to win in a different way. Ideally I'd go Bant, but Simic might work for a budget version.
April 15, 2014 2:06 a.m.
@Jimhawk: Nyx is actually the goddess of night and shadows. She is often associated with death, and her consort is Erebus. god of death and darkness. So not the underworld, but definitely not the realm of the Gods. At least not in actual Greek/Roman mythology.
April 15, 2014 2:18 a.m.
I remember the feeling of AP, basketball, and working and it was an awful time so I feel you there! I definitely prefer Ravnica to Theros in flavor and cards in general, but I have been pretty excited for JOU so far. I wouldn't worry too much about prices...yet at least. I know when Iroas, God of Victory was first spoiled I checked eBay and 4x were going for about $120. He's already dropped considerably compared to that and drops more each day so I wouldn't be too worried!
April 15, 2014 2:43 a.m.
Bubbleberry says... #8
Except JOU is LOOSELY based on greek and roman mythology, not literally. Magic's lore trumps real lore when you're talking about the actual game. As far as B/G, it's actually been getting fairly competitive recently, especially if you count tri-color decks like BUG, Jund and Junk, who have had a ridiculous comeback in standard meta right now in a rotation where Esper and any other U/W variant with another color thrown in is considered king of Tri-color decks at the moment, because U/W is so powerful in standard right now.
April 15, 2014 2:48 a.m.
I'm confused by your title. It seems as though you feel JOU is a let down because the cards are expensive? Doesn't quite make sense. JOU is shaping to be the best third set in a block since Avacyn, perhaps better. I've seen nothing but excitement for this set. Personally, I'm excited for some of the new cards.
April 15, 2014 3:17 a.m.
blackmarker90 says... #10
As a whole the Theros block has some decent power to it. With that said, Theros can't shake a stick at the sheer amount of power that was put in RTR and the subsequent sets. Find me a T1 to T1.5 deck that is running primarily Theros block cards. RTR's power dwarfs the blocks that it has been paired with, so wait until it rotates out ad we will get a better view of the total power of the Theros block. I do have to say that BNG was pretty meh overall though.
April 15, 2014 3:49 a.m.
kmcree, you're referencing historical mythology, and not the lore and world that has been built in Theros. In Theros, Nyx is the night sky of Theros, and the home of the gods.
JOU has already spoiled a multitude of unique cards. The most daunting thing so far is trying to find a way to fit cards into existing archetypes (i.e. Athreos in WB Aggro) or trying to build entirely new decks around new cards (like King Macar or Dictate of Kruphix). The fact that the cards all feel unique and powerful without being oppressive is great.
It does kind of suck that monoblack keeps getting new toys, though.
April 15, 2014 3:58 a.m.
Ultimaodin says... #12
RTR was a powerful set, and Theros isn't quite the same. The thing was that Wizards had a massive power creep that was occurring in sets and at some point they have to drop the bar a bit. Theros is the block where they reset and honestly I'm fine with this.
Actually you know what, to understand what I'm talking about - here is Extra Credits video on Power Creep:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxszx60ZwGw
April 15, 2014 4:05 a.m.
BlueEyesRedMage says... #13
kmcree trolling much? No on Theros, Nyx is definitely the realm of the gods. The denizens of the world of Theros see the lives and actions of the gods play out like pantomime in the night sky and when the gods appear to human, their bodies reflect the night sky they are from, as seen in the sparkling night sky effect in their art, on their card borders and in each and every thing made by the gods.
April 15, 2014 4:19 a.m.
BlueEyesRedMage says... #14
In relation to the, topic of the thread, I'm really impressed by JOU. It's not as powerfully spike wise as RTR was but in my min, that's a good thing. The cards being released are powerfully, but with a much narrower scope. All of the gods have been like this, powerful yes, but only really maximised in certain deck (Athreos, God of Passage might buck this trend a bit, as I could see his effect being very splashable in whatever deck can cast him).
As a semi competitive FNM level player that is also on a pretty strict budget, the entirety of Theros block has been all upside for me and my deck building ideas, as well as a massive flavour win. The dual lands on offer, the scry lands, aren't nearly as powerful as duals like the Shocks or even the "check" lands we normally see in core sets, but they still offer a versatile effect, which means they have been very affordable. A vast majority of expensive cards right now are from RTR block or M14.
JOU is a great example of third set done right too, continuing the themes of the block, adding a new element with Constellation that invites brand new deck building ideas and it rounds out the meta cycle of the gods with 5 very cool gods.I will adamantly defend this block from anyone who hates on it, it has some of most enjoyable flavour and story we have seen in Magic, it's got an extremely enjoyable and balanced draft format that throws common ideas of what is powerful and not to the wind (for example, "Voltron" aura strategies) whilst still retaining the opportunity for player skill and importantly, wizards was actually able to do the impossible and give us powerful celestial beings as real cards that aren't broken or insane (see games like Yu-Gi-Oh for examples of how NOT to do this kind of thing).
I LOVE Theros block and JOU is more of what I love about magic :)
April 15, 2014 4:31 a.m.
SwiftDeath says... #15
I keep going on about it with my friends. From a casual standpoint JOU fills out the block very nicely from a hardcore/competitive standpoint there is a large amount of disappointing cards that could have been made playable through small text changes. The best cards we have right now are, ok I just checked the spoilers and we got the best card for Death and Taxes it is called Aegis of the Gods: 1W Enchantment Creature-Human Solider, You have Hexproof 2/2 this is the best card they have spoiled so far. Other note worthy cards include Master of the Feast could see it's way into a Mono B, B/W or B/R Aggro builds; Gnarled Scarhide for the same decks as MotF; Ajani, Mentor of Heroes for Bant Walkers as a walker that can search for other walkers and other utility; Athreos, God of Passage for B/W aggro as a way to keep threats on board or make your opponent pay 3 life per threat; and Kruphix, God of Horizons for a possible Bant Control build. As of this post's timing these are the few cards I see making it into current builds that are played competitively if more cards get spoiled then this could all change. As far as prices go the prices will go down the amount depends on if it finds a home in standard or any eternal format and how much of a staple that card becomes in said format.
April 15, 2014 5:44 a.m.
Wait. So you're annoyed that the cards arw so good they're expensive?
April 15, 2014 6:20 a.m.
Dalektable says... #17
I know the feeling, man. I absolutely love JOU, but as always preorder is really high. Wait a bit and the price will drop.
Ps, I'm getting a job soon almost solely so I can fuel my Magic the Gathering habits. I have a problem.
April 15, 2014 8:09 a.m.
I don't care what other people think. Compared to Born of the Gods... Journey into Nyx, is a Gift from the Gods.
Cards are at least 10x more playable (yet not overly broken), the flavour is a little better... and even the artwork is a bit more appealing.
Of course, I understand that this is inflating the pre-order prices... but I would rather have to wait to get some cards, than not even want to play them in the first place.
The nice thing about having a lot of inflated price cards is that you can open packs and get value... if they are not the cards you want, they are likely still tradeable.
April 15, 2014 9:01 a.m.
There are so many fantastic, balanced cards in this set. Honestly, I love it. I'm going to really enjoy buying up these cards.
April 15, 2014 9:59 a.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #21
I think the set is being over hyped in terms of constructed power and playable cards. The cards are very creative and dripping with flavor though. I'm excited for Limited with the whole block, should be a blast.
April 15, 2014 10:43 a.m.
HarbingerJK says... #23
basically this entire block was a let down, save for a few cards here and there
April 15, 2014 1:08 p.m.
Dalektable says... #24
TitansFTW That i have an obsession with this game, lol? that's what I was referencing
April 15, 2014 2:31 p.m.
I have an obsession too Dalektable, but I can't get a job
April 15, 2014 2:52 p.m.
megawurmple says... #26
Dalektable Yep. An MTG obsession is definitely a blessing. It makes you less likely to become obsessed with other things, and means that you get to play more Magic. It's a win-win.
April 15, 2014 3:10 p.m.
Dalektable says... #27
TitansFTW I might be playing magic on a daily basis and obsessively building decks, but at least I'm not doing meth behind the school.
April 15, 2014 4:56 p.m.
megawurmple says... #28
My point exactly. Magic keeps people away from law breaking and unhealthy habits.
April 15, 2014 5:21 p.m.
Some1TookMyName says... #29
I dropped out of my fall classes when I started playing magic and lost some of the great shape I was in... needless to say, to the point of the actual thread and not the last few post, I like it but Im disappointed, I was really looking forward to a better Pharika and hopefully there's more gorgons to be released.. Archetype of Finality was a real let down (for me) as being the only gorgon in BNG.
April 15, 2014 5:22 p.m.
I'm still at a loss for those who say this set is a let down. Do you even play other formats beside limited and Standard? The whole block so far is full of cards that are great for EDH and Modern, not to mention Standard. I'd like to know why everyone is disappointed.
April 15, 2014 6:13 p.m.
@DrFunk27: Everyone is disappointed because there isn't anything particularly exciting for standard in this set, or really this whole block. Since Innistrad rotated, people were really hoping for some awesome stuff from this block to replace Inn, and it has been a serious disappointment. As far as other formats, I haven't seen much that is going to see heavy play in modern. EDH has gotten a few fun cards, but I think most of us are driven more by standard than EDH.
April 15, 2014 6:16 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #32
Lol, I agree completely with TitansFTW. I too fully intend to get a job this summer, but it''l be financing my college education, not my Magic collection... Damn priorities!
Jeez SpaderAce, you're taking 4 AP classes and play tennis and Magic? I'm only taking 3 AP classes and I'm feeling so burdened! How do you get any sleep?
Okay, on topic. This set. No, actually this block. Is. Amazing! Yes, even Born of the Gods was fun to draft, even if there are hardly any playable cards in it. I am beyond excited to draft and play this set. Some of the cards are amazing (see the Dictate cycle, Athreos, Ajani, and Mana Confluence ) and I can't wait to get my hands on them, even if I have to wait for the preorder hype to drop since I am a poor high schooler as well.
April 15, 2014 6:34 p.m.
Gorgosaurusrex says... #33
Dalektable I just bought a house and am spending my remodel/repair budget on cards in anticipation of the next set. My friends say that "I have a magic problem"... Well I don't have a problem with my it and that's all that counts ;D
April 15, 2014 7:22 p.m.
I think the main reason why I don't like this set specifically, and this whole block too, is that there are practically no good commons and uncommons (yes there are some, but there are really only a few playable cards in each set that are standard playable, and they are typically rares). And, GoldGhost012, it's all about doing about 50% of the Calc BC hw (and still maintain an A), Lang is practically no hw, AP U.S. History, for my teacher at least, is like 4 hours of hw due every 2 1/2 weeks. But AP Chem is the killer, and I'm currently failing it even though it's the only one that I really spend any time on. The teacher is pretty bad, and everyone fails all the tests, but I still have hope to bring it up!
April 15, 2014 9:39 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #35
Well, it's not like we've seen many commons or uncommons. We still have 100 cards left to be spoiled, the vast majority of them commons and uncommons.
April 15, 2014 9:42 p.m.
Theros block was the reset button for ISD/RTR power creep
April 16, 2014 12:40 a.m.
ChrisHansonBiomancin says... #37
Regarding the prices, if history teaches us anything, it's that the vast majority of cards will see a drop-off in price. Right now, cards are priced based on speculation, and everyone's imagination always runs wild as they think of ways to build around new cards. Then, after the set is released, reality sets in, and some cards that seem powerful drop significantly because they don't fit into a popular archetype. The forces of supply and demand take over, so to speak. Moral of the story: give it time.
kmcree says... #2
Honestly, most of this whole block has been a let down. I was really hoping from some good Golgari stuff finally, you know, since Nyx is the underworld. But no, Golgari gets fucked again. I think the flavor of the block is fun, but from a competitive standpoint, it blows.
April 15, 2014 2:02 a.m.