Subject: [Misc]:The changing face of M:TG Date: Tue, 01 Dec 1998 13:58:30 PST From: "Mike Clark" To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com First off, I'd like to say that I'm no expert on the game of M:TG. Yes I've spent the better part of approximately 3 years learning the game, and by no small miracle, I've memorized hundreds upon hundreds of cards such that I know exactly what each card does on a simple glance. When I first got into the game I was fascinated by it's many charms, and loved Bronze Tablet, and Amulet of Quoz, before I read that you couldn't play them unless you were playing ante. I had visions of creating an "Ultimate" deck that would defeat all of my friends at LCCVI in Petrolia. That is until Ron Mellis told me I couldn't do such thing as there was a counter to everything, and the game depended on a bit of luck. I was fine with that. Now fast forward about 3 years. I'm no longer a scrub, I had a vicious falling out with Ron, as me and his brother nearly came to blows, and I'd like to integrate my old group of friends with the guys I play Magic with in Future Pastimes in Sarnia (Ron included), that is if I can find them. The game has changed and grown exponentially in that time as well. There are now 15 expansions for the game, 6 editions of the basic set (Sixth Edition will become the seventh), and endless supplements, and new rules it would make anyone's head spin if they've been away from the game for any extended period of time, oh and one other thing has changed. Until Jan. 1, 1999, Ron has been proven wrong. I'm talking about the infamous "Academy" deck, and if the bannings, posted here via Germany are correct, it will continue to dominate. Why, you ask? It's a simple matter. The DCI will be banning the wrong cards. Windfall is not broken, Tolarian Academy might be, and in Classic (Type 1), Stroke of Genius is a little overpowered, yet the DCI forgot about the two cards that simply push this deck over the edge. Mind Over Matter, and Time Spiral Why, you ask again? Again, it's simple. Both cards always have been, and will be, broken. When Mind Over Matter first saw the light of day in Exodus people were already planning decks around this puppy with Prosperity, and Mana Vaults, and kick tail fireballs. Time Spiral is another matter entirely. When I first heard of this little gem from the Urza's Saga partial spoilers on mtgnews.com in September I was saying "has R&D lost their collective minds. That card is superior to Timetwister," and my claims of it being broken were quelled by John Silvestri (our other resident Magic expert.) How wrong he was. I didn't see "Academy" coming and I knew it was broken. The "Academy" deck can be fine tuned and modified to meet the new environment after the bans take effect in the new year, however other decks now get at least a fighting chance. Under the proper circumstances 3rd turn MoMa, 4th turn it fires. Some fighting chance. Only a black/blue discard type deck has any real chance of beating the "Academy," that is if the bans go as predicted in Deutschland. This last paragraph is a warning to M:TG players everywhere. Those who don't learn from history tend to repeat it. Hymn to Tourach was restricted in the Summer of 1996 yet Necro decks continued to dominate Standard (Type 2) for the rest of the "Black Summer." I'm no Nostradamus, but... You never know Du Hast Meich Jersey Man Mike Clark ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com