Magic: The Gathering Options

[Veltan]

As well as being a big Elder Scrolls fan, I'm also a huge Magic: The Gathering fan. I just wanted to know if anyone else here likes the game, and to see their views on, and ideas about, the game.

P.S. - My absolute-favorite-card-of-all-time is Havoc Demon! What's yours?

[Azura's Star]

I actually taught the game to my mom, because there was not a single MTG player at my old school, and I was getting desperate.

Anyway, I like the game a lot, but I think the recent editions have been extremely stupid. Early in the game, you had to think of good combinations by using your own creativity (Viashino + Furious Assault, Necropotence + black minnies). More recently, such combinations have been spoon-fed to players (Wellwisher + Elves, the use of Avatars), which has effectively taken away the usefulness of intelligence in playing the game. It makes me rather angry, but I have a cousin who feels the same way I do, so we can play together without any trouble.

My favorite card is probably Viashino Cutthroat. I love that card.

Just for kicks, I came up with a hand which will win the game in the first turn. If you're playing casual (i.e., you can mulligan infinite times without losing cards, as long as you have no lands), you can craft a deck around this hand that is guaranteed to win every game. The hand:

1 Serra Avatar
1 Sneak Attack
1 Lightning Bolt (optional)
1 Sol Ring
1 Mox Ruby
1 Lotus Petal
1 Black Lotus

Tap all your mana for red, play Sneak Attack, use its ability to play the Serra Avatar, which, this being the first turn, is a 20/20, and attack. Use the spare mana and the lightning bolt to clear out any minnies your opponent might have played if (s)he went first, or to add overkill. Since the combo requires no lands, you can make a land-free deck, and, in casual play, keep misdealing forever until you get a hand that works.

Mwahahaha.