We are in trouble

Below is a fake Magic card, a Tarmogyf from Modern Masters 2017. As of this post, it runs a market price of $66.36 from TCG player.

More and more people are choosing to get the newer Magic cards with the holo-stamp. Its supposed to prove that this card is authentic, very hard to duplicate. Welp, that is no longer the case folks. They nailed the halo stamp. (they being the folks who make fakes)

The good news? This fake still does not pass the light test, it is just too dark. The thickness is about right though. The feel is about right... the card, in a perfect fit sleeve, would never get detected by anyone. 

We are entering a brave new world of fakes. I think if they solve the light test problem, any modern valid card would be completely fakable. We are in trouble if this happens. (we being the magic playing community)

MtG Arena, I quit

I had been a beta tester since the first wave was released. I was looking forward to the draft capability. Build up credit from open play, practice draft. It was the best worlds, get to know the new cards, and draft. That was until this weekend.

I've been very successful in playing the open ended format- in MtG Arena. I had two decks which caused mayhem whenever I played them- B/U disruption then take over with stupid big things. Second was G/R dinos, it curves out and just beats you over the head.
In both cases mana was usually not a problem. I'd get some games where I'd just get overrun because of mana hosing. Nothing I can do with that. But I would say I was 60% plus win percentage with those sorts of decks.

This weekend, I tried the quick constructed. These were, win 9 matches, or get 3 losses. Each win will get you better rewards. Submit your best deck and play. Call it a mini-league.

Well, I tried it three times, and my decks it CRAP. I mean, the mana was completely screwed up, my draws were bad, and basically they fell on their face completely. I have no clue what happened to be honest. These were the same exact decks I was rolling with even the day before this began. I didn't even change anything between "leagues."

It got so bad earlier than I just uninstalled the damn Arena software. How can a deck perform so much differently than just a day previously? I have no clue. I am done that software for a good while. I am just so fed up with it.



Sidenote- I am no fan of Standard. That might be the biggest problem with me playing this format. It is one rotation away from being completely Standard. I am good without ever playing it again. I would actually pay to just draft on-line. That would be fun to me, I just need to figure out if it is "worth it."

Another side note- I don't know how the in game economy of Arena is going to occur. I don't think they are planning to allow trading/selling of cards. It should be interesting to see how they deal with that. I guess the wild cards are the make up.

Legacy side event at SCG Baltimore

I finally got out and played my paper legal DnT deck. I had been considering several different builds, but I went with a slightly stock build. I did chop a Crusader in favor of a Serra Avenger.
Before playing, I picked up a 3rd Rest in Peace from a vendor for $4. I just hate graveyard recursion with a passion.

I need to pick up two Shalai, Voice of Plenty to stock up the different builds I can run.


Here are my results per round:

Deck used for side event

Sideboard used

#1 vs Lands- he had the nut draw in both games. Seriously. Game one he had out Exploration, Crucible, Tabernacle, and multiple Ghost Quarter. I scooped. He could just blow up all my lands. Seriously, I had no outs.
Second game, I kept a reasonable hand with Vial and Rest in Peace, but one land. I figured Vial could help get me there. He blew up my Vial with an Explosives, I got Rest in Peace down, then I tried to get something going but he got the nose over my head before I could do anything. Stupid Krosen Grip. Good lord.

#2 vs R/U Delver. Game one he trampled me with lots of little creatures. No defenses came out, I just got whooped. And he did not play optimally. Gawd.
Game two, I got a Sword of Fire and Ice down, started picking off his creatures, and he crushed my hopes and dreams with direct damage and Price of Progress. *sigh*

0-4 in games.

#3 A BYE! Woot.

#4 R/U something, I assume Delver, but never saw it. Game one I got out two critters with a Sword of Fire and Ice, he ate one of them, I then re-equipped and just took over.
Finally, a win.
Game 2, I got down a Sword of War and Peace down from my SB selection, and it stuck. He couldn't find an answer to pro-red, and I won in short order.

2-2, 40 prize points. I cash them in for 4 packs of Dominaria. Pulled nothing of note, but still- its better than a kick in the teeth.



Notes from the event:

• In our little pod, there were two other DnT players. I guess with the prices of DnT dropping largely due to Rishadan Port being re-printed, the entry bar was lowered quiet a bit.
• The Baltimore convention center had two other events occurring at the same time. One was a cheer competition, the other was a Tattoo convention. Either way, I knew I wasn't at the right location by the attendees I came across. 
• There was plenty of food and drinks for those in attendance, and the bathrooms were decent. 
• There were also some decent food within walking distance of the event as well. 
• I managed to watch Phil Gallagher play for a bit. He was on an of row, end of table during my Bye round. I wanted to say hi and thank you, but did not have time as my next round began before he was done. Then after I was done round 4, he was in the feature match area. Not much chance there. I'm curious to see if he does a write up of his deck from the event.