Holiday acquistions

 Its been a good couple weeks in magic card hording. First- a really good trade:

I coughed up my etched foil Verdant Catacombs and my extra Morden Masters edition of Aether Vial I no longer needed after getting my matching set of Iconic Masters. I am building out blue artifacts deck, aka 8-Cast. Why not... gives me something to shoot for. I also picked up a 5th Urza's Saga. I didn't set out to get it, but I realized a couple different decks I wanted to play used them. My D&T, the 8-Cast, and also a g/w/b Depths deck I have been admiring. I also think it s a really good card to invest in moving forward. 

Death's Shadow has never been on my radar, but they are cheap right now... and who knows. 

Second pick up:

When I got back into Legacy, D&T was the deck I liked for the toolbox approach. These lands were $90, went up to almost $120 until MM25 pushed them down. Thats when I got my Ports, the MM25 edition. I lost money on them, no question. The price kept falling after I got them... down to almost $10. They have gone back up, but nothing the original. And only because the Yorian D&T deck houses r/u decks. (I am currently super liking that deck)

I've always wanted to get these. They just look better, and feel better in my opinion. I am happy to have them. My mantra has always been- buy land and artifacts, trade for the rest. Its done me well so far. Not planning to change it.

I also got a Midnight Hunt bundle from my kids for Christmas. I didn't realize they put Set Boosters in them now. Makes it better and nicer in my opinion. I open pack one, BAM!

The Meathook Massacre foil. Know anyone who needs or wants one? 

Related notes- not a freaking chance I am going back to the weekly legacy until Maryland's covid numbers are sane again. (currently clocking in at over 20% positive results. Sane is under 5%.)

First in store legacy play in about two years

 Its been a while.

So long that the my regular store was sold, and re-named in that time. (From MTG First, to Level Up) So long that they were using the Companion app, and I had only downloaded it but never used it. So long that the regular weekly Legacy crew was 10 people. (well, actually, that felt normal)

I decided to take Yorian D&T (now with Sagas!), not because I hate myself, but I didn't know what to expect that this seemed like the deck that could handle just about any matchup. It was the most tool-box version of the deck ever, and damnit, it would eat Delver for lunch. (maybe)

Round 1 vs Goblins

GOBLINS?! Seriously? 

Game 1- One of the most stupid games of Magic I have played in a very long time. It felt great. I didn't find a Plains until turn, ummmmm, turn 15? He wiffed on a Muxus drop, seriously, 0-6. I got through a Sling Gang and a HORDE of 1/1 goblin tokens. Totally forgot about Yorian, but remembered just in time. 

Game 2- Goblins overwhelmed my EXTREMELY slow start... I did get rid of the Lackey first thing, but that was it. 

Game 3- Felt really good with a Kaldera out by turn 4, but FREAKING Masked Vandal exists. Seriously? Sigh. Good top deck, and on to match 2.

Round 2 vs Reanimator  (Larry)

Game 1- A VERY weird game vs Reanimator... highlights include him animating my Sanctum Prelate and setting the number to 56. 

Game 2- I nearly dumped my entire sideboard into the deck. Taking out the Stoneforge package and mostly bad stuff. Then got crushed by keeping a ok-ish hand, and him reanimating stuff that hurt my head.

Game 3- We both mulled to 5, but my 5 was amazing. I got out my Cage, followed by a Surgical on all his Griselbrands (why? because I know he has Cage answers in his deck somewhere and I am removing threats when I see them), and we sat and stared at each other for a bit but then two Urza's Sagas got me over the finish line. 

I was done in enough time to actually watch other play. It was amazing! I even joked that I would play another re-animator player in round 3.

Round 3 vs Reanimator (Ryan)

*sigh* Damn my visions!

Equally- why reanimator?!!?!?

Game 1- I managed to eek out a win, don't remember how to be honest. 

Game 2- I sided in much of my sideboard again, but didn't find much of anything to deal with a Serra's Emissary on creature. Couldn't top deck a StP to have a chance. Oh well, it happens. Funny side note- Exhume is a balanced card. Turns out I got one too... so my Solitude could return to kill something else off. Too bad it didn't make a difference with Emissary out.

Game 3- We both mull, I find lots of answers to whatever he throws out- Karakas, StP, Solitude, Thalia, and other lands. I was sitting pretty. He re-animates Serra again, and considers if I have a StP or a Solitude. He chooses creature, and comments "you probably have both...." And he was right. I just Swords the Serra, and I proceed to roll the white weenie army.

 

After thoughts-

There were three players with Sky Noodle(tm), but only two on the D&T train. I discovered both Reanimator players, a Goblins player, lands, U/R hot pile of cards, and no clue the other ones. Not a bad smattering, and happy at the lack of Monkeys in the room. 

Hopefully I can go again next week... looking forward to bringing something else maybe. Dragon Stompy maybe? Or even S&S.... even though its an awful choice right now, it is a fun deck to play. Though D&T did feel like it had game against most crap other people were attempting, the downside is, I'd likely hit the other D&T player at some point and I am not sure if I want to deal with the headache that is that match-up.  Race to Jitte? I am not even sure how to handle it right now...

SL: Mark Poole (a history)

 This was the only Secret Lair that I even snap decided to buy. Once I saw original art Counterspell in blackboarder, done. Oh, and Wasteland, and Howling Mine, and Birds of Paradise. Sweet.

I should have bought at least 2 of these now that I look back, if not 4. Thats my mistake. I am going to get a set of the Wastelands just because. 

However, I have one major problem with SL- the freaking timeline. I kept all the emails WoTC sent, so it is easy to follow. I've seen people open thiers because it was part of a super drop. Me, the only one item order? Nadda. Here we go:

June 22nd- 'ordered' the set.

July 16th- Update saying "we are going to start printing soon!"

October 22nd- Completed order. Which means my credit card was charged.

November 13th- The item has been shipped! However, thats not really the case. Allow me to break down the UPS history: (screen grab from the item's tracking)

    My point being- Good god. 5 Months from announcement to shipping? Is this normal? Yes, the set is supposed to come with a 'bonus' Set Booster of D&D, but that is now like 3 sets ago. Lol.