T O P I C R E V I E W |
keywacat | I am curious to see what other people think of the sets in Innistrad block, especially the long-term EDH implications. When I saw the first Innistrad cards, I loved the set. Loved the look, the feel, the tropes, everything, especially after the visual nightmares of New Phyrexia. I decided early on that I wanted to buy a full foil set for the art, story and EDH. My budgetary limit was $396 including post, an average of $1.50 per card for all of them. Not easy, but I did find a seller at that price. Thought I would do the same for the whole block, though somehow Dark Ascension and Avacyn Restored do not quite engender the same emotions as Innistrad. When I look over the spoiler for Dark Ascension I see a few cards that stand out and a bunch of chaff / situational cards. Avacyn Restored just builds on this. A few miracles, a few angels, some lands, but the set overall just does not look as good. Especially red. The red cards, when taken together, are just not terribly interesting. Am I jaded from the high bar Innistrad set, or do other people feel the same? Would anyone recommend buying foil Dark Ascension or Avacyn Restored sets as things that will hold their value or remain eminently playable, or should I just search out the dozen or so cards from each set I want? (what I want is pretty much the same as everyone else that understands the game wants… Thoughts?
__________________ "Trade to trade, not to keep" -Suq'Ata motto
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Derg | I dunno. I rather enjoy the set/storyline. It reminds me of the old D&D Ravenloft storylines which I was a huge fan. The sets make sense with the abilites in each set. I'm a fan of them so far as this is the set that has drawn me back into the game. I have been off since Kamigawa. |
keywacat | I agree with you there about the storylines, but for some reason Avacyn Restored did not seem to mesh with Innistrad for me. Then I read http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/misc/24037_Who_Let_Dan_Brown_In_Here_Avacyn_Restoreds_Flavor_Hits_And_Misses.html/ and it clarified things. It is terribly jarring to go from a world full of vampires, zombies, werewolves and victims to suddenly have that world purged of werewolves with vampires as the victims and a few lost zombies shuffling about.
[Edited 6 times, lastly by keywacat on May 04, 2012] |
coasterdude84 | I was disappointed a bit too. Innistrad had that great gothic horror theme to it, carried it a little bit, but then AVR seems to just be Angels Vs. Demons Part 2. Like you said, no werewolves, fewer vampires, and a handful of lost zombies and ghosts floating around. One of the other things I find irritating is how the blocks all need to end in some great upheaval lately. For example: Innistrad, has a huge change when Avacyn gets released. Mirrodin part 2, Phyrexians take over. Zendikar, the Eldrazi come. Why can't we just go to a world, enjoy it for 3 sets, and then leave it the same way, like with did with the orignal Mirrodin or Ravnica? Zendikar would have been far more interesting if the Eldrazi stayed a big mystery. If they wanted to do those cards at some point, fine, but do it years later and say, "hey by the way, Zendikar is under seige." |
keywacat | CoasterDude, Zendikar would have been fantastic if handled your way. |
Derg | I like your thinking. I too think it should have stayed dark for all the sets. Then when revisted start introducing the angels vs demons storyline. Oh well c'est la vie. |
keywacat | Is there anything in AVR for any format other than standard or EDH? I took more time to look over the set and read some card potential analysis articles, and it I get the idea that once it rotates out of standard it will only be of value to collectors and EDH players. Anyone have a different assessment? |
Irate | definately avacyn rubbish. I'm not a T2 player and haven't been for a loong time though so don't really get absorbed by the mechanics and theme of any particular block. Didn't like the Humans/Vampires etc concepts as it didn't seem to have any longevity. Although I found out that my Crovax the Cursed counts as a vampire I've had a look at the set. It looks pretty I like how miracle cards have different background patterns to other cards. the playability of cards seems exciting for limited/drafting otherwise meh. I do like some of the angels though and temporal mastery. |
flavor_of_the_weak | Avacyn Rubbish cos they are trying to make standard slow again with its high casting cost cards.Only 4 cards i like in this set are Exquisite Blood,Reforge the Soul,Tamiyo, the Moon Sage & Temporal Mastery __________________ Graffitti_Inc + (Z->)90° - (E-N²W)90° = PurpleR.I.P Lucky (1997-2003).
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caquaa | quote: Originally posted by flavor_of_the_weak: Avacyn Rubbish cos they are trying to make standard slow again with its high casting cost cards.
only problem with this, its completely false. You can add as many high cost cards as you'd like, but as long as there are viable options for low cost cards, those will be the ones that see play. Are you going to cast lingering souls or avacyn? yah... hard choice |
Zeckk | quote: Originally posted by caquaa: [QUOTE]Originally posted by flavor_of_the_weak: Avacyn Rubbish cos they are trying to make standard slow again with its high casting cost cards.
only problem with this, its completely false. You can add as many high cost cards as you'd like, but as long as there are viable options for low cost cards, those will be the ones that see play. Are you going to cast lingering souls or avacyn? yah... hard choice [/QUOTE]True, and even in the context of AVR, the soulbound guys are already proving themselve sto be constructed viable, with lightning mauler and silverblade paladin making a top 8 standard list this weekend at a SCG event, along with a single Wolfir Silverheart. It's definitely a disappointment that R&D crapped on black so hard for this latest set, but it's not surprising. |
keywacat | Still, anyone see anything for legacy / vintage in the set? Every set has something to shake up standard... |
bstrom213 | You guys do know that the set just came out right? I still haven't received a single card I pre-ordered, so I doubt the power of the entire set has been tapped into yet |
keywacat | True, though what I am curious about is the long-term value and playability of the beyond EDH post-standard rotation. My assumption here is that people are now, and have been, testing the set already for 'eternal' formats. |
Lord Crovax | My favorite is how people are like set sucks did nothing during the open, serious? sets been out how many days now? Wait a few months, then let me know what works or doesn't work, not a day... __________________ I shall have the souls of all who defy me. "Lord Crovax"
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MAB_Rapper | quote: Originally posted by keywacat: Still, anyone see anything for legacy / vintage in the set? Every set has something to shake up standard...
Yes. Temporal Mastery and Cavern of Souls saw play at a 50 player Vintage tourney on Saturday. __________________ MOTL's Most Likely to Play in the Pro Tour - 2007, 2008, and 2009 (My 2008 Nationals) The Official Tower Magic Facebook Page
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gaeacradle | quote: Originally posted by Zeckk: True, and even in the context of AVR, the soulbound guys are already proving themselve sto be constructed viable, with lightning mauler and silverblade paladin making a top 8 standard list this weekend at a SCG event, along with a single Wolfir Silverheart. It's definitely a disappointment that R&D crapped on black so hard for this latest set, but it's not surprising.
Yeah, I'm glad WR Soulbound Humans are getting a look. That was one of the deck I wanted to play, but too bad it requires 4 Cavern of Souls. |
Lord Crovax | quote: Originally posted by gaeacradle: Yeah, I'm glad WR Soulbound Humans are getting a look. That was one of the deck I wanted to play, but too bad it requires 4 Cavern of Souls.
I can't seem to find the list, have any links? As this is what I've been wanting to play as well. __________________ I shall have the souls of all who defy me. "Lord Crovax"
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gaeacradle | quote: Originally posted by Lord Crovax: I can't seem to find the list, have any links? As this is what I've been wanting to play as well.
http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=45925 Also, a writer on CFB wrote about the archetype: http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/silvestri-says-%E2%80%93-a-tribe-called-human/
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Lord Crovax | quote: Originally posted by gaeacradle: http://sales.starcitygames.com//deckdatabase/displaydeck.php?DeckID=45925Also, a writer on CFB wrote about the archetype: [URL=http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/silvestri-says-%E2%80%93-a-tribe-called-human/]http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/silvestri-says-%E2%80%93-a-tribe-called-human/[/ URL]
Hmm must of glossed over the 6th place finish, still hope the 2R, 3/1 Human is worth playing, he just looks so good on paper, specially with Gather the Townsfolk. __________________ I shall have the souls of all who defy me. "Lord Crovax"
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Jtrade77 | Personally I hated Innistrad and disliked Dark Ascension, but love Avacyn Restored. I think because I like angels and detest double-faced cards. |
AlmostGrown | For me, the flavor was only so-so and the playability of the set was just plain awful. |
Nitelite | quote:
Personally I hated Innistrad and disliked Dark Ascension, but love Avacyn Restored. I think because I like angels and detest double-faced cards.
This. I didn't mind Dark Ascension so much but couldn't get into Innistrad. Loving Avacyn Restored though. |