[Article] Unlocking Legacy - The Rise of Stifle

[JeroenC]

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/legacy/16920_Unlocking_Legacy_The_Rise_of_Stifle.html

Weird title. I expected an article explaining the strengths and weaknesses of Stifle, as a card, in Legacy. Instead what we got was some ranting about Legacy coverage at Worlds, two decklists everybody knows, some personal opinions about the deck archetypes and a bunch of T8's. I wouldn't call something that's 75% Copy-Paste an article. Definitely not if the other 25% is just some personal ranting and opinions.
I hope it's okay for me to link here and rant in the OP, but if it's not, I'm deeply sorry.

[Jaiminho]

There are 2 sections numbered as IV. He may have done this because the first one is completely useless.

The article was very bad to read, mostly because of unconnected sentences, forced full stops and lack of deep analysis on anything. It seriously needed more analysis on why Stifle is good, as that's what the title calls for. All I can see is what both decks have in common and what they don't.

[Shawon]

I'm really glad that I actually read the feedback on articles before I read the article itself. Saves me a lot of time (and grief, I suppose).

[Volt]

This article looks like the product of someone who waited until 3 hours before the deadline and then realized "Oh crap, I have to write an article!" Not one of Coppola's better efforts. In all fairness, a good editor would have fixed some of the problems, but it looks like it was published without being edited.

[JeroenC]

I've been wondering after realising some of the latest Unlocking Legacy articles are pretty bad... Is writing these articles a paid hobby or just a hobby?

[Shawn]

Thoughtseize is spelled incorrectly three times... Do the editors on SCG proofread the articles before posting them?

[morgan_coke]

That article is made of fail.

[Eldariel]

In this metagame, Stifle is still the best mana denial card printed; the other uses it has (besides ones involving your own deck) are mostly incidential, but the fact that it can stop EE, O-Ring, Powder Keg, etc. just adds to its versatility.

Dreadstill has a pretty awesome 1-2-3 punch of being able to act as a dedicated mana disruption deck with Stifle, Bind and Waste, a dedicated tempo deck with Dreadnought+Counterbalance+free counters+mana denial, and as a control-deck with Standstill, counters, Factories and Counterbalance. The pieces are just interwoven really well and the deck is seamlessly able to switch roles. Goyf-versions are definitely more aggressive and less versatile, which might contribute to the Goyfless build seeing more success. Also, of course, the less colours, the less suspectible the deck is to the omnipresent mana denial.[/article]

[Giles]

Ummmm, really?

This article looks like the product of someone who waited until 3 hours before the deadline and then realized "Oh crap, I have to write an article!" Not one of Coppola's better efforts. In all fairness, a good editor would have fixed some of the problems, but it looks like it was published without being edited.
I would say the exact same thing.

[Jaiminho]

[Lots of things]

You > Coppola.

[mercenarybdu]

Stifle is a good card, but it's only good if you have lots of uses to it. I currently see Stifle as only a good SB card (unless you are playing Dreadnaughts).

[Ebinsugewa]

Stifle is a good card, but it's only good if you have lots of uses to it. I currently see Stifle as only a good SB card (unless you are playing Dreadnaughts).

Have you ever even played Legacy? Sweet Jesus are there a bunch of Stifle targets in this format.

[JeroenC]

True. If I'm playing a blue deck that can play Stifle, it will play Stifle. With or without Naught.

[Bardo]

True. If I'm playing a blue deck that can play Stifle, it will play Stifle. With or without Naught.

I think the card is a bit overrated -- Stifle is not on the level of Force of Will or Brainstorm, as you imply.

It serves an essential strategic role in both Dreadstill and Team America, but that's because those decks are designed to gain maximum effect with the card. In Team America, by supplementing its mana disruption theme (with Sinkhole and Wasteland); doing the same in Dreadstill (to a lesser extent), but also "combo-ing" the eponymous card in the deck.

In most other blue-based decks that aren't advancing an LD strategy or have some other gimmick (for lack of a better term), Stifle will generally find a use (even if it's just getting pitched to Force), can randomly hit Wasteland and fetchland activations, but doesn't do all that much. Back in the day, you could reasonably count on beating storm combo with it, but they run too much protection these days (primarily, Orim's Chant) to make it even usable there.

Just being versatile isn't enough to be played when you have access to 15 years of cards. Again, a couple of decks make the card shine, but that doesn't mean you should shuffle it into ever deck that can tap for blue.

[JeroenC]

I probably exaggerated more than just a bit there. Which is of course why I added "if it can play Stifle". What I was trying to say was: if I can and it suits the deck, I will try my best to fit Stifle in. Of course it's not a complete must-play, but it's a powerful card nonetheless.

[TheInfamousBearAssassin]

It felt like some good ideas that were undeveloped and rushed out the door with some decklists and t8's in order to make a deadline.

[Ebinsugewa]

It felt like some good ideas that were undeveloped and rushed out the door with some decklists and t8's in order to make a deadline.

I think it's kind of a shame that this is a blanket description of a lot of Unlocking Legacy articles.

[Whit3 Ghost]

Not mentioning Canadian Thresh in an article with Stifle in the title is just bad form.

Other than that, it just seemed rushed and short.

[ParkerLewis]

I don't even know how to comment on this "article". No matter what I would say, it seems like it would end up having twice the content of the concerned material, and that just feels wrong.

[scrumdogg]

Have you ever even played Legacy? Sweet Jesus are there a bunch of Stifle targets in this format.

Extremely doubtful, but his post quality has increased exponentially since I figured out how to add him to the Ignore list. Although the mere sight of his handle can inflame the spleen, not having to actually process his words ameliorates the effect. As for Unlocking Legacy, if one approaches it with high expectations, (near) inevitable disappointment results. (Much) lower expectations, however, can not only be met met but exceeded! Reading Hi-Val's articles is usually entertaining, especially if approached as quirky commentary on his viewpoint of the format as opposed to say cutting edge innovation or solid assaults on the DTB end of the format. Anwar is solid if brief (but I would rather someone be succinct than overblown...and real life certainly trumps a hobby). Bardo should definitely come out of retirement... Coppola & Anusien, quite frankly, why even bother? I'm certain there are people who derive enjoyment & value from their contributions, I'm also certain those people don't play Legacy or speak English as a first language...but that is beside the point. Enjoy them, scorn them, loathe them...but realize what your expectations are if you engage them. At that point, if you expect more than they can (will/choose to) deliver, who is truly to blame for your frustration?

[SpatulaOfTheAges]

I'm going to have to disagree pretty strongly with the general concensus.

I thought that as an article aimed at people outside the format, starting to consider their options at Chicago, it was a very good, if simple, article.

It gave decklists and a brief gameplan description of two up and coming decks that people who haven't checked on the format in a while would probably find to be useful jump off points.

It ended somewhat abruptly, but otherwise, I thought it was a fine article.




Really?

Who the fuck cares that the article isn't an in-depth analysis of a card that has been around over half a decade?

[TheInfamousBearAssassin]

People that don't know anything about Legacy make a poor target audience for Legacy articles.

I think people are more upset about the lack of content at all.

I was willing to defend Chris on his last article because it was at least an indepth look at the format for outsiders. This time... not so much.

[SpatulaOfTheAges]

I disagree.

For people who pop into the format whenever a GP or major event is coming up, this was exactly the information they'd be looking for.