[Premium Article] So Many Insane Plays -- Reflections on Chicago

[Smmenen]

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/misc/17220_So_Many_Insane_Plays_Reflections_on_Chicago_The_JanFeb_Vintage_Metagame_Report.html

In addition to my full tournament report, I discuss a range of other related issues and topics. I'll try to answer any questions here. Enjoy!

[C.P.]

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/misc/17220_So_Many_Insane_Plays_Reflections_on_Chicago_The_JanFeb_Vintage_Metagame_Report.html

In addition to my full tournament report, I discuss a range of other related issues and topics. I'll try to answer any questions here. Enjoy!

Nice article. Your view on NLU and the future of the archtype was very interesting and insightful. I enjoyed reading it greatly.

Keep up the great work.


I think it would be a tremendous error if Wizards banned Sensei’s Divining Top. The metagame created by Counterbalance-Top is diverse and fair, and clearly popular. If they banned top, I think it would result in something of a reversion. I think that this metagame is clearly healthier and more diverse than the one that was dominated and defined by Goblins. Banning Top would return the Counterbalance Goyf decks to more closely resemble Dave Kaplan’s deck, or variants thereof, and I don’t think that would be a good thing. The loss of the source of card advantage would make the format even more tempo oriented, and make slower decks even less viable. I believe that the squeeze Counterbalance puts on the format is the opposite of the one that Mana Drain puts on Vintage. It forces players to run higher casting cost spells. Thus, things like Wrath of God and Elspeth have a potential role. Do we really want Elves to be a top deck in this format? I believe that would happen if Top was banned.

Kodos! Someone actually wants top in the format.

[rleader]

Do we really want Elves to be a top deck in this format?

Elves, no. But it seems people really hate goblins far too much. Because even in the time of werebear and predict, all the "smart" players always ran thresh over goblins, anyway, even though they admitted goblins was the better deck.

Anyway, it seems there's a weird history of pseudo-rationality that dominates what "we" don't want the format to be defined by. And of course, there's more than one we and not all "we's" are held to be equal in the discussion.

[Zach Tartell]

In addition to my full tournament report, I discuss a range of other related issues and topics. I'll try to answer any questions here. Enjoy!

Let's start with, "What did you play?"

[DireLemming]

I agree with C.P., a thoroughly good read. Your articles are what got me to resubscribe to Premium.

[Volt]

I agree with C.P., a thoroughly good read. Your articles are what got me to resubscribe to Premium.

Me too.

[mossivo1986]

I saw mennindian at GP Chicago and I almost said hi.... But then my round started. Haha

Anyways I didn't get to read the article but everyone says you did a good job and from what I understand you actually stated that you misplayed sometimes.

Thank you for being honest. I had soo much fun at GP chicago and I hope next years pallot of gp's comes back to somewhere close as well. This trip was totally worth it. Well besides for the skunk on that friday night I almost got sprayed by.

[Volt]

I saw mennindian at GP Chicago

This brings me to my one complaint... There are either too many or not enough n's in Menendian's name. I'm not sure which, yet.

[cane]

Your take on NLU was indeed interesting and enjoyable.
I've tried both your list and the one from LSV, and although yours looks so much better in theory, I have found LSV's better in practice.

Although not in the mirror, obviously.

From your article, I take it, you could state the reason is the skill-level of opponents I played against is lower then the ones you were anticipating.
Ofc my findings are biased for currently only being able to test on MWS and I played LSV's list a lot more then yours.
(I lost 1 match with LSV's list (out of the 30 something) and won 1 with yours (out of 6))
Any reflections on this other then I am incapable of using your build and just have given it too little practiceruns?

Do you still stand bye the 3/3 cb/sdt split and if so, what are some possible reasons you would change your opinion on the matter? I understand your original reasoning, but I don't agree with it.

Sadly, I am out of relevant legacy questions for you at this particular moment.

sidenote: gratz on achieving 6(7) out of your 10 goals