Need help... mind reviewing this article on Apocalypse and Type I/Casual?

[rakso]

http://www.starcitygames.com/php/news/expandnews.php?Article=1518

I'm trying to get the feel of writing Magic articles for the web, and I do need some feedback.

I don't know if this is the right place, but CPA should be the right site.

Basically, I'd like you guys to to tell me if you feel the ideas are on the right track, relevant to you, and very clearly articulated.

I'd also like to ask if you find the writing too dry or whatever.

Thanks!

 

[Dune Echo]

Looks good to me, the summations are correct for Type 1. However, I think the Putrid Warrior can be interesting because it can be essentially a 3/2 creature against your opponent that makes you lose 1 life when it deals damage. Remember that Flesh Reaver is supposed to be good. Also, it gets around Worship and such because Putrid Warrior causes life loss. Also, I think that Ebony Treefolk turns out to be quite an efficient creature. As efficient as some, no, but not a bad creature by any means.

 

[rakso]

To be honest, I was considering Ebony Treefolk.

I figured, however, that it was not in a good color combination and you might not always have the mana to pump it a lot (you might have a disproportionate amount of mana).

And, I figured that it's a 3-mana creature that still dies to too many things.

Good point about Putrid Warrior, though.

Thanks for the feedback. I thought the article was too long and crammed too many ideas in there (which is why I passed up talking about Ebony Treefolk, etc., except to make a note about gold 2/2s in passing!).

One thing about my writing: I want it to be relevant to "competitive" and "casual" player alike.

 

[Spiderman]

I thought it was pretty good. I don't really play so I have no idea how relevant your card examples in the latter half of the article are, but I like the beginning part about "benchmarks" and using Duress and Hymn as examples.

 

[theorgg]

Direct, to the point, and interesting.

For my tastes, which were developed on Jamie C. Wakefield's ten page reports, was a bit short and should have been a few paragraphs longer, but then again, it's about as long as most Mindripper reports, anyway.

All in all a good read, and well thought out.

Also, Rakso, has Meridianmagic's mailing list just died or am I not getting it?

 

[rakso]

Meridian list? Still active. It's now moderated by Rune Horvik, to filter out spam.

 

[rakso]

Part II out:

http://www.starcitygames.com/php/news/expandnews.php?Article=1557

June 18, 2001
You CAN play Type I: Rating New Cards Part II
by Oscar Tan

The key is not whether the card is more efficient than a similar card, but whether it is more efficient than the card you would have to remove from your deck. Thus, when looking at an interesting new four-mana enchantment you need to remember that for four mana, you get effects as powerful and global as Abyss, Moat, and Ivory Mask. You have to keep asking yourself: "Will I actually cut a card from my deck for this?" (Or, "Can I build a completely new deck?")

Now - what might make the cut?

 

[Landkiller]

I think you overlooked many cards that could make the cut for a type 1 deck. Now, they may not be T1 banned or restricted or even staples, but in decks that use the opposing colors, often nothing better has been printed than the cards Apocalypse offers.

Also, keep in mind that with Duallands and new painlands, and Mox Diamond, they are not difficult to play.

To the point :

Spectral Lynx (Just a good creature)
Gerrard's Verdict (with Hymn)
Goblin Legionnaire (R/W sligh with Savannah Lions and STP)
Prophetic Bolt (Borderline, but I think it's unique and powerful)
Fire/Ice (Flexible card advantage)
Mask of Intolerance (possible sb vs. Dualland heavy decks)
Dodecapod (POWERFUL vs. Discard. Wheel of Fortune, Balance, and Black decks)
Vindicate (If you're playing the colors, why not)
Guided Passage (Well, they are putting three T1 quality cards in your hand)

 

[rakso]

Er... thanks for the comments, but creatures were discussed in Part I of that column while the rest will be discussed in Part III, which has not yet been put up.

Did you find Part II (which dealt with enchantments and artifacts only) helpful for you?

 

[Landkiller]

I thought the article was fine. I had thought it was a complete series in 2 parts, so I was naming a bunch of stuff you missed.