Dies to Removal

Even though it does support more, I don't like playing with more. The bases are designed with a certain breakpoint. I've played 5 player a few times and didn't really care for it since I felt like I had far less impact on the game overall (since often I would play a guy and the base would score before it even came back to my turn).

I loved this game so much I actually made a set of 8 custom factions for it. This was back when they only had the Over 9000 expansion, so a few of my factions have since been used (Werewolves and Vampires being the obvious two).

Cthulu Expansion is okay. It slows down the game a bit and adds a Risk VS reward factor. The Sci-Fi expansion is pretty awesome though. Cyborg Apes is all in on voltroning a Minion. Science Police is about reusing cards and bouncing your own minions. Spies are about manipulating your deck and setting up for the long game. Shapeshifters just copy and destroy other minions in play. Haven't picked up the Monster Smash expansion yet.

I'm interested in buying a few more multiplayer games. My girl's coworkers have a family dinner every Sunday that we go to. We drink and usually play Cards Against Humanity, but there's only so many times we can do that before it gets stale.

One of them plays Magic, but the rest have no desire to learn.

I suggested Werewolf, which is played much like mafia here on the forum.

Ideal game time is 45 minutes to an hour. We typically have 4-6 people.

Carcassonne is a shorter one, easy and lots of fun. Get the Inns and Cathedrals expansion too. Let's you play with 6 (base game is 5) and feels like it should have been included in the original set anyway.

Smash Up is also a favourite of mine, but can only really be played with up to 4.

Citadels is a game for 2-8 players that's 45-60 minutes too. Draft new characters each round, use their special powers to assassinate, steal or get bonuses, then buy building cards to complete a city. I highly recommend this one since it's short, involves a bit of deception and gets people really into the game.

Smash Up with multiple expansions supprts more. One of my favorites.

For the record, I don't think he should have been allowed to own a game store given his specific crime. Just, again, like a bank robber shouldn't be allowed to work in a bank.

Maybe if he only stocked adult-rated games or something, but by nature of stocking what I assume are games rated at least teen, it definitely establishes an environment that he shouldn't be allowed to run.

However, if the law says that he can in the first place, then I think the law should protect that right. If people stopped going to his store and that's why he went out of business, then that's fine. If Wizards of the Coast denied him access to buying their product to sell in his store, then I don't think that's fine.

The law allowed it to happen, which in its own right is protecting him. But the law also can't forbid people from doing business with him either. Free market and all that.

But that's just the thing. Is there an actual law that says you can't refuse to do business with someone based on a protected class? Is there a literal law on the books that says a company can't refuse to sell to a store that's owned by someone solely because they belong to a protected class?

If so, and if the government is moving towards a direction in which "criminal" is a protected class (under the belief that once they have served their time, that they are a free person with no less human rights), then I don't see how my opinion that it's wrong that Wizards refused to do business with him - should that even be the case - is so radical.

Why should there be? Do you know how a free market works?

Why should there be laws protecting classes from discrimination?

What you are suggesting is that there should be laws in place for businesses to not discriminate against those they choose to do business with. That is not how free markets work. Laws do protect those to be EMPLOYED by business but laws are not made to force businesses to do business with those they do not seem fit.

For the record, I don't think he should have been allowed to own a game store given his specific crime. Just, again, like a bank robber shouldn't be allowed to work in a bank.

Maybe if he only stocked adult-rated games or something, but by nature of stocking what I assume are games rated at least teen, it definitely establishes an environment that he shouldn't be allowed to run.

However, if the law says that he can in the first place, then I think the law should protect that right.

The law does protect him but economics decided other wise. Can't force people to shop at places they don't want to.

Wizards has the right to refuse business to whoever they want. They didn't shut him down, but they certainly weren't going to condone his previous actions (not to mention potentially endanger children in the process) by keeping him afloat either.

You just said what I was trying to convey in the post you quoted me. Private businesses can refuse to do buisness with whoever they want but society will ultimately decide if said buisness' practices are right or wrong. Wizard's didn't shut him down. Society decided his business was not wanted by choosing to no long support that game store.

I'm not saying it is good or bad btw. Just stating how the machine works.

The lynch mob will only act based on emotions which is why it's a horrible idea to have any kind of involvement of the public when it comes to justice

Justice is supposed to be objective and fair, that angry lynch mob standing outside the court room is anything but that

I don't want anyone to be the victim of the idiocy of the general public, no matter how bad the crimes they have committed

Which unfortunately will never happen at least here in the US with society viewing justice and law throughtheir own perspective which depends on race, sex, income, region, etc. The way I view law/justice varies differently from those who live in Texas for example. Part of it comes from the country becoming highly politicized over the last 10 years.

I don't disagree that law and Justice should be objective but I understand people at least here in the states tend to put their own interpretation of law in and outside the Justice system.

In regards to the sex offender losing his shop because of his past activities Wizards action is not surprising and they have a right as a business to have their product distributed by whoever they decide. All buisness do. This is not right or wrong. Societies views shape what is determined right or wrong at any given time.

Why was he allowed to keep his store after the conviction? Did he not get jail time? If the law says he can have his store, I don't think it's morally right for Wizards to say that he can't (and they definitely know how pulling their product would ruin him).

He had one before he was convicted which was seized upon conviction, went to prison, got out and opened another one.

Sounds like the guy wants to move on with his life and be a part of society again.

Really, he did everything you want an ex-criminal to do. What's the point of even having a justice system if it's just going to be socially acceptible to cut this guy down regardless of his rehabilitation?

Because you are equating that law/justice stands on its own outside of societies norms and perspective. The courts can say one thing but the lynch mob outside can care less.

Seems underpowered in a UR Delver world

No Delver tonight but I agree. Still forcing that bitch anyway.

Played Modern Jund with 3 Rabblemaster. Love that card.

Tell us how you really feel

Buy Savage Knuckleblades. Preferably in bulk.

Got my playset and have been wrecking face with them. Favorite card of the set.

But he's0 playing abzan midrange...

True. He's essentially played the same deck the last few seasons regardless of color make up. Super happy for him as he has done the best out of the 4 from our LGS that went.

Didn't get a second playmat today getting knocked out by double Deflecting Palm from my Jeskai opponent. Got 4th. Loving my Temur Rabble/Knuckleblade deck.

My friend is 8-2 right now at GPLA with Abzan Midrange.

Took first at my game day beating Abzan Midrange using my Temur Aggro deck. Ashcloud Phoenix is boss. Going to try and get a second mat tomorrow.

I can't seem to come up with a good Mardu deck which is frustrating.

I was having the same problem. That is why I have switched over to Temur and having a good ol time with it.

Box mapping has to do with patterns in print runs and if you can collect enough data, you can know the exact contents of each packs in each box you open.

Googling Box mapping gives the specifics, but I saw a thread on sally about it once and it's why I never buy loose packs.

They do this for various other collectible hobbies. Blind box vinyl toy collectors use this info in order to try and obtain rare or variant toys.

Waiting to get my haircut and catching up on the thread. No Photoshop powers on me right now.

I'm staying away from small red Aggro right now for standard. I've had the same feelin LP has had with red lists. I've headed in a R/G direction as well but also splashing blue for Savage Knuckleblade and Temur Charm. "TESTED" some games against my friend's Naya list last night. Heir of the Wild is solid. Stops opposing fatties from coming through or gets in for 2 to 3 damage. A turn 2 Rabblemaster is pretty ridiculous too.

I'll post a list tonight either here or make a thread in the standard section for it. Really liking how it plays out.

No murder king? Sac outlet and recursive creature also AND he is a Warrior.

Tymaret and War-Name are vying for the same spot, so playtesting will tell which is better.[/quote]

War-Name solves the Caryatid problem but Murder King gives reach. I really like your list though and will probably be doing something along those lines.

Ankleshanker could disrupt boardstalls but looks like a worse Legion Loyalist.

My current take on Mardu Warriors:

[deck]
Creatures - 24
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Tormented Hero
4 Chief of the Edge
4 War-Name Aspirant
4 Goblin Rabblemaster
4 Butcher of the Horde

Spells - 13
1 Sorin, Solemn Visitor (or Mardu Ascendancy)
4 Gods Willing
2 Hero's Downfall
2 Crackling Doom
3 Mardu Charm
1 Murderous Cut

Land - 23
23 Mardu Lands, still need to find out the right mix
[/deck]

I decided to top the curve off at Butcher. Originally I wanted Stormbreath, but Butcher is just as much a finisher. However, it doesn't have the innate protection that Dragon has. A few charms and Stoke can all hit Butcher, so I wanted a way to protect him. Enter Gods Willing. Rabblemaster can also take
over the game, so I like the playset of Gods Willing here to push through with.

No murder king? Sac outlet and recursive creature also AND he is a Warrior.

I was going to suggest [card]Ajani's Presence[/card] or Ephemeral Shields instead of Gods Willing, but I can see the point of the later as well.

Like the list though, I will probably try something similar myself.

The new set also has Feat of Resistence. Costs [mana]W[/mana][mana]1[/mana] and gives a creature color protection and a +1/+1 counter at instant speed also.

Throwing this Mardu list out there. Mainly want to play Rabblemaster, Butcher, and Stormbreath this season:

[deck]DDR aka Dragon Demon Rabblemaster[/deck]

Spell options definitely needs work. Goblin Rabblemaster and Brimaz function as Armies in a can with both being able to close out the game. Bloodsoaked Champion and Murder King function as reusable sac fodder for the butcher and Murder King is also a source of damage. Sarkhan is there to try out but quite possibly not needed and could be replaced with Elspeth.

The more I look at new standard it is becoming clear that in
order to play any sort of viable aggro the first question you have to ask yourself "Can you beat Caryatid/Courser Combo?" I don't think I have found an aggro list in this new midrange standard that can do that without folding to other things.

I have no clue what the hell I am going to play this Standard season. It will involve Rabblemaster though.

Yeah same. I just pre-ordered some Mardu cards, though. I know I want to play Rabblemaster and Stormbreath Dragon. The rest is up in the air, but I wouldn't mind having the Butcher card in my Rabblemaster deck.

Speaking my language. I was thinking some Mardu Midrange deck that was Heavy Red/BLack with a white splash in order to play butcher and Elspeth. Don't know which 1 or 2 drops I'd run in this shell but my curve would be Rabblemaster > Butcher >
Sarkhan or Stormbreath > Elspeth.

I have no clue what the hell I am going to play this Standard season. It will involve Rabblemaster though.

As long as the charm cycle continues to be good and this 3cmc multicolor creature cycle continues to show off playables Soldier of the Pantheon is going to be a strong start for a Boros, Orhzov, Mardu or Abzan strategy.

Death Metal Mardu

So your goal is to entice new people to the store I'm guessing? What have you guys done?

Honestly it is to keep the core group to continue to show up and allow them to play more magic. Getting new blood would just be cherry. We get newer players to show up during pre-releases more than anything but don't continue to show up until after the next pre-release. Most of these players are table top guys that want to play what they want to play and don't like to adhere to 1) the format and 2) the competitive nature of players and the format.

We originally offered rotating formats for the month. Standard one week Modern the next, then draft in order to entice newer players or pre-release regulars. They never showed up for the constructed
formats but if we did draft they showed up then eventually dropped off towards the middle of the set release period.

The only people that requested the Game Night event are our core group of players. My friend/TO did not bother to ask the group on what they want or expect to from this added night. I just kicked up some dust in my local private MTG group asking about it.

Won the first Star City Game Night thingy. The store was trying out Pauper and I've never played it. I actually really liked it.

Also, hurray Squirrel pin that people want to buy off me.

We are starting ours next month and my friend/TO is trying to keep it casual.

I definitely think Pauper is the best way to keep the events casual with appeal to kitchen table players. Not to say they won't get trampled
over by Mono Blue or whatever, but at least they don't feel discouraged that their opponent's deck is worth more and get overwhelmed with overpowered cards.

I agree but the big issue we have at our store is that we don't entice kitchen table players to the store and it is the same group weekly that show up to our store. We had tried casual formats before and it does not work. Draft and EDH bring more people with Standard being our bigger format when rotation hits or when a new set drops. Modern is. Barely picking up but sometimes we just get enough to pull off a FNM.

Won the first Star City Game Night thingy. The store was trying out Pauper and I've never played it. I actually really liked it.

Also, hurray Squirrel pin that people want to buy off me.

We are starting ours next month and my friend/TO is trying to keep it casual.

Nothing, was just stating that from the RED perspective, nothing kills a t3 courser.

I don't expect myself to play only red in a wedge format. I might not even play red at all with Abzan keeps getting some good ones. Right now the cards keeping me tied to red are Sarkhan, Rabblemaster, Stormbreath, and Stoke the Flame.

This is the modern deck I've been messing around with:

[deck]Mardu Midrange[/deck]

Been wanting to make a
Mardu beats deck for Modern but Red, white and black lack the aggressive beater as Goyf or Scavenging Ooze. Playing Ham's Boros Deck and if it does not pan out I may switch to Jund or attempt a Mardu build also.

I also recently played some games with dega jund in modern and I think I love it. Guess I'm just hung up on that colour combo.

Mardu list or a Jund list?

My friends who went all scrumped. To be fair, none of us play modern and only one of them is really a grinder.

Lots of Scapeshift, Pod and Rock decks. I should have played a bloodmoon deck.

In San Diego for a Modern PTQ. Ready to scrump.

Couldn't make v it :*

Roughly 180 people. Just went 1-3 drop full scrump. Just realized I like playing decks that apply pressure more so then trying to tempo or play reactive. Caught some misplays and overall had some awesome games.

In San Diego for a Modern PTQ. Ready to scrump.

What city are you in again?

El Centro, CA. I am actually much closer to Arizona and Mexico borders than I am to any major city located in Southern Cali. The 2 hour drive makes all the difference. Summer time temp rises easily over 100. Hoping to make the move to San Diego by next year.

Heading to the PTQ in San Diego LP?

Looking like it.

Cool. I plan on entering as well. Only a 2 hour drive to San Diego from my current location. Taking TarmoTwin.

Heading to the PTQ in San Diego LP?

Does anyone have a decklist for what LSV was playing at the Pro Tour?

Rabble Red lists are posted in the RdW thread.

Wrote something that might be useful for the front page

viewtopic.php?f=116&t=2785

Critiques welcomed.

Apparently I'm not authorized.

Same.

LP I think you might be over thinking it. Modern seems like a format that over metagaming will cause more harm than good. I think you should just pick a deck you enjoy playing, and grind it all season. I like that jund has a very solid core, and gives you room to tweak it based on what you think will be popular in the room.

What purp said. Just find something you can enjoy playing and grind it out. I've bounced between a lot of Modern decks trying to find the one I want to stick with. Started off with Storm pre-seething song ban. Moved onto Twin then Affinity. Jumped on Zoo with Nacatl unbanning but it isn't something I would take to a PTQ. Kiki-Pod was fun and skill intensive but the mana base turned me off. On Kiki Control now and loving the
deck.

I will say Kiki Control needs more refinement though and I am finding issues with having Sphinx in the board as I never want to use it when I have it. Ever.

Angel Pod is a solid choice forgoing the Melira Combo and focusing on the beat down plan or Angel of Thune + Spike Feeder combo. Buddy of mine is bouncing between that or Jund but believe is favoring Angel Pod even though Jund is more of his style of deck.