El Goonish Shive II - I stand by my ridiculous comic

[Qwertystop]

I would LOVE for Pandora to be there actually for the card game. For what we know about her, she's interested in "things she can't predict", so... a newbie with a broken card in a card game tournament? Would that be enough to pick her interest? I'd love her to just be there for fun.

Either that or inspiration for more havoc.

Or she's going to try to get into it despite showing up late, and manage it by being recognized from the news thing. In which case she's just looking at everyone else's deck first.

[Calemyr]

Either that or inspiration for more havoc.

Or she's going to try to get into it despite showing up late, and manage it by being recognized from the news thing. In which case she's just looking at everyone else's deck first.

I dare say Pandora likely arranged for her to get the card. It wouldn't be hard to ease or delay the arrival of other players so that she was exactly at the right position in the line. I suspect that Sarah is a critical card in Pandora's own deck. She has so much desire, so much potential, but as of yet no known outlet for any of it. That likely makes her a very volatile factor, exactly the kind of thing Pandora wants. That card in any other hands would simply be an "I win" button, but in Sarah's it equates to critical conflict between her ego and her idealism, I'm not sure even Pandora knows which side would ultimately win - exactly how she likes it.

At least, I'm really, really, really hoping this has some significance beyond showing Vamp Sarah. I'm bored by anime of card games, much less the card games themselves, much less web comic arcs focusing on them. This tedium had darn well better pay off.

[Weimann]

See? Now we're talking. This is much more interesting.

[Silva Stormrage]

Considering Raven's Statement in this comic about Pandora's magic being undetectable (Even to Raven, an Elf), I'd presume not. Luke can detect magic, for sure, but Immortal magic is probably not included in that.

Probably.

Oh I know but Raven might not have a specific magic detection spell. It might just be a general "Power Level Sense" that he has. It is unclear at the moment. So if Luke's specific magic aura vision has a clause that lets him see Immortal auras its possible. Still unlikely but it would be amusing. It might also only work when Pandora isn't on the spirit plane.

[Randomguy]

If Luke can detect Pandora's power then he'd probably go blind. He'd also probably have known about her already, unless there are multiple immortals going around giving people magic marks, or if he got his mark some other way.

[Calemyr]

One thing this tournament has shown was another layer of Pandora's game. Raven was worried that Pandora was trying to get Noah killed: creating the "shadowy thing" to distract him from talking to Justin. That forced him to take the conversation to Salty Crackers and that put him in a position to help fight the dragon. Now we see another branch in that particular epileptic tree: by placing Noah in a position to fight the dragon, she exposed Noah to the public (although his actual identity was protected - and it's not established whether that was Noah's doing or Pandora's). In exposing Noah to the public, she mobilized Luke's circle, who now want to figure out what's really going on.

Honestly, seeing how much use she made of Dex is humbling. She is sitting on a tier of manipulators near Xanatos himself. Maybe not on the same one (she's just an ancient psychotic nigh-omniscient demigod, after all), but up there none the less.

[Qwertystop]

If Luke can detect Pandora's power then he'd probably go blind. He'd also probably have known about her already, unless there are multiple immortals going around giving people magic marks, or if he got his mark some other way.

Considering the likely location of the mark (back), she could just have been behind him when she did it.

[Radar]

If Luke can detect Pandora's power then he'd probably go blind. He'd also probably have known about her already, unless there are multiple immortals going around giving people magic marks, or if he got his mark some other way.

Considering that she was the one to give the mark (most likely), I don't think she would be reckless enough to give anyone means to see her. If you can't be deteted by regular or magical means, you should never forfeit such an advantage. Pandora might be deranged, but she is clever.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Spoiler: Predictions:

Show

Ted vs. Larry: Ted will mop the floor with him, either by Ted's superior deck-building skills (based on the fact that Ted is scary smart) or that Larry will be too busy trying to hit on him to play.
Luke vs. Rich: Luke will win via plot because we need him to stay till the end of the tournament.
Sarah vs. George: Sarah, because plot
Tensaided vs. Random guy: I don't have to say it right?

[TaRix]

Spoiler: Predictions:

Show

Ted vs. Larry: Ted will mop the floor with him, either by Ted's superior deck-building skills (based on the fact that Ted is scary smart) or that Larry will be too busy trying to hit on him to play.
Luke vs. Rich: Luke will win via plot because we need him to stay till the end of the tournament.
Sarah vs. George: Sarah, because plot
Tensaided vs. Random guy: I don't have to say it right?

You do realize it's not single-elimination, right? Any plot characters can lose and stay.

[Dusk Eclipse]

No I didn't but that doesn't invalidates my predictions

[Luzahn]

With all of the great Sarah stuff we just got, I'd almost forgotten that Tensaided's faces are the best.

Look. Just look at it. That's an evil man, right there.

[AmberVael]

With all of the great Sarah stuff we just got, I'd almost forgotten that Tensaided's faces are the best.

Look. Just look at it. That's an evil man, right there.

The contrast his opponent's face provides just makes it even better.

[Weimann]

So from what I understand from Justin's rules explanation, it's not about being the last player left, tournament style, but about having the most wins after a set number of rounds? You never get eliminated from the competition?

[Grey_Wolf_c]

So from what I understand from Justin's rules explanation, it's not about being the last player left, tournament style, but about having the most wins after a set number of rounds? You never get eliminated from the competition?

From what I remember of the one time I participated in a MtG Type 3 (random packs) competition, the first part is indeed a series of one-on-one fights, and the 16 people with the most victories move to the knockout phase.

GW

[Forrestfire]

Yes, most of the time Magic is played Swiss instead of single elimination. The bigger tournaments generally have a bunch of rounds (anything from 4 to 12, from what I've seen), then a cut to top 8/16, which is single-elim.

[Mewtarthio]

One thing this tournament has shown was another layer of Pandora's game. Raven was worried that Pandora was trying to get Noah killed: creating the "shadowy thing" to distract him from talking to Justin. That forced him to take the conversation to Salty Crackers and that put him in a position to help fight the dragon. Now we see another branch in that particular epileptic tree: by placing Noah in a position to fight the dragon, she exposed Noah to the public (although his actual identity was protected - and it's not established whether that was Noah's doing or Pandora's). In exposing Noah to the public, she mobilized Luke's circle, who now want to figure out what's really going on.

And by mobilizing Luke and friends, she ensures that Luke will join the tournament at the last minute, thereby creating just the perfect arrangement of cards to ensure that Sarah gets OP Aludakrala. When Sarah wins the tournament, she will win the card as well; since Sarah does not really know the true value of the card, Pandora will then be able to buy it off her at a crazy discount!

Mission. Accomplished.

[Lord Raziere]

hey guys, I noticed something in the comic and the tourney pairings:

Tedd's name is purple. I think thats a subtle acknowledge that this is a temporary thing and that Tedd will soon be back to normal.

[Mina Kobold]

And by mobilizing Luke and friends, she ensures that Luke will join the tournament at the last minute, thereby creating just the perfect arrangement of cards to ensure that Sarah gets OP Aludakrala. When Sarah wins the tournament, she will win the card as well; since Sarah does not really know the true value of the card, Pandora will then be able to buy it off her at a crazy discount!

Mission. Accomplished.

Since we're speculating, what if the card is supposed to inspire another player into creating/becoming a monster? Or it might be magical (either by accident, due to the creators not knowing about magic, but having small powers, or by Pandora's meddling). I suspect something is going on with the card, at least, considering Pandora's look.

Or Pandora may be waiting for a rampaging newly fanged Aberration that's currently trying to get to the tournament, but hasn't noticed the whole no-longer-boring-human bit. Or just watching card games, you never know with ancient chaotic entities. X3

hey guys, I noticed something in the comic and the tourney pairings:

Tedd's name is purple. I think thats a subtle acknowledge that this is a temporary thing and that Tedd will soon be back to normal.

That's a possibility, though I personally don't get why it's particularly important whether it's temporary or not. It's what Tedd feels fits best at the moment, and it's not brainwashing people like not-Tengu, so I don't particularly mind.

Now, if it was green hair, then I might. Whoever would have green hair?

[Radar]

Now, if it was green hair, then I might. Whoever would have green hair?

I don't know, maybe someone with a bunch of blue-eyed scaly mosters with a disregard for the rules?

Quite honestly I had this weird thought that Pandora will try to change the simple card game into Duel Monsters or something like that. If you consider the fact I couldn't read Justin's announcements without hearing Attention duelists! in my mind, it means one thing: too much YGOTAS.

[Lamech]

Ah Ted. That comic made me laugh. Also he can't buy many cards on his allowance, but can get an endless supply of materials for his mad science. Seems pretty reasonable for how damn expensive the cards are in real life.

[Forrestfire]

Heh. Yeah, Magic is kinda expensive. In a conversation with some friends a few days ago, we googling some prices and learned that cocaine is ~50 bucks for the weight of a magic card. For some formats, crack is literally cheaper

[Qwertystop]

Heh. Yeah, Magic is kinda expensive. In a conversation with some friends a few days ago, we googling some prices and learned that cocaine is ~50 bucks for the weight of a magic card. For some formats, crack is literally cheaper

Wouldn't that be all formats? Unless buying any card worth getting for a format where you bring your own is that pricy, in which case, wow. Though I'd think basic lands would still bring the price down on average.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Those kind of cards are usually from older sets, their price deriving from their rarity, basically this comic got it down to a T

[Qwertystop]

Those kind of cards are usually from older sets, their price deriving from their rarity, basically this comic got it down to a T

That is possibly the most broken link I have ever seen, but I know the one you're talking about.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Woops , fixed

[Forrestfire]

Wouldn't that be all formats? Unless buying any card worth getting for a format where you bring your own is that pricy, in which case, wow. Though I'd think basic lands would still bring the price down on average.

Well, it depends on the format. Standard and Modern decks are pretty cheap compared to, say, Legacy decks, especially ones with very few basic lands. For instance:

Spoiler: Team America Legacy Decklist

Show

Creatures [9]
4 Tarmogoyf - 4*$170 = $680
3 Tombstalker - 3*$2 = $6
2 Vendilion Clique - 2*$60 = $120

Instants [24]
4 Brainstorm - 4*$1.5 = $6
4 Daze - 4*$3 = $12
4 Force Of Will - 4*$100 = $400
2 Smother - 2*$0.15 = $0.30
3 Snuff Out - 3*$0.30 = $0.90
3 Spell Pierce - 3*$1.75 = $5.25
4 Stifle - 4*$40 = $160

Sorceries [7]
4 Ponder - 4*$1 = $4
3 Thoughtseize - 3*$17 = $51

Lands [20]
1 Bayou - $170
4 Misty Rainforest - 4*$60 = $240
4 Polluted Delta - 4*$110 = $410
2 Tropical Island - 2*$230 = $460
4 Underground Sea - 4*$335 = $1340
1 Verdant Catacombs - $42
4 Wasteland - 4*$105 = $420

Total: $4,527.45 for the main deck. Even if the 17 in the sideboard cost nothing, it's still more expensive.

(Admittedly, Team America is mostly just "let's throw half the best cards together and see if it works", but still...)

Basically, the line about keeping entry fees under triple digits for drafts of especially old sets is 100% correct.

[Mina Kobold]

Ah Ted. That comic made me laugh. Also he can't buy many cards on his allowance, but can get an endless supply of materials for his mad science. Seems pretty reasonable for how damn expensive the cards are in real life.

Those are most likely supplied by Mr. Verres, particularly those for the purpose of building the TF gun (remember, it was an assignment from William and Gillian, not an original invention by Tedd). Though even if Tedd did pay for it all, the comment is still valid, as it would mean that Tedd cannot pay fro a large number of cards on top of the cost of the materials. ^_^'

[Lord Raziere]

I agree with Luke on the fairy thing. you don't mess with fairies. sure they look cute, small and fluttery, but then they constrict you with a lot of magical bargains and contracts, deceive you without telling a lie, then screw you over using a certain interpretation of the contract thats technically correct to the letter so that you die in a cruel fashion, while laughing uproariously over your weakening protests that there is such a thing as a spirit of a contract, nevermind obeying said spirit of the contract....fairies are awesome like that.

[Silva Stormrage]

Okay I really like this comic

I wonder if Luke is actually gay or just being reasonably annoyed at the "Gay" comment. If he is then it's another possible pairing for Justin.