Magic the Gathering XX: KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANS!!!

[Duck999]

How good would these commandwalkers be if they were playable in more formats?

[ChaosOS]

Nahiri and Daretti would be playable in modern. Given that they're only legal in vintage and legacy, their high casting cost, and design towards multiplayer, I don't foresee them seeing play outside of EDH.

[Seatbelt]

The planeswalkers are all super neat. I still hate the idea of walker commanders.

[Somensjev]

i really hope they release a planeswalker card for ugin in one of the next khans sets now, (i mean, i already wanted one, but now even more so). since we now have the cards of two of the three planeswalkers who sealed away the eldrazi


i so want to run a deck in my casual group with all three of the eldrazi titans, and the 'walkers who sealed them

[raymundo]

Exactly the opposite; this means that whichever deck has the Wurmcoil in it is going to get marked up accordingly.

That really doesn't matter if you just want the Wurmcoil Engine. Actually, the more people just buy it just to sell the Wurmcoil for a profit, the better for those who want to pick them up cheap.

Also, C14 will be reprinted as long as there is demand.

Nahiri and Daretti would be playable in modern. Given that they're only legal in vintage and legacy, their high casting cost, and design towards multiplayer, I don't foresee them seeing play outside of EDH.

Daretti might spawn some funny Artifact-shenanigans decks, but Nahiri is really terrible in Modern. She doesn't upgrade any existing deck, and her effects aren't impressive enough to spawn any new ones.

[Duck999]

i really hope they release a planeswalker card for ugin in one of the next khans sets now, (i mean, i already wanted one, but now even more so). since we now have the cards of two of the three planeswalkers who sealed away the eldrazi


i so want to run a deck in my casual group with all three of the eldrazi titans, and the 'walkers who sealed them

That would be entertaining, but I do not believe that Ugin would be printed. He existed long ago, and I don't follownthe sotry enouh to know if he is alive. I do, however, know that the original planeswalkers (not the cards) were overpowered immortals, and I don't think those will become cards.
I think all that's true, I'm not completely sure.

[Ionbound]

*looks at Karn*

You sure about that, Duck?

Anyways, Ugin is dead, but there has been a lot of hinting he's going to be resurrected somehow by the end of the block. Which is why people expect an Ugin card.

[IthilanorStPete]

That would be entertaining, but I do not believe that Ugin would be printed. He existed long ago, and I don't follownthe sotry enouh to know if he is alive. I do, however, know that the original planeswalkers (not the cards) were overpowered immortals, and I don't think those will become cards.
I think all that's true, I'm not completely sure.

There's a number of oldwalkers who survived the Mending, albeit depowered, and have had cards made. As firedaemon said, there's Karn. Venser and Bolas were both active in the storyline prior to the Mending. Sorin used to be an oldwalker, and was one at the time he, Ugin, and Nahiri sealed the Eldrazi.

[IcemanJRC]

So I'll be attending GP San Antonio at the end of November and I was wondering if anyone around the playground wanted to through some advice my way. I mean, I've been to handful of larger events, but if there's some tips and tricks I might've missed or if anyone's got the inside info on the Standard meta right now, I'd like to hear it.

[Sith_Happens]

301.5b An Equipment is cast and enters the battlefield just like any other artifact. An Equipment doesn’t enter the battlefield attached to a creature. The equip keyword ability attaches the Equipment to a creature you control (see rule 702.6, “Equip”). Control of the creature matters only when the equip ability is activated and when it resolves. Spells and other abilities may also attach an Equipment to a creature. If an effect attempts to attach an Equipment to an object that can’t be equipped by it, the Equipment doesn’t move.

Figured I'd give you the relevant rule. Changing a creature's controller doesn't change the fact it still has equipment on it.

Huh, okay. I was extrapolating from the rule where a creature no longer being a valid target for Equip makes it become unequipped (in before it turns out only Auras do that), interesting that control of the creature is an exception to that.

That really doesn't matter if you just want the Wurmcoil Engine. Actually, the more people just buy it just to sell the Wurmcoil for a profit, the better for those who want to pick them up cheap.

*looks up Wurmcoil Engine on TCGPlayer to double-check whether it's even that expensive any more in the first place*
*it's not*

[Mystic Muse]

define 'that expensive' because the mid price is still $20, which is what most places will sell them for as a result.

[Duck999]

define 'that expensive' because the mid price is still $20, which is what most places will sell them for as a result.

As expensive as it was before. Probably.

About the oldwalkers: I had heard about them being dispowered, I just forgot that part. I realized the flaw after posting that Sorin had to be just as old as Ugin if they ever worked together...

[Narkis]

i really hope they release a planeswalker card for ugin in one of the next khans sets now, (i mean, i already wanted one, but now even more so). since we now have the cards of two of the three planeswalkers who sealed away the eldrazi


i so want to run a deck in my casual group with all three of the eldrazi titans, and the 'walkers who sealed them

Ugin will get a card, and probably this February. Sarkhan is being guided by Ugin's spirit to travel back in time and save him from Bolas. Various people and stories from wizards have said as much. And we have this art from Fate Reforged:

[Duck999]

So does that mean Ugin, Nicol Bolas, and Sarkhan across the next two sets? Wow...

[Khay]

So does that mean Ugin, Nicol Bolas, and Sarkhan across the next two sets? Wow...

Well, Sarkhan already got his card in the first set, Ugin will probably be in the second... I wonder if they'll print Bolas, though. Fate Reforged will be drafted with Khans until the third set is released. Combining a super-high-profile planeswalker in shard colours with a wedge set sounds awkward, to say the least.

[Narkis]

I don't think we'll see Bolas. He's been behind the plot of most recent sets and yet he hasn't gotten a new card. He's more of a behind the scenes manipulator kind of dragon.

[Landis963]

I don't think we'll see Bolas. He's been behind the plot of most recent sets and yet he hasn't gotten a new card. He's more of a behind the scenes manipulator kind of dragon.

Besides, unless he's piggybacking off of Sarkhan's brain (wouldn't put it past him, but still), he doesn't know this is happening. And won't know until the timeline changes, whichever way, shape, or form that takes.

[Sith_Happens]

define 'that expensive' because the mid price is still $20, which is what most places will sell them for as a result.

The low prices are ~$14 for near mint, and if you order online there's no reason you should have to pay the mid price.

[sonofzeal]

I just got a copy of "Beastmaster Ascension" in DotP '15, and I'm interested in its applications for my Token deck. If I attack with seven 1/1 token creatures, they power up to 6/6 before the defender declares blockers, right? Intuitively, even if he immediately reacts with "Shock" or somesuch, he could kill that one but the others would still power up because "add tokens to Beastmaster Ascension" is still on the stack even if one of the creatures triggering it isn't there any more, right? Or is this another case where, because Beastmaster Ascension is "static" speed, the opponent doesn't even have time to cast an Instant?

[ChaosOS]

For every attacker you declare, one instance of the quest counter trigger goes on the stack. Each resolves separately, and your opponent could shock in response to kill a 1/1 token. Once all the counters are on it's a static effect granting +5/+5 to all creatures you control

[sonofzeal]

For every attacker you declare, one instance of the quest counter trigger goes on the stack. Each resolves separately, and your opponent could shock in response to kill a 1/1 token. Once all the counters are on it's a static effect granting +5/+5 to all creatures you control

That's about what I expected. And because the quest counter triggers go on the stack when attackers are declared, they come off the stack even before blockers are declared, right?

[IthilanorStPete]

That's about what I expected. And because the quest counter triggers go on the stack when attackers are declared, they come off the stack even before blockers are declared, right?

Yes, they resolve well before declaration of blockers. To pass to the next phase (in general, not just when going from declare attackers to declare blockers), the stack needs to be empty and both players need to pass priority. (say they're done for the phase and have nothing else to cast)

[Boci]

I just got a copy of "Beastmaster Ascension" in DotP '15, and I'm interested in its applications for my Token deck. If I attack with seven 1/1 token creatures, they power up to 6/6 before the defender declares blockers, right? Intuitively, even if he immediately reacts with "Shock" or somesuch, he could kill that one but the others would still power up because "add tokens to Beastmaster Ascension" is still on the stack even if one of the creatures triggering it isn't there any more, right? Or is this another case where, because Beastmaster Ascension is "static" speed, the opponent doesn't even have time to cast an Instant?

An opponent could cast shock before your combat step, thus killing off one of your tokens and possible not leaving you with enough to trigger BMA that turn.

[Lea Plath]

I'mma back!

So, I've been playing a lot less magic in recent months due to work but now can finally indulge my past time. I'm playing Scapeshift atm and trying to settle on which variant is the right one at the moment. Currently I'm playing Serum Visions/Telling Time version but considering going for Bolts, Telling Time and Cliques instead. Dig is OMG powerful in scapeshift. Let me just fetch a double counterspell.

Also, new walkers are fun. Not good but fun.

[DanaK]

So this is a Selesnya deck I made and have been dabbling with for awhile. When Journey into Nyx got released, I made some major overhauls and came out with roughly what you see here.

Spoiler

Show

Creatures:
4 Satyr Grovedancer
2 Skyspear Cavalry
2 Seraph of Dawn
2 Serra Angel
1 Aegis Angel
1 Fabled Hero
1 Angel of Finality
1 Leonin Skyhunter
1 Nyx-Fleece Ram
1 Supply-Line Cranes
1 Shepherd of the Lost
1 Sigarda, Host of Herons

Artifacts:
2 Elixir of Immortality
2 Bow of Nylea

Enchantments:
3 Banishing Light
2 Quest for the Gemblades
2 Unflinching Courage
2 Collective Blessing
2 Arrest
1 Font of Fertility
1 Cathars’ Crusade
1 Ordeal of Heliod
1 Indestructibility

Instants:
3 Heroes Reunion
2 Common Bond
2 Reap What Is Sown
1 Naturalize
1 Solidarity of Heroes

Planeswalkers:
1 Ajani, Mentor of Heroes

Sorceries:
3 Revoke Existence
2 Desecration Plague
1 Blessings of Nature
1 Lay of the Land
1 Travel Preparations
1 Rampant Growth

Lands:
13 Plains
13 Forests
2 Seraph Sanctuary
1 Sunpetal Grove

This deck mainly focuses on ramping up creatures and life gain. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to play someone else with it, but I’d appreciate any feedback and advice.

[Duck999]

If you want consistency, I recommend f=more than one of each creature. Also, more sun petal grove's if you can.
That was just a quick skim through, but really, I suggest not having a ton of different copies of different creatures. Even in casual, I'd recommend more 2s than 1s.

[Khay]

So this is a Selesnya deck I made and have been dabbling with for awhile. When Journey into Nyx got released, I made some major overhauls and came out with roughly what you see here.

Spoiler

Show

Creatures:
4 Satyr Grovedancer
2 Skyspear Cavalry
2 Seraph of Dawn
2 Serra Angel
1 Aegis Angel
1 Fabled Hero
1 Angel of Finality
1 Leonin Skyhunter
1 Nyx-Fleece Ram
1 Supply-Line Cranes
1 Shepherd of the Lost
1 Sigarda, Host of Herons

Artifacts:
2 Elixir of Immortality
2 Bow of Nylea

Enchantments:
3 Banishing Light
2 Quest for the Gemblades
2 Unflinching Courage
2 Collective Blessing
2 Arrest
1 Font of Fertility
1 Cathars’ Crusade
1 Ordeal of Heliod
1 Indestructibility

Instants:
3 Heroes Reunion
2 Common Bond
2 Reap What Is Sown
1 Naturalize
1 Solidarity of Heroes

Planeswalkers:
1 Ajani, Mentor of Heroes

Sorceries:
3 Revoke Existence
2 Desecration Plague
1 Blessings of Nature
1 Lay of the Land
1 Travel Preparations
1 Rampant Growth

Lands:
13 Plains
13 Forests
2 Seraph Sanctuary
1 Sunpetal Grove

This deck mainly focuses on ramping up creatures and life gain. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to play someone else with it, but I’d appreciate any feedback and advice.

Interesting start! A few thoughts:

• Pure lifegain spells (like Heroes' Reunion) are rarely as good as they seem because they cause card disadvantage and don't impact the board. The lifeswing has to be very high for them to be worth it; at 7 life, Heroes' Reunion is usually just going to be a Fog. Usually, the way you want to go is incidental lifegain (i. e. cards that gain you life and do something else besides), such as Nyx-Fleece Ram.
• You have a lot of lifegain in your deck, so you could consider throwing in a few cards that synergise with it. Archangel of Thune is probably way out of budget, but if you can get your hands on one, it'd probably fit in nicely. Failing that, Ajani's Pridemate is an efficient creature that also benefits from lifelink - especially repeatable lifelink like you get from Nyx-Fleece Ram.
• Khans of Tarkir has a few cards in it that synergise with +1/+1 counters. Abzan Falconer, Ainok Bond-Kin and Abzan Battle Priest come to mind.
• It's fine to have one-ofs and two-ofs, but, as mentioned by Duck999, if your deck is mostly one-ofs, it gets very very inconsistent. You probably want to consolidate your list a little, see what cards aren't pulling their weight, and cut them.

[sonofzeal]

On the subject of lifegain, here's my lifegain deck, put together in DotP '15 so I'm rather limited in some of my card choices, but probably still legal in modern. Feedback appreciated!

Spoiler

Show

Plains x20
Radiant Fountain x4

Trained Caracal x3 <- even sacrificing it with Pridemate on the field is fine.
Cloudshift x1 <- a great card, but poor synergy with this deck in most cases.
Gods Willing x1 <- Should I run more of these?
Ajani's Pridemate x4 <- one of the cornerstone cards
Ordeal of Heliod x2
Reprisal x1
Lone Missionary x4
Nimbus Wings x2 <- good on a Trained Caracal to swing past blockers.
Brimaz, King of Oreskos x1 <- no special synergy, just great by itself.
Mentor of the Meek x2 <- one of my favorite white cards.
Banisher Priest x3 <- essential. I'd run four if I had them.
Attended Knight x1 <- possible target for auras, trigger Mentor twice
Standing Troops x1 <- possible target for auras, stall while getting combos out
Arrest x1 <- for when I don't have Banishers
Rhox Faithmender x2 <- another cornerstone card
Armored Ascension x3 <- amazing in any mono-white
Angelic Accord x2 <- the third cornerstone card
Marked by Honor x1 <- get Vigilance on the Pridemate
Baneslayer Angel x1
Angelic Edict x1

I really wish I had a Felidar Sovereign or two. And I'm not sure about the right balance of removal, creatures, and auras. I like auras, even though you're putting more eggs in one basket, because they let you get something out-of-depth and with particularly advantageous sets of characteristics. And the ability to have a creature already down, slap an aura on it, and attack immediately that turn is valuable. I try not to over-use them though.

[Snowbluff]

Ohai.

You know what I liked about Zendikar? My Standard Deck.

x4 Nest Invader
x4 Kozilek's Predator
x4 Harabaz Druid (A relic from when it was more ally oriented)
x4 It that Betrays
x4 Pathrazer of Ulamog (I had the 3 legendary Eldrazi, but these are the cheap way to do the deck)

x4 Awakening Zone

x4 Mass Polymorph
x4 Growth Spasm

Sideboard: Genesis Waves, Dispels.

Make token and eldrazi it. I'd say the weakness is the lack of one drops, which is something I fixed once it went out of standard.

I'm making a God's EDH deck right now.

[Tvtyrant]

Is the consensus that Wormcoil Engine at $8 is not going to drop any further? Or is there a good chance that holding out will get it to drop to the $5 range?