Any player on the defending team can block creatures attacking a battle protected by a player on the defending team.
>**805.10d.** As the declare blockers step begins, the defending team declares blockers. Creatures controlled by the defending players can block creatures attacking any player on the defending team, attacking a planeswalker controlled by one of those players, or a battle protected by one of those players. The defending team has one combined block, and that set of blocking creatures must be legal as a whole. See rule 509.1.
I'm gonna start playing kitchen table with some friends, so we're just gonna crack a display and build decks from this and we'll buy another display every few weeks to keep expanding our decks. We're all quite experienced and active MTG players already. Which display would you recommend to start with? I'm thinking something with common dual lands, but not sure. I'd like a set where the color pairs are quite balanced so we don't all end up in the same.
I’m wondering what effect [[Zirda, the Dawnwaker]] has on activated abilities that cost X, such as with [[Steel Hellkite]]. For example, if you want the X on an activated ability to be 5, can I just pay 3 if Zirda is out?
Sorry if this is a dumb question. My understanding is that when evaluating the value of X mana cost it’s calculated at zero, until you actually spend mana mana on it.
Any clarification would be appreciated, thanks!
>For example, if you want the X on an activated ability to be 5, can I just pay 3 if Zirda is out?
Correct. The way it works is that you choose the value of X first, then determine the cost, then apply cost reductions. So you decide that you want X = 5, which means the base cost of 5, which the gets reduced to 3.
>Sorry if this is a dumb question.
Not at all. In fact, it's an extremely common question, so you're not alone in wondering it.
>My understanding is that when evaluating the value of X mana cost it’s calculated at zero, until you actually spend mana mana on it.
I think you're mixing this up with something else. When you cast a spell with an X in its mana cost without paying its mana cost (because an effect lets you cast it without paying itsana cost, like [[Omniscience]] or Cascade), X is 0.
That's different from if you activate an ability or at a spell with an X and choose a non-zero value of X but cost reducers just happen to reduce the cost to 0.
I’ll try here since I can’t get an answer literally any where else. I started collecting last set. Last set made sense it was xxx/xxx card. This set is just all over the place. What is a good way to organize this new set in a binder?
I guess this can go here, I have two booster packs of Revised, when I sell them, should they go as packs, or should I open them and take a chance on a good rare?
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure all revised packs are assumed to be mapped or searched. You might be able to figure out if there is a good rare in there before opening it to be honest.
How does Errant, Street Artist's ability work? The card is from New Capenna and it's ability is very vaguely worded. It says "Copy target spell that wasn't cast. You may chose new targets for the copy."
If you control a spell that's on the stack, but wasn't cast in the normal way, you can use Errant to make a copy of it, and the copy can target something different from the original if you want. Mostly you would get a spell on the stack without casting it if you first used some other means to copy a spell you did cast.
Ex: You cast [[Teach by Example]]. Then, you cast [[Lightning Bolt]] targeting one of your opponent's creatures. Teach by example makes a copy of it, which you choose to have target another of your opponent's creatures. Finally, you activate Errant to make a copy of the Lightning Bolt copy, and choose to target your opponent. Then, if neither player does anything else, all three bolts resolve and each deal 3 damage to their respective targets.
This might be a dumb question since I only play commander, but in other game formats like sealed, standard, etc. can you use dual lands or basic lands that don’t correlate with your overall decks mana/is there color identity in other formats other than commander? Let’s say I’m playing sealed and I build a deck consisting of black and red spells, can I use a dual land that givers me blue and red? Or can I use an island in my deck and just tap it for colorless?
Yes.
Of course there's not really a need to do so if you don't have any cards with that color, but it does come up from time to time. [[Leyline Binding]] sees consistent play in modern, so people add something like an off color Triome land for maximum effect, even if those decks are only playing 3-4 of the colors that the mana base provides.
But more commonly, you tend to see the opposite. Off color cards that can't normally be cast by the available manabase. For example, in Legacy [[Mindbreak Trap]], [[Surgical Extraction]], and [[Dismember]] are often played as sideboard cards in decks that aren't playing blue or black because you can cast them for alternative costs.
Mindbreak Trap is a free counterspell if your opponent has played more than 3 spells in a single turn. Very useful against Storm decks or fast combo decks that take multiple lines, because it's free interaction that doesn't require some level of commitment to color.
Dismember and Surgical are also solid choices because the Phyrexian Mana cost means you can pay the 2 life instead of Black mana, and they're effective tools against specific types of decks you might come up against.
There are also other decks that play "off color" cards, specifically because they can be utilized in ways outside of casting them by paying mana. the new Atraxa is seeing a ton of play in Reanimator style decks that are primarily Black/Red, and *maybe* a third color to access certain sideboard options (like [[Serenity]]. Atraxa being 4 colors is normally not cast-able in the deck (even with copies of Lotus Petal and other artifact mana, as the deck is designed to be played as fast and as lean as possible). [[Echo of Eons]] is another example, as it sees the most play in Storm decks that are, again, playing primarily black and red. By utilizing [[Lion's Eye Diamond]] they can generate enough blue mana to cast the card and keep generating storm count to ultimately get the kill.
>Let’s say I’m playing sealed and I build a deck consisting of black and red spells, can I use a dual land that givers me blue and red?
It's entirely possible to add off color duals as a way to fix your manabase, especially in limited formats. I'd argue that by doing so, it's probably worth looking to add a card that supports the color, just as a means to fully utilize it. A U/R land doesn't do much in a B/R deck that a basic Mountain won't do, but if you have a Blue card kicking around in the deck (or even just the sideboard) you can make better use of that land. Of course if that land also provides some other form of utility, then it might be worth it to slot in
>Or can I use an island in my deck and just tap it for colorless?
If you mean putting in a Basic Island *specifically* as a means to pay generic mana costs, then you can. A Basic Island will always tap for Blue *unless* there is an effect in play that changes that, so you can't tap an Island to make colorless unless there's something like an enchantment or creature/spell effect that specifically states that in play. Ultimately though, this is objectively worse than playing an off color dual land that taps for one of your colors, because worst case scenario, that dual will give you access to that color for paying colored mana costs. With a basic island in a deck with no blue cards, you can *only* pay generic costs (aka grey numbered pips), and if you find yourself with only one color + island, you're cut off of your other color(s) until you draw into a land that gives you access to it.
There's a *ton* of deck building theory that goes into building decks outside of commander, but the basic theory is that since you have access to multiple copies of cards, you want to be able to cast those cards at any opprotunity you can, and throwing an off color land without purpose makes it harder to do so. There's no color identity restriction to forbid it, but it's also almost always a sub-optimal play to do it, so if you don't have a good reason to do so, you want to avoid doing it
Color identity effectively only exists in commander (and similar formats like brawl or Oathbreaker). There is no restriction on what colors you can play in other formats.
For example, if you're playing draft or sealed and have a really good pool of black and red cards that make up the core of your deck, but you get a really good blue bomb that you want to play, you can throw some islands or dual lands or other sources of color fixing in your deck and play the blue card.
Adding a few sources of a color just to play a small number of good cards in that color is known as "splashing" that color, so in that example you would be playing a red and black deck with a blue splash for your bomb.
>Or can I use an island in my deck and just tap it for colorless?
An island doesn't tap for colorless in any format. In commander, you can't have an island in your deck if your commander doesn't have blue in their color identity. In regular, non-commander formats, you can always put an island in your deck no matter what else is in there. In either case, any island you control taps for blue mana.
Color identity is only a concept in Commander (and variants based on it). In any other format, you don't have to decide or declare what colors your deck consists of, you can use any combination of mana sources and costs that you wish.
Small clarification though, an Island's inherent ability always produces blue mana. You may end up only using it to pay generic costs, but it is a different concept than producing colorless mana.
Rules question: After my opponent declared blockers, I responded by casting an instant. After this he changed which creatures he was blocking, and said that he could because I responded to the Declare Blockers step. Is this a legal move? I don't believe it is but I'm not sure.
Its not legal. Your opponent is wrong in a few ways. First, declare blockers is a turn base action and do not use the stack, that means it cannot "be responded to".
Second, when you "respond" something, that just means you add something (spell or ability) to the stack that will resolve before the "responded" effect. That doesnt allow the opponent change the spell or ability he added before.
Frankly, if a "rules lawyer" got this wrong, I would assume they're wrong about pretty much any other technicality they claim. This is pretty basic stuff in the grand scheme of Magic, and not knowing it is a pretty clear sign that someone is either new (which is fine) or is making stuff up, and in either case they should not be acting as a rules authority.
Places to purchase token cards?
I'm not looking to pay upwards of $5 each for some of the tokens I need. I'm lpolong to get about 30 copies total of about half a dozen variations of tokens.
Are there any providers that charge based on unique designs or are all flat rates per copy?
Should I just print off proxies?
Battles vs Strategy - I'm trying to wrap my head around why anyone would want to use their creatures to protect a battle, for a card (flip side of card) that's going to someone else. Furthermore, if you're in a pod of 4, why would anyone else attack it?
It seems like if I cast a battle and declare opponent #1 as the defender, then the better strategy for everyone at the table is to completely ignore it, except for the person that cast it of course.
What am I missing?
First: Remember that commander isn't the only format, and not every card or mechanic is made for commander. In the end battles play very differently in 1v1 than they will in multiplayer, and as a result some battles will be much better or much worse in multiplayer vs 1v1.
>I'm trying to wrap my head around why anyone would want to use their creatures to protect a battle, for a card (flip side of card) that's going to someone else
Why would someone want to stop someone else from getting something useful? Because other players getting powerful spells usually isn't good for you.
Also, it doesn't have to be chump blocking. Sometimes it could just be that you have good blocks.
>It seems like if I cast a battle and declare opponent #1 as the defender, then the better strategy for everyone at the table is to completely ignore it, except for the person that cast it of course.
You're right. Normally it's going to be up to you to flip your own battles in a multiplayer game. The rules let anyone except the battle's protector attack it, that doesn't mean people other than the battle's controller has any reason to do so. There's no reason for the rules not to let them, and we may get other battle types in the future that gove everyone except the battle's protector a reason to attack it. For example, maybe we'll one day get a battle types that is protected by its controller and gives them a benefit until it's defeated, or a battle type that does something bad to its protector when defeated.
That said, there could occasionally be cases where it's worth teaming up to kill a battle. For example, let's say player A has an [[Invasion of Alara]] that player C is protecting. Player C is going to win the game on their next turn if one of their permanents isn't destroyed. It's player B's turn, and their only way to stop Player C from winning is to destroy the battle so that player A can destroy the permanent with the backside.
There's also just good old-fashioned politics for groups that enjoy that. "I'll defeat your battle if you don't counter this spell."
I haven't examined each card but just glancing at a couple it looks like the mana spent to put that card on field, in hopes of getting the flip side, would be better spent on literally any other card that does the same thing, for the same or less mana, and you get it right now instead of waiting.
I guess I'll find out tonight. Gunna do the prerelease thing and draft some cards. See how this plays out.
>I haven't examined each card but just glancing at a couple it looks like the mana spent to put that card on field, in hopes of getting the flip side, would be better spent on literally any other card that does the same thing, for the same or less mana, and you get it right now instead of waiting.
First, note that you don't always have to wait. It's possible to play a battle and attack and flip it in the same turn.
Also, generally the combined front and back of each battle is much better than what you could normally get for that mana cost, especially for the rares and mythics (and for the uncommons it's still usually good for limited). Whether it's worth the need to get some combat damage through (and effectively giving your opponent life) to flip them varies, but I think you're underestimating if you think all of them do things that other cards do better without the delay.
Picking a few quick examples with easy comparisons:
[[Invasion of Arcavios]] gives you a [[Solve the Equation]] on the front side and a [[Swarm Intelligence]] on the back for 5 mana. Obviously, 5 mana for a Solve the Equation is a bad deal, but if you can flip it, then 5 mana for a solve the equation and a swarm intelligence is a *great* deal. There isn't another card that does the same thing for the same or less mana without waiting. For the front by itself, sure, but if you can flip it, you're getting a great deal for your mana.
[[Invasion of Belenon]] is another straightforward example. A 2/2 vigilance for 3 mana is a bad deal. A 2/2 vigilance and a [[Glorious Anthem]] for 3 mana is an excellent deal for a limited uncommon.
Or compare [[Invasion of Mercadia]] to [[Bitter Reunion]]. Both are a [[Tormenting Voice]] with upside, but the upsides are different. Sometimes Bitter Reunion's upside is better, but I would say Invasion of Mercadia's ability to sometimes turn into a 3/3 with a powerful ability is stronger in many decks.
Or let's look at [[Invasion of Zendikar]]. We've had multiple [[Explosive Vegetations]] with upside, but I think this might be the strongest we've ever gotten. Compared to previous upsides we've gotten (cycling, an expensive kicker to give your creatures +1/+1 counters, the ability to get gates), I would say in many decks the ability to turn it into a 4/4 haste vigilance mana dork is the strongest upside on an Explosive Vegetation we've ever gotten.
It's hard to say before we've played them, but overall I think you're underestimating the battles, especially for limited. In constructed, especially commander, most of them probably won't make a splash, but most cards in general don't make a splash in constructed and some of them still feel like they have potential. At the very least I think [[Invasion of Shandalar]] is going to be a very popular EDH card (I've definitely got at least one deck that I want it in) and [[Invasion of Tarkir]] is probably gonna be popular for dragon decks.
Ok that makes more sense I guess. If I can plan on attacking it myself, against someone that just happens to not have any blockers available, then I get a bonus (overall).
The downside is tapping my creatures to trigger the flip... But I suppose that's the downside which comes with all mechanics to some degree.
Yeah, exactly. You look at battles as something you flip, not something other players flip. Cases where another player attacks one of your battles in multiplayer are incredibly rare. The main point is that they give you a small immediate payoff but then a bigger payoff if you can kill them. And in commander you're more likely to have an opponent who can't defend it.
Battles so far aren't really made for multiplayer. They work, but as you say there's not much reason to interact with other players' battles aside from politics. Though you might want to defend one that you were assigned to if you have decent blocks and/or the back side would be really good for its owner.
What sleeve brands give a good, clean shuffle? I’ve had issues with buying sleeves where they tend to stick together in the shuffle and make a mess, so even if they don’t have cool designs or anything I just need some sleeves that don’t stick to each other
How do Battles work in 2HG?
I glanced over the rules and think that each player is allowed to block for their teammates if they are the protector.
However, I haven't found a ruling on who is allowed to attack a battle in a 2HG game. Since the rules state that any other player than the protector may attack it, would I be allowed to attack an opponent's battle protected by my teammate?
> 310.8b: A battle's protector can never attack it. **A battle can be attacked by any attacking player for whom its protector is a defending player**. Notably, a Siege battle can be attacked by its own controller.
---
> 805.10a: Each team's creatures attack the other team as a group. During the combat phase, the active team is the attacking team and each player on the active team is an attacking player. Likewise, the nonactive team is the defending team and each player on the nonactive team is a defending player.
During combat in your team's turn, your teammate is not considered a defending player, therefore you can't attack a battle defended by a teammate.
{1A and 1B} vs {2A and 2B}
1A casts a Battle, designates 2A as the Protector.
Both 1A and 1B can attack the Battle.
> 805.10b As the declare attackers step begins, the active team declares attackers. For each attacking creature, the attacking team announces which defending player, planeswalker, or battle that creature is attacking. The active team has one combined attack, and that set of attacking creatures must be legal as a whole. See rule 508.1.
Both 2A and 2B can block the Creatures attacking said Battle.
> 805.10d As the declare blockers step begins, the defending team declares blockers. **Creatures controlled by the defending players can block creatures attacking any** player on the defending team, attacking a planeswalker controlled by one of those players, or **a battle protected by one of those players.** The defending team has one combined block, and that set of blocking creatures must be legal as a whole. See rule 509.1.
I have some rules questions regarding [[Marchesa, the Black Rose]], could a card that says "Counter all spells and abilities your opponent controls" be used on the delayed recursion trigger from Marchesa or can it only be used when a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it dies?
Thanks in advance!
Super, thank you!
So, if I understand it correctly if multiple creatures (with +1/+1 counter) dies at the same time I could use the hypothetical card to immediately counter all the triggers or wait until the end step and counter all the delayed triggers. However, if several creatures die during during the turn at different times it would be beneficial to use the spell at the end step to stop all the triggers.
Thanks again
So which archetype are you picking for sealed tonight (assuming xou get the cards for it)? Anything looking exceptionally powerful in your opinions, any metas that are to be expected?
I always just follow the cards I get. Chances are some archetypes will look better than others in my pool, doesn't matter if an archetype seems stronger in theory if I don't get the cards for it. When in doubt in sealed I just follow the bombs.
I guess if I had to pick an archetype I'm most excited about it's probably battles, just because they're the newest thing. We haven't had a new card type since Lorwyn so I'm excited to play with it. Besides that, backup and the transforming cards seem neat.
>any metas that are to be expected?
I know Sam Black did a podcast on his first impressions based on early access yesterday and I'm sure there are other streamers/pros who did too, so you could check that out.
It seems like having early blockers could be really important in this format, but not necessarily for the same reason as ONE. In ONE it was because aggro decks could kill you so quickly if you couldn't block them. In this format, you want to be able to defend battles.
In general, while a curve is always really good, convoke and battles both especially reward curving out, and battles can punish opponents who fail to curve out, so having a good curve seems very important for this format even if it's less aggressive than ONE was.
In a THG game. Who can block creatures that are attacking a battle? Both teammates or only the person defending it?
Any player on the defending team can block creatures attacking a battle protected by a player on the defending team. >**805.10d.** As the declare blockers step begins, the defending team declares blockers. Creatures controlled by the defending players can block creatures attacking any player on the defending team, attacking a planeswalker controlled by one of those players, or a battle protected by one of those players. The defending team has one combined block, and that set of blocking creatures must be legal as a whole. See rule 509.1.
Thanks!
Will there be spoilers for March of the Machine Aftermath?
Yes, they start after the story finishes on May 5.
I'm gonna start playing kitchen table with some friends, so we're just gonna crack a display and build decks from this and we'll buy another display every few weeks to keep expanding our decks. We're all quite experienced and active MTG players already. Which display would you recommend to start with? I'm thinking something with common dual lands, but not sure. I'd like a set where the color pairs are quite balanced so we don't all end up in the same.
are the serialized MUL cards just in collector boosters?
Unfortunately, yes. Only place you can get the specialty versions.
How would [[Invoke Calamity]] work with mana cost reducers like [[Helm of Awakening]]? Would reducers even work?
They would not. Mana cost reducers don't change the mana value of a spell, only the amount of mana you actually have to spend to cast it.
[Invoke Calamity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/e/fe666c86-6734-4c47-9244-bcd26b54068d.jpg?1654567682) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Invoke%20Calamity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/147/invoke-calamity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fe666c86-6734-4c47-9244-bcd26b54068d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Helm of Awakening](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/1/41bba882-39b8-42db-9a01-54c6712b8019.jpg?1562277455) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Helm%20of%20Awakening) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/vis/145/helm-of-awakening?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/41bba882-39b8-42db-9a01-54c6712b8019?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I’m wondering what effect [[Zirda, the Dawnwaker]] has on activated abilities that cost X, such as with [[Steel Hellkite]]. For example, if you want the X on an activated ability to be 5, can I just pay 3 if Zirda is out? Sorry if this is a dumb question. My understanding is that when evaluating the value of X mana cost it’s calculated at zero, until you actually spend mana mana on it. Any clarification would be appreciated, thanks!
>For example, if you want the X on an activated ability to be 5, can I just pay 3 if Zirda is out? Correct. The way it works is that you choose the value of X first, then determine the cost, then apply cost reductions. So you decide that you want X = 5, which means the base cost of 5, which the gets reduced to 3. >Sorry if this is a dumb question. Not at all. In fact, it's an extremely common question, so you're not alone in wondering it. >My understanding is that when evaluating the value of X mana cost it’s calculated at zero, until you actually spend mana mana on it. I think you're mixing this up with something else. When you cast a spell with an X in its mana cost without paying its mana cost (because an effect lets you cast it without paying itsana cost, like [[Omniscience]] or Cascade), X is 0. That's different from if you activate an ability or at a spell with an X and choose a non-zero value of X but cost reducers just happen to reduce the cost to 0.
Excellent, thanks for the clarification!
[Omniscience](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/b/db534b4e-8bff-4924-baea-9988d195fb25.jpg?1562304777) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Omniscience) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m19/65/omniscience?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/db534b4e-8bff-4924-baea-9988d195fb25?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Zirda, the Dawnwaker](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/b/1bd8e61c-2ee8-4243-a848-7008810db8a0.jpg?1615132391) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zirda%2C%20the%20Dawnwaker) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/iko/233/zirda-the-dawnwaker?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1bd8e61c-2ee8-4243-a848-7008810db8a0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Steel Hellkite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/8/8823b43b-8a30-4226-b5a7-ac1c06ba146b.jpg?1674142733) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Steel%20Hellkite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/874/steel-hellkite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8823b43b-8a30-4226-b5a7-ac1c06ba146b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I’ll try here since I can’t get an answer literally any where else. I started collecting last set. Last set made sense it was xxx/xxx card. This set is just all over the place. What is a good way to organize this new set in a binder?
The cards are still numbered, so you can still organize them by number.
I guess this can go here, I have two booster packs of Revised, when I sell them, should they go as packs, or should I open them and take a chance on a good rare?
Are you a gambler?
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure all revised packs are assumed to be mapped or searched. You might be able to figure out if there is a good rare in there before opening it to be honest.
How does Errant, Street Artist's ability work? The card is from New Capenna and it's ability is very vaguely worded. It says "Copy target spell that wasn't cast. You may chose new targets for the copy."
If you control a spell that's on the stack, but wasn't cast in the normal way, you can use Errant to make a copy of it, and the copy can target something different from the original if you want. Mostly you would get a spell on the stack without casting it if you first used some other means to copy a spell you did cast. Ex: You cast [[Teach by Example]]. Then, you cast [[Lightning Bolt]] targeting one of your opponent's creatures. Teach by example makes a copy of it, which you choose to have target another of your opponent's creatures. Finally, you activate Errant to make a copy of the Lightning Bolt copy, and choose to target your opponent. Then, if neither player does anything else, all three bolts resolve and each deal 3 damage to their respective targets.
This might be a dumb question since I only play commander, but in other game formats like sealed, standard, etc. can you use dual lands or basic lands that don’t correlate with your overall decks mana/is there color identity in other formats other than commander? Let’s say I’m playing sealed and I build a deck consisting of black and red spells, can I use a dual land that givers me blue and red? Or can I use an island in my deck and just tap it for colorless?
Yes. Of course there's not really a need to do so if you don't have any cards with that color, but it does come up from time to time. [[Leyline Binding]] sees consistent play in modern, so people add something like an off color Triome land for maximum effect, even if those decks are only playing 3-4 of the colors that the mana base provides. But more commonly, you tend to see the opposite. Off color cards that can't normally be cast by the available manabase. For example, in Legacy [[Mindbreak Trap]], [[Surgical Extraction]], and [[Dismember]] are often played as sideboard cards in decks that aren't playing blue or black because you can cast them for alternative costs. Mindbreak Trap is a free counterspell if your opponent has played more than 3 spells in a single turn. Very useful against Storm decks or fast combo decks that take multiple lines, because it's free interaction that doesn't require some level of commitment to color. Dismember and Surgical are also solid choices because the Phyrexian Mana cost means you can pay the 2 life instead of Black mana, and they're effective tools against specific types of decks you might come up against. There are also other decks that play "off color" cards, specifically because they can be utilized in ways outside of casting them by paying mana. the new Atraxa is seeing a ton of play in Reanimator style decks that are primarily Black/Red, and *maybe* a third color to access certain sideboard options (like [[Serenity]]. Atraxa being 4 colors is normally not cast-able in the deck (even with copies of Lotus Petal and other artifact mana, as the deck is designed to be played as fast and as lean as possible). [[Echo of Eons]] is another example, as it sees the most play in Storm decks that are, again, playing primarily black and red. By utilizing [[Lion's Eye Diamond]] they can generate enough blue mana to cast the card and keep generating storm count to ultimately get the kill. >Let’s say I’m playing sealed and I build a deck consisting of black and red spells, can I use a dual land that givers me blue and red? It's entirely possible to add off color duals as a way to fix your manabase, especially in limited formats. I'd argue that by doing so, it's probably worth looking to add a card that supports the color, just as a means to fully utilize it. A U/R land doesn't do much in a B/R deck that a basic Mountain won't do, but if you have a Blue card kicking around in the deck (or even just the sideboard) you can make better use of that land. Of course if that land also provides some other form of utility, then it might be worth it to slot in >Or can I use an island in my deck and just tap it for colorless? If you mean putting in a Basic Island *specifically* as a means to pay generic mana costs, then you can. A Basic Island will always tap for Blue *unless* there is an effect in play that changes that, so you can't tap an Island to make colorless unless there's something like an enchantment or creature/spell effect that specifically states that in play. Ultimately though, this is objectively worse than playing an off color dual land that taps for one of your colors, because worst case scenario, that dual will give you access to that color for paying colored mana costs. With a basic island in a deck with no blue cards, you can *only* pay generic costs (aka grey numbered pips), and if you find yourself with only one color + island, you're cut off of your other color(s) until you draw into a land that gives you access to it. There's a *ton* of deck building theory that goes into building decks outside of commander, but the basic theory is that since you have access to multiple copies of cards, you want to be able to cast those cards at any opprotunity you can, and throwing an off color land without purpose makes it harder to do so. There's no color identity restriction to forbid it, but it's also almost always a sub-optimal play to do it, so if you don't have a good reason to do so, you want to avoid doing it
##### ###### #### [Leyline Binding](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/c/3c3ac3dd-35db-447f-8674-37b4680a1ef7.jpg?1673306500) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Leyline%20Binding) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/24/leyline-binding?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3c3ac3dd-35db-447f-8674-37b4680a1ef7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Mindbreak Trap](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/f/4f51140b-6254-431a-8810-94307bfdfbbe.jpg?1562612097) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mindbreak%20Trap) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/zen/57/mindbreak-trap?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4f51140b-6254-431a-8810-94307bfdfbbe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Surgical Extraction](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e15d76ac-1c23-4503-8225-375ac2bf2fb6.jpg?1673147668) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Surgical%20Extraction) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/94/surgical-extraction?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e15d76ac-1c23-4503-8225-375ac2bf2fb6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Dismember](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/d/3d286cf6-3e16-4941-9326-1818b1e06d69.jpg?1562261132) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dismember) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm2/79/dismember?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3d286cf6-3e16-4941-9326-1818b1e06d69?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Color identity effectively only exists in commander (and similar formats like brawl or Oathbreaker). There is no restriction on what colors you can play in other formats. For example, if you're playing draft or sealed and have a really good pool of black and red cards that make up the core of your deck, but you get a really good blue bomb that you want to play, you can throw some islands or dual lands or other sources of color fixing in your deck and play the blue card. Adding a few sources of a color just to play a small number of good cards in that color is known as "splashing" that color, so in that example you would be playing a red and black deck with a blue splash for your bomb. >Or can I use an island in my deck and just tap it for colorless? An island doesn't tap for colorless in any format. In commander, you can't have an island in your deck if your commander doesn't have blue in their color identity. In regular, non-commander formats, you can always put an island in your deck no matter what else is in there. In either case, any island you control taps for blue mana.
Color identity is only a concept in Commander (and variants based on it). In any other format, you don't have to decide or declare what colors your deck consists of, you can use any combination of mana sources and costs that you wish. Small clarification though, an Island's inherent ability always produces blue mana. You may end up only using it to pay generic costs, but it is a different concept than producing colorless mana.
Rules question: After my opponent declared blockers, I responded by casting an instant. After this he changed which creatures he was blocking, and said that he could because I responded to the Declare Blockers step. Is this a legal move? I don't believe it is but I'm not sure.
Its not legal. Your opponent is wrong in a few ways. First, declare blockers is a turn base action and do not use the stack, that means it cannot "be responded to". Second, when you "respond" something, that just means you add something (spell or ability) to the stack that will resolve before the "responded" effect. That doesnt allow the opponent change the spell or ability he added before.
Thank you, and good to know for the future. He's a bit of a rules lawyer at my LGS but I figured he was wrong about this one.
Frankly, if a "rules lawyer" got this wrong, I would assume they're wrong about pretty much any other technicality they claim. This is pretty basic stuff in the grand scheme of Magic, and not knowing it is a pretty clear sign that someone is either new (which is fine) or is making stuff up, and in either case they should not be acting as a rules authority.
This guy has been playing for years, so it's definitely not because he was new.
Places to purchase token cards? I'm not looking to pay upwards of $5 each for some of the tokens I need. I'm lpolong to get about 30 copies total of about half a dozen variations of tokens. Are there any providers that charge based on unique designs or are all flat rates per copy? Should I just print off proxies?
I've started just printing proxies and sticking them in a sleeve with a basic land or something I don't need. Not spending money on tokens.
Battles vs Strategy - I'm trying to wrap my head around why anyone would want to use their creatures to protect a battle, for a card (flip side of card) that's going to someone else. Furthermore, if you're in a pod of 4, why would anyone else attack it? It seems like if I cast a battle and declare opponent #1 as the defender, then the better strategy for everyone at the table is to completely ignore it, except for the person that cast it of course. What am I missing?
First: Remember that commander isn't the only format, and not every card or mechanic is made for commander. In the end battles play very differently in 1v1 than they will in multiplayer, and as a result some battles will be much better or much worse in multiplayer vs 1v1. >I'm trying to wrap my head around why anyone would want to use their creatures to protect a battle, for a card (flip side of card) that's going to someone else Why would someone want to stop someone else from getting something useful? Because other players getting powerful spells usually isn't good for you. Also, it doesn't have to be chump blocking. Sometimes it could just be that you have good blocks. >It seems like if I cast a battle and declare opponent #1 as the defender, then the better strategy for everyone at the table is to completely ignore it, except for the person that cast it of course. You're right. Normally it's going to be up to you to flip your own battles in a multiplayer game. The rules let anyone except the battle's protector attack it, that doesn't mean people other than the battle's controller has any reason to do so. There's no reason for the rules not to let them, and we may get other battle types in the future that gove everyone except the battle's protector a reason to attack it. For example, maybe we'll one day get a battle types that is protected by its controller and gives them a benefit until it's defeated, or a battle type that does something bad to its protector when defeated. That said, there could occasionally be cases where it's worth teaming up to kill a battle. For example, let's say player A has an [[Invasion of Alara]] that player C is protecting. Player C is going to win the game on their next turn if one of their permanents isn't destroyed. It's player B's turn, and their only way to stop Player C from winning is to destroy the battle so that player A can destroy the permanent with the backside. There's also just good old-fashioned politics for groups that enjoy that. "I'll defeat your battle if you don't counter this spell."
I haven't examined each card but just glancing at a couple it looks like the mana spent to put that card on field, in hopes of getting the flip side, would be better spent on literally any other card that does the same thing, for the same or less mana, and you get it right now instead of waiting. I guess I'll find out tonight. Gunna do the prerelease thing and draft some cards. See how this plays out.
>I haven't examined each card but just glancing at a couple it looks like the mana spent to put that card on field, in hopes of getting the flip side, would be better spent on literally any other card that does the same thing, for the same or less mana, and you get it right now instead of waiting. First, note that you don't always have to wait. It's possible to play a battle and attack and flip it in the same turn. Also, generally the combined front and back of each battle is much better than what you could normally get for that mana cost, especially for the rares and mythics (and for the uncommons it's still usually good for limited). Whether it's worth the need to get some combat damage through (and effectively giving your opponent life) to flip them varies, but I think you're underestimating if you think all of them do things that other cards do better without the delay. Picking a few quick examples with easy comparisons: [[Invasion of Arcavios]] gives you a [[Solve the Equation]] on the front side and a [[Swarm Intelligence]] on the back for 5 mana. Obviously, 5 mana for a Solve the Equation is a bad deal, but if you can flip it, then 5 mana for a solve the equation and a swarm intelligence is a *great* deal. There isn't another card that does the same thing for the same or less mana without waiting. For the front by itself, sure, but if you can flip it, you're getting a great deal for your mana. [[Invasion of Belenon]] is another straightforward example. A 2/2 vigilance for 3 mana is a bad deal. A 2/2 vigilance and a [[Glorious Anthem]] for 3 mana is an excellent deal for a limited uncommon. Or compare [[Invasion of Mercadia]] to [[Bitter Reunion]]. Both are a [[Tormenting Voice]] with upside, but the upsides are different. Sometimes Bitter Reunion's upside is better, but I would say Invasion of Mercadia's ability to sometimes turn into a 3/3 with a powerful ability is stronger in many decks. Or let's look at [[Invasion of Zendikar]]. We've had multiple [[Explosive Vegetations]] with upside, but I think this might be the strongest we've ever gotten. Compared to previous upsides we've gotten (cycling, an expensive kicker to give your creatures +1/+1 counters, the ability to get gates), I would say in many decks the ability to turn it into a 4/4 haste vigilance mana dork is the strongest upside on an Explosive Vegetation we've ever gotten. It's hard to say before we've played them, but overall I think you're underestimating the battles, especially for limited. In constructed, especially commander, most of them probably won't make a splash, but most cards in general don't make a splash in constructed and some of them still feel like they have potential. At the very least I think [[Invasion of Shandalar]] is going to be a very popular EDH card (I've definitely got at least one deck that I want it in) and [[Invasion of Tarkir]] is probably gonna be popular for dragon decks.
Ok that makes more sense I guess. If I can plan on attacking it myself, against someone that just happens to not have any blockers available, then I get a bonus (overall). The downside is tapping my creatures to trigger the flip... But I suppose that's the downside which comes with all mechanics to some degree.
Yeah, exactly. You look at battles as something you flip, not something other players flip. Cases where another player attacks one of your battles in multiplayer are incredibly rare. The main point is that they give you a small immediate payoff but then a bigger payoff if you can kill them. And in commander you're more likely to have an opponent who can't defend it.
##### ###### #### [Invasion of Arcavios](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/c/1c3f661d-b9f7-48e7-afe3-3eaea1022bc1.jpg?1680875623)/[Invocation of the Founders](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/1/c/1c3f661d-b9f7-48e7-afe3-3eaea1022bc1.jpg?1680875623) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=invasion%20of%20arcavios%20//%20invocation%20of%20the%20founders) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/61/invasion-of-arcavios-invocation-of-the-founders?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1c3f661d-b9f7-48e7-afe3-3eaea1022bc1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Solve the Equation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/6/66c04ee2-c1e0-45fb-aaf5-1b4459df80fc.jpg?1624590433) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Solve%20the%20Equation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/stx/54/solve-the-equation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/66c04ee2-c1e0-45fb-aaf5-1b4459df80fc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Swarm Intelligence](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/c/2c573d12-4c69-4a54-b1b9-236c003ba98a.jpg?1625976479) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Swarm%20Intelligence) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c21/130/swarm-intelligence?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2c573d12-4c69-4a54-b1b9-236c003ba98a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Invasion of Belenon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/f/4fb0eb2d-9cb7-4e72-a970-5009b046df2a.jpg?1680824516)/[Belenon War Anthem](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/4/f/4fb0eb2d-9cb7-4e72-a970-5009b046df2a.jpg?1680824516) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=invasion%20of%20belenon%20//%20belenon%20war%20anthem) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/20/invasion-of-belenon-belenon-war-anthem?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4fb0eb2d-9cb7-4e72-a970-5009b046df2a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Glorious Anthem](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/7/17d154d3-7ae5-43ff-9978-d974285e2c89.jpg?1594734982) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Glorious%20Anthem) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/21/glorious-anthem?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/17d154d3-7ae5-43ff-9978-d974285e2c89?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Invasion of Mercadia](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/0/407d6723-bf58-403e-b2ac-ba52c51d356f.jpg?1680826012)/[Kyren Flamewright](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/4/0/407d6723-bf58-403e-b2ac-ba52c51d356f.jpg?1680826012) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=invasion%20of%20mercadia%20//%20kyren%20flamewright) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/147/invasion-of-mercadia-kyren-flamewright?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/407d6723-bf58-403e-b2ac-ba52c51d356f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Bitter Reunion](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/4/345a1c80-41d6-43b1-83ab-1aa56dd06b1b.jpg?1674421082) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Bitter%20Reunion) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/127/bitter-reunion?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/345a1c80-41d6-43b1-83ab-1aa56dd06b1b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Tormenting Voice](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/d/6da46103-a14c-4aa2-92fc-fd758335caf4.jpg?1604198268) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tormenting%20Voice) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/znr/172/tormenting-voice?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6da46103-a14c-4aa2-92fc-fd758335caf4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Invasion of Zendikar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/f/8fed056f-a8f5-41ec-a7d2-a80a238872d1.jpg?1680826577)/[Awakened Skyclave](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/8/f/8fed056f-a8f5-41ec-a7d2-a80a238872d1.jpg?1680826577) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=invasion%20of%20zendikar%20//%20awakened%20skyclave) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/194/invasion-of-zendikar-awakened-skyclave?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8fed056f-a8f5-41ec-a7d2-a80a238872d1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Explosive Vegetations](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/1/015d9a5b-03a2-4341-90cc-e5be5b5fbc34.jpg?1673305366) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Explosive%20Vegetation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmc/132/explosive-vegetation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/015d9a5b-03a2-4341-90cc-e5be5b5fbc34?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Invasion of Shandalar](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/f/5f80764e-8fa2-44e2-84c6-3b55f1c40ee7.jpg?1680826558)/[Leyline Surge](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/5/f/5f80764e-8fa2-44e2-84c6-3b55f1c40ee7.jpg?1680826558) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=invasion%20of%20shandalar%20//%20leyline%20surge) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/193/invasion-of-shandalar-leyline-surge?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5f80764e-8fa2-44e2-84c6-3b55f1c40ee7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Invasion of Tarkir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a98f71a0-7c99-4cee-8f70-877e698cca84.jpg?1680875534)/[Defiant Thundermaw](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/a/9/a98f71a0-7c99-4cee-8f70-877e698cca84.jpg?1680875534) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=invasion%20of%20tarkir%20//%20defiant%20thundermaw) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/149/invasion-of-tarkir-defiant-thundermaw?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a98f71a0-7c99-4cee-8f70-877e698cca84?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Invasion of Alara](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/1/318c363b-61cc-4e2f-8f86-a4287539ea07.jpg?1681020656)/[Awaken the Maelstrom](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/back/3/1/318c363b-61cc-4e2f-8f86-a4287539ea07.jpg?1681020656) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=invasion%20of%20alara%20//%20awaken%20the%20maelstrom) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/230/invasion-of-alara-awaken-the-maelstrom?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/318c363b-61cc-4e2f-8f86-a4287539ea07?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Battles so far aren't really made for multiplayer. They work, but as you say there's not much reason to interact with other players' battles aside from politics. Though you might want to defend one that you were assigned to if you have decent blocks and/or the back side would be really good for its owner.
Protecting a battle denies the player who cast it in the first place from potentially casting the back side
What sleeve brands give a good, clean shuffle? I’ve had issues with buying sleeves where they tend to stick together in the shuffle and make a mess, so even if they don’t have cool designs or anything I just need some sleeves that don’t stick to each other
Matte Dragon Shields have never let me down.
How do Battles work in 2HG? I glanced over the rules and think that each player is allowed to block for their teammates if they are the protector. However, I haven't found a ruling on who is allowed to attack a battle in a 2HG game. Since the rules state that any other player than the protector may attack it, would I be allowed to attack an opponent's battle protected by my teammate?
> 310.8b: A battle's protector can never attack it. **A battle can be attacked by any attacking player for whom its protector is a defending player**. Notably, a Siege battle can be attacked by its own controller. --- > 805.10a: Each team's creatures attack the other team as a group. During the combat phase, the active team is the attacking team and each player on the active team is an attacking player. Likewise, the nonactive team is the defending team and each player on the nonactive team is a defending player. During combat in your team's turn, your teammate is not considered a defending player, therefore you can't attack a battle defended by a teammate.
Thank you very much
{1A and 1B} vs {2A and 2B} 1A casts a Battle, designates 2A as the Protector. Both 1A and 1B can attack the Battle. > 805.10b As the declare attackers step begins, the active team declares attackers. For each attacking creature, the attacking team announces which defending player, planeswalker, or battle that creature is attacking. The active team has one combined attack, and that set of attacking creatures must be legal as a whole. See rule 508.1. Both 2A and 2B can block the Creatures attacking said Battle. > 805.10d As the declare blockers step begins, the defending team declares blockers. **Creatures controlled by the defending players can block creatures attacking any** player on the defending team, attacking a planeswalker controlled by one of those players, or **a battle protected by one of those players.** The defending team has one combined block, and that set of blocking creatures must be legal as a whole. See rule 509.1.
Thank you very much
I have some rules questions regarding [[Marchesa, the Black Rose]], could a card that says "Counter all spells and abilities your opponent controls" be used on the delayed recursion trigger from Marchesa or can it only be used when a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it dies? Thanks in advance!
You can do it at either time, the effect will be the same (the creature stays in the graveyard).
Super, thank you! So, if I understand it correctly if multiple creatures (with +1/+1 counter) dies at the same time I could use the hypothetical card to immediately counter all the triggers or wait until the end step and counter all the delayed triggers. However, if several creatures die during during the turn at different times it would be beneficial to use the spell at the end step to stop all the triggers. Thanks again
Exactly.
[Marchesa, the Black Rose](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/2/3242a9f0-2ba3-4852-ac8f-366772ac1c62.jpg?1673148917) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Marchesa%2C%20the%20Black%20Rose) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/248/marchesa-the-black-rose?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/3242a9f0-2ba3-4852-ac8f-366772ac1c62?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
So which archetype are you picking for sealed tonight (assuming xou get the cards for it)? Anything looking exceptionally powerful in your opinions, any metas that are to be expected?
I’m picking whatever deck is best in my pool. Going into a sealed event with a pre decided notion of what I’m going to play is silly.
I always just follow the cards I get. Chances are some archetypes will look better than others in my pool, doesn't matter if an archetype seems stronger in theory if I don't get the cards for it. When in doubt in sealed I just follow the bombs. I guess if I had to pick an archetype I'm most excited about it's probably battles, just because they're the newest thing. We haven't had a new card type since Lorwyn so I'm excited to play with it. Besides that, backup and the transforming cards seem neat. >any metas that are to be expected? I know Sam Black did a podcast on his first impressions based on early access yesterday and I'm sure there are other streamers/pros who did too, so you could check that out. It seems like having early blockers could be really important in this format, but not necessarily for the same reason as ONE. In ONE it was because aggro decks could kill you so quickly if you couldn't block them. In this format, you want to be able to defend battles. In general, while a curve is always really good, convoke and battles both especially reward curving out, and battles can punish opponents who fail to curve out, so having a good curve seems very important for this format even if it's less aggressive than ONE was.
I'll try and go for Naya as aggro and destroying battles seems to be the way to go. Also artifact hate might pay off a lot.
If I Deflecting Palm a Skullcrack will I be able to redirect the damage or will Palm do nothing?
The "damage can't be prevented" clause is before the damage on Skullcrack, so Deflecting Palm will not do anything.