Tag: M13

  • A More Exciting Core Set

    A More Exciting Core Set

    I used to hate the core sets in Magic. It used to be filled with the most boring cards imaginable. Creatures that didn’t really do anything. Simple spells that were usually pretty straightforward. Really, VizzerdrixVizzerdrix would have been such a disappointing rare to find in a pack. Fortunately, things have gotten more interesting. It’s great that overall there are fewer of these bland cards, there are a lot more things to look forward to in these sets now.

    The introduction of more abilities has led to the most interesting cards. These abilities have all been real familiar. Magic 2011 had Scry and 2012 had Bloodthirst. They are relatively simple abilities, usually not something that takes a lot of time to keep track of. The Exalted mechanic for Magic 2013 is a little more complex but still a lot of fun. I think this has been real great for newer players who get an introduction to abilities that are more complicated and may have been missed.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    It’s great to see these mechanics return as a more experienced player as well. We get to see new cards for the ability that may not have shown up in the original set because of space, balancing, or it just didn’t fit with the story. Bant decks can be really pumped up with new Exalted cards, but it also looks like you could make an Exalted Grixis deck if the new cards are any indication. One of the preconstructed decks even revolves around this theme with a new legendary Exalted creature.

    Each deck in the new set looks to be based around 5 new legendary creatures that will be leading each deck. These cards are also related to another card that really supports their abilities as well. I personally really like having these cards that go together, like the Planeswalkers and their cards that are also returning in this set. These cards have so much flavor I love creating decks that can fit into these themes.

    Once again I am more excited than ever about the next set to be released. Core sets aren’t usually as exciting as the more advanced sets like the Innistrad block but I think this new set will appeal to experienced players while still being a great introduction to the game. My favorite will definitely be those new legendary creatures to build decks around. What’s yours?

  • Dueling Planeswalkers and Core Set 2013

    Dueling Planeswalkers and Core Set 2013

    Fans of the Magic video game Duels of the Planeswalkers may be aware of the what now seems to be yearly release of the latest version of the game. I’ve played both Duels of the Planeswalkers games so far and they have been pretty fun. I’m much too impatient to play it at times, having to wait out every step of a turn and every chance for a response to spells and abilities. Yet for this reason the game is great as an introduction or refresher course to Magic.

    If that’s all the games offered then it wouldn’t be a very exciting game for more experienced Magic players. My favorite has always been the puzzles, giving you one turn to win the game from what usually looks like a hopeless position. What looks interesting in 2013 in addition to puzzles are encounters. These sound like a normal game against a deck built to win using popular strategies such as mill, elves, burn, and others. The games always try to mix things up too, with 2012 including Archenemy and now 2013 will have multiplayer Planechase. It doesn’t look like they will include Archenemy again this time though. But as usual, the new game comes with brand new decks to try against new opponents.

    A lot of these decks are also tied to the new 2013 Core Set as well. The game is doing some heavy duty promotion for the next core set, including tons of cards from the core set in these decks. Wizards has been using the week before the release of Duels 2013 to preview new cards While most are reprints as usual, the coolest cards make use of this years mechanic, Exalted, in some awesome ways. I don’t want to spoil too much for those that prefer to be surprised, but there are lands with Exalted, black creatures with Exalted, and even a way to give every creature Exalted.

    One thing worth spoiling, if you haven’t seen it already, is the promo cards for buying Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013. Now you get a little booster pack of 6 cards, probably an assortment of 2013 cards that can be found in the game. You are guaranteed a great card though, depending on which platform you buy the game on. Xbox users get an excellent green Primordial HydraPrimordial Hydra to go along with the logo. Those that buy it on the sleek, black PS3 get an intimidating Vampire NocturnusVampire Nocturnus. Those that buy it on Steam or the clean, white iPad get a Serra AvatarSerra Avatar. All cards worth playing and a great bonus for buying the game when it’s released June 20th.