RolandB writes to Mike Long at TheEndGames

[Smmenen]

I was looking at Mike Long's weekly editorial and I noticed Roland wrote in to Mike.  Here is what he said:

Hi, First let me apologize for my bad English, school is some time ago. I really like your deck, it is very fast and powerful. But I prefer an other version. Let me explain my card choices: In my opinion the deck cant win vs control (which is in my opinion the deck type to beat), if the game lasts at least 4 rounds. They leave there mana open and counter only draw 7 and wishes. That’s why i included +1 Hunting Pack(- 1 Abeyance) in the main deck. You only need to keep your Moxes and rituals in hand.

While testing the deck I realized that Ii never needed the desire to win. Wish/will/wish/tendrils was in every game enough for the kill. So I ended up putting the desire into the main deck.

Changes:

-1 tinker
-1 abeyance
-1 Underground sea
+1 Minds desire
+1 hunting Pack
+1 Tropical island
SB:

The stifles seemed to be useless in the mirror match(cause you play draw7, draw7, wish, will duress, duress), so i removed them for Meddling mages. And I ended up removing the Negators for Xantid Swarms.

Thanks for the very good deck, we will play it next month, here in Germany.

Roland

Roland, I’m glad to hear about people testing the new version of the Desire deck. Testing is important to understanding a deck. You also have made a good choice by personalizing your deck. I think you’ll find that in competitive play that you’re really happy having Desire in your board for the Wish and leave the Xantid Swarms behind. I’ll say that I fully expect a 4 Burning Wish deck to take the Type I Championship at Gen Con this year. -Next Week, tales of Origins and US Nationals.

Regards,

Mike Long

It seems Roland has decided what deck to play at next month's Dülmen.  Thoughts?

Steve Menendian\n\n

[MoreFling]

My only thought is that if he's playing that, I'm prepared.  

[Zherbus]

*winks at MoreFling*

I love how Mike Long wrote to him in so many words,

"Dear Peon,

I have no idea that you are a respected member of the global type 1 community, nor do I know that you are the man behind Gro-a-Tog. Though I have no clue about the format, I will speak to you as if you don't either. The Minds Desire obviously belongs in the sideboard (which should be in your lap).

Regards,

Mike Long"

[obithrawn]

Contrary to popular belief, the bloom wasn't in his lap.

[Saucemaster]

My favorite part:

Quote Testing is important to understanding a deck. You also have made a good choice by personalizing your deck.

Lol!  Remember, Mr. "I Singlehandedly Broke Type 1 Right in Half", you should make sure to test to understand the decks you play.

As for the actual deck, I suppose if anyone's going to make it competitive, it'd be RolandB, but I'm still doubtful.  We'll have to wait for the results, I suppose.

[skirge5]

I always thought it was the balance that fell in his lap. Not too sure though, i honestly think that time has blown it way out of proportion.

On the deck itself,
i did realy like how formal and patronizing he was to Mr. Bode. Long always was a rather charismatic, and arrogant guy. Does anyone else see this as kindoff a way for him to try to get hailed again for a combo deck? Most of the stir over this deck is from here, and i doubt that he visits a site based on type 1, so maybe hes trying to get recognized for a new combo deck (since that realy is what he plays best.)

EDIT: Obithrawn, drop me a PM or post here about the incident, i would like to know the true story
Thanks Matt, that works well

[evolved]

Quote (Zherbus @ July 01 2003,02:41)The Minds Desire obviously belongs in the sideboard (which should be in your lap).

I recommend strongly resisting any advice LapDeck Long gives anyone.

Funniest parody ever.

Cheers,
Evolved

[Spizzard]

For a minute there I thought I was the only one who saw Mike talking down on Rolande... But I guess I wasn't alone.  

  I seem to agree with some of the tweaks Rolande made.  Improving the control matchup, where the tendrils deck is weak, is putting it into a much stronger position.  It now has the tools to 'go off' uncountered.  The swarm may look like crap at first, but on the first turn play, it leaves the deck the ability to win even if your opponent is holding a handful of counters.

I expect to see this deck in the t8 next month...  It can beat control and aggro.  The only problem I see is if it can combo fast enough vs other combo.  I.E. Rector Trix might be able to disrupt it enough to pull off wins.

[Matt The Great]

Quote (skirge5 @ July 01 2003,10:16)I always thought it was the balance that fell in his lap. Not too sure though, i honestly think that time has blown it way out of proportion.

On the deck itself,
i did realy like how formal and (cant get the right word for it, so ill improvise one) childing (i think that works) he was to Mr. Bode. Long always was a rather charismatic, and arrogant guy. Does anyone else see this as kindoff a way for him to try to get hailed again for a combo deck? Most of the stir over this deck is from here, and i doubt that he visits a site based on type 1, so maybe hes trying to get recognized for a new combo deck (since that realy is what he plays best.)

EDIT: Obithrawn, drop me a PM or post here about the incident, i would like to know the true story

The word you're looking for is 'patronizing'.

[Rakso]

Who are we to question the guy who beat the great pro Mike Pustilnik's head in with Burning Wish and Lion's Eye Diamond?

Shame on all of you ignorant masses! You deserve to be coated with honey and stuffed down an anthill!

[urza's child]

I may be blind, but is it only me who doesn't see what deck he's playing? I only see what the changes are. What is the list he's playing

[MoreFling]

Quote (Rakso @ July 01 2003,20:55)Who are we to question the guy who beat the great pro Mike Pustilnik's head in with Burning Wish and Lion's Eye Diamond?

the ones that stole the savage miser hat?

Really, I hope that's sarcastic and non-serious rakso

[walking dude]

Does Roland check this site,  or is he off in his own lab somewhere?

[suicide_slushy]

I've seen him post on here before as RolandB I think, you can check the members list and correct me if I'm wrong, not 100% sure.  I doubt he posts much seeing as English isn't his first language.