Just starting T1

[shogun]

Hi, after 4 my four great years in magic I think it is time for a change into the "Big League".  I am mainly interested in playing Mono-U phid, but I think I will build (unpowered at first) sui, sligh, and maybe fish.  I was wondering in what order to get the power 10/ drains / other expensive stuff?

As a side note any (though I won't stick you to your word   ) predictions on the secondary market 8th will have?  I fear more people will revert to old cards than quit, and demand will go up faster than supply (more on cards such as FoW though).

I've tried searching these boards for Mono-U Phid type decks, but haven't found any that describe how to play it in this format, and what to watch for in other decks.  If any one has links from here or elsewhere, it would be greatly appreciated.

[j_orlove]

Well, I would get the Mana Drains first if you can, since 4 drains will help more than any one power card.

Then get Ancestral, cause it's just so broken.
LoA is reasonably cheap, so you should probably pick that up next.
After that, Sapphire gives you turn 1 countering ability, and Time Walk is strong. Then pick up the lotus and off color moxen. Lotus could come earlier, but it costs so much that waiting to try to get a good deal is probably better than rushing out and buying the first one you see.

Of course, you'll probably find that the power you acquire won't follow this patter; you'll just have to take what comes to you. But definitely try to focus on the drains, ancestral, Loa, walk, and sapphire before the off-color moxen.

[upinthe]

Actually, I think its better to go for at least 2-3 moxes before ancestral recall. You can survive with out ancestral, but without the moxes, you are really limited by what you can play.

[MoreFling]

Quote (upinthe @ Jan. 20 2003,07:49)Actually, I think its better to go for at least 2-3 moxes before ancestral recall. You can survive with out ancestral, but without the moxes, you are really limited by what you can play.

This is NOT true in any way heh.

Seriously, Ancestral is the better and most sought-after power-piece.

[dandan]

Pick up Sol Ring. It is often overlooked just because it is cheap. It will be useful in most decks you try (except Stompy and Sligh).

I can't see 8th having a huge impact on prices although fow what it's worth those of us who have made suggestions about reprints have always stated that the secondary market would not be too badly affected if the reprints were white bordered and ugly. Good to see Wizards putting in such good groundwork for the reprints. Silver Moxen? **cough**
       

[shogun]

Didn't people run single mox blue specifically before, or was that just a budget issue?

Any good (tried, tested, and true) card shops that lie within Canada or have reasonable shipping prices to Canada?

[Anonymous]

as the which power to pick first, i sugguest the lotus.  after all, in almost every type one deck its used, save for stompy and possibly sligh*still debateable*.  you can use this in every deck, unlike the moxes, blue power, and such.  after that probably recall, well, comeon, its only the most tutored card for ever!  then after that the library of A, then the moxes(my suggestion is blue to black to white to green to red).  The remaining blue power (walk and twist) should probably be the last thing you get.

As for 8th, i will let time tell on that, but it will probably not look good for the sales of boosters for 8th.

[box]

Quote comeon, its only the most tutored card for ever.

That isn't true. Ancestral is the most tutored.

I would reccomend (assuming your planning on buying all of it) to purchase whats available to you. You find Mox Ruby cheap, buy it. Then grab the next one you find a deal on. And so forth.

If that approach isn't for you, then listen to j_orlove.

[j_orlove]

Quote Quote  
comeon, its only the most tutored card for ever.
That isn't true. Ancestral is the most tutored.

Uh, he said ancestral.  

And I agree with Box, that you shouldn't pass up a good deal, just because it doesn't fit that "plan", nor should you pay too much just because a card is next on the list. Go for what you can get, but focus on the cards that will help you more.

And, I agree that Timetwister should be the last card you get (if you even bother getting it, which you might not even want to do), but Time Walk is strong, and probably rates higher than your 4th or 5th mox, for whatever that's worth.

Oh, and definitely get stuff like Sol Ring, but when a card is that cheap, it usually doesn't matter when you get it--a sol ring today will probably cost about the same as one next year. However, power card prices fluctuate over a ridiculous range, so waiting for a good deal makes more sense.

One good idea would be to bookmark a bunch of e-bay auctions for the various power cards, and then look and see how much stuff like condition and set affects the price (this will also help give you a good "feel" for what each card is worth--whichis something you want to learn before you start buying stuff). You should probably look at e-bay every so often, and sometimes you'll find a great deal there (I got a beat beta ruby for about $85 a couple months ago--I think a lot of people were on vacation when that auction ended  )

[shogun]

Alright I guess I'll just keep my eyes and ears open. (though paying in Canadian $ doesn't help  ).  Though I'll probably will be going limited all the way, and I'm not so much worried about wear (well a little).

Nice job on that ruby!  March Break doesn't seem all that far off, so who knows...

About meeting up with people on this site, are the prices usually lower than on ebay?  Will people use CoD's, and generally what is the cost?  Do you think escrow services (third party holds payment untill buyer inspects product, then buyer can inspect product and choose to authorize payment or send it back, check ebay's site for more info) would be accepted by most players?

I just want to be cautious.

[Anonymous]

Hey

    I built mono blue, and I had to start off unpowered.  If I could do it again, I'd get the Drains first, the Ancestral next, the Sapphire, then LoA, then whatever you want.  Lotus is a pain in the butt, but its probably next on that list.  Anyways, gl finding what you need.  Later,

Nick