My first article

[Anonymous]

Hello class,
Today, I am going to talk to you about a deck that has a special place in my heart, my favorite deck, the only deck that I have tested unpowered and can beat almost anything in its path…R/G Zoo
I know, most of you are probably looking at me like I am crazy, but I am in fact serious. This deck is easily possible of turn four Takedowns, and if there is no or little opposition, turn three.
Here is my decklist for reference:

Creatures:
4x Kird Ape
4x River Boa
4x Skyshrous Elite
4x Wild Mongrel
4x Basking Rootwalla
Enchantments:
4x Rancor
1x Sylvain Library
Other:
4x Lightning Bolt
4x Incinerate
1x Berserk
1x Regrowth
1x Wheel of Fortune
Artifacts:
3x Cursed Scroll
Land/Mana:
4x Mishra’s Factory
4x Taiga
4x Wooded Foothills
2x Forest
1x Mountain
3x Wasteland
1x Stripmine
1x Lotus Petal
1x Mox Diamond

Sideboard:
4x Red Elemental Blast
4x Naturalize
3x Null Rod
4x Hidden Gibbons

Some of these choices, especially the Mongrel/Rootwallas may not be peoples optimal choice, however, I can not think of once where I was not happy to get a Mongrel, or keep a Rootwalla in my hand and wait for a wheel or a Mongrel.
Do you have any idea how powerful a pumped mongrel where you can throw random cards you will not use or if you have a Wheel of Fortune, any of these are great. You can Rancor any creature in the deck to give nice, fast damage and then if you get lucky enough to get a Berserk and it does not get countered, well that basically game. For all the R/G Beatz players out there, don’t be intimidated when you are playing against keeper, TnT or almost any other deck. With a sold Sideboard, R/G Zoo can beat just about anything. TnT, with burn, and your creatures, you can afford to trade 1 for 1, and just keep a few burn for the welders. And keep on attacking. Don’t worry if he/she blocks because you have more creatures then they do and you can afford the trades. When playing against TnT, every little point of damage helps.
Mask, might be hard in the first game, but after siding in Null rods and Naturalize, you should be fine.  
                          Jamino

P.S. This is my first attempt to an article. Please give me feed back. I would love to write another one, if only I had a subject...so if you come up with any grand ideas, tell me and I will TRY to make it into an article.

[MoreFling]

Well, an article is longer in general, with a more in-depth analysis of card choices, and maybe matchup-analysis (don't use win %-s, just mentions pro's con's and such, and sideboard options).

Basicly, now you threw out your deck for all to see. You mentioned in short detail all the obvious thing any trained eye can see, and don't get me wrong, they need to get mentioned, but it's not the most important.

It might also be interesting to discuss other builds/cards you didn't follow/use, and why.

However, it's a good attempt, and I hope this is the kind of feedback you are looking for.
I hope this stimulates you to take another look, and extend the article  

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thank you!
That is exactly the kind of feed back I am looking for. I really appreciate it. I will extend my article and hopefully have it done with the percentages by tomorow, or even today if i work well  .
                                   Jamino

[GnomesofZurich]

Well, a few comments.  

1) When you are writing an article, even more than normal posting, spelling and grammar are important.  Proof read before submitting an article or posting to a site.  I noticed a number of such errors in your article.  Also, the article should be logically layed out, with paragraphs, proper punctuation etc.

2) When you are dealing with controversial choices (such as the Wild Mongrel/Rootwallas) saying "it's great!" isn't going to convince people.  You should make a comparison to other possible choices and cite reasons why your choices are better.

3) Not related to the article as such, but generally wouldn't Elvish Spirit Guide be superior to Lotus Petal and Mox Diamond in this deck?  While I realize the ESGs can't produce red mana, the mana ability can't be countered, they don't cost you a land and can always be cast as a creature if necessary.

Good luck with future articles!

[MoreFling]

Quote (Guest @ Feb. 18 2003,23:02)Thank you!
That is exactly the kind of feed back I am looking for. I really appreciate it. I will extend my article and hopefully have it done with the percentages by tomorow, or even today if i work well  .
                                   Jamino

er.... I said do not mention %, they usually don't mean much, and will result in needless discussion and some flaming. I'd much rather mention the pro's and con's of the matchup, what you need to beat it, and how you approach the matchup. Also go into detail about the sideboarding strategy of yourself, but don't forget the deck you are playing against. What can they bring in against you?

Using these kind of analysis should bring out the decklist you suggested.
Also make sure you mention what kind of decks are present in your metagame, so where your deck shines.
You can suggest changes for different metagames.

The options are endless, it's just what you want to do, and specifically write about.

[Anonymous]

Oops, thats what i meant MoreFling, sorry,
Btw, do you have msn? I would liek to talk to you about this and I find it easier to just talk back and forth then writing messages. Thanks,
O, same to you Gnomes, thanks
       Jamino

[MoreFling]

My msn is morfling@chello.nl

first let me know what yours is, otherwise I won't accept you adding me

I'm european, so I mostly talk at european times though.

[Anonymous]

Mine is French_Skater@hotmail.com