Budget testing group

[Nazdakka]

This idea got floated in the 'whinge' thread as a way of improving the quality of this forum, but noone's has really taken it up. So how about we see if we can get it started

I haven't been involved with this sort of thing before, but how about this:

- Some kind of email/PM list to stay in touch, depending on the level of interest that we get. We'd need someone to volunteer to admin this (I can't, as I spend half the year at uni, where I can't play online)

- Aim to look at 1 budget deck at a time, to be decided either by general concensus or the admin. That will mean that we'll be able to co-ordinate efforts and get a coherent look at each archetype as opposed to anecdotes. Testing to be reported either on the board or the contact list.

- A generic gauntlet, comprised not only of the current tier 1 / 2, but also of a few decks which you expect to see regardless of metagame. Ideally we'd try to limit the size of this by testing against one deck of each type as opposed to each individual deck, as testing each matchup is going to take some time.

Suggested Gauntlet:

Top tier decks -
4cc
Fish (U/R, ignore WTF and JP's Madness)
Controllish Workshop, probably either Slaver or 7/10 as opposed to both.
Aggro-Workshop
Fast combo (ie. Belcher, ignore TPS and Draw 7)
Dragon
Hulk

Common budget decks -
Food Chain goblins
Suicide
Type 2 Ravager + 4 Tangle Wire

Again, this is intended as a sample of the meta as opposed to a comprehensive gauntlet. I know that Madness and U/R Fish are very different decks, but Fish is more common and represents Null Rod aggro-control in general. I've also not taken Crucible into account, because we don't know what it will do yet

[martyr]

I'd be interested in being a part of such a test group, but if it's ok, I'd really like to work on Landstill. Good idea, though.

[Ifflejink]

Mono Blue could end up being a prominent deck, since Smmenen wrote an article on it and placed 5th with it at Gencon. Inevitably, this is going to lead to quite a bit of Mono Blue in today's meta.

I'd like to join this group. I haven't been very active on TMD lately, but I'm very much up-to-date about the metagame.

On a side note, I think that the budget Fish deck that made top eight at Gencon really disproves the notion that just because a deck is budget, it can't make top eight at major tournaments.

Edit: Edited last statement to mean what it actually was ment to.

[DI419!]

I'd actually be interested in this, but my noobness could keep me from being very useful. :lol: I would enjoy doing something like this, though.

[Chaos Blade]

I'm Interested to. My aim is

UncleO287, I right now can play UR Fish , WTF and 4cc

[Kramerica]

i'd like to help test or discuss. My shop finally allowed 5 proxies but i can't play because of school. AIM Joebobdog9

[MuzzonoAmi]

I might be able to help. I'm really busy right now, but I'm trying to keep abreast of things, and can contribute some of my ideas.

[Kwizzkidd]

I am all up for it....my aim is Games11615 and lately i have been playing U/W landstill, Type 1 Aluren, and Ankh Sligh Mostyl landstill and partner playing Aluren Both been finishing top 4 most of the time at our local shop.....

[Tobi]

I am also interested in this group. I can give you my ICQ, AIM and email via PM.

I have been playing Landstill, RG Beatz and Monobrown Aggro in my last tournaments, and had some success with budget (and partially powered) builds.

[Timewalker]

I'm interested to assist in brainstorming, discussing, whatever!

[Phantomz]

First of all, before everyone starts posting their contact info, we should have a general guideline.

Should we use Apprentice of Magic Workstation?
What instant messanger client should we use (AIM,ICQ,MSN,etc..)?
Is MIRC a possibly too?

I think we also need a more solid gauntlet from that list you already created.

Once we all agree on the magic program and a IM client, we should be ready to go.

[MIZEnhauer]

i'd be interested in joining the group. Right now im playing mono blue and think that should be in the gauntlet
AIM: itis1711

[DI419!]

I use AIM and MWS, but I don't think it matters much.  Can we have a list of people?

[Nazdakka]

Ok, I STRONGLY suggest we use MWS. It can get round the firewall problem with mwsplay.net and other servers, and IMO it's simply a better piece of software.

Messenger: I use MSN... but this can be sorted out later, it's not crucial.

IRC: Message boards are not too great for sorting this sort of thing out. I suggest an initial IRC meeting to establish the initial membership, software and groundrules/aims. (Everyone has it, right? www.mIRC.com if you don't)

So for people who want to help thrash out what exactly we want to be doing, we'll have a meeting at 6pm EST (12am CET) on Sunday. We'll start in #themanadrain and move someplace else  to hold the meeting. We can talk about the admin stuff, what should be on a gauntlet, what software to use, how to keep in touch, etc.

Hope to see a good turnout

[MIZEnhauer]

ill be there, hope to talk to every one else

[WilD]

MWS is needed for wishes and such

[Xeeko]

This whole thing sounds very intresting, I'll definatlely join that meeting.

[mongrel12]

I would probably be interested in playtesting--however i will be away tommorow. Would severely appreciate it if someone would pm me what went down over the meeting.
Thanks

[Danzig]

Powerless 4cc and Landstill are what I'm working with at the time.
Apprentice works for me.  

[Kasuras]

I would like to join this group.

I have hotmail, googlemail, irc and of course msn to keep in touch with people. And I'm a budget player myself IRL too,  playtesting IRL is rather hard though due to a scrubby/t2 metagame. Therefore: MWS and apprentice are the best solutions for me, safe pure theoretical of course. Pm me for any additional information.

[Phantomz]

So for people who want to help thrash out what exactly we want to be doing, we'll have a meeting at 6pm EST (12am CET) on Sunday. We'll start in #themanadrain and move someplace else  to hold the meeting. We can talk about the admin stuff, what should be on a gauntlet, what software to use, how to keep in touch, etc.

Hope to see a good turnout

We have alot of people who either use MWS or Apprentice. We also have alot of different instant messanger clients.

I agree with Nazdakka that we should all meet in #themanadrain on IRC and we can all sort it out.

[Jacob Orlove]

You could easily create a new channel. If you want, you could have jeek set up his bot so you can have ops and everything.

I suggest #themanaleak

[rvs]

You could easily create a new channel. If you want, you could have jeek set up his bot so you can have ops and everything.

I suggest #themanaleak

2k3 flashback!

[Jacob Orlove]

Okay, I set up #themanaleak for you guys. Jeek should bring in the bot at some point. Just pop in there whenever and you can see who else is on and test with them.

[Nazdakka]

Mini-primer for IRC, due to people not managing to join and lots of random msgs.

I'm assuming you are using mIRC, which I linked to earlier.

Step #1  Click the thunderbolt in the top left. Click OK
Step #2  Type /join #themanaleak in the big window
Step #3  STOP MSGING ME AT RANDOM!

Hope this helps.

[Jacob Orlove]

<j_orlove> I think it's an irc.dks.ca problem
<j_orlove> since all these people seem to be using that server

If you're on that server, try switching to a new one. All of the people having trouble seem to be on it.

[Phantomz]

Thanks Jacob. You guys redeemed yourself after killing the budget forum. I hope we can make some strong improvements now that our group is starting up.

[Nazdakka]

Ok, meeting just finished. Here is what we decided:

1) We will take 1 deck over the course of 2 weeks, at put it up against a smallish Gauntlet. We play 10 matches of Budget deck vs gauntlet deck, with sideboards, making notes of how to play it, which cards are important, etc. First deck will be U/G Madness from 'The New Hotness' (exact build to be sorted later). Later decks will generally be 'Group 2' budget decks, from the definition stickied at the top.

2) Each person takes 1 gauntlet deck, and learns to play it well. If you want to join us, sign up for a deck on this list which hasn't been taken and which you would not mind learning. You had better enjoy playing it

Here is our current gauntlet and players:

4cc                      - Apopaddic
Belcher                - DI419
Workshop Control -
Workshop Aggro   - RYU
U/R Fish               - Funkymon
GAT                     - Gooba
Smemmen Blue    - Nazdakka

We'll send out a listing for each gauntlet deck once we get sorted, based on SCG's 'Decks to Beat' or later TMD versions if we can get them. If we get more players, we can add more archtypes to this list. Apopaddic has volunteered to keep the gauntlet up to date and distribute it. Some feedback should be possible to keep your own gauntlet deck to your liking.

We also need an extra player whose job it is to play the budget deck against the gauntlet. For the first week, that's me, so we need another Smemmen Blue player. Holding the budget deck means a fair bit of extra work, but it should only be once every few months for each person.

3) Admin. We'll keep an MSN/Email contact list as well as using #TheManaLeak to stay in contact. DI419 has volunteered to act as list admin, his job is to maintain the list and add people who want in.

So, this is what we intend to progress. The only thing we need is more people. If you are willing to play 10 MWS matches with your deck every 2 weeks to help us out, then PM me and DI419 and we'll get it sorted.

[Nazdakka]

Final decklist to be tested (for reference. Discussion elsewhere )

1 Strip Mine
3 Forest
2 Green Fetch
3 Blue Fetch
5 Island
4 Tropical Island
4 Wasteland

4 Aquameoba
4 Arrogent Wurm
4 Basking Rootwalla
4 Wild Mongrel
3 Wonder

3 Null Rod
3 Daze
1 Stifle
3 Deep Analyis
4 Force of Will
1 Gush
4 Brainstorm

SB:
1 Null Rod
3 Blue Elemental Blast
3 Back to Basics
3 Energy Flux
4 Oxidize
1 Ground Seal

[theorigamist]

Once I get situated in Chicago I might be interested in this, if you still need more people.  I was wondering, however, if you have any plans to expand this to testing the most viable budget decks in 5/10 proxy environments.