Better Late Than Never

[Nehptis]

I had to double check the date on this article.  But, it does say April 3, 2009.

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/ld/32

What I find most interesting is not the explaination of Restrictions like BS and Ponder.  Although it's about time we got a decent reasoning behind them.  What was intriguing was that the DCI seems to want to sustain the major Archetypes of Vintage.  And seeks to keep them in balance via the B&R list.

Ever since Future Sight was released, the most powerful Vintage decks have revolved around one or more of Dark Ritual, Force of Will, Bazaar of Baghdad, and Mishra's Workshop. ... We are happy despite that apparent inconsistency because each of the four cards I listed creates Vintage deck archetypes. ... However, we value the existence of different decks in a Constructed format, and each of those cards fuels an entire archetype.

So, what I read into article was that Workshop, Bazaar, FoW, and Ritual are here to stay.  One could almost conclude that under the current DCI "Guard" those cards are untouchable.  But, the DCI will wield their powers to keep those Archetypes in balance by restricting cards that push one of those Archetypes too far ahead of the pack.  This means, what they view as "support" cards to FOW decks like Drain and TFK could get the axe if necessary.

I did enjoy this article.  But, I'd love to know what cards the DCI views as "watch-list" cards for each of the Archetypes that they have named:
Archetype FOW: Drain and TFK
Archetype Ritual: ????
Archetype Workshop: ????
Archetype Bazaar: ????

[andrewpate]

Archetype Bazaar: ????

This one interests me most of all.  If Wizards decides that Ichorid decks are a problem, what gets restricted?  Any one card, even Bridge From Below, leaves the deck with plenty of weapons.  Would it get the Long treatment and have several axes fall simultaneously?  It seems like a very hard deck to solve with the Restricted List.  It seems more like a candidate for an Anvil of Bogardan/Tsabo's Web/Kataki, War's Wage-style card, except that Yixlid Jailer and Leyline of the Void are already practically there and still don't do enough (or at least, would not be doing enough in the hypothetical where Wizards/the DCI decides that the deck requires action).

[TheOrangePet]

Archetype Bazaar: ????

This one interests me most of all.  If Wizards decides that Ichorid decks are a problem, what gets restricted?  Any one card, even Bridge From Below, leaves the deck with plenty of weapons.  Would it get the Long treatment and have several axes fall simultaneously?  It seems like a very hard deck to solve with the Restricted List.  It seems more like a candidate for an Anvil of Bogardan/Tsabo's Web/Kataki, War's Wage-style card, except that Yixlid Jailer and Leyline of the Void are already practically there and still don't do enough (or at least, would not be doing enough in the hypothetical where Wizards/the DCI decides that the deck requires action).

Its been said before so I'll say it again.

Serum Powder.

[nataz]

Wow, more bitching about dredge. The moment a bazaar deck gets competitive, people start calling for the DCI to step in. Why not simply get innovative? 

on the topic of the original post:

I thought it was interesting that they mentioned "FOW" decks rather then "Drain" decks. I kinda like that position. It's not perfect, leaving out the obvious fish decks, but it's arguable that those decks are defined by Null Rod/Chalice, not FOW. Personally, I'm surprised they left it at a 4 axis, rather then a 5 axis (rod, FOW, shop, Bazaar, rit)

I think Opet is right, easiest hit for Bazaar decks right now would be powder assuming that you think Dragon isn't a huge threat. I have no idea what you could rest. from ritual and workshop decks though. Perhaps the fact that there isn't an obvious answer implies that there isn't a problem.

[oneofchaos]

If serum powder was to be restricted I would be fine with it.  Restricting bazzaar kills Dawn of the dead variants, ichorid, dragon, ubastax, etc.  It also hurts players that had the actual card as the value just dropped a ton.  Powder is mainly run in the manaless versions of ichorid which I loathe the most.  Restricting it would force ichorid into playing breakthrough et all and would therefore be more affected by hate.  Seems like a fair call, the deck doesn't need to die, just get weakened.

[Joe Indelicato]

Wouldnt it be drain decks instead of fow decks?

[Tha Gunslinga]

Restricting bazzaar kills Dawn of the dead variants, ichorid, dragon, ubastax, etc.

Restricting Bazaar also kills Reanimator and Madness.  The only currently relevant deck there is Ichorid; the others are all marginal at best.

[andrewpate]

Wow, more bitching about dredge. The moment a bazaar deck gets competitive, people start calling for the DCI to step in. Why not simply get innovative?

What did I say that made you think that I thought Dredge required action?  I specifically said that it is NOT a problem right now.

Wouldnt it be drain decks instead of fow decks?

Not really.  Without Drain, most blue archetypes could just use other countermagic and adapt pretty well.  Force of Will allows these decks to fight combo in the early turns and to occasionally tap out when necessary.  Restricting Drain would just require the kill conditions to get shuffled around; restricting Force would kill the whole deck type.  That's what the article meant.

[Nehptis]

RE: Bazaar.  Re-read the article and I think you'll agree that their intention is to NOT restrict any of the cards that define their Archetypes.  Which means FOW, Bazaar, Shop and Ritual are Restriction-proof for the time being.

[Razvan]

Wow, more bitching about dredge. The moment a bazaar deck gets competitive, people start calling for the DCI to step in. Why not simply get innovative? 

on the topic of the original post:

I thought it was interesting that they mentioned "FOW" decks rather then "Drain" decks. I kinda like that position. It's not perfect, leaving out the obvious fish decks, but it's arguable that those decks are defined by Null Rod/Chalice, not FOW. Personally, I'm surprised they left it at a 4 axis, rather then a 5 axis (rod, FOW, shop, Bazaar, rit)

I think Opet is right, easiest hit for Bazaar decks right now would be powder assuming that you think Dragon isn't a huge threat. I have no idea what you could rest. from ritual and workshop decks though. Perhaps the fact that there isn't an obvious answer implies that there isn't a problem.

I honestly thought the beginning of legacy would spell the end to the madness that came with every single restriction season. I guess I was wrong.

I also do not understand how Workshops are CONSISTENTLY on the restricted watch list despite the fact that they almost never show up at the top (and if you somehow ban Vroman, that number would be next to, if not at, zero).

Blue will always be the strongest deck because of FoW, which is (hopefully still) the one untouchable card. It has been said so many times, T1 is a delicate balance. You topple one card, you topple them all, and as long as FoW is safe, and that should hopefully make bazaar and workshop and dark ritual safe.