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Smmenen
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« on: January 18, 2010, 03:24:30 am » |
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http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/vintage/18681_So_Many_Insane_Plays_The_2009_Vintage_Year_in_Review.htmlMonday, January 18th - 2009 proved to be a milestone year for Magic’s oldest format. Throughout the months, the Vintage metagame shifted relentlessly. In today’s So Many Insane Plays, Stephen Menendian breaks down the year’s most important Vintage moments, strategies, and decklists. From the article: 2009 was a year of innovative discoveries and potent new printings for Vintage Magic. But above all, 2009 was the Year of the Monster. Beasts, large and small, reigned. Each original set introduced some novel behemoth to contend with, some new brute to fear. Exotic and terrifying new Angels, Sphinxes, and Leviathans swaggered through tournament tables. It wasn’t just the colossi that defined Vintage in 2009. A relentless nocturnal spirit found a large niche, one wizard finally reached his full potential, and an amazing cat changed Vintage as we know it. Let’s review the stories that shaped the experience of Vintage players everywhere in 2009. Enjoy!
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« Last Edit: February 18, 2010, 04:49:39 pm by Smmenen »
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Marske
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Go beyond Synergy and enter Poetry
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« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2010, 06:25:23 am » |
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Steve,
It was a nice overview, great read once again.
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Riding a polka-powered zombie T-Rex into a necromancer family reunion in the middle of an evil ghost hurricane. "Meandeckers act like they forgot about Dredge." - Matt Elias The Atog Lord: I'm not an Atog because I'm GOOD with machines  |
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Killane
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I am become Death, the destroyer of Worlds
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« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2010, 10:07:05 am » |
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great article as usual Steve.
Related question, though soemwhat outside fo the scope of the article itself:
Sad lack of TPS in 2009. Given the current state of the metagame, what do you think can be doen to make TPS a stronger contender? After my recent Sideboarding article, I ran it on Saturday and played through 5 rounds loosing only to a Tezz/Painter hybrid which just plain coutnered every relevant play I had and weas running Remora maindeck.
It's still fast, powerful, and broken as hell, but I feel that it needs some extra oomph given its lack of performance in '09. What do you think?
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DCI Rules Advisor _____________________________ _____ Are you playing The Game? |
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Marske
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Go beyond Synergy and enter Poetry
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« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2010, 10:24:05 am » |
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@Killane,
TPS did have a show in 2009 with some people in the NYC / Philly area racking in several top 8's as did the deck grab some top 8's and top 4's over here in Europe. Sadly no tournaments were won.
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Riding a polka-powered zombie T-Rex into a necromancer family reunion in the middle of an evil ghost hurricane. "Meandeckers act like they forgot about Dredge." - Matt Elias The Atog Lord: I'm not an Atog because I'm GOOD with machines |
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Smmenen
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« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2010, 11:20:37 pm » |
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Thanks Guys! I hope everyone really enjoyed the stroll down memory lane.
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vroman
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« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2010, 03:12:49 pm » |
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Mindbreak Trap seems to have missed its opportunity. Tendrils decks adapted quickly with return of Xantid, thus making additional counterspells out of the board an inefficient method of fighting storm.
Spell Pierce though has secured a place as Type 1 staple.
Rav Trap is not groundbreaking, but is definitely relevant, to keep Dredge guessing.
Sad-Sac is the real sleeper hit, which has subtly changed boarding and game decisions in non-intuitive ways.
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Unrestrict: Flash, Burning Wish Restore and restrict: Transmute Artifact, Abeyance, Mox Diamond, Lotus Vale, Scorched Ruins, Shahrazad Kill: Time Vault I say things http://unpopularideasclub.blogspot.com |
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Smmenen
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« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2010, 10:44:19 pm » |
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Mindbreak Trap may not have been a 'broken out card', but it's certainly something that will be permanent Vintage playable, and a great design for Vintage.
Yeah, you've really pushed Sad Sac, and others have followed. It's pretty sweet.
Overall, 2009 was a great year for Vintage. I hope people enjoyed the stories I told about 2009 in this article. There was much to celebrate!
What do you think about my overarching narrative, that 2009 was the year of the monster?
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Smmenen
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« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2010, 04:00:54 pm » |
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This article is now free, and available to non-premium subscribers.
It should bring a smile to your face.
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« Last Edit: February 18, 2010, 04:49:49 pm by Smmenen »
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PETER FLUGZEUG
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New Ease
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« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2010, 04:50:51 pm » |
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Zendikar is still shaping Vintage in ways that are we’re just beginning to appreciate.
How true...
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I will be playing four of these. I'll worry about the deck later.
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CorwinB
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« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2010, 05:43:34 pm » |
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What do you think about my overarching narrative, that 2009 was the year of the monster?
This shows, once again, how much WotC has powered creatures over the last few years. Apart from Spell Pierce, not many spells from recent years are being played regularly in Vintage decks (although I suspect Nature's Claim will see play), but most creatures ranging from Fish critters to Tinker targets are from recent sets (Dark Confidant, Inkwell Leviathan, Sphinx, Iona, Bloodghast, Qasali Pridemage, Noble Hierarch...). And I suspect WWK's Lodestone Golem will see play in quite a few Workshop decks. |
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« Last Edit: February 18, 2010, 05:46:07 pm by Smmenen »
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Smmenen
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« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2010, 05:47:57 pm » |
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It's true.
I actually think that Qasali Pridemage, like Bob, is probably a top 10 creature of all time.
Legacy players widely agree that Pridemage was the best printing of 2009 for Legacy.
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KBH
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« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2010, 11:50:21 am » |
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It's true.
I actually think that Qasali Pridemage, like Bob, is probably a top 10 creature of all time.
Legacy players widely agree that Pridemage was the best printing of 2009 for Legacy.
I think it is more pervasive than even that. It would make for an interesting discussion, but most of the top 10 is going to come from the last few I would think |
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CorwinB
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« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2010, 08:24:01 pm » |
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It's true.
I actually think that Qasali Pridemage, like Bob, is probably a top 10 creature of all time.
Legacy players widely agree that Pridemage was the best printing of 2009 for Legacy.
Stephen, Is ther any chance to have an upcoming article on the most influential/better creatures of all times in Vintage ? "Influential" would be more for the trip down the memory lane (we don't see many people running Psychatog or Morphling nowadays, but I think they would deserve an inclusion), while "better" would consider the current Meta (Dark Confidant, Iona, a couple Dredge critters, Pridemage, Hierarch, Goyf, Inkwell...) |
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Troy_Costisick
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« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2010, 09:13:54 pm » |
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It's true.
I actually think that Qasali Pridemage, like Bob, is probably a top 10 creature of all time.
Legacy players widely agree that Pridemage was the best printing of 2009 for Legacy.
I think it is more pervasive than even that. It would make for an interesting discussion, but most of the top 10 is going to come from the last few I would think I think you're definately right. It's hard to imagine too many of the older creatures matching up anymore. Consider these comparisons: Tarmogoyf vs. Ernham Djinn Tin Street Hooligan vs. Goblin Vandal Qasali Pridemage vs. Scavenger Folk Aven Mindcensor vs. Thunder Spirit Razormane Masticore vs. Masticore Lodestone Golem vs. Juggernaught Wild Nacatl vs. Skyshroud Elite Magus of the Moon vs. Avalanche Riders Bloodghast vs. Ashen Ghoul Noble Heirarch vs. ? Cold Eye Selkie vs. Ophidian Tez (basically a creature) vs. Morphling Sphynx of the Steel Wind vs. Platz Inkwell Leviathan vs. Darksteel Collussus There are a few notable exceptions to the trend. Goblin Lackey and Goblin Welder are still unparalleled. Elvish Spirit Guide still has a place. Gorilla Shaman eats Moxen better than anything. But overall, creatures are far supperior now than they ever have been. Even the two I mentioned from Myrrodin are outclassed now. |
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« Last Edit: February 19, 2010, 09:22:23 pm by Troy_Costisick »
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Smmenen
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« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2010, 09:36:26 pm » |
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hierarch and birds
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Troy_Costisick
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« Reply #15 on: February 19, 2010, 09:41:04 pm » |
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hierarch and birds
Yeah, Hierarch vs. Birds of Paradise. Good call. |
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