Here we are again, treading water through the Dead Zone hoping any tidbit of MTG news to lighten our days.  With none seemingly forthcoming, now is one of those times to Ponder the more minute details of the Magic the Gathering Universe.  For example, why does green so often get assigned decay-type abilities like wither and infect, and why do angels always wear swimsuits while fighting evil?  Those are only the tip of the ice-berg as we delve into more Musings from the Multiverse.

[caption id="attachment_12662" align="alignright" width="249" caption="without infect, do the mirrans stand a chance?"][/caption]

“Mirrodin Besieged Faction Packs seem like a cool idea for a once in a blue moon type promotional event, but could they be viable as an entire set gimmick?  It could work if they ironed out the following pitfalls:  One faction having the best chase card in the set.  This is easy, because the non-faction cards are most likely to be the most chase-worthy (cards like Planeswalkers and special lands), thus simply include them randomly in both factions.  Also, much like a Duel Deck product, one faction cannot contain a vast edge in card quality (imagine if Alara was released with Jund faction boosters).  WotC could prevent this by simply playtesting as factions, and making sure to keep mechanics fairly even on both sides.”

“During this Status Report article last week, I argued that Planeswalkers had increased some much in value because not only are they harder to acquire (thanks Mythic rarity), but they have become much better cards in less than a year.  Scars of Mirrodin, as a set, probably has the highest average level of PW-power ever, including the original five in Lorwyn.  Will these uber-walkers be the future, or an aberration? Likely the former, as WotC realized all we want from a PW is five or less CMC (preferably four), and a game-winning ultimate.  Not too hard for the old R&D to nail down, right?”

[caption id="attachment_12664" align="alignleft" width="280" caption="ajani alone? this seems more fair"][/caption]

“Unless you’ve been living under a rock this past week, you’ve probably heard the Duel Decks: Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas rumors floating around.  First reaction, how is poor Ajani going solo against the most ancient of evils (I know he held his own in the book, but holding one’s own is far different than winning)?  Second reaction, what Ajani are they using, pure-White (which would make four mono-white duel decks printed) or the Vengeant Red-White version with a few Lightning Helix’s thrown in for good measure (this question was echoed by many of our Twitter followers)?  Third reaction, after stealing the Elspeth vs. Tezzeret DD for $20, how excited are we supposed to be for these two washout Alara Mythics?”

“Mark ‘@maro254’ Rosewater tweeted we would be seeing more poison in Mirrodin Besieged.  What is the tipping point for this renewed mechanic before it becomes Cascade or Affinity again?  It’s not there yet, but an entire new set could push it to those levels like Bloodbraid Elf teaming with Blightning to define a format.  And, if Infect is never destined to reach these lofty heights, why not?  Are they planning on releasing only Limited useful (read: bad) Infect cards from now on? Or will there be Poison removal cards (which Rosewater swore they would not be printing)?”

[caption id="attachment_12663" align="alignright" width="250" caption="at least WWK duals had something special to offer"][/caption]

“Despite protests from a very loud minority, it’s pretty obvious to us that the SoM dual lands aren’t very good.  Useful maybe, and playable certainly (so are the Zendikar Refuges) but just not very good.  Why are so many players touting their virtues when you can eBay a play-set for $10?  When M10 was released that money could buy you a single Rootbound Crag, and Zendikar came with lands worth almost twice that.  The Worldwake tapped rare lands had remarkable abilities, the Scars cycle just offer you an uninterrupted second and third turns.  Wizards, couldn’t you have upped the ‘other land’ number to three, because the fourth turn is important too.”

“It may not seem like it, but time is running out to produce new Planeswalkers for inclusion in the Magic 2012 Core Set.  Earlier this year, players were pretty sure the Lorwyn 2.0 cycle of walkers would be ready for M11.  When it was revealed that not only were there no Garruk Wildspeaker or Liliana Vess 2.0 forthcoming, but the original five would be re-printed, we all knew than next time there would be a new five.  With only two more expansions (neither a good fit for Garruk of Lilianna), what are we going to get come M12?  If this sounds like the ranting of a fanboy coming to the frightening realization that the OG Five could be back again, you’re 100% right.”

“During a recent ranting with Reinhart about the Gameplay > Flavor foundation of Magic the Gathering, he brought up an interesting point.  Why not creature type-specific spells, artifacts, and equipment?  Sure Lorwyn tinkered with the idea by making certain cards ‘tribal’, but that was more of a bonus while this would be a restriction.  No more Infiltration Lens wearing Plated Slagwurms.  If you are going to equip an 'elvish' bow, then it had better be to an elf.  Not some ooze, or jellyfish.”

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