I attended Return to Ravnica prerelease event at Neutral Grounds Cebu at JY Mall, Lahug, Cebu City. 60 players registered for the said event.
As indicated in previous posts, I decided to play Golgari guild instead of the more favored Azorius guild.
First of, I'm highly satisfied with WotC's effort with their prerelease kits. The sticker and the 20-sided die is an improvement over previous prereleases (or rather, before Avacyn Restored). More freebies would attract more players and having 60 in an event like this is huge.
I first opened the guild booster pack and got a nice Jarad out of it. I guess it all went downhill from there. I don't think I built the optimal Golgari guild deck. I was lacking creatures to be called a swarm and there weren't much creature kill to go around. I guess the card pool was not cooperating (though I never tried to check what color combination I could have gone with if ever I didn't go green-black). I did splash white because of Collective Blessing (the only white-x card in the deck).
Return to Ravnica sealed seems like a slow format. The best way to go is to get to the bombs for the win.
I went 2-2 which isn't too bad.
Furthermore, I would say that Golgari is not really the guild for me.
I look forward to Gatecrash and this time I aim to choose the best guild.
Return to Ravnica best cards
By now, players and article writers have begun to post their top Return to Ravnica cards. Here's my take on Magic the Gathering's most recent expansion.
As a note, I've written about the best cards of past expansions. I've tried to define what best really is. Honestly, it's too difficult to say. A card can be a good card on its own but it wouldn't be played in a competitive level. There are cards that can fit into tier 1 decks and there are cards that make tier 2 decks into tier 1. And so on and so forth. That said, I give up on how to define "best". This would be a mix and match of everything good and more.
Honorable mention:
1. Corspejack Menace
2. Mizzium Mortars
3. Dreadbore
Incidentally, Corspejack Menace is the only prerelease card in the list (technically not in the list but I'll just include the honorable mentions still). I tried hard to think if it was really that good. So far, it has been enough to warrant an honorable mention. The doubling of a counter would have an application for the Undying ability. But other than that, it's a useful weapon for Golgari's Scavenge ability. Even Rakdos' Unleash would be happy.
Mizzium Mortars is the only monocolored card in the list. It's not there because of what the normal casting cost can do nor is it there for what the Overload cost can do. Rather, I've placed it in the list because of the versatility it provides to the spellcaster knowing that the card is still useful late in the game against multiple creatures.
The only Rakdos card in the list is Dreadbore. For quite a long time, we get to see the word Planeswalker placed in a non-Planeswalker card again. Dreadbore is not an "I win" card but its ability to snuff out a Planeswalker is quite an ability. And again, with versatility, Dreadbore can get rid of a pesky creature just in case.
I cheated. It's supposed to be only 1 honorable mention card. Originally, I had only Corspejack Menace as honorable mention. I figured I could add Mizzium Mortars - being the only monocolored card in the list - and Dreadbore - being the only Rakdos card in the list.
10. Lotleth Troll
As a 2/1 creature for 2, Lotleth Troll is just okay. It's the added abilities that coincide with its guild that makes it worthy at the #10 position. And the best thing about getting bigger is that it has trample.
The best use of Lotleth Troll's +1/+1 counter ability is to, of course, discard creatures with Scavenge. In any case, any creature would have to do.
9. Sphinx's Revelation
I've seen instant spells that allow the player to draw multiple cards before. This might be just a functional reprint but as always it is a relevant weapon. And I just realized that it somehow "nullifies" Rakdos' Return (a card that I would think is also good).
Well, very straightforward - it nets you cards and lets you gain life. The cost is moot here and players would want to cast this at end of turn anyway.
8. Loxodon Smiter
Loxodon Smiter has initiated lots of debate on whether blue was dead. I, for one, would say "No". Loxodon Smiter is just like any other creature and as long as it doesn't have hexproof, it has a bulls-eye on its head.
In any case, Loxodon Smiter is still a good card. A 4/4 for 3 is not common (it's rare!). The other abilities are pure gravy. Still it should provide quite the beatdown not just for blue mages.
7. Mercurial Chemister
Mercurial Chemister's abilities are just what an Izzet mage should be. Again, the ability to draw cards is a major plus. The red mana ability is just splendid.
Unfortunately though, Mercurial Chemister is too costly at 5 mana. Nevertheless, I hope someone puts this in a tier 1 deck.
6. Return to Ravnica charms
Again, I'm cheating by putting in all 5 charms at #6. One particular favorite is Golgari Charm. But no matter, all 5 charms are useful in their own right. 3 abilities in one card is never boring.
5. Deathrite Shaman
Yet another creature with lots of abilities. As I'm writing this, I realize that I've been looking (and evaluating) the cards based on their abilities.
Deathrite Shaman is a wonderful work. Again, it pairs itself well with the Golgari guild. Like Mercurial Chemister, it would be hard to find a deck for it. Still, I want to see it in a tier 1 deck.
* Creatures like Deathrite Shaman and Mercurial Chemister seem to be similar to the Planeswalkers with their abilities.
4. Return to Ravnica guildmages
Aside from the trend of creature abilities, I'm also seeing a trend on the cheating. Here is another cycle with the guildmages. The favorite here is New Prahv Guildmage which can win games on its own.
All 5 guildmages are of the same power level and have useful abilities. The best thing about the new guildmages is they don't need to be tapped to activate their abilities.
3. Supreme Verdict
The new functional reprint of Wrath of God is more of a Day of Judgment reprint and comes with a "cannot be countered" clause. Considering how M13 got Planar Cleansing only (and a bad choice at that for the usual mass destruction for white) Supreme Verdict would be an appropriate mass destruction spell of choice.
2. Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius
The only guildmaster in the list and it had to be Niv-Mizzet. I loved the original Niv-Mizzet in Guildpact. It was just too bad that being in the second set (and a small one at that), it had to go to the sidelines as other better cards got attention.
I still love the new Niv-Mizzet and he warrants a deck. The ability is directly related to the original incarnation. With the Titans gone, Niv-Mizzet heralds a new breed of "titans" from Return to Ravnica.
1. Armada Wurm
The new Broodmate Dragon is 2-colored only. Armada Wurm doesn't fly but it still has trample. The net power that is attained from the 2 wurms is enough to make it #1 in this list. And that's not the only reason: Armada Wurm enables the Populate mechanic of Selesnya.
As a note, I've written about the best cards of past expansions. I've tried to define what best really is. Honestly, it's too difficult to say. A card can be a good card on its own but it wouldn't be played in a competitive level. There are cards that can fit into tier 1 decks and there are cards that make tier 2 decks into tier 1. And so on and so forth. That said, I give up on how to define "best". This would be a mix and match of everything good and more.
Honorable mention:
1. Corspejack Menace
2. Mizzium Mortars
3. Dreadbore
Incidentally, Corspejack Menace is the only prerelease card in the list (technically not in the list but I'll just include the honorable mentions still). I tried hard to think if it was really that good. So far, it has been enough to warrant an honorable mention. The doubling of a counter would have an application for the Undying ability. But other than that, it's a useful weapon for Golgari's Scavenge ability. Even Rakdos' Unleash would be happy.
Mizzium Mortars is the only monocolored card in the list. It's not there because of what the normal casting cost can do nor is it there for what the Overload cost can do. Rather, I've placed it in the list because of the versatility it provides to the spellcaster knowing that the card is still useful late in the game against multiple creatures.
The only Rakdos card in the list is Dreadbore. For quite a long time, we get to see the word Planeswalker placed in a non-Planeswalker card again. Dreadbore is not an "I win" card but its ability to snuff out a Planeswalker is quite an ability. And again, with versatility, Dreadbore can get rid of a pesky creature just in case.
I cheated. It's supposed to be only 1 honorable mention card. Originally, I had only Corspejack Menace as honorable mention. I figured I could add Mizzium Mortars - being the only monocolored card in the list - and Dreadbore - being the only Rakdos card in the list.
10. Lotleth Troll
As a 2/1 creature for 2, Lotleth Troll is just okay. It's the added abilities that coincide with its guild that makes it worthy at the #10 position. And the best thing about getting bigger is that it has trample.
The best use of Lotleth Troll's +1/+1 counter ability is to, of course, discard creatures with Scavenge. In any case, any creature would have to do.
9. Sphinx's Revelation
I've seen instant spells that allow the player to draw multiple cards before. This might be just a functional reprint but as always it is a relevant weapon. And I just realized that it somehow "nullifies" Rakdos' Return (a card that I would think is also good).
Well, very straightforward - it nets you cards and lets you gain life. The cost is moot here and players would want to cast this at end of turn anyway.
8. Loxodon Smiter
Loxodon Smiter has initiated lots of debate on whether blue was dead. I, for one, would say "No". Loxodon Smiter is just like any other creature and as long as it doesn't have hexproof, it has a bulls-eye on its head.
In any case, Loxodon Smiter is still a good card. A 4/4 for 3 is not common (it's rare!). The other abilities are pure gravy. Still it should provide quite the beatdown not just for blue mages.
7. Mercurial Chemister
Mercurial Chemister's abilities are just what an Izzet mage should be. Again, the ability to draw cards is a major plus. The red mana ability is just splendid.
Unfortunately though, Mercurial Chemister is too costly at 5 mana. Nevertheless, I hope someone puts this in a tier 1 deck.
6. Return to Ravnica charms
Again, I'm cheating by putting in all 5 charms at #6. One particular favorite is Golgari Charm. But no matter, all 5 charms are useful in their own right. 3 abilities in one card is never boring.
5. Deathrite Shaman
Yet another creature with lots of abilities. As I'm writing this, I realize that I've been looking (and evaluating) the cards based on their abilities.
Deathrite Shaman is a wonderful work. Again, it pairs itself well with the Golgari guild. Like Mercurial Chemister, it would be hard to find a deck for it. Still, I want to see it in a tier 1 deck.
* Creatures like Deathrite Shaman and Mercurial Chemister seem to be similar to the Planeswalkers with their abilities.
4. Return to Ravnica guildmages
Aside from the trend of creature abilities, I'm also seeing a trend on the cheating. Here is another cycle with the guildmages. The favorite here is New Prahv Guildmage which can win games on its own.
All 5 guildmages are of the same power level and have useful abilities. The best thing about the new guildmages is they don't need to be tapped to activate their abilities.
3. Supreme Verdict
The new functional reprint of Wrath of God is more of a Day of Judgment reprint and comes with a "cannot be countered" clause. Considering how M13 got Planar Cleansing only (and a bad choice at that for the usual mass destruction for white) Supreme Verdict would be an appropriate mass destruction spell of choice.
2. Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius
The only guildmaster in the list and it had to be Niv-Mizzet. I loved the original Niv-Mizzet in Guildpact. It was just too bad that being in the second set (and a small one at that), it had to go to the sidelines as other better cards got attention.
I still love the new Niv-Mizzet and he warrants a deck. The ability is directly related to the original incarnation. With the Titans gone, Niv-Mizzet heralds a new breed of "titans" from Return to Ravnica.
1. Armada Wurm
The new Broodmate Dragon is 2-colored only. Armada Wurm doesn't fly but it still has trample. The net power that is attained from the 2 wurms is enough to make it #1 in this list. And that's not the only reason: Armada Wurm enables the Populate mechanic of Selesnya.
RIP Butch Maniego
I read the sad news on Butch Maniego yesterday (October 1, 2012).
Mr. Maniego and I cannot be considered as friends. It's more like acquaintances. He's the closest person I know (and do a handshake with) who is a celebrity in the Philippines.
I knew Mr. Maniego back then when I first knew about the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association). It could have been through the radio because it was my only source of live basketball before our city (and household) gained access to cable TV (and the other Philippine channels). Later on, I might have seen him on TV. These memories are kind of vague because I can't visualize his face as someone I remembered when looking back at PBA. But the name stuck.
Fast forward to my Magic the Gathering days and I was quite surprised to hear (and read) that Mr. Maniego played. There was a thread about celebrities who played and his name might have popped out.
My best memory (or memories) of Mr. Maniego has everything to do with Magic:
1. I facilitated a trade for his foil textless Day of Judgment. He wanted a Call of the Herd very badly and the DoJ was super extra. He was so thankful with how I facilitated the trade and asked if I wanted anything for my effort. I asked for his autograph. He replied that he was a nobody and asked why I would want his autograph. In any case, he sent me his calling card with his signature. Back then he was a something-something for the PBL (Philippine Basketball League).
2. After playing URzatron in Visayas regionals, Mr. Maniego called me (yes, he called me!) and asked for my firsthand experience in playing URzatron. I also gave my opinions on some of the decks that I knew about. I was like, "Wow. I'm talking to Butch Maniego!"
I got to meet him in person twice. The first time was in a prerelease in Cebu (I already forgot what expansion it was). I do remember the month and it was January because he was in town with his family to experience Sinulog. Since there was a prerelease on the weekend, he took the time to play. And he didn't disappoint with how he played. He was good. On the last round (he had a 2-1 record already), he asked his opponent (3-0) if he wanted the prerelease shirt in exchange for a booster pack. His opponent agreed and that was it. I casually asked him about the round and he said that it was a no big deal for him.
The second time I saw him I thought he had already retired from playing competitive Magic. It was the Manila Grand Prix (I forgot the year so it could be 2008 or 2010). I only got to say "Hi" and "Hello". I wonder if he remembered me.
My heart goes to him and his family. Rest in peace, Sir. It was a pleasure knowing you.
Mr. Maniego and I cannot be considered as friends. It's more like acquaintances. He's the closest person I know (and do a handshake with) who is a celebrity in the Philippines.
I knew Mr. Maniego back then when I first knew about the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association). It could have been through the radio because it was my only source of live basketball before our city (and household) gained access to cable TV (and the other Philippine channels). Later on, I might have seen him on TV. These memories are kind of vague because I can't visualize his face as someone I remembered when looking back at PBA. But the name stuck.
Fast forward to my Magic the Gathering days and I was quite surprised to hear (and read) that Mr. Maniego played. There was a thread about celebrities who played and his name might have popped out.
My best memory (or memories) of Mr. Maniego has everything to do with Magic:
1. I facilitated a trade for his foil textless Day of Judgment. He wanted a Call of the Herd very badly and the DoJ was super extra. He was so thankful with how I facilitated the trade and asked if I wanted anything for my effort. I asked for his autograph. He replied that he was a nobody and asked why I would want his autograph. In any case, he sent me his calling card with his signature. Back then he was a something-something for the PBL (Philippine Basketball League).
2. After playing URzatron in Visayas regionals, Mr. Maniego called me (yes, he called me!) and asked for my firsthand experience in playing URzatron. I also gave my opinions on some of the decks that I knew about. I was like, "Wow. I'm talking to Butch Maniego!"
I got to meet him in person twice. The first time was in a prerelease in Cebu (I already forgot what expansion it was). I do remember the month and it was January because he was in town with his family to experience Sinulog. Since there was a prerelease on the weekend, he took the time to play. And he didn't disappoint with how he played. He was good. On the last round (he had a 2-1 record already), he asked his opponent (3-0) if he wanted the prerelease shirt in exchange for a booster pack. His opponent agreed and that was it. I casually asked him about the round and he said that it was a no big deal for him.
The second time I saw him I thought he had already retired from playing competitive Magic. It was the Manila Grand Prix (I forgot the year so it could be 2008 or 2010). I only got to say "Hi" and "Hello". I wonder if he remembered me.
My heart goes to him and his family. Rest in peace, Sir. It was a pleasure knowing you.
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