Rocking Rancor II

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

We promised last week (in the first installement of 'Rocking Rancor') that we would pick up on a Green / White Infect deck featuring the new M13 aura all-star Rancor.  Like the M12 rare enchantment, Angelic Destiny, this aura pops back into your hand should your enchanted critter get pwn'd.  Unlike Angelic Destiny, Rancor is significantly cheaper and provides a highly sought-after ability in today's meta-game - trample.  With token decks still enjoying popularity, there are chump blockers everywhere.  Even with some of those beffy green indestructible cretures, having a bunch of -1/-1 counters pile up after a block seems decent.

Anywhoos - we had read Mike Flores's Proposed Green-White Infect Deck last month with some interest as we had already physically laid out pretty much the same deck on the game table.  We money to invest in a deckset of Inkmoth, so our build was a titch weaker than Mike's.  Righto - let's have a looky-loo . . .


Glistener Elf
Rancor
Mutagenic Growth
Necropede
Ranger's Guild
Ichorclaw Myr
Apostle's Blessing
Lost Leonin
Titanic Growth
Wild Defiance
Dismember

We are also carefully considering a sideboard for this and have a lot of choices which will likely solidify into a proper list after a bunch of games.

We really never had a chance to play with Glissa, the Traitor and now we are contemplating a nice casual green black infect list with Glissa and Rancor but have yet to get anything together yet which plays smoothly.
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We've recently been shopping over at MTG Mint Card for the odd M13 card we've not yet picked up as well as indulging in a bit of nostaligia with the older Ravnica cards (brought on no doubt by this fall's Return to Ravnica set).  Check 'em out.
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Magic 2013 GameDay

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

This weekend, Magic the Gathering players will be descending on local gaming stores all around the globe to participate in M13 GameDay.  This standard constructed event takes place just a few short weeks after each set's release which affords time for players to collect cards and build a viable strategy to take on opponents.  If you still have an outstanding card or two you haven't be able to get a hold of, it might not yet be too late - check out MTG Mint Card.  To find a store hosting this event local to you check out the Wizards Locator.

We are planning to head out to our local store, OMG! Games here in Barrie, in Central Ontario for a chance to win some very decent prizes.  Here's the 4.1.1. you need to know . . .

M13 Gameday - Saturday August 4th

Start Time : 12:30pm, registration opens at 11:00am
Cost : $5
Format : Standard Constructed
Location : 130 Bell Farm Rd  Barrie, ON L4M 6J4

All participants receive an exclusive Mwonvuli Beast Tracker.

The Top 8 players each receive an exclusive Magmaquake full-art promo card.

The first place winner of Magic 2013 Game Day will receive an exclusive Champion Playmat.

Additional prizes of M13 Boosters given out to top players.

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M13 Event decklists

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

Today, WoTC Monty provided the Magic 2013 core set Event Deck lists.   These products are typically released on 'Game Day' which is approximately three weeks after a set's release date.  Newer players who have 'cut their teeth' on Intro Packs may now be ready to advance and get themselves into a more competitive preconstructed build such as Event decks.  These decks may be further upgraded to taste - we suggest you click on over to MTG Mint Card.

The 2013 Core Set Event Decks are Repeat Performance (/ ) and Sweet Revenge (/ / ).  These will have an MSRP of $24.99 and go on sale August 3, 2012.  Each Event Deck contains one 60-card deck, one 15-card sideboard, one Spindown life counter, one strategy insert, and a handy card box to house your new card goodness in.
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Repeat Performance - Magic 2013 Event Deck

22 lands : 12  Forest, 8  Plains, 2  Razorverge Thicket (R)

33 creatures : 1  Acidic Slime, 2  Arbor Elf, 3  Attended Knight, 4  Avacyn's Pilgrim, 1  Blade Splicer (R), 3  Borderland Ranger, 1  Brutalizer Exarch, 2  Elvish Visionary, 1  Fiend Hunter, 1  Geist-Honored Monk (R), 1  Glimmerpoint Stag, 4  Llanowar Elves, 1  Mwonvuli Beast Tracker, 4  Roaring Primadox, 1  Stingerfling Spider, 1  Stonehorn Dignitary, 1  Sunblast Angel (R), 1  Thragtusk (R)

5 other spells : 1  Green Sun's Zenith (R), 4  Lead the Stampede

15 sideboard cards : 3  Cloudshift, 2  Dismember, 3  Kemba's Skyguard, 4  Oblivion Ring, 3  War Priest of Thune

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Sweet Revenge - Magic 2013 Event Deck

24 lands : 1  Darkslick Shores (R), 1  Desolate Lighthouse (R), 4  Evolving Wilds, 7  Island, 9  Mountain, 1  Sulfur Falls (R), 1  Swamp

7 creatures : 2  Armored Skaab, 4  Fettergeist, 1  Firewing Phoenix (R)

29 other spells : 4  Burning Vengeance, 4  Desperate Ravings, 4  Faithless Looting, 3  Forbidden Alchemy, 2  Geistflame, 3  Pillar of Flame, 1  Red Sun's Zenith (R), 1  Rolling Temblor, 1  Silent Departure, 2  Slagstorm (R), 4  Think Twice

15 sideboard cards : 2  Arc Trail, 4  Bloodcrazed Neonate, 2  Dismember, 4  Screeching Skaab, 3  Secrets of the Dead
 

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M13 Wild Rush

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Each ready-to-play 2013 Core Set intro pack comes with a 60-card deck and TWO 2013 Core Set booster Packs.  As is tradition here at MTG Realm, we pick up one or more Intro Packs and then do a dissection / unboxing of it on video for you.  We scored the green / black 'Wild Rush' this time.  Good solid product to start into the game with or just battle another player armed with another Intro Pack.  We were VERY happy with the epic foil we pulled out of one of the two booster packs in this . . .


 
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Yep - that was a foil Lili in that second booster - we died and went to N3rd heaven.

 

Each Magic 2013 Intro Pack contains
•  1 Premium Card
•  1 60-Card Deck
•  2 Boosters
•  1 Learn-To-Play Insert
•  1 Strategy Insert

Intro Packs hit local gaming stores on 13th July and has a suggested retail price of about $15.00, which we think provides decent value as they now have two booster packs.  The Intro Pack is a great way for novice players to get into the game and are easily customized.  We suggest that you may want to pick up additional Magic 2013 singles from MTG Mint Card to upgrade the decklist as your skill improves.  Anywhoos - onto the lists . . .

Wild Rush - /
Rares - Yeva, Nature's Herald, Predatory Rampage

Massive creatures hit the ground running with this explosive deck. Legendary elf Yeva, Nature’s Herald adds an element of surprise to your game, letting you cast creatures just about whenever you want to. Crush your enemies when they least expect it.

25 lands : 1  Evolving Wilds, 16  Forest, 8  Swamp

21 creatures : 1  Acidic Slime, 3  Arbor Elf, 2  Centaur Courser, 2  Deadly Recluse, 2  Duskdale Wurm, 2  Garruk's Packleader, 1  Mwonvuli Beast Tracker, 1  Primal Huntbeast, 1  Sentinel Spider, 2  Spiked Baloth, 2  Vastwood Gorger, 1  Yeva, Nature's Herald, 1  Yeva's Forcemage

14 other spells : 1  Crippling Blight, 2  Essence Drain, 1  Fungal Sprouting, 1  Naturalize, 1  Predatory Rampage, 1  Prey Upon, 2  Public Execution, 1  Rancor, 2  Ranger's Path, 1  Ring of Kalonia, 1  Rise from the Grave
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M13 Top Fives

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

As is tradition here at MTG Realm, we pre-order a 4x common and uncommon set of the latest Magic the  Gathering set.  MTG Mint Card ships from Asia on Friday and we get them on Monday.  Having some time between the prerelease and the launch, the MTG Realm crew has a chance to evaluate the cards.


Here is our run-down of the Top Five Commons and Uncommons for Magic 2013 Core Set ('M13') based on our own gut feelings of how the cards will perform in standard as well as limited . . .

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Top Five M13 Commons :
• Murder
• Mind Sculpt
• Searing Spear
• Krenko's Command
• Farseek

Top Five M13 Uncommons :
• Rancor
• Jace's Phantasm
• Vampire Nighthawk
• Augur of Bolas
• Knight of Glory
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M13 Fat Pack

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Happy Friday indeed - it is the Magic 2013 core set release today.  This means my pre-ordered cards from MTG Mint Card is already shooting toward by postal / zip code and should be in hand very shortly.  Also, as is our custom here at MTG Realm, we swung by OMG! Games the local gaming shop here in Barrie, Ontario at midnight last night / this morning and picked ourselves up a Fat Pack.

Here's a vid showing the dissection / unbox :

 
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We assume you saw the weirdness - the foil Hellion Crucible in the same pack as the regular one.  
Rare Pulls : Battle of Wits, Elvish Archdruid, 3x Hellion crucible (1 foil), Mulilate, Shimian Specter, Sublime Archangel, Touch of the Eternal, Trading Post.

We're pleased as pie to have scored 2 Rancor as well.  With the older ones we have, we are set to pimp a black / green infect deck tonight at FNM.

Speaking of FNM, the official M13 Release / Launch is this Friday 13th.  We'll be headed down to OMG! Games to play and score the Launch promo, Staff of Nin.  If you are near Barrie (under an hour's drive north of Toronto), drop in.  FNM gets underway at 7:00 p.m.  Here's the 4.1.1 on the location - OMG Games And Collectibles / 130 Bell Farm Rd, Barrie, Ontario / (705) 721-4263 / omggames.ca

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 Here the 4.1.1. from Wizards of the Coast for what to expect in your Magic 2013 Fat Pack . . .

• Magic 2013 M13 Fat Pack
• Nine Magic 2013 M13 boosters
• The Magic 2013 M13 Player's Guide which contains play tips story background and a visual encyclopedia of every card in the set
• learn-to-play insert
• A pack of 80 basic lands
• A Magic 2013 M13 spindown life counter

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M13 Pre-Release Report

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Our local gaming store, OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario ran a ton of Magic 2013 Pre-Release events, starting with a midnight event on Friday, with many Magic the Gathering players staying after FNM.  They also rans events all day Saturday with two more on Sunday, including a 2HG event.  

We played in the M13 pre-release on Sunday and here's the customary video of our pulls and some banter at the store . . .

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Our Rare Pulls included - Odric, Master Tactician, Serra Avatar, Planar Cleansing, Boundless Realms, Quirion Dryad, Glacial Fortress.

We thought that white was fairly strong in our limited pool but was a bit undecided as to what other colour we should couple with.  Our final build was a black / white decklist with an exalted theme :

23 Spells
1cmc - 2x Vile Rebirth, Disentomb, Duress, Duty Bound Dead
2cmc - 3x Silvercoat Lion, Dark Favor, Ravenous Rats, Aven Squire, Knight of Glory, Ajani's Sunstriker, Sign in Blood
3cmc - Oblivion Ring, Crusader of Odric, Giant Scorpion, Murder
4cmc - Primal Clay, Divine Verdict, Blood Reckoning, Odric, Master Tactician
5cmc - Essence Drain

17 Lands : Evolving Wild, 8x Plains, 8x Swamp

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Magic Players will notice that the game tempo may have slowed doen just a titch in comparison with previous core sets.  There are a few solid cards we're interested in getting into a standard constructed deck to spin at an FNM but we really need to further evaluate these choices.

Speaking of FNM, the official M13 Release / Launch is this Friday 13th.  We'll be headed down to OMG! Games to play and score the Launch promo, Staff of Nin.  If you are near Barrie (under an hour's drive north of Toronto), drop in.  FNM gets underway at 7:00 p.m.  Here's the 4.1.1 on the location - OMG Games And Collectibles / 130 Bell Farm Rd, Barrie, Ontario / (705) 721-4263 / omggames.ca

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Magic 2013 Tokens

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

For today's post to the bloggy, we wanted to take a look at M13 Tokens and their respective token generating card.   Why?  There are quite a few tokens in this, the Magic 2013 core set and considering we still have the M12 anthem effect card, Honor of the Pure in standard until October 5th AND Intangible Virtue (Creature tokens you control get +1/+1 and have vigilance), we think that token decks will still be a force to be reckoned with.


You may want to check out MTG Mint Card if you are after a specific hard-to-get token.  Let's have a looky-loo of potential spells Magic the Gathering players may be bringing to the game table . . .
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White 2/2 Cat creature Token - Ajani, Caller of the Pride

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White 0/1 Goat creature Token - Trading Post (GOATS!!! FTW)

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White 1/1 Soldier creature Token - Captain of the Watch, Captain's Call, Attended Knight

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Blue 2/2 Drake creature Token with flying - Talrand, Sky Summoner, Talrand's Invocation

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Black 2/2 Zombie creature Token - Vile Rebirth

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Red 1/1 Goblin creature Token - Krenko, Mob Boss, Krenko's Command

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Red 4/4 Hellion creature Token - Hellion Crucible

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Green 3/3 Beast creature Token - Garruk, Primal Hunter, Thragusk

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Green 1/1 Saproling creature Token - Fungal Sprouting

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Green 6/6 Wurm creature Token - Garruk, Primal Hunter

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And finally,
not really a token but an Emblem - Liliana of the Dark Realms

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Also of note -  
M13 is set to release on Magic the Gathering online (mtgo) at the end of the month (30 July).  Start planning your purchases with Cardhoarder.  With four bots (Hotbot, Fastbot, cardhoarder.bot, CardHoarderBuyBot), a graphics-based price list, traditional web store and slick shopping cart interface, you'll be gaming in no time.
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Magic 2013 Intro Packs

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

We here at MTG Realm are now firmly back in our seats and back on the interwebs after spending a week in 'meat space' enjoying all things analog and organic.  We did get a chance to take in a Magic 2013 pre-release event at OMG! Games in Barrie on Sunday which we'll post about in a latter post.  For now, we'll celebrate our return online with some Magic the Gathering news from the mothersite - the M13 Intro Pack decklists.

Each Magic 2013 Intro Pack contains
•  1 Premium Card
•  1 60-Card Deck
•  2 Boosters
•  1 Learn-To-Play Insert
•  1 Strategy Insert

Intro Packs hit local gaming stores on 13th July and has a suggested retail price of about $15.00, which we think provides decent value as they now have two booster packs.  The Intro Pack is a great way for novice players to get into the game and are easily customized.  We suggest that you may want to pick up additional Magic 2013 singles from MTG Mint Card to upgrade the decklist as your skill improves.  Anywhoos - onto the lists . . .
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Path to Victory - / 
Rares - Odric, Master Tactician, Captain of the Watch

Attack early and often with your ever-growing battalion. Under the command of Odric, Master Tactician, your troops will overwhelm your opponents, even dictating their blocking decisions if you attack with three or more creatures. Blue fliers provide air support as you march to victory.

25 lands : 1  Evolving Wilds, 8  Island, 16  Plains

25 creatures : 3  Ajani's Sunstriker, 2  Arctic Aven, 3  Attended Knight, 1  Battleflight Eagle, 1  Captain of the Watch, 2  Chronomaton, 1  Courtly Provocateur, 2  Crusader of Odric, 1  Faerie Invaders, 2  Griffin Protector, 2  Healer of the Pride, 1  Odric, Master Tactician, 1  Serra Angel, 3  Silvercoat Lion

10 other spells : 2  Captain's Call, 2  Divine Verdict, 1  Downpour, 1  Glorious Charge, 1  Oblivion Ring, 1  Ring of Thune, 1  Safe Passage, 1  Tricks of the Trade
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Depths of Power - /
Rares - Talrand, Sky Summoner,

Seize the power of wind and waves with the help of legendary merfolk Talrand, Sky Summoner. While drakes assault your enemies from the skies, you manipulate the battlefield and burn immediate threats, steering the course to victory.

24 lands : 1  Evolving Wilds, 15  Island, 8  Mountain

18 creatures ; 2  Archaeomancer, 2  Augur of Bolas, 1  Fog Bank, 1  Harbor Serpent, 3  Kraken Hatchling, 2  Mindclaw Shaman, 2  Scroll Thief, 1  Stormtide Leviathan, 1  Talrand, Sky Summoner, 3  Wind Drake

18 other spells : 2  Divination, 1  Elixir of Immortality, 1  Essence Scatter, 1  Hydrosurge, 1  Negate, 1  Rewind, 1  Ring of Evos Isle, 3  Searing Spear, 1  Sleep, 1  Smelt, 1  Switcheroo, 2  Talrand's Invocation, 1  Turn to Slag, 1  Unsummon
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Sole Domination - /
Rares - Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis, Xathrid Gorgon

Choose a single fearsome attacker to lead the charge in this deck filled with exalted creatures led by the legendary demon Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis. Your other forces lend support and defense, ready for their turn to lead the attack.

24 lands : 1  Evolving Wilds, 8  Plains, 15  Swamp

26 creatures : 2  Aven Squire, 2  Bloodhunter Bat, 2  Duskmantle Prowler, 2  Duty-Bound Dead, 1  Guardians of Akrasa, 1  Knight of Glory, 2  Knight of Infamy, 1  Liliana's Shade, 1  Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis, 3  Servant of Nefarox, 2  Tormented Soul, 1  Vampire Nighthawk, 1  Veilborn Ghoul, 2  Walking Corpse, 1  Warclamp Mastiff, 1  Xathrid Gorgon, 1  Zombie Goliath

10 other spells : 1  Angelic Benediction, 1  Blood Reckoning, 2  Cower in Fear, 1  Mark of the Vampire, 2  Murder, 2  Pacifism, 1  Ring of Xathrid
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Mob Rule - /
Rare - Krenko, Mob Boss, Fervor

Hordes of goblins are spoiling for a fight in this aggressive deck. Get ready to raze the city, as legendary goblin Krenko, Mob Boss recruits another goblin for every goblin you already have. As your mob grows, your opponent will have no place to hide.

24 lands : 1  Evolving Wilds, 8  Forest, 15  Mountain

21 creatures : 1  Arms Dealer, 1  Bladetusk Boar, 2  Dragon Hatchling, 2  Fire Elemental, 2  Flinthoof Boar, 2  Furnace Whelp, 3  Goblin Arsonist, 1  Goblin Battle Jester, 1  Krenko, Mob Boss, 2  Mogg Flunkies, 2  Reckless Brute, 1  Rummaging Goblin, 1  Torch Fiend

15 other spells : 1  Chandra's Fury, 1  Cleaver Riot, 1  Fervor, 2  Flames of the Firebrand, 1  Kindled Fury, 2  Krenko's Command, 1  Ring of Valkas, 1  Serpent's Gift, 2  Titanic Growth, 1  Trumpet Blast, 2  Volcanic Geyser
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Wild Rush - /

Rares - Yeva, Nature's Herald, Predatory Rampage

Massive creatures hit the ground running with this explosive deck. Legendary elf Yeva, Nature’s Herald adds an element of surprise to your game, letting you cast creatures just about whenever you want to. Crush your enemies when they least expect it.

25 lands : 1  Evolving Wilds, 16  Forest, 8  Swamp

21 creatures : 1  Acidic Slime, 3  Arbor Elf, 2  Centaur Courser, 2  Deadly Recluse, 2  Duskdale Wurm, 2  Garruk's Packleader, 1  Mwonvuli Beast Tracker, 1  Primal Huntbeast, 1  Sentinel Spider, 2  Spiked Baloth, 2  Vastwood Gorger, 1  Yeva, Nature's Herald, 1  Yeva's Forcemage

14 other spells : 1  Crippling Blight, 2  Essence Drain, 1  Fungal Sprouting, 1  Naturalize, 1  Predatory Rampage, 1  Prey Upon, 2  Public Execution, 1  Rancor, 2  Ranger's Path, 1  Ring of Kalonia, 1  Rise from the Grave
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