B/W Janky Junk

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

You may recall yesterday's article about Commander 2013 pricing.  We were yattering last evening and decided that we would rather pick up some singles online from MTG Mint Card for some of our EDH stacks this Friday and then wait a few short weeks until the second print wave hits out local gaming store by which time, prices should hopefully correct downwards a titch which will allow us to grab one or more additional decks.

Anywhoos - today we want to talk about our play style for a moment.  We love to play under-used / under-appreciated cards in our strategies.  It's difficult to look at the hundreds of cards on our shelves, all perfectly standard-legal, and not use but a fraction of them.  To this end, we enjoy developing some interesting kitchen table games (like 'pile draft' where we draft from decksets of commons), or have casual pauper matches in order to better appreciate some of the cards in our collection.

Righto - onto today's topic - black 'n' white junk.  Perhaps not an apt description but one we could use as there are some questionable card choices or just outright jank which could serve better in another format - but perhaps not standard.  It was our aim to use a few cards which we rather liked but did not quite make the cut to popular standard.  Let's have a look . . .

Nothing totally weird just yet here - a cr@p ton of Orzhov goodies - High Priest of Penance, Sin Collector, Alms Beast, Desecration Demon, Obzedat and Blood Baron of Vizkopa.

Some of the non-creature spells - thoughtseize, Doom Blade, Devour Flesh, Read the Bones and Whip of Obzedat.

Now for some of the interactions we rather like.  First and foremost is to nullify the downside of lifelink provided to creatures blocking or blocked by Alms Beast with Erebos - not too shabby.

We also would love to get Gift of Immortality onto High Priest of Penance which essentially can nerf non-creature permanents all day long and keep coming back for more.

We are also thinking about the inclusion of Ethereal Armor (gawd we do like that card a lot) in this mix as well - perhaps giving a pump and (what some players forget about) first strike.  Giving that Alms Beast first strike will mean that you opponent may never get that extra life link.

We know this may never get to Top 8 at our local Friday Night Magic event but it does feel rather nice that we are using some of our cards we might not normally use by getting in some games at the kitchen table.

Got a deck you don't feel comfortable letting off its leash at your FNM?  Drop a line below in the comment thingy.
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Friday MTG Miscellany

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Currently in our fair city of Barrie, Ontario, the last 24-hours had provided a great and wondrous variety of every meteorological condition - rain, sun, snow, wind and some very brief respites of warmth.  This has not deterred us in our staunch commitment to get down to OMG! Games, the local gaming store tonight for Friday Night Magic.  We currently have three builds ready for standard, a G/W enchant, a B/W midrange, and some unorganised weird R/G creature-centric thingy whose punch line is Ruric-Thar.  Anywhoos - we still don't know which one to grab on the way out.

Righto - Onto today's post to the MTG Realm blog - First up - January's FNM promo was revealed over on the mothersite today - Warleader's Helix!  We have a feeling that this card will see increased play at FNM in the coming weeks.  The new art by Wesley Burt shown with the normal art from Greg Staples below - 

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Next up - We are dropping into our sister site, MTG Realm on Tumblr to see what our other halves were up to this week - 

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Photoset

October 24, 2013

 

Magic: the Gathering - Slip ‘n’ Fall
What madness makes the Kor and other denizens of Zendikar think ‘Hey! - What a great day for a climb!’ … it ALWAYS results in a bad day for the climber and a worst day for the cute burrowing critter at the bottom of the gorge.
Flavor Time !
Zendikar - The Makindi Trenches
The Ondu mainland is crisscrossed by a maze of high-walled canyons called the Makindi Trenches. The canyons represent sheer drops down hundreds of feet, some terminating in whitewater rivers, others ending in bare rock. Mana-fueled winds howl through the canyons at odd intervals, making it important for climbers and builders to attach their instruments carefully to the cliff walls.

• Sudden Demise, illustrated by Dan Scott, Commander 2013 rare

• Seismic Shudder, illustrated by Vincent Procee, Zendikar common

• Lavaball Trap, illustrated by Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai, Zendikar rare

• Unstable Footing, illustrated by Nic Klein, Zendikar Uncommon

 
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Photoset

October 24, 2013

68 notes

 

Magic: the Gathering - Stormtrooper
Noted similarity provided by Bhangbhangduc.

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Photoset

October 24, 2013

89 notes

 

Magic: the Gathering - with rules clear as mud
The timing rules changes (effects using the ‘stack’ which replaced the old ‘batch’ system during the games) didn’t go into effect for a month after Classic Sixth Edition came out, which gave people time to get used to the idea of the game changing. To help with the transition, Bill Rose explained the rules in this visual representation of the current timing rules in his “Murk Dwellers” column of Duelist magazine #9 (about the same time that ‘Homelands’ hit card shop shelves).  Images from the mothersite.
God bless Matt Tabak, the current rules guru …

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Photoset

October 22, 2013

89 notes

 

 

Magic: the Gathering - IDW MTG Comics

Apparently I have a comic book addiction thingy for IDW Publishing’s Magic the Gathering series.  The original series, Spell Thief series, Path of Vengeance series, and the first in the new Theros series.
I swear that eventually, one day, I’ll be ripping off the plastic and actually putting some of these very cool cards into decks … yeah … one day.

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Photoset

October 21, 2013

173 notes

 

 








Magic the Gathering - Noggin Whack (Morningtide)
Following up on a previous re-post  …
YOU JUST GOT OWNED … BY A FISH
 … .tied to a brick.

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Ordeals of Theros

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

With Theros now out and many players now with these new Magic: the Gathering cards now in hand, we wanted to an informal series of posts over the next few weeks about some of the interesting cycles in the new set.  We have all our singles preorders in from MTG Mint Card and from working on some fun 'n' derpy builds, we've come to appreciate the interaction between the 'Heroic' mechanic and the five colour 'Ordeal' cycle of cards.  In less refined times, an 'ordeal' was a test of guilt or innocence by which the accused was put to severe pain, and survival taken to mean divine proof of that person's innocence.

Heroic is an ability word where a creature with a heroic gives the controlling player powerful benefits every time he casts a spell that targets that creature.  Ordeals are a cycle of uncommon Auras, all with the converted mana cost of 1X (where 'X' is that colour in that cycle).  This tech gives a +1/+1 counter for each times the enchanted creature attacks and after it sacrifices itself (the aura) when it has 3 or more +1/+1 counters you get a sweet trigger a ability.  The ordeal cycle in Theros is Ordeal of Heliod, Ordeal of Thassa, Ordeal of Erebos, Ordeal of Purphoros, and Ordeal of Nylea - and with about 18 cards in the set with the 'Heroic' ability, additional benefits are realised.  Anywhoos, lets have a looky-loo . . .

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After derping with some of the cards, we've realised that most of us here at MTG Realm are sort of evil at our core in that we just wanted to skip dinner and go straight to desert.  What we're talking about is foregoing all the work and time in acquiring +1 counters when we attack with our enchanted dude and bee-line it to the bonus without much bother to undergoing the 'ordeal'.  Kinda like this . . .

Yeah.  Dude, enchant with ordeal, next turn attack and cast something that will drop additional +1 counters on it to get the cake.  Still working out which one(s) suit our taste and our particular build, but we're certainly going to investigate this further.

Until tomorrow, happy brewing folks! 
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Theros Event Decklists

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,


We simply cannot wait until our MTG Mint Card pre-orders are shipped so we can start brewing up builds and start gaming at OMG! Games (Barrie, Ontario) Friday Night Magic events.  For this particular Friday, we'll likely stick to a Return to Ravnica block deck with a few singletons of Theros we've picked up from the PreRelease event.

Speaking of events, Theros Game Day is scheduled for the weekend of October 19th / 20th and the Theros Event Deck will be going on sale that Friday giving gamers an opportunity to take it for a spin.   Unlike the preconstructed Intro Decks, which Wizards of the Coast develops with newer players to Magic in mind, event decks are built with with a focus given to tournament-play competitive players.  We now have the final decklist today over on the mothersite, so let's have a look.

Anywhoos, for an MRSP of approximately $25 (depending upon where you may be), here's what you get . . .
• 1 x 60-card deck
• 1 x 15-card sideboard
• 1 x Spindown   life counter
• 1 x strategy insert
• 1 x card box

Theros Event Deck - 'Inspiring Heroics' (U/W)24 lands : 4  Azorius Guildgate, 1  Hallowed Fountain, 5  Island, 14  Plains

25 creatures : 2  Ascended Lawmage, 2  Banisher Priest, 3  Battlewise Hoplite, 3  Dryad Militant, 1  Fabled Hero, 1  Frontline Medic, 3  Hopeful Eidolon, 2  Imposing Sovereign, 1  Lavinia of the Tenth, 3  Lyev Skyknight, 1  New Prahv Guildmage, 1  Precinct Captain, 1  Skymark Roc, 1  Soldier of the Pantheon

11 other spells : 2  Dauntless Onslaught, 2  Detention Sphere, 2  Gods Willing, 1  Ordeal of Heliod, 2  Ordeal of Thassa, 2  Pacifism

15 sideboard cards : 2  Arrest, 2  Gainsay, 2  Gift of Orzhova, 2  Glare of Heresy, 2  Negate, 3  Solemn Offering, 2  Triton Tactics
 
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MTG Tumblr Thursdays

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

There are a few new Theros previews out today for those Magic: the Gathering spoiler-nutters but so far, a somewhat relatively slower day.  To this end, we think it an opportune moment to catch up with our sister site MTG Realm on Tumblr.  Do not fret - we still have faithfully updated our Theros Spoiler List page.  Anywhoos - let's have a looky-loo as to what the Tumblr machine has generated . . .
  
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Photo

September 12, 2013

8 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Heroic Theros
Here’s a heroic enabler we’ve been waiting for.
Shown above ‘Dauntless Onslaught’ with suggested serving.

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Photoset

September 12, 2013

17 notes

 

Magic: the Gathering - Theros Lunch
Was eating a ‘Hero Sandwich’ for lunch while scrolling through new Theros MTG cards  … then this happened.
• Theros Griffin and Rider artwork by Johann Bodin
• Gods Willing with art from Mark Winters

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Photoset

September 11, 2013

26 notes

 

 

Magic: the Gathering - Chain Gang
I’m really digg’n this new exile sooo much, I’m inviting it to my post-rotation Boros party.  Anywhoos, solid art work by Aaron Miller who had just started commissions for WotC.
Also - from the illustration, I’m really ‘feeling’ the pain for that poor Theran - BUT - if Rorasch (of The Watchmen fame), has taught us anything, it is the power of positive thinking
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Little-known fact -  We were a prisoner of Japanese employment for about 12 years!

We have a love of the culture and just about everything Japanese now.

Photoset

September 11, 2013

23 notes

 

 

ホビージャパンは、カードゲーム「マジック：ザ・ギャザリング」の攻略ムック「マジック：ザ・ギャザリング超攻略！マナバーン2014」を9月20日、最新セット「テーロス」の公式ハンドブックを9月27日より発売する。
1 : マジック：ザ・ギャザリング超攻略！ マナバーン2014
2 : マジック：ザ・ギャザリング テーロス公式ハンドブック

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Photo

September 11, 2013

36 notes

Magic: the Gathering - The Return of Scry
Neal had a few moments today on the Twitterverse.  Play along -
No More Mister Nice Scry
Scry Me A River
Don’t Scry This At Home
Scry Another Day
Get Rich Or Scry Trying
Lord of the Scrys
American Scry
Scry Little Pony
Scry To Me
What Scrys Beneath
Scrys and Dolls
Scrying High
Flying Scry
DEGRASSI JUNIOR SCRY
Saving Private Scryin’
Scry Another Day
Vanilla Scry
The Empire Scrys Back
Don’t Scry For Me Argentina

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Photoset

September 11, 2013

26 notes

 

Theros - Anger of the Gods
All of today’s Theros spoilers ‘n’ previews posted to the MTG Realm blog at : http://mtg-realm.blogspot.ca/2013/09/theros-spoiler-9-11.html
New card ‘Anger of the Gods’ supplied with amazingly epic art from the great Noah Bradley.  We could not help but to suggest a modification given less than ideal meteorological conditions.

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Photo

September 11, 2013

18 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Theros Minor Deities
Interesting new art in all likelihood for Theros by Peter Mohrbacher.  This was posted in the latest Uncharted Realms installment by Jenna Helland and may be the minor god ‘Pharika’.  This is what was hinted or mentioned so far -
Pharika: A deity worshipped during Setessa’s Winter Nexus observance.  This god may be associated with grief and old age as well as that of  potions and poisons.  It is said that Pharika had hidden a number of possible helpful cures within the blood of basilisks. Adherents send prayers to her on slips of paper placed within ceramic vessels and deposit these within bogs.

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Photoset

September 11, 2013

87 notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

quilavaquirks:

Thought of this synergy last night. >=)

NICE CALL !  Deliciously Evil !  :)

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Theros Spoiler 9-11

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Hello again Magic: the Gathering fans,

We took a moment earlier today to reflect upon the terrorist attacks in 9/11/2001 which claimed the lives of almost 3,000 individuals including 24 Canadians.  Although we were not personally affected, we did have a several agonizing long hours trying to get a hold of our brother who worked near the Towers and can only imagine the pain of loss for others.

Righto - back to the new Theros cards out today -
Anger / Fury of the Gods (name?), 1rr
Sorcery, Rare
Anger of the Gods deals 3 damage to each creature. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead.

French MTG site Magictrade preview - Awesome burn spell.  Voice of Resurgence, and a bunch of other cards just took a hit to the junk.  This upgraded Slagstorm is sure to be a hit and the perfect answer to boardwipe token builds.

~Agent of the Fates, 1bb
Creature — Human Assassin, Rare
Deathtouch
Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Agent of the Fates, each opponent sacrifices a creature.
3/2

Starcity Games preview - Amazing card here and we can't wait to use this with combat step shenanigans.  We're specifically thinking about nerfing a single blocker by hitting this assassin with a Swift Justice or something similar.

~Fabled Hero, 1ww
Creature — Human Soldier, Rare
Double strike
Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Fabled Hero, put a +1/+1 counter on Fabled Hero.
2/2

ManaDeprived preview - This could be Mirran Crusader's younger 'bro.  We're sorta getting anxious about the number of heroic enablers to date but having said that, we're already predisposed to consider the Fabled Hero here perfect for a hook up with Madcap Skills.

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Next up - a quick round-up of other new Theros spoilers 'n'  previews around the interweb including that very lovely Chimera from the Japanese website Happy MTG, the full Ordeal Cycle from the mothersite and others -

Ordeal of Heliod, Ordeal of Thassa, Ordeal of Erebos, Ordeal of Purphoros, and Ordeal of Nylea.

Spellheart Chimera, 1ur
Creature — Chimera, Uncommon
Flying, trample
Spellheart Chimera's power is equal to the number of instant and sorcery cards in your graveyard.
*/3

Nessian Courser, 2g
Creature — Centaur Warrior, Common
3/3

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Theros Spoilers 9-06

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Another great weekend in store for Magic: the Gathering players around the globe.  We'll be heading out to OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario to participate in the Friday Night Magic event like many of you.  Also today - Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters is officially out on store shelves and you can pick this up and get paws on
Taking place tomorrow, Saturday September 7, Magic Celebration is the must-attend event brings the entire Magic Community together to celebrate their shared passion with a day of Magic play - hey - and get some free MTG cards.

Anywhoos - we better get onto the new Theros spoilers and previews today - first up - here's the much anticipated dual lands we've been looking forward to - 

Temple of Abandon - {T}: Add {R} or {G} to your mana pool.   
Temple of Deceit - {T}: Add {U} or {B} to your mana pool.
Temple of Mystery - {T}: Add {G} or {U} to your mana pool.
Temple of Silence - {T}: Add {W} or {B} to your mana pool.
Temple of Triumph - {T}: Add {R} or {W} to your mana pool.

Land, Rare
Temple of XXX enters the battlefield tapped.
When Temple of Abandon enters the battlefield, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
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Reaper of the Wild, 2bg
Creature — Gorgon, Rare
Whenever another creature dies, scry 1. (Look at the top card of your library.
You may put that card on the bottom of your library.)
{B}: Reaper of the Wild gains deathtouch until end of turn.
1{G}: Reaper of the Wild gains hexproof until end of turn.
4/5

~Prophet of Kruphix, 3gu
Creature — Human Wizard, Rare
Untap all creatures and lands you control during each other player's untap step.
You may cast creature cards as though they had flash.
2/3

~Triton Fortune Hunter, 2u
Creature — Merfolk Soldier, Uncommon
Heroic — Whenever you cast a spell that targets Triton Fortune Hunter, draw a
card.
2/2 
 
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Theros Spoilers 9-05

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

There is another truckload of Theros spoilers and previews from the mothersite to tackle so we'll get right along to that briefly but first a word about this weekend.  Saturday 7th September is 'Magic Celebration' which is kinda like Free Comic Book Day but for Magic: the Gathering players.  Drop into your local gaming store (we'll be at OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario) to collect some free cards and have a few fun games.  This is also a great time to try Magic: the Gathering for the first time if you were thinking about getting into the game.

Anywhoos - onto today's Theros spoilers / previews and first up is an interesting cycle of color hosers which may find a spot in your sideboard.
• Glare of Heresy - exile white permanent
• Gainsay - counter blue spell
• Dark Betrayal - destroy target black creature
• Peak Eruption - Mountain destruction with Lightning Bolt
• Hunt the Hunter - pump and fight your green creature

Next up - we now have a card image for that 3/3 colorless  enchantment artifact creature for Theros.  The illlustration from artist Yeong-Hao Han is simply off the hook.  This token is apparently a promo card supplied to WPN stores to players who may be thinking about becoming an MTG Judge.

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Righto - onto today's new Theros cards!

Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, 1ub
Planeswalker — Ashiok, Mythic Rare
+2: Exile the top three cards of target opponent's library.
-X: Put a creature card with converted mana cost X exiled with Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver onto the battlefield under your control. That creature is a Nightmare in addition to its other types.
-10: Exile all cards from all opponents' hands and graveyards.
3

Well here's our third Planeswalker and we have to say perhaps not as stellar after seeing Elspeth, Sun's Champion and Xenagos, the Reveler.  Having said that, we think artist Karla Oritz delivered an amazing illustration for this card art.  We think only a few tourneys will tell whether a player can work out a list for this new millstone 'walker.
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Erebos, God of the Dead, 3b
Legendary Enchantment Creature — God, Mythic Rare
Indestructible
As long as your devotion to black is less than five, Erebos isn't a creature. (Each {B} in the mana costs of permanents you control counts towards your devotion to black.)
Your opponents can't gain life.
1{B}, Pay 2 life: Draw a card.
5/7

Reasonable devotion cost on Erebos here which means this one is well placed to become a threat on the battlefield.  Like the 'Sign in Blood' card draw here but wish Erebos could have delivered some lifegain somehow.
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Arbor Colossus, 2ggg
Creature — Giant, Rare
Reach
3{G}{G}{G}: Monstrosity 3. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put three +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous)
When Arbor Colossus becomes monstrous, destroy target creature with flying an opponent controls.
6/6

So - who doesn't like a 6/6 reach for five mana?  This is rather titan-esque isn't it?  This thing is sure to help with your green devotion to get Nylea, God of the Hunt in on the action.  Furthermore, we think this may compliment quite well in a build with Xenagos, the Reveler.

~Tymaret, the Murder King, br
Legendary Creature — Zombie Warrior, Rare
1{R}, Sacrifice another creature: Tymaret, the Murder King deals 2 damage to target player.
1{B}, Sacrifice a creature: Return Tymaret from your graveyard to your hand.
2/2

Nice 2/2 with recursion but with some colour restrictive mana-cost sill ain't bad.  We're now looking for some nice cheap token chumps like Bitterblossom to drive this engine - too bad you're only pinging the opponent and not giving the option for one of their dudes.  We're thinking that unless Rakdos can pick this up, it won't be able to make waves in standard.
~Fleecemane Lion, gw
Creature — Cat, Rare
3{G}{W}: Monstrosity 1. (If this creature isn't monstrous, put a +1/+1 counter on it and it becomes monstrous.)
As long as Fleecemane Lion is monstrous, it has hexproof and indestructible.
3/3

Art made us laugh as the first thing we thought about is just how much shampoo / conditioner this fella must use.  This is most certainly an upgrade to Ravnica's Watchwolf.  The monstrosity upgrade which only buffs +1/+1 is most certainly worth the benefits considering the indestructible / hexproof add-ons.  Looks like we'll be looking to hack out a list for Bant Hexproof again with this nice piece of Theros goodness.
 
As all the new Theros cards are coming out we suggest you start your 'must buy' wish list to help you organize your pre-order.  We've already got an obscene number of decksets ready to send into MTG Mint Card.
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