Dissension Prerelease Results

[Ultrawolf]

Well It's a little past 5 AM right now. Shino, Therin, Unastrike and I all participated in a midnight sealed deck game of Magic the Gathering.

1 Rav Tourney Pack, and Three Dissension packs.
We all had a BLAST and snagged copies of the oh so pretty Avatar of Discord.
I'm dead beyond belief right now as the rush begins to wear off, but we all managed to do fairly well and took home alot of cool new cards.

I'll let the others post their decks if they want. I'll make a separate post later on with my deck I constructed and the pool of cards I had leftover. I ran G/B/R, heavy on removal with some beef and pump. I did manage to snag some pretty awesome stuff including but not limited to Research/Development, Dark Confidant, Hide/Seek, a FOIL Grand Arbiter Augustin IV, Tunnel Vision, Biomantic Mastery, and Hammerfall Giant (which I despise).

I came away with some good stuff, the only rares I used in my deck were the Hammerfall and Elemental Resonance (which I have decided also isn't so great). I ended up never playing either of the rares...ever. I went 2-0-1. I won the first two consecutive games until I ran into a solid Lyzolda, The Blood Witch deck. I gotta say that was the most horrific game of my life. Between that, and Rakdos Ickspitter and being able to untap the Ickspitter with an artifact that's basically voltaic key for creatures with tap activations.

So it was like, alright I got my Goblin Spelunkers, you've got a mountain. Let's do this. "well let's see first I tap ickspitter, do one damage to your spelunker, and you lose one life, I untap the ickspitter and repeat. Your creature is dead and you lose another life. On his turn he proceeds to run at me with a 3/1 lyzolda and I end up sucking down 4-5 damage a turn because I can't do anything. Try to kill the Witch, she sacrifices herself and shocks you, kill something else, she shocks you, don't attack she shocks you, attack and she shocks you. Ahhh! I think I underestimated the power of that card. I would highly reccomend anyone who spots one to snatch it up before my estimation of a price skyrocket.

I'll post my actual deck later, as said, tis very late :3

[Reverend]

Mod, FOIL Agustin?! That's about as wrong as my opening a foil Steam Vents off a free pack of Guildpact I snagged.

[Ming]

Yeah really. Foil Augustine is a REALLY nice pull. Hang on to that one my friend, for it will most likely fetch a hefty price tag in a few weeks. And I figured Lyzolda would be that powerful. It has "unfair" written all over it.

But anyway, I'm really glad you guys had fun. Because really, like I was saying, that's the whole point of a prerelease. There's just a camraderie and atmosphere at one that cannot be matched at any official Magic event. Good luck with today and the 2HG!!

Man I can't wait until tomorrow!!!

[Shino]

Yeah last night was fun. I'll post my deck in the other topic, but just to say...

I got some good stuff like...

Supply//Demand
Foil Protean Hulk
Void Slime
Skullmead Cauldron
Twin strike
Pillar of the Paruns
Trial//Error

Therin, Ultra, Una and I all went to the event.

Ultra, did you mean to say 2-1-0? w-l-d

I also went 2-1-0.

I lost my second match. The first game of it I got him down to three. Thought I had him b/c I was at 19. Then he started picking off my lands. He took out 4 of them before I knew it and I was pretty much dead in the water. The second game of the match he just made me cry.

In one of my matches I played Supply along with Scatter the Seeds to get 10 tokens. I ran at him, he blocked 3, I "Bathe in light"ed them, 2 of the lived and the next turn I want at him for 9.

The thrid match was super close ever game. He got Moroii out like 4th or 5th turn each match. So it was draining him. He pumped it and I used Boros Fury Shield for him to take damage. Every game in that match got down to single digets!

It was just a lot of fun, and now I'm thinking of putting in ld into my decks when I do sealed.

By the way... Ultra is going to be very jealous to hear this.

Therin pulled Rakdos and Anthem of Rakdos from his winnings.

I didn't get anything as exciting, but I did get the Simic Guild Leader.

[Tobias]

I guess i'll kick things off for the pre-release out here. I know that Ming is gonna give you guys a much bigger coverage on it, but I wanted to post my stuff from one of my drafts, since it was probably the best draft I've done in a while. Here goes.

Simic Draft Deck

LANDS

Forest x8
Island x7
Simic Growth Chamber x1

SPELLS

Writ of Passage x2
Thrive x3 *
Simic Signet x1
Shielding Plax x2

CREATURES

Trygon Predator x2
Vigean Hydropon x2 *
Minister of Impediments x1
Sporeback Troll x2
Verdant Eidolon x3
Patagia Viper x1 *
Cytoplast Manipulator x1 *
Helium Squirter x1
Cytospawn Shambler x3

THE DECK
The deck was drafted (forced…very forced), which explains the various doubles and some triples of multiple cards. The basic gist was to a) get the Grafters out b) thrive them to bigger sizes and c) to utilize the plethora of Graft-counters to either take control or overwhelm the opposition. In game-play, it did just that.

The first game was against a Blue/Green/White deck, trucking the same idea, but more focused towards fliers and gaining vast amounts of life with a Paladin of Prahv*. During this round was the only time I got the Cytoplast Manipulator out, using not just my graft-tokens, but his own to steal stuff (oh how much fun)

The second game was against the same colors, but a more Graft-oriented deck. Lemme just note: Experiment Kraj* is a SCARY thing to go up against…especially before the manipulator can come out, due to the fact that when the manipulator comes into play, the Kraj gains the “steal” ability and can just take the thief away from you, leaving you in hopeless dismay. Second: Helium Squirters are rather powerful, especially in tandem with the Cytospawn Shambler. This gives the Squirter MANY counters to work with, and makes attacking into their defenses much more difficult

*- Special Notes/Reviews

Thrive – A reprint of an old Prophecy junk-common…I hate to say it, but it isn’t junk anymore! This card made the shenanigans of Graft much more aggravating, what with plopping a whole slew of counters everywhere for my creatures to abuse some more, as well as loading up creatures like the cytoplast manipulator so that she can steal stuff (Hey, you can always just thrive the opponent’s creatures and then steal them)

Vigean Hydropon – Now, at first glance, you see it and go “What? A 5/5 for 3???” Then you see that it can’t attack or block.
Oh poo.
Well, it’s quite alright. This little do-dad did me some fine loving, especially with creatures like the Trygon Predator, as well as keeping my other, stronger Grafters with abilities under a protective blanket, since they didn’t have to waste their counters. Also, it’s just a nice store-house of +1/+1 counters…all I needed was a Simic Guildmage, and I would’ve been set. I give this card a thumbs up!

Patagia Viper – This thing just annoys the hell out of people, since it comes out with a small army. Did I also mention that they all fly? Yea…he saw lots of play, as he came out, got loaded with Graft-counters, and then himself, along with his little army, began to lay waste. It was a potent card which had me very happy to take in the draft. I think the only thing that I would have wanted more than that was a Plaxmanta*.

Cytoplast Manipulator – Do I really have to say much? This was the card I sought out to get during the Pre-release, and low and behold, I got one PASSED to me by another Simic player. The nitty gritty on this card is that for U and tapping it, it can take control of a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it, so long as it stays in play. Now, give it graft, and toss in other grafters and thrive to keep her fueled, and you have lots of stuff that you can take.
Although it only saw play for me once, it was my favorite card in my draft. It not only won me the game that I played it in, but it just had such a great synergy with the rest of the deck. Like I said, I sought out to get at least one, and I got it. I’m a happy panda (Sexual harassment…panda!).

Paladin of Prahv – This card pissed me off…not because it’s bad, but because it’s sooooooo good. It’s shining glory comes in its ability to forecast for only 1W, and give a creature it’s spirit-link ability (Whenever this creature deals damage, you gain that much life). I played it in my sealed deck, yet that deck wasn’t anywhere near the strength of that deck…if white were splashed for this deck, I’d play it just for the forecast.

Experiment Kraj – Now, since I’m on the topic of Simic goodness, this needed some mention, since it DID kick my keester around like it was its job. For starters, it’s a 4/6 for a U, a G, and 4. Also add in the ability that it gains the activated abilities of any creature with a +1/+1 token on it. It can also tap to put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.
Hot damn.
Once this creature hit the board in my second game, I couldn’t do anything. Not only did it have all of my creatures’ abilities, but it also would gain the ability of my Manipulator, stealing it and making me sad. My suggestion is that if you’re playing against Simic, be careful, since it WILL make your life a living nightmare. If you get one, and you know you’ll get the mana for it, play it and watch the shenanigans.

Plaxmanta – Now, I bring this up because this card kept me from winning one game. Why? Because it can be played like an instant. This makes it impossible to predict, since it’ll pop out of nowhere with it’s glowing blue ass and take out your attacker without a problem. To add pudding to the pie, it also gives your creatures “Cannot be the target of spells or abilities.
It’s the other half to the Patagia Viper, yet it certainly holds a different kind of respect then the Viper. Keep on the lookout if you like U/G…it’s a nasty surprise to have in your deck.


Other notes: The other stuff I drafted mostly consisted of White cards and Blue/white cards, as well as 2 mageright’s stones. My first pick though?
Infernal tutor.
It’s just a lovely card to have, and while I knew I was gonna force Simic, I had to take it…I mean, if it wasn’t me, Ming was gonna take it anyways, he was the person I was passing to.

That is all.

[Ming]

Oh boy. Dissension is SO good. I did a sealed and two drafts. Both drafts I forced Rakdos, and ended up with pretty sick decks. For my sealed, I played G/U/W...even though I had SICK black removal. I'll post that deck here, and the draft decks in the Drafting thread. In order to save some space, comments will follow cards.

Selesnya/Simic/Azorius:

1x Selesnya Guildmage (arguably the best guildmage printed)
1x Sandsower (see combo with above...)
1x Veteran Armorer (my creatures don't die)
1x Goliath Spider (even though he costs 8, he's HUGE...)
1x Simic Initiate (incredible one-drop)
1x Assault Zeppelid (4 for a 3/3 is decent in limited. This guys has flying and trample ALSO)
1x Simic Guildmage (unfortunately, I didn't get much use out of him...but I saw this guy being abused ALL day)
1x Patagia Viper (*wow* is this card good...most people also don't realize that it flies)
1x Helium Squirter (this thing is a beating)
2x Azorious First-Wing (I have no idea how I lucked into TWO of these guys...)
1x Minister of Impediments (I'm sure I don't have to explain this one)
1x Coiling Oracle (By far my favorite card in the entire deck. Meet the new Sakura-Tribe Elder)
1x Court Hussar (1/3 with a fantastic ability)
1x Aquastrand Spider (MUCH better than you may thing...)
1x GRAND ARBITER AUGUSTINE IV (with a name like that, there's no need for an explanation...)

1x Seeds of Strength
1x Farseek
1x Scatter the Seeds (also combos well with Sandsower)
1x Terrarion (great card if you're playing with 3 colors)
1x Congregation at Dawn (this card is amazing, I don't think I have to explain)
1x Master Warcraft (this card is a *BOMB* in limited. I won a game by amassing a HUGE army, casting this, going "your guys don't block", then alpha striking)
1x Might of the Nephilim (I misread it and thought it was an enchantment, so I had my *6/7* Grand Arbiter wreaking havoc. Too bad it's not, but still a solid surprise.)
1x Leafdrake Roost (Absolutely a first pick in draft. This card is AMAZING)

1x Simic Signet
2x Simic Growth Chamber (I actually hate these lands, but they are a necessary evil when you play more than 2 colors)
5x Forest
4x Island
4x Plains

A LOT of my deck had flying, which is what I was going for. And I had a lot of decent library manipulation and control. I only went 1-2. But I would have gone 2-1 if I didn't have a damn Glare of Subdual dropped on game 3 of my last round.

I'm not going to list all the stuff that I didn't play, but here's some of the nasty other stuff that I didn't play with...

Viashino Fangtail
Kill-Suit Cultist (this guy is MUCH better than you would anticipate)
Rakdos Ickspitter (see combo with above...)
Golgari Rotwurm
Sisters of Stone Death
Cleansing Beam
Galvanic Arc
Trial/Error
Seal of Doom
Last Gasp
Ribbons of Night

All in all, this prerelease was great, and Dissension is a great great great set. I'm super psyched for the Rakdos guild, and picked up a lot of nice stuff for them. We also pulled a lot of good cards, and over the course of the day, Tobs and I managed to get our hands on 3 Avatar of Discord, 2 Grand Arbiter Augustine (which were traded to one of Tob's friends for a Steam Vents), 2 Rakdos Augermage, Cytoplast Manipulator, Infernal Tutor,
Blood Crypt, and Hallowed Fountain.

The only thing that kinda sucked was that they had run out of Avatar promo cards from Saturday's huge attendance. Fortunately, however, the tournement organizer gave everyone a free pack instead (which was really cool because he didn't have to give anyone anything), and one of the on-site dealers had 2 for sale that he had acquired on Saturday, so I picked those up for $5 each.

All in all, it was a good day.

[Shino]

Looks like you guys got some really good stuff.

I <3 Simic.

I'm going to build a deck that's just Simic stuff with a little bit of white or something just for fun.

The Experiment with the Manipulator (I nicknamed her "Blue Fingered Hottie") is an evil combination. Throw in some Magewright's Stones so you can untap them and use their abilities multiple times per turn, and you've got some crazy ass power going on.

Throw in your Master Grafter (Vigean Hydropon) and you have some crazy creature control going on.

Throw in the Simic Guild Mage for more +1/+1 throw arounds, and a few Faith's Fetters to move around on their creatures... And the question is... will they EVER be able to do anything?

I can't WAIT to get my Dissension stuff in.

All 3 guilds are CRAZY!

[Ming]

Well, Dissension is officially released to the public today. In celebration, Tobs and I went out and bought a Fat Pack + some more packs. So far, Dissension has been REALLY good to us. Here's the pull for today:


1x FOIL Simic Guildmage
1x FOIL Azorius First-Wing
1x FOIL Azorius Signet
1x FOIL Hit/Run
1x Celestial Ancient
1x Dread Slag
1x Cytoplast Manipulator
1x Cytoplast Root-Kin
1x Wakestone Gargoyle
1x Muse Vessel
1x Odds/Ends
1x Rakdos Riteknife
1x Evolution Chamber
2x Omnibian
2x Rakdos Pit Dragon
2x HALLOWED FOUNTAIN!!!

[Tobias]

[Shino]

You guys are so freakin' lucky.