I wish someone could explain to me why they don’t just call this the “Banned List.” It seems clear to me that WoTC has no intention of exercising the ‘Restricted’ portion of the update. If you play Magic the Gathering, and I presume that you do if you’re reading this, you’re probably furrowing your brow and scratching your head as I am doing. Now, I’m not going to get into the numbers, because quite frankly I can’t even spell Maph but, how does it make sense to not ban any of the oppressive cards in the current Standard format? I like to play Magic but a reliable turn four kill just ruins the game for some people.
First off, I didn’t quite understand how a complete ban of Emerakul, the Promised End was in any way better for the game than a restriction to one copy per deck. Furthermore, how is a card like Smuggler’s Copter unfair? I understand that it was in pretty much every deck but, doesn’t that just make it even more balanced? Trust me, fair reader, I shed no tears watching Reflector Mage receive his walking papers. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. In my opinion, that was the only card that was worthy of a complete banning last January. I’d be more than happy to play against an opponent, knowing that they could only play one Emrakul in their 75, than any amount of Reflector Mages.
I’m just wondering how WoTC expects customers to get excited about and spend their (meaning our) hard earned money on pretty pieces of cardboard if they think for a second that card is going to be unplayable in a few weeks’ time. I personally refrained from purchasing any Hearts of Kiran for just this reason. Now, don’t I feel silly. But, I don’t. I feel… …confused and unsure what to play. Of course, if you know me, you know I’m playing Pauper. It just doesn’t seem as though those who are making these decisions even play this game. Actually, it appears as though WoTC has employed a number of Accountants and maybe one serious player to “solve” the meta-game problem and of course the Accountants aren’t listening to the player because he “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
How in a world where the sun rises in the east and sets in the west do these sets get designed and printed with inherent flaws? I mean if you’re working 2 years ahead, shouldn’t there be enough time to figure out that certain interactions are going to be unhealthy? Maybe it’s just a side effect of the sheer size of the game. I understand that you have to print new and exciting cards to keep the game fresh and exciting but does that also mean that balanced answers are not a possibility? I think there has to be a better way to sustain the game than bimonthly bannings. As a possible solution, I would suggest exercising the ‘Restricted’ side of the announcement. At least then, everyone who ran out and picked up their copies of expensive chase cards last Christmas season would at least be up that creek WITH a paddle.
I wish I could say I’m excited to play Standard right now but, nothing could be further from the truth. I suppose it’s safe to purchase those Hearts now but I think I’ll just play the number three deck and enjoy the challenge of playing as an underdog. Of course, maybe I’ll buy a couple boxes of Modern Masters and get back into Modern. And frankly, we can always just play whatever the heck we want anyways. It’s just a game in the end. I must wonder though, what Standard would look like tomorrow if instead of not banning anything today, WoTC UNBANNED Emrakul and Smuggler’s Copter. How would that stupid cat fare against the big Spaghetti Monster. At least the visual is entertaining.
Until there is more news, keep building around Spider Monkeys! I know I will.