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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 6, 2021 17:47:02 GMT
Hello, and welcome, once again, to The MageLaughlin Group. I'm the warlike follower of Toski, Bearer of Secrets, and with me, as always, is GarthDaij_Djan.
Our first question: Is it just me, or is the Arena shuffler spiteful? Yeah, yeah, I know, pathetic fallacy, but I've noticed a marked tendency of the shuffler to not only screw someone over when they need a specific type of card, but to do it in a way that seems like it's taunting the player. This example ending at 4:47 is emblematic of what I'm talking about. He needed a land, but for three straight turns, the shuffler denied him. Then, when it finally DID give him the land, it gave him a land that doesn't and couldn't actually help his current situation, as if to say "I know exactly what you need, but I'm only gonna give it to you beyond the point when it would be useful. Because fuck you, that's why." |
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Post by Daij_Djan on Feb 6, 2021 18:06:25 GMT
Hi sdfkjgh, Once again, it's been a while  This is obviously a rather difficult topic  Getting screwed over by the shuffler would be part of a pure random experience after all, especially when you're as greedy as him in that specific match. I mean, he even said it himself „I kept a one lander, I deserve it.“ But then again we always need to keep in mind: The shuffler isn't really random. It can't be, since computers cannot generalte „true“ randomness by default – but there seem to be a few additional shenanigans going on. For example, let's take a look at this video: In this nice almost two year old video a player attempts some rounds with a 13 land card burn deck – and he literally gets mana flooded in the first game  And I can assure you: Even two years later, this concept still works – because I have a similar 14 land burn deck I sometimes play with. Never had a starting hand without lands. Not once. So while I wouldn't call the shuffler „spiteful“, it definitely has some traits that could potentially screw someone over as much as they can clearly be exploited. |
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 6, 2021 18:55:04 GMT
So, why does that work out so well in favor of 13 land Red Deck Wins, but whenever I need a specific card type, land or nonland, in my decks which actually do have the right amount of land, I get screwed over multiple turns in a row with the card type I don't need?
Question 2, Electric Avenue (yet another nice thing the fascists have made sure we can't have anymore): Should Wizards shift their design/development focus away from "Is this fun?", and more towards "Is this fun to play against?", and how great of a shift should it be? {Note: this question was first formulated 1/20/21, so the recent seditious insurrection was very much on my mind.} |
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Post by Daij_Djan on Feb 6, 2021 19:13:03 GMT
No idea The shuffler seems to be smoothening starting hands a bit – but without knowing how it works for real, we can all just speculate..
As mentionend a while back, I'm not really a big fan of the whole FIRE design concept. I do think they try to balance out both of these things though – I just think they sometimes tend to fail. After all, they do know Land Destruction should never get too powerful, just like Counterspells shoudn't – basically they are aware that strategies that stop your opponent from playing are too obnoxious for many players to face against. They even mentioned just recently how they're not willing to expand white's Taxing abilities because player's would already hate these more than enough even only existing in blue .. I'd argue even limiting tutors to mostly higher rarities (besides land tutors) to avoid „loading screens“ / downtimes for your opponents fits in this thought process. The big issue is however: They need to understand there are other concepts that might still allow you to play – yet make all your plays come to naught anyway and are therefore just as oppressive to play against. Not getting to play your cards is one thing. But getting to play them yet them not mattering at all isn't much better either. Especially when then repetitiveness also gets involved as well.. |
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 6, 2021 19:33:17 GMT
This seems like yet another issue that could easily be solved by Wizards hiring more people to playtest everything. I remember a fairly recent Drive to Work podcast (I'm sorry I can't remember the exact one, or the exact time wherein this story happens) where the interviewee told the story of how he was the one who let R&D know that their vaunted benchmark of "Too Powerful for Standard", Serra Angel, actually wasn't powerful enough, and they had no friggin clue!
Are they gonna do it? Nope, because capitalism, y'all!
Question 3: Same question as asked here. |
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Post by Daij_Djan on Feb 6, 2021 19:54:21 GMT
Have to admit this is a rather tough question as I don‘t listen to MaRo‘s podcasts. I know, I know – shame on me Thing is, I only recently got into listening to podcasts anyway and his is one I want to listen to one day, but I didn‘t find the time so far. This means I by default have no idea whatsoever, whom he‘s already talked to in his previous episodes (obviously), so I don‘t think I‘ll be able to give a proper / normal answer. So instead, my suggestions are: - Me! No idea why MaRo would ever be interested in talking to me, but why not at least nominate me when I get the chance One can always dream after all..
- The Professor. I‘m pretty sure they already had several talks with one another, but since I really like the prof‘s style and his balance in praise as well as critique, there‘s always room for more and interesting debates between these two.
- George R.R. Martin. To paraphrase WotC, The Walking Dead made obvious sence to them as a foreighn IP to bring into Magic because they would be so similar – so this means they want to get darker in tone as well, no? And when we look back at the War of the Spark, how many important casualties did it really have? Talking to an author like George R.R. Martin would really benefit MaRo and give him as well as us listeners a new perspective in how Magic‘s story could improve in the future.
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 6, 2021 20:26:39 GMT
Interestingly enough, MaRo has only had the Professor on once, #739.
As for me, I wouldn't nominate myself, because who cares about lil' ol' me (there go my self-esteem issues again), but rather Ken Jennings. Actually, the dream would be an interview as they play Magic. Even better if Ken doesn't yet know how to play, so we can watch how MaRo teaches someone the game. We'd also be able to see just how well Ken absorbs new information, possibly in realtime. The next step would be to fire up the time machine, and stop the unstoppable robotic juggernaut of trivia that is the Keninator, andWe're all very glad that Ken took over for Alex; he really was the only right choice. LeVar Burton was an interesting idea, but it was always gonna be Ken.
Plus, getting back to Magic, at least tangentially (my favorite reference method), there's also Ken's trivia game collab with Richard Garfield.
Question 4: REMEMBER WHEN DOUBLING SEASON WAS CONSIDERED (paraphrasing MaRo himself here) "WAY TOO POWERFUL TO EVER BE BROUGHT BACK TO STANDARD, BECAUSE PLANESWALKERS"?!! At least Doubling Season self-limits such that activating loyalty abilities doesn't double the number of counters, and I just realized I'm saying "Thank god Doubling Season isn't even more stupidly overpowered alongside 'walkers!"
What the fuck is wrong with R&D?! At what point do they realized that their leadfoot on the accelerator of powercreep has metastasized into ACTUAL LEAD, THAT WILL POISON THE GAME TO DEATH?!! FUCK!!!
For over a decade, R&D has been timid to the point of paranoia about NOT interacting with loyalty counters. Looks like maintaining a longterm healthy balance to the game is less important than giving the players what they want. The job of a gatekeeper is sometimes NOT giving us what we say we want, because what we say we want is oftentimes contrary to what we actually need.
We need the game to continue into perpetuity. We say we want a Doubling Season that ignores what little power restrictions its progenitor had. So far, January 2021 is shaping up to be 2020's annexed bitch. 2020: in addition to lasting DECADES, it also contained 13 months, because how else could we have triggered the triskaidecaphobics?! |
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 6, 2021 20:29:53 GMT
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Post by Daij_Djan on Feb 6, 2021 20:46:51 GMT
Even better if Ken doesn't yet know how to play, so we can watch how MaRo teaches someone the game. Oh yeah, that sounds really interesting indeed.
Well, that‘s indeed more like a rant than a question aimed at me, so I‘ll guess I‘ll just say two things: - I totally understand WotC originally didn‘t want to have any card interact with planeswalkers directly when they were a new and weird thing. This time has long but past though – we even have had uncommon Planeswalkers a while back! – so I really want to see them getting them involved more at all rarities. We have „Deathtouch for planeswalkers“ or „Taxing loyalty abilities“, and it‘s stuff like this I really would love to see more of. But yeah, Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider is just brutal.
- And second of all, if I‘m allowed to brag a little, I actually own two copies of Doubling Season I bought for like 1-2$ each back when Timespiral was around – to fit into my wacky Fungus Deck. Deck was a mess – either snowballed and crushed the opponent hard or completely broke down on itself – but I‘m still glad I built it for the two copies of Doubling Season alone
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 6, 2021 20:58:02 GMT
Oh, you wanna get into a pissing contest about who got how many Doubling Season and how early? Let's dance, mofo!
Question V, Esq. (Have I done this joke before? I feel like I've done this joke before. Anyway...): With Vorinclex in Kaldheim, will Kaldheim be a new Phyrexian annex, and who will be compleated first? |
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Post by Daij_Djan on Feb 6, 2021 21:32:22 GMT
To be honest, I know almost nothing about Kaldheim's storyline so far – so I won't be able to give any suggestions concerning the last part of your question in particular. The one theory I've heard (and quite like) concerning Vorinclex is how apparently he's lost all of his biological parts which would hint at him having used Tezzeret's Planar Bridge. If this it true, it would open up the potential for the other preators showing up on different planes in the near future as well – which is a concept I like quite much. No idea what the greater goal – aside from completing everything of course – or strategy would be, but I would like a slow build-up for the phyrexian forces over a longer period. Especially since Emrakul is now chilling in the Moon and Nicol Bolas in a realm for him and his ghosty dragon bro, I'd really love to see the last remaining big interplanar menace getting some time to spread its influence.. |
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 6, 2021 21:53:53 GMT
Dude, you really should be reading the story. They came back strong after the omnishambles that was the War of the Spark story (although I did like the bits with Rat).
My guess as to whom will be the first to be compleated is Fynn, the Fangbearer. He works with deathtouch AND poison counters, that's like, 2/3rds of the way there already. *Takes bong rip* Plus, like, wasn't there a character who explicitly said "so that the Great Work may continue" in an earlier story? |
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 6, 2021 22:12:52 GMT
Anyway, thanks once again for agreeing to do this, and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PEOPLE, SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS FOR FUTURE EPISODES!! I'VE COMPLETELY RUN OUT OF IDEAS!!!
Ral: Truer words were never spoken. Wait, did you mean ideas for questions, or just in general?
HELL, JOIN IN ON AN EPISODE! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A PANEL SHOW, AND THERE'S AT LEAST THREE EMPTY SEATS AVAILABLE! Much as I hate to operate this way, Daij_Djan, you may have to conscript some forum members into joining.
Anyway, thank you all for reading my insane ramblings, and Daij_Djan's attempts to ground me in calm, reasoned debate; I'm not entirely sure you were wholly successful. Mind you, that's more on me.
Until next time, please don't make this be just two chimps on a davenport in a basement, join us! |
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Post by Daij_Djan on Feb 6, 2021 22:14:57 GMT
Definitely plan on reading the story in the future again I like your suggestion of Fynn being the first victim to the Phyrexians – the Historic deck surrounding him is really annoying to play against (even though I do admit it's a cool deck nethertheless). Then again, he might get even more powerful / annoying after completion, so I probably shouldn't hope on that happening
Dammit, took too long with my response and got ninja'd Bye everyone |
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foureyesisafish
7/7 Elemental
Posts: 386
Favorite Set: Ikoria: Lair of the Behemoths
Color Alignment: Blue, Red, Green
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Post by foureyesisafish on Feb 8, 2021 12:51:18 GMT
Anyway, thanks once again for agreeing to do this, and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PEOPLE, SEND ME YOUR QUESTIONS FOR FUTURE EPISODES!! I'VE COMPLETELY RUN OUT OF IDEAS!!!
Ral: Truer words were never spoken. Wait, did you mean ideas for questions, or just in general?
HELL, JOIN IN ON AN EPISODE! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A PANEL SHOW, AND THERE'S AT LEAST THREE EMPTY SEATS AVAILABLE! Much as I hate to operate this way, Daij_Djan , you may have to conscript some forum members into joining.
Anyway, thank you all for reading my insane ramblings, and Daij_Djan 's attempts to ground me in calm, reasoned debate; I'm not entirely sure you were wholly successful. Mind you, that's more on me.
Until next time, please don't make this be just two chimps on a davenport in a basement, join us! I conscript myself and put this to the panel for future use: how the freak do you design a good faction set? |
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 8, 2021 19:53:05 GMT
foureyesisafish, Daij_Djan: Oof, that might be beyond us. Daij_Djan, do you wanna tackle this one next episode? foureyesisafish, you could talk about how you'd design a faction set. But this might be a question better asked of MaRo, or someone else who's actually done one.
On the plus side, you've confirmed that this show actually has an audience, so thanks for that. |
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Post by Daij_Djan on Feb 8, 2021 20:48:56 GMT
Don't mind that question at all, to be honest. Also my first set, Penada, was a faction set btw |
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Robot_Face
0/0 Germ
they/them
Posts: 20
Formerly Known As: Robot_Face
Favorite Card: Charging Badger
Favorite Set: Khans of Tarkir
Color Alignment: Blue, Red, Green
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Post by Robot_Face on Feb 8, 2021 22:08:21 GMT
I conscript myself and put this to the panel for future use: how the freak do you design a good faction set? Also, how do you design a good fraction set? (A set using the silver-bordered mechanic of fractions) |
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foureyesisafish
7/7 Elemental
Posts: 386
Favorite Set: Ikoria: Lair of the Behemoths
Color Alignment: Blue, Red, Green
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Post by foureyesisafish on Feb 9, 2021 14:03:48 GMT
I conscript myself and put this to the panel for future use: how the freak do you design a good faction set? Also, how do you design a good fraction set? (A set using the silver-bordered mechanic of fractions) This is a good joke right here. Also, I'm currently in the middle of designing a faction set (Nessythia recently went in that direction), hence me suggesting it. |
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 10, 2021 1:15:56 GMT
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foureyesisafish
7/7 Elemental
Posts: 386
Favorite Set: Ikoria: Lair of the Behemoths
Color Alignment: Blue, Red, Green
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Post by foureyesisafish on Feb 10, 2021 12:25:36 GMT
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Post by sdfkjgh on Feb 10, 2021 18:16:46 GMT
foureyesisafish: Excellent. I just need you to sign up, so I can get a bit of a feel for your opinions and debate/writing style.
If you don't feel comfortable letting anyone else see your response to the above essay question, you can just send it to me and Daij_Djan as a private message. |
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foureyesisafish
7/7 Elemental
Posts: 386
Favorite Set: Ikoria: Lair of the Behemoths
Color Alignment: Blue, Red, Green
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Post by foureyesisafish on Feb 11, 2021 13:17:52 GMT
Well, I managed to sign up... last, somehow.
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Getting screwed over by the shuffler would be part of a pure random experience after all, especially when you're as greedy as him in that specific match. I mean, he even said it himself „I kept a one lander, I deserve it.“
And I can assure you: Even two years later, this concept still works – because I have a similar 14 land burn deck I sometimes play with. Never had a starting hand without lands. Not once.
"When in doubt, do a common." 
