MTG Articles

Pattern Recognition #202 - Take a Chance Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 July 08 by berryjon

With the newest set coming around, the affects of luck and chance have exploded into the game in a way never seen before. Today, berryjon takes a quick look at the history of such things, and his worries for the future. And as always, comments are welcome.

Pattern Recognition #201 - Kismet Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 June 24 by berryjon

This article is brought to you by the fact that It's too hot to sleep, and my attempts to defer this to next week failed. So enjoy my talking about tapping out! I could use some Frost Breath to keep things cool.

Pattern Recognition #200 - Alpha Boons Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 June 17 by berryjon

It's time for the Big 2-0-0! And we go back to the beginning with a talk about the Alpha Boons! Here's to another 200!

Pattern Recognition #199 - A New Set - Mechanics Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 June 10 by berryjon

Today, berryjon assigns each of the five Tribes their own mechanic. And partially reinvents one to fit as well! Also, Preview Season starts!

Pattern Recognition #198 - Anthems Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 June 03 by berryjon

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Listen now to these amazing Anthems and feel your power and toughness increase! For White only, unless you're Green.

Pattern Recognition #197 - A New Set - Colour Distribution Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 May 27 by berryjon

In this week's PR, berryjon starts to break down his set and tentatively decides what kind of card goes into most of the slots. Some decisions will have to be made later, mind you, but for now, read within to find out the majority of cards!

Pattern Recognition #196 - Domain Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 May 20 by berryjon

Hey everyone! This week, berryjon cracks open an early experiment in encouraging multi-colour play, notes the existence of two potential replacement mechanics, then leaves it in the grave, where is has been for a decade or more.

Pattern Recognition #195 - A New Set - Tribes Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 May 13 by berryjon

Today, berryjon's developing set takes a turn at the Tribal majorities for said set. Some decisions are respectable and understandable. Others are new and worth developing. And then there's one sure to cause people to wonder why berryjon is as crazy as he is.

Pattern Recognition #194 - Shroud, Hexproof and Ward Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 May 06 by berryjon

Protecting your cards is paramount in any game, so how has Wizards addressed this in the past and into the present when "Protection from..." isn't an option?

Pattern Recognition #193 - A Set Design - Theme Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 April 29 by berryjon

Welcome back to berryjon's musing on how to build a design a set. Still no cards, there's a lot of groundwork to be done first. Like, what is the set about? What holds it together?

Pattern Recognition #192 - MDFC Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 April 22 by berryjon

Today, berryjon looks at the short history of Modal Dual Faced cards, and how they work.

Pattern Recognition #191 - A Set Design - Concept Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 April 15 by berryjon

Today, berryjon discusses what it means to design a set, and establishes the logic for his own great work going forward. And there's a lot going on under the hood, that's for sure.

Pattern Recognition #190 - What the Heck was that? Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 April 08 by berryjon

What was that last week? Today, berryjon does what he shouldn't, and explains the joke.

Eternal Archive #189 - A Year in Review Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 April 01 by berryjon

Today, user:berryjon | Sagius, the Hidden takes a look back over the past year in the game, and how it all turned out! You won't be disappointed at all in all the newly explored Space!

Pattern Recognition #188 - Set Design Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 March 18 by berryjon

What does it take a make a set of cards. A lot, actually. berryjon takes a look at the process Wizards uses to do just that.

Pattern Recognition #187 - Tuck Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 March 11 by berryjon

Teferi can go Tuck himself, did you know? And why is this important? Today, berryjon looks at putting cards back into the library.

Pattern Recognition #186 - Planar Chaos Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 March 04 by berryjon

The second set of Time Spiral, in time for Time Spiral Remastered. berryjon looks at the set and what made it work - and didn't.

Pattern Recognition #185 - Walls Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 February 25 by berryjon

More than just blockers, Walls have had a good run through the history of Magic, a run that goes to this day.

Pattern Recognition #184 - Jace, Part 2 Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 February 18 by berryjon

Time for the back half of my review of Jace Beleren and his follow-up cards. Will I finally find something that I like, or will I just be led down the road to crushing disappointment and defeat?

(spoilers: Yes)

Pattern Recognition #183 - Jace (Part 1) Features Opinion Pattern Recognition

2021 February 11 by berryjon

Jace Beleren. Love him, hate him. But what does he actually do on the board? Today, berryjon starts a running commentary on the various Jace's throughout the game and see if he really deserves the hate he's gotten.

(spoilers: yes)