Arachnarchist says... #2
I wouldn't play this card if we're not in blue, and I don't want to go 3-colors, but if we go into blue, it's a good staller.
July 4, 2013 5:18 a.m.
I'm not certain. Anyone have an arguement against Riot Control ? It's in one of the 3 colors we're for sure going and stops all damage for a round AND gains us life. Is it not good because it's not a recurring blocker like the phantasm?
July 4, 2013 7:05 p.m.
Arachnarchist says... #4
Let me start by editing my last post: I don't want to go MORE THAN 3 colors. 3 colors is the fewest we are going to run.
nemesis101, the problem with Riot Control is that it doesn't really affect the board at all. Best case scenario it will buy us a turn when our opponent already has this. Right now, there is nothing we could play in that extra turn that would turn such a game around. If we are ahead or the board is at parity, this does nothing. In almost all scenarios just any creature would be better.
July 4, 2013 7:40 p.m.
I was just thinking; the real value of Riot Control is when an opponent does some kind of pump and/or a big burn hit in a single turn. Yes it technically only stops the damage for that turn, but that also means we can let a wave of attacking creatures by, without being forced into an unfavorable block. Typically, an opponent will have used up some nice spell, too.
It would also help set us up for a nice counter attack on the times an opponent was counting on a forced block. So, I don't think Riot Control is just buying an extra turn. That's what it does at LEAST.
+1 Riot Control
July 4, 2013 9:12 p.m.
Arachnarchist says... #6
Riot Control only prevents damage to us (the player). A large majority of the time, combat tricks are played on blocked creatures, not unblocked ones. Yes there may be a rare time when our opponent bloodrushes a Scorchwalker for what would be lethal or near lethal damage, but those times will be few and far between. Not to mention in such a situation we need to leave up 3 mana and have the appropriate card in hand. It might be different if this were a conventional Fog which could save our combat tricked creatures at the low cost of 1 mana.
July 4, 2013 9:30 p.m.
The only thing I'm worried about would be those 3 cyclops that we passed sitting there, and then he swings and pumps them all. the riot would be nice in that situation... pretty decent out of the side maybe, but a 0/5 blocker is hard to pass up if we do manage to get the stable mana for it.
July 4, 2013 11:29 p.m.
Riot Control might be the favorable pick simply to avoid going into 4 colors.
July 4, 2013 11:33 p.m.
I have to have picks in by a certain time or I'd have let more debate go on.
July 5, 2013 1:38 a.m.
Besides, with the blue in Far / Away , Protect / Serve , and our now 2 blue cards, we have enough where splashing for blue wouldn't be completely pointless.
July 5, 2013 1:39 a.m.
So no pack as of 10 to 1. Not like the pick is that terribly important this late in a pack haha.
Pack will be updated tomorrow morning when I wake up!
July 5, 2013 3:48 a.m.
I won't bother doing an "update".
Goblin Test Pilot
Azorious Cluestone
Orzhov Cluestone
Votes needed by 12pm Pacific, or 3 hours, 45 mins from now.
July 5, 2013 11:13 a.m.
Might as well pick up a possible blue source if we want the splash.
July 5, 2013 11:31 a.m.
Uncovered Clues and Wake the Reflections were autodrafted for us by Caley.
We have until midnight TOMORROW to get this pick in. Let's get some debate going!
July 5, 2013 7:04 p.m.
Lots of decent picks here, so something will wheel back to us.
I think we pick a gate here, and the Selesnya seems more useful, as we have more white than black. The Opal Lake Gatekeeper is tempting, but I've been of the belief that we shouldn't invest too far into blue. We'll find in-color gatekeepers soon enough.
+1 Selesnya Guildgate (however the Golgari Guildgate is also fine)
July 5, 2013 7:28 p.m.
+1 selesnya guildgate
It feels weird first picking this, but considering what else is in the pack... I don't really feel so bad. But, considering our strat is revolving around gates, I guess it's a good idea.
July 6, 2013 2:11 a.m.
Sin Collector is a little strong, but I think the gate is the way to go... anything but a bomb needs to be a gate pick this pack most likely.
Mpz5 says... #1
Provided we get enough blue gates, +1 Murmuring Phantasm would be nice to have.
July 4, 2013 4:08 a.m.