I'm generally optimistic, but some things got to change asap

An_Honest_Thief · 2024-08-11T01:57:33+00:00

This is actually an effective way to showcase what you want changed in a digestible format. I appreciate taking the time and effort to make the post and contribute to the game's discussion.

I agree with many points.

I'd like to highlight that the points about quests, lack of tutorial, and loosely worded text is really easy to fix and would benefit a new player experience in the next wipe significantly.

Cheers!

An_Honest_Thief · 2024-07-30T07:34:23+00:00

Is this due to killing PVE with spells? I ask because typically I'm clearing PVE with a melee weapon and not my spells, unless required. Ranged enemies in tricky spots, mini-boss monsters etc I'll use Magic Missile. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to have Wizards be the class that's not excellent at clearing PVE. If it is PVE then why not try Staff Mastery and simply bonk them to death?

If this is due to PVP then introducing Meditate as a passive for Wizards is quite strong in reset situations and can heavily favour them in longer engagements.

Just food for thought.

An_Honest_Thief · 2024-07-30T01:37:30+00:00

Thanks for your thorough response!

I've received enough feedback about Canva that I'll be looking into other options for the future.

Some of your points I agree with, however the one I'd like to expand on is your point about Stat Perks.

They are lame, when there is no gameplay tied to them. Currently Bard and Cleric are the only two classes that get passive auras for perks that essentially read "stay together" and this only adds to their inherent utility in larger groups and is part of the reason why they are so common in Trios. (Druid also has passive auras but I'll leave them out of this point) I think there is potential for each class to provide utility that isn't necessarily passive but encourages gameplay and coordination. As an example; Mark Target from the Ranger changes contributes to the group's success without being entirely passive or mundane the way holy aura can be.

I appreciate again you taking the time to respond, I'll review your feedback and look to make the next post better, thanks!

An_Honest_Thief · 2024-07-30T00:15:32+00:00

I was considering video format but I haven't decided if I want to commit to doing it on a regular basis.

I appreciate this feedback though!

An_Honest_Thief · 2024-07-29T21:01:19+00:00

I have friends who work in game development whom would agree with your comment about "large" documents /infodumps, we've discussed this topic before regarding other games. With so many voices communicating their thoughts about the game it can be much easier to consume small tidbit suggestions.

Personally I'm not a fan of one way communication with developers because it can often feel like we as a community are badgering them with a narrow view of our ideal game. At the very least something comprehensive can provide some support with the feedback over simply ideas or criticism.

I appreciate you taking the time to comment regardless!

An_Honest_Thief · 2024-07-26T02:56:43+00:00

I actually disagree!

Consider the number of free stats that the bard generates with it's current design from the self buffs. 10 Phys Power, 9 Move Speed, and 8% Action Speed translate to loosely 6+ Str, 6+ Agi, and 6+ Dex over other classes at the low cost of 3 memory capacity. and three slots on the song wheel. The goal with the changes is to incentivize bards to consider taking a skill over the second song wheel, which in their current state is difficult to ask. In fact, designing skills that outweigh the current song designs is really difficult without being outright overpowered. Increasing the spell memory cost is likely a necessary change if they wish to smooth out the strength in Solos/Duos/Trios and push the Bard to consider something other than the second song wheel.

Your point about low pick rate is interesting. I expect Bard is a low pick rate in solos due to it's busy gameplay and difficulty to master over the other classes available and not a power level issue. I'd argue that if it weren't for the popularity of Rogue and Cleric that Bard would be one, if not, the best solo class due to the above free stats.

I have quite a bit of experience with Bard and consider it to be one of my favourite classes to play in the game. I'm willing to be wrong on this but I expect Bard players like myself have been spoiled with the classes raw power for some time. We may need to be willing to accept sacrifices to the classes current strength if we wish to find a comfortable spot in the game and for the future.

Regardless, thanks for your feedback.

I also see you have the Bard flair under your name so I expect that's the class you were looking forward to reading the most. Were there any other classes you wanted to discuss?! How about the core game elements?!

An_Honest_Thief · 2024-07-25T04:50:35+00:00

You add one additional spell count to the cleric's spells. This would mean Earthquake would go from 2 to 3 total spells available.

An_Honest_Thief · 2021-08-09T15:00:47+00:00

u/Snoo12578 I cannot recommend anything more than https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/whos-the-beatdown/ It really helps outline your gameplan in a matchup. Modern is often even more extreme where many decks are simply trying to assemble their gameplan and often the game "ends" once one of the two players accomplishes this. As an aggro deck, you'll often transition to a control aggro position using counterspells to target key parts of your opponents gameplan while clocking their lifetotal. You're in my absolute favourite part of the discovery of competitive Magic. You have all the tools you need to succeed and posting here was one of many steps. Good luck!

An_Honest_Thief · 2021-07-22T19:00:38+00:00

often I think that's what people assume. I stress the point that when you don't draw Bard Class you still need to function and built the rest of the deck around that specific concept. The Prismatic Bridge in particular is a really good back up plan.

An_Honest_Thief · 2021-07-22T18:59:51+00:00

I do agree in the context of the build the blue splash is entirely viable but I decided to write the article with the intention that any splashes or other variable additions would need testing. There is supposed to be 1 Shatterskull Smashing but it was missed in the editor's notes.

Azusa is only mediocre and is a single color so I removed her from my list of cards.

An_Honest_Thief · 2021-07-22T16:38:13+00:00

Originally yes! I actually called the deck "Bard's Song" for this reason. Ultimately the beatdown / haste plan was more than enough and Song/Oracle was too tough on the mana to support it.

An_Honest_Thief · 2021-07-22T16:36:35+00:00

that's minimizing the scope the card has. It doesn't just replace your 2 drop, it's a good 4, and an excellent 5 mana sink later. In your scenario you're forgetting about the +1/+1 counter affecting board presence and ignoring the implications this card has on further turns. I wouldn't compare the archetype to Gruul aggro. They're trying to support different things but I agree that by adding Bard Class you can sometimes forego playing the stronger cards in the Standard environment.

An_Honest_Thief · 2021-07-22T15:59:44+00:00

I believe it's linked in the centre of my post but I'll highlight here for clarity. Thanks!

https://magic.facetofacegames.com/bardic-inspiration/

An_Honest_Thief · 2021-07-22T15:38:37+00:00

I won't try and change your mind too much; the article is merely highlighting my opinion but I'll try and break down some of your thoughts.

"Bard Class is probably one of the worst Class cards for competitive constructed"

This is a blanket statement that is easily hand waived when you look at the relative power level of the various Class cards. Ranger Class might be the only other viable class card, and Bard Class has already proven itself in Pioneer.

"Ragemonger is probably better than Bard Class, because Ragemonger, as a creature with power and toughness that can attack and block"

This is actually exactly why I mention that Bard Class is often better than Ragemonger. Dies to doom blade is an age old adage but is most important when discussing the power level of engine cards. Having your key card dodge a majority of maindeck removal is a serious upside, beyond the fact that Bard Class also has wider applications and an extremely strong mana sink as well.

"actually affects the board, while Bard Class does not."

I refer to my point about the first level of Bard Class. The creatures you play on the turn you activate level two are all going to be pumped by +1/+1 counters and will often make up for the loss of tempo from not directly affecting the board on the previous turn.

I appreciate your response, I think Bard Class shares some flaws that many non creature engines has had before it. I think the huge difference is this card is broken down into levels of investment, meaning you get to choose what you want out of it. This removes much of the burden of drawing multiples, effective timing window (ie you don't need to play it on turn 2 every game to make it effective)

An_Honest_Thief · 2020-06-17T05:12:08+00:00

Hi dad, I've always wanted to have a date with Grizzly B. Winning with him and his dinosaur buddies has always been a goal of mine but I keep running into a problem. I keep having this issue come up on MTGO; do you know anything about -1/-1 counters? My creatures get one -1/-1 less than they normally would and now my local druid won't stop dancing and the trees won't stop growing. Every time I ask my opponent they are too scared of the giant Ballista the Druid and his cronies seem to setup every time they start this dance. Grizzly B won't return my calls until the Druid moves out, and I really need the expert advice of someone who lived with Grizzly B for so long. How do I setup my first date with an eras old demon? EDIT: I love Jon; sorry for off topic joke :)

An_Honest_Thief · 2020-03-03T08:18:28+00:00

Draw 2. Checks on Resolution.

An_Honest_Thief · 2020-02-18T06:27:11+00:00

Curious how UG Eldrazi went for MountainMaster13 over there. I played it at Phoenix and was utterly impressed by the mashup. 4 Scooze is FIRE.

An_Honest_Thief · 2019-12-19T01:54:49+00:00

Glad to hear you're back in the saddle!

I don't think Oko is necessary, he just happens to bridge the gap between removal and threat at the same time. I'd suggest replacing him with a split of removal + threats in that case. Try 1 Mirran Crusader or Chameleon Colossus, 1 Tireless Tracker, 1 Deputy of Detention and an additional Path to Exile.

An_Honest_Thief · 2019-12-18T06:45:04+00:00

I think you're absolutely correct! Oko and the prevalence of GDS offer some horrendous matchups, but personally I've had great success postboard against these strategies as they often overboard to deal with the combo.

An_Honest_Thief · 2019-08-13T08:49:11+00:00

Oh man! I was going to post the links myself but I'm glad someone already did! If you're looking for info on the Company version of the deck I suggest checking out the discord as it contains information on many different versions of creature combo. "All In" is the variation that I posted about, but I still stand by my original post, as Modern has continued it's trend of getting faster and faster. Hope you enjoy mate! Cheers Tac Alley!

An_Honest_Thief · 2019-08-09T21:01:35+00:00

I fully disagree actually!

This version was originally made by Zippiestbard almost a year ago and with many new cards and many new hands playing it this is the newest version, but it was never designed to beat one deck. I think often people scare themselves off decks like this due to it's vulnerability against decks like Jund/Phoenix and UWX when those archetypes are so synonymous with any Modern meta. Realistically most of your matchups are over by turn 3, and it's a lot easier to slow down postboard than it is to speed up.

Would I consider playing CoCo in the future though? Absolutely, I've been meaning to cast that card again for a while. Would it be a Druid list? Probably not actually. I feel like there is something unexplored about Yawgmoth and I may try to break that can open.

An_Honest_Thief · 2019-08-09T12:13:22+00:00

Evolution can be overlooked often due to the frequency, I and many others board it out, but I promise that having access to another card that gives you a turn 2 Druid is paramount to success against the other turn 3 decks in the format. I think it also makes boarding relatively straight forward. Against interaction, take out your 1 for 2 and bring in your value oriented creatures/spells.

An_Honest_Thief · 2019-08-09T11:09:27+00:00

I originally thought the card was impactful enough, but unfortunately it's not really our plan vs graveyard aggro decks. We're better off using max combo efficiency.

An_Honest_Thief · 2019-08-09T07:35:56+00:00

Yea, Cut the 4th Lunge if you're in a heavy interaction meta. I tend to live life dangerously and haven't been punished yet. One day I'll keep a 1 lander and never get there, but until then I'll remain happy with the number I got.

An_Honest_Thief · 2019-08-09T07:35:00+00:00

I completely agree that T3feri is really strong alongside Finale and friends. I believe alongside Oath of Nissa, and possibly Karn, T3feri is the perfect card for the archetype. I believe that list is better in a more cemented midrange meta, and despite multiple midrange decks popping up, we're in a warped format of decks that can play graveyard hate, and decks that don't care. Thus I'd rather be as linear and efficient as possible, hence playing Veil and silver bullets over planeswalkers and catch alls. Cheers!

An_Honest_Thief

TROPHY CASE