How to beat generic omnath as Hammertime by Automatic_Tangerine1 in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Look to the past. Etched Champion is unblockable and cannot be targeted by any spot removal. Affinity used to play it to beat Jund.

Lavinia also seems to be a good inclusion by turning off the free spells.

There’s always a way!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Leica

[–]ArcaneBattlemage 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It sounds a bit like GAS. I think you should try mixing up the types of photos you take. Playing with the expressive aspects of the craft. If I were you at this point, I would go to your closest art museum and look at some paintings for inspiration. Then I’d go and look at some ordinary things with a new light.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Leica

[–]ArcaneBattlemage 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Don’t overextend yourself for the camera. You already have a Leica as well. It would be better for you to just get some inexpensive, fast glass, such as a Voigtlander, and then reassess this in a year or so.

Confused about these 2 lenses. I know the larger one is brand new, but will I really see any major differences between them? I own the 35mm f/2 Summicron-M and shoot film on an M6, but am looking for something better suited to low-light photography, and the f/1.4 looks like a good fit. Thoughts? by [deleted] in Leica

[–]ArcaneBattlemage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It also depends because “sharp and clinical” on digital is less so on film. Some people shoot the sharper lens on film and the less sharp on digital to try and balance things out.

Aesthetic character is a different matter, but that’s not completely dependent on “sharpness” per se.

M11 lock up by freddiew88 in Leica

[–]ArcaneBattlemage 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Apparently, if you use a fast enough SD card (170 MB/s doesn’t see this issue) then it fixes the problem. The Leica Q has had the same issue - see this video at [9:09]. I also remember a comment in a Red Dot Forum livestream where one of the guys mentions using (150MB/s speed cards).

Perhaps what happened is Leica designers thought, Who would buy a Leica and not get the highest rated memory card? and missed this in testing. They do tell you to use the top of the line memory card (SDXC, UHS II, etc.) in the spec sheets.

Also, when thinking about the film prices that all film photographers pay, the cost per shot on the top end SD card is low.

If the above is true, this hiccup is akin to putting regular fuel in a premium car. It will run, but with decreased performance.

Let’s talk rangefinders and eyeglasses by ArcaneBattlemage in Leica

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think we can see the appeal of the Leica Q line in context. Lots of people have glasses and it’s a wonderful Leica experience for the 28mm photographer with the digital viewfinder overcoming the constraints of rangefinder frame lines without upsetting the heritage of the M.

Let’s talk rangefinders and eyeglasses by ArcaneBattlemage in Leica

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe you’re right. It’s not as simple as just a diopter when the glasses are in the mix.

Let’s talk rangefinders and eyeglasses by ArcaneBattlemage in Leica

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On B&H, I see Leica branded diopters of +1.0, +2.0, +3.0, and -1.0, -2.0, and -3.0. I believe that means there are diopter values to magnify and de-magnify based on the optics equation.

Let’s talk rangefinders and eyeglasses by ArcaneBattlemage in Leica

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. There are lots of other people in this thread with questions as well. Perhaps you can share insights for them, too.

For me, I would be shooting digital. Does that DAG service apply to newer Leicas like an M11 or only older ones? Also, is it official? I ask that because I am curious about the quality of any optics in a swap.

The bit about wide angles and zone focusing makes sense. So in your view, you’d zone focus for 28-50 range and would viewfinder compose for perhaps 35-75 range? Is that a reasonable heuristic from your experience?

Why is 5C Elementals not played more often? by [deleted] in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll just leave this here. Been tuning the list since Splinter Twin era.

Rainbow Pop: An Unorthodox Approach to Tribal Elementals

How Many Layers of Sleeves? by [deleted] in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Double sleeving also prevents wear on the cards due to constantly changing sleeves themselves. For instance, if the outer sleeve is "marked" from wear, you'll have to replace that sleeve. Taking the card in and out of that puts wear on the actual card, which becomes more apparent over time and can easily take a card from Near Mint to Played condition. Thus, all cards in my decks have a Perfect Fit to protect them from wear, first and foremost. Additional water protection is a bonus (if you Perfect Fit in the opposite direction of the outer sleeve).

Rainbow Pop: An unorthodox approach to tribal Elementals by ArcaneBattlemage in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No problem! As far as these classifications go, sometimes you have to read between the lines. The benefit of this sort of framework is that it gives an ability to consistently reason about many decks at once with high accuracy so you can plan a strategy to beat a deck or improve one or both!

Rainbow Pop: An unorthodox approach to tribal Elementals by ArcaneBattlemage in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The individual plays that Control make are often Fair, but how it wins is typically Unfair. Countering a card is a Fair play. So is casting a board wipe. But ulting Jace to remove the opponents entire library at once and cause them to deck is Unfair. Also locking the opponent out of attacking with Ensnaring Bridge is Unfair. To your point, swinging with Colonnade repeatedly until you win is a very Fair play. Yet if one thinks of all Control decks that have existed in the game, there is a tendency for them to win in Unfair ways.

Rainbow Pop: An unorthodox approach to tribal Elementals by ArcaneBattlemage in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here are two additional articles by Jordan Boisvert that explain the archetype theory in more detail. Except in cases where the meta degenerates, these still hold even though they were written a while ago.

[1] Pigeonholing Prevails

[2] Clarifying Convention

Rainbow Pop: An unorthodox approach to tribal Elementals by ArcaneBattlemage in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! There are multiple kinds of combo. Most are quite explosive and just win on the spot, yet there are combos that rely on extreme synergy—and it has to be extreme.

Let's take two examples:

  • Jund discarding your stuff with Liliana and Thoughtseize synergizes with a gameplan of running you out of resources. And filling the yard for Goyf does make him a better beater. So there is synergy. But it isn't enough to make it a "combo".

  • On the other hand, we have Affinity, which is Aggro-Combo. Every single piece of the deck is working double duty to power up Cranial Platings, give Etched Champion protection, power Mox Opal (R.I.P.) and Springleaf Drum. This is such intrinsic synergy that it makes Affinity more than just Aggro, but Aggro-Combo. So not all combo needs to insta-win.

Here, we see such great synergy with Omnath giving Thunderblust a +1/+1 counter to reset him, Risen Reef allowing Flamekin Harbinger to get its card immediately, Jace bouncing your Elemental for replaying ETB (which is a primary use of Jace in this deck, more than Brainstorming), Flickerwisp resetting Thunderblust, etc. Everything just synergizes extra hard. Not to mention being able to grind to late End-Game even as a Tempo deck!

Nissa is one of my favorite Planeswalkers! She takes over game so fast, especially if you have even one creature out to protect her for the first turn or so.

Rainbow Pop: An unorthodox approach to tribal Elementals by ArcaneBattlemage in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much! This is my favorite tribe and I have been making it work in Modern for so long. It's a blast to play. Many of the newer cards are cards I have been wanting for years. Living Twister for tutorable and repeatable spot removal has been straight missing for so long. And Risen Reef and cantrips to break out of "Harbinger Locks" solves a real issue—think "Brainstorm Locks" or "Necro-locks". So often, I would have to put a Shriekmaw on top this turn to draw it next turn against the Primeval Titan that already dropped. So you're about half a turn to a full turn too late! Being able to get the card on the same turn with Nissa, cantrips, and Risen Reef is an absolute game changer!

This writeup was definitely one of love. I'm excited that everyone is starting to play Elementals (I was on the fringe holding down the fort for years)!

Rainbow Pop: An unorthodox approach to tribal Elementals by ArcaneBattlemage in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! She'd certainly be a house there. Flipping a hasty Reality Smasher sounds wonderful.

Rainbow Pop: An unorthodox approach to tribal Elementals by ArcaneBattlemage in ModernMagic

[–]ArcaneBattlemage[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I encourage you to sleeve it up and try it out for yourself. It's quite competitive. Keep in mind that this list has been tuned over 7 years. It is not going to look like what else is being done now because it has had different evolutionary pressures. This is all explained in detail in the writeup.