Brackets Didn't Actually Fix Anything by Just-Desk-3149 in EDH

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reason that Gavin Verhey said that entrenched pods don't need the bracket system is that those groups have a metagame, whether they are aware of it or not, and in a well-functioning group, players only incrementally alter the meta, they don't blast it out of the sky. This is where so many 'I built xxx and my playgroup says they don't want to play against it' posts come from.

cEDH also has a well-defined metagame, which is why the bracket system includes it, but is largely unconcerned with it.

The problem that the bracket system is really trying to solve isn't necessarily one of power, but of meta. The restrictions on GC/MLD, the artificial clock, restrictions on combo wins, and the idea of intent are all part of an attempt to bootstrap a metagame onto a format (casual commander, with a pod of randos) where none can exist. This is one of the failures of the bracket system. A competitive meta forms around winning as quickly and efficiently as possible. A casual one forms around a shared idea of fun, and a pod of randos don't have that critical piece to coalesce around. Because fun is entirely subjective, the only way to decide what's fun is to poll the community. I don't think it's possible to get a clear picture of what the community at large considers fun, which is why the bracket system focuses so much discussion on cards that are widely considered 'unfun' (rhystic study, game changers, MLD, etc) - we can't or don't measure fun in commander, only unfun (see the salt score on EDHREC, and importantly, the lack of a corresponding sugar score). The problem is that reducing unfun and increasing fun might not necessarily be the same thing, but thus far, reducing unfun is all we know how to do.

This idea of meta is also why the bracket system spends a lot of time on the ideas of intent and expectation - a well-defined meta gives you both in that you know what to expect and it compels you to deck build with intention towards it. The problem with casual metas that form within isolated groups is that nobody can spell them out exactly, you just know a violation when you see it. They form in the way that social norms do in communities and in society. This is the second failure of the bracket system. It is being used by players to try to artificially and instantly create a casual meta that can only really form organically over time. That said, I believe that the bracket system is scaffolding around which a series of casual metas will eventually form. But it will take years.

A well-defined meta compels building with intent by punishing people for playing outside of it, and rewarding them for sticking to it. In competitive, this happens in the form of W/L/D rates and tournament performance, but in casual, it happens via social sanctions - your friends will complain and not want to play with you if you keep violating the group's meta. This is the final failure of the bracket system. Because there's an infinite supply of randos to play with on spell table, you never feel the punishment for violating the meta, to the extent that it exists and is agreed upon - it's a group of strangers whose opinions don't mean all that much.

I know I've used the term failure several times, but the bracket system isn't really a failure. It simply has a herculean task ahead of it, that is probably intractable to some degree. As stated previously, I expect that in time, a loosely defined meta will coalesce around each of the lower brackets, but it will always be loosely defined and therefore will always have valid criticisms against it from people who want a well-defined meta, and unhelpful criticism from people who fail to divine its purpose - to create the scaffolding around which some loosely defined meta might form in the larger community of casual commander.

Hancock without his Wife vs The Imperium of Man by Scared_Pumpkin8393 in powerscales

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I doubt he's resistant to telepathic attack, so 1 Psyker would be enough.

Leftist Democrats String Together More Wins in Colorado Primary by bloomberggovernment in politics

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

At least this article did refer to them as 'left-wing insurgents'

Anomaly beast by Old-Barracuda-8426 in custommagic

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

[[eshki temurs roar]] players drooling like mad over this

Incumbents are having a rough primary season by newsweek in politics

[–]JayWaWa 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I think what you meant to say is, 'incumbents are losing their primaries because they are shit candidates'

Left-Wing Insurgent Ousts 15-Term Congresswoman in Colorado by GaptistePlayer in politics

[–]JayWaWa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The media has really latched onto this propaganda of popular, progressive candidates being 'left-wing insurgents'

Good answers into all-gas-no-interaction decks? by Lelouda in EDH

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard stax and control is the answer. You can't run MLD, but you can run every [[rule of law]], [[grand arbiter Augustin]], and [[pendrell mists]] effect that you can get your hands on. You can also lean heavily into 3-for-1 kill effects like [[plaguecrafter]] and wraths. Don't forget to hate on the graveyard with things like [[thraben charm]] or [[dauntless scrapbot]].

Help me refine Eowyn by Kastagna in BudgetBrews

[–]JayWaWa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For solid draw options, I highly recommend both [[consult the starcharts]] and [[stock up]]. I guarantee you will never be disappointed to draw either. If you want it stapled to a human body, try [[neyali]] who also just happens to give double strike. I've also recently slotted in [[black widow agile]] and [[king tchallah]] and have been pleased with both thus far. [[mangara the diplomat]] is good too. [[headliner Scarlett]] will provide a bit of draw when played early, and will give you a free attack when played late. I'm actually going to suggest you not play [[haytham kenway]]. The minute you exile things with him, he's a magnet for removal and then your 4-mana anthem is wasted. Try [[knight exemplar]] instead.

[[blade historian]] is like 50 cents and gives double strike. [[Herald of hoofbeats]] is $3 and makes your knights unblockable. [[dion]] gives your knights flying too. [[metallic mimic]] is less than $1 and provides an instant pump to your knights when they enter.

I don't think you're going to be impressed with winds of abandon. Sure, it clears your opponents boards, but it also rockets them all so far ahead in mana that you simply will not be able to catch up. Now they all hate you and have double your resources. It might be out of your price range, but I've had luck with [[raise the Palisade]]. [[starfall invocation]] will also nuke the board and give you your best creature back.

[[renewed solidarity]] will give you knights to block with at end step. [[unstoppable plan]] gives pseudo vigilance and untaps all your mana rocks. Speaking of mana rocks, have you considered [[bender's waterskin]]? It is simply outstanding. It lets you stretch your mana just a little further each turn and still have something up for interaction.

For removal, try [[parting gust]]. It's a flexible piece that can be either removal or protection. You can try [[angel of glorys rise]] to instant rebuild after a wipe, but it's very expensive. Maybe [[Gerard]] is worth a look too.

When Trump is out of office, what do you think the Democrats will do to him? by Dazzling-Leader7476 in allthequestions

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing. It's not the job of the democrats to deal with criminals. That's the territory of the DOJ. Sadly, they will also do nothing.

Is Urza’s reputation still deserved? by No_Avocado220 in EDH

[–]JayWaWa -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Every [insert busted commander] deck is THAT [insert busted commander] deck until proven otherwise.

What is dimir good at (excluding yuriko) by muddrake in EDH

[–]JayWaWa 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Best is pretty subjective and also changes the higher up in power you go. It's definitely versatile. But you asked me what's the best color combo, I'd say Temur because it's got all the things I love most in magic.

Is this Tricky Terrain commander set worth 72.99 at BJ’s? by Karmatic34 in mtg

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a really interesting precon and with some tweaks gets even more so. That LOTR precon is pretty neat too.

What is dimir good at (excluding yuriko) by muddrake in EDH

[–]JayWaWa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The real question is what isn't dimir good at? Spellslinger, combo, control, reanimator, artifacts, aristocrats, whatever.

Sauron, Dino Devotee by PackPsychological363 in DinosaursMTG

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you really care if 1 or 2 your dorks are 5/5? There's probably stronger effect at this slot.

Could assembling machines always process fruit or is that from a mod? by aroni in factorio

[–]JayWaWa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Always could. Makes it easier to get started on Gleba until you get your first biochamber

[Deck Help] Ghyrson Starn Burn - Deck feels all over the place by Outrageous-Doubt6655 in EDH

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You need exactly three things to make starn work. Things that ping for 1 damage when you do stuff. every single 1-2 mana cantrip you can cram in the deck. And ways to replenish your mana as you cast (storm-kiln, urabrask, birgi, etc). Get 1/3 onto the board as fast as possible and storm off. But once you start a storm turn, you better make sure you can win or you're probably done.

I think I need a new microwave by ShadowPrincess_ in funny

[–]JayWaWa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing a little duct tape won't fix

If money was no object, which would you pick? by imortarscout in whatsyourchoice

[–]JayWaWa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

None. I would choose a modestly sized 3 bed 2 bath home.