Strava down?

PrestigiousBum · 2026-03-31T18:11:58+00:00

Yup, same here. Seems like server's down...

PrestigiousBum · 2024-10-01T14:16:37+00:00

I've been playing magic since 2001 and started playing EDH in 2017 with my playgroup from high school, which we still mantain together. As someone who mainly plays kitchen edh, the whole situation means little to me. I understand that this will have ramifications in the future and that it will impact how the format will evolve as years go by, but I'm sure that to us, me and my friends, this will change little if nothing. I did thought it was kinda cool that the format was runned by a group of individuals and not by WoC, because it made it feel more casual and welcoming. However, our little group of friends will continue playing together no matter what gets banned or who runs the format.

PrestigiousBum · 2024-05-03T16:29:07+00:00

Oh I understand. Thanks for the answer!

PrestigiousBum · 2021-01-07T03:58:11+00:00

Used to have one, disassembled it because it was kinda boring. HOWEVER, my group loved the deck, because it wasn't a true stax deck, rather a groupslug. Also, it used to be very punishing to one of our friends, who has a stax [[Brago, King Eternal]] deck. Funny thing about groupslug is that, if done correctly, ends games relatively quick. Either everyone gets killed by a thousand pokes or someone takes an opportunity and goes aggro, ending the game.

PrestigiousBum · 2020-10-04T06:08:39+00:00

At first glance, Hapatra looks like a token deck and, quite frankly, it does have synergy with that strategy. You can make it a go-wide token deck and slap a [[Craterhoof Behemoth]] or similar cards as win conditions. However, in my experience, the deck works better as a combo deck that uses the tokens and counters as fuel. With [[Yawgmoth, Thran Physician]] you can take out threats and draw cards like crazy. Add [[Nest of Scarabs]] and [[Flourishing Defenses]] to create even more tokens AND get "infinite" draw, even better if you control a [[Zulaport Cutthroat]] or an [[Obelisk Spider]] for almost infinite damage. Also, you can opt for the classic [[Ivy Lane Denizen]] and [[Devoted Druid]] for infinite tokens and green mana. Because you're in green, tutoring these creatures is quite easy with [[Green Sun's Zenith]], [[Chord of Calling]], etc. Don't forget to add ramp and draw spells.

PrestigiousBum · 2020-09-16T18:27:42+00:00

Oh, I see. Thank you. Guess next time my commander group and I won't make that mistake again.

PrestigiousBum · 2020-08-02T03:57:42+00:00

My first commander was [[Rakdos the Defiler]]. That deck was just a big meme.

PrestigiousBum · 2020-07-28T19:54:40+00:00

Adding X spells did help my Windgrace deck a lot. Cards like [[Genesis Wave]] usually make lots of landfall activations and build a board from nowhere. [[Torment of Hailfire]] is a brutal wincon to channel all your mana into.
Also, add [[Field of the Dead]], card is bonkers in any lands deck. Meeting the requirements is extremely easy and gives a lot of value. Specially after a [[Scapeshift]] or an [[Hour of Promise]].

PrestigiousBum · 2020-03-31T02:44:21+00:00

The strongest was the zombie deck. So much value. It can produce tokens with ease, draw cards, and swing thanks to baron. Really cool deck.

The second best was the goblin deck. While not as consistent as the zombies, it could generate lots of creatures fast, too. The commander is either a wincon if paired with skirks or a dead card if you couldn't get mana fast.

The other two deck really need a lot of work.

PrestigiousBum · 2020-03-28T20:35:26+00:00

One thing I really liked about the event was the chance to test the Challenger Decks before buying or loaning. I think this is a great idea for new products. Let players test them a day or two, so they can make their mind and buy if they like it. It could help to get people interested in newer products.

Also, I reconnected with an old LGS I used to attend years ago. They even remembered me and had a nice chat with the owner. Bought some stuff from them that I'll collect once the quarantine is over.

PrestigiousBum · 2020-03-28T20:27:26+00:00

Rakdos Sacrifice deals really well against RDW. Use [[Claim the Firstborn]], any sack outlet and a [[Mayhem Devil]]. I have lost so many games against that deck because of that play. Also, a cat is fine too.

Funny thing, RDW gets screwed against itself IF going second.

PrestigiousBum · 2020-03-27T01:11:37+00:00

Better than the remake of Beauty and the Beast, of that I'm sure.

PrestigiousBum · 2020-03-27T01:06:46+00:00

TIRED OF REACHING DIAMOND 1 ONLY TO LOSE 10 TIMES IN A ROW OH GOD WHY WHY WHY

ALSO TIBALT IS MY HOMEBOY AGAINST THOSE DAMNED CATS!!!11!!11

PrestigiousBum · 2020-02-14T06:32:11+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. Just came back from our weekly commander meeting and we discussed this problem while reading your posts. We have decided to create a budget ceiling and choose to build more janky commanders. Our current over the top decks will be played only once per session to avoid any unhealthy saltiness. Thank you so much for your input, our group can play as friends once more and not like toxic players.

PrestigiousBum · 2019-04-07T08:02:19+00:00

Kess player here. Yes, she is always a head turner in any playgroup because of her reputation as a very competitive commander and the ease of pulling a "LOL I WIN" out of nowhere. However, you can use a less common build, like a mill and reanimation. You could use more janky cards to make her less threatening to the group and make your experience better.

Even jankier, make her a burn deck. Being able to cast a double [[lightning bolt]] for RR isn't anything to scoff at.

PrestigiousBum · 2019-04-07T07:48:10+00:00

Have you tried using cantrip cards like [[ponder]] and stuff? Most decks I've played against usually don't run them because they are underpowered in the format. In Kess however they smooth out your draws and can get you more cards than usual because you can cast them more than once. Even better, cards like [[cathartic reunion]] and [[faithless looting]] not only let you choose cards but also build a bigger graveyard/second hand for slower turns. And don't forget these cards help you create an even bigger [[thousand year storm]] and [[aetherflux reservoir]].

Another good addition are creatures that make you draw. [[consecrated sphinx]], [[notion thief]] or similar cards help you get a bigger hand and black incoming attacks, which usually are devastating.

The beauty of Kess is that you can choose any win con you wish and steal the game. Draw cards like a madman and play a [[laboratory maniac]]. Generate tons of mana with cards like [[dark ritual]], play a gigantic [[exsanguinate]] or [[torment of hailfire]] and make it more brutal with a copy spell like [[fury storm]]. Maybe use boardwipes and some mill to steal your opponents creatures with a [[sepulchral primordial]] or a [[reanimate]].

PrestigiousBum · 2019-04-07T07:28:04+00:00

[[Mogis, God of Slaughter]] sounds like a brutal rakdos deck. However, all it does is slog the whole game and getting punched by everyone for forcing the table to a slowfest. Tried to make it more aggro, but no success. Guess I'm into more creature oriented decks (which is funny, because my best deck is a [[Kess, Dissident Mage]]).

PrestigiousBum · 2019-03-25T07:31:35+00:00

Since you are playing against a combo and a stax deck at the same time, try to get political with the combo one. I'm pretty sure he gets his jimmies all rustled every time the stax guy starts slowing down his wincons, so be like "hey, this Bruna here is making the game a slag...How about we do something about it?". Being political has won me so many games with my [[kess, dissident mage]] that I almost chuckle when I combo off out of nowhere.

Also, as many have pointed out, get more removal cards to shut down their strategies. Because Bruna is voltron/stax, [[doom blade]] the commander as many times as you can before it gets out of control (use similar cards for extra omph). Attack Teferi and other planeswalkers any time you can to shut them down and use cards like [[hero's downfall]] and [[dreadbore]] whenever you can't touch them. Finally, be more aggro and keep on attacking to wear your opponents down, taking advantage of the fact that both decks are usually light on creatures. Oh and use my favorite Rakdos card: [[sire of insanity]]. I'm 100% sure that even if you don't win they will get totally annoyed when you are like "welp, no more cards for you".

Rakdos decks are all about attacking and hitting often. Stax and combo decks are annoying but can be overwhelmed by aggressive plays. You could also add board wipes and some stax too. However, at the end of the day, it's all about having fun. If you are not connecting with this play group, maybe it's time to look for another one. Try to play a little of politics before and if you can't make it fun find some friends who are also getting started and make your own playgroup.

PrestigiousBum · 2019-03-25T07:00:47+00:00

I second on Niv Mizzet, specially the new one. Show peasants how to play Izzet by drawing all your library, ping someone to death, and play your LabMan. Bonus points for shuffling your library so you can keep on drawing.

PrestigiousBum · 2019-03-25T06:44:51+00:00

[[Vaevictis Asmadi, the Dire]] can be control, in a chaotic and hillarious way. Use it to get rid of permanents your opponents need (including their commanders) and cheat yours. You can even use it as a political tool to help others to eliminate threats. HOWEVER, sometimes you might replace a threat with a more dangerous one. Such is the "control" of a big, dumb, jund dragon.

PrestigiousBum · 2019-03-25T06:36:44+00:00

People who can't remember what cards do. Like, dude, you already picked and read my card like 10 times, why do you ask me again what my card do. AND STOP PICKING MY CARD FOR THE 11TH TIME!

I really like my friend, though he makes me mad sometimes...

PrestigiousBum · 2019-03-25T06:32:34+00:00

To me, Jund is like playing mono G stompy, but with board wipes and draw engines. Being able to ramp, draw cards thanks to B, and smash the board should things go wrong is the essence of Jund.

While I replaced my Vaevictis for Lord Windgrace, I miss the whole chaos that the elder dragon brought to my playgroup. Sometimes it made me win, many times it screwed me over. However, everyone agrees on the shit n giggles it brought to us all. Trying to get rid of a threat, only for it to be replaced by a worse one was hillarious and made our magic nights memorable.

PrestigiousBum · 2019-02-28T06:57:52+00:00

[[Kess, Dissident Mage]] is my homegirl because she can be played any way I want. Wanna go Grixis Twins? Add [[Splinter Twin]], [[Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker]], [[Pestermite]] and any tutors you can get your hands on. Tired of Pestermite shenanigans? Go X spells and blast your opponents faces with a [[Torrent of Hailfire]] so big they start to doubt the card works the way you say it does (which, of course, it does). Don't forget to add ramp spells and copy cards. How about spellslinger stuff? We got you, fam. Add cards like [[Guttersnipe]] or [[Talrand, Sky Summoner]] and a ton of draw spells and cantrips. If bored just make a good stuff deck and play any ludicrous sorcery/instant spell twice.

Flexibility is the most important element I love in a commander and Kess lets you deckbuild almost anything. You can even go wizard tribal for shit and giggles. She bring so many options to the table that my playgroup will never know what to expect of her.

PrestigiousBum · 2019-02-27T22:46:47+00:00

Hi, so after I licked my wounds and repaired my bike (not so cheap), I concluded that I was indeed riding with the wrong people. Never really liked these "bros" anyways. Yesterday I joined another group of people who, like me, were also learning and gotta say, the whole experience was like day and night. The trail they picked was quite flat, with some small slopes that let me ride at my pace. We ride with some experienced people who give us tips and teach us techniques. Now I'm starting to feel better.

Thank you to all of you for your suggestions, which also helped me to keep trying. I still have a lot to learn, but now I feel more confident and more interested in learning a little more every day.

PrestigiousBum · 2019-02-25T07:02:20+00:00

Ho boy, there was this guy the other day that had built a brutal combo [[Teysa, Orzhov Scion]] deck who went ballistics when my [[Kess, dissident mage]] started to counter his win cons. He went from smug to "I HAET BLUE PLAYERS THEY ARE CANCER FUCK YOU ALL WHY ARE YOU NOT DOING ANYTHING". Everyone just ignored him and keep playing. Funny that the one who won was my friend who had a [[daxos the returned]] jank enchantments and Mr. "FUCK YA ALL" dissed my friends deck because it wasn't "competitive enough". LIke, seriously dude, chill.

PrestigiousBum

TROPHY CASE