ANTICIPATING THE BOX

(What to do before, during, and after an Expansion Set's release)

BY MON MACUTAY


     When an expansion set looms in the horizon, players get all excited... rumors 
abound and the Internet is flooded with bogus "spoiler lists". Yet, other players are 
still trying to familiarize themselves with the current expansion and stalk Magic haunts 
for cards they need to create tournament-level decks (which are basically efficient 
cards they saw "hot" over the last weekend local competition). But, how does one really 
prepare for and meet a new Magic: the Gathering expansion head on? With a few simple 
steps and some careful planning, any serious Magic player, be he beginner or veteran, 
can benefit from this article to save valuable time, effort and (often) money and get 
the most out of the "box", so to speak.

     During the early days of a new set's release, there will certainly be "oohs" and 
"aahs" and both Collector and Competitor will be willing to pay big bucks for the 
seemingly Power Cards or Super Rares of the set. If you're like the average Magic 
player (and wonder why you never make it big in tournaments), you probably equate 
"Rarity" for "Power or Efficiency". The sooner you dismiss this mentality, the sooner 
you'll be on your way to placing in tournaments (and someday, winning). Case in point: 
when Mirage came out, everyone was willing to sac a limb for the supposedly magnificent 
Grinning Totem; trading out mucho cards for it. A few weeks later, the Totem was 
relegated to the dustbin by the reprinting of Jester's Cap in 5th Edition (and the 
losers who traded far more valuable cards, in terms of efficiency, cursed the day and 
regretted everything!).

     I, too, was once "schmucked" by my shortsightedness. When Alliances hit the 
shelves, I told myself that I would kill for a Balduvian Hordes and a Helm of 
Obedience. In the process to procure these gems, I traded away several copies of my 
Thawing Glaciers, Kjeldoran Outposts and Lake of the Dead (thinking they were all not 
that special). Hah?! You bet! ... I hated myself for it! From then on, I decided to 
prepare for a set's arrival and follow simple, logical steps so that boo-boos like the 
above could be avoided Action Plans which I am willing to share with you below.


BEFORE THE STORM

     When anticipating a set's release, keep yourself up-to-date and informed on the 
current errata, rulings, and reversals of the previous, latest expansion (and Magic in 
general as well). Information is the name of the game! Similarly, try to keep abreast 
of the latest trends, hot cards, combos and deck types/concepts by reading M:tG related 
publications like Duelist, Vault, Scrye, or Inquest. Also, if you have on-line access, 
try to visit web sites like the official Magic Page at www.wizards.com, The Magic Dojo 
at www.thedojo.com and our official Philippine Magic Page at ___________, among others. 
Remember that investing in information first will be profitable in the long run than 
foolishly investing in cards without careful planning and forethought. The magazines 
and web sites will sometimes have spoiler lists that you can download and study. But 
don't depend too much on these unofficial lists. Just keep an open mind and try to see 
where the colors are getting at and spot several cards concepts and new rules that may 
prove interesting.

     When a set finally hits the stores, I normally don't run to Greenhills (or any 
card shop)  and buy a display box. First, I try to acquire an OFFICIAL CARD LIST so I 
can analyze and plan on what cards to acquire later. This way, when I do decide to 
purchase packs, I know which ones to keep, sell and/or trade.


IT'S HERE!


     It is now traditional for WOTC to organize worldwide pre-release tournaments. If 
you have the opportunity, I strongly suggest you participate in one. Mark the date on 
your calendar and save up on the dinero! Honestly, it's a lot of fun to play in these 
formats. Besides being fun and educational, the pre-release will net you your actual 
first few cards (to make your mouth water and ask for more...). I also enjoy admiring 
the new art and text/quotes on my newly acquired cards.

     During the actual tourney, don't forget to ask your friends what other cool cards 
they got. You and your pals can then exchange notes and ideas about the set. It's also 
not a bad idea to bring a small notebook and jot down cards you saw with potential 
(call this your PROTOTYPE WISH LIST). Hey, now do you see how information plays a big 
role in being a really competitive Magic Player, huh?

     The next important step is for you to acquire an OFFICIAL CARD LIST. The Duelist 
is suggested for this. Once you have the list, READ IT!!!...Not once or twice, but 5 
TIMES! No kidding, man! The more you are familiar with the card list, the better you 
will be at trading and acquiring the right cards and be on your way to mastering the 
expansion set. Get your small notebook out and make two columns. On the first column, 
jot down the cards you need for posterity and collection (the super rare, themes, cool 
art, funky artifacts, etc.). On the second, write down the cards you think will be 
invaluable for making effective tournament decks. Don't worry, the list will sometimes 
overlap. Constantly update and bring this list with you whenever possible. This will 
effectively help you make proper decisions when faced with several choices in a trade 
or purchase... do you get the card on the Collection List/Trade Bait or would you 
rather have more efficient cards for creating stronger decks?


GET THE CARDS (GIMME ME MY BOX!!!)


     It doesn't matter if you buy a few packs or a display box. As long as you know 
which cards to specifically acquire and you are a competent deck designer, the rich 
kids (Mr. Suitcases) shouldn't intimidate you. Additionally, I suggest that you also 
purchase a ready-made starter (like the Rath Cycle series) and start playing with it so 
you can get an initial feel of the set. Sadly, a lot of players make the mistake of 
buying lots of cards, looking at and reading most of it and playing with just the rares 
and some uncommons. Remember this (and especially in today's Standard Format), you'll 
never know how powerful or stupid a card really is until you actually play with it in a 
deck.

     PLAY WITH THE COMMONS. The first few weeks of a set's release should be spent 
playing with every single card you can get your hands on. Try to organize Booster 
Drafts with your friends and ask your rich buddy if it's possible to draft and play 
with the display box(es) he plans on buying. Just play, play, and play! (Especially 
with the commons). Trust me, you'll have a different perspective of the set after doing 
this. You'll be more prepared and you'll also be able to determine each card's strength 
and weaknesses, spot some cute combos, and be aware of the way the set mixes with other 
current cards and rules/effects in the environment. Plus, you will be able to predict 
some cards which could possibly be staples in certain color(s) and/or deck types. 
Besides, experimenting and the joy of discovery are always a lot of fun and one of the 
aspects of Magic that I look forward to every time a new expansion makes a debut.

     During your spare time, you can take out all your Magic cards and start reading 
them individually (the art, text, quotes and story line all make for an enjoyable read). 
Analyze each one then try to sort them into three (3) piles:

1. TRADE BAIT / FOR COLLECTION
2. FOR USE
3. STANDY / RECYCLE BIN

     When you are more or less familiar with the expansion, you can now start 
integrating some components into your current decks. Don't be shy to proxy some cards 
when playing for fun with your friends. I always proxy (during fun games)... and 
sometimes weigh my purchases or trades on whether or not the card actually becomes 
critical and has won me a decent number of duels. During this period of experimentation 
you will be surprised to find other strategic uses for some cards and discover some 
fancy "lock" or combo.


TEST DECKS


     Now that you more or less understand the entire card mix, try adding some 
creatures and spells into your existing decks. Don't forget to place equal importance 
to color-hosers and other sideboard cards which might be useful in the future. When 
Tempest came out, I added new  "burn cards" like Kindle into my Red/Blue Standard deck. 
I also decided to experiment using cheap, efficient blue flyers like the 2/2 Wind Drake 
to support the Frenetic Efreets and finally added Bloodrock Cyclops from Weatherlight 
to thwart the now-popular Quicksand. My efforts and playtesting landed the deck in 3rd 
place in the first tournament where Tempest was finally allowed in the Standard Format. 
My team mate, and good friend, Mario Padua incorporated Blood Pets, Shadow black 
weenies and Living Death into his horrible, shocking mono-black deck; which also did 
well in the tournament. Patrick Uy, another close friend and mentor, used Apocalypse as 
a "control mechanism" in his 3-color Red Sligh deck and has also done well.

     When constructing Test Decks, try to envision the entire spectrum of deck types 
currently popular in the tournament scene. For example, it doesn't take a genius to 
figure out that Mogg Fanatics, Mogg Conscripts, Goblin Bombardment and Kindle would 
greatly complement any existing Sligh design. Against the ever-increasing-in-popularity 
5-Color Decks, Wastleland certainly cripples their colored mana production. Boil puts a 
scare into the blue mages and Cloudchaser Eagle is an added factor against the powerful 
Propa-Orb decks, Perish effectively halts the creature onslaught of Stompy, while Time 
Ebb can be effectively incorporated into a Blue-Black Forgotten Orb deck.

     Maintaining a broad knowledge of the current field and deck types certainly puts 
you at an advantage. But before preparing your deck against the playing field (and the 
Meta-game aspect of Magic), ask yourself these questions: Which cards would be more 
suitable for certain deck types? What are some of the efficient and cost-effective 
creatures for each color in the set? What spells can be used to offer me card 
advantage? What cards are capable of crippling current deck concepts and designs? Do 
I have these cards? What are my plans of acquiring such "weapons" for my arsenal?

     As soon as you have prepared your first legal constructed deck, playtest with it 
whenever you have the chance against an assortment of decks and players. Prepare a 
rough sideboard of 20-25 cards and ask your opponent if you can play the second and 
third duels with sideboards. Few players test out their sideboards, most do not know 
that the sideboard makes for 50% to 60% of a deck's tournament win record. By regularly 
testing out your rough sideboard, you'll know which cards to weed out and correctly 
trim it down to the final 15.

     During the tournament proper, be observant and note what new cards found their way 
into other decks. Did the release of the set generate any new locks or new deck 
concepts? (Alluren-Recycle comes to mind for Tempest). Finally, look at the top 8 decks 
(if you're not there...yet) and look for interesting ways in which new cards are used 
(and abused... like Tradewind Riders). True competitors and successful Magic tournament 
veterans seldom fret when they are eliminated from a tournament... they look forward to 
the next one and regard the previous tourney as valuable learning experience. They 
prepare for the next tournament with added gusto and vigor coupled with an insatiable 
appetite for knowledge. But these guys also know that Magic is only a game...

     ... A game that has enriched their minds, broadened their horizons, sharpened 
their wits, brought them new friends, and has provided for all of us a fascinating 
hobby which gave us hundreds of hours of pure, wholesome fun!!!!!

     Lastly, keep in mind that in this great game..."CHANCE FAVORS THE PREPARED MIND!!"


'Nuff Said!

Mon Macutay ttmo@amanet.net
TEAM ALLEY CATS