CardShark

Hello again, and welcome to episode 86 of the Mana Pool! Brian here, as your on-duty lifeguard for this episode. Please make sure that your life vests are securely fastened and your diving boards are locked in their upright positions, because today we’re going to hit the rapids. We should reiterate that The Mana Pool is not responsible for any lost or damaged items, limbs, or personality traits.

We open up with the usual formalities, including being Dirkless yet again, and shouting out to new members on the forums and the Facebook page. We are also now on Twitter, so check out the new link at the bottom of these notes and follow us as we go about our (normal?) lives. We’ve got some updates on Chewie’s upcoming match against the Avant-Card Show podcast, which has changed somewhat. You can still find them at http://www.avantcardshow.com

At this point we embark on a long rant regarding pro players, casual players, new players, skill levels, stereotypes, and common misconceptions. This is kind of an offshoot of last week’s thorny topic of the M10 rules changes, more regarding how others have reacted to the changes and what their discussions have said about them as players and theorists. Regardless of whether you’ve been playing for 20 minutes or 20 years (how’d you manage that, anyway?), you’ll hopefully find this rant/discussion/ramble interesting.

Don’t get caught up here, though, because we’ve got a ways to go. Allied and enemy color pairings, favorite cards, crazy situations, and untold wit abound. Duels of the Planeswalkers on your right, rocky patches on your left, and an introduction to our Divine vs. Demonic series straight ahead stand between you and the shore. Should you reach the end of this expedition, make sure to tip your dorks and come back soon!


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First thoughts, about the Avant Card episode. I don't think I've ever laughed as hard whilst listening to a bunch of people talk about magic. It was literally the funniest thing I've heard in a good long time. Kudos. When I finish listening to this episode, I'll post my comments here, but I thought it was slightly relevant to tell you about the Avant Card appearance.

I agree that it was frustrating how prejudiced all the pro podcasts seemed to be against casual players. Wizards doesn't just print the interesting cards in the set just for the tournament pros to throw off on or people to play in limited. No, those are for us casual dorks. I went to an FNM and enjoyed it slightly, but I could never imagine going on the pro tour. Mostly on a monetary level. I approve of professional casual.

The avant card show episode was AWESOME, by the way.

I like how I'm a running joke now. LOVE IT! *falls over foaming at the mouth*

I agree, Pan. I've been to FNM's a couple of times and I'm going to a standard tournament my card shop is hosting tomorrow. But, right now, and probably not any time soon, I don't have the resources to play a playset of Cryptic Commands, let alone get on the Pro Tour, which I'm sure anyone could do if they put the effort in. But for serious, it's a game. It's meant to be enjoyed by whomever wishes to enjoy it in whatever way they choose to enjoy it. I don't care if my decks are considered "mediocre" by pro standards. They're fun to play and make for cool situations. Someday, I'd love to play on the Pro Tour or at least go to a PTQ or something, but it'd probably end up being to have fun, not to win at all costs. Professional Casual it is.

Also, thanks for the answer to my question. And yes, Dominus of Fealty is awesome.

so you guys are gunna post the "magic card bikini" pic if you win right? cuz otherwise, how will we know you actually receive your prize? ...and if you dont win, ill never listen to the cast again....thats a lie..but i will be disappointed for you.

oh, and what inappropriate documentary were you watching?

Your podcast guys was SO much fun! Thank you for being the more 'serious' podcast, tehee. I mean, your podcast REALLY gets me going, uh no, I mean it just I get so excited when I think of it, no no, what I really mean is it just rubs me the right way, I mean... CARDSHARK.COM!

And there's Claire. Hey baby! When you gonna add me as a friend on Facebook?

Your Nicol Bolas wearing a gold chain comment made me remember this spoof from artist Steve Argyle:
http://www.steveargyle.com/?cmd=gallery_ext&art_id=323

Check out the 3rd picture in the middle row after the sketches.

Hahaha. That's freakin' genius

This episode is pretty everywere. Hey Chewie in the last episode you said there was no vampire cards with lifelink until this preveiw card in M10. Well I didn't care much for it at the time but at home i'm sitting there with random cards in front of me and I see one called vampiric link from somewere in timespiral block and it gives something lifelink. Just thought I'd throw it out there at the risk of sounding weird. By the way use 'Aven Squire" for that cute creature thing. Without that spear he'd be adorable and he is not in an Un set, Hurray.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Vampire tribal is in M10, since they've officially shown us Vampire Nocturnus (SO AWESOME! I hate vampires with a vengence at this point, but Magic vampires escape my wrath.)

I'm guessing Twilight has something to do with your hatred of vampires? Watch Interview with a Vampire, it might change your mind a little bit. Or make it worse.

In twilight's defense, it's not the worst movie i've ever seen. I've seen sisterhood of the travelling pants, so there's really nowhere to go but up. But i will agree, twilight did warp my view of vampires, but watching Underworld Evolution will bring your original awe of them screaming back to you. I've never seen Interview with a Vampire, but I think I've heard of it. Is it good?

Yes, Twilight is a large portion of my hatred of vampires. The other part is my being a fan of werewolves. I'll take a look at Underworld and Interview. I save my loathing for non-MTG vampires, since MTG vampires are far too awesome for hatred.