From: S. Yarrow [brand_nu_sim@hotmail.com] Subject: 2 whipped-up decks and why this format is weird Howdy, First of all let me say that I wholly support the idea behind "peasant Magic". I think everyone (like me) who can't really afford rare-filled Pro-Tour caliber decks still deserve the opportunity to play competitive Magic, and I also believe bringing back old Magic cards is not only interesting, it's fun ... to a point. 2 problems here. Some very VERY expensive cards are still allowed in this format, apparently, AND some very VERY broken combos and individual cards are also allowed. Want examples? No problemo... Great cards, legal in this format, but costing $10 and up: -Juzam Djinn -Ali from Cairo -Serendib Efreet (uncommon in Arabian Nights) -Maze of Ith -Ball Lightning (uncommon in The Dark) -Preacher -Exorcist -Berserk (which I'll also put in the other category!) -Sinkhole -Underworld Dreams -Mana Drain -Icy Manipulator -Psionic Blast -Library of Alexandria -Island of Wak-Wak -Jihad -Old Man of the Sea -Singing Tree and the most messed-up card in this format... -Ring of Ma'ruf As a sidenote, the format also allows cards which really screw with the game, like Chaos Confetti, Shahrazad, and Camouflage. As for cards which are too powerful alone or in combination, I'm going to use Extended rules as a basis for comparison. I think DCI has done a great job of keeping Extended fair and balanced so that many different deck styles have a good chance of winning. What really irks me is that some of the 'peasant Magic' combos and cards aren't even this easy in Type 1 anymore! So here we go, peasant stuff that's baaaaaaaaaa-roken: -Ernham Djinn -Goblin Grenade (don't believe me? this is an awesome card.) -Hymn to Tourach (was banned before set was phased out) -Invisibility/Juggernaut -Ball Lightning/Berserk/Berserk (Berserk is even restricted in Type 1! in peasant, you can have this out as early as turn 4!) -Rukh Egg/Chain Lightning -Channel/Fireball{or whatever}(Channel was banned before 4th Edition phased out. it's restricted in Type 1. in peasant, you can pull this off by turn 3!) -Dark Ritual (banned in Extended. possibility of first-turn Juzam in peasant is sickening!) -Demonic Consultation (banned Extended/restricted Type 1. pay B to get the card which will win you the game as an instant!) -Lotus Petal (banned Extended/restricted Type 1. too versatile mana, too fast.) -Windfall (also banned/restricted. just too good.) -Zuran Orb (banned/restricted. too good in too many decks.) In addition, the following are all from sets too old for Extended (meaning that they weren't reprinted, which is a good sign they're too powerful) AND they are RESTRICTED in Type 1, yet you can have 4 of any one of them in peasant Magic... Black Vise, Demonic Tutor, Recall, Regrowth, Sol Ring and Strip Mine So with this knowledge in mind, let's brainstorm a couple of peasant decks real quick... Mono-black Suicide Beatdown... Commons: 4 Lotus Petal (instead of 4 more swamps - these are faster) 4 Dark Ritual (speed) 4 Erg Raiders 2 Giant Cockroach (just in case you need a quasi-big creature) 4 Dauthi Slayer (probably unblockable) 4 Phyrexian Rager (so you dont run out of cards in hand) 2 Drain Life (finishing touch/creature elimination) 2 Terror (emergency measures) 4 Unholy Strength 4 Carnophage 3 Foul Imp (in case flight is needed - MUST BE STRONGHOLD VERSION) 1 Grave Servitude (instant capability is nice, also anti-weenie) 1 Sinister Strength 16 Swamp Uncommons: 2 Black Vise (ba-roken!) 3 Juzam Djinn (ba-roken!) Other stuff to consider/sideboard (all common): Necrite (for extra creature elimination) Order of the Ebon Hand (for white hate, or if you have too many swamp) Skulking Ghost (if you need more flight) Highway Robber (if your opponent has a bunch of creatures out) Skittering Skirge (if your opponent is weak on flyers) Howl from Beyond Faceless Butcher (only if necessary) more Terror, Drain Life, Grave Servitude, and/or Sinister Strength as needed Obviously the point of this deck is pure speed. Hypnotic Specters are really annoying to your opponent, but all we want to do here is deal 20 damage ASAP, so a 2-power flyer for 2 (Foul Imp) is more efficient than Hyppy Spec. If you can't afford the Juzam Djinns (I know I can't!), substitute more Black Vise and maybe a Hyppy or two. Carrion Wurm might also be a pretty good substitute. You might even consider a Lake of the Dead or Cabal Coffers to help you throw a game-ending Drain Life, but that's a bit of a stretch. Faceless Butchers are great cards, but a 2-power creature for 4 is too slow for this deck unless you absolutely need it. And don't be tempted by things like Mind Sludge and Hymn to Tourach. Sure, screwing up your opponent's hand is fun, but it really cuts down your speed. There are a few cards you have to make sure you do NOT take out of this deck under ANY circumstances: Black Vise (because they're so awesome and cheap), Phyrexian Rager (because you NEED the card-drawing ability or else you'll be stuck with nothing in hand most of the game), and Dark Ritual and Lotus Petal because they are essential for your speed. For this second deck we're going to take a Sligh approach, although it is obviously weakened by the fact that Cursed Scroll, Goblin King, and Coat of Arms are not allowed, and that you have to choose only 5 of Ball Lightning, Jackal Pup, Landslide, Last-ditch Effort, Goblin Lackey, Goblin Mutant, and the very under-appreciated Keldon Champion. Fortunately, goblins are still crazy strong in the common department. 4 Goblin Grenades kill your opponent! Think about it! Sligh, Slightly Abridged 4 Goblin Grenade 4 Fireblast 4 Rukh Egg 4 Raging Goblin 1 Chain Lightning 4 Lightning Bolt 4 Shock 4 Goblin Raider 3 Mogg Fanatic 1 Mogg Conscripts 1 Mogg Flunkies 1 Goblin War Buggy 2 Goblin War Strike 18 Mountain 1 Keldon Champion 4 Ball Lightning Sideboard essentials: Boil for blue-hate (beware: it's uncommon) Disorder (same as above) Pyroclasm just in case (uncommon) Dwarven Catapult for weenie kill (uncommon) Goblin Vandal to deal with annoying artifacts more COMMON direct damage as necessary (Fireball, Disintegrate, Lava Burst, Incinerate, Sonic Seizure, etc.) Anyway thanks for your time, and sorry for my long-windedness. Seriously, though, Juzams and such should not be allowed in this format! -S. Yarrow ________________________________