Magic Thoughts (Insert)

Last Friday, I was playing Magic once more with my student during a class night. And I was getting my ass kicked royally. Oh, once in a while, I'd get my student, but the newer decks are just too fast and too powerful for my old retreads.

One win was sweet, though.

I had 2 Crusades out for my white weenies, and I had about 5 creatures out. My student had more than 10 creatures, but he was down to 7 life. He decided to attack while all of my creatures were tapped out, and he would've gotten me, if it weren't for the fact that I had a Martyrdom in my hand, which can redirect the damage to just one creature. Sooo, I shouted, "Take one for the team!" and Martyred my Scarred Veteran. My student was tapped out, and my soldiers, pumped up to 3/3, went storming in for the win.

I only play a few times a year now, but I still enjoy the occasional Magic battle.

Three Rounds of Fun

Had some of the older players over at the house yesterday, and we had three games of really exciting VTES play.

Some of the highlights:

P's Gehenna/Beckett deck was an awesome creation. I only wish I could try something like it. By the time he won (or was it C?), six (6) Gehenna events were in play, and they put a big hurt on my Animalism weenie deck.

Apparently, Big J is well-known for his bleeding tendencies, as it was with mild shock that we realized that his deck could also fight.

C and I fought to the bitter end in the third game, with her Tremere "Mosquito Coast" version holding my !Brujah pitchers at bay. But, in the final count, I had just too many minions for her to handle, and, after burning Merrill Molitor, my pitchers cleared the way for me to win. By the time we were through, both of us only had less than a fourth of our library left.

It's been a while since I've played a good game, and, yesterday, I was blessed with three such games. I was able to observe different and varied strategies at work, and got a better view of how to manage the table and set it up.

I also learned the capabilities and weaknesses of three of my decks: City Gangrel, Animalism weenie, and !Brujah pitchers. By tweaking them, I should be able to come up with improvements, to be ready for the next round of bleeding.

Trades

It's been a while since I've engineered a good trade. Yesterday I came through with the following cards: Tension in the Ranks (great for combat torpor), Raptor (my third one), Taste of Vitae (for my !Brujahs), Count Germaine, Absimilard's Army, Sela ADV, and Day Operation. I had to give up my Thoughts Betrayed, along with some Thaumaturgy and Auspex combat cards, but all in all, it was worth it.

Today, I got more Crows (2), and Stings (4), along with a Gestalt from grandsire C. I've also set aside an Intimidation and an Adaptability for future considerations.

I miss sitting at the table and going to battle. I hope I get another opportunity soon.