Quote (Canadian_Man @ Apr 22 2017 06:52pm)

Why the fireballs?

If your combo gets slightly interrupted, you can cast 3 fireballs instead of unlimited, and retain 1+ fireball in your hand after that turn. Are the extra 2 fireballs there to provide assurance of a minimum of 3 fireballs on follow-up (= minimum 6 fireballs to the face over 2-3 turns in hope of a partial-combo win)?

Seems like a suboptimal choice of removal / stall, otherwise. Do they work well to extend the win con?

Only other thing I see is 2 arcanologists, and only 2 secrets. I find I need to run 1:2 or 2:3 ratio.
Here's why I think a 2:2 ratio is flawed: You 100% need to consistently draw through your deck. The worst matchup is against face decks that rush super fast. If you run a 2:2 ratio, best case scenario you get to your secrets sooner -- but you rely on them too soon and fizzle out. Worst case scenario you draw your secrets before the arcanologists, and then arcanologist is a dead draw. If you run 3 secrets, you can delay with 8 armour. If you run 1 arcanologist, you can focus on drawing into delay that is more sustainable, so that your ice blocks can be saved until the latest possible turns (the goal).

I find the deck doesn't run well if you don't have an Acolyte of Pain as one additional draw mechanic. Every turn all of your actions fall into one of four categories: Stalling, setting up for future stalling, drawing, or managing your quest & hand. Once you hit "critical", you drop whatever parts of your combo you currently have, and hope to win. If you can draw 2 more cards than another mage deck before hitting critical (ex. having to drop your partial combo and hope that it pans out), that's the equivalent of 1-2 additional turns of stalling achieved. Which is why Acolyte > Arcanologist.

Quote (CPK001 @ Apr 22 2017 04:45am)

So I should swap 1 fireball for ice barrier then? I am trying to get the Babbling Book but I haven't done that campaign, I'm just striving to get the 700 gold to unlock it.

I just saw that deck on a youtube video. Don't ask me which video it was, I couldn't tell you.

Quote (aznchaos @ Apr 22 2017 01:38am)

You opening revised booster box? Which set are you opening? :D

Quote (Canadian_Man @ Apr 22 2017 10:52am)

Only other thing I see is 2 arcanologists, and only 2 secrets. I find I need to run 1:2 or 2:3 ratio.

Quote (GodBless @ Apr 22 2017 10:30am)

just remaking my decks and see what new good cards exist. Don't really need to open packs to get "old" stuff, i have over 50 dual lands, fetches etc :) the new Miracles UW looks sexy :o


2/2 is awesome really, nothing to change here imo

Quote (aznchaos @ Apr 22 2017 08:24am)

I'm flipping through my 200x dual lands. From Beta to revised and FBB duals, also looking at my foil Onslaught Japanese fetch lands with the new set. Feels like counting cash over here :D I have over 200x Foil Japanese fetch lands.

Quote (aznchaos @ Apr 22 2017 05:24pm)

I'm flipping through my 200x dual lands. From Beta to revised and FBB duals, also looking at my foil Onslaught Japanese fetch lands with the new set. Feels like counting cash over here :D I have over 200x Foil Japanese fetch lands.

Quote (CPK001 @ Apr 22 2017 12:26am)

Try this one, I only really have big trouble with another ice block mage.

http://i66.tinypic.com/10p3rwh.jpg

Quote (GodBless @ Apr 22 2017 08:30am)

2/2 is awesome really, nothing to change here imo

Quote (FroggyG @ Apr 22 2017 10:31pm)

2 Arcano with only 2 secrets doesn't sound too great with all that draw



Not if all you're doing is drawing.

Quote (Troll @ Apr 22 2017 03:56pm)

why?
you still have the same % chance to get arcano before a secret or a secret before arcanowether you draw a lot or not at all