ODBC! Sept/Oct: Balance: Machine v. Nature

[Resonantg]

I'm sorry zerker, I don't understand.

Oh, so I can just change the suffix to a .dck file and it will work? Then why is it we can't upload .dck files?

[Chris H.]

Oh, so I can just change the suffix to a .dck file and it will work? Then why is it we can't upload .dck files?

`
Yes, if you get that error again while trying to import a ".deck" file then try looking at the file in a text editor. ".deck" files are strange looking, it is like looking at a binary file and they do not make much sense. ".deck" files are created by using the export command in the deck editor.

Silly Freak designed the new ".dck" file as a text file that would be easier to read. These ".dck" files do not need to be imported or exported. We can just copy them over.

I can not explain why we can not upload ".dck" files. It would be best if people would zip these ".dck" files and then upload them. It would not create confusion among the user base.

[Resonantg]

Okay, I kinda get that... kinda.

But you still need exported .deck files for Quests? At least I do with the 0820 version.

[Chris H.]

Okay, I kinda get that... kinda.

`
I am trying to give an answer that is non-technical in nature. Let me try to simplify this situation. Download the archive attached to my message. This archive includes the WeaponOfChoice deck as a ".deck" and as a ".dck" file.

Load both of these files in a text editor and look at them. You will notice that they look very different but both of them are the WeaponOfChoice deck.

The WeaponOfChoice.deck file must be imported to be used. The WeaponOfChoice.dck can be moved to your /forge/res/decks/ folder and the game will recognize it as a forge deck.

Now imagine, what would happen if someone renamed the extension portion of the WeaponOfChoice.dck file to WeaponOfChoice.deck. If someone were to then try to import this file they would get that error message.


`

[psillusionist]

All my decks are in .dck format. I have no idea how to save them in .deck format. I just change the extension for the sake of being able to upload it. Never thought it would cause an error though.

[Chris H.]

All my decks are in .dck format. I have no idea how to save them in .deck format. I just change the extension for the sake of being able to upload it. Never thought it would cause an error though.

`
No problem.

There is an Export and an Import command in the deck editor. It is in the Deck Actions menu. The Export command will save the deck file in .deck format.

It might be a good idea for people to compress their .dck format decks as a zip archive. They will than be able to upload their decks as zip archives.

[Resonantg]

Okay, why not? I've tested it enough and it's a fun deck. Too bad the computer can't handle Stuffy Dolls properly.

The 3 Hue Screw

70 Total Cards

27 Creatures
-------------
4x Agent of Masks
4x Birds of Paradise
2x Magus of the Disk
2x Magus of the Moat
3x Royal Assassin
4x Stuffy Doll (Artifact Creature)
4x Utopia Tree
4x Vampire Nighthawk

23 Spells
----------
4x Black Vise
2x Darksteel Ingot
4x Howling Mine
1x Mox Emerald
1x Mox Jet
1x Mox Pearl
4x Power Matrix
1x Sol Ring
4x Temple Bell
1x That Which Was Taken

20 Land
--------
4x Bayou
1x Flagstones of Trokair
1x Gaea's Cradle
4x Glimmervoid
1x Mikokoro, Center of the Sea
4x Savannah
4x Scrubland
1x Volrath's Stronghold

It's also patient. It doesn't have to be too fast as long as you get up your defenses. It either kills by the vices, temple bells and howling mines or whittles you away with the Agent of Masks, and Vampire Nighthawks. If you get up a creek, 2 Magnus of the Disk clear the decks except for anything you've made indestructible. If you can't get the moat out, use the Stuffy Dolls and death can come quickly. The Power Matrix allows them to block fliers too.

I said before, the 3 Hue Screw is death on two legs.

[LokiUndergod]

Esper Surprise

(28 Artifact creatures, 2 creatures, 4 artifacts, 2 planeswalkers)

Land (24)
4x Arcane Sanctum
3x Halimar Depths
6x Island
4x Marsh Flats
3x Plains
1x Sejiri Steppe
3x Swamp

Creatures (30)
3x Tidehollow Strix
4x Steel Overseer
4x Glaze Fiend
4x Esper Stormblade
4x Master of Etherium
3x Master Transmuter
2x Gravedigger
3x Glassdusk Hulk
1x Ethersworn Adjudicator
1x Filigree Angel
1x Sphinx of the Steel Wind

Other Spells (6)
2x AEther Spellbomb
2x Nevinyrral's Disk
2x Jace, the Mind Scultor

This current deck contest has been quite an interesting and challenging exercise. Not being able to rely on instants has led me to explore other design space--hence, the inclusion of Halimar Depths for a bit of sorting, and Sejiri Steppe for a surprise punch through their defenses. Marsh Flats can also help stabilize your mana base while thinning your deck to make it more likely to get what you need.

This iteration can be surprisingly fast with the 2cc weenies, which tend to grow with the addition of Steel Overseer and Master of Etherium. Glassdusk Hulk can be cycled early in the game for card draw, or used later in the game as an unblockable offense.

Master Transmuter is one of the keys to this deck, providing flexibility and the surprise part of this deck (but not necessarily needed to win). It's always fun to have your opponent attack into an unexpected Sphinx of the Steel Wind--most likely killing their creature, gaining yourself some nice life, and being able to have an attacker with Vigilance the next turn around, gaining you more life. Filigree Angel also combos with Master Transmuter to gain large chunks of life over and over. Master Transmuter can also save your creature from a removal spell.

Nevinyrral's Disk is a great reset button if things should get out of hand. Gravedigger will get you a creature back after the disk has been sprung. AEther Spellbomb and Jace provide a bit of flexibility and control as well as a bit of sorting. Ethersworn Adjudicator also helps to lock down the board with creature or enchantment removal.

I hope you enjoy.

[DennisBergkamp]

Nice, I like these

Loki, what about using Seat of the Synod and some of those other artifact lands? Or would this destroy the contest's balance and void the deck?

[LokiUndergod]

Thanks, Dennis. Will we see one from you before the end of the contest?

I thought about putting some artifact lands in, but then I'd have to put creature lands as well. I thought about putting Creeping Tarpit in, but there's 8 lands that come into play tapped in the deck already. I generally like to limit the amount of tapped lands per deck, and 8 is pushing the limit already. Mishra's Factory might have worked in this deck along with Seat of the Synod. While there's certainly benefits to man lands, there's also drawbacks. If one of your creature lands is killed, you're facing the card disadvantage of not only losing a creature, but also losing a land.

I still prefer the land as it is now, since Steel Overseer is the only 2cc creature without needing two (more or less) specific mana to play. Even if I didn't it's too late to change.

I would have loved to have put Sphinx Summoner in this deck, but the limited cardpool added to the challenge. They're a higher casting cost than Jace, anyway.

[DennisBergkamp]

Oh I see, yes then it's not worth it

[zaroblan]

Turbo Mill Mk. II (EDITED FOR COMPLIANCE)

The idea behind this deck is to run your opponent out of cards, while keeping yourself alive with some kamikaze magi, whose brothers in kamikaze faithness prevent non-flying creatures from attacking.

The MVP and card you need to protect above all else is Feldon's Cane!!!

Reliquary Tower helps keep your hand full.

Enjoy!!!

Turbo Mill Mk II

Creatures and Planeswalkers (16) - balance number of artifacts

2 Kami of the Crescent Moon
2 Magus of the Disk
4 Magus of the Moat
4 Windborn Muse
1 Jace Beleren
1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
1 Elspeth Tirel

Artifacts (16) - balance number of creatures

1 Sol Ring
1 Mox Pearl
1 Mox Sapphire
1 Feldon's Cane
2 Nevinyrral's Disk
2 Lifespark Spellbomb
2 AEther Spellbomb
2 Font of Mythos
4 Howling Mine

Artifact creatures (8) - not used in balancing equation
2 Platinum Angel
2 Stuffy Doll
4 Solemn Simulacrum

Artifact lands (8) - balance the man-lands
4 Ancient Den
4 Seat of the Synod

Man-lands (8) - balance the artifact lands
4 Celestial Colonnade
4 Gargoyle Castle

Other land (4) - not used in balancing equation
2 Tundra
2 Reliquary Tower

TurboMillMkII.deck

(1.05 KiB) Downloaded 387 times

[Resonantg]

"TurboMill" is currently not contest compliant.

Please do not download till a correction is posted.

As a reminder:

Every deck must have an equal number of Artifacts and Creatures(including Legendary)/Plainswalkers.

Every artifact land must be balanced by a creature land.

Artifact creatures are "neutral" and cannot be used to balance anything.

And of course, no other card types outside of Creatures, Artifacts or Land.

Thank you.

[zaroblan]

ODBC Knights

Knights, swords and other weapons ... 'nuff said!!!
Easy deck to play ... hard deck to beat.


ODBC Knights

Creatures (20) - balanced by artifacts
4 White Knight
4 Silver Knight
4 Student of Warfare
4 Knight Exemplar
4 Elspeth, Knight-Errant

Artifacts (20) - balanced by creatures
2 Sword of Fire and Ice
2 Nevinyrral's Disk
1 Hedron Matrix
2 Sword of Body and Mind
1 Bonesplitter
2 Sword of Vengeance
3 Loxodon Warhammer
1 Peregrine Mask
1 Basilisk Collar
2 Quietus Spike
1 Fireshrieker
2 Sword of Light and Shadow

12 Plains - basic lands - no balancing required
4 Emeria, the Sky Ruin - other lands - no balancing required
2 Forbidding Watchtower - 2 man-lands
2 Ancient Den - 2 artifact lands

ODBCKnights.deck

(1.03 KiB) Downloaded 367 times

[Resonantg]

Oh nice there, Zaroblan. We will use the ODBCKnights deck as your official entry. Thanks for the entry