Manalink Update Feb 16 2010: EDH

[aww1979]

I loaded up my EDH deck with as much cheap removal as I could find. Given that you also get three 2/2 first strike knights, it's actually not as tough as some other challenges, like Captain of the Watch or Lord of the Pit + scorpions.

[TapToSacrifice]

After applying that update, when creating a new deck the name is defaulted to 'Underdogs', and e-mail to 'no.spam@plea.se'. What gives?

[mathusalem]

actually that's pretty old. if I remember well, that dates back to Mok's updates.

[240sxforever]

I installed the update, but am not showing the 2 challenges. My set 4 ends at enchanted.

[Gargaroz]

[AVGN Mode]
I FUCKIN' HATE THAT DAMNED "ENTER THE DRAGON CHALLENGE" ! I tried like 7 different decks and played an hundred of matches and I NEVER gotted beyond the Hunted Dragon ! This is ridicolous, how can you call it "fair" ?
[/AVGN Mode]

So, I really think that challenge needs some adjustments, one above all : the basic lands are not to be limited, this almost screw up every chance of mana fixing. And playing with like 45 mana sources in a 100 cards deck to avoid mana screw (AND IT STILL HAPPENS, GOD KNOWS WHY) is not exactly a good thing, you know.
Plus, I really think Aggro-control decks with counters are just too powerful in this type of challenge, ever if they're piloted by a lobotomized AI. That Sliver deck kicked my butt so many times I wanted to smash the monitor and going in the USA with the sole purpose of killing Jatill.
Sorry sensei, but this challenge is just too unfair.

[jatill]

I think it's fair. I beat it on my 1st try. That said, if you want to unlock the EDH card in the next release you make, I wouldn't mind. Just find some other dragon to lock with that challenge (maybe the previewed Eldrazi card)

[Gargaroz]

No, I have no intention on breaking the Challenge system : I really never liked it in the way it is, but as now is a "staple" in Manalink and I really won't ruin that. Plus I admit the idea is pretty awesome and sometimes is very funny to play, but in general is too luck-dependent for my tastes.
The only request I had for that challenge is the un-limiting of basic lands : if you provide me the code for that I'll test it and let you know if really improves the whole thing. However, if you choose to leave everything as-is, still no problem : I'll only keep swearing at you across the ocean while trying to beat the challenge, that's it.

P.S. : AVGN rocks !

[jatill]

Why is the basic land limit a problem? There are so many non-basics that you should be fine, even for a mono-colored deck.

[Gargaroz]

Because the 90% of the mana-fixing spells search for basic lands. And I assure you, without mana fixing in this challenge you're pretty much fucked.
Plus, due to this now you're forced to play at least a three-color decks, and the color screw is behind the corner.

[jatill]

Try using 10 duals, 10 fetches, 10 shocklands, and 15 other lands of choice. Presto, perfect manabase.

That works, but I actually managed to do a 2-color (W/U) deck, with light splashing for tutors.

[thedrigo]

I don't know if my opinion would matter a lot here cuz I don't really code or implement any kind of palpable improvements to the game, Gargaroz, but if post the deck you've been using, I'd be more than happy to help you out with. The deck I used to beat the EDH challenge is up on this thread, (viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2270&p=30189#p30189)
It took me a couple tries to beat the challenge, but that was truly due to crashes.
Just my two cents.