The Cast of the Show (and the Show itself)

What is this blog? Why did I make it? Well, two things. First of all, I've had this idea floating around for a while in my head. Always thought it'd be something cool to do. And secondly, I'm bored as hell. And, wow, that's a swift introduction. And a short one. So, uh, what is this. Well, obviously, it's a blog. That has something to do with dining room tables...? Yep. That sounds about right so far. Who am I? Well, my names André, I have some hobbies, a girlfriend, school, etc., but most importantly, and why I'm here, is because I play Magic: The Gathering. Semifrequently, too. About as often as I can, really. Now, to some people, that means nearly 24/7. And those people are MODO snobs trying to go infinite and break the system (though not that I blame them. Infinite drafts and infinite packs? Cool). I don't frequent PTQs. I've never gone to Regionals or States.

No, none of those. I play at the Dining Room Table. Yes, I play casual Magic. I do have a DCI number, but I'm only in it for the PreReleases. I have a group of buddies, with up to 8 regulars, and we get together on weekends and holidays, and card sling. It's that simple. I'd like to think that we at least play some form of competative-casual. We have a Cube, and it's not without its broken cards. You'll face a choice between Balance and Skullclamp. Rather than crying about how our Serra Angel just got Rend Fleshed, we laugh at how inefficient that is compared to Swords to Plowshares, and why in the hell you're using something that costs 5 and doesn't win the game. We just don't, you know, don't do tournies. We do a lot of other things, though. We have giant free-for-alls. There's 2HG. We do head to head and duels. Hell, we have RPG Magic going as a current project, and we actually tried to do something as wild as incorporate Risk into the game (one deck to rule the world!)

We just play to have fun. And, well, I'm going to write about it. Anyone who might actually read this could get ideas, or grow angry at Fidel with us, or freak the hell out at how awesome Morningtide is like OMG!, or discover, uh... something.

Oh, yeah, speaking of that Fidel guy.

As I said, there's a coupla guys in my group. We spread across the whole spectrum, Timmy-Johnny-Spike/Vorthos-Melvin, from beginners to a higher level of playing. Each game is different, as everyone has at least 2 distinct decks (or, a dozen in some cases), wild ideas, and stupid ideas for politicking this game around.

So, who is there. There's Brett. He has a dozen decks. He's definitely JohnnyTimmy, and easily one of the strongest players in our group. And, he's probably who I lookout for in a draft. Being seated next. And then Matt. He's fairly Spikey, I'd say. He's at least flexible with what he can do, even though can make mistakes before the game starts (choosing a color before drafting, going after the last winner even though he's not a threat). But not everyone gets to see a 20something/20something Draining Whelk. Except Fidel, cos Fidel sucks, and will do anything to ruin your day. He's cool, easily. And one of the best players within the group. It's just, the time you're in monogreen, he Dark Rituals out a turn 2 Kokusho. Or Elves when your Wrathless. I give him crap, but you know, he's just asking for it by playing the way he does. You know, to win. And stuff. And take stupidlong turns.

There's Morty and Alec, brothers. They inherited cards from their dad from something like 4th edition. Anyways, they play with obscure stuff. And bad stuff. And good stuff. I dunno, it's a grab bag of skill and cards when you play against them. Morty is strong at limited, at least. Alec, well, 1st-picks Horde of Notions.

And Chris. Same as above, but without the old cards. Oh, and he's a lifeguard. And takes long turns with his 160 card deck that Skyscribes for 23 and drops a Forced Fruition. Bijan is entirely hit-and-miss. He has good decks. But, say, he'll Austere Command, killing all creatures, before swinging with his jillion/jillion avatar Token. Le Sigh.

And me. I have a dozen or so decks, too. Not to brag, but I'm the best player in limited, and I'm fairly sure that's undisputed. I overthink my decks, though, and they come out too well done. Like a steak left on for too long and spoiled what could have been good. Nawatimean? At least I'm threaty enough to be a target.

Then we have some not-so-regulars. Bobby and Billy are just learning how to play and stop by randomly. Scott has things like Force of Wills and other good cards of ye olde times, but doesn't use them... Just annoying stuff, like wizards.dec. There's Cedric. I played with him once. He suspended a turn 1 Heroes Remembered. That's all I remember.

And that's the show. We got a game night coming up Saturday, so I'll have stories from that. And we're drafting MOR MOR MOR when it comes out, at least thrice (so we can easily split 2 boxes). I'll share my super-secret draft tech that won't mean crap.

I like how I'm addressing a 'you' that doesn't exist. Yet!

Srsly, though, I plan on making other people hate Fidel. It will work!