Deathmarked

Iron Man 2 Latest Trailer

Mark Ian — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:31:48 +0000

Big thanks to Dragonlord for posting this in the NG Forums. I can’t wait to watch this sequel.

Jund Domination in SCG $5K Richmond, Virginia

Mark Ian — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:24:39 +0000

Jund does it again! Yes folks, the Shards of Alara plane continues to dominate the Standard metagame with the recent top finish at Star City Games $5000 Open event in Richmond, Virginia. The pilot was Alex Bertoncini which had previous top finishes in the previous SCG events. He faced a Jund mirror matchup in the finals against Alessandro Culotti and proved he is the better Jund master. Here’s the list that he used:

Jund by Alex Bertoncini
1st place, Star City $5,000 Standard Open tournament in Richmond, Virginia

Maindeck
4 Bloodbraid Elf
2 Broodmate Dragon
3 Great Sable Stag
4 Siege-gang Commander
4 Sprouting Thrinax

4 Lightning Bolt
2 Terminate
2 Garruk Wildspeaker
4 Blightning
3 Maelstrom Pulse
3 Rampant Growth

2 Forest
2 Mountain
3 Swamp
3 Dragonskull Summit
4 Raging Ravine
3 Rootbound Crag
4 Savage Lands
4 Verdant Catacombs

Sideboard
3 Fleshbag Marauder
4 Goblin Ruinblaster
1 Great Sable Stag
2 Malakir Bloodwitch
2 Deathmark
3 Thought Hemorrhage

Notice the presence of the main deck stags which is a great advantage against the mirror match. Also, Alex focused on the 4 Siege-Gang Commanders and ramping up mana with 3 Rampant Growths. The absence of Bituminous Blast makes the instant insufficient in the deck as based on the current metagame. The sideboard is quite interesting too, with the Fleshbag Marauders probably for Jwar Isle sphinxes and White Knights and three Thought Hemorrhages as the only disruption cards against control. I assume their meta is more on agro, which is also noticed in the top 16 decks. For complete coverage of the event, just check this link.

Some Dofollow Sites to Link with

Mark Ian — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:28:29 +0000

Here are some Dofollow sites you can utilize to bookmark and get backlinks for your website.

1. slashdot.org
2. delicious.com
3. www.reddit.com
4. www.mixx.com
5. www.2collab.com
6. www.mister-wong.de
7. www.digg.com
8. www.propeller.com
9. www.moemesto.ru
10.www.mister-wong.es
11. www.blinklist.com
12.www.mister-wong.cn

Also, here’s a list of do follow forums that lets you put links in your forum signature.

*forum list source: Niceblogger.com

Some Interesting Extended Decks in GP Oakland

Mark Ian — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 01:41:42 +0000

The Mtg 2010 Season kicked off with Grand Prix Oakland last weekend and as Day Two getting to a close, we saw pros perform on the last remaining rounds to get to the top 8. Well, the final eight has been decided as of the writing of this post. It features the best players and high level pros of Magic with the names Conley Woods, Tomoharu Saito and Adam Yurchick. The rest had big accomplishments in their playing career too.

The Extended meta had shifted a bit with the addition of Worldwake and saw interesting decks emerging on the scene. Here are some of the cool decks that made Day Two (source: Wizards’ official coverage).

Charmed, I’m Sure by Conley Woods
Grand Prix Oakland 2010
Maindeck
4 Vendilion Clique
4 Noble Hierarch
4 Aven Mindcensor
4 Tarmogoyf
1 Stoneforge Mystic

3 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
4 Mana Leak
4 Bant Charm
4 Path to Exile
2 Engineered Explosives
2 Cryptic Command
1 Umezawa’s Jitte

2 Treetop Village
4 Misty Rainforest
3 Verdant Catacombs
1 Arid Mesa
2 Breeding Pool
2 Hallowed Fountain
1 Temple Garden
2 Flooded Grove
1 Tolaria West
2 Island
2 Forest
1 Plains

Sideboard
4 Rhox War Monk
4 Samurai of the Pale Curtain
1 Engineered Explosives
4 Tormod’s Crypt
1 Crovax, Ascendant Hero
1 Umezawa’s Jitte

Brozek Deck Wins by Petr Brozek
Grand Prix Oakland 2010
Maindeck
1 Jotun Grunt
4 Goblin Guide
4 Steppe Lynx
4 Plated Geopede

4 Zektar Shrine Expedition
3 Path to Exile
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lightning Helix
4 Searing Blaze
3 Shard Volley
2 Magma Jet

4 Arid Mesa
4 Scalding Tarn
4 Ghost Quarter
4 Flagstones of Trokair
3 Sacred Foundry
3 Mountain
1 Plains

Sideboard
2 Jotun Grunt
3 Damping Matrix
3 Smash to Smithereens
3 Volcanic Fallout
3 Refraction Trap
1 Oblivion Ring

Hypergenesis by Tomoharu Saito
Grand Prix Oakland 2010
Maindeck
4 Terastodon
4 Bogardan Hellkite
1 Sakashima the Impostor
4 Progenitus
4 Angel of Despair
4 Simian Spirit Guide

4 Violent Outburst
4 Ardent Plea
1 Demonic Dread
3 Oblivion Ring
3 Thirst for Knowledge
3 Hypergenesis

4 Reflecting Pool
4 Gemstone Mine
4 Tendo Ice Bridge
3 Forbidden Orchard
1 Gemstone Caverns
3 Fungal Reaches
1 Calciform Pools
1 Forest

Sideboard
2 Sakashima the Impostor
3 Ricochet Trap
4 Leyline of the Void
2 Shriekmaw
2 Ingot Chewer
2 Firespout

Garga-Geddon by Kevin Holmes
Grand Prix Oakland 2010
Maindeck
4 Vendilion Clique
4 Greater Gargadon
4 Riftwing Cloudskate

2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
1 Ajani Vengeant
4 Thirst for Knowledge
3 Blood Moon
4 Violent Outburst
4 Ardent Plea
3 Restore Balance
3 Bant Charm
3 Firewild Borderpost
4 Fieldmist Borderpost
4 Wildfield Borderpost

4 Misty Rainforest
1 Forest
4 Scalding Tarn
1 Snow-Covered Mountain
1 Snow-Covered Island
1 Island
1 Hallowed Fountain

Sideboard
2 Firespout
2 Volcanic Fallout
2 Boom // Bust
3 Damping Matrix
1 Kor Firewalker
1 Circle of Protection: Red
2 Ingot Chewer

Vamp-Pox by Aaron Hareleman
Grand Prix Oakland 2010
Maindeck
3 Bloodghast
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir
4 Dark Confidant
3 Vampire Nighthawk

4 Thoughtseize
4 Smallpox
4 Umezawa’s Jitte
4 Smother
3 Bitterblossom
2 Duress
2 Chrome Mox

3 Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
4 Mutavault
9 Swamp
2 Verdant Catacombs
3 Marsh Flats
2 Ghost Quarter

Sideboard
3 Leyline of the Void
4 Deathmark
2 Damnation
4 Extirpate
2 Dark Blast

Zoo by Patrick Cox
Grand Prix Oakland 2010
Maindeck
4 Wild Nacatl
4 Kird Ape
4 Loam Lion
4 Tarmogoyf
3 Qasali Pridemage
3 Knight of the Reliquary
2 Ranger of Eos

4 Lightning Bolt
4 Path to Exile
4 Lightning Helix
2 Bant Charm

1 Verdant Catacombs
4 Arid Mesa
4 Scalding Tarn
4 Misty Rainforest
1 Hallowed Fountain
1 Steam Vents
2 Temple Garden
1 Stomping Ground
1 Sacred Foundry
1 Forest
1 Plains
1 Treetop Village

Sideboard
3 Negate
4 Meddling Mage
2 Umezawa’s Jitte
1 Ghost Quarter
2 Bant Charm
2 Damping Matrix
1 Ranger of Eos

Living End by Travis Woo
Grand Prix Oakland 2010
Maindeck
4 Jungle Weaver
4 Monstrous Carabid
4 Valley Rannet
4 Street Wraith
4 Fulminator Mage
4 Deadshot Minotaur
4 Ingot Chewer

2 Night of Souls’ Betrayal
3 Living End
4 Violent Outburst
4 Demonic Dread

3 Mountain
3 Swamp
2 Forest
4 Verdant Catacombs
2 Scalding Tarn
2 Arid Mesa
1 Overgrown Tomb
1 Blood Crypt
1 Stomping Ground

Sideboard
4 Shriekmaw
3 Thought Hemorrhage
1 Yixlid Jailer
3 Maelstrom Pulse
3 Kitchen Finks
1 Night of Souls’ Betrayal

Which of these decks will emerge as winner of Grand Prix Oakland? Stay tuned at the official coverage. Until next post.

My Notable Worldwake Cards

Mark Ian — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:39:50 +0000

The previous weekend was the worldwide release party of the recent Magic: The Gathering expansion, Worldwake, which was also the expansion set of Zendikar. As players talk about the powerful cards of the set (I’m referring to the new Jace and the demon Abyssal Persecutor) which can be a possible inclusion in the current Standard, I think I can say that Worldwake isn’t that impressive like Zendikar. There are a number of playable cards though, waiting to be discovered and abused. Let’s take a look at the candidates.

Admonition Angel – the six casting flying 6/6 body of this mythic rare is impressive enough, plus the Oblivion Ring effect for every landfall makes it a walking or rather flying removal.

Join the Ranks – the Allies were surely smiling upon seeing this card. It can make multiple triggers with Allies on the battlefield plus you can do it in an instant which is good when combined with combat tricks.

Marshal’s Anthem – this and Iona would perfectly make a good Esper color control-reanimation deck (also with Rise from the Grave). The bonus +1/+1 makes your Martial Coup more effective.

Perimeter Captain – this probably is a good sideboard against Boros and RDW, stopping their hoards and gaining you life in the process.

Calcite Snapper – Blue control decks’ new toy. Act as both offense and defense and the shroud makes it a very impressive card for a common.

Vapor Snare – Mind Control with consistent Landfall per turn. In addition, the one blue mana makes it splashable in other decks. I think this will get a slot in the sideboards.

Wind Zendikon – an early flying beater that gives you clock while setting up your counters in your control decks.

Death’s Shadow – I had a feeling this will be an insane critter if combined with the good cards. My initial build would be a deck built around Ad Nauseam.

Nemesis Trap – hard casting this trap is not a big deal as compared to its awesome ability. I’d give it a slot or two in my black red or mono black agro deck.

Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs – good removal bait or probably it will give a halt to most agro decks, specifically mono green Elves. I’ve played against this card last night and he alone can even stop the aggressiveness of my Jund deck.

Slavering Nulls – if you are building a black red agro deck, I suggest you make use of these Goblins.

Avenger of Zendikar – I failed to see its potential on the first time but upon looking at it again, I can say that it is the new version of Rude Awakening.

Bestial Menace – Eldrazi Monument decks got another toy with this card. Possibly we will have a four-ofs of these in a mono green version.

Dread Statuary – aside from the friendly color manlands, this artifact man land has greater advantage because it does not come into play tapped, and the 4/2 body makes it an excellent beater.

Cards I didn’t mentioned here are probably upgrades of specific decks in Standard. For example, Urge to Feed for Vampires, Hada Freeblade for the Allies, Searing Blaze for RDW and Joraga Warcaller for Elves. Although not all might see play in Standard, they may have a chance in Zendikar block. I hope you can brew a good deck for each one of them. See you on my next post.

The 7-Ups of Life

Mark Ian — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:11:44 +0000

1. Wake Up !!

Decide to have a good day. “Today is the day the Lord hath made,
let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24

“Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Determination is the wake-up call to the human will” Anthony Robbins

What makes life worth living is knowing that one day you’ll wake up and find the person that makes you happier than anything in the whole world. So don’t ever lose hope and give up, everything turns out okay and the good guy always wins.

2. Dress Up !!

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.”I Samuel 16:7

PERFORM all acts with as much love as you would offer God. In Truth, you eat for the satisfaction of the I in you and dress up to please the self-same I . The husband loves his wife for the sake of the I. And who is this I that is persistently inherent in everyone? It is God Himself.

3. Shut Up!!

Say nice things and learn to listen. “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” (Proverbs 19:20)

“If you shut up truth and bury it under the ground, it will but grow, and gather to itself such explosive power that the day it bursts through it will blow up everything in its way.” Emile Zola

4. Stand Up !!
For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. “Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good…” Galatians 6:9-10

“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.” Norman Vincent Peale

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Winston Churchill

Stand up to crises. Don’t let them throw you! Fight to stay calm… even surmount the crisis completely and turn it into an opportunity. Refuse to renounce your self-image. No matter what happens, you must keep your good opinion of yourself. No matter what happens, you must hold your past successes in your imagination, ready for showing in the motion picture screen of your mind. No matter what happens, no matter what you lose, no matter what failures you must endure, you must keep faith in yourself. Then you can stand up to crises, with calm and courage, refusing to buckle; then you will not fall through the floor. You will be able to support yourself.

5. Look Up !!
To the Lord. “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me”. Philippians 4:13

“We had the sky up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them, and discuss about whether they was made or only just happened.” Mark Twain

How does life become totally painful? By total retreat. Total non inspection becomes total pain. But existence is basically composed of a very few truths onto which have hung a great many artificialities and which man has adorned with enormous numbers of lies. And man is prisoner of his own shadows. Now one of the things you can do with man is to get him to look up and find out that he can look through the shadows and look at the shadows and find out what they are.

6. Reach Up !!
For something higher. …keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach up my destination.” Jimmy Dean

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach up for the stars to change the world.

7. Lift Up !!
Your Prayers. “Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.” Philippians 4:6

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8.”

“Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalms 143:8”

“Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”

My Out-of-Boredom Tribal Mix

Mark Ian — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:13:38 +0000

On one boring afternoon here in the office, I decided to record a mix of the previously downloaded tribal house. Its not that perfect but I think its worth the share. Just click the link below.

Click Me

Enjoy.

Worldwake Spoiler Update

Mark Ian — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:49:11 +0000

Here’s the recent update of the upcoming Worldwake, Zendikar’s 2nd set. The spoiler season has been a little slow today as we have only revealed about 46 cards out of 145 cards in the set. Here they are:

White (8)

Name:	Admonition Angel
Cost:	3WWW
Type:	Creature - Angel
Pow/Tgh:	6/6
Rules Text:	Flying Landfall - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, you may exile target nonland permanent other than Admonition Angel. When Admonition Angel leaves the battlefield, return all cards exiled with it to the battlefield under their owners’ control.
Rarity:	Mythic Rare
Set Number:	#1/145

Name:	Hada Freeblade
Cost:	W
Type:	Creature - Human Soldier Ally
Pow/Tgh:	0/1
Rules Text:	Whenever Hada Freeblade or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Hada Freeblade.
Rarity:	Uncommon
Set Number:	#7/145

Name:	Join the Ranks
Cost:	3W
Type:	Instant
Rules Text:	Put two 1/1 white Soldier Ally creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Rarity:	Common
Set Number:	#9/145

Name:	Kitesail Apprentice
Cost:	W
Type:	Creature - Kor Soldier
Pow/Tgh:	1/1
Rules Text:	As long as Kitesail Apprentice is equipped, it gets +1/+1 and has flying.
Illus.	Austin Hsu
Rarity:	Common
Set Number:	#10/145

Name:	Kor Firewalker
Cost:	WW
Type:	Creature - Kor Soldier
Pow/Tgh:	2/2
Rules Text:	Protection from red Whenever a player casts a red spell, you may gain 1 life.
Rarity:	Uncommon

Name:	Ruin Ghost
Cost:	1W
Type:	Creature - Spirit
Pow/Tgh:	1/1
Rules Text:	{W}, {T}: Exile target land you control, then return it to the battlefield under your control.
Flavor Text:	“Haunting us, these different meanings and spectral beings. We’re fighting sleep with broken, rusted weaponry.”
Rarity:	Uncommon
Set Number:	#19/145

Name:	Talus Paladin
Cost:	3W
Type:	Creature - Human Knight Ally
Pow/Tgh:	2/3
Rules Text:	Whenever Talus Paladin or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may have Allies you control gain lifelink until end of turn and you may put a +1/+1 counter on Talus Paladin.
Rarity:	Rare
Set Number:	#21/145

Name:	Terra Eternal
Cost:	2W
Type:	Enchantment
Rules Text:	All lands are indestructible.
Rarity:	Rare
Set Number:	#22/145

Blue (6)

Name:	Halimar Excavator
Cost:	1U
Type:	Creature - Human Wizard Ally
Pow/Tgh:	1/3
Rules Text:	Whenever Halimar Excavator or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, target player puts the top X cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard, where X is the number of Allies you control.
Illus.	Kev Walker
Rarity:	Common
Set Number:	#29/145

Name:	Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Cost:	2UU
Type:	Planeswalker - Jace
Pow/Tgh:	3
Rules Text:	[+2]: Look at the top card of target player’s library. You may put that card on the bottom of that player’s library. [0]: Draw three cards, then put two cards from your hand on top of your library in any order. [-1]: Return target creature to its owner’s hand. [-12]: Exile all cards from target player’s library, then that player shuffles his or her hand into his or her library.
Illus.	Jason Chan
Rarity:	Mythic Rare
Set Number:	#31/145

Name:	Mysteries of the Deep
Cost:	4U
Type:	Instant
Rules Text:	Draw two cards. Landfall - If you had a land enter the battlefield under your control this turn, draw three cards instead.
Illus.	Veronique Meignaud
Rarity:	Common
Set Number:	#33/145

Name:	Tideforce Elemental
Cost:	2U
Type:	Creature - Elemental
Pow/Tgh:	2/1
Rules Text:	{U}, {T}: You may tap or untap another target creature. Landfall - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, you may untap Tideforce Elemental.
Rarity:	Uncommon

Name:	Twitch
Cost:	2U
Type:	Instant
Rules Text:	Tap or untap target artifact, creature, or land. Draw a card.
Rarity:	Common

Name:	Wind Zendikon
Cost:	U
Type:	Enchantment - Aura
Rules Text:	Enchant land Enchanted land is a 2/2 blue Elemental creature with flying. Itâ€™s still a land. When enchanted land is put into a graveyard, return that card to its ownerâ€™s hand.
Rarity:	Common
Set Number:	#46/145

Black (9)

Name:	Abyssal Persecutor
Cost:	2BB
Type:	Creature - Demon
Pow/Tgh:	6/6
Rules Text:	Flying, trample You can’t win the game and your opponents can’t lose the game.
Rarity:	Mythic Rare

Name:	Anowon, the Ruin Sage
Cost:	3BB
Type:	Legendary Creature - Vampire Shaman
Pow/Tgh:	4/3
Rules Text:	At the beginning of your upkeep, each player sacrifices a non-Vampire creature.
Illus.	Dan Scott
Rarity:	Rare
Set Number:	#49/145

Name:	Death’s Shadow
Cost:	B
Type:	Creature - Avatar
Pow/Tgh:	13/13
Rules Text:	Death’s Shadow gets -X/-X where X is your life total.
Rarity:	Rare
Set Number:	#57/145

Name:	Kalastria Highborn
Cost:	BB
Type:	Creature - Vampire Shaman
Pow/Tgh:	2/2
Rules Text:	Whenever Kalastria Highborn or another Vampire you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, you may pay {B}. If you do, target player loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
Rarity:	Rare

Name:	Pulse Tracker
Cost:	B
Type:	Creature - Vampire Rogue
Pow/Tgh:	1/1
Rules Text:	Whenever Pulse Tracker attacks, each opponent loses 1 life.
Rarity:	Common

Name:	Quest for the Nihil Stone
Cost:	B
Type:	Enchantment
Rules Text:	Whenever an opponent discards a card, you may put a quest counter on Quest for the Nihil Stone. At the beginning of each opponent’s upkeep, if that player has no cards in hand and Quest for the Nihil Stone has two or more quest counters on it, you may have that player lose 5 life.
Rarity:	Rare
Set Number:	#64/145

Name:	Ruthless Cullblade
Cost:	1B
Type:	Creature - Vampire Warrior
Pow/Tgh:	2/1
Rules Text:	Ruthless Cullblade gets +2/+1 as long as an opponent has 10 or less life.
Illus.	rk Post
Rarity:	Common
Set Number:	#65/145

Name:	Smother
Cost:	1B
Type:	Instant
Rules Text:	Destroy target creature with converted mana cost 3 or less. It can’t be regenerated.
Rarity:	Uncommon

Name:	Urge to Feed
Cost:	BB
Type:	Instant
Rules Text:	Target creature gets -3/-3 until end of turn. You may tap any number of untapped Vampire creatures you control. If you do, put a +1/+1 counter on each of those Vampires.
Illus.	Johann Bodin
Rarity:	Uncommon
Set Number:	#70/145

Red (8)

Name:	Chain Reaction
Cost:	2RR
Type:	Sorcery
Rules Text:	Chain Reaction deals X damage to each creature, where X is the number of creatures on the battlefield.
Illus.	Trevor Claxton
Rarity:	Rare

Name:	Comet Storm
Cost:	XRR
Type:	Instant
Rules Text:	Multikicker {1} (You may pay an additional {1} any number of times as you cast this spell.) Choose target creature or player, then choose another target creature or player for each time Comet Storm was kicked. Comet Storm then deals X damage to each of them.
Illus.	Jung Park
Rarity:	Mythic Rare

Name:	Crusher Zendikon
Cost:	2R
Type:	Enchantment - Aura
Rules Text:	Enchant land Enchanted land is a 4/2 red Beast with trample. It’s still a land. When enchanted land is put into a graveyard, return that card to it’s owners hand.
Rarity:	Common

Name:	Cunning Sparkmage
Cost:	2R
Type:	Creature - Human Shaman
Pow/Tgh:	0/1
Rules Text:	Haste {T}: Cunning Sparkmage deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
Rarity:	Uncommon

Name:	Dragonmaster Outcast
Cost:	R
Type:	Creature - Human Shaman
Pow/Tgh:	1/1
Rules Text:	At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control six or more lands, put a 5/5 red Dragon creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
Rarity:	Mythic Rare
Set Number:	#81/145

Name:	Ricochet Trap
Cost:	3R
Type:	Instant - Trap
Rules Text:	If an opponent cast a blue spell this turn, you may pay {R} rather than pay Ricochet Trapâ€™s mana cost. Change the target of target spell with a single target.
Illus.	Jaime Jones
Rarity:	Uncommon
Set Number:	#87/145

Name:	Skitter of Lizards
Cost:	R
Type:	Creature - Lizard
Pow/Tgh:	1/1
Rules Text:	Multikicker {1}{R} (You may pay an additional {1}{R} any number of times as you cast this spell.) Haste Skitter of Lizards enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each time it was kicked.
Illus.	Warren Mahy
Rarity:	Common

Name:	Stone Idol Trap
Cost:	5R
Type:	Instant - Trap
Rules Text:	Stone Idol Trap costs {1} less to cast for each attacking creature. Put a 6/12 colorless Construct artifact creature token with trample onto the battlefield. Exile it at the beginning of your next end step.
Rarity:	Rare

Green (8)

Name:	Bestial Menace
Cost:	3GG
Type:	Sorcery
Rules Text:	Put a 1/1 green Snake creature token, a 2/2 green Wolf creature token, and a 3/3 green Elephant creature token onto the battlefield.
Rarity:	Uncommon
Set Number:	#97/145

Name:	Canopy Cover
Cost:	1G
Type:	Enchantment - Aura
Rules Text:	Enchant creature Enchanted creature can’t be blocked except by creatures with flying and/or reach. Enchanted creature can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.
Rarity:	Uncommon
Set Number:	#98/145

Name:	Explore
Cost:	1G
Type:	Sorcery
Rules Text:	You may play an additional land this turn. Draw a card.
Rarity:	Common

Name:	Harabaz Druid
Cost:	1G
Type:	Creature - Human Druid Ally
Pow/Tgh:	0/1
Rules Text:	{T}: Add X mana of any one color to your mana pool where X is the number of Allies you control.
Rarity:	Rare

Name:	Joraga Warcaller
Cost:	G
Type:	Creature - Elf Warrior
Pow/Tgh:	1/1
Rules Text:	Multikicker {1}{G} Joraga Warcaller enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it for each time it was kicked. Other Elf creatures you control get +1/+1 for each +1/+1 counter on Joraga Warcaller.
Rarity:	Rare

Name:	Leatherback Baloth
Cost:	GGG
Type:	Creature - Beast
Pow/Tgh:	4/5
Flavor Text:	GEE GEE GEE, BABY BABY BABY
Illus.	Chris Rahn
Rarity:	Uncommon

Name:	Omnath, Locus of Mana
Cost:	2G
Type:	Legendary Creature - Elemental
Pow/Tgh:	1/1
Rules Text:	Green mana doesn’t empty from your mana pool as phases and steps end. Omnath, Locus of Mana gets +1/+1 for each green mana in your mana pool.
Rarity:	Mythic Rare

Name:	Vastwood Zendikon
Cost:	4G
Type:	Enchantment - Aura
Rules Text:	Enchant land Enchanted land is a 6/4 green Elemental creature. Its still a land. When enchanted land is put into a graveyard, return that card to its owner’s hand.
Illus.	Rob Alexander
Rarity:	Common
Set Number:	#117/145

Multicolor (1/2)

Name:	Novablast Wurm
Cost:	3GGWW
Type:	Creature - Wurm
Pow/Tgh:	7/7
Rules Text:	Whenever Novablast Wurm attacks, destroy all other creatures.
Rarity:	Mythic Rare
Set Number:	#119/145

Colorless (1)

Name:	Lodestone Golem
Cost:	4
Type:	Artifact Creature - Golem
Pow/Tgh:	5/3
Rules Text:	Nonartifact spells cost {1} more to cast.
Rarity:	Rare
Set Number:	#127/145

Land (5)

Name:	Celestial Colonnade
Type:	Land
Rules Text:	Celestial Colonnade enters the battlefield tapped. {T}: Add {W} or {U} to your mana pool. {3}{W}{U}: Until end of turn, Celestial Colonnade becomes a 4/4 white and blue Elemental creature with flying and vigilance. It’s still a land.
Rarity:	Rare
Set Number:	#133/145

Name:	Dread Statuary
Type:	Land
Rules Text:	{T}: Add {1} to your mana pool {4}: Dread Statuary becomes a 4/2 Golem artifact creature until end of turn. It’s still a land.
Rarity:	Uncommon
Set Number:	#135/145

Name:	Lavaclaw Reaches
Type:	Land
Rules Text:	Lavaclaw Reaches enters the battlefield tapped. {T}: Add {B} or {R} to your mana pool. {1}{B}{R}: Until end of turn, Lavaclaw Reaches becomes a 2/2 red and black Elemental creature with “{X}: This creature gets +X/+0 until end of turn.” It’s still a land.
Rarity:	Rare
Set Number:	#139/145

Name:	Quicksand
Type:	Land
Rules Text:	{T}: Add {1} to your mana pool. {T}, Sacrifice Quicksand: Target attacking creature without flying gets -1/-2 until end of turn.
Rarity:	Uncommon

Name:	Raging Ravine
Type:	Land
Rules Text:	Raging Ravine enters the battlefield tapped. {T}: Add {R} or {G} to your mana pool. {2}{R}{G}: Until end of turn, Raging Ravine becomes a 3/3 red and green Elemental creature with “Whenever this creature attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on it.” It’s still a land.
Rarity:	Rare

*source: MTGSalvation.com

36 Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

Mark Ian — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:12:57 +0000

Just got this from a post in NG forums, specifically in an Off-topic thread but this is worth the read.

36 Christian Ways to Reduce Stress

An Angel says, “Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happens tomorrow and it doesn’t happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.”

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you Jesus.”

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most.

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Magic 2011 Announced

Mark Ian — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:54:26 +0000

Wizards announced yesterday at Magic Arcana regarding the next upcoming Core set in Magic: The Gathering Trading card game, Magic 2011 which will be released this July 16, 2010. The set is dubbed “A set everyone can sink their teeth into.” which made me think of new interesting cards they’re going to include. Here’s a part of the announcement:

Walk amongst the elite – The ultimate strategic duelists. The few who can control deadly creatures and wield terrifying sorceries. Battle on countless worlds beyond this one in a quest for supremacy, and know what it means to say, “Here I Rule.”

Set Name Magic 2011
Three-Letter Abbreviation M11
Number of Cards 249
Prerelease Date July 10-11, 2010
Release Date July 16, 2010
Launch Party July 16-18, 2010
Game Day August 14, 2010

Design Team

Aaron Forsythe (lead)
Doug Beyer
Mark Globus
Tom LaPille
Gregory Marques

Development Team

Erik Lauer (lead)
Dave Guskin
Tom LaPille
Kenneth Nagle

Standard now rotates only once each year, with the release of the October large set. So Magic 2011 will enter Standard on its release without knocking anything out, then Magic 2010 and Shards of Alara block will leave Standard with the release of “Lights.” The Standard format between Magic 2011 and “Lights” will consist of Shards of Alara block, Zendikar block, Magic 2010, and Magic 2011. After the release of “Lights,” it will consist of Zendikar Block, Magic 2011, and “Lights.”

In addition, they previewed an art of a Dragon in the set which is speculated to be the new level of Dragons much powerful than the previous ones released. Check out its very cool art.

Stay tuned for updates on Magic 2011. Until next time.

*I had been very busy lately updating my other blogs so I got not enough time to write new posts but I will cope up to you this year. I will be posting our local meta updates and also new deck lists around the net. Thank you for your support.