Magic Judge Blog

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

Today we want to draw your attention to an absolutely great resource for Magic: the Gathering players - the Magic Judge Rules Blog.  This blog is operated by Chris Richter, Josh Stansfield and Jason Lemahieu and a handful of other wonderful and helpful DCI Judges.  Being rather casual gamers here at MTG Realm whom you will find either at the kitchen table or at a Friday Night Magic event, we've unfortunately limited ourselves to reading over the FAQ documents published with each new set Wizards of the Coast provides.  We have however been dropping by the Judge Rules blog which provides vital rules information / interpretations in an 'easy to digest' format along with examples.  

The other week,  after receiving another order of cards from MTG Mint Card, we found ourselves at the kitchen table with a Witchstalker (in a Bant Hexproof build) which got nerfed with the blue / black 'Far // Away' fuse spell.  Although an Avacyn's Pilgrim got bounced, leaving the Witchstalker was the only warm body on the field at the time for a sac, we did ask ourselves about how many counters hog/wolf/whatever would get, if any had there been another critter.  We did figure it out with a handy post from the Rules blog, who had just recently published it - very handy indeed.
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Anywhoos - here's a slew of recent post titles to give you an idea as to the content on the blog.  If you live a chunk of your day on Tumblr like we do, you should check out 'Ask a Magic Judge'.  
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Fiendslayer Paladin vs. Boros Reckoner (the Paladin isn’t safe)
Boros Reckoner’s ability is not a spell, and it can target the Fiendslayer Paladin just fine. Assuming the trigger was for 2 or more damage, it will kill that Paladin dead.
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Pyromancer’s Gauntlet with Flames of the Firebrand.
If you send all of the Flames at one target, the Gauntlet will add on 2 damage, for a total of 5. However, if you split up the Flames targeting three different creatures or players, the Gauntlet will add 2 damage to each separate instance of 1 damage — and that’s a total of 9 damage!
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Super tech! Regenerating Lotleth Troll to dodge Azorius Charm.
Although appearing counter-intuitive, cast Abrupt Decay on your own Lotleth Troll in response to your opponent casting Azorius Charm on it.
 
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Aurelia and Legion’s Initiative
Multiple attacks and blinking.
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Planeswalker Points

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

We are taking a brief respite from the flurry of Innistrad spoilers and previews to yatter about some news regarding changes to the rating system which tracks all DCI registered players. Planeswalker Points is a replacement for the system previously used by Wizards to rate and rank Magic players' participation in sanctioned Organized Play events.


The FAQ document for Planeswalker Points is here.

Announcement article on the mothershop is here.

Details on the system and log-on to see your points here.

We here at MTG Realm, being huge fans of casual rather like the new system. With the new Plansewalker Point system players are rewarded for playing Magic more often, allowing them to advance in "level." Casual Magic the Gathering events award players for participation, not game results - typically one point for each event. Several of the more old school Magic players may not care for this system arguing that the system no longer evaluates the player's skill but just how frequently you play. These nay-sayers may well be the same folks which may have 'sat' on their points instead of getting out there and playing with the old system which granted benefits to those who did not compete leaving their rating intact to achieve 'byes' or qualifications for large professional events.


In a nutsheel, each game won in a a sanctioned event netss 3 Planeswalker Points and a draw provides 1 Planeswalker Point. In the new system participants do not loose Planeswalker Points for being off their game. Additionally, each event a player competes in has a Planeswalker Participation Point value based on the number of players also competing. Special Magic: the Gathering events also provide a multiplier that rewards competitors with additional points.

8 - 15 participants : 1 point
16 - 31 participants : 2 points
32 - 63 participants : 3 points
64 - 127 participants : 4 points
128 - 255 participants : 5 points
256 - 511 participants : 6 points
512 - 1023 participants : 7 points
1024 - 2047 participants : 8 points
2048 + participants : 9 points

Planeswalker Multipliers available at events:

1 times :
Sanctioned Magic tournaments, Prerelease events, Launch Parties

2 times :
Game day events, WPN Premium Qualifiers

3 time :
Friday Night Magic, Grand Prix Trials, WPN Premium Tournaments

5 times:
Pro Tour Qualifiers, National Qualifiers

8 time:
Grand Prix, National Championships

12 time:
Pro Tour, World Championship
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We were sad when we no longer got DCI promo mailings but this new system is an excellent replacement. Sure you don't get any special prize at the bottom of the box but you still get the bragging rights. More importantly, we think that it could also be used as a tool to pair up players on equal footing like Timmys and Johnnys rather than having Spike play the n00b who just came out for the first time (and likely won't come back unless it was an enjoyable game).

Both of us here at MTG Realm are sitting in the middle of 'Invoker' (level 31 to 35) and if anything, it will make us want to go out to the local game store more often to get to the next level. Thanks Wizards - cool idea 'Bro.

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If you want to catch up on all the new Magic the Gathering sweetness, we have for you our constantly updated Innistrad Spoiler List HERE.
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Worldwake IntroPack Contents

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Hey y'all,
Looks like we have enough material for another post today. We know a lot of casual Magic the Gathering Players love sitting down at a table to do some duelling (using IntroPacks). Here, for your review are the much anticipated Worldwake IntroPack contents - make tracks to a store to pick some up.

Reference - Our previous post on Worldwake IntroPacks HERE, and the official page from Wizards of the Coast HERE.
* Indicates a Reprint from Magic 2010, Zendikar, etc.

Fangs of the Bloodchief IntroPack

Creatures - 13
2 x Pulse Tracker, b, common
2 x Child of Night*, 1b, common
2 x Ruthless Cullblade, 1b, common
1 x Bloodhusk Ritualist, 2b, uncommon
1 x Vampire Asristocrat*, 2b, common
1 x Vampire Nighthawk*, 1bb, uncommon
1 x Jagwasp Swarm, 3b, common
1 x Zombie Goliath*, 4b, common
1 x Anowon, the Ruin Sage, 3bb, Rare ($3.00)
1 x Butcher of Malakir, 5bb, Rare ($2.00)

Other Spells - 10
2 x Mire's Toll, b, common
1 x Feast of Blood*, 1b, uncommon
1 x Urge to Feed, bb, uncommon
1 x Dead Reckoning, 1bb, common
1 x Hideous End*, 1bb, common
1 x Brink of Disaster, 2bb, common
1 x Diabolic Tutor* 2bb, uncommon
1 x Rise from the Grave*, 4b, uncommon
1 x Comsume Spirit*, X1b, uncommon

Lands - 18
16 x Swamp
2 x Pirahana Marsh*, common

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Flyover IntroPack

Creatures - 12
1 x Silvercoat Lion*, 1w, common
1 x Stormfront Pegasus*, 1w, common
2 x Apex Hawks, 2w, common
1 x Enclave Elite, 2u, common
1 x Gomazoa*, 2u, uncommon
2 x Kor Cartographer*, 3w, common
1 x Lightkeeper of Emeria, 3w, uncommon
1 x Voyager Drake, 3u, uncommon
1 x Surrakar Banisher, 4u, common
1 x Archon of Redemption, 3ww, rare (1.50)

Other Spells - 11
1 x Everflowing Chalice, 0, uncommon
1 x Righteousness*, w, uncommon
1 x Veteran's Reflexes, w, common
1 x Unsummon*, u, common
1 x Pacifism*, 1w, common
2 x Guardian Zendikon, 2w, common
1 x Divine Verdict*, 3w, common
1 x Marshal's Anthem, 2ww, rare ($2.00)
1 x Sleep*, 2uu, uncommon
1 x Iona's Judgement, 4w, common

Lands - 18
9 x Plains
7 x Island
1 x Dread Statuary, uncommon
1 x Terramorphhic Expanse*, common

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Mysterious Realms IntroPack

Creatures - 12
1 x Walking Atlas, 2, common
1 x Coral Merfolk*, 1u, common
1 x Frontier Guide*, 1g, uncommon
1 x Merfolk Wayfinder*, 2u, uncommon
1 x Tideforce Elemental, 2u, uncommon
2 x Calcite Snapper, 1uu, common
1 x Hedron Rover, 4, common
1 x Living Tsumani*, 2uu, uncommon
1 x Territorial Baloth*, 4g, common
1 x Baloth Woodcrasher*, 4gg, uncommon
1 x Goliath Sphinx, 5uu, rare ($1)
Other Spells - 11
2 x Wind Zendikon, u, common
1 x Telepathy*, u, uncommon
2 x Treasure Hunt, 1u, common
1 x Aether Tradewinds, 2u, common
2 x Paralyzing Grasp*, 2u, common
1 x Seer's Sundial, 4, rare ($2.00)
1 x Mysteries of the Deep, 4u, common
1 x Vapor Snare, 4u, uncommon
Lands - 18
8 x Island
8 x Forest
2 x Halimar Depths, common

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Rapid Fire IntroPack

Creatures - 16
1 x Steppe Lynx*, w, common
1 x Fledgling Griffin, 1w, common
1 x Kor Skyfisher*, 1w, common
1 x Ruin Ghost, 1w, uncommon
1 x Kor Firewalker, ww, uncommon
2 x Pilgrim's Eye, 3, common
1 x Goblin roughrider, 2rcommon
1 x Prodigal Pyromancer*, 2r, uncommon
1 x Kor Cartographer*, 3w, common
2 x Cosi's Ravager, 3r, common
1 x Dragon Whelp*, 2rr, uncommon
1 x Grotag Thrasher, 4r, common
1 x Geyser Glider, 3rr, uncommon
1 x Mordant Dragon, 4rr, rare ($1.00)

Other Spells - 7
2 x Searing Blaze, rr, common
1 x Narrow Escape*, 2w, common
1 x Act of Treason*, 2r, uncommon
1 x Magma Rift, 2r, common
1 x Armored Ascencion*, 3w, uncommon
1 x Chain Reaction, 2rr, rare (3.00)

Lands - 18
9 x Plains
7 x Mountain
2 x Teetering Peaks*, common

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Brute Force IntroPack

Creatures - 13
1 x Skitter of Lizards, r, common
2 x Gnarlid Pack, 1g, common
1 x Grappler Spider, 1g, common
2 x Boderland Ranger*, 2g, common
1 x Greenweaver Druid*, 2g, uncommon
1 x Goblin Roughrider, 2r, common
1 x Leatherback Baloth, ggg, uncommon
1 x Giant Spider*, 3g, common
1 x Wolfbriar Elemental, 2gg, rare ($3.00)
1 x Deathforge Shaman, 4r, uncommon
1 x Terastodon, 6gg, rare ($1.50)

Other Spells - 10
2 x Giant Growth*, g, common
2 x Lightning Bolt*, r, common
1 x Canopy cover, 1g, uncommon
1 x Act of Treason*, 2r, uncommon
2 x Vastwood Zendikon 4g, common
1 x Rumbling Aftershocks, 4r, uncommon
1 x Overrun*, 2ggg, uncommon

Lands - 18
10 Forest
7 Mountain
1 x Terramorphic Expanse, common

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Don't forget to head out this weekend to a Pre-Release for a chance to do some duelling with these IntroPacks!

Worldwake Pre-Release Prep

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The countdown is on.
We have approximately 3 days until Worldwake Pre-Release parties start. Starting shortly after midnight (Saturday 30th January), local stores will open their doors and players will start filing in to sit down and get a chance to play with cards from the newest Magic the Gathering set - Worldwake.


With large Regional Pre-Release events also occurring this weekend, we thought it wise to point out some recent articles on Wizards for you to review in order to prepare for the fun ahead.

Worldwake Prerelease Primer, Tim Willoughby (25 January 2010)

Honing your Deck-Building Skills, Jacob Van Lunen (27 January 2010)

Also - make sure you check out the Wizard's Pre-Release Fact Page HERE. And of course, check out their handy event locater applet HERE.


There may also be some events being held that may require a registered decklist. HERE is a handy link for the DCI Worldwake Deck Checklist :

Wwk Clist En

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MTG Realm will for the first time ever be heading out to a large Regional Pre-Release to take in the sights and sounds. We suggest to fellow casual MTG players to head out to one in your area if you have the opportunity.

We will be attending the Toronto, Ontario - Regional Worldwake Pre-Release at the Best Western Primrose Hotel (111 Carlton Street, Toronto) hosted by SkyFox Games. We will have a few posts and videos interviewing players, tournament organisers as well as Guest Artist RK Post ! (Check out his work HERE)


HERE are details for the Toronto Regional Worldwake Pre-Release :

Toronto, Ontario - Regional Worldwake Pre-Release

Location : Best Western Primrose Hotel - 111 Carlton Street, Toronto, Tel#: (416) 977-8000

All players register on-site and play on a first-come, first-serve process. There is no pre-registration, just show up and register the day of the event. Flight Tournament Times: Flights can begin as soon as there are a minimum of 32 players.

Worldwake SEALED DECK Tournament prizes (Prizes based on 32 players) :
4-0: 12 Worldwake Boosters
3-0-1: 8 Worldwake Boosters
3-1: 4 Worldwake Boosters
Worldwake Sealed Deck Entry is $30. Each player will receive 3 boosters of Worldwake and 3 boosters of Zendikar to build a minimum 40-card deck. If you played in a previous Prerelease (on the same day), entry is $25. Each player will receive a booster pack (as prizes) of Zendikar for each Prerelease they play after the first (ie. played in 3 Prerelease, get an additional 2 boosters). Tournament structure is four rounds of Swiss pairings.

Worldwake Two-Headed Giant Tournament Prizes (Prizes based on 32 players) :
3-0: 20 Worldwake Boosters / Team
2-0-1: 12 Worldwake Boosters / Team
2-1: 4 Worldwake Boosters / Team
Worldwake Two-Headed Giant entry is $20 per Player. Each Two-Headed Giant team receives 4 boosters of Worldwake and 4 boosters of Zendikar with which to construct two forty-card decks. Tournament structure is four rounds of Swiss pairings.

Worldwake Booster Draft Tournaments :
This is organised by 8-player drafts, with single elimination. Players will draft with one pack of Zendikar and two packs of Worldwake in which to construct a forty-card deck.
*Entry is $20 and $15 if you payed for a previous Prerelease (that day). Registration opens at 2:00 PM

Worldwake Open Dueling:
Entry fee is $20 per player. Format: Players receive one Intro Pack to play against other players. Play structure: Each Open Dueling participant will receive an Open Dueling Results Card to record their matches. When the player completes 5 games / matches, the results card is returned to receive one Worldwake Booster Pack and a Prerelease Promo Card.

Registration Times: Flight Tournament Schedule for Saturday, January 30, 2010
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (ALL TOURNAMENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

7:30 AM Prerelease Flight Tournament Registration Opens
(All players will receive a special foil commemorative card - while quantities last)
8:00 AM Flight Tournament #1 Starts
9:00 AM Flight Tournament #2 Starts
10:00 AM Guest Artist: RK Post
10:30 AM VIP Gunslinger: John Wasson
10:00 AM Flight Tournament #3 Starts
11:30 PM Flight Tournament #4 Starts (Mandatory Deck Registration)
1:00 PM Flight Tournament #5 Starts
2:00 PM Booster Drafts Starts
2:30 PM Worldwake Two-Headed Giant
3:00 PM Flight Tournament #6 Starts
4:30 PM Flight Tournament #7 Starts
6:00 PM Last Call for Flight Tournaments

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If are going out to a Pre-Release event, good luck and have a blast.

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Zendikar Card List

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Not the best Magic the Gathering spoiler ever, but we now have the complete list of card names for Zendikar in the form of the very handy DCI deck checklist form. You can download this pdf document HERE. Always check for the latest official forms (and rules) at the DCI.

Non-Basic Land
Akoum Refuge
Arid Mesa
Crypt of Agadeem
Emeria, the Sky Ruin
Graypelt Refuge
Jwar Isle Refuge
Kabira Crossroads
Kazandu Refuge
Magosi, the Waterveil
Marsh Flats
Misty Rainforest
Oran-Rief, the Vastwood
Piranha Marsh
Scalding Tarn
Sejiri Refuge
Soaring Seacliff
Teetering Peaks
Turntimber Grove
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
Verdant Catacombs

Artifact
Adventuring Gear
Blade of the Bloodchief
Blazing Torch
Carnage Altar
Eldrazi Monument
Eternity Vessel
Expedition Map
Explorer's Scope
Grappling Hook
Hedron Scrabbler
Khalni Gem
Spidersilk Net
Stonework Puma
Trailblazer's Boots
Trusty Machete

White
Armament Master
Arrow Volley Trap
Bold Defense
Brave the Elements
Caravan Hurda
Celestial Mantle
Cliff Threader
Conqueror’s Pledge
Day of Judgment
Devout Lightcaster
Emeria Angel
Felidar Sovereign
Iona, Shield of Emeria
Journey to Nowhere
Kabira Evangel
Kazandu Blademaster
Kor Aeronaut
Kor Cartographer
Kor Duelist
Kor Hookmaster
Kor Outfitter
Kor Sanctifiers
Kor Skyfisher
Landbind Ritual
Luminarch Ascension
Makindi Shieldmate
Narrow Escape
Nimbus Wings
Noble Vestige
Ondu Cleric
Pillarfield Ox
Pitfall Trap
Quest for the Holy Relic
Shepherd of the Lost
Shieldmate’s Blessing
Steppe Lynx
Sunspring Expedition
Windborne Charge
World Queller

Blue
Æther Figment
Archive Trap
Archmage Ascension
Caller of Gales
Cancel
Cosi’s Trickster
Gomazoa
Hedron Crab
Into the Roil
Ior Ruin Expedition
Kraken Hatchling
Lethargy Trap
Living Tsunami
Lorthos, the Tidemaker
Lullmage Mentor
Merfolk Seastalkers
Merfolk Wayfinder
Mindbreak Trap
Paralyzing Grasp
Quest for Ancient Secrets
Reckless Scholar
Rite of Replication
Roil Elemental
Sea Gate Loremaster
Seascape Aerialist
Shoal Serpent
Sky Ruin Drake
Spell Pierce
Sphinx of Jwar Isle
Sphinx of Lost Truths
Spreading Seas
Summoner’s Bane
Tempest Owl
Trapfinder’s Trick
Trapmaker’s Snare
Umara Raptor
Welkin Tern
Whiplash Trap
Windrider Eel

Black
Bala Ged Thief
Blood Seeker
Blood Tribute
Bloodchief Ascension
Bloodghast
Bog Tatters
Crypt Ripper
Desecrated Earth
Disfigure
Feast of Blood
Gatekeeper of Malakir
Giant Scorpion
Grim Discovery
Guul Draz Specter
Guul Draz Vampire
Hagra Crocodile
Hagra Diabolist
Halo Hunter
Heartstabber Mosquito
Hideous End
Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet
Malakir Bloodwitch
Marsh Casualties
Mind Sludge
Mindless Null
Mire Blight
Needlebite Trap
Nimana Sell-Sword
Ob Nixilis, the Fallen
Quest for the Gravelord
Ravenous Trap
Sadistic Sacrament
Sorin Markov
Soul Stair Expedition
Surrakar Marauder
Vampire Hexmage
Vampire Lacerator
Vampire Nighthawk
Vampire’s Bite

Red
Bladetusk Boar
Burst Lightning
Chandra Ablaze
Demolish
Electropotence
Elemental Appeal
Geyser Glider
Goblin Bushwhacker
Goblin Guide
Goblin Ruinblaster
Goblin Shortcutter
Goblin War Paint
Hellfire Mongrel
Hellkite Charger
Highland Berserker
Inferno Trap
Kazuul Warlord
Lavaball Trap
Magma Rift
Mark of Mutiny
Molten Ravager
Murasa Pyromancer
Obsidian Fireheart
Plated Geopede
Punishing Fire
Pyromancer Ascension
Quest for Pure Flame
Ruinous Minotaur
Runeflare Trap
Seismic Shudder
Shatterskull Giant
Slaughter Cry
Spire Barrage
Torch Slinger
Tuktuk Grunts
Unstable Footing
Warren Instigator
Zektar Shrine Expedition

Green
Baloth Cage Trap
Baloth Woodcrasher
Beast Hunt
Beastmaster Ascension
Cobra Trap
Frontier Guide
Gigantiform
Grazing Gladehart
Greenweaver Druid
Harrow
Joraga Bard
Khalni Heart Expedition
Lotus Cobra
Mold Shambler
Nissa Revane
Nissa’s Chosen
Oracle of Mul Daya
Oran-Rief Recluse
Oran-Rief Survivalist
Predatory Urge
Primal Bellow
Quest for the Gemblades
Rampaging Baloths
Relic Crush
River Boa
Savage Silhouette
Scute Mob
Scythe Tiger
Summoning Trap
Tajuru Archer
Tanglesap
Terra Stomper
Territorial Baloth
Timbermaw Larva
Turntimber Basilisk
Turntimber Ranger
Vastwood Gorger
Vines of Vastwood
Zendikar Farguide

Promo Foils & B/R List

Just a round-up of some new DCI promo foils we may expect to be floating around . . . As well, the anticipated update on the Banned / Restricted Lists announced today.

2008 World Championships in Memphis Pro Tour Promo

Treva, the Renewer 3{G}{W}{U}
Legendary Creature — Dragon, Flying
Whenever Treva, the Renewer deals combat damage to a player, you may pay 2White. If you do, choose a color. You gain 1 life for each permanent of that color.
6 / 6

This Chrome Mox is being provided to participants in any of 2009 Grand Prix events.










Chrome Mox 0
Artifact
Imprint When Chrome Mox comes into play, you may remove a nonartifact, nonland card in your hand from the game. (The removed card is imprinted on this artifact.) Tap: Add one mana of any of the imprinted card's colors to your mana pool.

This is another DCI Judge Promo being provided to those considerate individuals volunteering their time to organize and judge sanctioned tournaments.










Living Wish 1{G}
Sorcery
You may choose a creature or land card you own from outside the game, reveal that card, and put it into your hand. Remove Living Wish from the game.

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December 1 2008 DCI Banned and Restricted List Announcement
Effective Date: December 20, 2008
Magic Online Effective Date: December 10, 2008

The next Banned and Restricted List Announcement will be published on December 19, 2008.

No changes to Standard, Vintage, Legacy, Extended, Shards of Alara Block Constructed. Several changes announced to Magic Online.

For a concise list, check out this WoTC page.

2008 FNM Foils

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Although I do rather enjoy playing MTG at home, I rather relish going out to Friday Night Magic to see how my deck stacks up against other players. I also am keenly interested in seeing other card synergies that I had not yet fully realised. One thing I do appreciate about FNM is the casual play style. More than once have I goofed up big-time by not being fully caffeinated and playing a second legendary creature. Since it is FNM, I simply get to say 'whoops!', or 'sorry', and safely return said card back to my hand.

I also enjoy getting a chance not only to build up my Magic Player Rewards points but also have an opportunity to get my hands on a FNM foil promotional card. That being said, I think I only brought home only two FNM DCI cards home with me this year so far (Tormod's Crypt and Pendelhaven) . . . waahh !

Four prize cards are provided by Wizards to the organizer for each event. Two of the four cards are to be awarded each week are available to anyone in the tournament; specifically the tournament organizer will randomly award the remaining two prize cards to two players that did not place first or second. The other two are awarded to the top finishers for 1st and 2nd place.

Here is a look at the 2008 FNM Foil goodness ->
Each FNM foil card features Alternate Art (with the exception of the March card, Eternal Witness)


January : Remand
Illus. Hideaki Takamura

February : Tormod's Crypt
Illus. Lars Grant-West

March : Eternal Witness
Illus. Terese Nielsen

April : Tendrils of Agony
Illus. Volkan Baga

May : Pendelhaven
Illus. Philip Straub

June : Resurrection
Illus. Michael Komarck

July : Wall of Roots
Illus. Matt Stewart


August : Desert
Illus. Glen Angus


September : Thirst for Knowledge
Illus. Bud Cook

October : Serrated Arrows
Illus. John Avon

November : Isochron Scepter
Illus. Brian Despain

December : Shrapnel Blast
Illus. Hideaki Takamura

For previous FNM, and a load other promotional cards including tokens, check out this Japanese LINK.

To find a local store near you hosting a Friday Night Magic event, check out this LINK from Wizards.