Sources

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Many fans I know of 'Magic: The Gathering' agree that viewing card spoilers from new sets may be the next best thing to playing the game itself. A large number of players spend hours going over previewed cards ahead of the set's release to either prepare for the release tournament itself or to contemplate the value of these new cards in their existing decks or new ones. Others are simply on the lookout for the next winning card combination.

Wizards of the Coast realises the effectiveness of marketing the new set with spoilers on their minisite, within their articles or within select gaming magazines. Wizards recently even provided previews to larger gaming stores such as Star City Games and Cool Stuff Inc., to enhance product exposure to the Magic community at large.

The challenge for bloggers such as myself and others is to provide readers with 'ahead of the curve' information and unofficial images and provide a critical evaluation or analysis of this. Most of this yummy spoiler fodder is gleaned from the internet or sometimes provided by an acquaintance on a far-flung contintent.

Here is a run-down of some of the more traditional media one may find Magic spoilers . .

Game Japan -
A Japanese company which publishes magazines specialising in gaming, rpg, and other anime / manga material.

Lotus Noir -
The French company, Play Factory which hosts a large website, various forums and produces a variety of gaming publications such as Dragon Blanc and Lotus Noir.

Mana Rouge -
A French company with produces the publications Mana Rouge (MTG), Ravage (play minatures), and Bella Sara (TCG).

Scrye -
Initially only a price guide for Magic cards, this publication eventually purchased the game news site, Gaming Report and now provides coverage for a variety of games and collectible cards.

CanTrip
The Brazillian company Devir has expanded into Portugal and Spain and publishes / distributes a variety of games or gaming-related products.




I am unable, no matter how hard I scoured the internet, find any information on Cartes de Combate, supposedly where Wizards had previewed several cards . . . Any help would be appreciated.

As mentioned previously, Wizards had used the powerful online vehicle of these two stores . . .








Starcitygames
Online store and discussion boards -
Evan Erwin, Article Contributor and podcaster of The Magic Show - (spoiled Creakwood Liege on 7/03/2008)


TCGplayer.com
Online store and discussion boards - (spoiled Mindwrack Liege on 7/03/2008)


Cool Stuff Inc.

Online store (spoiled a full booster pack)

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While I still have your attention, I want to bounce a Shadowmoor / Eventide combination that jumped out at me the other day. It involves dropping a Nectroskitter Elemental Creature on the board to bring any of your opponent's creatures with a -1/-1 counter back from the graveyard under your control. This is followed by Blowfly Infestation enchantment to ensure all those -1/-1 counters receive new hosts and finally kickstarting the whole nasty mess off with Incremental Blight to garuantee unwilling recruits.

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See you at FNM !