A trick when playing a Spells deck in limited: look for Instants and Sorceries that create creatures. In this set spells that have Amass stapled to them are creatures, but count as instants and sorceries in your graveyard/library. This way you can up your spell density without losing out on creatures.
@@LiangHuBBB you can play them in Modern, “Eternal” formats like Legacy and Commander, and on Arena in Alchemy and Historic. You can also play the commons in Pauper. Basically every format except Standard and Pioneer.
I really enjoy how the these kinds of videos start with “many magic the gathering players ask the question…”. It sets the stage for a good conversation
I've started MTG few months back and I've been trying to catch up with all mechanics, expansions, etc... for the first time i'm catching the train on time for a lore that i really love. Thank you so much for all your videos on commande decks, mechanics, drafts... helps a lot and thanks to you I'm enjoying MTG more each day ! Cheers from France
Hope you have a great time! “Most” players will be fun to play against, especially if you tell them it’s your first time playing at the LGS. It really comes down to the luck of the draw and hopefully hitting what you need. I won my Crimson Vow day but have been getting smoked in recent releases.
I wish the Ring tempting you had more mechanics. It would have good where it was closer the level up mechanic. For example the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth had modes. And perhaps a 10th with a downside for being too corrupted.
General feedback, I've watched it a few times now. As a fairly new player still, this is a lot of information real fast. Not sure if you would want to but it might be worth slowing it down and detailing it out a little bit more for new folks. Or maybe my perception is not what others would be and I am just off base. But just wanted to give some feedback, I really appreciate everything you do, and I have learned quite a bit. Thank you 🙂
Hi Prof, it would be really great if you could do a review on different deck boxes to hold planechase cards! It is currently a real challenge to try and find an affordable way to store and safely transport them. All the best!
That makes sense - the monarch mechanic is pretty heavy in the humans commander deck. I was watching people play and that felt like the ring being passed around, this constant fight for power / the monarch card.
Honestly, I haven't played magic since the 90s and this set brought me back. I love all of these cards and the doctor who set was an awesome addition, too. I know they're not the best, but I love the theme and feel more connected to the cards I know.
Great video, have been enjoying watching your MTG Content. Got back into MTG after close to 25 years for this set and have really enjoyed playing again
Hey professor I just think you are the bees knees and the best. I enjoy all your videos and find them highly entertaining and educational. Thank you I wish I could support you financially but I cannot because my funds are limited.
I wholeheartedly approve of the snark towards the total flavour failiure that is the ring mechanic! As an unashamed LotR nerd (Silmarillion level, with plans to start HoME soon) it is enough to put me off playing the set but this set is probably the only one I care about collecting the cards so that is less problematic that it could otherwise be. I do wonder if the mechanic was forced into being wholly positive due to the set being legal in modern?
Apparently they tried to add some downside but people avoided the mechanic altogether. Not saying that's anywhere close to an excuse. Specially when they nailed the drawback and temptation of The One Ring (the legendary artifact)
@@androkguz I suspect it may have been due to a lack of time, this kind of balancing act can be really hard to get right and needs a lot of time and playtesting to do justice. Even if you do balance it there are people who will have an aversion to any mechanic that has a negative aspect even if the positive is supremely powerful. One small change that I was considering was to have two tracks to the ring temptation: resist or give in, resist gives smaller buffs with no negative while giving in gives big buffs but also bigger negatives. Still I can but dream of that
The downside is your ringbearer creature becomes a removal magnet and (downside from the creature's perspective) you're going to want to be attacking with it. Which kind of works? The ring gives the ringbearer a lot of power but they are thrown into conflict and everyone is out to kill them. I acknowledge this is a reach, but it's enough of a justification for me.
@@justherby3567 I can somewhat see that side especially since the set has a good amount of legend specific interaction but since you can just choose a new creature the next time you're tempted the downside is greatly diminished. Especially since any chump blockers will be sacrificed if you're far enough along the path.
Thanks for the tips Tolarian! My friend and I have been looking forward to this set and now we don't feel as worried about what to do for deck building 😅
Thanks for this great playthrough! I misread the rules and thought you only took one worker action rather than taking an action from the worker you removed too. Naturally I found the solo mode hard 😂
9:12 the mouth of sauron amass ability is not for you graveyard, it depends on the graveyard of the player you chose as the target for the mill 3 ability.
Reference Comment (Watch the video for important callouts!): Draft Mechanic Archetypes BU amass control BG food sacrifice BW token sacrifice BR amass aggro/sac UG elves scry-matters UW flying draw-matters UR spell slinger and matters GW food hobbits GR power ramp WR go wide humans
I’m such a huge LOTR nerd that I knew this would be a solid release. Since magic dudes are already lore obsessed nerds. I have no idea how to play…I feel like collecting these would be a worthwhile endeavor though.
I avoid watching prerelease guides because I like figuring out the deck myself without any outside influence I ended up going rakdos amass and won the whole thing! I pulled both the legendary uncommon and swept!
@@hil449 I would say it's luck if it was the first time it happened. I mean I look at what the chase rares and what the hot cards everyone is talking about are. But other than those big idk what's in the set I've won twice and got fourth once with 20 plus people since I've started doing it like this.
Hi Professor! Thanks you for your awesome videos. I'd like to request you to make some testing on mini snaps people are usually using to protect their Flesh and Blood Legendary equipments. Thanks once again!
I only draft on MTGA and it’s a sad existence lol, but I’m too protective of my own paper collection. I have 3 draft tokens saved up on MTGA and I have a couple paper set boxes coming in! Can’t wait to drown in LotR soon!!! Thanks for the info prof, I might attempt my first LGS draft because of you! :)
I played magic for 1 month in high school and now trying to get back into it with magic arena could you please make a video with tips on playing magic arena thnak you :)
This is the set I'm thinking about spending my draft tokens on. I passed on Innistrad.... INNISTRAD! ever since I heard about this set. I'm finally gonna do it probably.
I haven’t played magic since ravinca! 😮 so many new mechanics! I love LOTR and have seen the movies 20 times and read the books at least 5 times. So im high three digits in on pre orders but all of this scares me! I’ll be having to teach people (LOTR fans) to have anyone to play with. Am I just burning money?!
The mono-blue Uncommon Gandalf looks to be a glue creature for a couple archetypes. He draws cards when the Ring tempts you, so he's good in Azorius Draw 2. He has Flash and gives your spells Flash, so he's good in Dimir Control (can hold up mana on opponent's turn and flash him in) and Izzet Spells (Sorceries at Instant speed are very good). Keep and eye out for Gandalf Glue.
If we are doing crossovers like this, I really want to see a Marvel one. I know it doesn't fit the typical fantasy that magic depicts, but I think it'd be super cool.
Others have said this, but there are a plethora of spells in the UR deck that make creature tokens. Mount Doom is not a board wipe in limited. The RB deck in most situations isn't possible to build to get to that amount of mana and it requires a legendary artifact. There are only 14 in the set and all but 3 are rare or mythic and of the 3 uncommon ones 2 are nearly unplayable. OK, there are 2 artifact creatures you could make your ringbearer and one of them is pretty good in the RB deck, but it has defender so it's a nonbo as the bearer and the other one is very bad. You don't play bad cards to make your good cards better in limited and expect to win. This happened in the last set you released a limited guide for as well. Kaya was clearly not a first pick bomb, and while data suggests she did play well by 17lands users, her mana cost was far beyond the speed of the format that you could reliably cast her before dying or her not being enough to stabilize.
I would have thought Gandalf the Grey was a better signpost card for the Blue/Red combination? He gives you a choice of 3 powerful abilities and 1 retreat ability every time you cast an Instant or Sorcery, including dealing direct damage and duplicating the spell you just cast.
Off topic rant here, it is complete BS that the Shire Lands are NOT available in the MTGA packs. You must buy with gold/gems. I know they come in the real packs as I played seal on Friday.
Please make a video pointing out how ugly the grey triangles are on the bottom of non rare and even basic land cards, as part of the frames. I understand for some reason they want something more than just the set symbol to show that it is universes beyond… well the only thing that triangle is, is beyond ugly. It robs the cards of so much eye appeal, by ruining the margins and space for text for some cards. On others like the borderless mirkwood bats, it’s impact is even worse. The rares having it as a foil security stamp is okay, but with it being lord of the rings the fact that it is a triangle shape is very unorganic and makes it feep less whimsical, or fantasy for me. Am I the only one that feels this way??
Many magic the gathering players ask the question: is it worth it to go to commandfest Orlando ??? Answer is no. In addition the proff was hardly there and perhaps played maybe a total of 5 games in 3 days??? Judging by the amount you pay just to attend and participate in the events you’re better off buying singles. Not to mention the tickets you can earn by grinding all day are worth less than at Dave &Busters
A trick when playing a Spells deck in limited: look for Instants and Sorceries that create creatures. In this set spells that have Amass stapled to them are creatures, but count as instants and sorceries in your graveyard/library. This way you can up your spell density without losing out on creatures.
Unless you can protect your Army I'd def have more than just Amass
thanks fellow izzet addict
a trick when playing spells deck in limited: don't expect to win, winning is just a bonus that sometimes happens when you cast cool spells
can I use there Lord of TR cards in standard? or only historic or where?
@@LiangHuBBB you can play them in Modern, “Eternal” formats like Legacy and Commander, and on Arena in Alchemy and Historic. You can also play the commons in Pauper. Basically every format except Standard and Pioneer.
The MTGxLOTR crossover is my first pre-release event, so this came out at the perfect time. Thank you Prof!
Great set for a first pre-release. It's better than people thought it would be for sure.
I adore the fact that Shadowfax teaches us the 'Meaning of Haste' on the card... What a hilarious call back.
I really enjoy how the these kinds of videos start with “many magic the gathering players ask the question…”. It sets the stage for a good conversation
yk its gonna be a good day when the prof drops a video 🤞
You're telling me you have a good day 3 times a week?
@@TheRealLachlan absolutely
such a simple explanation of mechanics but still managed a little bit of snark at how the ring has no downside
I've started MTG few months back and I've been trying to catch up with all mechanics, expansions, etc... for the first time i'm catching the train on time for a lore that i really love. Thank you so much for all your videos on commande decks, mechanics, drafts... helps a lot and thanks to you I'm enjoying MTG more each day ! Cheers from France
Finally! Draft content! And on pre-release day! I'm so happy!
General’s Enforcer as the ringbearer means it is legendary and thus makes itself indestructible. Not game breaking, but interesting tech.
This video was such a huge help. The prerelease I'm going to will be my first time ever going to locals, and I love being prepared.
Same here! Good luck!
Hope you have a great time! “Most” players will be fun to play against, especially if you tell them it’s your first time playing at the LGS. It really comes down to the luck of the draw and hopefully hitting what you need. I won my Crimson Vow day but have been getting smoked in recent releases.
This will also be my first prerelease! I have been trying to prepare, but I'm having trouble seeing what makes a good deck. Let's hope it goes well!
Playing paper Magic for the first time ever tonight as well! Can’t wait :D
Hell yeah! Pre release time! Thanks for this video Prof! Such a huge help. Appreciate all you do man!
Thank you professor, this was amazing video as always. Looking forward to your next shuffle up and play
I wish the Ring tempting you had more mechanics.
It would have good where it was closer the level up mechanic. For example the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth had modes. And perhaps a 10th with a downside for being too corrupted.
This helped me out a ton during prerelease. Made the Boros Human deck and finished in 3rd which is the best i have ever done.
watching your videos feels like coming home. when the intro jingle plays, i am 6 years old again and happy
General feedback, I've watched it a few times now. As a fairly new player still, this is a lot of information real fast. Not sure if you would want to but it might be worth slowing it down and detailing it out a little bit more for new folks. Or maybe my perception is not what others would be and I am just off base. But just wanted to give some feedback, I really appreciate everything you do, and I have learned quite a bit. Thank you 🙂
Great video, as always! Looking forward to this pre release tonight
Prof dropping the video just as I finish watching the PPR in prep for the preloaded tonight. Perfect!
Im bringing 2 friends to their first prerelease. This video is perfect
I’m so happy for you and your friends 🥹 they will have so much fun!
Hi Prof, it would be really great if you could do a review on different deck boxes to hold planechase cards! It is currently a real challenge to try and find an affordable way to store and safely transport them. All the best!
Great video prof, thanks for going over the archetypes
Helpful! I'm drafting next week and appreciate you highlighting the signpost cards and what to keep in mind for mana.
I think they should’ve made the ring pass between players everytime it is tempted
Would be more interesting and higher fidelity to the one ring lore
They don't want to make initiative 2.0
That makes sense - the monarch mechanic is pretty heavy in the humans commander deck. I was watching people play and that felt like the ring being passed around, this constant fight for power / the monarch card.
Honestly, I haven't played magic since the 90s and this set brought me back. I love all of these cards and the doctor who set was an awesome addition, too. I know they're not the best, but I love the theme and feel more connected to the cards I know.
Great video, have been enjoying watching your MTG Content. Got back into MTG after close to 25 years for this set and have really enjoyed playing again
I just started playing magic arena to start to learn and get into magic ty for all your videos...amazing sources of help and knowledge...
Thank you!! I’m a brand new Magic player and desperately needed this 😭
Hey professor I just think you are the bees knees and the best. I enjoy all your videos and find them highly entertaining and educational. Thank you I wish I could support you financially but I cannot because my funds are limited.
Love this video! Just shared it to my LGS page to help our players new and old to get a handle on the set :)
I think if I watch this four or five more times I should be ready for my first pre-release tonight 🙂 thank you for all you do good sir
@@nicks4802 made a coherent deck at my first draft and went 2-1 all three rounds taking 6 packs home. Most of the decks I played were solid too
counting down the hours until pre-release watching the professor talked about draft good day
I wholeheartedly approve of the snark towards the total flavour failiure that is the ring mechanic! As an unashamed LotR nerd (Silmarillion level, with plans to start HoME soon) it is enough to put me off playing the set but this set is probably the only one I care about collecting the cards so that is less problematic that it could otherwise be. I do wonder if the mechanic was forced into being wholly positive due to the set being legal in modern?
Apparently they tried to add some downside but people avoided the mechanic altogether.
Not saying that's anywhere close to an excuse. Specially when they nailed the drawback and temptation of The One Ring (the legendary artifact)
@@androkguz I suspect it may have been due to a lack of time, this kind of balancing act can be really hard to get right and needs a lot of time and playtesting to do justice. Even if you do balance it there are people who will have an aversion to any mechanic that has a negative aspect even if the positive is supremely powerful.
One small change that I was considering was to have two tracks to the ring temptation: resist or give in, resist gives smaller buffs with no negative while giving in gives big buffs but also bigger negatives. Still I can but dream of that
The downside is your ringbearer creature becomes a removal magnet and (downside from the creature's perspective) you're going to want to be attacking with it. Which kind of works? The ring gives the ringbearer a lot of power but they are thrown into conflict and everyone is out to kill them. I acknowledge this is a reach, but it's enough of a justification for me.
@@justherby3567 I can somewhat see that side especially since the set has a good amount of legend specific interaction but since you can just choose a new creature the next time you're tempted the downside is greatly diminished. Especially since any chump blockers will be sacrificed if you're far enough along the path.
Have always loved your videos. Cant wait to watch you play with this set! Been waiting for it ever since they announced it
Thanks for the tips Tolarian! My friend and I have been looking forward to this set and now we don't feel as worried about what to do for deck building 😅
I'm doing my first sealed prerelease tonight and I hope I don't mess up 😅
I drafted the boros humans deck at draft before watching this video and ended up winning the tournament with it. Super strong archetype
havent played in years playing a 2 oclock pre release sealed today and now im excited tyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Thanks for this great playthrough! I misread the rules and thought you only took one worker action rather than taking an action from the worker you removed too. Naturally I found the solo mode hard 😂
This came out just in time for my first prerelease tomorrow, thanks prof
I just did my first pre release event yesterday and it was amazzziiinngg!
9:12 the mouth of sauron amass ability is not for you graveyard, it depends on the graveyard of the player you chose as the target for the mill 3 ability.
Reference Comment (Watch the video for important callouts!):
Draft Mechanic Archetypes
BU amass control
BG food sacrifice
BW token sacrifice
BR amass aggro/sac
UG elves scry-matters
UW flying draw-matters
UR spell slinger and matters
GW food hobbits
GR power ramp
WR go wide humans
Going to my first prerelease tonight!
Glad to see Boramere as the draft reviewer, jokes aside, great video
I’m such a huge LOTR nerd that I knew this would be a solid release. Since magic dudes are already lore obsessed nerds. I have no idea how to play…I feel like collecting these would be a worthwhile endeavor though.
Perfect timing, just found out my LGS has draft tonight instead of sealed. This made for a solid overview of what the look out for
I avoid watching prerelease guides because I like figuring out the deck myself without any outside influence
I ended up going rakdos amass and won the whole thing! I pulled both the legendary uncommon and swept!
You won the tournament with even taking a look at the cards? Lol you're either lucky af or a genius
@@hil449 I would say it's luck if it was the first time it happened. I mean I look at what the chase rares and what the hot cards everyone is talking about are. But other than those big idk what's in the set
I've won twice and got fourth once with 20 plus people since I've started doing it like this.
I can't wait for the prerelease in my town. We have so many people showing up for it.
As a cheapskate I love drafts, I don't need to build a deck ahead of time and you never know what you're gonna get out of it. So much fun!
Hi Professor! Thanks you for your awesome videos. I'd like to request you to make some testing on mini snaps people are usually using to protect their Flesh and Blood Legendary equipments. Thanks once again!
'deciduous mechanic', that bit was beautiful.
What does that mean?
Nice video! I love your tie, prof!
awesome. wish i still had friends to play with. good info :)
I came in Third Place last night for the Pre-Release. I ran Rakdos Aggro using the Amass Tokens :3
I only draft on MTGA and it’s a sad existence lol, but I’m too protective of my own paper collection. I have 3 draft tokens saved up on MTGA and I have a couple paper set boxes coming in! Can’t wait to drown in LotR soon!!! Thanks for the info prof, I might attempt my first LGS draft because of you! :)
I think that if the "Ring tempts you" mechanic didn't exist, these cards would probably integrate pretty well into MTG
Parasitic mechanics are parasitic. Same thing with energy tokens.
Building a LOTR set cube now! Great with this guide!
I played magic for 1 month in high school and now trying to get back into it with magic arena could you please make a video with tips on playing magic arena thnak you :)
thanks for the video great information i have not played in a while and i am playing magic again
This is the set I'm thinking about spending my draft tokens on. I passed on Innistrad.... INNISTRAD! ever since I heard about this set. I'm finally gonna do it probably.
Love the hairstyle prof!
Watching this in prep for my prerelease in a hr.
So far, my two biggest gripes are the odd color pie choices and the fact that's there's no downside to the ring tempting you.
Going to prerelease tomorrow. Can’t wait!!
hi in brand new, love LOTR brand, ive been watching alot of your videos. your hair is getting longer!!!! thanks for the introductory information!
Pre-release sealed is fun folks! Much more beginner friendly. Especially if you're used to commander and don't play other formats.
Got the Aragorn commander deck. So pumped to use it
I haven’t played magic since ravinca! 😮 so many new mechanics! I love LOTR and have seen the movies 20 times and read the books at least 5 times. So im high three digits in on pre orders but all of this scares me! I’ll be having to teach people (LOTR fans) to have anyone to play with. Am I just burning money?!
My sealed experience was just getting dumpstered by red white. I think theoden and some of the creatures in that archetype are busted in limited.
I’m thinking about entering a tales of middle earth draft this helps thanks
Glad to know I actually stand a chance if I do join a draft
Im excited for the pre release tonight!
Thanks sir im now ready to rock this FNM
Thanks for this! My prerelease is in 3 hours.
Cherry tomato food tokens are a must
The mono-blue Uncommon Gandalf looks to be a glue creature for a couple archetypes. He draws cards when the Ring tempts you, so he's good in Azorius Draw 2. He has Flash and gives your spells Flash, so he's good in Dimir Control (can hold up mana on opponent's turn and flash him in) and Izzet Spells (Sorceries at Instant speed are very good).
Keep and eye out for Gandalf Glue.
liked for using the word ‘myriad’. I just think its a good word
Was waitnig for this video
If we are doing crossovers like this, I really want to see a Marvel one. I know it doesn't fit the typical fantasy that magic depicts, but I think it'd be super cool.
I would love that too, but Marvel is owned by Disney, which does not like to share :(
Others have said this, but there are a plethora of spells in the UR deck that make creature tokens.
Mount Doom is not a board wipe in limited. The RB deck in most situations isn't possible to build to get to that amount of mana and it requires a legendary artifact. There are only 14 in the set and all but 3 are rare or mythic and of the 3 uncommon ones 2 are nearly unplayable. OK, there are 2 artifact creatures you could make your ringbearer and one of them is pretty good in the RB deck, but it has defender so it's a nonbo as the bearer and the other one is very bad. You don't play bad cards to make your good cards better in limited and expect to win.
This happened in the last set you released a limited guide for as well. Kaya was clearly not a first pick bomb, and while data suggests she did play well by 17lands users, her mana cost was far beyond the speed of the format that you could reliably cast her before dying or her not being enough to stabilize.
Allready on my way to the prerelease 😊
Thanks prof. Only you can come at it like this. You make it look easy but i know it's not.
Great video again! 🖖🐰🍷
Can't wait for this tonight
I feel like you're undervaluing Ringsight.
I would have thought Gandalf the Grey was a better signpost card for the Blue/Red combination? He gives you a choice of 3 powerful abilities and 1 retreat ability every time you cast an Instant or Sorcery, including dealing direct damage and duplicating the spell you just cast.
He's a rare, not an uncommon
Great hall of the citadel is great for splashing. Not sure how Gray havens works. Play in mill?
Wow. Daily uploads.
pregaming for the prerelease with this and a 6 pack
Off topic rant here, it is complete BS that the Shire Lands are NOT available in the MTGA packs. You must buy with gold/gems. I know they come in the real packs as I played seal on Friday.
Thanks Prof!
Please make a video pointing out how ugly the grey triangles are on the bottom of non rare and even basic land cards, as part of the frames.
I understand for some reason they want something more than just the set symbol to show that it is universes beyond… well the only thing that triangle is, is beyond ugly.
It robs the cards of so much eye appeal, by ruining the margins and space for text for some cards. On others like the borderless mirkwood bats, it’s impact is even worse.
The rares having it as a foil security stamp is okay, but with it being lord of the rings the fact that it is a triangle shape is very unorganic and makes it feep less whimsical, or fantasy for me.
Am I the only one that feels this way??
Thanks for this video prof
cant wait for the review of LOTR starter deck
Hey professor are you going to play sealed this weekend?
I ran an old man willow smeagol, helpful guide sac + food engine
That sounds super cool! I also added that to my frodo/sam prerelease decklist
When referring to the land cycling cards he says, "Count these as mana sources in deck construction." What does that entail exactly?
Just in time. I got pre-release in 8 hours. 😅
Haven't played since Strixhaven, can't wait to go to a prerelease today. Thanks Prof!!!
Many magic the gathering players ask the question: is it worth it to go to commandfest Orlando ??? Answer is no. In addition the proff was hardly there and perhaps played maybe a total of 5 games in 3 days??? Judging by the amount you pay just to attend and participate in the events you’re better off buying singles. Not to mention the tickets you can earn by grinding all day are worth less than at Dave &Busters