A Magical Huffalump Resides Here

FBF 20120211 - Feedback Friday Mousehunt THE RAWR Edition

2012-02-11T00:39:00.001+08:00

Dave and jacob

(apparently I am in late and they have been on for about half an hour.. sorri ppl)

I came in and they were just playing a bit of the Ronza song...

and its pretty good !!!!

Will the tool bar make a return?

I think Dave said never or someday not sure

chedoir??? in Larry's lexicon?

but not published.... it was from a year ago

36hr log?

technical limitation.. does'nt scale

but with the new scoreboard.... some how mmmaaaaybe can , a fucntional posiibility...

some random stuff about why they do random stuff

are King's Rewards random,

they are (but are triggered)

apparently its been 35 mins???

will solo tourney's be in?
Dave:

in the cards
but not soon
after expansion of teams tho

will have valentine tournamnts!

Charm pack 2? some trickled out : mining charm

Living garden ? This year but there might be other areas

they joke about solo tournaments for valentines

and they go back to heart shaped codes????

????

bubyes!

and they fade with the MH music

A Ronza Song

2012-02-10T21:55:00.001+08:00

This has actually been out for a few days I think, I wanted to post but it did'nt seem too news worthy... hey, its been slow! =P

Meanwhile I am chillin' out in ZZ towers!

heidavey (the guy who had his Magma Base removed)

2012-02-04T18:19:00.003+08:00

Well... I think this deserves a post =P

heidavey , henceforth known as heidavey (the guy who had his Magma Base removed) on the forums has ermmm requested and Michele has acceded to the removal of his magma base, he has also sold his Dragon Jade Base.

Good Lord... I don't think its worth it, but I guess thats principled living for you (Tho in a game i enjoy, I would allow others to mess with me ... hmmm actually in life too - I am no Mother Teresa I'm afraid =P)

Still if you play MH you know how important the bases are. Now this is not to say that heidavey is great and all that, but he could possibly have a great character and is noble and all that. I say possbibly, why, because it only makes sense if heidavey like and continues to play MH, only then can we say that he is truely a mousehunter and the base means something and his point holds. For someone to give up something he is not in the least interested in is to give up nothing. (Which is actually the point he was trying to make I guess, or at least that the Magma is not a NEED). Time will tell, if heidavey stays and remains a true mousehunter, then we have a great MouseHunter right there (and is probably a great person in life too =) )

It all started with this thread

and it and many other whiners caused this

Respect Heidavey =)

The Guide to the Fiery Warpath

2012-02-04T17:17:00.001+08:00

Well this is the place holder for the post =P

How good is the Warpath Thrasher??? How should you use the Warpath Thrasher??

Someone did an analysis!!!

The google doc itself can be found here

=P I did'nt cover this weeks Feedback Friday FBF120204

2012-02-04T07:16:00.005+08:00

well it was an art feedback friday =P

Any ways you can ger Jeremiah's coverage here.

DO read it, there is a very cool proposal (wedding) by someone and the pic is this

(the original pic was from Jeremiah =))

Oh and Ronza will stay till the 5th!!!

Dark Ascension

2012-01-29T02:07:00.004+08:00

Dark Ascension is out!

The link above is to the spoiler =)

played in the pre-release today at a small card shop at Bishan.

About 8-10 players I think. Only 1 flight, but given the turnout I guess 1 flight was plenty =) and we played from 2pm to about 5 or 6 pm , so yeah it was plenty =)

I won 2 lost 1 and drawn 1

got two packs for my troubles

The game i lost was 2-1 but I don't really fancy my chances against that deck

Game one 1-1

I played against a deck that had Saint T (the one with an accompanying 4/4 Angel). Blue White ... not sure if there was red or green

First match the Saint appeared, somehow I survived. I hate an opposing undying. It is very strong.

Second Match I got mana screwed (he got mana flooded) but in the end he had a better board position. I might have been able to tough it out for a draw as I was beginning to stabilise and we had to finish the game in 5 turns (I had a few tokens) ... hmmm actually I can't remember but we took it as I lost due to the board position. He offered to concede though.

I think he did outright win at least eventually his last big play was a counterspell bounce. I remember a proper 3 for 3 block ( with 3 against 2 after battle resolved - I think) but he had the better board position anyways.

Game Two 2-0

played against a young player. He was relatively inexperience but the deck he built was decent. To be fair it was play mistakes that got him. His bombs were a black card that killed everything with the same name (kept ripping my spirit tokens and Niblis) and the bat that transforms into a 5/5? Vampire.

Matches 1 and 2 were pretty much the same

He had a fling which he misplayed else I might have lost. I say might because my deck had some answers.. As always it was whether the answers were in time to meet the questions =P

Game three 2-0

I played his cousin also rather young. His play is tighter, which meant I had less room for mistakes (I actually misplayed alot in the previous game)

He played a white base deck, similar to mine. Except he seemed heavier on the Humans with some black for fat vampires.

Mine was a white based deck which is has humans + human friendly equipment + a whole host of white flying spirits/tokens and a touch of black for graveyard replacement.

match one was close. He got me down to 2, but I did a full 6 with Rally the peasants for the win

match two was less close. though he got me down to 9 before I stabilised and took the board and won with flyers. I think he had green ... I am not sure.. I am sure he had black.

Smart kid, he learnt (or already understood) that life points are not so important (he made a comment to his friend that me being on 9 does'nt mean he is winning).

Myself I am not so comfortable with strategies that get me low on life =P I like to lock up and deny resources and staying safe and happy, which was'nt what this deck does, this deck pings slowly and tries to get get board position by trading and then winning around mid to late game with flyers, and if that fails I recurse. hence the long drawned games.

Game Four 1-2

I got paired with someone with 3-0. Blue red and serious player and plays fast as well. Only made one mistake I think. Much tighter player, which meant even less room for mistakes from me (I am a rather casual player)

Bombs were a undying and huge Zombie, the flyer that turns into a control magic

1st match I could deal with an undying Zombie , I think I had some mana problems but by time I recovered my board position was pretty bad and to be fair I think my deck sucks against his =P He had pretty heavy removal (something i utterly forgot to gauge when i looked at my card selection, my only removal was the slayer and the guilt thing). His deck utterly bypassed my removal, as most of his creatures are not targetable by the slayer or had undying (hello zombie!) or bouncing (mitigating my guilt enchantment thingy).

And he had a life gain Chalice thing on, so my pings did not bring his life down. I believe I lost with his life points at 19.

2nd match I managed to get my airforce online. He control magicked my cloisstered youth but airforce made it to the dome. He did'nt have much action going so I think he was mana flooded.

3rd match I think was pretty quick. He beat me with my Niblis *sigh* and his beats were bigger I think. Most of my creatures were dealt with and he had board advantage. I think he had burn in hand as well. So it was quite absolute. =P

overall I think my cards were okay, i did'nt have any bombs. the strategy was sound but will crumble against a well built deck. I had 13 creatures in white, with cc between 1-3 and a 5cc 3/2 flyer . No biggies. So the strategy was beat fast maintain position and punch through either by numbers or evasion(flying). With black added for some love from the grave. I had no big beaters and little removal. I think I could have used more mana and maaaaybe had too many equipments. But definitely the blue-red deck at the end was much better built. Perhaps less resilent, but it delivers the knock out before resilence is important.

I got two packs for my troubles so it was cool. =)

And no I did'nt open anything of value *sighz*

FBF 20120128 - Feedback Friday Mousehunt

2012-01-28T01:21:00.002+08:00

Dave or someone with a pic of him infront of his face

J:how did you enjoy the new year event?

people like the art, need more potions etc

I think its georgio

apparently Dave is late because his keyboard is ruined

Gergio: what is your favourite new mouse?

no answer? kudos to the art
Dragon and Calli got kudos

Doing miniscreen as big screen crashes

random stuff about the ceiling

Georgio is back with fake dave

Georgio is back.....? or someone else posing as Dave

it is really Dave!

finally they do FBF

Georgio's got questions for Dave

Ronza questions

Do you ever think Ronza will bring old traps

Dave says nono!

something about homonym

google clarified stuff

more stuff about the Coffee

Will Ronza be here on time?

Dave says Ronza is commited to coming before February

Does dave get discount on ROnza Traps?

Dave says nono!

lots of random stuff about Batman Forever

Thats all the ROnza questions!

Will Muridae baskets be back?

Dave will know!

Something similar in the future

Any plans to stack golden shields?

there was a proposal... they will try to make shield special but
no confirmation?

Ronza Spoiler?

Dave: some random stuff about curding

collectable item sets?

can get lich jewel with NNT?

nearly impossible (extremely rare)

How many plankrun drped by Slith

Dave: dunno, no stats

They have some database... some random searching

apparently it does'nt drop plankrun???

wiki might be wrong?

Ho wman y people silvere dthe elder?

will need to run a query

Is the numebr slap cats slapped etc?

stat not tracked

How did Tournies go up without down time?

Dave : optimised

Some one replaced the labels on Dave's food cans

is Dragon Seal L.E.

Dave: too early

How would you rate mouse hunt as a newbie?

some deep stuff.... about games mechanics....

will we ever see L.E. skins and charm

Dave: most likely

Can see Franco?

yes definitely

Franco appears!

Franco reveals what Darcy did!

apparently coffee leaked from his bag?

Some random chat

Will there be more charm brewing potions?

some random msyterious answer....

are there any plans for whisker woods tournaments?

yes, and more will be added

I missed something here

and they are talking about rocks in a box?

beets they love

some random stuff

Hi5? ends in Feb

Dave's pic says: its new info to them... the will try to transfer Hi5 to FB

they will try to ease the transition

something about beets

some randoms tuff

some thinfs they don;t tell us so that they can change

will there be changes made to the skins Sphnyx and onstrobot?

Jacob says maybe for the Sphynx make it look meaner
not for monstro tho, also it is not on high priority

Is there chrome trap coming

Jacob was painting his bathroom with chrome paint -.-

Plans to hav e HUD for windmill

Yes, but on back burner

probably done on time like the FBF art fridays, no guarantees

Dave:

They do read the forums
normally they don't make changes, so bad streaks are probably just that

...

Unless you are Andrew Stevenson =P

I think they were hoping to fit the Icewing somwjere, but lots of goofing... hard to make out

Plushie mice?

jacob: maybe

Will mice become permananent?

Jacob: probably just event

something of remving the 2011 from the rockets?

I think the firecrasker...? note sure...

Kudos received for the firecracker box

apparently the box was meant as an indicator for what you should do.

Overflowing means you got more than enough

full is sopposed to be the amount you nned to get costume dragon? But it is approximate

Solo tournaments?

not likely?

Jacob likes Disney

They massage a bean bag...

lots of random stuff.... losing it

they are singing....

When CNY event willl end

---- probably will coincide with the actualy 15 day cycle?

7th Feb? thereabouts

Valentines will be low key... some mice

My Christmas Cards are finally here!!!

2012-01-26T00:20:00.010+08:00

Well actually of the 6 cards, 5 were here.

i bought them from StarCityGames, on 23 and it arrived just today 25th Jan... 1 month.

Ah well.

So here is a pic of them:

The cards are:

From 2006 Fruitcake Elemental

From 2007 Gifts Given

From 2008 Evil Presents

From 2009 Season's Beatings

From 2010 Snow Mercy

From 2011 Yule Ooze

I wanted to get four of each but that was a little expensive =P so I had to settle for 1 of each , at least I can get a cube going =D

Is Magma's Reign Over?

2012-01-22T09:48:00.005+08:00

So which is better ?

Spellbook? Magma? Golden? Silver?

This is the summary. (Which you can do for yourself of course =P)

No weapon, just bases and charm (best charm)

Spell book base + Spellbook charm
----------------------------------

1000 raw power

power bonus = 22%

attr= 5

luck 7

Fresh

Silver T + Champion charm
-------------------------

800 raw power

15% power bonus

Attr = 5%

Luck 13

Very Fresh

Golden T + Champion Charm
------------------------

900 raw power

20% power bonus

Attr 10%

Luck 15

Extremely Fresh

Magma + Champion Charm
-----------------------

700 raw power

13% Power bonus

Attr = 5%

Luck = 13

Insanely Stale

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So Magma is outclassed by Silver and Golden IF the champion charm is armed. If you are using a specialised cheese, say Crunchy, then Magma is still better.

I actually did a comparison to compare Spellbook versus Golden and Silver if Spellbook charm is used =)

I have always knowned the Spellbook charm is a bit of a sleeper (well at least people don't seem too wowed by it). It has served me well. But in the recent tournament, its use was pretty good. I switched from Champion charm to Spellbook charm (using SBB) and it seemed to be equivalent to the champion charm minimally.

In fact I am now farming it =D as being the power supporter, I like it quite abit (it also does help that trap effectiveness was a significant variable)

Golden cuts it pretty close, to the point that even when biasing power, I might use golden (besides Champion Charms are far easier to get). But against Silver i will still use SBB + Spellbook Charm

So is Magma outclassed? If you arm the Champion charms yes, if not then Golden is like a better Spellbook Base (w/o Spellbook charm) and Silver is like a lesser Spellbook Base (w/o Spellbook charm).

Guide to Furoma Master Hunt Tournament

2012-01-21T10:54:00.002+08:00

This is a guide for a Furoma Master Hunt

there are the 3 player kinds and the 4 5 player kinds.

I am going to ignore the number of players and duration of the tournament.

Though those are definitely important variables. I might come back to those but for now, its just the general stuff.

I expect the scope and mice values might change, so I guess I should put it up front so we know what we are talking about =)

----------------------------------------

Scope:

Furoma
- Training Grounds
- Dojo
- Meditation Room
- Pinnacle Chamber

1 point:

Gold Mouse
Diamond Mouse

15 points:

Ninja Mouse
Kung Fu Mouse
Samurai Mouse

20 points:

Student of the Cheese Belt Mouse
Student of the Cheese Claw Mouse
Student of the Cheese Fang Mouse
Master of the Dojo Mouse (Mojo)
Dojo Sensei (Sojo)

25 points:

Master of the Cheese Belt Mouse
Master of the Cheese Claw Mouse
Master of the Cheese Fang Mouse

50 points:
Dumpling Chef Mouse
Worker Mouse

100 points:

Assassin Mouse

---------------------------------------------------------

There are definitely a few routes to take:

1) From the Beginning
2) Maki Baby
3) Master Ba... hmmm

Alrighty, what routes you take really is dependent on what cheese you have ready and your rank. If your rank is higher you probably have better traps and can hunt the stronger mice better. Your cheese will determine what you can hunt.

Its really How? What? and Where? lol so cliche huh

How : is the traps you have
What : the mice you hunt, which is determined by your cheese
Where : You can't hunt all categories of mice, sometimes due to location

Anyways the how what where logic will be applied so here we go!

(Incidentally, I suppose the duration and size of team and number of teams is the when? When do you hunt what? =P i.e. not so much time but the appropriate time, time not as a continuum but time as event triggered, situational)

1) From the Beginning

If you come in totally unprepared. This is the route you take.

If you come in as a new player with SB to burn. This is the route you take.

If you come in as a new player with no SB to burn. This is also the route you take.

If you are a new player, likely you just want to stick to the Training Grounds. SB will get you the better mice, with the occasional Dumpling and Worker. So you do get those spurts of luck, more so if you have SB+ armed.

If you are higher ranked and/or have better traps. Say that shiny 2012 Boomboxtrap, then you can proceed to hunt the students in the Dojo. if you have Maki, use maki. You can craft or buy Maki off the Marketplace.

If you are totally new and missed the boombox... I'm afraid you will have to stay in the Sandbox kid, *ahem* I mean the Training Grounds yeah.

Actually if you have the 2012, you can proceed to Meditation Room and have a go at Masters. even up to Mojo. (I think Sojo will be really painful)

Note however that if you do go beyond the Masters, and go for Mojo and above, it gets a little luck based since you will miss quite a bit.

Better to stick in the Training Grounds and eat Dumplings or Workers. I.e. you can get lucky with this route.

2) Maki Baby!

If you have loads of Maki you can try this route. It helps in your Furoma run and the points are decent.

What you give up though are the chances of getting lucky. You should get less workers, and arming Maki, probably quite a bit less.

But it is consistent and you build your Furoma runs =D !

3) Master Ba... hmmm

This is the route you take if your trap is very strong.

You hunt masters! You poo poo the students! Or maybe you are just in that phase of a Furoma run. -.-

But no matter! You Hunt masters and you hunt them consistently ! Only with more points than the Maki Babies!!

Do note: you too give up the chance of getting lucky for more consistency.

What not to do:

Hunt Mojos or Sojos - Even with a Sphynx you miss. The points do not justify going after them.

And thats it from me. There are certain difference of course of the duration is long and the number and composition of players are different

but quickly:

Long durations means, your chances of meeting that elusive Dumpling is higher!

Also if you have lower level players or unprepared players, they might be better off taking route 1, so in a long run getting lucky can help break the duck between teams. Better than sputtering trying to catch masters. This is even more important once endurance tournaments are up. Then even a team full of high level player will still consider putting one member in route 1 to ensure the amplifier!

More active players also means you can afford to put someone in route one to try to get lucky. If you are in a passive team, then you will need to focus on the higest and most consistent option.

i.e. Route 2 or 3

Of course if you are a new player, really its still route 1 unless! you have the BBT, then if you have the cheese you can try for Route 2. Route 3 will be less consistent even with BBT and RR level traps. Its pretty good still so worth a shot.

And that roughly what I have for Furoma Master Hunt Tournaments =)

Happy Hunting ppl!

The Mysteriosu Platinum Base

2012-01-21T09:47:00.003+08:00

So far we know there is such a thing, but when will it be released????

This is a placeholder to aggregate info as I find it =P I was intrigued by the forum post so it in the title link =)

Happy Hunting!

Mousehunt Tournament Tips

2012-01-07T16:43:00.008+08:00

Tournaments are just starting... well actually its been a few days.

For tournament administration stuff you can go here =)

My team has been through quite a few tournaments and we were also in the tournaments the first time round.

Now the caveat to this post is that my team is rather casual. We are hardly ever at full strength and our target is normally the top 50%.

All said. Tournaments are not really for the casual mousehunter =P

You WILL need at least one member in the tournament taking the anchor role and hunting regularly or at least set up some kind of schedule for team members to take turns at helming the run.

I've been with my team for a while and I like the fact that we are casual (mousehunt is just a game afterall). Still I am seriously considering adding in the fifth member to at least plump up our active members during a tournament.

I only fear the resultant unhappiness (which I actually doubt will happen). But I do hope to have everyone in the team progress and do not mind if a member is inactive and still is in the tournament as he/she will still gain the points. And the sporadic horns are still valuable.

What to do?

Anyways, if you are like me, in a team where it is quite casual and you are the only hyper active (I just missed an entire tourney myself, Good Lord, so I am no better =P) member *cough*. Then this article is kinda for you , but even hardcore tournament wannabies can also take a leaf of two from here =)

So... some tips:

1) Get a tournament which has enough time for everyone to join in (give about 12 hrs ++)

2) Get one with a longer duration 12 hrs to 1 day

3) Get a tournament where there are 100 pt mice

4) Somebody needs to be an anchor

5) Everyone should try to log in once per hour if possible

6) Try to get a tournament with amplfier (now known as endurance - which is'nt out yet as of this writing)

7) Strategise!!

.....

oh not enough?

well I'll elaborate then =)

1) Get a tournament which has enough time for everyone to join in (give about 12 hrs ++)

This is largely because my teammates are a little international, so getting consensus is difficult. So normally I will just choose one tournament then invite them to join =)

2) Get one with a longer duration 12 hrs to 1 day

Again related to the international nature of the team. We sleep at different times and have work etc etc (we are really a casual team =P) So the longer the duration of the tournament the more likely we will be active at some point =) Whats the big deal about that bit of activity you might ask? It brings us to point 3)

3) 100 pt mice. This format is really built for the casual team, an off chance horn can blow you a NY mouse or Party head! giving you 100pts. That is a tremendous buffer to gain on other teams. its all luck, its all random , its all good =) Tournaments where the mice pts are very close are supremely difficult for casual teams like us, so the 100pt mice give us a leg up. Incidentally this is also tied to point 6)

4) Anchor Boy! For all the hope that I am giving you that a casual team can survive in the very competitive tournament environment... I lied, you still need at least one commited hunter. This is especially important with 6) . In the future when the mice composition becomes more varied, strategies will involve anchors in the meadow! =P No I kid you not. by then you probably need 2 active hunters unfortunately =/

5) Logging in once per hour keeps your "presence" which means the anchor will still take the inactive hunters on horncalls, giving much needed points. EXTREMELY important for endurance tournaments.

6) Endurance tournaments are not out yet, but how they work is as follows: there is an amplifier, and with each hour it goes up by 1 (up to four), to maintain it, there must be at least one successful catch per hour. Simple enough right =P The amplfier is a multiplier to the pts given by a mouse. so 1 pt becomes 4pts, 10 becomes 40, 100 becomes OMG =P The key is maintaining the amplifier. Even the top teams will falter due to differing time zones and sleeping times. Which is why my team is so strange, we were built for endurance =P Tho we are really casual and the best position we ever ended with was 8th hehe. but like I said we are hardly ever at full strength =P

7) Strategise! You need to know what mice are there and what are the best ways to get the best mice. it might the location or the bait, or the difficulty of catching the mice. Different members may have differing strengths and should catch the best mice they can. And then there is the anchor =P The anchor's role is to sit in the meadow and maintain the amplier (actually the first step of every top team is to go to the meadows to "charge up" the amplier, then the anchor stays there =)) The mice composition will change for each tournament. If in doubt, take a look at where the top teams are to get some clue =D

Thats my very vague two cents for tournaments =) You probably will not hit 1st 2nd or 3rd very often if at all, that will require all members to be dedicated (not impossible but difficult and generally I don't like being around competitive ppl too much and being on tilt all the time =P). But it is probably enough to get you in top 50% most of the time =)

Which is why i am really hoping the gold base will not actually require a gold trophy =/ If it is just grinding for tournament tokens, my team is still up to it, but if it requires a gold trophy, .... I am gonna need that 5th member soon =P

Heh if my team members ever read this? no offense intended at all, I love you all still even tho we never did hit gold ;)

--------------------- 20120108 22:50hrs

Now something interesting about how the ranking in a tournament is done can be found in this link

Summary:

Initially all teams with the same point got the same prize, but the prize was not limited.

e.g. there are three top prizes, gold,silver,bronze.

If 3 teams tied for top position with the same points, they all get gold! And the batch of teams with the next highest points get silver and so on. =D

Now though it works more normally. If 3 teams tied for gold, they all get gold still, but no silver and bronze, the next 25% (of the total number of teams) get te competitor badge and so on. More fair definitely, but less prizes of those of us less endowed =P

Note all these are true only as of now. It may change =)

----------------------------------- 2012 01 13 07:06

Tournament Hall and King's Arms are open!!!!

Erm the King's Arms are literally that... arms lol

Oki.... lets see, you reall should go look for your self it pretty cute, everything =)

King's Arms

- Nothing new here I think its the new Prize Shoppe =P

Tournament Hall

- General Store
- Champion Charms
- Various Champion Kits (like the King Credit Shoppe but classier =P)
- Champion's Ring (which looks like its just a collectible)
- Mouse Statutte (Apparently it appears in the camp page?? not sure how that will work =))

Trap Smith:

Bronze Tournament Base ( 300 Power )
Power Bonus: 5%
Attraction Bonus: 3%
Luck: 5
Cheese Effect: Fresh
The Bronze Tournament Base is a reward for hunters who have shown they are capable of competing in hunting tournaments.

When armed alongside a Champion Charm, in addition to the charm's luck, this base glows with an extra +2 luck, for a total of 10 luck
Requirement: 25 tokens

---------------------------

Silver Tournament Base ( 400 Power )
Power Bonus: 10%
Attraction Bonus: 5%
Luck: 7
Cheese Effect: Very Fresh
The Silver Tournament Base is a reward for hunters who have shown not only their ability to compete in hunting tournaments, but their dedication to winning tournaments!

When armed alongside a Champion Charm, in addition to the charm's luck, this base glows with an extra +3 luck, for a total of 13 luck!

Requirement: 80 tokens / Bronze base

-----------------------------------

Golden Tournament Base ( 500 Power )
Power Bonus: 15%
Attraction Bonus: 10%
Luck: 8
Cheese Effect: Extremely Fresh
The Golden Tournament Base is a reward that is renowned as a symbol of a seasoned tournament competitor. Only the most dedicated of hunters dare set the goal of obtaining this opulent base.

When armed alongside a Champion Charm, in addition to the charm's luck, this base glows with an extra +4 luck, for a total of 15 luck!

Requirement: 200 tokens/ Silver base

-------------------------------

Various Skins
Sentinel
Sphynx
Monstro!!

-------------------------------

If you are thinking of saving Tokens, just to buy only the Golden Tournament base, you can't. The preceding base is a requirement! =P

Thats way better than requiring a Gold Trophy! Thanks Devs! =D

Happy Hunting ppl!

New Year 2012 Mousehunt and Ronza!!!

2011-12-31T13:29:00.081+08:00

Now.

The question on your mind surely must be.

Whare did I put that cat.

no no thats not it =P

Seriously. The Big Boom Trap. and Ronza. Ronza. Yes Ronza!

What to do when ROnza comes around?

Gold.

Spam gold and try to get a few millions. Don't cry or beg if you don't have enough. Just know that you tried. And pick your poison. *cough* Trap.

So I guess the big questions would be:

1) is The Big Boom TRAP worth it?
2) How do I spam gold?

1) This depends. Are you a collector and how old are you anyways?!? nono MH old =P

If you are a new player? The Big Boom TRAP (henceforth TBBT) is a very good buy and you will likely use it alot.

The stats are as follows:

2012 Big Boom Trap ( 2,500 Tactical Power )
Power type: Tactical
Power Bonus: 15%
Attraction Bonus: 20%
Luck: 25
Cheese Effect: Extremely Stale

See it is identical to the RR (Rewer's Riposte), except for cheese effect and less power but more attraction

RR
Cost: 605,000 gold
Points Required: 108,900
Power: 2,900
Power Type: Tactical
Power Bonus: 15%
Attraction Bonus: 5%
Luck: 25
Cheese Effect: Fresh

So essentially it is a trade in raw power and freshness (chesse effect) for attraction.

Is attraction good? It depends. Different areas have different attraction and the effect of attraction and even its amplitude I suspect can be altered. (Hence I don't really believe the formula as amplitude is fixed).

I have observed that in the tribal Isles, upping your attraction to 20% total and using Gouda, gives you a near Super Brie effect. In other areas, either I have'nt hunted there enough OR the degree of effect is different, but it still plays a part.

So is attraction important? To me as a rule of thumb, any trap with an attraction greater than 15% is worth a second look. I mean I use my Snob many times not for the luck but for the attraction! (But the luck is definitely a VERY nice bonus).

Oh btw, getting this trap, if you do not have the RR. YES! You can now spam Furoma for gold =)

NOW. If you are a vet. no. veteran. (I knoe I knoe mice and all, hence the confusion) This trap may not have a purpose if you have RR or Sphynx. But its main thrust is still decent power and luck coupled with Attraction!

The Snob is many times limited by its low raw power. The luck increases its reach, but it has its limits. Now this traps presents something with Snobbish Attraction and a bit more power!

Nothing to sniff at really. It is a small boost yes, but a boost nevertheless.

If you are a collector. Why am i even talking to you? *walks away*

2) How do I spam gold:

If you have access to Furoma and you can get the the Furoma crates/boxes or you have loads of tokens or maki AND you have RR or Spynx or ZFM or the lovely trap from above the TBBT. You can spamz Furoma. Enjoy.

If you are not high level enough then it is either:

Cats or the Mouseuleum. Cats if you can of course. And the mouseuleum, go in and prepare to stay there for a while, because it is swingy. Cats if you have the ACRO or za Nutcracker is a good place too if you cannot access Furoma.

There is actually a third option. One that I used to swear by. It is supposedly better than Cats, but inferior to Furoma. AND it is swingy. That is Derr of the Tribal Isles. If you have Monstro (why would you have monstro but cannot access Furoma is beyond me) or Enraged!! Derr is good too. If you have Rhino... he is really good but painful. I'll just leave it at that =)

So those are your options Happy Hunter, May you spam gold and get loads from Ronza!

------------------------ 20111231 14:23

Important NOTE:

Don't spend/arm your firecracker charms, it is not a static requirement, they are consumed when you buy the trap !!!

Also firecrackers and firecracker charms are the SAME thing. This has been confirmed.

------------------------------ 20111231 19:06

And someone has bought the trap and kindly posted the pic =)

The poster thinks its ugly tho.. I think it looks fine =)

...

I am still waiting for my first New Year Mouse =/

------------------------------ 20120102 06:59

Well its really 2012 now....

and for some reason I keep thinking its TBBT when I myself pasted 2012 Big Boom Trap ...

==' *sighz*

so henceforth it is 2012BBT ... man that looks ugly....

we'll just leave it as 2012 BBT or BBT I guess =P

and mouse fans? if you are still waiting for that elusive New Year mouse? Hang in there! The mouse is definitely out there.

I have bought TWO of the traps.

Don't hit/hate me =P

Then again I bought the feta.

BUT. The point I am trying to make? If you are hunting for feta? Try to get to 100-200 then go New Year mouse hunting. And don't keep traveling. Sometimes you get lucky true, but by the same token sometimes you get UNlucky, so just try to stick.in.one.place.

Let the law of averages take its course. And for than to happen you need to accumulate feta and stay in one place.

That is my advice.

I cannot say I understand your frustration at not getting the mouse (3 days ago I could, but even then 3 days ago some have already crafted.. go figure =p). But I can safely tell you, the mouse is definitely out there. And you do have a few more good days to go before the Snow Fortress melts!

Hopefully. =/ .

Well no point moping right. Git Hunting!

May you get your New Year MICE soon =)

PS: if you are interested to know my setup is :

NNT/Cheesecake/Winter Wood charm or Winter charm/LGS/feta

Been in Snow Fortress for the past few days =)

--------------------------------- 20120104 00:19

The Big Boom Trap =)

-----------------------------------20120105 07:14

The GWH ENDS on 9th Jan (Dev time I suppose) !! Its in the ticker!!! Time to STRATEGISE PANIC !!!! *ahem*

---------------------------------20120106 06:54

Its official =)

The devs did not say the 2012 BIG BOOM TRAP will still be around, BUT they did say it is only available while the Snow Fortress is around, so better get it quick =) ALSO in the official statement above, the 2010 BIG BOOM TRAP is on the todo list before the GHW ends, so all indications seem to point to the 2012 BIG BOOM TRAP not being around after the GHW ends (i.e. likely you will not be able to buy it when Ronza comes)

Happy Hunting ppl!

----------------------------------------20120108 22:48hrs

The GWH will end sometime tomorrow or about a day left. I am GMT +8, so I guess we have almost a day left =P

Anyways I guess the foremost thing on your mind now (if you have'nt already done everything and is'nt already covered in this humongous post) is:

Is the 2012 BBT worth it?

Well ISSIT ISSIT???!!>>! you say?

IT IS IT IS!!! I say! Is that enough?? =P

Well I have already said somewhere that it is the closes to a Snob so there! =D

----------------------------------------- 20120121 09:08

wow long time edit here =P what with Tournaments taking most of my time now

Still last nights FBF had EVENT News!!

I did'mt want to do a full fledge FBF... but maybe I should ...tell ya what mousefans I will do one next week, this week I can only give you a hazt summary, but you best heade to the forum link here =P

anyways the big takeaways for me last night were these!

A BOX!!!! A BIG BOX!!! HOW WUNDERFUL!!! I like boxes... ... too much.

And theres a sign on it!!!!!

What can boxes do? You put things in em!!

And somehow there is this bottled Firecracker thing....

And this is obviously a turtle, devs say so. period.

...

Oki fine its the right side of a pic of a Dragon head =P probably a costumed mouse =P

Oh the FBF? There was Georgio, Jacob and a dev.. Dan??

Mostly Georgio fielding the questions. Stuff about this year being the year when community is the main thrust. I think it was in answer to how far do they plan in advance few months or years. And the answer was there is a main idea for the year, but they emphasised that player suggestion and views will influence their decisions. St patricks's day? Jacob is keen, but will need Dave's decision. Muridae basket? Dave's decision. There was also talk that the current prize distribution may be tweaked, current implementation of it is like a test drive. So those for better prizes in top 10, you have better reasons to hope for it. Myself being in a more casual team, I hope 1 token (JUST ONE!!!) will be given to teams or individuals that show some measure of effort.... for me and my partner (2 out of five man team) to score 340+ rank took effort. =/

ah well thems the breaks.

Also those that got heart attacks during the Tribal or Furoma runs, due to the 25% and 50% ranking qualification teetering back higher and higher can rest assure that it was an anommaly and its fixed! The 25% and 50% cutoffs are base on the numbers at START. =)

Thats all I have now... gotta prep for a 6 hour run... hope fully I get 1 or 2 tokens else its almost four days of tournaments (the continous over night kind) and no tokens to show. Ya thats the effort i meant... not even 1 token? *sighs* But thems the breaks. Yes I am whining, this is my blog, my space ya ? Thems your breaks if you you don't like it so there =P

Later I might post some stuffs on strategies in the Isles. Maybe. And future FBF... will still be hazy.. but hopefully a little less =P and I will post it in a separate post. I probably won't cover Jacobs art ones tho... maybe just provide the link and so on... if I am awake you get spoilers if not ... =P Thems the breaks.... darn this is now the whine of the day huh ... hope not. its gonna be a bright and shining day today w00t!

Happy Hunting!

---------------------------- 20120121 02:28

Event Alert!!!!

this was found on a dev profile!

2:15 am - Vacant Lot
I checked my trap and found that I had caught a mouse! I caught a 1 lb. 0 oz. Diamond Mouse worth 1,200 points and 600 gold.

The mouse also dropped the following loot:
1 Firecracker Charm

1:15 am - Vacant Lot
I checked my trap and found that I had caught a mouse! I caught a 9 oz. Gold Mouse worth 600 points and 1,200 gold.

The mouse also dropped the following loot:
1 Firecracker Charm

12:15 am - Vacant Lot
I checked my trap and found that I had caught a mouse! I caught a 4 oz. Calligraphy Mouse worth 1,888 points and 888 gold.

The mouse also dropped the following loot:
2 Firecracker Charms and 1 Luck Charm
12:12 am - Vacant Lot
I traveled to Year of the Dragon Festival for the cost of 510 gold.

The forum link is here

----------------------------------- 20120124 10:17

IT HAZ BEGUNZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

You can read the details in the newspost above which is already summarised, but in even shorter terms:

Get Firecracker charms (which you should have bucketloads of if you hunted to the end of the New Year Event) to hunt mice which drop bigger explosive stuff use those to hunt bigga mice!!!! There may also be potion drops (from Costumed Tiger Mouse ) to make nitropop charms! presumably to attract bigger badder --- scratch that, luckier ;) mice! You also need to capture the costumed dragon mouse to get a dragon seal. Then you have access to a spanking new ACRONYM skin. *cough* (it will cost 250 firecracker charms btw) alternatively, if you are short on firecrackers you can just buy it with FB credirs or paypal =P

Thats basically what it is for now =)

----------------------------------- 20120124 10:34

This is by a dev on the forums ... so you might not want to cash in the firecrackers so early.. =)

"The skin isn't the final reward for the event - as said before, it's the mice that are the reward. The skin is more along the lines of "another neat thing you can do once you've gone and caught the Costumed Dragon mouse". We didn't make that obvious, and I apologize for that."

------------------------------ 20120124 11:15

there is a nicely formatted guide to the even so far =)

------------------------------- 20120124 11:28

The Year of the Dragon Festival Acronym Skin!

I guess I should also add. As of now, there is no news of Ronza. *sadface*

----------------------------------- 20120124 13:26

now initially I used Brie but had 4 lootless and 1 FTA, I arm SB+ and BOOM!

current 7 of 9 had loot with 6 of the loot being the potion drop.

So if you want it quick definitely arm SB+

but note also you don't really get anything of use in terms of gameplay, just a pretty skin ;)

------------------------------------------ 20120124 13:48

might have just jinxed myself here

7 of 11 now =/

Statistics at work I guess =P

my setup is Monstro/Magma/SB+/LGS/Firecracker Charm

------------------------------------------ 20120124 13:48

The Calligraphy mouse can only be caught using SB+

Any of these:
Super Luck Charm
King's Credit
Nitropop Potion

Happy CNY Everyone! =)

------------------------------------------- 20120125 06:29

if you WONDER about your firecracker box! WONDER no more!

I meant, the empty, half full and over flowing bit =) You can find out more here, its a cut off thing =) I won't post the ranges here =P

Also rumours of a Dragon Kite abound!!!!

(Its a collectable, go to your profile by clicking on the MH shield and click on items tab then under collectibles, then under uncollected)

ta da!!! .... oki so maybe I was the only one wondering what it was for too long =P

Other factoids:
Once you have the Dragon Seal, you can buy the ACRO skin. If you attempt to crown the Costumed Dragon mouse, however note that the seal is maxed at 1 (also it is not consumed when you buy the skin =))

Have a good day ppl!

----------------------------- 20120125 21:41

A rather useful way to look at what trap setup to use, I feel , can be found here post number 5 =)

Essentially once you are at a "minimal" required amount of luck to catch mice of interest, essentially you should start focusing on attraction or freshness.

Note however that although we say a minimal amount of luck. You still do need power. For luck is NOTHING without power. Think of luck as a factor of power. Factor of zero? yep ;) So yes although we like to use luck as a measure of a trap's viability, its power (though less in effect) is still a key determinant of a trap's viability. The best example is really the Snob. Yes you probably hahaed that, but seriously run through the gauntlet, catch the mojos and Sojos and compare it with the 2012 (try to keep luck constant) I suspect you might see the difference.

---------------------------------------------- 20120125 23:04

don't know how legit this is (found it in the forums)... but is this a leak? orrr.....?

But if it is true? What of Ronza in January????

.

--------------------------------------- 20120126 00:42

To be honest, the "leak" seemed a little hastily done...so I have my doubts about it

and it does'nt quite gel with Ronza coming in jan.... that said she has 4 days left..

I actually think she might come in the next 5 hours... why?

Well most updates happen when i am asleep for some reason. I wake up, i log in, and I am a few hours late for the event or update or something =/

And why tomorrow? Well I notice a trend they like to release things for about a day (or a few days) then get feedback, yes the "pre FBF" theory =P

Sure its a long shot. But you got something better? =P

Anyways if you are hunting in the current event:

At the moment my Snob\SBB\Brie\LGS\Firecracker Charm seems to be doing okay... i am getting Nitropop drops.

Which is an interesting setup by the way. There are a few theories running around.

1) Luck does not affect loot
2) You should hunt with minimal luck (i.e. enough to catch) and use attraction

The argument for 2) is as follows: you attract more, catch more.

BUT.

we have learnt from the gauntlet that catching more does not translate into more lootz.

And we do have the Devs say that, lucks effect on loot is proportional to the chance of the loot dropping in the first place.

Essentially luck is like a multiplier (or some incremental factor) and the chance is some fixed number by the Dev. Say 0.001 % chance of a loot drop, a multiplier of 2 means 0.002% i.e. the effect is not discernable.

I believe this is the reason for alot of the unhappiness with the claim that luck increases loot. When pushed, proponents of 1) will fall back to : "Luck affects loot in a very small miniscule way". But that does not mean it does not exist nor that the increase in loot is definitively because of an increase in catch rate (though that is definitely a factor - a huge one too!)

Point is. I think the chance of a loot drop should be significantly higher for this event so.... interestingly. IF YOU BELIEVE! *whoah.....* that luck does increase loot, now is a good time to up your luck =)

So don't just go for attraction, go for luck too!

Now not to say attraction is not important! Thats why I use Snob, thats why I like the 2012 BBT. Because mousefans, these traps have high luck and attraction! =) A loot droppinz combo! 2012 has decent power and luck and attraction... ... actually what I meant to say is that 2012 has better power than Snob, hence for 2012 I will try to up luck or attraction (with the base), whereas for the Snob I am using SBB to try to up the raw power.

Its looking alright so far =) I might post stats... maybe.

happy Hunting ppl!

----------------------------------------------- 20120126 06:30

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I am awake...

and no ROnza =(

I is wrongz

.

Againz.

but read into this new rumour fresh Fresh FRESH from the forums

" Jacob Johnson
Ho'boy, I forgot how mind boggling painting chrome can be!
Like · · Share · 11 · about a minute ago · "

--------------------------------------------- 20120127 04:52

FESTIVE TOURNAMENTS ARE OUT!!!

Calling all Calligraphers
Costume Competition
Dragon Deception
Red Envelope Roundup

Is 5 am here .... I woke up at 4 plus... gave up trying to use the mobile to type lol

Also Dragon Seals have "a higer purpose" .... either Dave or Ronza =P smells like a trap or a .... new area??? =P ... likely a trap =P

------------------------------------------- 20120131 06:38

FinaLLY a reason to update!!!

you know, I know, we all know she is coming!!!!! But when???

Well SOON!! and Sooner than you think and this time is for real!!!

see this link and this link or maybe here!!!

----------------------------------- 20120201 03:03

Troll is troll =P

Apparently the devs meant Ronza is incredibly slow... so yes. No. No Ronza. not yet

=P

------------------------------------------------- 20120201 03:42

RONZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ronza's Items!!!

Chrome RhinoBot

Power: 6000 (Physical)
Power Bonus: 10%
Attraction Bonus: none
Luck: 27
Cheese Effect: Ultimately Stale

Chrome Tacky Glue Trap

Power: 70 (Physical)
Power Bonus: none
Attraction Bonus: 30%
Luck: 20
Cheese Effect: Stale

Warpath Thrasher

Power: 4500 (Physical)
Power Bonus: 10%
Attraction Bonus: 5%
Luck: 6
Cheese Effect: Stale
(this is the only time you will be able to a trap with 30 luck - only applicable to the waves in Warpath)

Jade Base

Power: 300
Power Bonus: 10%
Attraction Bonus: none
Luck: 4
Cheese Effect: Extremely Fresh

Dragon Jade Base

Power: 300
Power Bonus: 10%
Attraction Bonus: none
Luck: 10
Cheese Effect: No Effect

(If you do not have Magma, you should at least get this if you get nothing else!)

Tarnished Charm
1,000

Power: 0
Power Bonus: none
Attraction Bonus: none
Luck: none
Consumed Upon: Successful Catch
Read Description

Mining Charm
1,000

Power: 250
Power Bonus: 1%
Attraction Bonus: none
Luck: none
Consumed Upon: Encountering a Mouse

--------------------------------------- 20120201 07:03

I'll just do a quick evaluation of the traps =)

I think to really understand the impact of the traps you need to know its extra abilities.

Only the Warpath Thrasher has this problem though.

"At the beginning of each Warpath Wave, the Warpath Thrasher has 9,000 power and 30 luck! However, as you catch mice, the Warpath Thrasher becomes less effective and its power and luck will reduce."

First up tho:

Chrome RhinoBot

Power: 6000 (Physical)
Power Bonus: 10%
Attraction Bonus: none
Luck: 27
Cheese Effect: Ultimately Stale

This is definitely waaay better than old Rhino. Is it better than the Chrome Drillbot? Well it has 1 more luck and 2000+ more power but 10% less power bonus.
Still Chrome Drillbot is L.E. you either have it or your don't and if you do? Do you NEED the Chrome Rhinobot?my answer would be no, but it is a nice to have.

Monstro outdoes it in all departments though, so again depending on what you do have.

If you have the Sentinel? Chrome Rhinobot has less raw power, less bonus and no attraction. The only plus is that it has 1 more luck. So again no.

Now the War Thrasher is a more interesting piece for those who have reached the Warpath.

Warpath Thrasher

Power: 4500 (Physical)
Power Bonus: 10%
Attraction Bonus: 5%
Luck: 6
Cheese Effect: Stale
(this is the only time you will be able to a trap with 30 luck - only applicable to the waves in Warpath)

"At the beginning of each Warpath Wave, the Warpath Thrasher has 9,000 power and 30 luck! However, as you catch mice, the Warpath Thrasher becomes less effective and its power and luck will reduce."

At the beginning of each wave, it has more raw power and more luck than the monstrobot. I guess it is good as a luckier version of the Monstrobot. I don't think it is actually needed, but is really a nice to have.

For the others, if you have magma, the Dragon base is not required. =)

more later i gtg.

Happy Hunting!

--------------------------------------- 20120202 00:33

Th Chrome Tacky Glue Trap

It is a symbol really of the effort the MH devs make in listening to the players (well at least in the forums =P)

What is it good for? 70 power and 30% attraction and 20 luck. It is apparently the new killa of the Gauntlet tier 1 and 2 Time will tell, but yes this one has a good chance.

My thoughts about the traps yesterday have not changed, except for the War Thrasher. To me the quandary is really how the War Thrasher was implemented.

Does it have its stats decrement by mice it caught? or mice left? I can't really tell right now because so far everyoe on the forum seems to be making regular runs. I.E. arm the War Thrasher at the beginning of the wave and then run through the wave. What I want to do is to arm the War Thrasher at the start of the wave, catch one mouse and then switch to a conventional trap and then arm again to see if its stats drop. What is the significance you say? IF the stats are decremented only by mice the War Thrasher caught, then we have the chance to use 30 luck against the war monger. Which I thought would have been a niche use of the trap that higher ranking players would appreciate... I find that it makes little sense to only be able to use a fully powered War Thrasher against weak mice. Very odd indeed if it were truely (current evidence seems to be pointing that way) the case.

If any mice caught in the wave will decrement the War Thrasher stats then it is'nt very good and you should be able to safely skip it! =P Pity that.

Should you get the Chrome Rhino? if you have no better traps (Sentinel or Monstro), then the Chrome Rhino will help you quite a bit. The Chrome Rhino is likely better than the Chrome Drillbot.

Now the DJB or Dragon Jade Base is the current hot topic. Does it replace magma? Sorry Magma haters but no. At least not really.

If you do not value attraction then, DJB is better. If you do appreciate the attraction then magma still holds its own. Myself? I believe in attraction =P Why? effectively when you use the DJB it is harder to hit the magical 20% attraction. You may think attraction is not important, but it is the very reason the Chrom Drillbot was derided almost a few days after it was released. People use it to hunt in Derr, but it was attracting enough. At that time I thought the Chrome Drillbot had power and luck enough, so I armed target base. And true enough I got more attractions, but I kept getting red boxed. This showed that the devs did their testing =P and picked a sweet spot where we cannot exploit the Chrom Drillbot's luck. This is the reason, the Chrome DEATHBOT is still better than Chrome Drillbot.

So will the DJB replace Magma? Personally, not by a long shot. Even golden has to arm a champion charm to out do Magma else Golden is simply a better Spellbook base(without the Champion charms).

So buy what you can. With the DJB has your TOP priority if you can only buy one thing and you do not have the Magma (or some other 10 luck trap).

Then Rhino if you do not have a better trap.

The Warpath Thrasher could be 1) 2) or 3) really, depending on the outcome of how its ability work.

If you do not have much gold and cannot buy the DJB, you can actually consider getting the Jade Base or the Tacky Glue Trap. I would personally rate the Tacky Glue Trap over the Jade base =)

30% attraction is nothing to sneeze at and with 20 luck too!

I'll try to test out the War Thrasher myself (I suspect I will be disappointed =P)

Should you get the charms? I am personally gonna spend about a few million on them. since 5 luck is pretty good! =D

Anyways Happy Hunting ppl!!!

--------------------------------------- 20120203 00:21

Note that Ronza will be leaving on the third! So do buy what you want =)

Now how much of the tarnish charms you wish to buy? I'll give you a vague : as many as you are comfortable with =P

MH Birthday is coming, but no major traps on the horizon (but what do i know right =P) But still should you spend all your gold???? Probably not =P

Oh the Chrome Charms are +5 luck better than winter charms (+4) so definitely some good =)

(okay I vaguely remember its plus 5, but in any case it sells for 2K gold on the marketplace right now so thats all good no? =P)

Happy Hunting!!!

---------------------------------------- 120203 00:27

BtW:

This is Warpath Thrasher (decked out in the current fashionable base =P) at full strength in Wave three:

WarT/DJB/SB+/LGS/SWWC

aaaaand this is Wart after catching a Crimson Titan....

Hmmm apparently no change yet????

I will now switch to a Monstro and get back to yo after a few catches... =P This is probably what i am most interested in =)

This is the Sandstorm Monstrobot all else equal

Happy Anticipation Hunters ;)

---------------------------------------------- 20120203 00:50

Ah.... I am sadden....

This is the Warpath Thrasher after:

1) Wart catches firs mouse of the wave
2) Monstro catches mouse 2 on trapcheck and mouse 3 normally and then causing 2 to retreat (i.e. 5 mice down)

So its not based on the number of mice caught by the WarT but by the total number of mice caught in the wave. Thats sad as it means you cannot use its 30 luck against the big bad in the wave 4... =/ waste of 30 luck if you ask me.

As a consolation though, you can still use Mage and Cavary charms to draw out the stronger mice of the wave (but not the Flame Ordinance - hmmm tho... if i remember correctly ACRO still does way better... I might be wrong tho ... I actually have taken a long hiatus from the warpath =P)

Ah... it could have been so much more.... a niche method to catch the Warmonger would have been sweet... perhaps it would have been too good =P

Also for those hoping the much will not change? I hear from the forums, luck drops as well. ... I will catch a few more mice with Monstro then update the WarT's decline but we know the verdict already so its just hammering another nail in the proverbial coffin.

I guess it still is useful for those with no monstro or Sentinel, but for those who already have them? The ability to face off against the Warmonger with a full strength Wart would have be a real HOG of an idea! =D

Happy Hunting PPL!

-----------------------20120203 01:21

Chrome Charm
0 Power
Power Bonus: 3%
Luck: 5

Quick update on the Chrome Charm... but you probably already know that =P

--------------------------20120203 01:55

if you are still here, I can't bear to post more *sob*

it has fallen to 10,656 tho luck is still up

Monstro has caught 2 more in this time....

Nites ppl!

-----------------------------------------20120203 06:43

and this is the confirmation that luck also goes down =/

This is after Monstro caught mice 2,3 retreated mice 4-5, caught mice 6-7, then FTC breaking the streak, caught mouse 8, caught crimson commander, across the board retreated 1, then catching another 2 titans.

Happy Hunting ppl , I conclude my little test may you make the right decisions.

The WarT still has its uses in making good initial runs, for 2 M, thats actually a pretty good recusable benefit on its own, and is an absolute boon to ERB users!!!

-------------------------20120203 07:09
update:

Monstro caught 1 more causing 2 to retreat, then catchin g another, leaves the WarT
at 9480 and 45 luck =/ my por por WarT.... you are such a piig =P

Happy Hunting ppl! (this really concludes my little test until I hit wave 4, where we'll see if its a percentile drop or by per mice or something else altogether!)

------------------------------20120204 07:32

Ronza will stay till 5th!!!!

The exact time is :

Sunday, February 5th, 5pm (GMT)

---------------------------------------20120204 16:43

a little Nugget about the mining charms

essentially it appears that mining charms increase the attractions of the Big Bad Burroughs Mouse or BBB , it also increases attractions of Itty-Bitty Burroughs Mouse and even possibly the elusive Nugget mouse!!!

---------------------------------- 20120204 17:16

How good is the Warpath Thrasher??? How should you use the Warpath Thrasher??

Someone did an analysis!!!

The google doc itself can be found here

-----------------------------------20120206 00:05

Apparently this year is gonna e a big year!!!

" Originally Posted by Dan Hulton
Evan, we TOTALLY have plans for this. Obviously, I can't give timelines, but we want to "step up our game" this year.

I want new areas, too. I almost don't feel behind you guys any more. =3"

This was posted by a dev here

Again proof that the devs do read Cheese and Whine lol

------------------------------------------------------- 20120206 06:15

and so it ends Ronza is gone!!!!!

Also the Year of the Dragon Festivities will likely end soon as well, give and take 2 more days.... I just hope there are a few more runs of the event tournaments... but it is beginning to seem more and more unlikely =/

ah

Happy Hunting ppl!!!!

----------------------------------- 20120208 06:21

and so it ended and so ended this post =)

Year of the Dragon Festival is officially over!!!

Hope you had a great time and happy hunting ppl!!!

The Great Winter Hunt 2011 is Coming!!!

2011-11-30T23:53:00.113+08:00

Yeah if you found this page while looking for mousehunt related stuff, you probably will already have known that =P

Well I am bored, and really am looking forward to the GWH2011 =)

Definitely there will be traps! And perhaps Ronza (thats a very VERY BIG perhaps). Thing is, Ronza is becoming more and more redundant. I don't actually believe that. But, if you view the game in a coarse grained manner. Yes, Ronza's purpose can be fulfilled by other means and BETTER!!

So what of Ronza? What makes her a unique element of Mousehunt? Well, for one thing she is a travelling Merchant. Ther are no other merchants (oh Ponza?? nah), and it was always with great anticipation to spot her moving across the map of Gnawnia. So there is some magical about her Entrance. Again this is spoiled somewhat for convenience. Nowadays it is always a fixed place where events are held. Not quite so in the past! (Tho in order to accommodate everyone, the place is usually the meadow or some other awesomely low point and gold area =P so... it was for all intents and purposes FIXED! BUT!!! We did have the illusion that it was'nt =P)

ROnza brought L.E.!!! But now L.E. can be just earned through the event.. so next I guess =P

Ronza introduces new stuff! Firsts Splintered Wood then Moon Cheese!!! And then Charms!!! ... that might be moustachio..... but nevermind you get the idea. But now events too have new stuff, like .... I can remember the name , the lucky points or something. (where your chance of getting a High Roller mouse goes up as your points go up but once you catch something it drops to zero)

The only other unique things about Ronza I can think of is that She normally brings the BEST items. And her items or almost always bought and not earned.

It used to be that you just get enough gold and buy the thing and for many people that is the end of the event! It was for this very reason that events were stretched and we were made to jump through a few hoops to "earn" the trap and "experience" the event. I actually agree with this line of thought =) and have tried to stay in most events. I was never really for creating a special place for the events. I mean, the points chasers can jolly well stop and enjoy the events and let the ranking get a bit of a shuffle as people rush to get points (while the point chasers go have fun - which they don'y of course =P) . STILL. The is something fun about just going into a shop and buying the stuff. There is fun in having to CHOOSE what you want to buy and not just buy everything (okay I lied I LOVE to buy everything =P) but definitely, I can see people enjoying choosing what is the BEST trap to buy. Unlike now where every trap is a GUARANTEE (provided you stay active in the event). Which isn't a bad thing really.... still...

On the BEST? Well there was alot of whining and eventually the Devs caved and the best traps are now in game. This is both good and bad.

It solves alot of problems for the Devs as it sets bench marks that are FOREVER, for was long as the area is the highest level.Whereas in the past the Devs can pull a L.E. and its damage is mitigated by it temporal status (not entirely true, but if fresh blood keeps coming in L.E.'s effect will diminish with time see the first gen of traps, how many people have those... yep.) Another good thing is that, people are no longer bound to events (ironically earlier we did mention that Devs do want to bind people to events) and can rest assured that the Best is already here =P (how many Acsians caught that? lol) GWH2011 may change that of course! But I doubt. The current direction for L.E. appears to be to restrict its effect to a particular area.

Again the Devs are just playing safe, they are carving the the design space very carefully. For instance the recent Soul Harvest Trap is only the best in the Seasonal Gardens during Fall (I have doubts about that, I think the RP can put a fair fight =P) I like something the Devs did tho.

What else is special about the Soul Harvester? Well actually nothing =P Nothing else at least. See, the SH is tied to two areas. Seasonal Gardens and Haunted Terrortories. You see that? No nothing special about the first. And the second is just the same implementation as the first except that the area is temporal. And that is the magic! =D I remember once putting up an idea in the ideas section of the forum to have holiday traps where say during christmas, the trap becomes Uber good. They did'nt quite do that, but they did do in a very limited way that is still tied to the holidays (since areas like the Haunted Terrortories are tied to holidays), so I think its cool! =D

THo... having thought about that idea, I think it would be really cool if certain traps gain certain bonuses (or minuses) during certain periods, but in all areas!

...

A hunter can dream =P

Happy Hunting people and may the GWH2011 come sooner rather than later! (Though I heard the Devs are trying to get tourneys up before the hunt *shrug*)

[Edit]

Its kinda official... GWH2011 will only be AFTER the coming FBF (since the FBF will be an art session for a GWH2011 mouse =/ *shrug*)

[Update 19:49 1st December 2011]

The Winter Hunt is upon us!!!! ... almost...

apparently its a toy factory this year???

Calamity Carl is here and as of the lastest update.... 24 hrs??? could it be?? or will it be a longer wait?

Also! Vote if you like the content fast and furious(you being furious cos of the bugs hehe) or slow and (you are still furious cos its slow - see either way you are furious hence nobody care about you being furious =P)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2011 12 07 2300hrs...

anytime now.....!

!!!!!!! ITS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8th Dec 2011

Well by now you must have Entered the Winter Hunt surely???? =)

Well you don't really have a choice do you =P I mean, the mice are EVERYWHERE!!

nah.

If only =)

Alrighty how does it work?

1st! Be sure to get lots of Festive Feta. There are a few ways:

1) Donate!!! haha next.
2) Do... kk. Go to the comet! You will get 30 free!
3) Be sure to log in everyday, I just got my fourth day batch and i think its 30 I don't really remember =)
4) I don't think it is in gifts.... yet... But I bet it will be =)
5) HUNT! HUnt in the comet =)Brie is fine, gouda... miiiight be better but not by much, and it will be a bit of a grind, but definitely doable.

Now alrighty the plans for the bang whatever that means =P

1) Get your FF!! (as above)
2) Hunt mice!!!

Xmas mice to be exact! Simply arm your Festive Feta and the mice will come!

Simple! right? Wheres te challenge????

Alright, so the added complexity is this, you need to collect different TYPES of items.

Wood. Metal. Clockwork. Fire??. and Ghostly??

Alright I'm not sure about the last two mostly becos I am too lazy to travel to the comet.

Oh yeah you ARE still at the comet no? There is a nice UI, just float your mouse (the one on your table kid.) and you should see some interesting things.

There is a map that shows the locations of the TYPES and you will need to travel there to those areas to catch mice that drop those TYPES of parts. Wood is the easiest to get, then metal, the "ghostly??" is only at mousouleum and the catacombs. Firebulbs and and Doohickys? are only at Dracano. (I might be wrong about the Doohickey but it is definitely a higher level item).

Now for you youngens out there, you must think: OMG!!! I cannot complete then!!!! nono. You craft the toys. You can still craft the lower level toys. So you WILL be able to get the snazy! the cool!!! the very... odd looking NutKRAKEN!!! buahhahahah. oh cracker. Cool ya? =D Anyways. Thats the plan! Mostly.

So where is the best place? I seriously do not know =) For best variety, definitely Dracano. But in terms of speed of getting the receipts, if you have done the assignments for Zurreal, you must know that spamming Furoma assignments is faster than doing Advance Zugzwang Tower assignments, even tho the latter gives more points. Same concept here. The Deathbot replica may not be as fast ... But i dunno I have'nt done the numbers yet =)

Anyways have fun people!

-----------------

You can discuss it here!!!

----------------------- 20111209 ----------------------------

Something I guess would pop up once in a while:

can you hunt anywhere with any trap so long as Feta is armed?

YES!

for instance I am using this setup in Dracano:

----------------------------- [9th Dec 2011 2310hrs GMT +800] --------

there is something new yonder.....

See the gray portion? It is there on the full map NOW!!!

I guess tournaments are coming =)

....

5 minutes later...

mystery solved its the Prize Shoppe see this thread ... ah well =)

------[20111209- 2355]

Maintenance!!!!! =/ ??

----------[20111210 - 1236hrs]
ahh at first I thought there was nothing... but apparently there is this

To speed up the community drive I guess =P

-----------------[20111210 2024hrs]

9th Dec FBF!!!

or this!

as for the Hunt, if you are having problems with getting Feta and are thinking of using SB? Based on my very short one day experience, its about the same... =/

The only advantage is the advantage SB confers, and that is a non stop stream of mice, but there does not seem to be discernably better mice and the feta drops are in waves of a few hours.... same same for Brie I'm afraid. So my recommendation? Use brie, up the attraction as much as you can whilst maintening something to catch the more powerful mice.... I never thought I would hate Troll mice =P

This is my current setup in Dracano

I collect (or try to) up to 100 pcs of Feta, then I just hang in Dracono (Cats or Balacks later for the ghost cloth)

Why? Just in case there are any built in waves =)

----------------[20111210 - 2142]

interesting

Found on the forums you probably want to stay tuned at that thread

In case you did not click... its the Larry Lexicon for the Nuisance Trap =)

-----------------[20111210 - 2251]

alrighty I just bought the skin for the Digby Drillbot....

pretty ain't he =)

Probably not worth the gold tho =P

.... Alrighty which toy to craft appears to be something on everyones mind (after crafting one of each).

Dave did mention on FBF that he thought every one would go for the Draconic toy, which in theory is right. Except poor sobs like me can't get a firebulb to save my life =P I have three hickys already btw =P But that did get me thinking a bit. I still do not know what is the optimum toy to build.

But I realised one thing!

You need to know what is it you are trying to achieve. Put another the way, what are you trying to optimise?

Get Nuisance traps? Use the Ice coins to trade for stuff at the festive comet? Get the mostest of receipts????

If its 1) Well, according to the devs it is most doable, and i trust/believe them. So the question becomes how fast can you achieve this target. If you are quite high level, then I think the answer is the Draconic toy (WHERE POSSIBLE - you do need the firebulbs =P) Remember the Deathbot replica eats almost twice the number of resources
but only a bit more receipts, but DOUBLE the ice coins, which brings as to the next point.

2) Ice coins

If your optimum is maximising ice coin exploitation!! then Do the deathbot replica!! It maximises ice coins =) I intend to use it for T3 potions, do note you do need to hit 700 receipts!! But if you keep hunting you should hit 700 anyway, so you should probably go for the Deathbot.

But hey! seriously if you are not sure, just hoard till the last moment and then see if you can hit the number of receipts for your aim before you build the toys =) Just don't do it so late that you end of NOT building anything because you forgot or you were away or something =P

3) You want the mostest receipts.

Seriously dude/dudette?? i did'nt know it was a comp =P

Well happy hunting people, and it seems that there are more surprises to come. I suspect there is something more sinister to the stockpile of mice made traps and PLUS there is super led!!! from the crazed Elf mouse *buahahahaha* *ahem*.

Oh did you realise the 3rd toy gift is an airship? Cool right? *winkwink*

Happy hunting!!

(-- erm if you are not high level enough to get to the areas to craft the deathbot replica, I do apologise for not having an answer for what is the optimum toy to build, but do rest assured that it should be quite doable to get the 500 receipts for the nuisance trap no matter which you craft as long as you hunt =))
----------------

-----------------------[111213 00:22hrs]

Nothing much to update as of now but I managed to crown the snowflake!!! Its the only reason I bought the winter package tho.... hmmm =/

-----------------------[20111213 0700 hrs]

In case you were worried if it is at all possible to complete the event! Heres a little nugget from the forums to assuage your fears =)

Do note that time period of estimation is if you are in the event for the whole month =) tho the completion date (as in the days you will take to hit ~500 receipts) is about 19 days (what the post said - impt post is post #11)

The gist:

1) Hunt at least once a day
2) Use your winter charms in Dracano if possible (to help with purple lootz)
3) Alternate to simpler areas if you do not have the simple toy parts

So you should be fine =) (Note that this is even without hunting in the comet and assuming passive hunting - so BAM! the things you can do with active hunting ;P)

Happy Hunting ppl!

----------------------- 20111214 0715

!!!!!

------------------------20111215 0012

well the link above was hastily added as i was rushing off to work and only saw the new at the last minute =P

anyways are the charms worth it? I would say stay away from it as an investment.

As it is the price is pretty steep (if you use cash). So the bench mark is SB price.

Now that may make out the prices on the marketplace to seem like a steal but it really is'nt.

if you use SB as a gauge at 6000 mhg per piece, then each charm should sell for 50000 mhg really.

But is that really the case?

Of course not. Just ask yourself this question are the charms as useful as SB =) ?

Now that does'nt mean the price of the charms will drop (even though it already has).

Thing is, if the charms are not in demand, then less people will buy it to sell for gold, which in turn means there will be less on the market and subsequently that will act as an upward pressure on the price. So the resultant median will be that between these two forces. The fact that cash wise the charm does have a certain cost. However its "uselessness" reduces this value (see skins for instance). THAT however does not mean that there is no market however. But it is more than likely that the source will not be primarily direct buying of charms from the donate button. Rather it will be from the free daily gifts, as well as the extras from the festive package.

IF however the utility of the charm goes up and demand actually increases then we will see the price of the charm tend to or exceed 50000mhg why? Because a portion of the community will prefer not to spend real cash and instead is willing to pay its equivalent in mhg (of which the price of SB seems more definitive).

So should you invest? No, it is too risky, plus compared to available charms the festive charm is pretty weak. 4 luck? Its only use is really for crowning snow flakes. Oh you might say 4 is greater than 3 (Super Luck Charm), but Super Luck Charm is 3 luck for 1K plus mhg, big difference.

As for the other charms, the problem with its logic is this:

Say you are short on springs, you use the spring charm, each spring charm you get is actually a chance lost for the other parts. Assuming the law of big numbers where everything should even out, you may end up getting too many springs! And you end up having to use the other charms! So that means the only logical time to use the charm is towards the end of the event where there is a shortage and not enough time for statistical norm to kick in. Can you see that the price will likely not be high? (Well at least till the end - in fact if you would like to invest? the comon toy part charm is pausible, but still highly risky -- oh and by investment I mean buying low - as far as possible away from 50000 mhg from the marketplace and not from the donate button =P)

... enough of that rambling =P

I got my 500th receipt!!!!

------------------------------------------20111217 1425

I donated!!! .... logic says I should just hunt normal with brie... which is fine, but I figured I am trying to up ice coins for T3 potions.... so.....

btw I am not even sure if it is profitable or not... likely not =/ I think the Halloween Candies were more generous!!

------------------------------------------20111218 2348

wow ... I did'nt actually think I would have anything to say today. But I have actually used the charms for about a day now so I guess that would be somewhat useful and pertinent information.

TOY PART CHARMS!!!

Now the previous logic above still holds: i.e. you probably only need charms towards the end of the event.

BUT if you are like me, you cannot wait, then you might want to try.

I was getting everything except springs and my doo hickeys wer piling up =P so i decided to use the charms. Now I bought them early and they were pretty expensive (about 17,000 mhg) so I probably made quite a big loss =/ STILL it is a loss only if i do not use it. If I do USE it, I still get it as quite a bargain as the SB equivalent is about 50,000 mhg since the only way is to buy it with cash =P Now you can get them (the toy part charms) for about 8K mhg, much cheaper really.

Now. What you actually want to know is if the charms are effective right =)

Well after about one day, my verdict is that they are rather effective. But they take a bit of time to work. You may not see immediate results. Infact my first few hunts were more of the same. But after a day I found I did actually get quite a number of spring drops and am able to use my Doohickeys =)

So, advice?

Be prepare to use them for about a day to see results, and the results are not spectacular, but you do get your toy production moving, so its not too bad.

But the implication is that you must plan to use it a few days before in advance to be about to accrue the effect of the charms. So say you intend to craft toys and are in lack of springs, you probably should arm 2-3 days worth of charms three days before you hope to craft the toys =)

As for ppl who have made a bad investment (I think) , so long as you bought below 50,000 and USE UP the charms, it was'nt a total waste =)

- You did get to craft the toys abit faster (so presumably you got to climb the score board for that toy a bit earlier/faster)

- And the charms do actually have an effect =) So you are using it for its purpose, so hardly a loss =)

Do try to sell or use up before the event ends though =) Once the event is over, the toy part charms are just a +2 luck charm. =P

Happy Hunting ppl!

------------------------------------------20111219 2330

I guess you must be wondering "What now?" since the community drive is done!!

well...

we wait =)

The devs are probably fine tuning stuff or we are too early, or they have something else up their sleeve... who knows????

But we can only wait. And its Christmas, so be nice =) and wait patiently =P

------------ You might also be wondering about the nutcracker nuisance trap

well we only have the blueprints, we will also need 6 Splintered wood and a L.E.D light buld dropped by the as yet elusive Crazy Elf mouse.

Which is'nt released yet =) so we wait.

So to recap stuff to look forward to:
1) The great unwrapping thingy
2) The Crazy Elf mouse (with the trap component)
3) The stuff (Wood, clockwork, Metal) /reward thing =)

Ronza? Not sure =/ As of now everything is only speculations, so don't get your hopes too high =P

------------------------- 20111220 0632

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 hrs ago the King has announced!!!!

hope its good =)

here goes....::

Oki so the contents are 25 ice coins from Calamity Carl

ermmm 10 SB from Larry!

A Ronza Voucher!!!! 2012... I wonder if these become L.E. hmmm =/

Well at least Ronza is coming !! =D

The 10 SB and 25 ice coin are'nt so bad really =)

A little underwhelming when compared to the past events, but as we say in the army, ITS A PRIVILIEGE NOT A RIGHT. =P

So be thankful and well hey theres Ronza right =)

its all cool =D

In case you are still lost, this official post should be clearer =)

Pity its not in a collectible form, I probably will not open the Calamity Carl and Larry boxes =) or the Ronza... but hey its Ronza =P

------------------------------------------------------------

.... there is still the matter of the Nutcracker... =D

------------------------- 20111221 0621

Itzzz HaZZz BEEGUUNNnnn *cough* is continuing *cough* ermm started... The FORT is open!!! (what is the fort??? =/)

------------- afew moments later..

There was a news post!!!!

Basically go to the Snow Fortress, then catch three Sqeaker Claws AND find 3 shards of the LED

then VOILA!!! *I think* you get the NUTZ!!! *ahem*

That seems to be it... other questions, can we , must we use feta? What if we arm the charms... well for orthogonological reasons it should still work, but hey this is really a bunch of codes so it can/may/will screw up. The only truth is in the HUNT, so we will just have to find out for ourselves won't we =P

----------several more moments later (we live from moment to moment.. to moment... to moment.. *ahem*)

It does look a whole new area with a whole new puzzle to solve!!! Kudos to the devs, this looks like its worth waiting for =D

There is three distinct sections to work through!

I am currently arming Monstro/Cheesecake/Feta/LGS/Wooden Winter Charm

and this is my first catch:

-------->
6:32 am - Snow Fortress
I sounded the Hunter's Horn and was successful in the hunt! I caught a 6 oz. Nutcracker Mouse worth 3,000 points and 300 gold.

The mouse also dropped the following loot:
3 Toy Wood

---->

So the normal feta and all still work! =D

Also each catch will increment the count in the first section (see the HUD) by 1, so you will need to catch 40 mice in the first section =)

Which obviously means i can only tell you what happens next 40 mice from now =P

we...lll not really its

40 mice for the first section then
50 for the courtyard
30 for the keep.

What mice awaits??? Your guess is as good as mine =P

...... BTW Ronza is coming next year =) Not now. ITS. STILL. CHRISTMAS. .... event =D

---------------

Now this bit from the news post is interesting:

only a trap made from toy parts will work!

Is this referring to the Nutcracker trap? If so then *yawn* (not to be mean, but the script has been like that for a while =P) But if not and if the Devs did not slip up and actually meant "toy parts" as in screws, wood and all that doohickey. Then this gets interest/weird =)

Stay tuned!

... a few minutes later...

Darn they are referring to the Nutcracker lol

"Arm the Nutcracker Trap and capture the Mad Elf Mouse!"

----------------------- 2011 12 22 07:09

THE NUTCRACKER TRAP HAS BEEN CRAFTED (I think)

The stats are:

Nutcracker stats
Power: 3000 (Arcane)
Power Bonus: 18%
Attraction Bonus: 15%
Luck: 16
Cheese Effect: Insanely Fresh

You can read about it here =)

This is interesting =)

".... Lich mice in Balack's Cove, distracting them enough to occasionally have them surrender twice the loot when captured."

------------------20111222 1455

Just a quick tip, one quick way to get any of the basic toy part is to go to the areas with ONLY the basic toy part loots. Almost sure fire to get the loot you lack fast =)

BUT, you do give up metal, cogs and all that Doohickey!!

As for an assessment of the new trap?

Its not so bad. Strictly inferior to the the ACRO, but with the advantage of attraction (15%) and Lich loot advantage. For hunters above Lord, this may not be too much of a big deal, but if you are like me and like to revisit areas (be it tournaments or assignments), then this Lich loot advantage is a a nice detail which you put you in good stead in future =D

The attraction? Well arcane is'nt in too many areas, so its hard to tell how useful? But IT IS at the magical 15%, which means most bases will complement it to give 20%, which is another magic number =P Go look it up, how many traps have 15% attraction? Also traps like the Ancient Spear Gun have held their own (barely) with the advantage of attraction, (until Oasis came along and blew it out of the water... I know I know) =P so yup attraction definitely is an advantage, the only thing is to find the practical application of said advantage =)

-------------------------- 20111224 00:11

so the event is practically over??? I'm not sure really but I guess so =P

Still whats a hunter to do now huh?

Well it really depends on your goals. For me I will till be maximasing my ice coin drops as much as possible.

Why? Well it is because I am currently doing the Gauntlet run, as such T3 potions are precious to me. The is the question of whether you get more T3 from using T2 cheese or ice coins. I think it is still more profitable to use ice coins. Why? Think about it this way, hunting for toy parts to get ice coins is akin to using T2 cheese to get T3 potions, except you do not have to go through T1 to get the T2 cheese!

The real question is whether the time taken to go through T1 (i.e. normal cheese to get T2 potions) plus using T2 cheese to get T3 potions , is more than the time it takes to farm ice coins to get T3 potions. I think the answer should be a yes (but I have not/cannot verify that =P - but intuitively it seems it should take longer than farming ice coins).

Hence it is relatively clear to me that I should farm ice coins =P Now how to maximise then? Previously most hunter were concern with the use of the simplex method to maximise returns. I somewhat agree with that but now think other wise...

Because NOW there is the elf to contend with =) The question now is whether going through the SNOW FORTRESS and catchinng the Mad Elf (50 ice coins plus what ever toys you craft) is more profitable than say sitting in Dracano and getting Doohickeys.

Now, I think Doohickeys still get you more than going through the Fortress. HOWEVER. The doohicky is not a guaranteed drop. STILL, the snow fortress toys are not very profitable.

Hence I will use a mixed approach if you will. I will hunt in Dracano, and get as many Fire bulbs or Doohickeys as possible, but once I get a substantial amount of metals and cogs, I switch to the Snow Fortress to build my stock of basic toy parts. That way I get closer to the mad Elf and still get my Doohickeys (remember a doohickey that cannot be used for lack of basic toy parts is still useless =P)

Hopefully I will get my Doohickeys and still get the Mad Elf loot =P

So thats my plan.

If you are not interested in the Gauntlet but want something else (like Tribal Crates) it may still be worth your while to hunt for ice coins =) I am not sure if Ultimate charms are in the shoppe =/ if they are that is another option (but i vaguely remember not seeing it in the wiki =/).

If there is really nothing you want that can be exchanged with ice coins then you should go back to what you normally do... but if there is indeed something you want that can be bought with ice coins, then it may be worth your while to farm them coins and the Christmas event is far from over =D

In any case, whatever your choice, happy hunting ppl! =D

PS: Do note that in your plans and goals you will need to factor in the state of your gold.... Ronza is coming =) Ice coins to go for Furoma runs is good, but if you spend the wole event getting ice coins but have no time to farm gold then it kinda defeats the purpose does'nt it? =P I have enough gold, hence my Gauntlet goals =) (BTW for Furoma runs you do need to have good tactical traps, else you might be better off in cats or Derr)

------------------------20111224 11:09

I also realised something... the plan above does not factor in the time to harvest feta =/

So it might be that if you factor in the time to get feta and farm toy parts you might as well be farming from T1, this may or may not be correct. I suspect feta farming is still marginally better.

Still. If you are farming feta and want to farm ice coins for T3 and want Doohickeys as well as the Mad Elf (which is what I was proposing in "The Plan" above), I suggest harvesting a good amount first THEN going into Drcano. The reason being that the Santa Claws seem to come in waves. If you are lucky you only come in during the waves but the flip side of that argument is you might come in when the waves have past, so you might end with no Doohickeys, hence I suggest getting enough feta to last you at least two days in Dracano. As of the past two days I got 2 Doohickeys... Now getting Doohickeys is all fine and good, but you need the cogs metals and other basic toy parts as well. And whatabout the firebulbs!!!

So I made a spreadsheet which you can download here:

and the editable one here:

Its a EXTREMELY simple spreadsheet just to calculate the total ingredients you need to craft ALL the firebulbs and doohickeys you have. Note this is not an OPTIMISER.

The thing is I no longer think we can simply just hoard and calculate the best use of the parts. The reason being, farming in a particular location now has opportunity costs (I think all the while there was, so you had to alternate between the areas that had only basic parts to ramp up your stock of basic parts and the "complex" areas that had cogs, metals and firebulbs, ghostcloths,doohickeys - but the problem is now compounded by the Mad Elf - a guaranteed 50+ ice coins in about 2 days versus possibly more from doohickeys/firebulbs/ghostcloths in the same amount of time). Previously it was clear that we get the complex parts, THEN get the basic parts to finish them off. Now with the Mad Elf, its not so clear.....

Back to the spreadsheet. How I intend to use it is to
1) roughly gauge how many days before the event ends
2) Use the spreadsheet to calculate the resources (cogs,metal, basic parts) needed based on the firebulbs and doohickeys I HAVE

3) Try to get the required amounts of cogs and metals
4) Leave Dracano once there is 3-4 day(or however many days required to get the basic toy part drops) left and enter the Snow Fortress.

That way I hope to maximise the number of doohickeys and firebulbs and yet not too much such that I cannot use them, whilst still going through the Snow Fortress to get more Mad Elfs =D

--------------------- 20111224 17:06

another spanner in the works is that there are some HINTS on FeedbakeFriday that Tournaments may be up next week and may involve a certain Nutcracker =)

So if Feta is hard to come by for you , now might not be the time to spam it on Dracano to maximise ice coins. Comet harvesting might be a good idea if Feta is hard to come by =)

But if you have the feta, well ice coins will be it I guess =P

----------------------------20111227 00:11

a small bug ... well it might not be a bug... but
if you so happen to be a Zurrealist and are gunning for Lich drops, the Nutcracker actually causes a lower drop rate of the jewel.

confirmation by Michelle here

But before you curse the MH gods, note that it may not really be a bug, but might just be the way the code is programmed.

if the "kind" of loot drops is coded in a nominal way (i.e. as separate distinct entities, in coding terms this would be a collection, or an array, or a vector).

Then throwing in a new "type" of loot drop , i.e. double loot would actually decrease the chance of getting the other loot (for instance the jewel).

To explain how this works:

the double loot could be implemented a few ways:

1) A set of "types" of loot. In this version, the normal loot might have a 10% of occuring and the double loot 2% and verious other loots constitute the remaining 88%. In this implemntation, directing adding a new type of loot will always reduce the chances of other loots. Its the same reason you hunt in the Muridae Market rather than Dracano, if you want MORE Doohickey (of course you will never do that since there are no metals and cogs in Muridae market)

2) Still using a set of types of loot, but this time there is an additional check for a possibility to just multiply the loot by 2 or something other designated factor...

Note when a new loot type is added both versions will result in other loots being diluted. However if the loot is merely doubled version 1) will have diluted chances of other loots, while version two will not see a diluted chance of other loots.

Given that there is a reduced chance of the jewel drop, the implementation is version 1.

note that I am not a dev, so this is purely speculative R.E. =P

If you have read this far... really you just wasted your time.. the gist is:

If hunting for lich loot, use NNT. if its the OTHER loots you want (like the lich jewel) then don't use NNT.

The other pertinent question now is whether the Cackle Lantern works the same way =/

[Update 23:45 28th December 2011]

So surely we must be coming to the end of the event. Hope everyone had a good Christmas =)

anyways you can read my other blogs if you are interested in my Christmas =P (actually I don;t think I wrote anything =P)

Anyways whats there si talk about now... how about some strategy??? =D

These are the current parts I have:

What i will do now is to continue hunting in Dracano. Remember that link up there which tells me how many metals and cogs I need to use up all my firebulbs and do hickeys?

Well I need this amount of metals and cogs:

As you can see I have enough cogs and metals to use up the doohickeys and firebulbs. So my plan now is to continue to stay in Dracano and try to get more firebulbs and doohickeys.

Notice I need 188 wood? and I have a severe shortage? This is where once the end of the event is known I will camp in the Snow Fortress and just bulk load on the basics. Hopefully enough to reach the Mad Elf. Actually by that time the Mad Elf will be the most economically feasible rather than taking my chances with Doohickeys and Firebulbs since those are not guaranteed (Yesterday I had NO drops =/)

And that is how I intend to maximise my ice coins drops.

Happy Hunting =)

I also realised something. If you do not want to be too involved (busy, you have a life =P) he Snow Fortress is easily the best place =) No need to worry about the reasons why you are in a particular location and ultimately the reward (50 ice coins) is'nt too shabby at all. =D

----------------------------- 111229 07:13

Tournaments are HERE!!!!

To join a tournament, go to "Teams" then "tournaments", you will be able to see all tournaments available
Hmm it seems friend horns still count! ... not sure if they count towards the tournament but I suspect they do

wait maybe they don;t I have a silver tourney horn now....

----------------------------- 111230 07:00

well the tourney was mostly a sham yesterday as MH went down about an hour into the tourney =/

Hopefully its better today =D

Hmmm I'll probably post a separate article on tournaments since this one is really about the GWH ... it just so happen the devs decided to release it now =)

Oh Festive Tournament Package!! I think it is more value packed than the 30 FB credit Festive Feta package. For 50 cred you get 100 feta and 50 champion charms (which are +3 luck and + 400? power) the 30 cred package has 50 feta.

If you want more feta, the 30 cred package is still better though =) but the Winter Hunt is coming to an end soon I think....

Also... the only way attract a snowflake mouse is using Winter Charms =)

...

Alright alright I thought of something that is both Tourney and Winter hunt related to write =)

Oki... the tournaments now seem to fall into a few categories:

1) Snow Fortress to catch the Mad Elf
2) Feta Farming in the Festive Comet
3) Generic clean up the Festive Mice! (for toy part collecting)

1) is geared towards those who want to farm the Mad Elf (50 ice coins!!) - But I heard reset stories... so.... caveat emptor

2) is mostly hunting the normal mice in the comet... it looked really weird to me for a while, since the premise was to hunt normal mice dressed up... then i realised it was for feta farming =P

3) Well I think most fall in this category, since we are toy collecting still... right?? =P

Anyways something for everyone, so pick and choose the right tourneys =)

And remember there will always be tourneys so don't be in a rush. Also some important things to know about tourneys:

1) Friend horns no longer work, only yours and your team
2) You still get trap checks, but they do not count towards the tournament points
3) You can only join one tournament at a time and many of them overlap so you need to plan with your team =)

I think thats about it =)

Happy Hunting ppl!

-------------------------- 2011 12 31 08:25

Its New Years Eve, who would've thought this post would have lasted so long!!! Certainly not me =P

Anyways... if you are following my plans, NOW is the time to get into the Snow Fortress to use the relevant charms to make SURE your bulbs and doohickeys are craftable! AND have a chance at getting a few Mad Elfs to make it sweeeter =D

ALSO, there is actually a secondary plan! What IF, you get the required basic parts before the event actually ends???

I plan to go for yet another Mad Elf of course! And load up on the required basic parts. Likely you can get at best another 2-3 firebulbs and 1-2 doo hickeys, so I would aim to get the EXTRA basic toy parts required for those which is according to the spreadsheet:

assuming you get 3 bulbs and 2 doo hickeys
48 wood
31 Screws
22 Springs

The metal and cogs we cannot control, so thats out of the equation =) We just do our part to be prepared. As with many things in life =)

Also.

THE BIG BOOM TRAP! You can read the details here or here

Hunt wise:

catch New Year mice which drops the required charms/firecrackers, also I think the big Boom Trap is only available while the Xmas thing is still on...

" And finally, make sure to hold your own new year celebration by claiming a 2012 Big Boom Trap before the comet melts!"

the comet should melt sometime next week.... ermmm which is rather ambigous given we don't know the drop rate of the charms They seem to like to do their updates on tuesdays though (dev time)

And if you like me are in the Snow Fortress, no worries, the New Year mice are there too!! =D

Talk about multitasking! (I heard it makes you stupid, poor me =P )

Happy Hunting ppl! and Happy New Year =D

------------------------ 20111231 13:04

This is very the likely the end of this post since the Great Winter Hunt 2011 is coming to an end.... I will start a new one for New Year =)

I will still update on the results of my ice coin maximising endeavour however =)

For an assessment of THE BIG BOOM TRAP (henceforth referred to as the TBBT) and New Year Developements see this =P

I guess there are still some loose strings to tie up, with ice coins, TBBT and RONZA!

hey I did predict she might come =P well technically she is coming for new year =)

So what should you spend your ice coins on?
Lemme see:

1) Generic dumb stuff like err charm bits/radioactive sludge/runes? really?
2) Less Generic stuff but still not.too.smart. : stale SB/Scrap Metal/splintered wood???
3) Furoma Token packs
4) Tribal Token Packs
5) Non T3 potion
6) T3 potions
7) Charms
8) Skins

1) and 2) should be obvious ... big fat NO here

3) IF you have the Sphynx or RR then big yes, if you have ZFM .. maaaaybe, if all you have is the HVMT.... you are a brave hunter... if your trap is lesser than then... go away *cough cough* I dont.. want.. to .. hurt your feelings....

4) Same for 3) make sure you have traps that can hold their own in the Tribal Isles. If you want to spam gold for Ronza, pick 3 over 4 if you have the Sphnyx, RR, or maaaybe ZFM... HVMT... you are trying your luck really... but its all paid in ice coins, so its all cool =)

5) Non T3 potions, unless you are crowning something or its a comp or one of those mice owe you something in its last life, underwise naaah

6) I have something against ZE GAUNTLET!!! I WILZ RIPP it toPIEZES PIZZIES I TELLZ U!... *cough* nuff said. On a serious note (if that were possible, hey we are talking virtual mice here), 50 plus potions may take you about a week to gather, and that is with T2 cheeses in the bag. So the T3 potions save TIME. But only relevant if you want to do the gauntlet.

7) Charms. Charms you can get off the marketplace? Don't bother. Charms that take awhile like Artisans or Commanders? can consider... but "it looks expensive". Then again if you one of those PW who spam the warpath, then commanders may be your best buy here. Now Ultimate charms. These are tricky. No one really knows how good they are, but they definitely push the limits on your traps. And this is a chance to get a GADZILLION of them. *cough* oki mabbe not that much. But is waay faster than spamming the warpath =P So if hoarding for the FUTURE AND BEYOND!!! is your thing, by all means go for the ULC/UPC.

8) Skins? Depends, at the moment they are cheapy on the market so definitely no. If you don;t like skins... well did'nt you skip?

Myself? T3, plain and simple, I am gonna spam the gauntlet =)

Happy New Year ppl =)

-----------------------------------20120105 07:14

The GWH ENDS on 9th Jan (Dev time I suppose) !! Its in the ticker!!! Time to STRATEGISE PANIC !!!! *ahem*

----------------------------------20120106 06:48

its official!

Summary:
- The Great Winter Hunt ends on the 9th of Jan
- The Festive Comet will become the Vacant lot, Festive Shoppes will stay open for a few more days ONLY. Don't wait too long =)

They did'nt mention if you will still be able to craft toy, i.e. whether you can craft everything AFTER the GWH is over. So until confirmed in this week's FBF I would suggest crafting what you want before it ends. The left overs can be left to chance I suppose (there will bw left overs if you, like me, are going to hunt to the last hour =))

Happy Hunting ppl!

PS: This really must be coming to the end of this post,the only thing I can think of is to update the number of ice coins which at this time is ... pretty high =)

Oh ... wait I guess I could update on the hunt =) I am STILL in the Snow Fortress, getting the basic toys, but this will be my last run, I am currently in the Courtyard, so I guess I should complete the run by tonight or tomorrow morning. After which every hunt up to the end of the Winter Hunt will be in Dracano, for the metals, cogs and Doohickeys oh my!

Happy Hunting ppl (again =))!!!

------------------20120107 15:59

just got a confiirmation/clarification on the forums that you will be able to continue crafting toys for a few days after the event ends on the 9th! Which was the news I wanted =) But there will be no more toy part drops, which is fair =)

------------------20120108 22:57

i really thought I would have nothing to say for the GWH seeing that it is now ending, but I guess now the biggest questions are:

1) What do I spend it on
and oddly ...

2) What is the optimum combination of toys to craft?

1) I will not say too much as I have addressed it above and it has'nt changed.

2) is a little more interesting as it changed as the event progressed.

In summary:

Stage A:
When the event first came out, most ppl were using optimisers. As the areas where the best ice coins\receipts with respect to toy part was known; where to collect toy parts was not an issue. What to craft was the main question. Essentially, there was no probability problems. You got the toy parts you got, that will not change. So the only question is "what is the optimum combination of toys to craft" - the material are fixed.

Stage B:
Enter the snow fortress. This threw a hammer in the works. Now is the Snow Fortress more profitable or Dracano? If you are unlucky, SF is better, but on a good day Dracano, with its Doohickeys and Firebulbs will beat SF hands down. So there was probability involved and that was when my strategy changed to hunting for Doohickeys and then shift to SF for the basics. However it turned out we had more time. But while Dracano is swingy, SF is not. So I chose to get a sizable amount of Wood,Springs and Screws and left two and a half days to "get lucky" in Dracano. (Alternatively I could have gone to Dracano then SF, but I feared not getting enough metal or cogs or worse have unused Doohickeys and Firebulb)

Stage C:
The Aftermath. Again optimisation is in vogue, once the event ends, you will, again, got the parts that you got. That, again, will not change and the only question is the optimum use of it! =) Hence I now present to you my own optimiser! =P

Well... its not very friendly. It is in ODS format. Open Office or LibreOffice can open it. The nice thing about it is that, if you know how to run macros it is just going to the macros and running the requisite macro, and you do not need to run the solver manuallly (and enter the constraints one by one by one zzzzzz)

I programmed it in VBA, have fun =)

You will need to download it, Google docs does not recognise the macros, but if you download it, it will still contain the macros. Just follow the following instructions to run the macro:

1) Key in the amounts of the toy parts that you have collected

2) Open up LibreOffice Basic as shown (OpenOffice should also be able to... but I am not sure how =P -- but definitely it can run the macro!)

3) Select as shown and click "Run"

4) You will see the solver run

5) The result will be as shown, but you may need to round off =)

---------------------- 20120109 07:11

Brainfart... i did'nt save the VBA code in the optimiser I wrote luckily I posted the source somewhere and here it is! And I have corrected the link in the previous update as well =)

Enjoy!and Happy Hunting! =D

--------------------- 20120110 06:45

This must truly be the end of this post for the event is now officially OVER! =D

It was fun =) But i could'nt wait for closure, you know, when you can actually cash in the ice coins? ;) Well at least I had to wait till the end since I wanted to capture this:

4074!!

In hindsight, I guess I cold have tried to make the solver take into account integer (there might be something wrong with the way it treated non-existent sources =/)

Anyways with my final count of raw materials

The Solver predicted: 984

I got 971. Its likely the non- integer issue, but its close enough =P

I also had 15 screws and 164 Springs leftover!!!

What a waste... I totally misjudged it =(

I should have gotten more wood and screws =(

I had initially thought the bottle neck was screws, (that was close) but it really turned out to be wood.

Goes to show that when you analyse something, you need to do due dilligence to get the best possible result! =/ Thankfully this is just a game, a fairly cheap lesson ;)

Anyways. The Festive Shoppe is closed.... kinda (its now red) ... so you can't access it directly. HOWEVER, when you go to the vacant lot, the individual stores are still there, so you can still access general store, etc, etc.

It will be open for only a few more days so do quickly craft your traps and trade in your ice coins!

Incidentally i traded mine in for 407 T3 potions and 1 sludge to give me a single ice coin left as a piece of MH history =P

Given that I got my last 1000 ice coins in the last few days, I suspect really dedicated/loony? hunters will get far far faaaar more. Now thats scary =P

Anyways thank you if you have followed this post so far, it is now over =)

On to the GAUNTLET!!

Furoma Runs

2011-11-26T12:48:00.005+08:00

Oki..

What is a Furoma run.

First, what is a run. In MH terms this usually means storing a substantial amount of cheese and then hunting with that stock of cheese for a long period.

Runs could be broken by the way, for instance my current Gauntlet run will likely be broken by the Great Winter Hunt 2011.

Why do people go on runs? Well, usually its because its a goal of some sort. On a more logical basis, given that mousehunt's behaviour should in the long run be statistically consistent (hopefully). A long run will smooth out the hunts, the bad and good patches so to speak.

Though there are also short runs. Most people do Gauntlet, the short way. This means you pack some amount of cheese, usually the minimal that will get you to the end stage big bad, in this case (for the Gauntlet); the Eclispe mouse. Normally people do this, to simply do it and get it over with =P

Alright alright, so you know what a run is.

But what is a Furoma run? I'll keep it short as I am no expert on it. There are definitely more expert views elsewhere.

1) It all begins with Maki

Get a stock of Maki, preferably at least 100pcs (Note as of the time written it is still profitable to get SB from the mkt place at 6000 - I won't do the funky calculations here, you can get them at the forums)

2) Catch students and collect tokens

You can skip the Training Grounds if this is not your first time. Training Grounds is where the shops are, but the mice do not really drop any important loot for progression.

Actually I do rememeber distinctively sitting in Training Grounds for quite sometime. Likely I did not fulfil some requirement =P

Once you enter the Dojo you want to catch students!!

Now strictly speaking you do not need Maki, in the past (so it may not be true now) Brie with a high attraction actually does pretty well, but I think it got nerfed.

So students, you arm your best tactical and go to town (Note to seriously do Furoma Runs you need a good trap, RR or better, Wrath is the current bestest)

After which you need to try to rebalance your tokens. You can do that with King Credits if you have them, if not its more hunting till you are satisfied.

3) Craft Cheese of the Masters

Now you need to catch the Masters of the Fang, Claw and Belt

You need to craft Glutter from Belt tokens
You need to craft Susheese from Claw tokens
You need to craft Combat from Fang tokens

Master of the Cheese Belt drops Master Belt Shards
Master of the Cheese Claw drops Master Claw Shards
Master of the Cheese Fang drops Master Fang Shards

These can be used to craft Rumble Cheese!

4) Get Your Mojo

get Mojos get as many as you can.

Mojos good.
Mojos drop Onyx stones!

5) Craft Unstable Curds

Do not craft the Onyx Gorgonzola (also known as OMG Onyx (Marbled) Gorgonzola)

I suspect it was originally with the Marbled but got changed *shrug*

Craft the Unstable Curds and happy poking.

It should not matter how you poke =) I think. i don't think there was ever a study done =/

6) Go for Sojo

Sojo eats OMG cheese.
Sojo also drops Onyx Stone

Notice that the Rumbles and OMG cheese regenerate themselves through Onyx stone droppings, albeit in a not entirely deterministic way. But in general it is self sustaining (tho no guarantee).

(Note: The important thing is to always craft the Unstable Curd, and not the OMG Cheese, from Onyx Stones)

This cyclical effect is the basis of what is known as a Furoma Run.

Now the specifics, where is the gold? Its is between the Mojos and Sojos. I am not sure which yields more, but both add to the cycle because they both generate onyx stones.

It used to be more profitable, in the past much of the gold was generated from the high price of Divine orbs (about 50K g). But ever since the rise of utility of the simple orb, this revenue stream has dwindled to just 3500 +- gold per orb.

But apparently it is STILL profitable! So get hunting ppl! =D

MagARENA

2011-11-25T12:40:00.003+08:00

A friend of mine recently noticed I play magic and recommended me to try this AI software.

And lo and behold its Magarena

It is a really cool game and the best thing is it is FREE!

Not just free but GNU GPL v 3 FREE!

Whats even more cool? My friend (Melvin) is the developer of the A.I. how cool is that =)

I'm so proud of him really =D

Alright enough hollering.

I tried the A.I. and it is pretty addictive.

I have not tried to make it run more than 40 cards, tho I suspect it might be possible.

One of the disclaimers of Magarena is that it is not meant as a duel playtest software, which is a little bit of a pity since, the playtesting facility will really stress test the A.I.

and more importantly provide another playtesting avenue.

Having said that,unless the AI is able to play with the nuances required in the various types of decks, it would be useless. The reason being that MWS allows a player to play against himself already so that niche is covered.

Hence I can see why Magarena does not want to pursue duels since it would significantly up the ante in complexity.

A few things to note:

- You want to download the images and use the image version
- It can take a while but its worth it
- Its really good for learning combat and phases of a turn, without the pressure of a life opponent say on MODO or MWS

You probably can get a better view here

Clicking on a card gives you the a bigger card image so its readable:

There is also a text version but I found it difficult to use as there is no way to see what the card does. I did ask Melvin what was the use of the text version, he said it was for portability. Still something a little more friendly would be good. Apprentice was a software that was pretty lightweight and text based.. so that might work =)

About the A.I.
================

It is good enough to give you a good game. I suspect it is actually stronger than I think it is but it underestimates poison and landwalk.

Alot of the games I literally have a walk over because of landwalk.

Have fun ppl!

Koth of the Hammer

2011-11-24T21:34:00.017+08:00

W00t !

My Koths just arrived!

4 Koth of the Hammer

[edit]
just messin' with the javascript here... its been awhile...

Jittes as well as the Shamans

[/edit]

And pretty fast too! =)

My evaluation for this Planeswalker?

Well strictly with the new Modern format he is a good to have as a four of. But don't just run off to buy him yet. I feel that as with any metagame, a Red burn variant will always have its time in the sun. Which is where Koth comes in, Koth is pretty good at giving Red decks the extra *Ommp!*

But do you need to get him? I think he will be an evergreen (I don't think Modern is all that fast). Initially I wrote him off as only Standard fare and his lifespan would likely end by this year. But Modern changed the equation somewhat.

STILL. You do not need to get him if Red is not your style. This is a card predominantly made for Red decks.

Have fun ppl!

Enter the Gaunlet....

2011-11-21T17:50:00.019+08:00

Okay I have actually entered the Gauntlet a long time ago.

I am entering it again!

(Actually I have been inside for about 2 weeks collecting T2 potions hmmm)

Stay tuned for updates on catch rates etc.

For reference:

The last time I was in the Gauntlet, i only made it to T4, I believe I was mostly into gathering T4 potions

At that time SNOB was the supposed best and even now it seems the data supports that SNOB is at 12 plus %

Thing is at that time I had a potion drop rate of 13 (close to 14)% with this setup:

HVMT/MSB/T3

For T1:

I used

Monstro/Cheesecake/Brie

but mostly

SNOB/CheeseCake/Brie/LGS/ i varied the charm alot

Stats will be calculated later (I have the logs)

For T2 (which I am embarking as of now with 1776 T2 cheese):

for now at least the choice of setup is -

SNOB/Cheesecake/T2/LGS/Super Power Charm

This will likely be my main setup, unless I start to FTC alot (i.e. my power needs some work) as this setup maximises attraction with an acceptable power.

For T3:

I will likely use a high power seup. Before I ran away from the Gauntlet *the Shame!!!* I used HVMT/MSB/T3 I am not sure if there were charms at that time... I suspect not. But i do vaguely remember that I use Snob before T3 and that Snob was pretty bad at T3 for me.

My theory is that power matters in the Gauntlet (at least to get T4 potions). The main thing I want to establish is whether high power yields better T4 potion drop. That means I will not be using the Snob but something like HVMT but better. The previous best candidate (which was also a long time ago) when I itched to reenter the Gauntlet was Zugzwang's First Move. ..... but EVEN BETTER traps have since come and gone. So it will likely be Wrath. but I'll need to double check on that.

Remember that at that time (at least the time that I speak of), the BEST TACTICAL in terms of power was the HVMT.

Stay Tune!!!!!

Note: This post will be constantly updated from below in chronological order i.e., you will see the below "[last edited YYYYMMDD HH:MM]"

[last edited 20111121 18:08]

This is the current state, went through about 200 T2 cheese

The pots seem to come in waves, and seem to discourage active hunting. I seem to do better if I only occasionally check in =P

of course it might simply be due to the network lag that is causing the results =P

======
and ooh yeah those are super power charms you see. i am burning through them (I can afford it at the moment so whatever). It would at least provide data about the effect of more power.

And yes EACs would be an even better charm to use to test if power is a significant factor, but its too costly for me. 7000g versus 900g ? At the moment I can only stomach the SPC =P
======

[last edited 20111124 23:36]

I guess now is a good time to update this post =)

And this is my current cheese state

yup 2K T3!! =D tho I have seen numbers much larger =)

My experience so far. This set up seems to be the best so far. I have tried Snob\MSB\Super Power charm but altho when it hits the right spot it is extremely good, but it goes totally flat at times =/

Any ways the winter hunt is almost here! So I guess my gauntlet run will pause for a bit =)

[last edited 20111207 23:44]

Crystal Library

2011-08-30T22:18:00.004+08:00

oki... time to write a summary

for the newer areas, its seems the devs are using more of randomisation in order to increase the time spent to complete the area (at least in its totality)

the new area is the Crystal Library

to enter you need a library card, which is dropped by the Rook and above in Zugzwang's Tower

Once you enter the Library, you will be able to pick an assignment

this link details most of that:

http://mhwiki.hitgrab.com/wiki/index.php/Library_Assignment

I haven't completed it, but from what I hear, Furoma ones are popular

why?

You need to amass Library Points.

900 to be exact.

Furoma assignments give about 100 (I think)

the advance Zugzwang ones give 150

You will need to weigh your cost based on the way you play.

Furoma ones are less active (and painful =P) since you only need to move to the right place set trap and cheese and just wait.

Zugzwang ones are fairly active and expensive. The tower is a pain without SB (tho doable), but you definitely need Checkmate which is harder to come by. You don't need SB in Seasonal Gardens. And you will need to actively arm and disarm your cheese when you hit the queen/king

My advice, unless you are able to actively hunt and don't mind burning checkmate (SB is still debatable - if you are targeting single runs, Gouda is'nt so bad - though the chances of failure is higher), you should use the Furoma assignments.

Plus you are actually getting a net gain when you do Furoma assignments (Furoma runs are some of the more lucrative methods of gaining gold - but you must run all the way to Sojo and poke your curds)

If you really need to NOT move, then the Library Assignments are available, but each is only 20-50 points so you will need to spam them (but they may well be the most efficient in terms of gathering Library points)

Why do Zugzwang's assignments then? that will be explained later below.

Back to library points.

Once you have 900 points you will have access to the assignment that gets you a nifty tactical trap:

http://mhwiki.hitgrab.com/wiki/index.php/Library_Assignment#Zurreal_Trap_Research_Assignment

Zurreal's Folly

Power: 2,930
Power Type: Tactical
Power Bonus: 20%
Attraction Bonus: 15%
Luck: 12
Cheese Effect: Ultimately Stale

Okay its not that great if you have Rewer's or Sphynx, but if you do not it is pretty nice. But take heart, that not the real prize, but it is the only thing that can catch Zurreal (the new big bad)

Why catch Zurreal? cos he drops the parts that lead to the real prize:

Reaper's Perch
Cost: 2,767,750 gold
Points Required:
Power: 3,300
Power Type: Shadow
Power Bonus: 10%
Attraction Bonus: 5%
Luck: 16
Cheese Effect: Stale

This is the current best shadow trap. As good as the Cackle lantern for harvesting Fire Salt, and more consisten than the clock in actual catches. The Dreaded Jungle will be less dreadful

So... "Why do Zugzwang's assignments then?"

It has to do with catching Zurreal.

To catch Zurreal you need the Zurreal's Folly as well as Scholar Charms

Scholar charms can be bought uncharged from the seasonal gardens general store. Arm them when you are gunning for thhe chessmaster and the charms will be charged with wisdom.

However Scholar Charms are also dropped from some assignments.

I do not know how many Scholar Charms you need, but if getting the charms are your worry, then doing ZugZwang's Assignments will assuage that somewhat since you will get to charge your charms in the process of hunting chessmasters.

Anyhows have a merry run in MH everyone

Also as of now, the prize of this area (the shadow trap) is not a "must have" for any of the current areas, so don't sweat it if you are in the midst of some other target

[ninja add:]

As an aside: After you have completed this stage, another reason why you might want to do the advance Zugzwang's Assignment is the fact that it is the only way to get Spellbook Charms. IF you are a power fanboy like me, Spellbook charms surpass even the EAC ... quite nice indeed =) The only drawback is that it only works with the Spellbook base

Alright FAQ do you need SB to catch Zurreal? The answer is no. But its alot quicker. Of course then the next question "But I only have one charm"! Well the charm is only consumed on capture of Zurreal ;)

Have fun ppl!

Back Again

2011-08-30T10:43:00.002+08:00

back in magic =/

what brought me back?

Infect

not in fact, INFECT.

Its poison =) I have a soft spot for poison, so when maro prints a whole block of poison, how can I not be back =P

I am moderating my purchases tho, so i hope that holds up.

My only grouse is that I am back after Worldwake sold out.

That kinda sucked.

But then it looks like worldwake sucked, so what ever.

=P

Watch Learn Soar !!!!!

2011-06-10T01:19:00.002+08:00

Hi!!!!

This is a repost from another blog of mine, mostly because I think this one has more hits, simply because it is magic related =P

Anyways about this site:

It is a site for learning, you can watch videos where there will be examples and such. The aim is to educate through videos. The first batch will be maths as that seems the most applicable =)

Have fun!!!

And on magic, i really like the Skithiryx and seriously might rejoin.... but I am saving so.... maybe on a very limited basis =)

MINT Ranger of EOS ! for sale!! LAST DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-21T01:04:00.003+08:00

MINT Ranger of EOS! for sale!

This is currently on Ebay for bidding and ITS STILL 0.99 cents !!!!

*ahem*

Don't let this baby get away!

Bid
here!!!

or ALTERNATIVELY you can BUY IT NOW! =D

Also if there is anything else you would like me to put up for sale please let me know by posting!

MINT Ranger of EOS ! for sale!! LAST DAY!!!! [SOLD]

2010-01-16T10:01:00.002+08:00

MINT Ranger of EOS! for sale!

This is currently on Ebay for bidding and THIS IS THE LAST DAY!!!!

*ahem*

Don't let this baby get away!

Bid
here!!!

Also if there is anything else you would like me to put up for sale please let me know by posting!

MINT Ranger of EOS! for sale! -- LAST DAY !!!

2010-01-12T00:07:00.001+08:00

MINT Ranger of EOS! for sale!

This is currently on Ebay for bidding and at this point in time is still just 15 USD!!!!

This is the last day for bidding so bid soon! =D

Don't let this baby get away!

Bid
here!!!

MINT Ranger of EOS! for sale!

2010-01-10T12:29:00.001+08:00

MINT Ranger of EOS! for sale!

This is currently on Ebay for bidding and at this point in time is still just 0.99!!!!

Don't let this baby get away!

Bid
here!!!

Chrome Drillbot: The AfterMath or How I can't Read

2010-01-03T14:33:00.001+08:00

The are a few more days before Ronza leaves Jan 4th I believe and if you are still wondering whether to get the Chrome Drillbot?

Well.. read on! =D

Chrome Drillbot: The AfterMath
++++++++++++++++++++

I had expected it to do better too... but the stickler was its power and lack of attraction..

lack of attraction... means although statwise better than Partybot... but no mouse sttracted means nothing to catch

Its power not exceeding Rhino means trying to catch top 3 in Derr is also a problem... so it is kinda stuck in the middle... very odd =)

I would like to be able to say it is for the newer players.. but they just released CCT =P

the Devs gave it a high power bonus.... but even with a Tribal...it is below Rhino... so Rhino still has some value =P
*kicks the blur Rhino*

Thats a bright spot... or not =P

The Chrome Drillbot's main draw is te high power n luck.

The lack of attraction means farming in Derr will have to
be done with SB minimally and that is assuming Attraction is
void if SB is used.

Assuming attraction has no part to play when using SB, the CDrill
should out do Partybot and CCT. However current samples do
not reflect this.... however it could be that only people with sucky
runs are coming up =P I saw one with a 71% catch rate...

Also... The Chrome Drillbot does'nt blow Rhinobot away.

Against the big 3. CDrill is about equal to Rhinobot...
possibly more like Partybot/Magma, very swingy and you get loads of pink...

Thing is we do not know how power and luck works.

I think luck gives you more "potential reach"...the idea is with more luck
you "get lucky" more often (this means a doubling or more of your total power)

But with low power, even if you get lucky often it does not help
(like Snob)... so going by this theory, a high luck and power trap is invaluable.

Its just that with its current power (at least that is my explanation for it not outperforming Rhino), CDrill is in no way better than curent

tools

But say a high powered base comes along to take advantage of
the power bonus on the CDrill... only then will it be better than Rhino... its power will be equal.. and its luck will push it over

So I would still recommend to buy it.. but dun expect to make a killing in Derr.... the Devs balanced it very well =P

Which would bring us to the next article (possibly) : POWER CREEP!!!!

I'd probably mix some magic and mythmonger since there is a little bit to talk about there =)

But before that some corrections about what I wrote previously or

HOW I CAN'T READ
++++++++++++

*sighz*

In a previous article, I wrote that the 2010 has a 15% attraction.

Turns out I messed! It was a 15% POWER bonus.

Thats sad.

Hence the comparison to partybot was very wrong indeed.

Functionally though what I said still stands. 2010 will farm better, with the luck getting you better loot drops.

But will you get the "Almost Super Brie" effect? Sadly no.

Perhaps its all for the best. Snob is still king of the farm then =)

Will 2010 outperform HVMT? I suspect not. But we'll see I guess =)

Ronza Christmas and the Great Winter hunt 2009!! Part III (The Wrap Up Edition)

2009-12-26T20:34:00.001+08:00

Not sure what your strategy should be this Christmass????

Well this guide is to help you! (kinda)

Originally I wanted to do a rank to trap analysis. But its too tedious to do it by eyeball and I don't maintain
a spreadsheet of the values.

So I'll just list a prioritisation kinda list of the traps.

And YOU can decide which trap is for you based on what traps you ready have.

Lets do the easy ones first the candy cane base and firecracker.

Candy cane : if you have money to spare.

This is a MUST buy. BUT ONLY IF YOU HAVE MONEY TO SPARE. i.e. not high priority.

Justification:

Aqua is almost equal and is in game, so you do not lose alot. However it is a definite upgrade that may not come again
so definitely a good to have.

If you are saving cash for the 2010 or Chrome Drillbot, you can skip this without fear or regret!

Firecracker:

Nice to have i.e. low priority.

If you have magma, you CAN skip this with no loss to your hunting abilities

Justification:

its just explosive with 4 luck. It is tuned to newer players. really new players, you know.... Magma just passed for God's sake.

If you are saving cash for the 2010 or Chrome Drillbot, drop this

Now on to the TRAPS!

There is a slight tension now for those yet to receive their CCT.

Should you stay in the Festive Comet or Should you FARM gold?

There is no clear cut answer to that.

Alot depends on your current situation and what is important to you.

Staying in the FC, i.e. throwing your lot with the CCT

Justification:

it will be more powerful than the Partybot when it triggers (due to the higher power) BUT it will trgger less often than the Partybot
due to its reduced luck 24 versus 25

Against the Partybot, it also loses 15% attraction, i.e. it WILL NOT have the "Almost Super Brie" effect when farming in Derr with Gouda

However. if you are not able to get the Chrome Drill bot. Definitely get the CCT.

If you can get the Chrome DRillbot, GO FOR THE CHROME DRILLBOT!!

In short:

The CCT is only important if you cannot get the Chrome Drillbot.

------------------------------------------------

Now the 2010 or the CCT ???

It depends alot on whether you have the GS.

IF you have the GS, the 2010 gives you more flexibility and the ABILITY to farm better in Nerg.

Not crippling but nice to have. In a sense 2010 is the TRUE tactical Partybot and GS is the tactical CCT.

Which is better? They are very close and I do not think they outright out perform each other. So since they are so similar.

IF you have the GS, you then have to ask (if you cannot afford both CCT and 2010 ... in terms of farming or staying in FC) if you need the CCT.

See the above section on the CCT for something to chew on.

Now IF you do not have the GS, then you MUST get the 2010.

Of course if you cannot get the 2010 (no gold.. impossible to farm in time etc etc i.e. you give up)

Then its the CCT.

------------------------------------------------------

Now if your dilemma is between the 2010 and the Chrome Drillbot

Then it really boils down to what you need.

Do you have the GS? If you have the GS, go for the Chrome Drillbot.

If you do not have the GS? now thats tough. But consider this. Chrome Drillbot is likely the closest you will EVER
get to the other CDB (the Chrome Deathbot).

It is the Chrome Death bot with 4 less luck and 1K more power and no attraction.

The only place it loses out? Attraction. But face it, the original Chrome Death Bot was a tad broken (or more nicely put, really really good) because the devs really wanted to reward the higher level players at the time and gave them a bit of EVERYTHING and i mean EVERYTHING!

Power, Luck and Attraction. The original CDB has it all. The closest the devs EVER came to rewarding this richly was during Magma release.

it will be hard to beat Magma without going into a tailspin with power creep (this will likely be another article =D)

So far every trap has been built to AVOID power creep. The Chrome Drill Bot is a perfect example of this. It stays within the boundaries
set by Chrome Deathbot.

BUT!

It is vey very close to the Chrome Deathbot. Remember my theory about how luck works? Well you gotta agree with me to understand this. With a higher power, when your luck effect triggers, your power is greater!. Think of the the luck as a linear factor for simplicity.
Say multiple of 2. A trap 'A' with power 1000 and a trap 'B' with power 2000 both with some value of luck. So when the luck triggers
Trap A gets 2000, but Trap B gets 4000. A higher luck value just means the "lucky effect" triggers more often! But notice between trap A and Trap B , Trap B is more likely to catch then Trap A.

To surmise.

Althought the Chrome Drillbot has a luck of 26 and the Chrome Deathbot has a luck of 30. This means Chrome Deathbot will trigger more often. But Chrome Drillbot is more likely to catch when it triggers.

THIS will matter when we catch higher powered mice.

(Incidentally this was how the Snob was contained : by having a really low power)

So the Chrome Drillbot is not strictly worse than the Chrome Deathbot, it is actually very very close, with the potential to get better.

Its really hard to get a trap at Chrome Death bot's level.

The Rhino was all power. The Partybot was an attempt to leverage on power and lower the luck. But we learnt from Derr that power must be quite a bit higher. Which is what they did now. Give it much more power and 1 more luck. And in case it is too strong, drop the attraction.

Chrome Drillbot is the true gift from the devs this Christmas. The 2010 is an alternate to the GS (like Partybot is to CCT). The CCT is to give those without a Partybot, something like a Partybot (but without the ability to farm, at least not without SB).

Oh the Snow Globe. The Snow Globe is to make everyone happy. it is a Snow GLobe afterall and the Snow Globe has many rabid fans =)

Strictly it is a NVMRC +4 luck. Nice to have for the newer level player... if you are shot on cash, only get if you absolutely can't get the others. Seriously, even getting the candy cane might be better, since the NVMRC WILL be superseded by othe rin game traps, but as a base, the Candt Cane Base is rather evergreen at the moment.

So in a nutshell (IMHO):

A) If you have a choice of any one trap

Chrome Drillbot > 2010 > CCT > Candy Cane Base > Fire Cracker Base > Snow Globe

B) If you cannot get Chrome Drillbot

B1) If you do not have Partybot and have GS

CCT > 2010 > Candy Cane Base > Fire Cracker Base > Snow Globe

B2) If you do not have GS and have Partybot

2010 > CCT > Candy Cane Base > Fire Cracker Base > Snow Globe

B3) If you have neither, then its really do you value tactical or physical =P

C) If you cannot get the 2010 or CCT (you got no cash and you did'nt get or missed the loot)

Candy Cane Base > Fire Cracker Base > Snow Globe

In that order.

Oh yah Gingerbread Base and Ginger bread Surprise

Lets get the weapon out of the way first:

GBS is just a nice Swiss. If you miss it, no biggie =) unless you are a collector. i feel your pain.

Ginger bread base:

If you have polar: This is inferior to polar so if you do not have it no worries

If you do not have polar: This is very very close. Definitely nice to have.

Many have survived without the polar though so no worries. If you have to give this up for the Chrome Drillbot or 2010 its well worth the sacrifice.

If you are gunning for the CCT then... whats your problem =P you will have a chance at it while hunting for your CCT loot!!

Thats all for now folks!

In the pipe line:

perhaps a discourse on power creep!!

Ronza Christmas and the Great Winter hunt 2009!! Part II

2009-12-25T23:15:00.002+08:00

Alrighty this is part 2 of my ramblings/article about the traps Ronza will be bringing!

(oh yeah and a Merry Christmas to you too =D)

In the last Article we talked about the CCT (Christmas Cracker Trap) and the Partybot, Rhinobot and the Chrome Drillbot.

Today, we shall discuss the 2010 Blastoff Trap (2010), the Giant Speaker (GS), and the HVMT (Horrific Venus Mouse Trap)!

However first lets get the bases out of the way.

The two bases on offer are the

Candy Cane Base and the Firecracker base.

Quite simple really both are upgrades.

CCB is Aqua + 70 power and FRESHNESS

and FCB is Explosive +4 luck

Which should you get?

Frankly overall... you should get the CCB (if you had to choose)

If you have the Magma... you have no need for the Firecracker. Magma blows it to bits.

If you missed out on Magma however. The FCB is a nice upgrade and will likely serve you well.

(understand that I never did use Explosive alot in the first place =P)

Why CCB though?

at the moment the only way to get high luck without staleness is with Aqua. CCB adds more power (always good)
and FRESHNESS (which is good when you want the luck but the Magma just burns your precious cheese too quickly
e.g. Harvarti)

Now that we have that out of the way (Oh I will definitely miss the Aqua, it is special to me in many ways =))

The Tactical Traps.

So lets list em:

2010 Blastoff Trap
Cost: 512,800 gold
Points Required: 99,000
Power: 2,600
Power Type: Tactical
Power Bonus: 15%
Attraction Bonus: 0%
Luck: 25
Cheese Effect: Very Stale

Giant Speaker
Cost: 612,800 gold
Points Required: 91,000
Power: 2,850
Power Type: Tactical
Power Bonus: 5%
Attraction Bonus: 5%
Luck: 22
Cheese Effect: No Effect

Horrific Venus Mouse Trap
Cost: 849,650+ gold
Points Required: 8,000,000
Power: 3,400
Power Type: Tactical
Power Bonus: 12%
Attraction Bonus: 1%
Luck: 16
Cheese Effect: No Effect

I think to cut it short, this is a power versus luck argument AGAIN!

2010 and GS do not compare to HVMT well in terms of power.

But in Derr we already know that the power difference MUST be substantial before the
power based trap visibly outperforms the luck based trap.

From the results I know (anecdoctal), together with a MAGMA base.

The GS outperforms the HVMT (I'm being vague here, i suspect against the big three HVMT might win out. Might.)

But looking at the luck I would think the 2010 will outperform the GS.
It might suffer against the big three (versus the GS) but in terms of farming. 2010 will likely outperform the GS.

Now again if you follow my ramblings/articles... you WILL know.. (by now) that I am a proponent of Attraction!

I suspect attraction is not really pushed by the MH devs because it undermines the usage of SB =P (I am somewhat serious)

The real kick in the groin to the GS by 2010 here is the VOILA! 15% attraction!

Remember I said that "the GS is the tactical power type's partybot! But not really." At that time I made that statement because of the lack of 15% Attraction that Partybot has.... which allows the Partybot to have an "Almost Super Brie" effect.

This was first achievable in Nerg with Snob/Aqua/Gouda because of the Snob's 20% attraction!

The devs have chosen to give us a tactical trap that can enable Gouda like SB =)

Kudos to them! It is really a nice reward.

(NOTE! it really is'nt quite like SB just really close.. you still get FTAs just really really REALLY rarer).

I really think the power reduction will put the 2010 out of contention for the big three in Nerg.. but we'll see.

MAGMA. makes all the difference. Afterall Magma was what pushed Partybot into contention in catching the big three in Derr.

The reason why I think the 2010 will not do too well? Its a gut feel. Being able to compete strongly against the big three in Nerg will
just totally outclass the GS.

Almost immediately after it is out. Why do that?

So its just a gut feel.

To really show if 2010 will or will not out class the GS against the big three. It is a integer programming problem (discrete optimisation)... which will yield answers only for the current state =P once a new trap or base comes out OR the environment is tweaked. the numbers could be skewed again =P hence I'll just go with gut feel...

In short, I will strongly advise to purchase the 2010 if only for farming wth gouda =)

I like to ranble.. and I forgot I was actually trying to compare against the HVMT...

welll everythihng that is true for GS versus HVMT is true as well. With the disparity between 2010 and HVMT being even greater.

And that is my take for now. Until the traps are released and more anecdoctal info comes in...

BTW just to STATE very CLEARLY that power is NOT entirely outclassed in this game.

I am currently hunting with Rhinobot/Tribal/SB and enjoying a good streak.... this is just after my new Christmas Cracker Trap got into a bad streak =)

So power still has a place people =D

I might do a 3rd article/ramble to discuss whether you should buy what ever trap based on your rank. So far my discussion have always assumed top flight and you can get any trap you want. (which is obviously not true)... so I thought this might be an interesting article =)

...

we'll see =)

Ronza Christmas and the Great Winter hunt 2009!!

2009-12-24T23:01:00.001+08:00

Hooooo boy.

This is alot to analyse.

First off the 12 days are over (well almost) and the loot is revealed!

The stats:

Christmas Cracker Trap
Cost: 0 gold
Points Required: 0
Power: 3,000
Power Type: Physical
Power Bonus: 15%
Attraction Bonus: 5%
Luck: 24
Cheese Effect: Very Fresh

First off this will be placed in direct comparison with the Partybot and then with the Rhinobot in Derr

Partybot
Points Required: 91,000
Power: 2,850
Power Type: Physical
Power Bonus: 15%
Attraction Bonus: 15%
Luck: 25
Cheese Effect: Stale

If you compare the CCT and Pbot side by side, you will notice that the difference is the CCT is +150 power
-10% attraction -1 luck with a Very Fresh cheese effect.

What does this mean? It is means that if you use SB+ the CCT is strictly better (this is popular belief)
I am not too sure about that since I did not code the the code for attraction =)

Personally i think it might be possible that a boosted attraction will still attract better mice more of the time even with SB.

If I am WRONG though, that would mean yah given a cheese like SB or Rumble in Dojo. The CCT should out perform the Pbot most of the time.

STILL this is not taking into effect the power of luck. Luck is often speculated (or is that confirmed by devs?) that it is non linear
hence a lack of 1 luck at the 24th and 25th level/order might be a significant difference!

IF this is true, what we will see is that pbot will STILL outperform the CCT (though not by too much). This much has been taught by the Rhinobot. That for
the effect of power to come into play, the power boost MUST be significant/ At the moment it is 150 flat rate (ignoring a possible bonus from the base)

HOWEVER the coming of a BASE with a high base power BONUS might tilt the balances in favour of the CCT since the flat rate extra 150 will grow by percentile.
One could experiment with the Tribal or Magma I guess.

Now the other part of the argument lies in performance at Derr.

Now if you followed my articles. You will know that I propose that the Partbot/Magma/Gouda is now possible because of the power increase with magma

HOWEVER. a big part has also to do with the attraction rate. THIS is the reason Snob/Aqua/Gouda works in Nerg (This is what I term, the "almost Super Brie" effect)

Do you see the problem?

The CCT is sans 10% attraction. THAT is a big difference. You might lose the "Almost Super Brie" effect.. which will lead to suckier runs.

It is important at this point to keep VERY SEPARATE the catch rate per attraction as opposed to the catch rate per run:

The former is only how good the trap is at catching the mouse once the mouse is attracted (THIS is where the power increment and luck
decrement of the CCT PERTAINS). The latter will take into account the attraction (which affect FTAs) which may affect your overall
experience in Derr.

NOTE! I have not tried it and at teh moment people are gushing about the CCT. BUT my prediction is Pbot may still out perform the CCT.
At least in Derr =P

Now tied to this, once with get into Derr (note we are NOT discussing about catching the big 3, just farming).

Is, does it supersede the Rhinobot?

In a word: NO.

Even without magma, I was alternating between Rhinobot/Tribal/SB,Rhinobot/Polar/SB,Rhinobot/Aqua/SB,Partybot/Aqua/SB
(I don't use the Dehyd much normally... so the lack of it does not mean it sucks =P)

The argument was that SB solved the FTAs. Remember the problem with Derrs is threefold: FTA/FTC/Streaks

With Magma I got better catches and the stable setups were:

Rhinobot/Magma/Gouda,Partybot/Magma/Gouda

Notice the lack of SB =D (though.... if you lack time SB is still faster! as there will still be streaks and there will still ne FTAs when you use Gouda)

So with the CCT only being either as good or worse than the Partybot (due to attraction and only in this Derr scenario mind you). It does not challege the Rhinobot's position =D

Rhinobot
Points Required: 16,000,000
Power: 4,950
Power Type: Physical
Power Bonus: 0%
Attraction Bonus: 0%
Luck: 8
Cheese Effect: Very Stale

Possible a more pertaining and contentious discourse would be that between the Rhinobot and Chrome Drillbot

Chrome DrillBot ( 3,900 Physical Power )
Power Type: Physical
Power Bonus: 20%
Attraction Bonus: n/a
Luck: 26
Cheese Effect: Insanely Stale
897,400

While it does look bad... and it probably is =P Old Rhinobotty there may still be able to hold it own in Derr.

In terms of farming it is odd to think about it that way, but the Chrome Drillbot may replace the CCT's postion.

Why?

Without attraction, it will not replace Pbot's position in farming in Derr.

It is however having better luck and more power. Hence it should replace the CCT

Yes it is an odd situation for those that can afford both =P

In terms of hunting the big 3 however. (Assuming Magma as the base)

The Chrome Drillbot is > than the CCT > Pbot

Will the Chrome Drillbot outperform the Rhinobot? Sadly (I like my Rhinobot... unlike many hunters out there =P) there is
a very good chance.

The Rhinobot is not totally out however. I suspect it will be a good alternate when the streaks come and your trap is cursed
by the devs... even though the stats all claim otherwise =P

the only difference now is CCT and Pbot are available as alternates as well.

Ah well Rhino served its time.... still this is all preliminary and maybe by some razor sharp edge the Chrome Drillbot's extra
power just isn't enough and Rhinobot can still claim "more power" .... doubtful yes =P

On ward! well actually I am tired .. =p for more action i will later discuss about the new Tactical trap (yes another one!)

Below are the stats to be discussed!

Snowglobe Trap ( 2,350 Physical Power )
Power Type: Physical
Power Bonus: 12%
Attraction Bonus: 10%
Luck: 16
Cheese Effect: No Effect
341,000 gold

2010 Blastoff Trap ( 2,600 Tactical Power )
Power Type: Tactical
Power Bonus: 15%
Attraction Bonus: n/a
Luck: 25
Cheese Effect: Very Stale
512,800 gold

Candy Cane Base ( 300 Power )
Power Bonus: n/a
Attraction Bonus: n/a
Luck: 8
Cheese Effect: Fresh

Firecracker Base ( 300 Power )
Power Bonus: 5%
Attraction Bonus: 5%
Luck: 4
Cheese Effect: Stale

Ginger Bread Trap !!!

2009-12-10T00:40:00.001+08:00

12:24am
Christopher Oaten sounded the Hunter's Horn.
I was successful in my hunt! I caught a 3 oz. Worker mouse from the Festive Comet worth 298 points and 2,203 gold.

The mouse also dropped the following loot:
1 Gingerbread House Plans.

My weapon was very effective against this mouse.

heh I got my ginger bread trap!!!

Hunting in Elub Shore

2009-11-05T00:44:00.000+08:00

Hunting in Elub Shore
++++++++++++++++++

Today or ermm its midnight plus now... I shall talk about hunting in Elub Shore.

I am going to focus primarily on the Kraken Chaos (KC) and Ancient Spear Gun (ASG).

Aside:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are using the Harpoon or Net Cannon, you only need to know this:

They are usable, but not perfect. But definitely usable. If you were around when Ronza came in Oct 2009. You could have gotten the KC. If you have'nt got it by now and there are no better traps, well, aim for the ASG! It s definitely decent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

end Aside.

Now I am always a fan of attraction. With enough attraction, any cheese can have SB like qualities!

With Nerg and Derr, 20% attraction seems to be able to give gouda near SB attraction.

This is unfortunately not applicable in Elub, since no combp can get you the requisite 20% attraction short of using target base!

Which is of course possible, but the current hydro traps just don;t have enough power for that kind of combo =P

Ambush/Target was always one of my favourite combos that served me well in Furoma.

So how to work out how to hunt in Elub?

First thing:

Are you using gouda or SB?

Second thing:

What are you hunting? Bosses or the minions?

related Third thing (ahem):

Farming seeds or catching mice?

If you WILL only use Gouda to farm seashells.

use ASG/Mgma

Why? With this combo you the max attraction (15%) Sure you still FTA but those you attract you catch.

compare with KC/Magma

You FTA and stale, and those you do attract (and you attract less - 5% only) you catch less

ASG/Magma you catch your mice often and will get a decent amount of seashells.

KC seashell drops may be more.. but I'm not sure if it is more than ASG/Magma

Note if you pair KC with any of the fresh traps you lose too much (in terms of luck and power)

.

Now if you farm seashells with SB.

KC/magma beats ASG/magma outright.

In this case, since FTAs are no longer an issue.

FRESHNESS and ATTRACTION no longer matters.

Since you will ALWAYS attract. You will never stale.

Now at this point you may think that ASG should win since it will catch more consistently.

But the crux now is that you are going for the loot. Luck maximises that, and KC is powerful enough that you do not actually need the added power of the ASG.

Now I am tired so I will just summarise.

For the bosses, if you are catching mice! as your priority. se ASG/magma.

BUT f you are farming seeds? Use KC/magma/shell

since FTAs are no longer an issue.

FRESHNESS and ATTRACTION no longer matters.

RONZA!!!!! A discourse on the Traps she left us

2009-10-31T15:45:00.005+08:00

So now....

Ronza is almost leaving. Lets talk about the traps she left us!

To reiterate the traps:

Traps:
Giant Speakers

Hitgrab Rockin' Horsey

Rainbow Hitgrab Rockin' Horsey (via upgrade with the wig)

Kraken Chaos

Magma Base

Which are the ones that are MUST GETS?

All of em' s is the correct answer =)

Why? Simply because these are limited edition and will not come again. That is enough reason for me.

For the more frugal or cash strapped out there. I will talk about WHY some traps you should get before others.

Top of the list:

Magma Base!!

Reason:

This base blows all the other bases to bits.

This is my logic when using bases before magma:

If I need luck I use Aqua. The pro is that you get more luck, the tradeoff is you get less power.

Now I do not believe in the way pooflinger thinks luck works: i.e. I do not believe it is an additional roll. I believe it is a doubling or some factor multiplication effect. Something like how it is done in Mythmonger, where the power doubles (and the character card feels luck is on their side).

So when a Partybot gets "lucky" it doubles in power or something like that. The problem with this effect is if your power is already dumpster low, it does not help you. Hence the drawback of Aqua (no power bonus) is pretty big... hence its slightly higerpower.

If I need attraction, I use the dehydration or Birthday trap for the +5 attraction.

If I need a nice mix of power and luck, I use polar. This is also why the polar is so popular, you still get your lucky breaks once in a while (less compared to Aqua) but you do retain enough power to still have a nice chance to catch the mouse if you don't "get lucky". (Also since you have more power, when you DO get lucky, you actually have a BETTER chance of SCORING as compared to when you get lucky with the Aqua).

But all that is over.

Well not really, polar still has a 2 percent power boost advantage over magma. But thats it.

Well that and the staleness. But really staleness only matters if you use REALLY expensive cheese that does not attract well. Okay mabbe runic in AR with a forgotten crap/trap counts =P

STILL.

I would'nt bee TOO worried about the strategy. Cos the power and other bonuses are still largely with the traps not the bases. So its still cool.

So please get your magma bases, before Ronza leaves in a few days.

SECOND on the list is:

Giant Speakers!!!

You heard the newer players complaint about the lack of a Partybot for them. Well GS is the next closest thing. Except it is a tactical Partybot. Also be AWARE that the GS lacks the attraction and power bonus.

I suspect the lower power bonus is not such a big deal as, against tactical you get an "effective" advantage. (Though I suspect it will not be as versitile as Partbot).

The real hurt is in the lack of attraction. One of the combos I really like in the Derrs now is Partbot/Magma/Gouda for farming. Try it. Its like SB =). But please don't yammer about it all over the place. If it is too good, the Devs will kill it ;)

Its not new BTW. You could achieve something similar with Snob/Aqua/Gouda in Nerg. The high luck + high attraction makes the farming(with gouda) relatively pain free.

NOTICE I used Snob as the example and not GS.

There are two reasons for this:

1) I have NOT tried it =P
2) Snob has +20 Attraction.

Thats a whopper. Partybot has +15 only... barely cuts it to farming status and only because magma give it the +5 AND luck. (Believe me farming with Partybot/Aqua/Gouda is STILL a pain though feasible)

This is why I believe the GS is NOT really equal to a Partybot. with the +15 attraction you can replicate Snob/Aqua/Gouda effect in Derr with Partybot. Notice we did'nt need magma with the Snob. I'm not sure the GS is equal to the Snob EVEN with the MAGMA. The magma managed to push the Partbot over the edge (for farming) BUT i doubt it can do the same for GS.

Will GS/Magma/Gouda be equal to Snob/Aqua/Gouda? Time and testing will tell, but sadly I do not think so. Simply because of the lack of attraction. (Oh and i am biased, I am always a proponent of attraction, I use target base, and I do recommend people try out Kraken/Target/Gouda -- I haven't tried it myself =P)

Quick Aside:
In MH there is FTA (Fail to Attract) and FTC(fail to catch). FTA can be solved by increasing the attractiveness of the cheese or using SB (not all cases). FTC is largely determined by power (and possibly luck). The effectiveness act as a modifier.
End Quick Aside:

The GS is also useful to adavanced players for another reason: It covers a hole in Snob. Snob's power is a little low. So if you are willing to trade off some luck (and attraction) for MORE POWER, GS is the man! err trap. Why might this situation occur? Remember what I said earlier? With a higher power trap, during the times you "get lucky" you have a higher chance of scoring (i.e. actually catching the mouse).

Third of the List is:

Kraken Chaos!!!!

same thing. Its a high luck HYDRO trap. (not that high, not in the 20s only18 .. but that is as good as the ACRONYM). Use it for farming =) Or if you STILL do not have the ship blueprints, it is almost MAGNETIC with it =)

Fourth is :

The Horseys. Now I like the horseys. Don't get me wrong. The are 25 luck. EQUAL to the Snob. The only thing higher is the Chromebot (28). But the power is a FAIL (at least for the more advanced players).

The reason is:

the trap is physical. There is no effectiveness bonus =) Snob is not as low as it looks because it is a tactical trap and gets a bonus against the mice it is meant to catch.

BUT if you are new and less advanced, the Horseys are a good buy (assuming you cannot afford or do not have enough points for the other traps).

I still feel like there is much to say... but I haven't thought of...

Do look at the Pooflingers link though it is definitely informative!

Coldsnap!!! Nice catch!!

2009-09-15T23:17:00.011+08:00

I recently bought a Coldsnap FATPACK

Initially I only wanted to buy it for the snow plains

which are these babies:

But wow... the stuff I got was pretty good =)

if you look carefully thats a scrying sheet, Braid of fire and counter balance

Some core good cards from the set =)

These are the high points!

its interesting, how different these two deathmarks looks...

oh now you know I bought M10 =)

It was a good pack too!

See its a BOP + pyroclasm + death mark! W00t!

All cards depicted are for sale!! =) Just post comment and your price (you need to offer a good price!)

DANGER IN THE DUNES!!!! MOUSE HUNT

2009-09-14T00:23:00.007+08:00

So I am taking notes on how much my SB is getting me and this is the current results

Date			20090911
	Cost pp	Cost	tol
Super Brie Used	108	1900	205200
Crunchy Used	21	820	17220
Gold gained			288319
Profit			65899
Revenue per SB			2669.62037

Date			20090913
	Cost pp	Cost	tol
Super Brie Used	67	1900	127300
Crunchy Used	29	820	23780
Gold gained			210029
Profit			58949
Revenue per SB			3134.761194

Now this is interesting ... apparently I earn more by simply collecting delicious stones rather than by catching the bossess!!

Though this might have something to do with some very bad streaks yesterday... I had two pages of logs all red and grey with only two catches per page.... =(

Sob... ah well

MythMonger - Tea Troll Area (Magic Based Perspective)

2009-08-10T13:37:00.001+08:00

For the area in MythMonger...

my strategy for the Tea Troll portion is as follows:

Use Silencer for everything =P

seriously. Essentially there are two water trolls and 1 wood troll

I am at the moment Magic aligned. So my best Magic card is a Water based card.

Only the Wood Troll has a chance to over come (but it is also the weakest???? not sure... but I caught it first)

The other two are water based, so they break even and if you look closely the Lummoxes actually have a chance at being stronger against Earth and weaker against water... so its not all stacked against you!

Granted with a Earth based card, you will have consistent elemental dominance. But

1) It will shift you towards technology since it is a tech card

2) The is a chance of a +20 against you (Lummox)

I am BAAAAAAAck!

2009-08-10T09:52:00.001+08:00

I guess I should write something... anything..

its just that at the computer.. I can't bring myself to write anything...

but when walking about I would have an inspiration to write something... and rather lengthy too!

Hence the beauty of the netbook =)

ah well....

I'll have to change if this blog is to survive. I probably will not be verbose. Not that I ever was =)

So its one day after NDP which is uneventful for me. This year it fell on a Sunday, so today monday it is a holiday.

I think I shall use it to do a bit of coding. Do a bit of work learn abit.

Like whether a it is good to have a single massive table or to break it up in to several smaller tables.

hmmm.

[Edit]

I realised i posted this in the wrong blog... this is my MTG blog =P ... or MH or now MM dang....

Mouse Hunt Log!!! 090308

2009-03-08T23:39:00.000+08:00

12:29am tomorrow
My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Acolyte Realm: 2 Golem, 3 Gate Guardian, 1 Gorgon
Catacombs: 7 Skeleton, 3 Ooze, 8 Keeper's Assistant, 11 Spider, 4 Zombie, 14 Ghost, 6 Mummy, 4 Scavenger, 1 Lycan, 1 Golem
Total catches: 65
Average weight: 6 oz.
Gold and Points:
219,479 gold gained, 1,886 gold lost
286,326 points gained, 4,997 points lost
217,593 net gold, 281,329 net points.
Cheese:
Brie:
Attracted a mouse 0 times out of 14 hunts.
0 were eaten, 14 went stale and 0 were stolen.
Ancient:
Attracted a mouse 9 times out of 9 hunts.
9 were eaten, 0 went stale and 0 were stolen.
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 84 times out of 103 hunts.
84 were eaten, 4 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was decent.
Loot:
Scrap Metal (x2)
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x2)
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x19)

Birthday MICE!!!!!

2009-03-07T11:24:00.001+08:00

11:22am tomorrow
My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Catacombs: 4 Keeper, 8 Spider, 6 Ooze, 4 Ravenous Zombie, 2 Ghost, 1 Mummy, 3 Birthday, 5 Scavenger, 3 Golem, 1 Lycan, 2 Zombie
Bazaar: 1 Bionic
Laboratory: 1 Granite, 3 Zombie
Total catches: 44
Average weight: 6 oz.
Gold and Points:
169,614 gold gained, 160 gold lost
190,360 points gained, 1,153 points lost
169,454 net gold, 189,207 net points.
Cheese:
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 47 times out of 85 hunts.
47 were eaten, 6 went stale and 0 were stolen.
Brie:
Attracted a mouse 8 times out of 27 hunts.
8 were eaten, 15 went stale and 0 were stolen.
Super Brie:
Attracted a mouse 1 time out of 4 hunts.
1 were eaten, 3 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was poor.
Loot:
Birthday Gift (x3)
Fancy Birthday Gift (x1)
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x12)
Scrap Metal (x2)
Keeper's Candle (x1)
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x2)

MouseHunt Log 090305

2009-03-05T23:23:00.001+08:00

11:18pm
My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Catacombs: 12 Ooze, 10 Ghost, 8 Mummy, 3 Scavenger, 3 Ravenous Zombie, 1 Bat, 2 Keeper, 4 Spider, 4 Golem, 1 Zombie
Total catches: 48
Average weight: 7 oz.
Gold and Points:
207,818 gold gained, 5,378 gold lost
232,210 points gained, 1,404 points lost
202,440 net gold, 230,806 net points.
Cheese:
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 71 times out of 120 hunts.
71 were eaten, 6 went stale and 0 were stolen.
Swiss:
Attracted a mouse 0 times out of 4 hunts.
0 were eaten, 1 went stale and 0 were stolen.
Ancient:
Attracted a mouse 1 time out of 1 hunts.
1 were eaten, 0 went stale and 0 were stolen.
Brie:
Attracted a mouse 0 times out of 4 hunts.
0 were eaten, 1 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was decent.
Loot:
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x13)
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x1)

Yet more logs 090304

2009-03-05T00:59:00.001+08:00

11:17am
My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Catacombs: 3 Zombie, 11 Spider, 12 Ooze, 12 Ghost, 2 Ravenous Zombie, 5 Mummy, 5 Scavenger, 3 Keeper, 4 Golem
Total catches: 57
Average weight: 7 oz.
Gold and Points:
238,704 gold gained, 5,174 gold lost
268,918 points gained, 2,462 points lost
233,530 net gold, 266,456 net points.
Cheese:
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 85 times out of 111 hunts.
85 were eaten, 6 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was good.
Loot:
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x18)
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x4)
Scrap Metal (x3)

MouseHunt log 090302

2009-03-02T22:55:00.002+08:00

Hmm yesterday was'nt all too great a hunt..... well not the best...

10:54pm
My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Catacombs: 9 Scavenger, 14 Spider, 1 Lycan, 9 Mummy, 10 Ghost, 4 Ravenous Zombie, 5 Zombie, 5 Ooze, 4 Golem, 3 Keeper
Total catches: 64
Average weight: 7 oz.
Gold and Points:
261,400 gold gained, 7,486 gold lost
296,644 points gained, 5,178 points lost
253,914 net gold, 291,466 net points.
Cheese:
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 102 times out of 136 hunts.
102 were eaten, 7 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was good.
Loot:
Scrap Metal (x5)
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x8)
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x1)

Divine and Demonic

2009-03-01T21:36:00.003+08:00

Well this kinda confirms that Akroma, Angel of Wrath and Luminous Angel will be in. Also in is the Lord of the Pit!!!

Now I am excited that Akroma is in.. but I really hope the fanboys don't cause the vendors to hoard as they are so very likely to.

I HATE vendors who hoard. FTV: Dragons was a really really really bad experience.

Please don't do that again WOTC/Hasbro. Or really you will face a fallout with M10 ... you don;t really think we print money do you?

The Greater Power : Nassif

2009-03-01T17:26:00.008+08:00

Wow...

Pro Tour Kyoto is just over and just wow...

I do love it when they do the webcasts...

I am not sure why they do not do it for the whole top 8, but I guess it might be due to costs??

In any case, it was a good thing they did it for this finals!

Two really amazing players.

Sure LSV has a great track record, but to really understand why he is in such a great standing as a player, you really just got to watch him play.

In the 4th game of the finals, he had two head games , one under the windbrisk heights and one in hand. He knew Nassif had a negate, and played like he wanted to play the head games, and you could see Nassif trying real hard to play and keep negate mana open, allowing Ajani Goldmane to resolve and terror and so on, so Nassif knew LSV was holding something big (if he did'nt know it was head games, which I think he knew). So Nassif played around and we were like staring at a board of kithkins Cloudgoat Ranger was there a bitterblossom??? and Ajani getting stronger... and finallyI think Nassif played a Cruel Ultimatum.. and BAM! LSV played a Head Games via WindBrisk Heights!

But there is a greater power. =P

Somehow Nassif clawed back slowly but surely, MullDrifter helped lots and eventually Broodmate dragon closed in and LSV's own bitterblossom did him in.

2-2

The game was much faster, and 2 cruel Ultimatum resolved. Cruel indeed. I was rooting for Nassif... mostly cos LSV has won lots already. But whomever won, this was a great match up and both players showed in they play that they were on top of their game.

Cards that may spike in value::

Cloudgoat Ranger???? Yes that adorable warrior giant has seen lots of play this tournament, so very cute and all. Head Games! this card is nasty if one can pull it off, which is also why the move by LSV was such a treat as he displayed his skill in setting up the game such that he could play it. Another card that may see a rise is that of windbrisk heights, its a really nice way to play stuff for free and various players have already incorporate it into their decks! Yet Another card that might see value spiking is Broodmate Dragon. Now if you were around when SOA first came out, many were wondering why the price of Broodmate Dragon was so low, 6 USD could get you a playset. Currently its value has already spiked to 8.99 USD on ebay (do the search).

I do not actually think the price will spike much higher. It really depends on how dominant 5 Colour Control gets. Should you get your playset? I do not really have sympathy for people who pick things only if the card is good (I am a collector.. so even the suck cards I would get)... but it really depends i haven't been following the market. If Broodmate Dragon has been seen "bad" enuff that everyone ignores it. Then yes you ought to get your playset as if the dragons were'nt bought, the dealer will now hoard it. But if the dragons have been selling on and off. Then no. The supply outside of the those card shark/dealers will be sufficient that the price spike would be there but minimal. Now the real question is how dominant will 5 colour control be? Because if 5 -colour control becomes the deck to beat (like faerie dominant), then yes the price will spike and continue to spike.

I do not know 5-colour enough to make the call, but from my limited experience, it is a good strong deck, but not insurmountable. hence my call based on my little experience? =P I think broodmates will rise to a decent level. 8.99 usd sound right. But will likely stay there or drop. Basically:

if
5CC --> dominant == Price of Broodmate Dragon --> go uppity up

else if
5CC --> decent == Price of Broodmate Dragon --> stay at current level 8.99 +-

else
5CC --> goes bust == Price of Broodmate Dragon --> back to previous level 6.99 +-

And thats all I have... go catch the archives if you missed it! Its amazing =)

More MouseHunt Logs, stale cheese, Brie and MORE ... well mabbe not

2009-03-01T12:18:00.003+08:00

Y'all....

so now I have a ACRONYM trap I guess I will stat to put up the stats for who ever wants to compile em =)

9:32pm
My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Catacombs: 2 Monster, 15 Ghost, 15 Spider, 9 Ooze, 10 Mummy, 7 Scavenger, 5 Zombie, 2 Ravenous Zombie, 3 Golem, 2 Keeper
Total catches: 70
Average weight: 6 oz.
Gold and Points:
291,170 gold gained, 5,276 gold lost
326,060 points gained, 4,463 points lost
285,894 net gold, 321,597 net points.
Cheese:
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 105 times out of 127 hunts.
105 were eaten, 2 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was good.
Loot:
Cheddar Cheese (x12)
Marble Cheese (x25)
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x4)
Scrap Metal (x8)
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x8)

ACRONYM/dehydration

My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Catacombs: 14 Spider, 6 Ravenous Zombie, 10 Ghost, 7 Scavenger, 8 Lycan, 4 Zombie, 15 Ooze, 6 Mummy, 3 Golem, 1 Keeper, 1 Black Widow
Total catches: 75
Average weight: 7 oz.
Gold and Points:
328,135 gold gained, 6,323 gold lost
388,163 points gained, 1,627 points lost
321,812 net gold, 386,536 net points.
Cheese:
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 114 times out of 135 hunts.
114 were eaten, 4 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was good.
Loot:
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x25)
Scrap Metal (x9)
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x2)
SUPER|brie+ Cheese (x16)

090301

10:07am tomorrow
My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Catacombs: 14 Ghost, 3 Ravenous Zombie, 9 Spider, 6 Zombie, 3 Golem, 9 Ooze, 3 Keeper, 8 Mummy, 3 Scavenger, 1 Monster
Total catches: 59
Average weight: 7 oz.
Gold and Points:
241,916 gold gained, 3,023 gold lost
271,273 points gained, 4,256 points lost
238,893 net gold, 267,017 net points.
Cheese:
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 91 times out of 116 hunts.
91 were eaten, 8 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was good.
Loot:
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x1)
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x7)
Scrap Metal (x2)
Cheddar Cheese (x37)
Brie Cheese (x10)

And this is something culled from the MH boards... its a posting by someone... I am posting it for easy to find and posterity as these things kinda just disappear.....

I would summarise it.. but I am to lazy =P

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Ok, so a lot of people are complaining about the price of SB, and how they can't hunt in the cats, blah blah blah, yada yada yada

To counter this, I'm reminding you and proposing that we gather up potions to use on brie. now, people keep saying "they don't drop" or "it costs too much money to convert brie" or "I am very hungry and I'd like to eat my brie and only use SB for conversion."

Here's my method:
Equip a trap/base combo that has a higher likelyhood of making stale cheese. (I'm using ACRONYM/exp). Buy swiss @ 100 pp, and hunt in the lab. As you hunt, you're more likely to have stale cheese and pots after a few days. They might not drop often, but I guarantee it's possible that something might drop eventually or not.... :-) This takes care of the first complaint.

The second complaint, the cost, is easily argued. The cost to convert 11 pieces of Brie to RB is covered by catching just one mouse. Those 11 RB will possibly net you a mouse worth at least 3k gold, so the gold works out in the end, and since we're all (mostly) used to waiting around anyways, we can handle the wait. Also, if your cheese goes stale, you could go make a few pieces of ancient cheese, and now you have a chance of catching better mice.

For the third complaint, you are on your own, because the snacking thing is not my specialty.

Ok, so I'm not the first person to try this, but I was bored and figured I'd share my idea with people. Nothing like typing a big old post up to get some excitement going.

LOL I was so happy to have thought of this that I posted this in the newcomer's lounge at first. I think I need sleep....

Mouse Hunt Log!!! 090224

2009-02-24T21:31:00.002+08:00

9:19pm
My last 1 day 12 hours of hunting:
Catches:
Catacombs: 21 Ooze, 10 Mummy, 7 Scavenger, 8 Golem, 9 Ghost, 7 Zombie, 1 Keeper, 9 Spider, 2 Ravenous Zombie, 5 Lycan
Total catches: 79
Average weight: 7 oz.
Gold and Points:
347,614 gold gained, 6,244 gold lost
408,295 points gained, 1,265 points lost
341,370 net gold, 407,030 net points.
Cheese:
Radioactive Blue:
Attracted a mouse 113 times out of 143 hunts.
113 were eaten, 10 went stale and 0 were stolen.
Cheddar:
Attracted a mouse 0 times out of 1 hunts.
0 were eaten, 1 went stale and 0 were stolen.
My attraction rate was good.
Loot:
Scrap Metal (x6)
Corrupted Radioactive Blue Potion (x5)
Radioactive Blue Cheese (x17)

Eleventh Edition NOT!! M10 is the new IN!

2009-02-23T23:51:00.003+08:00

Actually I ammore interested in talking about mouse hunt at the moment... =P hey i got my 12 metals and am cruising in the catacombs!!

anyways...

I am actually quite hyped up about the new core set...

It both pains me and excites me...

It pains me as it means a bigger hole in my wallet and it excites me because....

wow the new card previewed looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is silence Abeyance minus 1 ?????

some cool!

And the art... oh...

well in RL I am actually in the process of sorting out my room and my boxes and boxes of cards are really turning my room into a warzone!

I have just packed boxes of 10th, boxes of Ravnica... boxes of dissension and guildpact I believe .... I am currently packing my boxes of coldsnap... I'll put up some photos so you know what I am talking about =)

I have come to the point... what am I doing with all this card board... in my heart i hope one they my kids will play draft or sealed with the old opened packs.

But will that happen? Will my dreams be dust in a corner. Just like how the cards are now?

Am I holding on to things that are mucking up my life ... hmmmm nice retrospective thoughts and perspectives that can be applied to so many things in my life. I must be really screwed =)

Thank you people.

GP LA

2009-01-18T16:46:00.003+08:00

So nothing much recently....

actually lots but I have been so lazy and that I guess is going to be the bane of blogging.

heres a link Grand Prix LA there are some interesting decks abound....

and oh Riptide Laboratory is on the radar, I did mention the last time that it alone makes the Faeries deck really nasty did'nt I ;) The prices HAVE NOT spiked yet though. I am thinking because the extended season is not really rolling yet (I do not know if extended will continue to be the format of choice for this year).... oh well =P

Noble Hierarch, my price prediction

2009-01-01T09:22:00.000+08:00

Noble Hierarch?

Well there is currently some debate as to whether it should be a rare or uncommon.

Personally I think it is fine either way.

I actually think it will settle as a 2 dollar rare =P

Why?

It is a bant card.

Bant ability.

Bant colours.

Unless Exalt is pushed hard, its value is unlikely to sustain beyond standard.

2 dollar is being kind to it.

I have NO DOUBT, its value will sky rocket at the start. Maybe 10 USD ... max (note this is per card)

It would likely drop to 16 USD quite quickly and stay there for a few months.

Its fortune from that point would be tied ot the success of Exalt.

After rotation, unless Exalt is brought back in a MEANINGFUL way. This is a < 1 USD rare.

The cards change yes. But the game stays the same ;)

How to use Mayael the Anima

2008-12-18T23:39:00.004+08:00

How to use Mayael the Anima.

Oh wait thats the title. gah... okay..

here goes.

Understand this was just a dump together, "LETS MAKE A NAYA DECK" moment.

(By the way I found, that Naya can go 2 routes, you dump out big creatures real quick, or you capitalise on big creatures in play... its actually rather hard to do both... but that deserves another post... anyways ONWARD!!!!!!)

Like I was just sayin'

You need to treat her as a good 3 drop creature. 2/3
is decent but not earth shattering. And it should be
treated as such.

In other words your deck should not be dependent on
Mayael. The only point for leveraging on Mayael is the
fact that she is an elf and a shaman.

Add to that she is legendary. So she should not be a
four of in a deck. Still, I found that a good reason
to have multiples of her is that at 3 toughness she
dies quite easily, and if you treat her as a 2/3, she
can block quite a few things, though the first Mayael
you summon is likely to die by mid game.

Mayael is really a late game player, but who not just
play a singleton you say.

You could.

But thats making her a very big target board. You are
like saying: "Hey looky wad I got here! Mayael is
coming online!!!!!" ... with a bullseye on her pretty
head of course.

Instead by playing her early, you leverage on her CC
(casting cost), at 3 she can drop real early. By
making her look useless, your opponent is less likely
to notice her come your 6th land, earlier if you have elves.

Believe you me, Mayael can do quite the smack
down if you let her come online. Face it, there was a reason the activation cost is 6 mana!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
// Deck file for Magic Workstation

// Lands
4 Brushland
4 Jungle Shrine
2 Plains
2 Mountain
3 Reflecting Pool
3 Forest
4 Karplusan Forest

// Creatures
1 Bull Cerodon
2 Druid of the Anima
3 Mayael the Anima
4 Woolly Thoctar
4 Jungle Weaver
1 Godsire
1 Flameblast Dragon
4 Elvish Visionary
4 Nettle Sentinel
3 Heritage Druid
1 Windbrisk Raptor

// Spells
4 Naya Charm
4 Gift of the Gargantuan
1 Overrun
1 Wrath of God

// Sideboard
SB: 4 Oblivion Ring
SB: 2 Angel of Despair

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oh yah its still in the works.... and its not block and currently I am not even keeping it to standard, just casual =)

Hey this deck is supposed to duke it out with other shardy themed decks ;) not be tournament caliber!!!

Still I will explain my deck choices as i write this... but I gotta sleep now =P

Anyways to your success in tournaments, sanctioned or otherwise =)

In other news:

ELVES did not win..... Worlds!

Guess NOT BANNING elves! was the right move ;)

Elves! A Rant... hey its my blog!

2008-11-30T09:34:00.006+08:00

Just some thoughts that have been simmering...

One of the more hotly (well as hot as a forum discussion on mtg can get) is whether or not Elves!
should be neutered.

The reasons so far have been

1) took 6 out of 8 slots in PT Berlin 2008
2) Kills on turn 2

Some have compared it to dredge.

Other more imaginative persons have compared it to *gasp* FlashHulk

Now I am not arguing if the deck is over powered or unstoppable.

The dredge point is double edged. Proponents of not neutering Elves! say that, dredge is more powerful,
others say no. Thats about it actually =)

Thats the funny part.

There is not actually very much to argue about.

Reading the forum was like reading a bunch of kids ranting and scribbling.

So many ridiculous sweeping statements with no thoughts.

TROLLS challenging to playtest.. when their statements show their ignorance.

One kept harping on playtesting and that Elves! kill on T2.

Point is Elves! on average kills on T3/T4

Vargas's version had the fastest at 20% T2 (or was it 40% ... if it did his deck must suck and kept fizzing ;))

Did people even watch the webcast??????

I followed it every step.

Tezzerator died, because of mulls down to 4/5 (I can't recall and I can't be bothered to check)

If it was a best of 3 Vargas would have been long dead in the water!!!

It was a best of FIVE

And it was credit to Vargas's experience, to pull and react with his sideboard.

People speak of Viridian Shaman like it was some kind of panache for all of Elves! troubles.

But if you watch the match Vargas was very proactive with his side board, he boarded ALL Jittes as well as the Shamans.

This TOGETHER with the mulls was what killed Tezzerator.

I would even argue that it was skills that won the day.

The Tezzarator deck was finely tuned, but I suspect it was a case of playing the deck well but not being able to react well.

We should give credit to Vargas, not just his deck.

As for comparison to Jittes as well as the Flash.

Heres why its a stupid comparison.

Legacy was a tried and true environment. People knew what were the best cards for various purposes.

So when Flash came in. TRULY the best HATE was brought to bear on the Flash and it ...

survived.

Now that argument I can live with.

It was done with sound knowledge. We knew that was the best we have and it could'nt deal.

(Oh and I loved flash, it once again showed that P9 is no longer as powerful as it actually was... want to know how to open up the T1 market and kill demand for p9 ? UNRESTRICT Trinisphere. Trinisphere was unrestricted purely to let the p9 fantasy live on... oh and the price? it only went up in 2003, so the p9 value is really speculative at best -- but then you'd get legacy.... *faints*)

Also flash had the zeroth kill 20%.

NOTHING at that time would deal. FLASH had the kill with the counter back up.

it was beautiful.

...

and not too fun after awhile.

it was truly broken.

Now you want to compare that with Elves! ?????

Extended just had it legs cut out from beneath it. We do not even know what are the best and most effective cards.

And people are treating the results of PT Berlin like its the GOSPEL ???????

Please.

Grow up.

You have brains???? no?

I am not saying that Elves! should not be banned.

It may well be that Extended do not have the tools.

But we don't know that.

If we kill EVERY deck that is dominant. You kill an aspect of Magic.

Sure you say magic will live.

But is it magic or is it Pokemon dressed up as Magic?

You say control and combo are boring.

Dude even aggro gets boring. Control and combo are what gives Magic the competitive edge against the plethora of GAMES out there. And there are many games. Every damned expansion is competing with those games.

Now personally I think Elves! Should be banned.

I find it boring actually. One of the top 8 matches was particularly painful to watch. They were creating many.. many ... many insects. Cos they had big dragons and big life.

Sighs.

Oh if you watch rather than just read, you would have felt the pain of watching rather than wowed at the fantastically huge life and dragons.

Hey they banned Sensei's Divining Top for that reason. So why not Elves! ;)

Note: I am not usually this caustic. its just that the overbearing, condescending tone (some were moderaters... let die all hope...) and worst.... illogical sweeping statements made just so disgusted me that I cannot post a reply.. as it would just make two of us look stupid instead of just one.

Magic 2008 November - Rant on the current state of affairs - ( Pro tour Berlin !!)

2008-11-03T21:49:00.010+08:00

Been a while since I last typed =)

Oh I am still on magic.

I think I am likely hooked for life.

Well....

I like to think that one day my kids will play the game with me ;)

Still I have'nt really been able to play, mostly just collecting and trying to make some small profits here and there.

But this is'nt about me rambling about me, this is a quick summary of my thoughts of the latest developments in the game as of now 3rd November 2008

This season is when extended rotates. Almost three sets are rotating out. (I think... I could be wrong of course =))

And extended cards are essentially from onslaught block onwards.This means a lot of things for many cards and decks.

Go on read pro tour berlin =)

All I can say is wow....

I guess I am a sucker for content: There I was just rumaging about the site waiting for the blogs to come online. And W00T I found the link to a live webcast.

It is definitely an eye opener and really watching a real match really lets you know what can or cannot be done in a tournament =P

I am a kind ham strapped Singaporean, in that if they did'nt say, you probably can't do. So in a tournament the more season players sometimes try to cowl you into making errors. And it doesn't help when the store owner or the judge is chummy with them.

And no I ain't no sick kitty (you really need to know chinese to appreciate that), but I tend to go lawful good or lawful neutral (I dunno, a DnD classification explains it most succinctly in this scenario)about things in general. So this webcast really lets me know acceptable behaviour and norms of play. Oh about the lawful part... yah once I know the rules I go chaotic evil. So try not to piss me ;) An really shame on you if you have been trying to ruffle feathers just to get an advantage.

The latest breakout deck? Elves!

Well who would have thought =) gogo Kamigawa! I always knew you were good for something!

Suddenly glimpse of nature is a chase card! Use to be that 1-5 USD would get you a playset. I distinctively remember that I bought a few extras, as i was speculative at that time and I saw something in Glimpse of nature ... but it did'nt materialise in terms of potential. Until now =) Talk about value investment huh.

Oh what made the magic work? Well from my myopic non tournament point of view, it looks like heritage druid and the all new nettle sentinel made the difference. Of course the elves from the older set are important pieces, and its not that they are less important or less crucial to the combo. But the trigger effect for nettle sentinels compled with the mana producing power of the heritage druid put into play the last pieces of the puzzle.

What is beautiful about this deck is that it is almost all common and uncommon. Glimpse of Nature and Chord of calling are rares to be sure, but both cards have been dollar bin rares or close. (Until today of course Glimpse of Nature is 30 USD per playset)

And its Elves!

Elves as a tribe have been casual(not meant as an insult) or weak for the longest time.

And now W00T, its won a pro tour.

I was a little sad of course, as I was rooting for the Tezzerator. He crunched through what.. 3 or 5 Elves match ups. But then crumbled. I think it was his confidence that did him in in the end. If you believe in the energy thingy, I believe his confidence just withered after the 3 or 4th round. While LSV was unfettered and that allowed him to take the game and energise his deck and draw ;)

What I think was key. Thought Seizes. now duress might be as good.... but probably not in this environment as duress is non creatures and thought seizes can hit anything non-land. I am glad I have my 4 already =P

Just watch the games, thought seizes heavily disrupted the games. Why? Duress was good.

But usually not that good. I have a little theory and I think it is likely due to the power level going down, resulting in a reduction in redundancy.

Oh Tezzerator was just so chumped by Viridian ShamanViridian Shaman.... STILL the games lost were where he had to mulligan to 4 or 5. His deck chicken out. Thats sad.

Still i think Tezzarator is gonna be the next big thing or one of the next big things. I believe Elves will survive and continue on to be a archtype to watch out for. Why?

Turn 2/3 kill and the fact that it can play anything. Anytime.

Is it easily disrupted? Yes. But it also solidifies real quick.

Oh the latest tech for Faeries? Riptide Laboratory. It was real nice to see it. The trick was'nt new of course, people have been using it on occasion to bounce their Dark Confidant etc. But to use the Champion effect oh so deviously, Mistbind Clique to tap out your opponent. That was neat.

Engineered Explosives? That one was already high.

Chrome Mox? W00t baby, those are going 40 USD and rising. Its refreshing to see them going uppity up, they have been languishing at the twenties or less for the longest time. I just wished I picked up some foil ones when they were low.

I liked the fact that Faeries made top 8. It is nice to see Lorwyn make its mark in extended (and firespout from Shadowmoor).

I do not really know what to make of Shards of Alara yet. But at this point this just came to mind. ... Dear Wizards, if you are reading this. Please for the love of God (and your own body), don't EVER do a 4 block set again. It is financially and mentally straining. I get totally spaced out thinking of what to do with the cards. I really love mill, and I am glad you pushed hard. But the other strategies just kind crammed it out.

Ah screw it, if thats what it take to push Milling and poison as a strategy then just do it ;)

Oh please bring back armageddon and counterspell.

I know you won't do it, at least not now. Not when you have spent literally years cultivating the current standard and to a certain extent extended. But once you(or the fanbase) is sick of strategies that only BEGIN on turn 3/4 . Please remember that we still love lightning bolt, winter orb, counterspell, armageddon, dark rituals.... hmm while we are at it just throw in the power nine =D Seriously...

From the Vaults : Dragons

2008-08-23T14:10:00.003+08:00

I do not think I will be getting any of the "From the Vaults: Dragons"

The reason is simple.

WOTC releases it at 37.95 USD (I think)

But people are selling it as singles for way way more.

My own store in Singapore says their supplier will only let them sell one box for every 6 boxes they order.

I will boycott this endeavour and others like it.

I do not know if this is condone by WOTC/Hasbro

But if yes.... well you know what i think of you =)

Vintage

2008-08-23T13:22:00.001+08:00

Current

Archives
circa 20080822

Decks Lorwyn Shadowmoor Era

2008-08-23T13:13:00.003+08:00

This post will be to hold the deck list for the lorwyn shadow moor era...

e.g. Faeries, Elf etc

Block

Constructed/Standard

More Mouse Hunt

2008-08-23T12:57:00.000+08:00

I noticed that on some browsers

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.16) Gecko/20080702 Firefox/2.0.0.16

The facebook app does not stop trying to poll mousehunt....

I keep ketting mice stealing my stuff....

So what i did is to refresh, but click on the stop button....

and voila, suddenly i am getting mice again!!!

Mice and Men

2008-08-12T06:26:00.000+08:00

Recently I added a new app on facebook....

MouseHunt =)

basically you set traps to catch mice.

My strategy so far is

1) Wooden base + spring
2) Wooden base plus target + spring
3) Wooden base plus target + the puppet thing
4) Stone base + the puppet thing
5) Stone bast + treb
6) Explosive base + Treb

2008-07-24T00:14:00.009+08:00

So its been a while... and really Eventide has just passed and Alacra?? is coming.... dang... this is costing too much and really I am stuck in Shadowmoor...

I got pissed the other day and to collect my thoughts I will usually do something repetitive and somewhat central to what I used to do.... this normally includes but is not confined to shuffling or making boxes or drawing ... so I did some drawing....

Apparently medicine runner.... I thinkit did'nt turn out too good.... my dear sis thought it was a Kangaroo =) But I guess the small size and the big nib, means this was dead in the water

Stylised words... but I underestimated the size......

Everyone's favourite Redcap =) This was the first one i did .. I think... I can't remember if I did the stylised words firsts or the murderous redcap

Anyways i think I spoilt it by colouring the eyes too much.... it used to have more white

This was the last... but the one I am actually most happy with... or tie with the redcap..... Kithkin Shielddare ... most happy with because it did'nt look like it was gonna turn out good.. but I think it turned out alright =)

One thing that i learnt or relearnt... since it was something I said to PBG is that its notso important to capture the exact picture.. but to capture the essence of it...

If a person who knew the card can identify it... then hey I'm in business ;)

Cheers.

Rest in peace Polar Bear God

2008-06-13T00:05:00.003+08:00

Buncha things have happened... chiefly at the moment is that Polar Bear God has just passed away

It is rather sad and I admire his work alot, and reading his articles made me sad as well for he really loved the game though he was in financial difficulty.

Its not just magic of course, in almost every hobby you will have some who just equip up to speed and those that are truely passionate about and will scrimp and save and work to get a decent set together.

I unfortunately or not belong in the first category, for me I have enough to spurge on magic. But for PBG he really has a passion for it and scrimped to make his decks.

Sure magic is a luxury. And there is no good reason to throw your money at it (if you want to throw money and still get a good return i recommend investments =))

But still like in chess or photography, you get people who are truely dedicated to the activity. I am not one of those. But Richie is.

He was'nt just all about magic of course, for a person with his talent his is humble and unassuming. And his artwork (using sharpies) is fantastic. It is a pity that he did not really go full scale into art (though he loved art).

You will be missed.

You may find out more here

In other news...

Its crazy of course.....

after all those boxes i still lack

1 Grim Poppet
1 Order of Whiteclay
1 Enchanted Evening
2 Puppeteer Clique
1 Sunken Ruins
1 Oracle of Nectars
3 Impromptu Raid

Who woulda thought.....

Recently I have come to decide that I should start saving.

I would still like to collect/play MTG but i will probably cut down. By how much (of if I actually do) I do not know.

For instance I am unlikely to go on a 14 box + packs + Fatpack + pre cons binge anytime soon. =)

More likely I will go the 6 box, and fill in the blanks route. Ironically and painfully, this is when WOTC decides to introduce chase cards. *sighz*

Still there are many things to be happy about and magic is'nt everything =)

Shadowmoor... Dark Beginnings

2008-05-08T06:17:00.001+08:00

Shadowmoor... Dark Beginnings

well its kinda a beginning, I like MTG too much.

So I am into it again. But ya its not so much a priority.

Still for the sake of stakeholder measures.

I bought 14 boxes and a fatpack and counting.

I like the rumour season.
I like the poison mechanic.
I like the snow mechanic.
I like to have the power level of the set high.
I am in favor of reprinting the power 9.
I am in favor of reprinting grimmies
I am not so much a player but a collector though I like to build decks.
I am likely a Johnny/Spike in terms of psychoanalysis
I do not care what Ferret does in his free time. I prefer Alongi but hey

Ferret is fine too.
I would like more chinese kungfu related sets haha

Try not to piss me off. While I understand not all the points here can be

accommadated for a variety of reasons. The money is tight and yes I do play

WOW, so I might still drop MTG entirely. For instance the dollar is falling

but the price has'nt dropped...? please. Still that is a monetory issue. But

other more mundane things like poison , rumours and errr Ferret.. errr Ahem.

Hey even REPRINTS.

Still I can think of a few reasons not to do reprints, but none of those are

the usual ones.

Next I will update on my FatPack...

Oh yah I like the dice, please don't take away my dice and switch it to that

stupid life counter thing.

Ebay Changes, Buyer Perspective

2008-02-16T14:57:00.002+08:00

Ebay's changes

To seek the article, follow the link and look for "**A Message from Bill Cobb – New Pricing and Other News***"

It took awhile, Ebay is finally doing something right about the feedback systems.

It was fundamentally flawed.

Anyone saying that the old system was simple and equal is either

1) Crazy or really stupid

2) Is a bad/errant/"at least potentially bad" seller waiting to exploit you

3) All of the above

Oh when I said awhile, its like years... I joined ebay in 2001 I think, and now it is 2008.

Why is the old system flawed?

it is actually heavily biased to the sellers.

The insideous thing?

You do not actually see, it, everything is implicit.

It allowed sellers to cheat and then blackmail and get away with it.

It takes balls to stand up to a seller. I did it twice and it took me a few years to get back to my current 99.3%

My dear errant sellers did not even feel a dent. I took out 2 sellers and I am proud of it. One I left a negative for, the other got off scot free. But lets talk about that later.

Back to why the old system was flawed.

You have to be burnt before you see it.

Step 1) Buyer pays

Step 2) Seller should have reflected feedbaCK by now,ANYTHING ELSE IS AN INTENTION TO BLACKMAIL.

Step 3) I get bad bad karma and my stuff is wrong or fake (I was cheated 700 USD)

Step 4) I reflect the badness of his behaviour to the seller

Step 5) He says "OOH we leave what you leave", or something to that effect, believe me his email is actually very nice about, so no don't get doped by the niceness of the sellers comments, A BLACKMAIL IS A BLACKMAIL.

Step 4) I leave neg.

Step 5) seller leaves neg.

Oh seller drops all fronts of niceness at this point.

I was lucky.

Well I got cheated of 700 USD (well 400USD actually, the others were from other bad sellers - but this one takes the cake)

I reported ebay paypal, what have you, but nothing resolved.

Audience: "But you said you took him out!!!!!"

Yes yes, thats the "lucky" part. Dude was a scammer. Oh he was selling Power 9 if you are familiar.

Somewhere later in time, I saw an ID on ebay selling power nine.

BTW bad sellers are generally not smart (still he got 400 usd from me, yay him!). This one was not too smart, I recognised the html and pics (yes really not smart)... I still had his email and the old auction description. I emailed everything to ebay, ebay said something to the effect that they cannot tell me anything due to privacy issues.

But I continue monitoring the ID, apparently others got ripped and eventually that account was closed. I had to vigilante it. Why must it be so difficult to weed the bad seed out?

Well I did say I was lucky.

Why lucky? Because this was a case where I could do something about the seller. This is a CASE where the feedback system is fair and buyers and sellers have equal power.

Audience: "YOU LIAR!!!! You said the system is flawed!! You can't talk straight!!!"

Well you don't listen good buddy. It was a SINGLE case. I will now come to why the old system is flawed. Its about power. A seller is typically a shop, or at least specialised enough to garner thousands of unique feedback. As a buyer I have 1800 transactions (all positive) but only 250+ unique feedback. Sellers' total is WAY WAY higher. Its a many to one relation.

The old system only works when the seller is small, but when the seller grows big, there is NOTHING to stop the seller from going rogue.

I have actually personally seen a seller grow from the hundreds to thousands. They are usually nice, but would use quid pro quo tactics to get ONLY positive comments (those sellers that are not nice, or cheat early get weeded). Once this particular seller grew he went nuts and cheated left right centre.

Audience: "But he was caught right??"

Yes but only because he BLATANTLY cheated. He was an extreme.

ONLY EXTREMES get caught. All other bad feedback left is usually too miniscule to be of worry to sellers. Oh and theres the bit about the carnage of dead buyers left in the dirt with no money back to them. Yes there is the ebay and paypal schemes, but to catch a scammer it can take months to years for the true colours to show, the protection schemes have expired by then.

AND YET.

And this is the dumb part.

Sellers leave retaliatory comments.

Stay with me, its a little complex.

We will assume 2 scenarios.

Good Seller - out to make a living, will do good things, send the damn thing and be over with it.

Bad seller - may not be blatantly out to cheat, but bad quality of goods and bad service.

Good seller -

generally if you do not piss people off, buyers leave good comments, I always do

Point is short term, a buyer loses way out more than a seller in the old system.

You get a few bad ones? In the past at least, this does not affect you one bit.

But still a BAD seller would be obliged to leave a bad comment, I mean if enough ppl rise up to you, you will get a negative eventually right? (Oh that only should happen if you are INDEED a BAD seller) So alot of big bad sellers use the quid pro quo tactic to keep everyone in line.

The good sellers? You actually should'nt need to leave comments. What is the chance of a few hundred bad buyers (usually from competitor sellers or someone you royally pissed - which in anycase should'nt even be in the picture!) trying to screw you? And even then, such cases can be resolved.

The usual quoted cases:

1)
Buyer has wild expectations about shipping, sellers LOVE to quote the "BUYER EXPECTS IT IN TWO DAYS!!!"... I agree that those negs should be invalid. TWO MONTHS late shipping, should still be seriously considered for a bad neg. Lets be very clear about it.

2)
Buyer not paying. This too I agree, that the negs are invalid.

But apart from those? Please most of the complaints from buyers are that THEY PAID!

In most cases the BAD seller blackmails for a good comment, usually implicitly. Like the very familar:

"Leave your comments and I'll leave mine"

The BAD seller only gets caught after hundreds and in some cases thousands of buyers get screwed.

Too late buddy.

If you think I am joking, you have sellers with a 20000+ rating.

They may have a 99% rating. Should they screw you. You count for 1/20000+

Sure you say: If he is really bad, people will leave a neg!

Well buddy, you obviously do not understand herd or sheep mentality. One shot and you silence the entire herd.

The damage to someone like me for instance I will receive a downgrade of 1/200+ way higher than the seller.

Is that fair? Is that equal power? If you still think that is fair your math teacher must have been disappointed in you.

And you know what is worse?

There is no way to explicitly look for bad feedback.

Often when I look at the seller I look for what he/she has done. And sellers with the many transactions actually get their bad deeds HIDDEN!

This was actually something I had to tangle with in trying to expose a seller doing bad quality stuff.

I tend to buy in bulk so I have many transactions to blow feedback on.

What happens is, when I leave a negative, it gets blown to the back. And new buyers actually have a hard time seeing the negative feedback. So what I did was I left a negative every few days (NOTE! HIS PERCENTAGE DOES NOT CHANGE! ALL MY COMMENTS ONLY COUNT AS ONE UNIQUE).

My only consolation is that I can keep the RED maintained on his feedback.

Eventually other buyers noticed and did the same. Guess what his feedback when from all green, to all RED. It was amazing. He was actually SCREWING EVERYONE. But no one dared to fire the first shot. The sad thing is if you only bought one thing, IT ACHIEVES NOTHING to leave your neg, as your little RED dot will just get washed away by the rest of the sheep. I only dared to fire because I know I have many transactions so I can sustain the TRUTH.

Even then, to this day I have 2 negs in my feedback. I cannot afford to stand up any more. I worked hard to keep my 99.3 (worked hard as in I no longer dared to leave negative feedback).

You think its no big deal? One more neg, will result in 99.0 or less. Two more and I slip to 98.0 Three? And what does three do to someone with 20000+ rating or for that matter 1000+ ?

The old feedback system was such that you get HAMMERED INTO SUBMISSION. Is this how a fair system works?

I got to go now, but I will complete this later... stay tuned

To be totally truthful, I think the new system is fair, but may need some tweaks, for instance negative feedback should be removable if found to be given wilfully. The sellers deserve that at least.

Oh and for those saying Ebay needs the sellers?

WRONG.

There will always be sellers, just as there has always been buyers. (Which is why the bad sellers are able to screw for so long)

What we want is to root out the bad ones, buyer or seller.

The old system was HORRIBLY UNFAIR. The new system is better, it must still be tweaked it is not perfect, but it is WAY fairer than the old system.

Magic the Gathering and World of Warcraft - my recent experience

2008-02-03T22:03:00.000+08:00

Well I bought Warcraft III as well as WoW...

yay....

sighs

I need to get a life bhwahahaha

Still checking out the intro video (which is a year old btw)

I cannot help but feel FF has a really though, if not impossible fight

On the other hand, being both a MTG player and a WOW noob, I really do not think WOW can break into MTG's CCG.

I stand by my earlier stance that, whichever CCG a dude/dudette plays really depends on whichever he/she started on first.

MTG has 15/16 years of TRADITION.

That is hard to beat.

Does WOW have anything like the Moxes? Lotus? P9?

Nope. Nuff said.

That said however, it not entirely impossible for WOW to take over MTG, but this is only possible if MTG drops the ball (something entirely possible given the way they act at times).

On the other hand looking at WOW, they really have the MMORPG estate carved out. I do not see FF competing.

It is not impossible to overtake them, but again they too may drop ball, again given the way they act.

Below is a set of emails that went back and forth...

Well I bought the disc... so you know it resolved happily... for them and maybe not for me (I will be the one wasting my life in the game haha)

In summary, I got locked out on my second login... god knows for what... apparently I exploited some account even though I only used the trial account for a day or so...

Now if you were a new customer what would be your reaction?

If you were accused of an act which if Blizzard decided to pull no punches and wanted to, could pursue charges and sue your sorry ass into financial oblivion. (Hacking is criminalised in the US afterall)

Think.

I thought so.

Still I am impressed with WOW amd MTG should be worried at least. I only have so many dollars =)

I have bought the WOW game disc, and yes I do not mind the 14.99 leaking every month.

I did'nt buy the boxes of morningtide I normally would have. In better times I would have gotten at least 10. Now I am thinking more like 4 or 6.

I spent my munny on IT books, and some text books.

But don't worry wizards, I am still getting morningtide, but not now ... maybe next month. You have'nt lost me with your price increase. You have just lost priority.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> ***Notice of Account Closure***
>
> Hello,
>
> This is a notification regarding the World of
> Warcraft account XXXX. Access to this account
> has been permanently disabled for exploitation of
> World of Warcraft through associated accounts which
> have been closed for intended exploitation. While
> we try to be as lenient as possible in our
> assessments of the results of exploitation
> investigations, reoccurring trends in exploitative
> endeavors on your accounts have ultimately lead to
> their closure. The recurring subscription on the
> account has been disabled to prevent further
> charges.
>
> As a result, this account will no longer be able to
> access any aspect of World of Warcraft. This action
> has been taken in accordance with the Terms of Use
>
(http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html)
> and our game policies
>
(http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/?id=XXXX).
> According to the World of Warcraft Terms of Use, to
> which all players agree when installing World of
> Warcraft, Section 5, Paragraph C [Rules Related to
> Game Play] states that you may not do anything that
> Blizzard Entertainment considers contrary to the
> "essence" of World of Warcraft.
>
> Any disputes or questions concerning this account
> action can only be addressed by Account
> Administration. To learn more about how Account
> Administration is able to assist you, please visit
> us at http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowaa/.
>
> Thank you for your time and understanding of our
> position in this matter. Please feel free to
> contact us with any questions or concerns you may
> have.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi,

I have no idea what you are talking about, I only
played with this account once and it is a trial
account.

I log in a second time and this happens. I was really
thinking of getting the game disc but this incident
has really discouraged me from joining your online
games.

Imagine if I paid the money and I get locked out.

I do hope you can correct this quickly if you still
intend to keep your customers.

Best Regards,
Edmund

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Greetings,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the World of
Warcraft account you are using. We understand your point of view and have
thoroughly reviewed this issue. As a result, the account action has
been removed from the account and all involved parties have been
addressed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Please feel free to contact us with any further questions or concerns
you may have. Thank you for your time and patience in this matter and
your continued interest in World of Warcraft.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am quitting Magic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-13T17:56:00.000+08:00

I might be quitting magic... seriously ;)

...

no its not because I discovered facebook...

But because all over Singapore, they are telling me I can only buy a box at 170 SGD.

Previously it was 135 - 140.

Thats 30%.

Its not that I cannot afford it.

but I am not stupid.

...

At least I hate being treated like I am.

...

Blatantly.

Anyways this was the email I wrote to WOTC, not that I expect any change.

So long Magic....

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi,

I buy Magic the gathering product extensively. Specifically, I buy about 2 case for the bigger blocks and about 10 boxes for the smaller blocks.

Recently however, with Lorwyn, the price has increased.

The following retailers:

comicsmart
Asia card shop
World of JJ
Funzcentre

Have indicated that Wizards has increased the price of the product and is selling it to them at 140 SGD, hence they can only retail at 170 SGD. I used to be able to buy in bulk from them for 140 SGD per box.

I typically buy 1 FAT pack, and singles and about one booster a day, in addition to the said amount.

I do not need to buy magic. I hardly have time to play (though I have been trying hard to, hence I still "upkeep" myself). This is miscellaneous spending. What I do not like is being "taken for a ride". A 30% increment is sizable. And for my case it gives me very bad vibes about everything magic. I feel betrayed.

I am writing this letter of course in hope that the increase in price could be waived if it was from WOTC, or if this is indeed an act of "price fixing", for WOTC to do something about it.

My description of my spending habits is just feedback to you about the possible loss in exchange for the price increase. I am not the only person.

I have little hope that the price will be reversed, as i believe if this is from WOTC, then you must have done your calculations. But before i quit I would like to leave my feedback. I will quit magic for now, should the price drop and if the game is still alive and well I might join in again. But I will definitely rue missing Lorwyn and the subsequent blocks. And this damage is permanent.

Thank you for reading this far. I really hope that everything I am hearing from the retailers is wrong and there will somehow be a change to status quo, but I have little hope of that.

Best Wishes WOTC, it was fun while it lasted.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lorwyn Spoiler

2007-09-16T13:10:00.001+08:00

The rumour mill at salvation is running hot!

And wizards is making Tribal BIG.

Tribe related spells, tribes that ARE spells etc

So far the Lorwyn stuff has been very interesting, but don't listen to me go see it for yourself!

Lorwyn Preview?

2007-08-29T09:13:00.001+08:00

Found this on Salvation today, and apparently already out on YouTube.... cool

Mostly stills though, not full blown animation... and the music is kinda ermmm.... odd lol

Prismatic Mounts

2007-08-26T16:28:00.000+08:00

Prismatic Mount
***************

This is a just a variant casual play format.

Rules are fairly simple.

You take a pile (the key is it must really be a random pile) of about 100 cards.

This is the main library.

You have five stacks of land.

Forest
Island
Mountain
Swamp
Plains

These will be known as the "Prismatic Mountains"

Gameplay is as per a dual (though you can have more players)

except:

You do not draw an opening hand.

Each turn you draw a card off the main library and then draw a land of your choice.

This is true for the first five turns.

Beyond that, you must choose to either draw from the main library or the Prismatic mountains.

There is some merit to this, drawing a card a turn means the first five turns, will tell your opponent the colours you are veering towards. As well as not get mana screwed.

To add more twists.

Once you have emptied a Prismatic mountain (say forest), you could do one of the following:

1) Castling - You take half the Main Library and put it in the void where te forst pile once was.

This is your personal library, your opponent cannot draw from this library. Yup it means potentially you can deck your opponent.

2) You can invoke an avatar.

This avatar must be a permanent.

It cannot be destroyed, or rather it can but will "respawn" the next turn.

(The only way to get rid of it is to RFG)

To invoke an avatar, you must have the requisite mana to hard cast it.

I.e. say your avatar is Reya Dawn Bringer, then you must have 6WWW in the lands you have in play.

You do not have to cast it. The moment you create a "void Prismatic mount", you can put it in play.

Other rules:

Tokens are creature cards.

If you draw a token card you can just put it in play.

All players start with 100 life points.

This lead to very strange "mounts" for instance a pile of Dragon Tokens means a deck that has 1 Dragon T1, 2 Dragons T2 and so on...

Oh yes you can play pile against pile, it just means now the libraries are separate rather than one main =)

I played this as I was lazy to sort the piles from 10th, but this can be done with any old piles you have lying around as well =)

10th actual has alot of fun effects, like Ambassador Laquatus, Verdant Forces etc.. the 100 life points ensure that you do not get killed too quickly. Normally a 5/5 Token dragon that pops out from nowhere can be debilitating and game ending in a mere few turns.

With a 100 lifepoints, 5/5s or 7/7s are strong (actually still very strong), but it does give you some time to find an answer or your own threat.

Have fun!

Gobbos Zombies and Dwagons!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-11T00:48:00.000+08:00

Well...

my Yosei, Kokusho and Sliver Overlord as well as 10 goblin and Zombie tokens just came in.

The goblins and Zombies were MINTY, but the Sliver Overlords were EX only though touted as MINT *sighz*

Fortunately Kokusho was about NM- so its not too bad.

Yosei was MINTY!

Yesterday 2 Sliver Queens came in, earlier another two came in. The earlier two were Ex to Ex- though touted as NM. but the ones that came yesterday were NM and Ex as stated in the ebay listing.

Sighz... ebay is pretty risky. Still it was'nt too bad.

This breaks my heart

2007-08-06T21:50:00.000+08:00

Yeah it really does, though.....

Can I tap Lotus Vale for mana before I sacrifice the two lands?

No. You must deal with a card's coming-into-play cost before you may activate any of its abilities.

All it means is that they are following intended functionality, which never did hold too much water.

Here is hoping that one day the vales will be the one shot lotuses that they are.

For now though, they will be very expensive and "you better darn well know what you are doing" lands.

Magic Academy

2007-08-04T22:17:00.000+08:00

This is WOTC's column to initiate novices into the game.

The link is to the last article of the series which nicely compiles all the articles into a single page, as such i thought it worthy of being pemalinked =)

++what follows is Blog stuff.. boring inane and pointless++

Oh I bought 3 packs today. Early in the morn, after my meeting with project mates and when i reached home.

The first pack yielded Shunt (ewww)

The second pack yielded Platinum Angel (yay)

The third pack yielded Verdant Force (WOOT)

Now Verdant Force is a little old nowadays and has yet to find a nice niche for itself, but it is a cool casual and may yet be a FORCE in constructed. So it was'nt a bad pull for the day =)

Gobs and Dragons!!! Oh My!

2007-07-28T19:07:00.000+08:00

Well, my Japanese Goblins and Dragons just came in =D

Kinda sweet.

Oh yah and here are my twenty Chinese Dragons =)

I like the alignment lol

Eight on the left vertical, 8 fanned out, 3 fanned out and 1 singleton

MTGO Cannot Install ?

2007-07-14T23:37:00.000+08:00

Yay me I solved or rather I managed to get the stupid MTGO running... grrr

Could'nt really find any help any where and wizards customer service is'nt too helpful either.

Anyways here is the fix if you cannot install MTGO recently circa 070714 Magic Day =)

TADA

Instructions below follow at your own risk.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oki...

I solved it.

well at least to the point that I can log into the MTGO account =)

what you need to do after downloading that mtgodl2.exe file is to rename it.

It is a stupid zip file. so just rename the extension to .zip and unzip it.

go to http://mtgodownloads.wizards.com/mtgo/

Do a flashgot all if you have flash got, if not just down load everything there, but you do not need to download everything in the directories.

Actually you are targetting magic1.exe But I downloaded everything, so I dunno if it will work for you if you only download that.

Copy all the folders in the data folder (after unzipping mtgodl2.zip) past them in the folder where you downloaded from http://mtgodownloads.wizards.com/mtgo/ then run magic1.exe

I got that far and managed to log in.

I do not know if will have any bugs, if any one knows please let me knoe quickly I am just messin' with the comp so I dunno if there will be side effects.

Follow at your own risk =P

Slivers and Poisons Oh My!

2007-07-04T06:23:00.000+08:00

Poison has come of age!!!!

Well not really.

But at least now it has a 2HG limited format win under its belt.

The driver for this is the combination of both slivers and poison. Virulent sliver being the perpetrator here.

Slivers has always been a tough nut to crack in 2HG, due to the fact that people usually don't draft it (or draft thingies over it). With poison, slivers now have a sucker punch for its opponent and thats usually after having to deal with the numbers or size of the slivers already in play.

Now the reason I am excited enough to blog is that it just hit me (things always hit me, I am getting a headache already..) that poison and to a lesser extend slivers need more resources(or time, depending on which is available). In a 2 headed giant format, you do not get more time (or put another way the games is not slowed down, think Mercadian Masques), but you do get more resources, since now each "side" is playing using 2 hands 2 land drops, draws etc.

Which struck me as interesting, because I think this is a facet of design. Poison and LD (Land destruction) have always suffered from a "all or nothing" syndrome. Imagine 1/1 + evasion + poison 1 + non targetable. This means poison, will kill 2 times as fast as regular damage. Broken, given the right spells and creatures (which is why a poison critter's stats are always nerfed, wotc wants to err on the right side, which is also the reason for poison's poor rep as crappy strategy). LD has a more concrete example. Think the difference between Sinkhole and Stone rain. Big difference right. All just due to a 1cc increment.

Which means any given strategy can be thought of as having a time facet and a resource facet. How much time does it take the strategy to set up? How much resources? Note that though clearly tied, resource and time are quite different animals. Slivers and poisoners require critical mass or evasive capability. Time is not really an issue, in fact slivers and Poison usually kill double time ;)

There's probably more to be said, but thats all I have right now.

Upwelling ... The Deck

2007-07-01T18:44:00.000+08:00

Well now I want to build a deck and Xth is just around the corner. Upwelling is in X so that is some cool =)

Here is how Upwelling works.

I also want to talk about duh. Future Sight and Xth (since the spoiler is out).

And i also want to post about my Mana Drains and chinese Slaughter Pacts!

Elder Dragon Highlander

2007-06-24T13:07:00.000+08:00

Heh it looks fun =)

Errata Havoc

2007-06-17T16:34:00.001+08:00

One of the few articles i like enough to put up as a post =D

Regionals 2007 Results

2007-06-17T14:13:00.000+08:00

Standard Constructed Tournament June 17th 2007

2007-06-11T00:24:00.000+08:00

Location : Asia Card Shop, Bishan Street. 111 Blk 505C

Date : June 17th 2007

Entry Fee : $12

Format : Standard Contstructed

Upon Registration Players will be given Free MTG Life Counters & DCI Land. Additional MTG T-Shirts will be given off as lucky draw prcies.

This tournament is ONLY opened for players with DCI Ranking 1650 or below as of 13th of June after the last update in the DCI website

My Want List

2007-06-08T10:29:00.000+08:00

I will probably permalink this post and update it.

Rules:

You can make me price offers for the following cards.

I will pay through paypal using the invoice function (i.e. you invoice me thorugh paypal). Unless you are living in Singapore =)

I expect cards to be NM/M - Don't make an offer otherwise.

I expect bubble pack with toploader and registered mail - just tell me the shipping cost and I will let you know if I am agreeable

Give reasonable prices, if I want to be ripped I will "buy it now" on ebay =)

Whats in it for you?
Simple. Liquidity =)

On to the cards:

* Beta Power 9

4x Bazaar of Baghdad

3/4x Mana Drain

4x Grim Tutor

4x Mishra's Workshop

Birds of Paradise is BACK!!! in 10th!!

2007-06-07T13:49:00.000+08:00

Wow.. I've always thought that Bops would be back, in fact I specifically bought more rav Bops as they are black bordered.

Now 10th will have black bordered Bops. So I guess the rav Bops won't be worth a whole lot more for being BB, but still, I am past that already. At the very least the Bops should hold value =)

For the rest of the list produced by inquest.

Well some notable changes:

Stone Rain is out.

This one is a bit of a shocker as stone rain has been in every core set. Still it is not over powered in fact a little under powered.

At first it puzzled me. Lorwyn was marking a move towards mono chrome. And stone rain is good for knocking out your secondary colours (e.g. stone rain your plains so you cannot cast helix, assuming you have a mountain in play). That it became clearer. Precisely because it would have close to no effect, that probably validated it removal. Note that 10th is a larger set than normal, so for them to take out a core staple, it must have been to make space for something better/relevant me thinks.

Condemn being in, solidifies its title as heir to STP for the 1cc removal slot.

Wrath of GOd is in... and for some reason I suspect Armageddon may come back =) The fact that they printed boom/bust and the fact that they considered Armageddon for the white pact (that would have been very solid!!!)

Incinerate is back!

And so are the painlands =)

I think this marks the fact that duals will always be a part of the coreset. I think it was always meant to be this way right from Alpha. It is most cool that the painlands will be BB. And I do like the new art, so I am happy with that development as well.

Hopefulle more good news will come =)

On my wish list: Grim Tutor

Flash - Ban or No Ban ?

2007-05-22T20:25:00.001+08:00

Well....

GP Colombus is over.

I bought my sleeves =)

So the world has turned.

Should Flash be banned?

Many have clamoured for blood.

But i dunno.

The Flash deck that won, played against the possibly the WORST prepared deck. I.e. The dude was'nt prepared.

To the goblin player, Flash is just another combo. His own words.

So it was hardly a fair game.

But that is all water under the bridge.

Pre FS - will always find it difficult to combo quick and early.

So if one were to say, given the current decks should Flash be banned?

My answer would be no.

One deck or another will always be dominant. Format warping. Whatever.

But post FS. Where 0/1st turn kills are about 12% (Someone did the math).

That is a little disconcerting.

The problem with 0th turn kill is this. My only defense is FOW. Nothing else. And the Flash dude has pact.

And with FS the Flash deck can do this more consistently and that is really where the trouble begins.

Though one must ask if 12% is bad enough for a banning???

I do not know.

But lets keep things in perspective.

To attain 0th kill. One must play gemstone caverns, a card that is royally bad beyond the zeroth or first turn. Flash haters would be quick to point out that by then it DOES"NT matter. I would agree 12% of the time.

Thing is this. To get a kill, a flash player must play out about 5-6 cards. If you can disrupt, GG.

Of course only blue or black has this ability. Then again Leyline of the void is actually free. So long as you begin the game with it.

If the flash deck goes the slow route, then really there is nothing left to worry about.

Should flash be banned? I actually believe that Legacy will still be as healthy as ever. Just that mabbe the side board will be devoted to neutering Flash. Is that bad? Well not too long ago the sideboards were geared towards solidarity or goblins. So someone will always be hated against where the SB is concerned.

The main reason I can see for the banning of Flash, is actually the zeroth turn itself, that makes games a little dicey. Literally. If the void is out, then bye bye flash. If not, and if the flash can pull off 0th kill, then bye bye opponent. Not too much fun. The combo is amazing the first time =) but beyond that....

but all combo decks suffer from this problem =P

I think Legacy will survive. But much I think depends on what the majority of the players think. That and whether WOTC cares enough about the players in Legacy. (Of course my assumption here is based on what I have heard on the Net, and on the Net it is always the vocal ones that stand out - the trouble is the vocal ones may not be representitive.) - For example, I am not totally set on Flash getting banned, though I can live with it =P But I find it hard to say anything on the forum and really do not care to get into circular arguments, hence my silence on this issue on the forums.

Why I like Ultra Pro Dragon CLEAR sleeves

2007-05-20T15:29:00.000+08:00

I am so N00B.

sigh.

So I like clear sleeves. Yes I know I know thats N00B.

But I really hate these new Japanese sleeves. Nothing against Japan. Just the sleeves.

They are so soft. Ultra Pro ones are rigid. They may damage your cards if you are too rough when sleeving (but then again which sleeve would'nt??)

What I like about the Ultra Pro clear sleeves is that they are rigid and mano to mano, your cards are better protected.

Yes they are alot of times miscut.

But hey, for any given box they are miscut the same way.

Side I don't really play tourney that much so I am only worrid about protection.

But today I did the impossible and decided to buy some RED sleeves.

I want BRIGHT RED... or PASTEL RED.

Sighs... but there was only a shiny maroonish red.

I still bought them as the Ultra Pro sleeves don't seem to be coming in anytime soon.

I did try to book 10 boxes (yes I am stocking up).

In the meantime I shall only buy Japanese Red shiny Sleeves.

Or pastel red if I can find em' but they must be a reliable resource..... sighs

9 Boxes

2007-05-06T00:44:00.000+08:00

Well so we have it.

Nine boxes.

Pity though, i suspect FS is a little larger than the normal set or Ihave really bad luck as I think I went through like 4

boxes and only 1 pact of negation =(

When i went through 8 I had only 4. The last box has a pact of negation as well.

It was'nt that it was all bad though, as there were plenty of duals and sliver legion =) Fan favourite!

Below is a breakdown of what I got.

I will be posting as i type, and i might take awhile =P

meanwhile if there is anything you want and you are willing to like pay me something I CANNOT refuse. well make me an offer

=P But if you are looking for a bargain well... I'll tell you straight off that I either do trades or expect my cards to have

a good return =) So ... no you are not likely to find a bargain deal from me =P

That said its bragging time or mourning time depending on how you look at it =/

Box 1 + FAT pack

2 summoner's pact
quagnoth
baru
heartwood story teller
magus of the vineyard
muraganda petrpglyphs

intervention pact
barren glory
Imperial mask
Seth's tiger

Shimian spectre
Gibbering Descent
bridge from below
2 Nihilith
bitter ordeal
Tombstalker

shapeshifter's marrow
Linessa
Foil delay!
Venser
2 magus of the future
maelstorm Djinn

Shah
Molten disaster
Thunderblade charge
pact of the titan
2 Scourge of kher ridges
magus of the moon
Foil Homing sliver

whetwheel
cloud key
2 epochrasite
veilstone amulet
Akroma's memorial

Sliver legion
glittering wish

Grove of the burnwillows
Foil! Horizon canopy
graven cairns
river of tears

+++++++++++++++++++++

box 2

horizon canopy
nimbus maze
river of tears

scourge of kher rideges
Tarox
Magus of the moon
2 Steamflogger boss (1 FOIL)

Jhoira
glittering wish

Nihilith
slaughter pact
bridge from below
korlash
shimian spectre

coalition relic
epochrasite
cloud key
darksteel garrision

magus of the moat
daybreak coronet
oriss
angel of salvation
intervention pact
imperial mask
scouts warning

summoner's pact
baru
rites of flourishing
muraganda petroglyphs

spellweaver volute
pact of negation
take possesion
2 linessa (1 foil)
Venser
magus of the fture
shapeshifter's marrow
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

box 3

force of savagery
heartwood storyteller
muraganda
quagnoth
baru
magus of the vineyard

pyromancer's swath
molten disaster
pact of the titan
thunderblade charge
shah

2 magus of the moat (1 FOIL)
angel of salvation
seth's tiger
barren glory
imperial mask

grove of the burnwillows
River
graven

cloud key
veilstone amulet
sword of the meek (FOIL)
coalition relic

Jhoira
sliver legion

Gibbering
slaughter
Magus of the abyss
bitter ordeal
2 tombstalker
bridge

venser
take possession
linessa
Maelstorm
shapeshifter's marrow

++++++++++++++++++++++

Box 4

Imperial Mask
intervention Pact
Magus of the moat
Seth's T
Angel

Slaughter pact
Bridge
bitter
2 tombstalker
Magus of the Abyss

Grove
Graven
river

Cloud key
Epochrasite

Jhoira
Glittering Wish

molten
Magus of the moon
2 Shah (1 foil)
pyromancer's swath
Thunderblade charge
Scourge

Magus of the vineyard
Summoner's Pact
Rites
Sprout Swarm FOIL
Thornweald Archer FOIL
Force
Baru
Muraganda
Quagnoth

Maelstorm
Magus of the future
Venser
Shapeshifter's Marrow
linessa

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Box 5

venser
spellweaver volute
maelstorm
take poss
nix

oriss
2 angel
Seth's
daybreak
barren
magus of the moat

veilstone
coalition
darksteel

gibbering
slaughter
bitter
Foil tombstalker
foil street wraith
magus of the abyss
korlash

2 tarmogoyf
heartwood
force
Quagnoth
magus of the vineyard

storm entity foil
pact of the titan
steamflogger
molten
pyromancer's

Horizon
grove
graven

jhoira
sliver legion

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Box 6

sliver legion

grove
nimbus
graven

Darksteel
akroma
veilstone
coalition

molten
shah
pact of the titan
steamflogger
Tarox
pyromancer's

Spellweaver
maelstorm
pact of negation
take
nix

intervention
oriss
scout's
seth
magus of the moat
daybreak

2 nihilith
2 bitter ordeal 1 foil
gibbering
korlash
shimian

quag
heartwood
summoner
force
tarmo

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
box 7

whetwheel
darksteel
coalition
akroma
cloud
epo

linessa
PON
shape
MOtF
foil venser's diffusion
take

sliver legion
glittering
jhoira

steamflogger
2 Tarox 1 foil
thunder
pyro
foil bogarden lancer
MOtMoon

rites
quag
foil sprout swarm
baru
mura
summoner
force
korlash
nihilith
bridge
shimian
intervention
daybreak
imperial
MOTMoat
scout

river
Nimbus maze crimped
horizon
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++=

box 8

spellweaVer
linessa
shape
PON
venser
take

scout
oriss
daybreak
angel
barren

MOTMoon
steamflogger
POTT
Tarox
foil arc blade

heartwood
foil llanowar mentor
rites
baru
mura

MOTAbyss
korlash
shimian
slaughter
gibbering
bridge

whet
sliversmith foil
darksteel
akroma
coalition
foil cloud key
veilstone
cloud key

horzon
nimbus
river

sliver legion
jhoira

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

box 9

graven
horizon
grove

sliver
glittering

whet
veilstone
akroma
darksteel
epo

bitter
korlash
gibbering
shimian
nihilith

nix
venser foil
cloudseeder foil
PON
maelstorm
MOTFuture
spellweaver
oriss
imperial
barren
seth's
intervention
scout

thunderblade
molten
pyro
scourge
POTT
Shah

quag
foil thornweald archer
MOTV
heartwood
tarmo

E.S.P. a.k.a. HULK Flash

2007-05-03T00:16:00.000+08:00

Oki doki, this is a deck that has been running around in the legacy forum for a while now.

There are two version from the original poster (Complete_Jank from mtg sally)

19 Setup/Protection
4 Flash
4 Summoner's Pact
4 Pact of Negation
4 Brainstorm
3 Mystical Tutor

11 Ammo Creatures
4 Phyrexian Walker
4 Ornithopter
3 Shield Sphere

12 Key Creatures
4 Protean Hulk
2 Academy Rector
2 Carrion Feeder
3 Disciple of the Vault
1 Arcbound Ravager

2 Enchantments
2 Goblin Bombardment

17 Mana
4 Elvish Spirit Guide
4 Lotus Petal
5 Island
4 Chrome Mox

15 Side Board
1 Accursed Centaur
3 Chain of Vapor
3 Show and Tell
3 Cabal Therapy
1 Lich
2 Children of Korlis
2 Tendrils of Agony

The second version is actually the one that I am trying out cos I am a sick sick combo man.

19 Mana
4 Gemstone Cavern
3 SSG
4 ESG
4 Islands
4 Lotus Petal

20 Support
4 Summoner's pact
4 Flash
4 Mystical Tutors
4 Pact of negation
4 Force of Will

21 Creatures
1 Clone
4 Disciple of the Vault
4 Protean Hulk
4 Phryxian Marauders
4 Shifting Walls.
4 Street Wraith

But seriously, both decks kill on turn 0.

No. Seriously.

I have only tried the second, but feel free to test the first, the concept is similar.

Essentially the combo is

Flash + Protean Hulk

The key point is at as of the time of writing, Flash works as originally worded (yay I can use the real card as a reference weee!!!)

So having said that if you flash out a Protean Hulk, it will cost 2 less that it's CC, but if you do not pay it goes to the grave.

The key point is that the Hulk actually is in play. Since it is in play, it going to the grave will cause it's effect to trigger. When it triggers, you get to fetch all the 0/0 critters into play together with the diciples of the vault. (yeah the evil dudes who brought you Ravager).

The 0/0 critters come into play and the dudes die from state based effects.
(I wish they would reerrata Phyrexian Dreadnought so that it would still work with Pandemonium).

So how does a turn 0 kill go?

Step 1: have a flash + Hulk + gemstone cavern + one random card + SSG (Simian SG) or ESG (Elvish Spirit guide) in hand.
Step 2: When game begins you begin with gemstone card and remove one card.
Step 3: During your opponent's upkeep, you play flash with a spirit guide giving you the second mana. and flash out the hulk.

Now for a turn 0 kill you need 5 cards of a particular kind.

Post FS basically give you 8 Hulks via summoner's pact
or 8 of the spirit guides (effectively 12)

Mystical tutor gives you effectively, 12 Hulk and 8 flash 16 SG. Those are very pretty numbers.

Which are very much aided by the fact that summopner's pact is an instant and 0cc

Pre FS does not have this luxury.

A sample pre FS build is below

Mana (22)
4x Lotus Petal
4x Elvish Spirit Guide
2x Simian Spirit Guide
2x Polluted Delta
2x Flooded Strand
1x Tropical Island
1x Underground Sea
2x Island
4x Gemstone Caverns

Combo (8)
4x Protean Hulk
4x Flash

Manipulation (10)
4x Mystical Tutor
2x Worldly Tutor
4x Brainstorm Combo Creatures (10)
4x Disciple of the Vault
3x Phyrexian Marauder
3x Shifting Wall

Protection (10)
4x Force of Will
3x Daze
2x Misdirection
1x Chain of Vapor Sideboard (15)
2x Stifle (in place of 2 Shifting Wall in the mirror)
4x Leyline of the Void (in place of 3 Phyrexian Marauder and 1 Shifting Wall in the mirror)
4x Phyrexian Negator (in place of 4 Disciples in the mirror)
2x Chain of Vapor (for Leyline and Meddling Mage)
2x Echoing Truth (for Leyline, Meddling Mage and Chalice)
1x Merchant Scroll (for Meddling Mage and Chalice)

This can be found in page 11 of the link posted by Puzzle.

You have almost the same deck.

But Worldly tutor is a turn slower.
Cost a mana.
And only puts it on the top of your library.

Big Difference.

This really slows the deck ALOT.

Not in terms of whether it can do turn 0,1,2 kills.

But whether it can do so CONSISTENTLY.

With the Worldly tutor, you will average 0 turn kills alot less. But you will get a nice numbers of first second turn kills.

But being "slower", you also open yourself to disruption in the form of duress and counters.

So it is alot slower and less consistent than one might think.

And goldfishing for pre FS really counts for less because of this point.

Goldfishing results for post FS is truly scary as there is NO WAY an opponent can react except via FOW or Pact of Negation. And really if you use PON you have won already =) So the only counter to be afraid of is FOW.

Pre FS, the opponent has much much more options.

Also pre FS is alot less stable. Why?

Pact of Negation thats why.

FS not only gives this deck an accelerant in the form of Summoner's Pact (and the 0cc has alot more impact than people give it credit for).

It also give the deck PROTECTION.

So not only 0 turn consistency but also counter coverage!

Hence in my view, the pre FS version is still manageable, I would give the control and discard decks out there more credit =)

The post FS deck is another story.

I do not mind if they nerf it in legacy. But I do hope they keep it for Vintage. Heh I like to be able to beat power without power =) And I am not sure if that was'nt what this deck was meant to do. FS seems custom made for this deck to go CRAZY!

If it stays in legacy, I think it provides the format with alot of randomness. The thing about this deck is that, if it does not win in the first 2 turn (the post FS version) it just dies.

Hence it may not have any impact overall due to consistency. Is making players lose randomly good? I dunno, WOTC came up with mana screw. =) Hence there is a slight chance that they might let it live in legacy. I do not really mind if they do. We'll just adapt I guess.