I hope this new Mirrodin has a slight scifi / steampunk flavor to it…mechs?

Also, since vampires are so big right now, I’d like Ulgrotha to become important again. Or, at least reprint the Sengir family (with the vampire type added)! Am I the only one who loved the flavor of Homelands?

And a Vampires vs. (something) duel deck would be great, though probably wouldn’t happen for quite some time since, flavorwise, it would similar to Divine vs Demonic.

Speaking of Duel Decks, I think that’s an area where new cards would be great. Do some really wacky things. Come up with opposing sides, and make cards that would go into them. They could be totally casual products like Planechase. Slayers vs Vampires! And, it could have Rashka the Slayer and Undead Slayer in it!

I think Homelands and The Dark are examples of what I’d like to see in between blocks (though with better card design, of course). Small, highly flavorful sets, connected, if tangentially, to planes already seen.

Although, what I’d really like to see is a site that defines deck archetypes. Reading stuff about tournament decks and such, words like “tron” are thrown around, but where is there a definition of this? I understand, say, “aggro” or “control”, and even “the deck”, but when other archetypes names are used, I do get confused.

I think this is a fantastic article. I am relatively new to the magic scene ( started between Reborn and M10 ), but I am facinated with all the different aspects of this wonderous game! While I can focus on understanding better plays and deck-building, articles like these help me re-feel the excitement I get at discovering new angles to the game, and to the flavour ( yes, I spell it like that coz I’m Aussie ).

Thanks once again, for lighting the fires of passion for everyone. I can’t wait to see what the future of Magic holds for us!

Also, are there any tools out there ( or people ) that I could use to help with my deck construction/approach, for casual and/or competetive play?
I am eager to learn as much as I can, and any help would be greatly appreciated.

P.s. I would specifically like something/someone that would explain the ‘whys’ behind a decision and would allow me to learn from this to make better choices in the future.

This is a good article Trick, for those of us who can’t be bothered to check the rumor mill between set releases it is very informative!

As far as what Aaron mentions about keyword mechanics, I agree, there are too many new ones, most of which are lousy. I don’t quite agree with his examples, though, banding and flanking, for instance, are far from new (and banding hasn’t been printed on a card since Weatherlight. He is right, however, that most keywords are worthless. Some, however, are cool. Cascade is neat. Will we ever see it again? Probably not, since it had a lot to do with the flavor of the Alara block and the swirling powerful magic in the Maelstrom. Likewise, Intimidate is, ultimately, a better keyword than Fear, simply because it can be given to any color. Then, of course, there are all those “possible” keywords in Future Sight. Gravestorm and Transfigure both had promise. The latter as sort a super-morph ability (and I like it in the way I like the “offering” keyword ability). I also really liked Evoke (perhaps, I simply like alternate costs?) And, I still hope Grandeur makes it into play some time (simply because I’ve come to like it so much with Tarox Bladewing in my Dragonstorm deck, he he). I also think it would be interesting to revisit Phasing, as I feel there is a tremendous amount of untapped potential in the ability.

Frankly, of all keywords, I hate Shadow, and never want to see it again. Along with Haunt, and Split Second (just make interrupts again if you want them in the game).

I am glad to hear of Magic finally returning to its roots to make it an exciting time once again.

Urza, slivers, and the coalition (and maybe Gerrard and Karn) will finally be understood by those who missed out (on what I think) was Magics most glorious block of sets. The history and mythology of Magic is a very underused and interesting concept to bring back. Timespiral was ok; and touched on some of the good, but unfortunately brought back a lot of the bad. Nobody wants anybody to reprint spitting slug ever again.

The last six+ years of Magic have just not been what it takes. There is really no continuity between sets, and it feels like its just random settings and places and names we probably will never hear of again. I think a group of my friends could come up with better concepts then lorwyns elves and goblins (boggarts? what a dumb name). Clash. Really? Call me a Magic purist, but if they found a decent mechanic, they wouldn’t have to make up new ones for each set that may never be used again.…If you could pick your favorite out of all of these…which would you pick? (banding, flanking, ripple, soulshift, (you get the point, all are worthless))

And zendikar…Zendikar is about traps and exploring for treasure. If i want that, I’ll think Indiana Jones. Oh, and don’t even get me started on Coldsnap — The best thing Magic ever did was not allow Mike Turian to produce another single set.

But I digress..
I think getting back into what Magic is all about (the Brother’s war, Tawnos, Shiv, Serra, Artifacts vs Green, Tolaria, phyrexia, and the Destruction of Argoth) will be a great boon to Magic. A revival of awesome concepts, and maybe superpowerful cards again. For those of us that had fun with it the first time, I can only imagine what they will be bring back? Planewalkers from Shiv? Minotaur allies (Taghngarth?), Riptide cards from the sliver creation? It’ll be great to see what they come up in the future. Good stuff.