Welcome one and all to what I hope is a fun look at an alternate Magic: the Gathering format we’re calling Shandalar after the old-school M:tG computer game of the same name. If you’ve ever played the computer game you will remember that you started out without much in the way of a deck. The basic concept of the this new format is that it recreates the fun of building your deck piecemeal as you had to do in Shandalar. My intent in exploring this alternate Magic format is to take the opportunity to examine, analyze, and (hopefully) break a relatively simple constructed format. With all the other demands on their time that most adults know all too well, finding the time to really learn how to analyze and truly understand a constructed Magic format before a season is over can be nigh impossible. Hopefully by paring down the size and scope of the format in question, some fundamental truths about the game may emerge. I have read a lot of articles on Magic theory but its just not enough. I need to get my hands dirty and really get to know the value of things like tempo and card advantage for myself!
This blog assumes you have at least a basic understanding of the Magic: the Gathering collectable card game. If you do not and would like to, I suggest you visit Wizards of the Coast’s official M:tG website or buy one of the starter products that should be available at your local hobby shop or big-box retailer (Wal-mart, Target, etc.).
Stay tuned for the official rules that we will be playing by.
Tags: CCG, constructed, Magic
