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Welcome back, puzzle fans! This issue I have something special planned for you. Today I bring you one of my favorite concepts: the puzzle within a puzzle. The first puzzle (a.k.a. the metapuzzle) is very straightforward. I will present you with twelve groups of three cards, and for each group you tell me which card comes next in the sequence or is missing from the group. I will even make the quiz multiple choice. The underlying puzzle, though, you’re going to have to figure out on your own, just like in my previous Mao conundrum. However, the first person to solve the complete puzzle will earn themselves a dozen Standard-legal rares.
Please do not post solutions in the forums. PM them to jefftill. If you are trying to win the prize, make sure to show your work so that I know you did not just guess the right answer, which will be the name of a Magic card. Enjoy, and good luck.
1) Caverns of Despair, Dazzling Beauty, Soul Barrier...
a) Nether Void
b) Nether Shadow
c) Nether Traitor
d) Nether Spirit
2) Aladdin, Vedalken Shackles, Hivis of the Scale...
a) Arcanis the Omnipotent
b) Rohgahh of Kher Keep
c) Oros, the Avenger
d) Magus of the Mirror
7) Fear, Goblin King, Nightmare...
a) Scathe Zombies
b) Lord of Atlantis
c) Stone Rain
d) Flight
4) Reverse Polarity, Abomination, Abyssal Specter...
a) Tariff
b) Ebony Horse
c) Adarkar Wastes
d) Illusionary Mask
3) Avalanche Riders, Sylvan Safekeeper, Solemn Simulacrum...
a) Thieving Magpie
b) Sea Serpent
c) Enslave
d) Viridian Shaman
10) Ruby Leech, Flame Jet, Merfolk of the Pearl Trident...
a) Jade Statue
b) Alabaster Potion
c) Onyx Talisman
d) Emerald Dragonfly
6) Squee’s Revenge; Kokusho, The Evening Star; Revenant...
a) Squee’s Toy
b) Chilling Shade
c) Even the Odds
d) Dragon Shadow
12) Wall of Ice, Rare-B-Gone, Pure Intentions...
a) Aether Barrier
b) The Wretched
c) Theft of Dreams
d) Day of Destiny
8) Entrails Feaster, Soulgorger Orgg, Sky Swallower...
a) Kabuto Moth
b) Moonwing Moth
c) Hawkeater Moth
d) Araba Mothrider
9) Unholy Strength, Rancor, Weakness...
a) Holy Strength
b) Feebleness
c) Enfeeblement
d) Immolation
11) Farseek (but Magical Hack changed Plains to Forest), Noble Templar, Tithe...
a) Eternal Dragon
b) Rampant Growth
c) Flooded Strand
d) Land Tax
5) Tolaria West, Urborg Panther, Pendelhaven Elder...
a) Hammerheim Deadeye
b) Roc of Kher Ridges
c) Shivan Dragon
d) Island Sanctuary
I will post solutions to this puzzle in the forums as soon as it is completely solved, or in one week otherwise. I will post hints in the forums every couple of days until it is solved or time expires.
Good luck!
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