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Once again it's time to turn some seemingly impossible board positions into sure wins. A couple of the puzzles this volume focus on a specific aspect of Magic that I know a lot of people (myself included) could use some practice with: knowing your outs. Much like in poker, it is critically important for the competitive Magic player to know exactly which cards in his deck can help him to achieve victory. Sometimes you may only have one out, in which case you have to play as if that is the next card you will draw. It can be equally important to know what cards your opponent might have to foil you, of course, but you do not always have that information. Without further ado, here are the puzzles. Solutions will be provided Monday.
Puzzle 7:
During your game with George, you have been building the perfect hand to"go off" with Mind's Desire. In fact, you've been through every card in your deck other than basic land and your lone Tendrils of Agony! George's horde of Angel tokens don't look like they're going to give you any more breaks, so you'd better win this turn, or pack it in.
Goal: It is the beginning of your first main phase. Win this turn.
Opponent: 28 life
No cards in hand / graveyard.
In Play:
12 Plains
4 4/4 Angel tokens (tapped)
You: 4 life
In Play:
1 Seat of the Synod
4 Temple of the False God
Composite Golem
Chrome Mox (imprinting Pyroclasm)
3 Ur-Golem's Eye
In Hand:
Chromatic Sphere
Chain of Vapor
Blinkmoth Infusion
Mind's Desire
Sprouting Vines
Rampant Growth
Serum Visions
In Library (in no particular order):
22 Forest
Tendrils of Agony
Puzzle 8:
While your White control cards have kept your opponent Jane's threats at bay so far, it looks like you may soon be overwhelmed by the goblin onslaught. A glimmer of hope appears, however, when this turn you drew Akroma, Angel of Wrath. Through a recently destroyed Lantern of Insight, you know the top card of your deck is Cloudpost, and the top card of your opponent's deck is Tooth of Chiss-Goria.
You are at 4 life, opponent is at 19. Kill Jane before she has the chance to kill you.
In Play (you):
Mindslaver
2 Plains
2 Cloudpost
Ur-Golem's Eye
Gemstone Array (3 counters)
2 Glorious Anthem
Ivory Mask
In Hand:
Akroma, Angel of Wrath
2 Wing Shards
Retaliate
In Play (Jane): All creatures and lands tapped:
11 Mountain
Grand Melee
4 Goblin Piledriver
Goblin Goon
Goblin Sharpshooter
Anodet Lurker
Opponent in Hand:
Shrapnel Blast
Avarice Totem
Oblivion Stone
Puzzle 9:
After an Obliterate wrecked the board, you and Elroy are both trying to build a force large enough to win the game before your run out of cards. In your deck remains 4 Islands, and in his are Triskelion, Wild Mongrel, Scalpelexis, Anger, Badlands, and Exhume (in no particular order.) At the end of your turn, Elroy casts Fact or Fiction. Before looking at the revealed cards, you close your eyes and ponder your chances of survival. Given that Elroy will draw the final card in his library on his upcoming turn, what are your odds of winning this game?
Neither player has any cards in hand or graveyard.
You and Elroy are at 4 life each.
In Play (you):
3 Island
Mahamoti Djinn (tapped)
Cephalid Snitch (tapped)
In Play (Elroy):
Mana Flare
Island (tapped for Fact or Fiction)
Forest (tapped for Fact or Fiction)
I would like to extend my thanks to jtsarnak, who put in a tremendous effort helping me correct and tighten up these puzzles. If you find yourself 1 card or 1 damage short of winning, it's probably his fault.
Until next time.
Jeff Till
jefftill@hotmail.com
This past Saturday, 167 competitors participated in the eagerly anticipated StarCityGames.com"Power Nine" Tournament!
