• STORE
  • EVENTS
  • ARTICLES
  • NEWS
  • DECKS
  • BUYLIST
  • HELP
Advanced Search
Deck Builder
  • Hello. Sign In.
    YOUR ACCOUNT

    forgot your password?

    New customer? Start here!

  • CART

    View Cart ( items)

    Checkout

  • WISH
    LIST
       
  • Magic Singles
    • English
    • Foil English
    • Non-English
    • Foil Non-English
    • BGS/Graded Cards
    • Complete Sets
    • Misprints and Rarities
    • Wholesale Lots
  • Magic Sealed Product
    • Expansion Sets
    • Booster Packs
    • Booster Boxes
    • Starter & Tourn. Packs
    • Starter & Tourn. Displays
    • Theme Decks
    • Event Decks
    • Intro Packs
    • Fat Packs
    • Two-Player Games
    • Standalone Sets
    • Archenemy
    • Commander
    • Duel Decks
    • From the Vault
    • Planechase
    • Premium Deck Series
    • Misc. Box Sets
    • Non-English Sealed
  • Gaming Supplies
    • Binders
    • Books & Fat Pack Guides
    • Boxes & Bags
    • Clothing
    • Deck Boxes
    • Dice
    • Life Counters
    • Playmats
    • Sleeves
  • Specialty Items
    • Ascension
    • Gift Cards
    • Lithographs
    • Original Artwork
  • Digital Products
    • Grinder: The Brad Nelson Story
    • Next Level Magic
    • OMG: Official Miser's Guide
    • Tha Gatherin'
  • We Buy

Ask Ken, 08/13/2004

Ken Krouner
8/13
  •  
  •  

When there are no more dragons to slay, how will you make a living, knight? This is Ask Ken, that was Dragon Master, Brian Kibler, I'm Ken Krouner, and I can only bask in his glow... We all know he does. As much as we pros (ex-pros?) love to pat each other on the back, I have some questions to answer.

Today's question comes to us from Chris Phillips. Chris writes:

Cranial plating-less U/R/B Ravager Affinity
Play first.

1 Glimmervoid
1 Darksteel Citadel
2 Arcbound Worker
1 Welding Jar
1 Frogmite
1 Arcbound Ravager

My friends argued with me when I explained to them after the game that I should have kept like I did. Who was right?

~Chris Phillips

Well 2P, my biggest comment on this is why in God's name were you not playing Cranial Plating? That card is perhaps the most important card in the deck. Even when it hits only once it is powerful. If you want to side it out against incredibly hateful decks, that's one thing. But to not play it at all is suicide.

This is neither here nor there for your actual question. I am not sure what your friends are looking for in an opening draw but hands don't get any better than this. In fact this opening hand is so good that I question the validity of this letter. I am not a big fan of Welding Jar, but if it is in the deck you can't ask for more.

The reason I don't like the Jar is that its scope is so limited. It does only one thing, die in place of another artifact in play. While this isn't a terrible ability, the problem is it doesn't always accomplish this.

So while I don't agree with the build of your deck, I think your mulligan decision was 100% correct. In fact I don't even think there is a debate.

The source on mulligan decisions,
KK

Well that's all the gas I have for this week. Join us next week when we look In the Eye of Chaos and pursue our Field of Dreams. G'night Everybody!

kenkrouner@yahoo.com

  •  
  •  
« Previous Article
Blog Fanatic: The Legend of Proxy Jenkins
Next Article »
Revelations of a Magic Writer

About Ken Krouner

Ken was on the gravy train for over a year. His accomplishments in that time include 8th place at Worlds 2002, 9th place at US Nationals 2002, and top 4 of GP Los Angeles.

Read more by
Ken Krouner



ORGANIZED PLAY
  • THIS WEEKEND
  • NEXT WEEKEND
  • +
  • THIS Saturday, June 22
  • OPEN Philadelphia, PA
  • Super IQ Richmond, KY - Cosmic Oasis
  • IQ Roanoke, VA - Star City Game Center
  • IQ Lafayette, IN - The Game Preserve
  • IQ Biloxi, MS - Jak's
  • IQ Lutherville/Timonium, MD - Titan Games & Hobbies
  • IQ Tallahassee, FL - Gamescape
  • IQ St. Louis, MO - Ogres Games
  • THIS Sunday, June 23
  • OPEN Philadelphia, PA
  • IQ Sellersburg, IN - Silver Creek Game Shop
  • Friday, June 28
  • GP Miami, FL - StarCityGames.com
  • Saturday, June 29
  • GP Miami, FL - StarCityGames.com
  • Super IQ Indian Trail, NC - Be There Games
  • IQ Arbutus, MD - Xanadu Games
  • IQ Midlothian, VA - Richmond Comix
  • IQ Tupelo, MS - Tupelo Sportscards
  • IQ Stroudsburg, PA - The Gamer's Edge
  • IQ Normandy Park, WA - Card Advantage Games
  • IQ Farmingdale, NY - Empire Gaming & Comics
  • IQ Warren, OH - All American Comics
  • IQ Oxford, AL - FCB Games and Comics
  • Sunday, June 30
  • GP Miami, FL - StarCityGames.com
  • IQ Harrisburg, PA - The Adventurer's Guild
  • IQ Columbia, TN - Collector's Alley
  • IQ Abingdon, MD - Critical Hit Games
  • IQ Carson City, NV - Dk's Sierra Mountian Comics
  • IQ Hatboro, PA - Stomping Grounds
  • IQ Poughkeepsie, NY - Dragon's Den
  • IQ Lenexa, KS - Collector's Cache
  • IQ Lynchburg, VA - Untamed Worlds
  • IQ Dover, DE - Scarecrow Games
  • IQ Fond du Lac, WI - The Mana Vault

STARCITYGAMES.COM EVENTS

  • Jun 22-23: OPEN Philadelphia, PA
  • Jun 28-30: GRAND PRIX Miami, FL
  • Jul 6-7: OPEN Worcester, MA
  • Jul 20-21: OPEN Richmond, VA
  • Jul 20: CLASSIC Lansing, MI
  • Jul 26-28: INVITATIONAL Somerset, NJ
  • Aug 3-4: OPEN Minneapolis, MN
  • Aug 3: CLASSIC Knoxville, TN
  • Aug 10-11: OPEN Salt Lake City
  • Aug 10: CLASSIC Albany, NY

ELITE QUALIFIERS

  • THIS WEEK: See all Open Trials

EVENT FINDER

  • Complete SCG Schedule - Coverage Archive
NEWS
  • 6/17 YMTC 4 Art Descriptions!
  • 6/17 Weekend Results! June 15-16
  • 6/14 2013 MTGO Community Cup!
  • 6/14 WoW TCG comes to the Open Series!
  • 6/12 Team Sealed in Richmond for M14!
  • 6/11 New Worcester Formats For Theros...
  • 6/10 Weekend Results, June 8-9
  • 6/10 Liz Nugent Lithographs!
  • 6/7 SCG Presents: TURTLES!
  • 6/7 SCG 2013 Platinum Pros!
  • 6/5 MTGO Announcements
  • 6/3 Weekend Results! June 1-2
  • View All News Items - Submit Magic News
DECKLISTS
  • STANDARD
  • LEGACY
  • MODERN
  • 6/16 SCG Open Columbus, US
  • 6/16 MTGO Daily Event
  • 6/09 SCG Open St. Louis, US
  • 6/09 SCG Elite IQ Durham, US
  • 6/09 MTGO Premier Event
  • 6/08 Invi Qualifier Ooltewah, US
  • 6/02 Invi Qualifier Kansas City, US
  • 6/02 MTGO Daily Event
  • 6/02 Invi Qualifier Staten Island, US
  • 6/02 Pro Tour Qualifier Hollywood, US
  • 6/02 SCG Open Baltimore, US
  • 6/01 Invi Qualifier Spokane Valley, US
View More Standard Decks - Search Decklists
  • 5/19 SCG Super IQ Milano, US
  • 5/12 Grand Prix Portland, US
  • 4/07 Invi Qualifier Glen Burnie, US
  • 3/17 Grand Prix San Diego, US
  • 3/17 Pro Tour Qualifier Melbourne, AU
  • 3/10 MTGO Daily Event
  • 3/10 Pro Tour Qualifier Magic Online,
  • 3/03 Pro Tour Qualifier West Nyack, US
  • 3/03 Pro Tour Qualifier Roanoke, US
  • 3/03 Pro Tour Qualifier Philadelphia, US
  • 3/03 Pro Tour Qualifier Toronto, CA
  • 3/03 Pro Tour Qualifier Madison, US
View More Modern Decks - Search Decklists
  • 6/16 SCG Open Columbus, US
  • 6/09 SCG Open St. Louis, US
  • 6/02 SCG Open Baltimore, US
  • 5/19 SCG Open Nashville, US
  • 5/19 Invi Qualifier Columbus, US
  • 5/19 SCG Open Nashville,
  • 5/12 Annecy, FR
  • 4/21 SCG Open Seattle, US
  • 4/14 SCG Open Milwaukee, US
  • 4/14 Invi Qualifier Bristol, US
  • 4/07 SCG Invitational Atlanta,
  • 4/07 SCG Invitational Atlanta, US
View More Legacy Decks - Search Decklists
SOCIAL

StarCityGames.com on Facebook


StarCityGames.com on Twitter

Join the conversation


WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Exclusive Deals & Content Every Week



 

ACCOUNT
  • Login/Register
  • My Account
  • Order History
  • Credit History
  • Wishlists
  • Premium
  • Digital Items
  • Gift Card Redemption
CONTACT US
  • Customer Service/Order Issues
  • Advertising
  • Articles
  • Game Center
  • Gift Cards
  • Inventory Issues
  • Organized Play
  • SCG Premium
  • Selling to SCG
  • Shipping
  • Submit News
  • Website Bugs/Problems
ORDER QUESTIONS
  • Customer Service Hours
    Monday through Friday
    10AM - 6PM EST
    Ph: (540) 767-GAME (4263)
  • Email
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Refund/Return Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • About StarCityGames.com
SCG ORGANIZED PLAY
  • Overview
  • Schedule
  • Coverage Archives
  • Invitational Qualifiers
  • Host an Invitational Qualifier
  • Judge Rewards
  • Open Points
  • Standings
  • SCGLive
GAME CENTER
  • Star City Game Center
    5728 Williamson Road N.W.
    Roanoke, VA 24012
    Ph: (540) 767-GAME(4263)
  • Email
  • Hours & Info
ARCHIVES
  • Search our Articles
  • Coverage Archives
  • RSS Feed
MORE SCG
  • SCGMobile
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Newsletter
  • SCGLive
  • TheManaDrain.com
  • CubeDrafting.com
All original content on this page is © 2012 StarCityGames.com and may not be used or reproduced without consent. Wizards of the Coast, Magic: The Gathering, and their logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC. © 2012 Wizards. All rights reserved. StarCityGames.com is not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast LLC.