April Fools Day. Magic. Two great things that go great together? Eh, sure, why not?

While the emphasis of the Star City Games Casual Challenge this week was on "decks that look like they do something, then do something else," people might interpret an "April Fools Deck" as a theme deck that stems from a card that symbolically ties to the prankster's holiday. For example, a deck could be built around Jester's Cap, Fool's Tome, or Rites of Spring. (Well, maybe the Rites of Spring could go, but conceptually, the other two could work.)

Initially, I was kicking around ideas using Fool's Tome - but after thinking of Mindslicer, Altar of Dementia, Firebolt, Fiery Temper, and Ensnaring Bridge, I got bored. Instead of being a deck based on Fool's Tome, it was an Ensnaring Bridge deck with a Fool's Tome in it - not much foolish about that. So I abandoned the Tome... for now.

For something completely different, what better day to play with silver borders than April 1? And what better trick to play than this classic combo:

R&D's Secret Lair and...

and...

Floral Spuzzem.

Ah, the Spuzzem. Possibly the worst templated card ever. Old-school gamers would often attack with the Spuzzem, sit, and wait. And wait. And wait.

...And the Spuzzem never decided what to do.

No, of course not. People didn't sit and wait for the card to decide. They knew what the card was supposed to do. They chose damage or artifact munching and played on.

However, with R&D's Secret Lair out, signs point to a draw. The Spuzzem must make the decision for you. Play cards as written? Now there's a joke.

To make sure that there's an artifact for the "choosing," Ashnod's Transmogrant or Myr Landshaper are cheap enough ways to force shiny baubles into your opponent's grasp. For ensuring a Lair, you can use Sylvan Scrying or Crop Rotation. As for forcing the Spuzzem through, take your pick of options - you've got bounce, you've got Shadow Rift, you've got Jump, you've got Veil of Secrecy. You've got better options too, if you want them - but Force That Spuzzem! (If that doesn't sound dirty, I don't know what does.)

I'd provide a decklist, but get your own creative Spuzzem juices flowing (and doesn't that sound dirty?) from the concepts above. It's as much fun as Staying Power with a Stone-Cold Basilisk!

Feedback? You know the drill. Forums, e-mail, etc. etc. etc. Go ahead, tell me I'm stupid. From these concepts, I won't mind.

As always, I remain...

jon"tick"maske
tripthelight at earthlink dot net