I don't disagree with this distinction, but as I noted on the previous page, I believe (and want to encourage us to believe) that it's more than this. I think control vs. prison is an artificial distinction that essentially describes the same thing. In many previous metagames, "traditional control" was viable because the one-for-one, two-for-one, and/or card advantage, etc. spells that are in the traditional control toolbox were efficient and viable means of controlling a game. But those one-shot effects are no longer as efficient as they used to be, and/or the threats have gotten too good and/or consistent. Control must therefore evolve to different tools than those we associate with "traditional control" towards the increasingly powerful (especially PWs) permanent-based tools. Something like T3feri is basically a card and tempo advantage engine that simultaneously wins all counter wars. This makes him much more efficient in many situations than simply a counterspell, so control players will hedge towards T3feri in that slot instead. That's why UW Control still plays a mix of PWs and other traditional spells; it's just one control deck sliding between more efficient tools.
To my knowledge, there has never been a reputable, formal, representative study of public Modern opinion where the results were made available to the public. So this whole notion of what is/is not popular gets really stuck in subjective, personal experience and anecdote. I think we can all agree Modern is popular, given the number of Modern events Wizards has held this year alone (we have 4 GP in the next month alone, plus the second of 2 Modern MCs this year, PLUS we had Modern Horizons). Anyone who says Modern is dying, Wizards is willfully killing it, Modern isn't popular, etc. is simply grinding an axe and not basing their assessments in reality.FoodChainGoblins wrote: ↑4 years agoFor many players of other formats, it IS indeed a joke. I know this because I hear this. They play Modern for fun but it doesn't seem like a "real" format to them.Zorakkiller wrote: ↑4 years agoagreed gsz and sfm being banned at this point is a bad joke that has gone on too long. having these cards banned makes it very difficult to take modern seriously. at what point does the state of the banned list is delegitimize modern or has it already happened?
It's sad to me because my format IS Modern. Although I enjoy Legacy more right now, Modern is the format that I know I can play every week. Legacy tournaments are a bit tougher to find and I have to drive over 55 mi. for them.
But Modern being popular is not necessarily exclusive with Modern being a joke or a meme. Even diehard Moderners like Kanister are notorious for meming about Modern with low-effort, one-liner, pithy, reductionist posts about "in the interest of competitive diversity" and "nice T4 format" or stuff to that effect. I don't think we need a formal survey to know those kinds of opinions are rampant at all levels of the Modern community. I understand this can feel alienating and invalidating for people who enjoy Modern. It's not too much different from someone playing Magic in general, trying to explain the fantasy card game to a friend/loved one, and dealing with eye-rolls, jabs, and misunderstanding. That's a pretty natural response.
As other users have pointed out, we shouldn't be too influenced by what other people think or how they misrepresent what we enjoy. That's obviously way easier said than done, hence why therapists and psychologists have jobs, but it's "rational" advice... at least, rational advice for a feelings-based issue. Which is to say, it's really hard to implement. Ultimately, I try not to let the Modern jokers and memers and critics get me down too much. If it's in a public space with room for response, it can be helpful to acknowledge the underlying humor and truth of a joke (it really is comical/depressing when you lose a Modern game on T2) while also providing information (T4 format does not actually mean decks can't win before T4). Or you just move on and pick another battle.
Oh god...Wraithpk wrote: ↑4 years agoHi everyone, is this where we come to complain about the Splinter Twin ban?
On a more serious note, man have War of the Spark and Modern Horizons impacted the format. I haven't been playing in a few months, and now I'm going to update my decks, and these two sets are everywhere. Lots of fun new toys, but it's hurting my wallet...
More seriously, WAR and MH have completely reshaped the format landscape. The same top decks are still top decks (UW Control, Humans, Gx Tron, Izzet Phoenix, Dredge, etc.) but many of those decks received powerful new tools. Thankfully, many of the lower tier decks also received powerful new tools to compete (Infect, Jund, Mono R Phoenix, etc.), so the metagame remains diverse. New decks arose (e.g. Grixis Urza's Sword) and old decks picked up new tools to find newfound relevance (e.g. E-Tron with Karn TGC).
That said, I would not re-invest in any specific deck until after this weekend. MC4 will set the standard for Modern's 2019 evolution, as well as the best places to use some of the new MH tools.