2001)

By now everyone knows of the Threshold and Flashback effects in the new Odyssey expansion. Not that I'm for, or against these Lazarus type abilities, but they have a tendency to make you kick yourself continually. Maybe I should just tattoo ´´Flashback´´ on my arm somewhere. That way I'll never forget it again. But why would I get a tattoo? Yes, yes, I know a tattoo would be a bit extreme, but at the same time it would have been a perfectly rational choice at the time of the Odyssey prerelease tournament. What I wouldn't have given for a little reminder, or a little whisper in the ear of the word ´´Flashback´´, ´´Flashback!´´

Maybe it requires a bit more explanation than that. I was at the Odyssey prerelease tournament in hopes that I could get some good cards to boost my existing decks. So I'm not disappointed that I went 2 and 3. What I'm killing myself over was the fact that two of those losses could have been wins had I remembered my Flashback abilities. Let me give you the scenario of one of the matches:

The first game had been going on for about 40 minutes, which is unusually long for a tournament game. I had my Mortivore (*/* with attack and defense equal to the number of creature cards in all graveyards) and my Dirty Wererat (2/3 with a Threshold of +2/+2 and can't block) out. My Wererat had reached it's threshold and my Mortivore was 13/13. I was at 2 life and he was at 4 life. He had two creatures out, I don't even remember which ones, but the fact that they were there was unimportant. I figured that this game had gone on so long that there was a need to finish it. So I attacked with both my creatures. He had no cards in his hand so I figured it was safe that he wasn't going to boost them at the last minute. Sure enough, I was right. He blocked with both his creatures, and they both died. He killed my Wererat with one of his blocks, but it wasn't important because I still had my Mortivore. I was satisfied with my move, and he asked if I was done. I told him to go ahead. He drew his card, and without even looking at the card he cast Firebolt (deal 2 damage to target creature or player) from his graveyard using its Flashback. I was stunned. I had totally forgot about that card since it had been 40 minutes since he had cast it. I frantically looked through my graveyard for anything to counter the damage, but I couldn't find anything. Mid-search I suddenly dropped my graveyard and smacked my forehead. I had totally forgotten that I had a Scorching Missile (deals 4 damage to target player) in my graveyard. I looked at how much mana I had, and sure enough, I had enough for the 9R flashback cost. My stunned look had turned to a look of disgust for myself. I couldn't believe that I had overlooked such an obvious way to win. Sadly, I never got the chance for revenge because we never finished our second game.

So what does this say for me?

That I'm forgetful?

Possibly.

That I couldn't hold my own in a tournament?

Less likely.

Odyssey expansion requires more concentration?

Most definitely.

The introduction of these Threshold and Flashback abilities are sure to cause a stir in the Magic community. For the better or worse, I can't say at this point in time. The only thing that IS certain about them is that they reinforce the fact that every, and I mean EVERY, card in your deck is important, even after it's been cast.

So I hope that people can learn a little something from my miscues. When you play with this new expansion, take into account that the graveyard works in your favor, and never forget a spell you cast 40 minutes ago. I know how easy it is to forget about it all. Hey, I'm living proof. I just felt obligated to share my blight with the many Magic players out there. Don't forget your graveyard. Tattoo it on your arm...but only if you have to.

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