I'll have an OSE primer done soon enough; I feel like I owe the board at least that much.
I'm taking an extended leave of absence from Beyond Dominia. I might still ghost or pop in from time to time, but I'm done for the most part.
I have given to this community for over four years now, and it has by and large done nothing but take. I am not getting anything out of posting here anymore, not even the pleasures of simple conversation. I've seen nothing but people bashing the regulars that do all the work around here-- you tell me where the innovation has come from in the last year, and where the decks that we are all playing have originated.
From an handful of players.
The very same players that are the targets of flames, complaints, and insults from inexperienced players who feel snubbed because their posts don't get 30 replies. If you want to attack anyone, turn your guns on the rest of the mill that aren't in the highest echelon-- the ones that SHOULD be helping the newbies while learning from the best. You have all been lax in your responsibilities and asking a few to shoulder all of the burdens. I refuse to bend under that weight one instant longer in the face of being called arrogant by people who don't know the first thing about me.
Anyone that comes here with any regularity knows that when I talk, it's a good idea to listen. Does that make me arrogant? I lost last weekend in the finals of a tournament to a young player using a Sligh deck. I'd been helping him out for a couple months and pretty much kicking the stuffing out of him at every tournament for a while. When I lost, I felt PRIDE that he had finally and deservedly won, especially over me and in the finals. Call me arrogant and you make yourself a fool.
Rakso, keep deleting the junk. There's a big difference between someone who comes here wanting to learn and someone who comes here thinking they know it all when they don't. There are a lot of us who appreciate all the work you put into making our Mill the best it can be. I'm sorry the dam seems to have finally burst, and I hope that in our abscence the rest of the regulars can inherit the mantle left behind and make BD again what it once was.
I'm placing the burden on all of you for once, the burden to rise above and excel. I'll be back someday, I would assume. When is entirely up to you.
Any arrogance on this board is on the shoulders of people who somehow think that they are entitled to me and others, as if we owed them our input. I do everything I can to improve the level of play for everyone that comes here-- it is selfish to make demands on my time and call me elitist because I focus on making good decks great and not explaining for the Nth time why Sligh should run Gorilla Shamen.
Rise up and make Beyond Dominia great again. I have faith that you can do it if you try. It's up to others to make the effort now. I've given it my best, and now I am just tired. There are a lot of people on this board that don't post much and should, and just as many if not more who post and post and say nothing.
A good way to start is to show some respect to the people who deserve it, and realize that respect is earned, not granted. If you want to be taken seriously, show that you deserve to be taken seriously by behaving honorably.
Catch you later, maybe. Anyone that wants to email me in the future is welcome to, and I'll get back to you in some way.
Stop calling me Azhrei. I'm leaving that mantle behind as well, though none may claim it. That name has a legacy, and it ends here, now, today. I may pick it up again in the future, but for now I can't say.
He's right.
He, Matt, Rakso, etc. have been picked on too much.
I don't blame him for leaving.
Bye Darren. I guess it's up to me to be the coolest person on the Mill now. Well, it's a challenge I readily accept! Good luck with whatever it is you're going to do.
Actually, Darren, maybe I should also be admitting I'm not even bothering to read a majority of threads here myself, though I'm by far the most patient (which only means I will be most violent when I get fed up).
Are we retiring "Azhrei" or "Az-bats" ;)
i think that a delete fest needs to occur... just take no prisioners. Where else will the players go to find T1 discussion if not here?
we should not have to leave here to find type 1 info. when i fist came here about 8 months ago there was a small ammount of spam and flames, but that number has grown steadly higher. Rakso has done a good job of 1984 a good ammount of it but some is still there. I think each of us needs to try and make an effort not to act like an ass so that more regulars do not leave.
Azhrei, no offense, but you do come across as an asshole once and a while. But other than that, you've been a great guy to have around on the boards, and a great help. We'll miss you (even the ones who don't talk much, like me).
Hmm... Azhrei's posts were among the only things I was reading beside parfait-related posts.
This mill has changed, it's true. While it gained in popularity, it seems to lose some credibility, as more spammers appear.
Actually, the mill is like a Magic deck. We had a good 60-card deck, with a few broken rares. Now I feel like an expansion came out and invaded our deck. At 75 cards, the power is diluted, thus the whole deck's viability.
Darren, good luck in your future plans. You were one of our deck's best broken cards.
A truely sad day for Bdominia and Magic as a whole. I salute you, good Azhrei, as your advice has given light to my pathetic little world.
Jeez, looks like some ppl are a little sensitive and defensive around here, so they run out the door. It's too bad; you'll all be missed for the most part. However, I don't retract ANY of my accusations. I'm not "inexperienced," and I don't "feel snubbed because [my] posts don't get 30 replies." I feel snubbed because my posts, which follow the guidlines of the board, are deleted for NO REASON, and with NO EXPLANATION. Then, these same people decide to spam, but because they're "regulars" it's allowed to slide. Double standards are just wrong, and shouldn't be upheld by the moderators.
Shade2k1, do a search for yourself and have it set to pages with or without messages. You have many posts. They stop showing up after 24 hours in the "last DAY" function if no one has posted to them. They're not being "deleted." You even got archived once.
Sweet jesus, that was Azhrei!
He asked me to make one last post in his name, but he beat me to it. He was probably THAT pissed off.
First of all, he was especially touched by K-Run and thanks him for that message (and everyone else of course).
Second, we'd both like to tell shade2k1 to stop being a prick.
To prove it, we dug up the following decks he posted, none of which got much of a response because of certain glaring flaws:
Quote:By shade2k1 on Wednesday, November 21, 2001 - 12:36 pm:
I'm trying out a powered-down version of the UBR OSE (these have always been my 3 fav colors of Magic). I currently have no access to P9, LoA, Drains, or Abyss, so they're not included. I am, however, playing with the notion of Standstills to replace FoF if it is indeed restricted come Dec. 1st. With Factories out of the gate, I feel Standstill could be critical card advantage, especially against control. LMK what y'all think (the sideboard is also heavily skewed against control).
BLUE (16)
4 Counterspell
1 Fact or Fiction
4 Force of Will
1 Misdirection
1 Morphling
4 Standstill
1 Teferi's Response
BLACK (5)
1 Demonic Tutor
2 Diabolic Edict
1 Mind Twist
1 Yawgmoth's Will
RED (1)
1 Gorilla Shaman
ARTIFACT (8)
2 Masticore
1 Nevinyrral's Disk
3 Powder Keg
1 Sol Ring
1 Zuran Orb
SPLIT (4)
4 Fire/Ice
LAND (26)
4 City of Brass
5 Island
4 Mishra's Factory
1 Strip Mine
4 Underground Sea
1 Undiscovered Paradise
4 Volcanic Island
3 Wasteland
SIDEBOARD (15)
2 Diabolic Edict
4 Duress
1 Misdirection
4 Pyroblast
4 Red Elemental Blast
Btw, I have purposely NOT included situational tutors such as Mystical, Vampiric, and Scroll, opting instead for the CA netted by Standstill. The main deck is heavy anti-creature, with Kegs, Disk, Cores, and Fire/Ice, with the sideboard designed to rape mono-blue.
Quote:By shade2k1 on Friday, September 21, 2001 - 01:59 pm:
BLUE (18)
4 Counterspell
4 Extract
4 Fact or Fiction
4 Force of Will
2 Morphling
BLACK (10)
1 Demonic Tutor
2 Diabolic Edict
4 Duress
1 Mind Twist
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Yawgmoth's Will
ARTIFACT (7)
2 Masticore
2 Nevinyrral's Disk
2 Powder Keg
1 Zuran Orb
LAND (25)
7 Island
4 Mishra's Factory
1 Strip Mine
1 Tolarian Academy
4 Underground River
4 Underground Sea
4 Wasteland
Quote:By shade2k1 on Saturday, November 10, 2001 - 03:58 am:
Right now the deck seems to run a little bit like OSE, except w/o the Response and with red added as a third color. There's only 1 Morph in the deck, but 2 Rages as an alternate win condition (not to mention the Cores and Factories).
BLUE (16)
4 Fact or Fiction
4 Force of Will
4 Mana Drain
1 Misdirection
1 Morphling
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Windfall
BLACK (7)
1 Demonic Tutor
2 Diabolic Edict
1 Mind Twist
1 The Abyss
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Yawgmoth’s Will
RED (3)
2 Urza’s Rage
1 Wheel of Fortune
ARTIFACT (7)
2 Masticore
3 Powder Keg
1 Sol Ring
1 Zuran Orb
SPLIT (2)
2 Fire/Ice
LAND (25)
4 City of Brass
3 Island
1 Library of Alexandria
4 Mishra’s Factory
1 Strip Mine
1 Tolarian Academy
4 Underground Sea
4 Volcanic Island
3 Wasteland
SIDEBOARD (15)
3 Duress
4 Extract
4 Pyroblast
4 Red Elemental Blast
Quote:By shade2k1 on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 01:08 am:
Here's my P9less version:
BLUE (16)
4 Fact or Fiction
4 Force of Will
4 Mana Drain
1 Misdirection
1 Morphling
1 Mystical Tutor
1 Teferi's Response
BLACK (6)
1 Demonic Tutor
1 Diabolic Edict
1 Mind Twist
1 The Abyss
1 Vampiric Tutor
1 Yawgmoth’s Will
RED (2)
1 Gorilla Shaman
1 Urza’s Rage
ARTIFACT (6)
2 Masticore
2 Powder Keg
1 Sol Ring
1 Zuran Orb
SPLIT (4)
4 Fire/Ice
LAND (26)
4 City of Brass
4 Island
1 Library of Alexandria
4 Mishra’s Factory
1 Strip Mine
1 Tolarian Academy
4 Underground Sea
4 Volcanic Island
3 Wasteland
SIDEBOARD (15)
1 Diabolic Edict
3 Duress
3 Extract
4 Pyroblast
4 Red Elemental Blast
Bleh. It seems all my favorite websites are either shutting down or getting worse. Not that BD is shutting down, but without JP and Darren it'll never be the same. I could always count on laughing reading their posts. Now all I get to read is whine, whine, whine. What a crappy trade off.
You laughed at JP's posts?
Alas the man that brought me the ability to win is gone, at least for a while. You will be missed. And what better way to go than with a little Douglas Adams.
Good luck Az.
I know I laughed at JP's posts
Man, this kinda makes me feel annoyed and stuff. I mean, all of a sudden, a number of great ppl leave from this board, and we're left to plug up the hoels.
Let's all try to make the best of it. I may be somewhat of a sporadic poster, but that's mostly cause I don't feel like clogging up the board with things thta already have been said in earlier posts in a thread.
Rakso: keep up the good work. We don't want spammers in here!!
Azhrei: will you at least grace our channel on IRC (#BDchat on Newnetfor those who don't know it) too with your presence, from time to time??
You know what we do to spammers like shade2k1, yes?
*loads Dragunov*
you were I beleve the most respected poster on this mill...
This really, really bites. We are losing well-respected, intelligent members because of a few ignorant fools-it just isnt right. If things keep going this way we are all in trouble, i mean if newbies have to resort to asking ME for help we are all doomed. Lets think who is left: Rakso, Matt D, Legend, K-Run and... who else? Who else on this mill can we look to for competitive new deck ideas or well thought-out commentary? This week has been the darkest i have seen around here since i started visiting, we cannot afford to lose ppl of this calibur as it hurts everyone else who has a serious interest in T1. Darren, im sad to see you go and i hope you will return one day, until then good luck and goodbye.
Goodbye, Az. I agree with almost everything you said. As Feverdog said, this is a horrible week. BD really needs some changes. It is the only decemt T1 online community I know of. Everybody has to do their part. I learn a lot from this mill, but I do my best to give too (whenever I can make any sort of educated advice on a deck, I do).
I forget where and by whom this was suggested, but someone suggested that we have "basics" primers so that "newbie decks" are at least halfway improved. I agree that people who include stuff like Arcane Denial "because I like it" should go to the casual mill, and there needs to be something to tell them that other than the individual deck primers; many of the newbies don't even know what archetype they're playing and don't read up on anything.
Again, it's a horrible thing that Az is leaving, but we can't just sit around and cry about it. We have to take action. IMHO there are 3 things we have to accomplish:
1. Keep decent people who are already here from leaving
2. Keep unintelligent, stubborn newbies out
3. Be welcoming to new members, both new and experienced, as long as they are willing to take advice and don't incite flame wars
These things would stop people from leaving, and maybe get some good people back.
I have actually been giving this post a lot of thought, trying to find the best way to articulate my feelings on this subject.
I will start by saying that like JP, Azhrei will be missed. I in no way wish to trivialize the contribution you have made to this mill, and I have appreciated the help/ideas I have gotten from you in your time here.
That being said, I think it is probably for the best that you and JP are going, not because I don't appreciate you, but perhaps because you don't appreciate us. From the tone of both your and JP's posts, it sounds like you would benefit much more from a mailing list with those deckbuilders you wish to interact with.
Specifically, you both talked about 'putting a lot into the mill' and 'getting nothing out'. What, I wonder, were you expecting? I expect the following when I come to the mill:
a) interesting deck ideas/discussions
b) suggestions/ideas for improving any decks I post
c) a sense of community
And despite the much bemoaned decline in the mill recently, I still get those things. Whenever I think about leaving entirely, I see a new deck or card idea or an interesting discussion that draws me back into the fold.
I really can't see the mill providing much else than that though. On this mill, we study and discuss and love a dead format. Mox as a prize or not, there are no really important type one tourneys, no big titles to be won. Our support from R&D and the DCI borders on non-existent, so in my opinion that leaves us with a 'fun' format.
I'm not saying we should not discuss metagame ideas and dominant decks. By all means we should.
But let's have a little perspective here, people. We make these grand reports about the dominance of OSE or BBS at a given tourney, only to reveal that there were 8-30 people at said tourney.
If you mean that you gave more deck help than you received deck help, that should really be expected
when you normally introduce pre-tuned decks to the mill and have more experience building than most of us. On top of that, you get no shortage of suggestions for your decks, and just because you only respect the opinions of 5-6 people doesnt mean that only 5-6 people try to help. If you get nothing you want out of this mill, then I hope you find what you are looking for elsewhere, but I am mystified as to what that is.
On the subject of newer players coming here and flaming established players and spurning their ideas and generally acting poorly (then attacking Rakso for deleting their posts), I am wholly sympathetic. It sucks . But it takes two sides to have a flame war. Spam is annoying but also both easily ignored and easily deleted if it is entirely one sided. It has not been so. If you let these people get under your skin that's
your own problem. I don't like it is near impossible to prevent someone who REALLY wants to from posting on a public forum. Both Negator and Random-Miser have demonstrated this at various times. The best way is generally not to give
them a target. Some very annoying people post very annoying things, but we have not, as a mill, handled such behaviour well.
This will be my last word on these subjects. I am not leaving the mill, because while it has been a source of occasional frustration, it has also been a source of community and support and I don't take that for granted. But I have had enough of the Off Topic. I will only respond to deck threads here from this point on (barring exceptional circumstances such as that whole Sep 11 thing). I will post any new decks or progress in my own testing, but i really am not spending much time on my own type one decks at the moment. And as a warning to those who have practically chased Azhrei and JP of the mill, if you flame me or other members than expect your future deck posts to sink like a stone because I will have nothing to say, good idea or no, and I hope others will follow suit. This is a mill to talk about type one, so let's talk about that.
Nevyn: Before this strange turn of events, I've been moving the most off topic of the off topic threads (including an Azhrei-induced, incomprehensible, wrestling sounds thread) to Rumor.
Why?
Well it was simple... Shadow finally gave me access so I could move the stuff, so... ;)
CF and I were having a barrel of laughs over High Tide in Type I by the way.
Anyway, I agree with a lot of your points, but I think you're skewing it a bit. I myself have been complaining of spam and flames and I didn't mean Miser and Negator.
I meant obnoxious new visitors who aren't even being obnoxious about new, interesting ideas, but an obvious lack of understanding of the game's rules.
Miser, I can even laugh at. The several semi-anonymous new visitors/lurkers/spammers/flamers/idiots? They turn ME off, even.
Azhrei, I for one am very appreciative of your contributions here. Although I don't post all too often and am not well known, I have learned the most from your posts.
I owe my less than recent 10+ winning streak at my local card shop to you and your work on OSE.
(that's tournaments, not matches)
You will be sorely missed by myself and every other remaining BDer who's worth anything.
As a tribute to you, I will be bringing my OSE out of retirement tomorrow for the weekly T1 and I will win.
Maybe it was just time for them to take a break, I left the BD community for a few months a while back because I just wanted to do other things. After years of posting on the same board you eventually get tired of it and it loses its fun, theres absolutely nothing you can do to stop that.
I live in various gaming communities, this happens all the time. Maybe they will come back, maybe not. Either way the mill will be different, possibly for the better (probably not, bu I just wanted to throw that out there...).
Darren,
I must say that I'm sorely going to miss your presense. By using your decks, I've come to learn more about type 1 than I ever used to know. I even felt I had learned enough from you to begin trying to help others on this board. I hope that you will still drop in and let us know how you're doing and what new concoctions you've worked up to dominate type 1. Take care wherever you go.
Shade2k1, you are a no talent ass clown. Take BD off your favorites if its there, clear your cache, and dont come back. You are not wanted here.
Az however is. His decks and articles are always insightful and comprehensive.
Perhaps if people didnt have the mentality to post a seemingly RANDOM pile of cards. Then explained the choices they made in decks the crapped out, they might actually get taken seriously. If they listened to what RESPECTED and ACCOMPLISHED T1 players say, they could even learn a thing or two instead of being stuck in thier rut.
I cant begin to count the post's I just hit the back arrow too. The casual T1 mill is perfect for that. This mill is the best on the net for T1, without arguement. To upkeep those standards, Heavy moderation must be used to keep this place clean of the filth people try to pass off as competitive.
Extract and Standstill suck dick in OSE. Everyone know that.
Darren,
You are letting a very small minority determine your course of action. I have always appreciated your advice and enjoyed your comments as I believe the vast majority of regulars do. There will always be whiners. I do hope that you reconsider. This thread alone should help to convince you that you are respected.
paul s
Darren,
I want to say thank you for all the great work you have done here. I started playing your Decks with the Franchise and read nearly all your threads afterwards. Also I have to thank you for my first Type One tournament, that I won a week ago, with your creation OSE. As a lot of other people have already said, your posts were most of the time entertaining and showed, that you really knew what you were talking about. I will miss Azhrei. I hope you reconsider your decision. We can't always run away from the assholes, that didn't got polite manners in there childhood. We hav to make a stand against them.
Good luck for your future and enjoy the game.
Dammit, now I have to hire a new mascot. I should sue for breach of contract. Now, where did Satan leave that thing...
bye Azhrei...
i enjoyed most of your posts....
*sniff*
what can i say
Azhrei,
i dont know you, but im a lurker/casual poster. they way you operated on these boards was great, you are extremely helpfull nice guy you brough so much to the community, its too bad your leaving on account of the idiots arround here :{
I bid you future success
Quote:As a courtesy to your fellow Mill denizens, always post your permanent alias and e-mail address. In keeping with mutual respect, kindly take the effort to spell all names correctly (especially more difficult ones such as R-a-k-s-o and A-z-h-r-e-i).
I'd just like to make a point that for every hundred worthless bullheaded scrubs, one of those scrubs comes up with an idea that rocks a format. I wouldn't not care to count myself as a good player, I know better. My playing skills are poor at best. Especially in T1, because there is no comparing a FoF for Island, Island, Shadowmage Infiltrator, Counterspell, Vindicate and FoF for Ancestral, Walk, Morphling, FoW, Drain. I've been playing T1 on a fairly regular basis for about 2 months now, against the same keeper decks, and I STILL have issues trying to split a FoF intelligently. However, those of you that have mastered T1, that could tell at a glance what cards to put in what pile, based simply on what's in play, have become inflexible. You improve what's currently there, and you play with the styles that you've established in your mind, and perhaps, just perhaps, you miss things from time to time. Labarre's High Tide was rogue, and look what it did. All the best players missed it. I'm just saying that before you say a deck is a random PoS, give it one shot. Chances are, you're right. 99% of the time, you're right. But there's always that one percent of the time when you find out that that PoS is actually the next movement in T1.
I can say this from very recent experience. I play T2, and I downplayed Rice Snack as a lousy deck. It just didn't look like it could win. Looked like the biggest pile I'd ever seen. Till I was playing this kid at a draft between rounds, and he stomped me on a regular basis with the deck. All I'm saying is give us scrubs a chance.
AGH!
Another one 8( You'll definitely be missed, and i hope that when you come back, things will be much different.
I really hope that some day in the not-so-far-future, BD will be back to its old greatness, bc i feel like it went down a lot since i first came here.
btw, i also probably disappear in the mists for a while bc of life(TM), though i'm really not important enough to get a thread for that.
Sigh...
This is no good. No good at all.
We have two of the most insightful and helpful people on this board leave. The T1 boards just won't be the same.
This is strange...it's difficult to put thoughts together in any coherent way. I was going to say something about spamemrs, but I don't seem to have much to say. I keep stopping in the middle of sentences, trying to figure out my thoughts on this whole thing.
I think we need a clear cut rule on profanity. Either none or all. I would suggest the former. It's irratating to see a mod curse after warning someone else for it.
Secondly, we need a policy on what "trash" is. Clear cut. Saying that "Trash is spam" or "Trash is anything that is annoying" is vague. "Trash is something obviously not made for competitive T1 play; it uses suboptimal cards simply because the posters 'wants to,' or it has no discription (in either Subject or Body), or is spam (which would than be described under another policy)." I'm not saying that that should be the policy; just that we need to make one that is generally agreed upon.
Thirdly, I think everyone needs to be a bit more respectful. For a 'spammer,' Shade2k1 is pretty darn polite. If you have something to say, back it up. And just don't flame.
Saltz
> Az says: Anyone that comes here with any
> regularity knows that when I talk, it's a
> good idea to listen. Does that make me
> arrogant?
> Nevyn says: That being said, I think it is
> probably for the best that you and JP are
> going, not because I don't appreciate you, but
> perhaps because you don't appreciate us.
Wow, I stop by for my random semi-weekly dose of BD and find a huge bunch of chaos. And for the second thread in a row I find that I agree with Nevyn.
JP and Az have both made huge contributions to this board, I know when I first came here Az was *the* authority on Keeper. But does anyone remember those old Franchise decklists? Way suboptimal by "modern" mill standards - 2 FoW, a Jesters Cap and a bunch of other random crap I cant even remember. The point is that The Franchise evolved in the past years through the work of Az himself but also through the feedback of the board. The community is what we get out of posting on the board, the friendship and the respect. But, its a two-way street, and while I think Az and JP are right that they are giving more than they are getting here on this board they also have been part of the cycle of the arrogant, "Its fun to call people stupid!" clique pioneered by Legend and Negator.
Hopefully, its just a good time for a lot of people to cool off. I'd hate to lose either JP or Az as regular poster. But BD has been sick for a while, and a big part of that has been lack of respect shown by some of the "regulars". Canning a couple of those people, no matter which deck they "invented" or how good a player they are could only help this board.
I don´t have anything else to say, that hasn´t been said already.
Farewell, not Mr. Azhrei anymore, but Mr. Darren, the man that took the irony and skill in magic to levels never seen before.
Ignoring the more agressive posts:
Az, you'll be missed. Come back.
Well, shade2k1, what can you do? It is after all, THEIR SITE and THEIR FORUM. Live and let live or just bash the hell outta them.
Paranoid: That's the attitude why people are quitting. Rakso never flammed anyone about a year ago. No one flammed anyone. But now, we've all been reduced to this.
well... azhrei and jp have left... and i can feel the suck of a power vaccuum forming... I feel that Legend has the "Im right" attitude to contribute to the evolution of the format... Legend blue was refreshing to me amidst a sea of control but dont win to fast BS... keeper is good, ose is good and BBS is good... but its nice to see a deck that actively tries to win... and dropping a morphling quick is the way to go... the legend black deck with the longass name that im not going to bother to type out is interesting and represents a subtle change in the environment...and that is... if you can drop a threat and have enough disruption to let your clock tick, then you dont have to counter EVERY F'ING spell that your opponent casts... I will attempt to post something interesting... seeing as how i know what im talking about sometimes... but i and the rest of us will miss the company... remember... just because there are 5 colors in this game... it doesnt mean that they are equal... SO DONT POST SHIT ABOUT GW LIFEGAIN OVERRUN IN A COMPETITIVE TYPE 1 MILL... reap lace on the other hand... post away... :-) g'day
Azhrei: You're promoted to head Lurker.
Thanks for your posts.
8^(
Razor
While I've never actually posted here on BD, this site has helped me greatly become the T1 player I am today and you, Azhrei, were a big part of that. It's sad to see you go and even sadder to think that you might not ever come back. I mean who's going to piledrive Legend through a flaming table?
I think that something needs to be done. T1 is trully the greatest format in MTG, but the leading site is falling from it's throne. I think I'll start posting now, if for no other reason than to add to the community, as I feel I'm knowledgeable enough, and am certainly respectful. So Azhrei, I thank you for all the time and effort you've put into this site, and hope that you'll come back one day. Let's make this site worthy of Azhrei's return.
Hi. I am really sad to see Darren, or Az, leave. He has contributed a great deal to our community. I used to just come and read the articles and never post when I was newer to Magic, and I always looked for his threads or primers. I'm sorry that so many people can't understand why you're leaving, and also that Shade is an idiot who hasn't hit puberty.
You will be missed because so many people looked up to you and looked for you for advice.
I wish you luck in what you're going to do after BDominia, or perhaps Magic, and hope maybe someday, you can come back. Whether to say hi or to stay, the most of us would like to see you again.
Good-bye!
"the legend black deck with the longass name that im not going to bother to type out"
Haha, that was longer than the deck name! I'd suggest everyone call it "firearms.dec" for shortening purposes. Or if you don't like it, "useless.dec"
I'll miss your posts Darren.
But I don't think your leaving will help BD that much.
We need experienced player.
I hope to see you again.
Max, the Mana Drainer
Lol... funny thing is that there is no Legend Black deck.
Suicide Black's been here for quite a while. Oh, and I believe Az and a few other people didn't post builds here because it's the biggest threat against Keeper... ;)
This signifies a trend, you know. Two of our strongest players have left due to the dilution of the Mill. Generally this means that either the people themselves have grown out of the mill, or that the mill itself has lost something. For myself, I believe that the latter is occurring.
Darren, you do realize that now instead of having you yell at me on the board that you have to yell at me over IM, which is both a lot less public and generally less fun ;-). Have fun on your travels, Magical or otherwise.
firearms.dec is hardly suicide black rakso :-)
and i know that what i typed was longer than the name... would that be irony or something? :-) i dunno... i hate to see these people go... but you know how it is... you win some, you lose some... unless you play doomsday.dec... then losing isnt an option.
"This signifies a trend, you know. Two of our strongest players have left due to the dilution of the Mill. Generally this means that either the people themselves have grown out of the mill, or that the mill itself has lost something. For myself, I believe that the latter is occurring."
I strongly disagree with this statement. Azhrei and JP were good players, that was evident by their deck builds and usually well articulated posts. I am sad to see them go, but I don't think they were two of the best players on the mill.
They added with their posts. They enhanced the mill. But, there are many great players on this mill. People who watch. People who listen, and rarely post. People who are fierce competitors and are well connected to the Magic scene in their areas, but people who observe.
As for these two quitting the mill, that is a sad and somewhat arrogant gesture. But we will move on. We will prosper. We will be stronger as Matt and Legend step-up to fill the void.
I love Beyond Dominia. Rasko is a great moderator and he provides us with an excellent service. I am smart enough to see through the crap of a ICT deck. I don't need to read the posts. But, I love the fact that this mill is a democratic institution, one in which the occasional jack-ass will post something dumb, but I have the freedom to learn from all sorts of people.
This is not an institution for the elite, and us in Type I really think of ourselves as elite. This mill is an institution for everyone. As such, Az and JP (expecially JP, man, your use of Choke against Mono Blue was revolutionary!!), you will be missed. But, if you are looking for a 'more focused' forum for the elite, and you are convinced you are the elite, then good luck to you.
damn you az, i have to break my lurkers oath now! sorry to see you go on a break! you were great!
I feel bad that your leaveing but thanks for all the help you have given me !
Quote:firearms.dec is hardly suicide black rakso :-)
Quote:But, I love the fact that this mill is a democratic institution, one in which the occasional jack-ass will post something dumb, but I have the freedom to learn from all sorts of people.
"expecially JP, man, your use of Choke against Mono Blue was revolutionary!!"
Dammit, that was ALL my idea, and I based it on your use of Blood Moon off like 4 Islands. So it's really more your idea than mine or JP's in a way.
Quote:"expecially JP, man, your use of Choke against Mono Blue was revolutionary!!"
I think he must have been thinking specifically on using Choke in keeper.
Welcome back, Knight ;)
This is undoubtedly upsetting for us regulars. Azhrei, to us, you portrayed a great leader, and a man of much intelligence. Your absence will be a great loss to the BD community.
Anyone that has the slightest knowledge of your being will remember you not only for your intricate deck designs, but also, for your words of wisdom that you laid upon us here at BD
Azhrei, you will never be forgotten, you will stay in our hearts, and always be remembered for the great leadership that you provided for us here at BD.
Thank you for everything, we will all miss you!
Well, I don't know what to say.
It was great when you were here.
Silverdragon0
I dunno, I'm still going to remember him as the Cunning Linguist. I may even call him that if we ever meet in person 
I never got any fish from you, did I? If I did, make sure to visit me here in Norway and I'll give you some herrings in return.
If you feel you have to leave... bye then.
--
Chris
I do not post often but usually only observe. I am sorry to see that people do not realize that magic is a game (maybe a serious one, but a game). Much of teh disagreement and bullshit on this board stems from counter egos who do not realize that they are both probably on par. This is really the last of a dying breed. Type 1 magic is constantly kicked out the door and spit upon by players who know nothing about. I really hope that petty arguments and egos won't disrupt this board to its doom. Really, type 1, is in my opinion the creme of teh crop. There are newbies who think they know more than they do, and there are masters who fail to listen to students. Sometimes the brightest ideas in magic come from a perspective that a "good" player just could not see. Magic is a game for all players of all skills. In my opinion the stupidy of tournament play and ranking systems and people generally not caring about teh game, just caring about teh metagame, has caused alot of arrogance and poor deckbuilding. Because someones deck can perform better against the standard lot of decks, does not mean it is better than a truly original deck that holds it own and needs tweeking. Tournaments and rankings suck. They create egos that eclipse the game. I know of only a few people who are truly masters of magic and none of them are on this board or even look at it. Play for fun and for mastery not win ratios against metagame. What would anyone of you do when faced with a truly frightening rogue deck? All I hear about anymore is Morphling. What happened to experimentation and insight? Why do stock decks win all teh tournaments? Because thats what gets played at all teh tournaments. Necro was not the best deck during the black summer. It won tournaments because everyone was playing it. I don't post to insult anyone or boost myself. I post to discuss magic. Isn't this what this board is supposedly here for?
Farewell Darren, and good luck. Hope to see you around sometime again. This site helped me evolve from being a big fish in a small pond to being a reasonably decent non-scrubby player in a large ocean. As perhaps the premier contributor to the site for as far back as I can recall (back in the days when it mostly you and Rakso answering all the questions and carrying the strategy threads), you were very much a part of that process. I really am in agreement with much of Nevyn's reply, but there's no need to rehash it now. Good luck in all of your pursuits Az-bats
Holy, Boltbait! I forgot there WERE a few people who dated back to the two of us!
Man, BD is really loosing all its good players (no offense to ne1 else, but players that have recently left, are truly GREAT T1. Azhrei aka Darren, it is sad to to see you leave. Your legacy will stay here in BD. ToC are not going to be the same without you. Have fun, and thanks for all your good advice and keep playing.
Arex The Mexican T1 player....or atleast I try to be.
o.k., could you leave one here rakso, for gods sake???
again:
farewell darren, IMO our discussions were quite stimulating
and actually, OSE is pretty good.
i rarely visited BD since september, and when i did i looked for your posts
but i guess you'll be back.
Wow, just saw this... now I'm going to be depressed
all day. Az, you and your innovations will be
missed. Just be sure to check up on the little
mill every once in a while. *sniff*
Quote:Holy, Boltbait! I forgot there WERE a few people who dated back to the two of us!
I'd post occasionally as Juzam Djinn, until JuzamDjinn69 (remember him?) spammed up the board. Then I changed over to Boltbait.
JuzamDjinn69 was one of the first guys I kicked out as mod. Indeed way back...
I doubt you remember me, but I was a regular several years ago.. way back before Rakso was a moderator, maybe even before he first came to the board. I quit over a year and half ago, and have been getting back into the game these past few months by some friends at college. I've been looking at this board every now and then, even though I'm more or less clueless on the game since my long absence. Although your leaving this board doesn't really affect me, I know what a loss you'll be to it. I learned a lot from you in the time I spent here, and I know that there are many others who have as well. I hope you take care, and good luck in your future ventures.
HI!!! I *do* remember you! How the hell have you been?
So do I!
Hey, Az-bats. Clean enough for you?
If not, we're having Legend spit-polish the floor...
Az...er Darren, you posts have been very entertaining to read and very enlightening as well. Thanks for the time you spent here and for the advice that you have given me in the past. I also feel that you are a pillar of this community and will be missed, but if your heart is not in it after all that has happened with the spammers and disrespect I don't blame you for leaving. I am sorry to here the news though. I do have to agree with Nevyen though about the giving back, I wish I had more free time to post more and “give back”.
Take care and good luck in all your ventures,
Z
Wow, I feel special that I'm remembered I'm doing good but I'm sure this isn't exactly the best place to discuss that.. feel free to EMail me if you like, or you can instant message me at Magikorn13, I'm always online.