<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whelming Wave" href="#" target="_blank">Whelming Wave</a> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CSlawomir+Maniak%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Slawomir Maniak</a>
Hello, and welcome to Am I the Bolas?
This column is for all of you out there who have ever played some Magic and wondered if you were the bad guy. I'm here to take in your story with all of its nuances so I can bring some clarity to all those asking, "Am I the Bolas?"
I'm ready to hear you out and offer advice. All you have to do is email amithebolas@gmail.com with your story, a pseudonym you want to use, and of course, only include details you don't mind in the column! You might see your story below one day. You might even hear it on the podcast. Which podcast?
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-25893" src="https://commandersherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bolcast_logo430x430-300x300.png" alt="" width="249" height="249" />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmITheBolcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">THIS PODCAST!</a>
I'm Mike Carrozza and this is what I look like when I pretend to throw the ball for my dog but put it behind my back instead.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Mysterio, Master of Illusion"></div></div>
No, it's over there, go check. Ahahaha I got you!
This week, removal is important.
(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)
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<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
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Good morning,
I read your articles as part of my morning-work ritual, and often find myself thinking about the points you make throughout the day and beyond. I played in a miserable game this weekend and it shined a light on what I feel has been a growing problem in Magic in general these last few years…
I love Magic and have been an active player since New Pyrexia. I tend to play synergized decks but do not like using game-changers, two-card combos, or extra turns. I tune my decks for Bracket 2.5 play in the “upgraded precon” department.
I was at the shop on a Sunday afternoon. I joined a pod of three. I asked them about power level and they said they play at “upgraded precon” level, so I broke out my <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle" href="#" target="_blank">Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle</a>, “sea monster” typal deck and settled in for a game. Player 1 was playing <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer" href="#" target="_blank">Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer</a> and talking a huge game. Player 2 was playing a legendary matters <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ratadrabik of Urborg" href="#" target="_blank">Ratadrabik of Urborg</a> and Player 3 was playing Demon typal.
The game gets off to a blistering start, with the Brudiclad player and I playing an early <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sol Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Sol Ring</a>. Brudiclad continues to talk a big game and implies that he is going to do something crazy. He does the thing where he says “go-to-combat-declare-attackers-swing-with-these-three-guys-trigger-these-abilities-draw-five-cards” in one breath. 
I immediately say “whoa, slow down, I have responses!” to which he replies “Are you serious? I’ve already gone through my combat” 
“I <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Krosan Grip" href="#" target="_blank">Krosan Grip</a> your Brudiclad in your Main phase…" to which he replies, the literal words: 
“F@#k you for real, are you serious? I already drew my cards, now I have to put these back? F@#k you, dude. I guess I pass…”
I’m floored by this interaction. Both friends seem to brush off the comment and continue to play non-interactively. It comes to me, I play a blue wrath and swing at Brudiclad guy. He starts spouting off again saying it's so unfair I hit him for 25 damage, blah blah blah.
So now, I’m in the situation where these two new players see me killing their “Goliath” of a player. However, rather than help me to kill Goliath, who threatens to rebuild his combo and win every turn, they suddenly start looking to interact with me and my board. They begin to ask Brudiclad what they should do to help him not lose. Mind you, Brudiclad has already tried to combo off and win. I say something along the lines of “He’s winning! I’m trying to keep him from killing all of us!” To which the new players say “We know his deck, you’re the unknown. We need to kill you first because we don’t know what you’re capable of.” I reply “My deck is eight-drop Krakens and blue wraths! You’ve seen it happen like twice now!”
I hard target Brudiclad and kill him. Through a <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wheel of Fortune" href="#" target="_blank">Wheel of Fortune</a> and a <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mana Drain" href="#" target="_blank">Mana Drain</a>, mind you. This is some "upgraded precon"... 
We’ve all experienced at least part of the above interaction before, to any long-standing Magic player, the existence of players like this do not come as a surprise.
Brudiclad storms off. The game grinds on as I desperately try to end it. I play defensively - sorcery speed removal, a fatty or two, effectively stopping both of the remaining players' momentum. I slowly win through their gummy board states. Both claim “they aren’t drawing correctly to be able to counter me” while not also simply swinging at me with their on-board flying creatures, oddly. 
Brudiclad returns to the table and starts loudly talking about how this game is still going on and I’m playing a “purposefully stax-heavy deck which only tries to slow the game down and not win.” At this point, I’m so exhausted by the entire experience I scoop and leave.
In modern day, I see so many types of players - from new enthusiasts who are eager to play their new Chocobo typal deck to old-heads who throw down a <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kaalia of the Vast" href="#" target="_blank">Kaalia of the Vast</a>. I always pack decks full of relevant interaction and fair on-theme wincons which win the game slowly and fairly while allowing for other players to “do the thing.” 
I’d say 80% of games I play in involve two players building up for like five turns, me wrathing in one form or another, them being floored that wraths exist. Then, for the rest of the game, I am hard targeted even though the third player, who is very obviously the “non-interactive combo player just waiting for their window to go off” will win the second I drop my interaction shields because no one else is holding anything up or has used it all on petty "revenge" against me.
So my question is the following:
How does an enfranchised player who likes playing good old fashioned fair Magic play around the rage man-babies, the innocent bystanders “this is my new Cat deck,” to the “no I didn’t build this <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a> deck like you normally see” angle shooting win-farmers?
I just want to play fair, interactive Magic with regular people, but it seems like there exists a massive population of Magic players that just make meme decks, only want to stomp their opponents, or completely fall apart if they don't get to play solitaire and see that victory screen...
Thank you for your time. &lt;3
Sea Captain
</div>
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<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer"></div></div>
</div>
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<h2>VERDICT</h2>
Thank you for writing and asking me to weigh in on your story. As I mention every week, if folks don't write to me, there's no column. So if you, the reader, want to send me a story, whether it's your own or one from Reddit or a friend's, please send it to amithebolas@gmail.com and I'll get to it here. I really appreciate you making me part of your morning every week.
It's clear to all readers here that this submission is dripping with biases. I understand your frustrations and do think this serves as a springboard to discuss that creeping feeling you've brought up.
Beginning with the most obvious thing, essentially a throwaway at this point, but that Brudiclad player zooming through phases is just not how the game is played. You're clearly in the right and rolling things back makes sense. It's not your fault you got more information! There are interaction points throughout the turn, not to mention the Brudiclad combat trigger itself.
His reaction to this, coupled with the fact that his two pals didn't say anything or vocally agree with you, tells me that I probably would have had a difficult time with this player as well.
And while we're focusing on the Brudiclad player's attitude, coming back to the table to loudly declare your sea monster typal deck a stax deck because the game is slowed down is rude. Sea monsters don't always have evasion and you described the board as gummed up. It's going to take a while. That's why there are so many "blue wraths" (likely of the <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Whelming Wave" href="#" target="_blank">Whelming Wave</a> variety) which allow you to clear the way to close the game out.
I have also noticed the trend away from removal. I have never really been a big removal player myself, but I know better than to build a deck without at least a wrath and flexible targeted removal pieces. That said, as a player who loves to build the machine with multiple pieces doesn't mind leaning into the glass cannon nature of decks, I often find myself prioritizing the "cool" stuff over the vegetables like removal and stuff.
It's not a great habit, but it helps that I have a baseline I am disciplined enough to not go under.
That said, it's also something I have to recognize in the deck if I decide not to include the necessary interactive pieces; I must accept the possibility that my strategy will continue to be disrupted and I might not get to do the thing. C'est la vie. Water off a duck's back. More games coming.
When it comes to Magic, it's as much about finding your people as it is about deckbuilding. Luckily, as a writer for one of the most popular Commander sites out there and a (though I am loathe to use the term) content creator in the space, I'm fortunate enough to get to play a ton of Magic with some of the most enfranchised and understanding players whenever I'm out and about.
Before this though, as the chatty guy I am, I've been having the Rule Zero talk for a long, long time, and it has helped me find exactly where I've been happiest. Communicating ahead of time will save you some headaches and heartache.
I understand that the complaints you have are rooted in the deckbuilding stage which is not really where you intervene, but it's definitely fair to find your people and grow as a playgroup which will then allow everybody to catch up to each other's playstyles.
I think you've outlined what you like about Magic. It's specific, but not niche. Playing at an LGS means that you'll end up meeting all sorts of players, as evidenced by your "Cat deck" and "not-that-<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Edgar Markov" href="#" target="_blank">Edgar Markov</a> deck" players.
Especially in this environment, it's important to take note of the folks you've enjoyed playing with. Was it because they were challenging, or a good time, or both? Most importantly, I need more players to express their appreciation for the players they enjoy playing against. Be vocal and tell people you like that you like them enough to prioritize them when you see them at the LGSs. Maybe someday, that'll be someone you can text and coordinate with to meet at the LGS or even get the beginnings of a playgroup that meets up regularly.
I will caution you from using terminology like "good, fair Magic." I don't play cEDH, but I'd be wrong to not consider it "good" or "fair" or "Magic." What you want needs to be more articulated to get what you want exactly. You want interactive Magic where games are balanced and are decided by the "right" play. Many players want that too, but there's no science to this.
Try as they may, WotC isn't going to be able to make things perfect with the Bracket system, but they've given us a great framework to begin the discussion. The chat doesn't begin and end with "I play Bracket 2."
I believe in your ability to find what you want out of the game. The Brudiclad guy didn't ask me if he was the Bolas, so I don't have a verdict for him. You're not the Bolas, but you were a fish in the wrong pond. You can find it. I know it.
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Kederekt Leviathan"></div></div>
<h3>More Bolas:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="357gcvMLzL"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-promise-of-retaliation/">Am I The Bolas? - Promise of Retaliation</a></blockquote>
<iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Am I The Bolas? - Promise of Retaliation&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-promise-of-retaliation/embed/#?secret=AyPjhJSGvz#?secret=357gcvMLzL" data-secret="357gcvMLzL" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="KYHufVa7o7"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-reputation/">Am I The Bolas? - Reputation</a></blockquote>
<iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Am I The Bolas? - Reputation&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-reputation/embed/#?secret=XB6Yn1tfDJ#?secret=KYHufVa7o7" data-secret="KYHufVa7o7" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="wijmJxuC9J"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-deal-or-no-deal/">Am I The Bolas? - Deal or No Deal?</a></blockquote>
<iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Am I The Bolas? - Deal or No Deal?&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-deal-or-no-deal/embed/#?secret=r20FaJqxOy#?secret=wijmJxuC9J" data-secret="wijmJxuC9J" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Am I The Bolas? - Trending Away From Removal

<a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Lord of Pain" href="#" target="_blank">The Lord of Pain</a> | Art by <a href="https://scryfall.com/search?q=a%3A%E2%80%9CGreg+Staples%E2%80%9D&amp;unique=art" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greg Staples</a>
Hello, and welcome to Am I the Bolas?
This column is for all of you out there who have ever played some Magic and wondered if you were the bad guy. I'm here to take in your story with all of its nuances so I can bring some clarity to all those asking, "Am I the Bolas?"
I'm ready to hear you out and offer advice. All you have to do is email amithebolas@gmail.com with your story, a pseudonym you want to use, and of course, only include details you don't mind in the column! You might see your story below one day. You might even hear it on the podcast. Which podcast?
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-25893" src="https://commandersherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/bolcast_logo430x430-300x300.png" alt="" width="249" height="249" />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AmITheBolcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">THIS PODCAST!</a>
I'm Mike Carrozza, and, oh my god, what the hell is that?
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cat-Gator"></div></div>
Is this another March of the Machine team-up card?
This week, does your reputation precede you?
(Post edited for brevity, clarity, and then some.)
<hr />
<h2>SUBMISSION</h2>
<div dir="auto">
Howdy there Mike!
<div dir="auto">First off, I love the article series! It's a great resource for increasing social awareness in pods. Thank you for your service!</div>
<div dir="auto">I host a four-to-five player pod that meets at my house every couple of weeks. Two of the folks I've known and loved and played with for years; let's call them the Faves. The other two are friends of the Faves that I haven't known nearly as long, so let's call them Friends.</div>
<div dir="auto">I buy cards slowly but I've been playing a while - I have 20+ decks now, and only two of them are newer than 18 months. This means that the Faves have lost to all my decks at one point or another. I've also adjusted my decks to mostly remove strategies the Faves tend to be more salty towards so they'll keep having a good time playing against those decks - for example, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Counterspell" href="#" target="_blank">Counterspell</a>s, tutored combos, land destruction, etc.</div>
<div dir="auto">Unfortunately, the Faves still remember the various ways I've beaten them before. It comes up when we rib each other at the table, and the Friends are picking up on it.</div>
<div dir="auto">The trend's been building for a while, but it came to a point this week when I brought out my <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Oloro, Ageless Ascetic" href="#" target="_blank">Oloro, Ageless Ascetic</a> deck. The Faves reacted with the kind of "Ohhhh we're in for it" that's usually reserved for Sliver decks. To be clear, the Oloro deck is a solid bracket 3 - it has <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguine Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguine Bond</a> / <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Exquisite Blood" href="#" target="_blank">Exquisite Blood</a>, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Test of Endurance" href="#" target="_blank">Test of Endurance</a>, <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Felidar Sovereign" href="#" target="_blank">Felidar Sovereign</a>, but no tutors at all.</div>
<div dir="auto">The Friends picked up on the table talk even though I emphasized it was Bracket 3 and they'd never seen the deck before. One of the Friends <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Demonic Tutor" href="#" target="_blank">Demonic Tutor</a>'d for <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Lord of Pain" href="#" target="_blank">The Lord of Pain</a>, dropped it on turn five, and turned off my deck completely. Through bad luck, I didn't draw any removal except an <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ethersworn Adjudicator" href="#" target="_blank">Ethersworn Adjudicator</a>, which got removed by one of the Faves as soon as it hit play. The Friend with LoP won the game from the damage it dealt because it stayed in play the rest of the game.</div>
<div dir="auto">I was extremely salty after that game and trying to hide it, but I don't know how justified my salt is. More than that I don't know how to change the situation. Should I ask the others to follow a more rigid bracket structure? Do I tune my decks back up to match the Friends, even though that feels like an arms race? Is the best solution just to ask the Faves to stop talking up my decks so much so that the Friends don't step on my neck?</div>
</div>
<div dir="auto"></div>
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="auto">Thank you!</div>
<div dir="auto">Sincerely,</div>
<div dir="auto">Talkin Bout My Reputation</div>
</div>
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<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="The Lord of Pain"></div></div>
</div>
<hr />
<h2>VERDICT</h2>
Thank you for writing and asking me to weigh in on your story. As I mention every week, if folks don't write to me, there's no column, so if you, the reader, want to send me a story, whether it's your own or one from Reddit or a friend's, please send it to amithebolas@gmail.com and I'll get to it here.
I appreciate the kind words, TBMR. I'm really glad you've been enjoying the article series. It makes me very happy and I can't thank you enough.
This is such an interesting situation. And while it seems pretty narrow, it's a pretty natural part of any group of pals playing Magic for long enough. Any playgroup is going to have some folks cycle in and out. With this kind of change, the old guards showing the new kids the ropes and part of that is disclosing some deck reputations.
Ultimately, while the growth of the playgroup has changed and morphed to include two new players, your growth as a considerate deckbuilder has not quite been acknowledged. Is it not then worth pointing out to the Friends that the decks have been powered down compared to their memories of them? You're being considerate enough of their fun, I believe a conversation is in order to discuss how they're affecting yours.
I think your suggestion is great. Have a talk with your playgroup (like half the advice given in this series) and chat about how these moments of talking up your deck have been making you feel unfairly targeted by the group and making things a lot less fun.
I've been the boogieman once or twice in my playgroup, and when I've adjusted my playstyle and deckbuilding style, I did suffer through some pretty rough games. But most importantly, I talked to my friends and communicated that this isn't how I play anymore and that they can focus elsewhere. After a while, even my pal who didn't quite believe it stopped coming for me because I wasn't a threat as often.
There's an element of toughing it out that sucks, but it's like growing pains. I don't know how long or how often this has happened before you've written in or since, but I hope it was a short time for you. I understand this frustration and it makes sense. Even if they're right and your deck is strong, sometimes games don't break your way and your creature isn't the most worthy of a <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Path to Exile" href="#" target="_blank">Path</a> yet it eats one anyway because someone at the table went "Oh no, that deck?!" before the game.
I will note that, despite the Oloro deck not using tutors, having three "I win the game" buttons that are easiest to achieve when you've got "Eminence - Gain 2 life at your upkeep" in the command zone might still be reason enough for your opponents to have packed an anti-life gain card. To have tutored it up right away is pretty rough though, for sure.
Your previous strategies that you avoid now are some of the more frustrating to play against. If you're the guy countering every spell on any given night, I would probably had a bit of a rib at you myself. I probably wouldn't want to play against land destruction if I wasn't specifically in the mood to give it a go. I don't really like tutors but I especially dislike them when it's for a combo win. I understand where your playgroup is coming from! However, you've taken the time and made the effort to change this when they've expressed themselves.
If you listening and implementing the changes to accommodate them is possible, you can point to that when you ask them for this really simple thing you want from them.
Another thing to do - and I know this literally isn't your speed - would be to build a new deck and begin with a clean slate. Maybe aim for Bracket 2 in your deckbuilding but play like you're in Bracket 4. I recognize that this isn't the most helpful because it doesn't feed directly into what you're doing now and requires more work, but I feel like this might be the out you need.
Your opponents will still know your playstyle, but they won't be able to point to specific pieces in the deck without having played against it first. If they do, then that's an indication of something bigger. Maybe even swap a commander out for another in an existing deck with some other key changes. I think if there's a semblance of newness, they might not be able to keep jumping down your throat about it.
However, mainly, my advice is to have a chat with your pals, maybe even show them the deck lists as proof if they need to see it.
I don't think there are any Bolases here. I'm just glad you lot are having fun together and I hope it changes enough to make you happier.
Thanks again for writing in!
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Oloro, Ageless Ascetic"></div></div>
<h3>More Bolas:</h3>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="9mDlqgIJOg"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-deal-or-no-deal/">Am I The Bolas? - Deal or No Deal?</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="USucN9LrsR"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-salty-for-your-losses/">Am I The Bolas? - Salty for Your Losses</a></blockquote>
<iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Am I The Bolas? - Salty for Your Losses&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-salty-for-your-losses/embed/#?secret=1wwcMv0Fuh#?secret=USucN9LrsR" data-secret="USucN9LrsR" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="V6zhCjb93J"><a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-rolling-for-combat/">Am I The Bolas? - Rolling for Combat</a></blockquote>
<iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden;" title="&#8220;Am I The Bolas? - Rolling for Combat&#8221; &#8212; EDHREC" src="https://edhrec.com/articles/am-i-the-bolas-rolling-for-combat/embed/#?secret=6QEJsbxxDq#?secret=V6zhCjb93J" data-secret="V6zhCjb93J" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Am I The Bolas? - Reputation

War of the Spark Set Review - Colorless/Colorful

<h1>Throwback Tuesdays</h1>
Good afternoon everyone! Kya here once again for another (and long due) installment of Bringing Magic to Life! It's been a long time since we did some 3D prints, and I must say, I think I owe everyone quite a bit! I was thinking about making something fun and new for the new set, but then I realized I had so much I always failed to share with the community. So instead we're going to do a Throwback Tuesday! Yes, I know, it's normally 'Throwback Thursday,' or whatever the cool kids say now. However, my editor insists that my articles must air on Tuesdays. I'm willing at this point to accept being the black sheep of EDHREC writers. If you're new to reading our articles, you'll soon find out why.
So let's look back at some good old memories shall we?
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23479" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/27858918_1784537185183688_3186638733015872491_n.jpg" alt="" width="238" height="317" />
"Like, OMG! Now way!" #phyrexianmemories #realmoxjewelryislessmoneythancardboardmoxjewelry
Okay, I admit it. I'm not good at the hip Instagram stuff. But <a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/bringing-magic-to-life-creating-your-own-command-beacon/">creating 3D Moxen</a> was definitely fun.
But let's look at what we really want to see!
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23485" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/21317993_1729127684057972_6735229277054127149_n.jpg" alt="" width="227" height="413" />
Remember the Bolas statue? Remember this wonky plastic little Dragon of goodness? The true cause of the Ravnica shenanigans that we're conveniently ignoring at the moment? Yes, today's article will be about getting your own Bolas life count holder! You heard me correct! He is an overgrown life count holder! For when you want the entire table to notice your d20, this foot tall model will gladly represent!
<hr />
<h2>In the Beginning, There Were OP Elder Dragons</h2>
So let's go into how our little dragon was born. Staying true to Bolas, the main focus starts at this overgrown lizard's noodle. For really detailed work, everyone in this creative household was working day and night to get him right. His snout was the real pain. Do you make him more like the art depictions and keep it short? Or do you go Dragon and make it long? These were the questions that kept us up at night.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23483" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20638274_10155346179330590_3500694839108444411_n.jpg" alt="" width="313" height="294" />
After the head was eventually done. It was up for the rest of the body. Isn't he goofy looking? Well that's what happens when you're halfway done! It's all about getting the general shape before slowly morphing in the muscle tones and small details. As for his pose, I'm sure this confuses non-animators. Typically when it comes to animating a body, you have to "rig" up the mesh (his body) with a type of animation skeleton. From there you "skin" him (not making this up) so the body moves with the skeleton. This is how you can move his body around without having to remake everything. Just a fun fact for all those aspiring 3D modelers.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23488" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20663819_10155348668855590_5016672682747575527_n.jpg" alt="" width="347" height="452" />
Now dance, Bolas, dance! How do you like being the puppet for once? Wahahaha! Okay, got a little carried away, but his arrogance can irritate anyone. But now that we have him done we can move his body around to a decent shape. His arm is stretched out to hold our d20 and his wings are about to be coiled around him somewhat.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23484" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20638725_10155354705155590_6746840924881377791_n.jpg" alt="" width="332" height="325" />
For the final bit of work, we give him a nice base to stand on and his tail will wrap around it. And there we go! Now after some 3D printing we can get him to be a real boy! He's a bit of a mess at the moment, as I had to print him in pieces. However after some painting and some sanding, you can hardly tell!
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23478" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/21533821_10155443529185590_1046238398_o.jpg" alt="" width="373" height="497" />
Ah, memories... I'll always remember you, Bolas 1. You were an evil, but loyal servant. Forever you'll be remembered as the sharp horns that someone accidentally sat on and cut themselves in the tush. You may have broken, but you made your attacker bleed (quite a bit, actually). Sure, I may have printed an army of you since then, but you were the original.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23481" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/4.jpg" alt="" width="351" height="468" />
Begrudging Download for Bolas: <a href="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Bolas.zip">Bolas</a>
<hr />
<h2>You Spin Me Right Round</h2>
You think our ride through memory lane was going to end with just one statue? Well it's not all about the good memories. Sometimes you have to look at your past mistakes as well. Ideally it's to learn from those mistakes, but sometimes it's just worth the laugh. This was someone else's idea, but the memory still makes me cringe. Sometimes it's not worth being the only 3D modeler in town. Behold! The Wheel of Bolas!
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23482" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20479618_10155321821395590_5679431354650088103_n.jpg" alt="" width="470" height="396" />
And this is how we justify all this as an EDH article! I know what you're thinking. What's so bad about this? This actually looks cool! The problem wasn't the wheel itself, just the specific implementation of its usefulness. This was originally designed to help players randomly pick decks before playing, assigning a different deck to each section. Most of us did indeed have some kind of janky colorless deck, so that even got its own slice of the pie.
The most important symbols were the planeswalker symbol and the Phyrexian symbol. Planeswalker meant it was the player's free choice, but poison meant it was someone else's choice. This eventually led to some imbalanced games and folks accidentally throwing shade at other people's decks by choosing what they assumed to be the weakest option, which ended up hurting that player's feelings... overall, not a great feeling. True to Bolas's schemes, the wheel looked like a gift but ultimately sowed discord among the group.
Download at your own risk: <a href="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Bolas-Wheel.zip">Bolas Wheel</a>
<hr />
<h2>Showing Off the Bling</h2>
Now you might have noticed the Phyrexian earrings in my first picture of the article. There was a reason for this, aside of course from taunting the Infect-in-EDH haters out there. The real reason was: earrings for my fellow lady Planeswalkers! Not interested in the Phyrexian lifestyle? I normally don't agree with those who refuse to assimilate, but I got you covered:
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23493" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/21371076_1729128127391261_3633334218648586100_n.jpg" alt="" width="283" height="347" />
For the three total people who follow me on Facebook, this might look familiar. One of my first works! Planeswalker earrings! Best part about these babies? In case of an emergency, they can also be used as eye gougers! Seriously though, 3D printed jewelry is one of the best ideas I've ever had. Extremely light to wear and they look great once painted. Also, if they break, oh well! I can always print more!
<h6>*Please note that we here at EDHREC do not endorse the use of excessive violence, though this stance may be reconsidered for the recent troll harassing my colleagues every day in the comments. Let's see if he actually reads these. That's right, it's Kya's week! Calling you out today, buddy!</h6>
Download for Both Sets of Earrings: <a href="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Earing.zip">Earring</a>
<hr />
<h2>Notice Me Again, Sensei</h2>
Ugh, now I'm reusing titles from past articles. I'm sorry, but if I'm ever going to mention 3D printed <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sensei&#039;s Divining Top" href="#" target="_blank">Sensei&#039;s Divining Top</a>s, "Notice Me Sensei" simply has to be the continual phrase to introduce it. It's funny, and I'm normally not very clever, so let me have this. Anyways, despite my original statement of never wanting to give these away, here they are!
At the end of the day, EDH is about connecting with others and having fun. Hoarding anything that could assist others to have a great time is something I can't continue to do. They're very easy to put together and fairly quick to print. This should go without saying, but please do not sell these (or any of my work). Print them for your friends and yourself for the table, but my hard labor is not your quick dollar. I actually like that phrase, I'm going to shout it at strangers now...
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23494" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/21317879_1729433334027407_6557269072177870075_n.jpg" alt="" width="254" height="174" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23495" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/21462710_1729433324027408_2496734836826394263_n.jpg" alt="" width="226" height="179" />
The two tops above were painted by community members in Orlando. One thing I won't do is paint my creations, as it gives the person getting the gift something to have fun with. If you want to make friends in your area or welcome strangers into your group, these are excellent conversation starters! Start up a quick painting session before the game and get some life counters done!
Sensei Tops Life Counters: <a href="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Sensei.zip">Sensei</a>
<hr />
<h2>What Podcast?</h2>
Hey! Hey very specific guys in Orlando I'm tempted to name shame! Remember that Podcast we were going to do? That whole Black Lotus Productions thing ringing a bell? We were going to play a game or two and record it? Remember how we got the sound equipment and cameras and everything? Yeah, Kya remembers! Enjoy the awkwardness for the next week after you read this and see me at the store!
I promise, I'm bringing this up for a good reason. Below is a quick 3D print that some might find useful. One of our biggest issues when planning videos was the requirement of a camera to always record our hands while also having one or two people recording us around the table. This print was developed to go on the end of the table and hold our phones, allowing us to record without taking up any space. Hopefully someone can get some good use out of it!
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23480" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/val.jpg" alt="" width="346" height="343" />
Edgy Table Edge Phone Holder: <a href="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Phone.zip">Phone</a>
<hr />
<h2>The Ultimate Card</h2>
Because we're going down memory lane, there is one specific memory that deserves a special mention. My engagement! I was proposed to on the top of a haunted lighthouse last year. Of course, being terrified of heights, I was preoccupied with overwhelming terror and was tricked into saying yes. My fiancée knows me well, so he got me a black diamond ring. I would have just as well taped a real <a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Black Lotus" href="#" target="_blank">Black Lotus</a> card to my ring finger, but... #seriouslywhyisrealjewelrylessexpensivethancardboard?
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-23498" src="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/25299333_1761830210787719_4263485894353338757_n.jpg" alt="" width="469" height="310" />
For all those wanting to propose to their nerdy fiancee to be, enjoy! <a href="http://articles.edhrec.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Box.zip">Black Lotus Box</a>
Word of warning, I did not make this downloadable 3D model. My fiancée did. That means it was done wrong. Make sure you stretch the bottom half so a ring can fit in there. Also, he (somehow) hammered in a latch in there, so you'll have to get that on your own too. But he made it himself, so how can I tamper with it?
<hr />
<h2>Memory Roadmap</h2>
Since we are talking about 3D print downloads and memories, it would make sense to provide quick links to all my 3D-related articles for quick reference. Below you can find my articles to download any of the designs you find interesting:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/bringing-magic-to-life-creating-an-edh-league/">Bolas Trophy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/bringing-magic-to-life-proliferating-fear/">Atraxa and Poison Counters</a></li>
<li><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/bringing-magic-to-life-suspending-annihilation/">Kozilek and Treasure Tokens</a></li>
<li><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/bringing-magic-to-life-creating-your-own-command-beacon/">Moxen and Cookie Cutters</a></li>
<li><a href="https://articles.edhrec.com/bringing-magic-to-life-unstoppable-omnath-army/">Omnath Tokens</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2>Closing Thoughts</h2>
I hope everyone enjoyed today's article. I didn't really have much room to add in a deck, despite my original intent. I thought it would be fun to do a Ravnica-inspired Bolas deck, but I've done Bolas decks before. Luckily, this just meant I had more time to spend coming up with more prints!
Today's article was a strange journey for me, looking over my old material and creations. As I mentioned before, though, I think it was a mistake to hold back from sharing some of these downloads. It was a little selfish, or at the very least prideful, to try and keep them valuable by keeping them rare. But EDH is nothing without its community, and keeping useful resources away from players just means less fun can be had. Things aren't valuable because they're rare, they're valuable because of their usefulness and the emotions we attach to them. This was a good journey to go on, and hopefully this will inspire just a few more people out there to do the same.
If there are other 3D models you want to see, comment below! I'm always looking for new ideas.
- Kya

bolas

Am I The Bolas? - Trending Away From Removal

Am I The Bolas? - Reputation

War of the Spark Set Review - Colorless/Colorful

Bringing Magic to Life - Trip Down Memory Lane

Playgroup Brews – Back to Our Roots (Part 2)