HobbyTown USA Magic Events

M10 PreRelease and Launch Party!

The M10 core set prerelease is July 11th and 12th at HobbyTown South Pointe. The Launch party is scheduled for July 18th at HobbyTown South Pointe. One of the most exciting comebacks as far as Magic Cards are concerned is the return of Lightnight Bolt to Standard. The last time this card saw print was 4th edition in 1995. Ball Lightning also makes a triumphant return since it's demise in 5th edition. Both cards were printed in the Beatdown box set in 2000 but cards from that special printing were not legal for standard play.
To see a picture of the new Lightning Bolt and Ball Lightning Click here.
PreRelease Card has been announced. Click Here to see it! Launch Party Card revealed as well Here.

M10 Rules Update!

Wizards of the Coast announced the new rules for Magic that will be effective with the release of M10 on July 11, 2009. Combat rules have reverted back to the pre 6th edition rules, making them effectively the same as when the game originated. Mana burn is a thing of the past as mana pools empty at the end of every step. No more floating mana from your upkeep to your draw phase or from declare attackers step through the end of the combat phase. Mulligans are now simultaneous and a card removed from the game is now in the exiled zone and cannot be the target of a wish spell any longer. Deathtouch and Lifelink have been reworked and now are a static ability so resolve as a state based effect. Except creatures that really don't have lifelink but rather are worded as 'when this creature deals damage gain life' will still have a triggered ability. Messy to explain the differentiation between the two but doable.
Click here to read more from Wizards on the rule changes.

Magic 2010

The Magic Core set gets a whole new look for 2010! 50% of the cards will be brand new.

The first core set that will not be completely comprised of reprints is due to premier on July 17th, 2009. Gone are some staple cards from the core set but a lot of new cards have been added to give the set it's own distict feel.

M10 Exclusive Foil Alternate Art Promo

Wizards is giving away a Foil Alternate Art Honor of the Pure with every box of M10 purchased while supplies last. South Pointe will have cards available for the first customers buying a full box of M10 starting July 17th. The supply of cards is limited so make sure you get in early and buy a box!

Banned/Restricted List!

The July 1st Banned and Restricted lists are out! Thirst for Knowledge gets restricted in Vintage. Unrestricted includes Grim Monolith and Entomb.
Click Here for all the changes.

Click Here to read about the changes.

Friday Night Magic

Friday Night Lights!
Claim a Foil FNM card for winning or placing second on Friday Nights.

Or be the lucky winner of the two random cards given out every Friday. Click here for more.

Your Turn!

Wizards of the Coast article on turn structure is a good read for anyone!

Whether your an experianced player or a beginner this article is a great guide to the turn structure of magic. From the untap phase to the end phase every phase and how they work is explained in detail. A recommended read for all. Click here to read more from Wizards.com.

Best Web Article

The Craft of Sideboarding Updated!
In part one Mike Flores explores the art of a good sideboard. Understanding how a sideboard will help your deck is a critical part of deck design. Sideboards far too often are defensive in nature and thus delute the over all effectivness of your deck when cards are replaced. Remember if your deck is a well tuned engine, replacing even one card means it might not work the same. Part 1.....
In Part 2 Mike Flores continues his Craft of Sideboarding with an article on a 'Wish' Sideboard. The 5 'Wishes' from Judgment changed the way decks were designed. Your sideboard is useful in the 1st game of a match, not just games 2 and 3. Plus Vintage players can go look for that elusive restricted card in their sideboard or reuse a card removed from the game earlier in a match. Part 2.....