Inkmoth Nexus

"Inkmoth Nexus" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This particular non-basic land can be extremely deadly if used correctly against an opponent.  This is a land that can tap for 1 colorless mana, it also has the ability to become a 1/1 flying creature with poison until the end of turn.  This is an amazing ability, many players underestimate a 1/1 flying creature with poison, but imagine being able to hit your opponent whenever the opportunity presents itself with a poison counter.  Not to mention if you are running a deck with proliferate in it you only need to do the damage once or twice to your opponent and you can proliferate for the win.  

Great for colorless, blue, black, proliferate, and poison decks.  

Good:

-Its a land that can tap for mana or become a 1/1 flying creature with poison 

-Enters the battlefield untapped, rare to see in a non-basic land  

Bad:

-Nothing 

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10

White Sun's Zenith

"White Sun's Zenith" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This is a card that can tip the balance late into a game.  For 3 white mana and X put X 2/2 white Cat creature tokens onto the battlefield, then shuffle this card into your library.  Not a bad card but for white, however a bit expensive which makes it very hard to play early on when playing straight white.  However late game with a good stock of mana this is a great card to tip the balance in your favor and go for the win with a bunch of 2/2 Cat creature tokens.  In all a good card but not very useful in regular everyday game play unless you have a way to pump a lot of mana out in a white deck.  This card has potential but needs a certain kind of deck to be of heavy significance.  

Great for white decks, or white Cat decks.

Good:

-A nice way to get a large amount of creatures out all at once

-It is an Instant spell  

-Goes back into your library after being used

Bad:

-A little too expensive for a regular white deck.

Scully Rating: 8 out of 10 

Victory's Herald

"Victory's Herald" is a card form the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This is a card that can potentially be a game winner.  Many people underestimate flying creatures, and it is with creatures like this that bring out the strategic value in flying.   A 4/4 for 6 mana that has flying and whenever this creature attacks all other attacking creatures gain flying and lifelink until the end of turn.  A great ability especially for a white weenie deck, this is also great was to overwhelm you opponents with damage and gain life at the same time.  However a 4/4 for 6 mana is a little expensive for starters, second a simple 4/4 with this ability is a high priority target for you opponent and easy to take out at only 4/4.  With this card equipment or enchantments to ensure she stays alive and does her job in almost a necessity.  In all a good card but a little expensive and a little weak but has great potential to be a win card.  

Great for white decks, or white weenie decks.

Good:

-When attacking gives all other attacking creatures flying and lifelink 

-Has flying 

Bad:

-Too expensive for a 4/4 

-Ability is only activated if creature is attacking putting the angel at risk, and as a 4/4 it is easier to take out

Scully Rating: 7 out of 10

Phyrexian Rebirth

"Phyrexian Rebirth" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This is one of the better "O crap" card to come out in a while for Magic the Gathering.  Basically for 6 mana you destroy all creatures on the battlefield and get a X/X creature were X is the number of creatures you just destroyed.  This card is great if you are in a tight spot were your opponent has more creatures than you, now you kill all of his creatures and yours and due to this cards effect you get a creature on the battlefield.  A little expensive but not bad at all considering the effects, it is the idea "O crap" card for white.

Great for white decks.

Good:
-Destroys all creatures on the battlefield and gives you one right after that to have one up on your opponent.

Bad:
-Nothing

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10

Hero of Bladehold

"Hero of Bladehold" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This is a 3/4 creature for 4 mana that every time she attacks puts two 1/1 soldiers onto the battlefield attacking with her and on top of that has the ability of battle cry giving all other attacking creatures +1/+0.  This is an amazing creature in the sense that when she attacks you get more creatures and a way to beef up your creatures.  The only problem with this card is that she is a 3/4 not a very high defense which means she is easy for an opponent to take out  through blockers or spells.  In all when playing this creature equipments or enchantments are highly recommended for this creature in order to get the most out of her during a game.  With a well built soldier deck however this creature will just plain be you greatest ally.  In all this card has amazing potential but requires the right deck.       

Great for white decks or soldiers based decks.  

Good:

-Has the ability of battle cry

-Make two 1/1 soldiers every time she attacks

-Soldiers attack along with her as soon as the hit the field 

Bad:

-Not a very powerful creature and her abilities only work when she is attacking making her an easy target as a 3/4

-Not a stand alone card, requires a well built deck in order to be really effective 

Scully Rating: 7.9 out of 10

Red Sun's Zenith

"Red Sun's Zenith" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This particular card is one that adds repetition and power to a red burn deck.  For 1 red mana and X mana this card deals X damage to a creature or player, if a creature dies due to this damage it is exiled from the game.  After this card has been used instead of going into your graveyard it gets shuffled back into your library.  A red burn spell that can deal damage to the target of your choice goes back into your library and has the potential to exile a creature, yes please!!  The only issue with this is that there needs to be a sufficient amount of mana on the battle field in order for this card to really be used effectively.

Great for red decks.  

Good:

-Can target either a creature or player

-Goes back into your deck after usage instead of into the graveyard so you can use the card again

-If a creature is sent to the graveyard due to this card killing it, the creature is exiled from the game instead.  

Bad:

-Damage amount dependent on the amount of mana available to you 

Scully Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Black Lagoon (Season 1)

"Black Lagoon" is a 12 Episode long anime that takes place in the seas of Southeast Asia.  A Japanese business man find himself taken hostage by pirates and ends up joining there crew in a twist of fate.  "Black Lagoon" follows these pirates as they work as a delivery company for various mafia groups.

"Black Lagoon" is one anime that just don't present itself the way it is described, it is an anime that involves a delivery company that by the feel of the show works more like a mercenary group from time to time.  When the word mafia is mentioned that is just an understatement, this entire show follows an ordinary mans journey into the world of crime and violence, while at the same time struggling to figure out just what kind of man he is.  "Black Lagoon" has none stop action that will just leave the viewer on the edge of there seat begging for more, and every episode is anything but boring.  The characters all have very likable and deep personalities that make the show hilarious and bad ass at the same time.  The different story arcs the show takes keeps testing the main characters personality an adaptation in his new environment, constantly making him wonder were he stand.  In all an amazing anime series that will leave the viewer begging for more.  

Good:
-Amazing characters that make the show funny and bad ass all at once
-Great action and adventure, never a dull moment
-A deeper psychological conflict that keeps going through out the show for the main character
-A large amount of laughs and jaw dropping moments
-Rare to find an anime with a great opening and ending theme songs
-This is only season 1 so the greatness is just not over yet

Bad:
-Nothing

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10   
Watch Black Lagoon at: http://www.animefreak.tv/watch/black-lagoon-english-dubbed-online-free

Galvanoth

"Galvanoth" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This particular card makes it very easy to run a red burn deck.  A 3/3 for 5 mana creature that at the beginning of your upkeep you may look at the top card of your library and if its and instant or sorcery cast it without paying its mana cost!!  The down side to this is that it does cost 5 mana to put out on the battlefield making it kind of hard to get this creature out early.  This is particularly hard especially in a pure red deck, however once it is out casting burn spells becomes possibly cheaper and easier.  In all a great card but as always in Magic it all depends on the draw.    

Great for red burn decks.

Good:

-Allows you to look at the top card of your library and if it is an instant or sorcery cast it for free if you choose.  

-Also a 3/3 creature if needed

Bad:

-Costs 5 mana to put onto the battlefield

Scully Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Thrun, the Last Troll

"Thrun, the Last Troll" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This particular card is just a pest for your opponents especially if you are facing someone who plays blue.  This creature can't be countered and cant be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control, and he has regenerate.  A 4/4 for 4 with regenerate can be very handy for green and the fact that opponents can't touch him, this truly is a creature that just can't die.  

Great for green decks and great for decks facing off against blue control decks in particular.  

Good:

-Can't be countered and opponents spells can't effect him.

-Has Regenerate 

-A 4/4 for 4 mana with all of those abilities...YES PLEASE 

Bad:

-He is a Legendary creature which means you can only have one on the battlefield, but you should only need one.  

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10

Praetor's Counsel

"Praetor's Counsel" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This particular card is just a jaw dropper in Magic the Gathering, for 8 mana you return all cards from your graveyard to your hand, after doing so exile this card from the game and you have no maximum hand size for the rest of the game.....wow.  In terms of late game play you have exhausted a large number of spells and creature and need a way to get back into the game and win then this card is your card.  Not very practical for regular game usage in most situations but an "O crap" card none the less.  

Great for green decks.

Good:

-Brings all cards from your graveyard back to your hand allowing you to play them again

-You have no maximum hand size for the rest of the game

Bad:

-Cost 8 mana to play, late game for green no problem but still a little expensive.  

Scully Rating: 8.25 out of 10

Green Sun's Zenith

"Green Sun's Zenith" is a card from the 'Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This particular card is one that is situation based.  If you find yourself in a battle with plenty of mana (if not your playing green wrong) and need a particular creature on the battlefield fast but haven't drawn it yet then this is your card.  For 1 green mana and X you search your library for a green creature that costs X or less and put that creature onto the battlefield and then "Green Sun's Zenith" gets shuffled back into your library.  Basically it is a reoccurring get creatures out of your deck card.  In all great for green decks that use other creatures to build off of one another.    

Great for green decks.

Good:

-Costs only 1 green mana and X to get any creature out of your deck

-Gets shuffled back into your library after usage 

Bad:

-Nothing

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10     

Vedalken Anatomist

"Vedalken Anatomist" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This card is one that is highly underestimated for blue, it is a 1/2 for 3 mana but with a highly valuable power.  Pay 3 mana tap the creature and put a -1/-1 counter on target creature, and you may tap or untap that creature.  So you get to put a -1/-1 counter on a target creature for 3 mana and with the amount of proliferate cards in blue you can easily kill those creatures no problem.  Even better during your opponents turn you can activate this ability and tap the target creature preventing it from attacking you, this is a perfect card for a control deck.  The only fall back is that paying 3 mana every turn can be costly especially in a straight blue deck, unless you have a lot of draw spells or scry card in the deck.  But even then it will take too many turns to build up.    

Great for blue control decks and proliferate decks.

Good:

-A low mana costing creature with a repeatable control ability of giving -1/-1 counters and taping or untaping creatures.

-With the proper blue deck this cards can easily control you opponents field with ease

Bad:

-Cost 3 mana to use this cards ability each turn, which over time hiders your ability to cast more spells during your turn.  

Scully Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Massacre Wurm

"Massacre Wurm" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This card if played at the right time during a game can be a one hit win or a sever punch in the face for the opposing player or players.  This is a 6/5 for 6 mana that when it comes into play creatures your opponents control get -2/-2 until the end of turn, on top of that when an opponents creature goes to the graveyard they lose 2 life.  If you are going up against a player who has a large number or even a few creatures that are 2/2 or weaker then this card is a one hit wonder for only 6 mana in black.  

Great for black decks or decks going against elf, wolf, soldier, or spawn decks.  

Good:

-Opponents creature get -2/-2 until end of turn when "Massacre Wurm" comes into play, great against large numbers of small opposing creatures. 

-When an opponents creature dies that player loses 2 life, amazing if you just killed off a large number of 2/2's or weaker with this creatures first ability.

Bad:

-In all honesty nothing.

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10  

Anime Opening of the Week

This weeks opening comes from the anime "Devil May Cry".  This particular opening is one that not only has a bad ass song in the opening but the animation that goes with it reflects the song.  In short a perfect fit with opening and anime.

Enjoy,

Scully 

Blightsteel Colossus

"Blightsteel Colossus" is a card from the "Mirrodin Besieged" set.  This is a 11/11 for 12 mana with trample and infect that is indestructible.....11/11 with trample and infect that is indestructible.  This card is just incredible the only draw back to such a powerful card is the fact that it costs 12 mana to put out, but add the fact that this is an artifact creature reducing its mana cost/paying it is no problem for a well constructed artifact deck.  Not to mention the fact that if this card does go into your graveyard it just pops back into your library.  The only threat this card has really is that of being exiled.  Great card but unless placed into a deck that can get it out early or produce the mana to pay its cost this card is a late game winner.       

Great for artifact or infect decks that can pay its cost.  

Good:

-An 11/11 with trample, infect, and indestructible...need I say more...

-If put in your graveyard goes back to your library  

-Colorless so it can go in an colored deck

Bad:

-Costs 12 mana to put out......it is just plain fair!!

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10

Casshern Sins

"Casshern Sins" is a 24 episode long anime that takes place in the future when robots and human beings exist however few humans remain.  A plague called the ruin is killing all life in the world both humans and robots and Cassern awakes in this world and is blamed for bringing the world to ruin, however he possesses no memory of doing so.

This anime in particular is far different from other series out there, for one it is largely about robots with humans hardly even being mentioned at all.  The main thing that struck me about this anime however is the lack of a solid plot, the show more so just follows the main character as he walks around aimlessly with almost no motive.  Half way through the series the show begins to decide that the main character should have a motive and the story picks up from there.  The entire show is based on the concept of life and death as well as the meaning of life or what it means to truly be alive.  The show is full of action, symbolism, and philosophy, but in all lacks a motive.  The only thing that really make this anime even worth mentioning is the fact that it talks about life and death philosophically and makes the viewer scratch his/her head and think.  

Good:
-Good action scenes
-Philosophy that gives the characters as well as the story meaning
-Makes the viewer think

Bad:
-No clear plot
-Episodes seemed to be more like random events
-Series didn't gain steam till after it was half way over and even then was not very clear on character motives

Scully Rating: 6.5 out of 10

   

 

AMV of the Week

This week AMV is for the anime "Devil May Cry" with the song "Chop Suey" by System of a Down.  This AMV stuck out to me because of the linking of high points in the music with high points in the animation.  All in all not a bad AMV.

Enjoy,

Scully

Anime opening of the Week

This weeks anime opening is the 2nd opening from the show "InuYasha".  This particular opening combines a song with sound effects that are placed throughout the song to go with what is going on in the animation.  You would think this would not work and it would ruin the song but surprisingly it work amazingly with this opening.

Enjoy,

Scully