SpellNews

Issue #1
April 1997
Editor: Arevar
Email: Arevar@aol.com

This Issue:

* Introduction
* Interview with Jim Butler
* The Top Ten Reasons That You've been playing Spellfire Too Long
* An Annoying Deck
* SpellNews Poll #1
* SpellNews Card of the Month

Introduction

        For those of you who were wondering, this newsletter is not intended to replace the much larger, original, Fanzine--The Spellfirer. This is merely my attempt at an on-line fanzine, and to help fill in the gap while we all patiently await the return of WyteFang and The Spellfirer.
        In this issue, I have an interview with Jim Butler, aka Mij Reltub, the Spellfire Oracle. I'm hoping that the questions are not repeats from before, but if they are, please bear with me. Hopefully, all will find something new and interesting here.
        The Top Ten Reasons... may not be THE top ten, but they definitely should help each of you to re-examine and decide how you fit in. Have you been playing too long, or not long enough? You Decide what's true and what isn't...
        The Annoying deck, when used properly, is full of both power and the ability to annoy your opponent. Especially if you follow certain tactics, some of which will be presented in this issue.
        The Dwarf, Gnome, Halfling, and Tasselhoff Deck is full of surprises. Though it is not guaranteed to win ANY games, it is fun to play, both with and against (I've personally been at both ends).
        The Poll has some questions I'd like you to answer; the results will be presented in the next issue of SpellNews. Please try to return your answers to me by around April 15th or so.
        The card of the month is the Adventurers!--you know, that wimpy little level 3 hero? For those of you who have overlooked this card, here are some reasons that may change your mind about not using them. Now, on to the 'newsletter' itself!...

Interview with Jim Butler

1. what is your favorite card/cards to date?
I'm very fond of undead cards, but that's just because I love the Energy Drain rule card so much. Another of my favorite cards is the Herald of Mei Lung, but that's just because so many players try and build decks that steal cards from me.

2. what is your favorite set?
That's a tough question. I really like Nightstalkers and the 3rd & 4th Editions of the game. I think all of the boosters have something unique that they offer the game, and most of my decks have at least a card or two from every booster.

3. within reason, what is one card you would create for the game?
I've created quite a few cards for the game already, and I normally make sure that a card is created if I see the need for one. For example, I really wanted to see a way to stop a spell all together; thus, the Genie Bottle was created. When I wanted to see a card that instantly defeated wizards, I forged myself into the King of the Elves. I changed the cleric's Dispel Magic card into an all-encompassing Dispel because I wanted to beef up clerics.

4. can you give any (more) previews of the Dungeon set?
Dungeon! was designed by Dori Hein, so expect to see a few more cards that are going to be more phase 4 friendly. The dungeon cards themselves are really cool because it lets people create better-themed decks and at the same time tricks them into placing a rule card in their deck.

5. how about Fiends or Incantations?
Fiends is going to introduce the PLANESCAPE world into the SPELLFIRE game. Since the PLANESCAPE setting is all about the planes, expect to see realms like the Abyss, Limbo, and other planes. And yes, the Abyss is a nasty realm!

Incantations is primarily a support release. New blood abilities, psionic power cards, thief skills, unarmed combat cards, and similar support cards make up the release. For those people who have been wishing that they could make up a deck based solely on one of the support cards, they should be able to after Incantations is released.

6. Planescape is scheduled to be released as a Spellfire world, right? Is this due to the cancellation of Blood Wars? Can we expect to find cards of the same
name?

Everyone's been expecting to see PLANESCAPE as a SPELLFIRE world since the game was released. Since BLOOD WARS was primarily plane-based, the Design Team chose to stay away from the planar realms. Enough time has passed now that we thought we could make a good booster without confusing people between the two games.

We're not going to be using the art from BLOOD WARS for the SPELLFIRE cards, but you might see a card or two that has a similar name (especially the realms).

7. what, in your opinion, is the most devastating combo?
Anything I come up with... <chuckle>

8. the most irritating?
Anything Mike Huebbe (Lord Ogre) comes up with. Things like the Lady of Fate with items attached that allow her to keep attacking are quite annoying.

9. are there any types of decks you refuse to play? if so, why?
I don't play decks that have me sitting back and getting all of my realms razed and then suddenly rebuilding them to win the game. The reason is pretty simple: It's no fun.

10. What type of deck do you prefer to use?
I like spell-based decks, but I'm also a fan of heavy combat. Of course, I still like undead (dragons, too!).

11. What types of decks do you feel 'used to' be popular, but are dying out/ why?
The instant-kill cards are dying out quickly. I'm not sure if this is due to the new rules about instant-defeats (I kinda doubt it) or if it just indicates a growth among our players.

12. What types of decks do you feel are becoming popular/ why?
Cards good in a multi-player game are becoming much more popular. This is due to the standardized tournament structure that makes all games three-player contests. And 3-4 players games are some of the best games in SPELLFIRE.

13. would you take on more than one opponent confidently?
I concentrate my attacks in the game on whoever I believe to be the biggest threat that turn. If someone is playing a deck that does nothing other than sit back and try to steal my cards, I'll punish them as well. And, of course, if Dori the Barbarian is playing, I save all my Wish spells to use on her attacking champions. <howl>

14. How do you feel about the bluffing element in Spellfire?
Bluffing is a lot of fun, because it adds a certain element of gambling to the game. Dano and I frequently hold up what the other believes to be counter cards whenever either of us tries to accomplish anything. Sometimes we really do have the cards that we're threatening to use!

15. would you ever bluff your way out of a certain situation? if so, what was
it/would it be?
I bluff all the time, especially when I'm fighting out of a losing situation or when I'm well in the lead. I like bluffing by saying things like "The Living Wall's got something special just for you. Come on over and get..."

16. have you ever called someone's bluff/ what happened?
Dano and I call each other's bluff as a matter of principle now, but tactics still plays a big part of it. There are times I'll hold on to my Limited Wish and let one of my realms get Cataclysmed just so I can stop Dano from playing his Caravan. Dano getting extra turns is a very bad thing...

17. are there going to be any more Kender cards?
We had a whole mountain of card stock set aside for kender cards, but I think most of it disappeared. You might see a few cards, though.
18. so far, there are only a couple of non-avatar champions above level 10. Are
there any plans to make this a regular occurrence/ could you give any examples;
previews/ do you think that low level champions are going to take a beating?

The few avatars that are coming out in the next releases will be much more along the lines of what people have been used to be seeing. I think there are enough avatars to choose from now, though...

Low-level champions will always have their place so long as cards like the Living Wall remain in players' arsenals.

Mij Reltub, the SPELLFIRE Oracle
TSR, Inc.

You Know You've Been Playing Spellfire too long when...

10. a storm hits, and you wonder why your Calm won't work.
9. you insist everyone call you Gib _____ (your name spelled backwards).
8. you start begging people to defeat your deck (if they can).
7. your teacher says "...no funny business...", and you pull out a Wish spell.
6. your realms are home to you.
5. your opponent takes a turn, then before they get another, you win the game.
4. you ask someone if they play Spellfire, and they reply "F-I-R-E".
3. you think 'Cosmic Justice' also means "no homework".
2. you start talking to you champions.
1. your champions start answering.

Feature Deck: The Annoyance

Realms
Ancient Kalidnay 92/AR
Shining Lands 87/AR
Tyr 224/3RD
Mithas 1/DL
Nibenay 226/3RD
Temple of Elemental Evil 124/3RD
Menzoberranzan 2/3RD
Ruins of Zhentil Keep 3/3RD
The Horned Society 117/3RD
UnderKrynn 3/UD
The Tripolar Triumvirate 6/UD
Euripis 90/AR
The Vast Swamp 1/NS

Events
Good Fortune 100/3RD
The Caravan 319/3RD
Cataclysm! 99/3RD
Calm 400/3RD
Tyranthraxus, the Possessing Spirit 55/RR
Help! 55/AR
Deflection 54/AR
Weasel Attack! 428/3RD
Black Bess 2/FR
Coming of the Phoenix 56/RR

Artifacts
Axe of the Dwarvish Lords 2/AR
Coin of Jisan the Bountiful 11/AR
The Throne of the Gods 460/4TH

Cleric Spells
Dispel Magic 358/3RD
Dispel 400/4TH
Intercession 48/RR
Confusion 62/DR

Wizard Spells
Disintegrate 393/3RD
Estate Transference 437/3RD
Dispel magic 346/3RD
Spell Turning 398/3RD
Re-target 389/4TH
Unnerving Aura 69/DL
Cone of Cold 340/3RD

Allies
Assassins 252/3RD
The Starving Artist 439/3RD
Aurak Draconians 50/DL
Sivak Draconians 48/DL
Brine Dragon 45/3RD
Gladiators 257/3RD
Flaming Fist 65/FR

Champions
Adventurers! 53/3RD
Gib Hcivonad 19/NSCH
Helm 89/FR
Drizzt Do'Urden 45/3RD
Cyric 92/FR
Pyrite, the Ancient Gold Dragon 35/DL
Borys the Dragon 305/3RD
Otto 164/3RD
Karlott the Shaman 63/3RD
Goldmoon 83/AR

Rule Card
A Sure Thing 74/NS

This deck is best used when your opponent doesn't know what's in your hand. With and all of the champions (except Drizzt and Gib Hcivonad) able to cast wizard and/or cleric spells, you should have no problem casting a much needed Intercession or Estate Transference when needed. There is a full complement of events to this deck. (some people don't use the maximum legal amount).

Of course, the 'staple' events (Calm, Caravan, Cataclysm!, Good Fortune) are here. Tyranthraxus is great for stealing the opponent's champion. Coming of the Phoenix will bring back your champion--this is done best if the Adventurers are in the discard pile--and make that champion 'double-trouble' for your opponent. Help! is great for making your opponent's cards work against her/him, as is Weasel Attack and the aforementioned Tyranthraxus. Black Bess works best with the rule card A Sure Thing. If the Rule is in play when you play Black Bess, and your opponent(s) don't Calm it, you will essentially clear the board (there are few champions that will survive this event, no matter what). Your opponents' champions with a level higher than 0 will be discarded. However, you champions with a level higher than 9 will be discarded. Since there are no champions in this deck that fit the bill, this makes for a brutal combo--wiping out your opponent's champions, retaining yours, and then attacking for a 'free' spoils.

Also, with the counter effect cards, you can really drive your opponent up a wall. What happens when you dispel one of their spells? Why, it's only logical that they would dispel your dispel. But, with this deck, you can conceivable dispel their dispel of your dispel of their dispel. And, if all else fails, spell-turn and/or re-target a dispel against itself. (these being the Cleric Dispel Magic, Wizard Dispel Magic, and 4th ed. Cleric Dispel., and 4th ed. Wizard Re-Target). It is decidedly safer to use the adventurers or Otto (if in play) to do your spell casting; especially Estate Transference. That way, if you lose them, it's no big deal. Or 'sacrifice' them to a high level attacker (and see if your regular opponent is one of those "can't take yes [or 'you win'] for an answer" people.) But I'll go into more detail on this in the Card of the Month article.

There are plenty of other brutal combos in this deck, as well as good strategies. For one, using Gib Dano can really frustrate your opponent--'look! I have the Assassins in play and the Starving Artist! What? You're attacking? Byebye Assassins, byebye any other champion!' The best thing to remember, though, is that if you should lose a champion, it's really no big deal, most of the time. (unless you lose Karlott while The Caravan or a needed event is in the abyss, and your opponent then wins).

SpellNews Poll #1

Please take the time to answer these questions, and email me your answers. (Arevar@aol.com). I'd appreciate it if you would get them to me by April 25th or so.)

What is your favorite card?
What is your favorite kind of champion (Undead, Flyer, Earthwalker, Dragon, etc)?
What is your favorite type of champion (Hero, Regent, Thief, etc)?
What is your favorite edition and why?
What is your favorite expansion booster, and why?
What is your favorite combo? Least favorite?
What is your favorite type of deck? Least favorite?
What is your favorite Spellfire world (so far) and why?
What are your three favorite events? (other than Calm, Caravan, Cataclysm, and Good Fortune.)

Provided I get at least five responses, I will put the results in the next issue of SpellNews.

Card of the Month: Adventurers!

Have you ever played against an opponent using a seemingly very weak deck as far as champions were concerned? Do you remember ever looking at your opponent's cards in play, seen the little level 3 hero that casts spells, and though to yourself 'no big deal. it's only level 3, and casts spells. what harm can it do?'. If you have, then you may not have ever met up with MY Adventurers! (however, I learned to respect them originally due to my friend's usage of this card, which I have adopted, and will now describe).
        Okay. Say your opponent attacks you with a champion level 25+, immune to everything this side of Krynn. What do you do? Do you panic? No. With the adventurers in play, you can give your opponent satisfaction. They kill one of your champions (the Adventurers). Or, if the champion is not immune to offensive Wizard spells, use Unnerving aura (cast, of course, by the Adventurers). If the champion is not immune to offensive Cleric spells, use Confusion. The Adventurers also come in handy for casting dangerous spells, such as Wish, Estate Transference, and Raze. If spellturned, the Adventurers die/they die anyway. No big loss. You used them to cast the spell, and your opponent had to 'waste' a card. If you decide you want to use some avenging allies (assassins, the starving artist), and your opponent refuses to attack you, you attack her/him...with the Adventurers. Provided they defend with at least a level 5 or 8 champion, you can use one or both allies to their greatest effect. Though it gives them a spoils, if you need to remove a champion from play (Midnight, or the Arch-Druid, or some such), or eliminate some cards in your opponent's hand, this can be well worth it. Another thing that is a lot of fun is putting Axe of the Dwarvish Lords or Throne of the Gods on the Adventurers. Now, not only are they good sacraficially, but they are/can be level 13+ without you playing any more cards. This alone might make some people run for the hills. If your opponent still hasn't broken a sweat, try using any of these 'combos', losing the Adventurers to the discard pile, then playing Coming of the Phoenix or some other card to bring them back. If your opponent doesn't scream in fear/hate/annoyance/all three, then just proceed to use the combos you have yet to use, or come up with some new ones for use with the Adventurers.
        These have all been used against me, and I've used them against several people. In fact, I credit Karlott and the Adventurers for my winning my way into the second round of Zifnab's tourney. Karlott for retrieving a much needed caravan, and the adventurers for usage such as I have described above. Feel free to come up with other combos to use, etc. (Heck, there's nothing I can do to stop you, anyway, not that I'd want to.)
        Hope you've enjoyed this premiere issue of SpellNews. Until next month...(don't forget that level 63 avatar...)

Spellfire, Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Birthright, Dark Sun, DragonLance, Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, Planescape, Ravenloft settings, worlds, and characters are all registered trademarks of TSR Inc. Spellfire 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Editions, as well as the Ravenloft, DragonLance, Forgotten Realms, Artifacts, Powers, UnderDark, Runes & Ruins, BirthRight, Draconimicon, Night Stalkers, Dungeions, Fiends, and Incantations booster sets are also copyrighted by TSR Inc. Copyright 1997, TSR Inc., Lake Geneva, WI.