SpellNews

Issue # 5
May 1997
Editors: Arevar & Cesstris
Email: arevar@aol.com

This Issue:

* Introduction
* Arevar's Ramblings
* The Ever-Annoying Drow Deck
* A Discard Deck
* Combos
* Word Search Answers
* Spellfire: Glacia
* Endnote

Introduction

Well, here it is. The fifth issue of SpellNews. Notice that there is no poll in this issue. It's become apparent that no one (or very, very few) are even interested in a poll. An editorial section has been added, and there are also a couple of decks, and some combos. Then there is a special feature--a Spellfire set created by Saravien, based on a setting from a story she wrote. Enjoy!

Arevar's Ramblings

Well, the end of the school year is just about upon us (or most of us, anyway), and the summer, too, aproaches. This has been quite a year for Spellfire. First 4th Edition, in which many of our old favorites were brought back, or improved. Then Draconimicon, where we saw the Dragons rise to power again, and saw Dragons become more than just a sub-type of monster champion. Then Nighstalkers, with the introduction of Thieves, and an incredible boost to the Undead, with the unarmed undead combat cards. This saw the spark of many new undead decks, and an improvment on older undead decks. Then we found out about 1997's planned releases: Dungeon, Fiends, and Incantations. I, for one, am really looking forward to the Dungeons set. The ability to bring your own rules to the table will be one that anyone with cards from the set will likely never want to leave at home again. And, of course, the infamous announcement that WoTC, makers of Magic: the Gathering would be purchasing TSR, makers of our beloved Spellfire. At this writing, the deal has yet to go through, so nothing much is even known, nor will it be known until the deal goes through. Let's just hope that one way or another, Spellfire survives. But that can only happen if we, the fans, support the game, and bring new players into it. Now, on with the rest of Spellnews # 5!

The Ever-Annoying Drow Deck

Realms (10)
UnderAthas
Unipolar Triumvirate
UnderKrynn
Bipolar Triumvirate
The Underdark
Tripolar Triumvirate
UnderToril
UnderOerth
Demonweb Pits
The Dispossessed

Holdings (4)
Unipolar Cavern
Bipolar Cavern
Tripolar Cavern
Vault of the Drow

Events (6)
Memory Moss
Ice Storm
The Minotaur Attacks!
Drow Justice
Solid Fog
Weasel Attack

Artifacts (4)
Nightjewel
Baba Yaga's Hut
Holy Symbol of Ravenkind
Crown of Souls

Magic Items (4)
Staff of Mimicry
Irongnome
Ego Coin
Armor of Dispell Magic

Champions (14)
Myconid
Tiyet
Lord Soth
Umber Hulk
Earth Weird
Iuz the Evil
Lolth, the Spider Queen
Corpse Dragon
Ireena Kolyana
Jarlaxle
Zaknafein, the Weapons Master
Drow Matron
Tysiln San
Ellorelloran

Allies (7)
Halfling Mercenaries
Shaqat Beetles
Vistani
Trystan
Chitine
Noble Djinni
Gnasher

Spells(6)
Bloodstone's Spectral Steed
Mind Fog
Fireball
Charm
Unnerving Aura
Mindkiller

(This deck courtesy of Saravien.)

A Discard Deck

Realms(13)
The Sphinx (Always handy to look at an opponent's hand)
Den of Thieves (Discard Theme)
Tyr (A must have)
The Horned Society (Get rid of those pesky living walls)
Temple of Elemental Evil (Another must have)
The Great Kingdom
Myth Drannor
Ull (Discard theme)
Menzoberranzan (Must Have)
Haunted Hall of Eveningstar
Sembia (Discard Theme)
Duchy of Tenh
Ancient Kalidnay (must have)

Champs(15)(89 Lvs.)
Free Avatar...Lady of Fate, Avatar of Istus (Discard Theme and what an avatar!!!!)
Tamarand, Great Gold Wyrm
Delsenora
Nenioc
Karlott the Shaman
Lareth King of Justice
Maldraedior, Great Blue Wyrm
Pelath the Bronze Dragon
Onad the Weasel
Drawmij
Ethereal Champion
Helm
Hettman Tsurin (discard theme)
Shadow Dragon
Mylasia (Discard theme)

Events(10)
Caravan*
Cataclysm*
Caer Allison*
Deflection*
Good Fortune*
Council of Wyrms (Can act like another Good Fortune)
Blood Challenge
Caravan Raiders (Discard Theme and always nice to get rid of caravans)
The Genie Bottle (Don't want to play by other's rules)
Slave Revolt (Another good champion killer)
(* Must Haves)

Wizard Spells(6)
Disentigrate
Estate Transferrance
Wish
Limited Wish
Retarget
Spell Turning

Cleric Spells(3)
Dispel Intercession
Rengarth Oracle (Nice to choose what you want to draw)

Allies(4)
Ninjas (Discard theme)
Cat Burglar (Discard Theme)
The Starving Artist (Discard theme)
Athasian Sloth (Discard theme)

Artifacts(3)
Rens Crystal Ball (discard theme)
Tensers Crystal Ball (Nice to try to get opponents good cards to the bottom)
Herald of Mei Lung (Don't get smacked by your own tactics)

Magic Items(1)
Rings of All Seeing (there's that discard theme again :)

This deck works really well against all sorts of decks. Three things against events, a few things against spells. It is not extremely strong in attacking however you should be able to raze at least a couple of realms with the avatar. And disentegrate and estate transferrance work well to keep an opponent at bay. And when your opponent attacks you can decimate his hand with those allies. A good replacement for Tensers Crystal Ball would be Natures Throne so Istus can attack anywhere. OF course The Cold Cup and Discovery of Spellfire would be great additions to this deck however I don't have those. Feel free to test this deck out and let me know how it works for you. Good gaming.

(This deck Courtesy of LordReick)

Combos

Ochimo & Assassins [or] Starving Artist [or] The Rahasia: You don't lose a champion when you lose, and your opponent gets hurt, badly!
Orb of Power, Ring of All Seeing & The Staff of Mimicry: The orb makes your champion immune, copy the ring of all seeing with the staff and you can remove two cards of your choice at the start of every turn from your opponent's deck!
Magical Champion & Any of the 3 allies listed above & Ego Coin & Labrynth Map of Shuuc: Attack and keep losing. Your ally champion is never discarded. Your opponent gets spoils, but spoils is all he'll have left in his hand!
Any cleric & the allies above: Attack, play to lose and cast The Rope Trick. You get to keep the champion and ally, starvign artist all the way!
Curse of the Azure Bonds (Steal Karlott, if you can): Discard Karlott and get an event, then play your own Karlott and wait for your opponent to start crying! Much better than using Tyranthraxus!

(These combos courtesy of Mark Towse) ER961785@ccsdec1.ufsia.ac.be)

Word Search Answers

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Spellfire: Glacia

The world setting is called Glacia, the second planet in the Reuwydian System. Not all of them have their powers written yet. Hope you have fun.

Realms:

Nameless Valley "This realm can only be reached by flyers and earthwalkers and is immune to offensive spells."
Coeldaria "Can only be attacked by flyers. Any attacking dragons lose two levels."
Plains of Maercenna "Defending heroes gain 1 level"
Tessaminm's Realm "Cannot be attacked by dragons"
White Desert of Grande
Craigian Peninsula
Kyrefn Mountains "If Brandon Raflenscin is used to defend this realm, he may act as if he is holding the Pyramian"
Jungles of Holtar
Realm of Sorrows "Attacking undead lose two levels; defending undead gain two."
Shar "Undead cannot attack this realm."
Vlementisk Forest
Driimya Forest
Gwuenelia
Tormaeden "A group of sea turtles act as a permanent +4 defending ally to Tormaeden."
Nmarvinskiff
Kikikantaro "Clerics cannot attack Kikikantaro because of the presence of the Temple of Niahalaynia, Aphrin's Loft, and the Temple of Veymareii"
Grande
Mindroniv "Solin can defend this realm"
Andra'na Base "Spells cannot be used to attack or defend Andra'na Base"
Mivrost "Mivrost and the Sea of Mivrost cannot be in play at the same time"
Sea of Mivrost "The Sea of Mivrost and Mivrost cannot be in play at the same time."

Holdings:

Nameless Valley "Alexandria Kaeldarr cannot attack this realm."
Craig's Point
Olinta
Valley of the Shadow of Death "Any allies or champions dying in combat involving the Valley of the Shadow of Death are sent to the Abyss, not the discard pile"
Grande Palace
Enchantress Keep "Wizards will not attack Enchantress Keep, but defending wizards gain two levels."
Tower of Time "Cannot be in play at the same time as Mivrost"
Kiskonar Hold "Solin can defend Kiskonar Hold."
Ring of Fire
Dark Tower of Chauvonos "All Nightbound refuse to attack and gain three levels when defending the Dark Tower."

Heroes:

Mark Caledonia (6)
Auralina (6) "Animal allies will not face Auralina in combat"
Kameko Tormis (5) "Can attack any realm, regardless of position"
Alexandria Kaeldarr (9) "Can cast wizard spells and use psionic cards. Alexandria can be sent to the Abyss, taking any avatar with her."
Saaba (5) "When a spell with 'fire' in the title is cast, Saaba gains a level."
Varda (4) "Dracotori. All dragon allies of Varda gain one level."
Jeremis (5) "Dracotori. Dragons will not face Jeremis in combat."
Aron Peitrevanch (5) "Can attack any realm, regardless of position or restrictions."
Brandon Raflenscin (3) "When attacking, Brandon has a permanent +3 fireball."
Jesse Martini-Laak (4) "Gains 3 levels when defending Nameless Valley."
Robert Belarizaz (5) "Can be descarded to automatically raze Andra'na Base."
Lord Harlemeiyer (7)
Malyra Godomar (8) "Swimmer. Malyra automatically destroys any swimmers played against her."

Monsters:

Tessaminm (9) "Flyer. Can cast wizard spells."
Guardian (8) "Flyer. Gains two levels and ability to cast spells when defending Enchantress Keep."
Cat (5) "Can attack any realm, regardless of position of restrictions."
Kara (3) "Werewolf. If defeated while defending, can look at opponents hand and discard one card."
Shatterstorm (6) "Flyer. Immune to all lightning spells, and can cast wizard spells."
Shavadreya, the Silver Dragon (10) "Flyer. Shavadreya can cast wizard and cleric spells."
Moondragon (4) "Flyer. Gains three levels for every Full Moon event in play."
Feathered Dragon (6) "Flyer. When defending the Tower of Time, this dragon becomes immune to all opposing magic items and artifacts."
Victoria Kaeldarr (5) "Werecat. If defeated, Victoria goes to Limbo and returns to the pool at the end of the player's next turn"
Solin, Daughter of the Dragon (9) "Solin can only be used to attack."

Wizards:

Timitar (8) "Elf"
Aurora Tervardi (10) "Aurora can only be used to defend. All spells cast by her gain two levels."
Helshana (5) "Nightbound. Negates opponents special power."
Aleksandr Kaeldarr (7) "During combat, Aleksandr can charm one opposing ally with his music, causing them to switch sides."
Sriavasta (9) "Elf (drow). Sriavasta can be discarded to imitate the effects of the Fifth Test event."

Clerics:

Saravien Devonshire (8) "Nightbound. Saravien gains three levels when facing champions from other worlds."
Devanira Tiskoskoran (6) "Nightbound. Can look at opponents hand after declaring she is attacking."
Gaelen Sinai (7) "Gaelen is immune to all offensive spells."
Donia Remster (6) "Allies cannot be played against Donia, the Voice of the Black Rose."
Pauline Greccion (4) "When Pauline is defeatd, she can retrieve on champion from the discard pile, which is placed on the top of the draw deck."
Lavyra, Cleric of Aphrin (3) "Automatically defeats undead."

Events:

Age of Darkness "No spells of any kind can be cast until this card is removed."
Fifth Test "Discards the Age of Darkness."
Full Moon: Taiiyadair "All Nightbound gain two levels."
Full Moon: Vamine "All undead gain two levels."
Full Moon: Nua'a'dyn "All clerics gain two levels."
Cataclysm "The Andra'na Base and Mivrost are automatically destroyed."
Aphrin Intervenes "This player's champion is not defeated, but instead sent to Limbo, and returns to the draw pile at the end of the next turn."
Attaii Smiles "The god of luck grants this players allies two additional levels until the end of this player's next turn."
Maercenna Appears "The red haired goddess of war has appeared in the ranks! This player automatically wins the current battle, and cannot be attacked until the end of their next turn."
Unicorn Stampede "All allies and champions of level 3 or less are discarded."

Magic Items:

The Srai'Tararin (+3) "When attached to Alexandria Kaeldarr, she becomes immune to all events."
Double-Bladed Spear (+4) "If attached to Saravien, becomes +5 paired short blades."
Pyramian (+2) "The attached champion is immune to any card with 'fire' in the title."
Harp of Lymtyr "Charms one opposing ally, causing them to switch sides."

Artifacts:

Library of the Enchantress "The attached champion can cast any spell at any time. After each combat, the champion can keep one spell with them."
Dragonarmor (+2) "Becomes +5 when attached to a Dracotori."

Endnote

        A special thanks goes out to Saravien, for permission to feature this spellfire fan-created set. Hope you all have fun reading them, and enjoy them.
        Next Issue: There may not be a next issue. Depending on when/if WyteFang returns, and the return of the SpellFirer, there may not be any need for SpellNews. Also, if there is little response to these issues, they will be slow to be put out, because material doesn't just drop into our laps, most of the time.
        Dungeon. Perhaps once this set is finally released, an issue can be done dealing with Dungeon--decks based on dungeon cards, etc. Combos featuring the new cards, and perhaps peoples' favorite cards from the set.

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, Dungeons, Fiends, and Incantations booster sets are also copyrighted by TSR Inc. Copyright 1997, TSR Inc., Lake Geneva, WI.