Discussion - non-silver-bullet way of disrupting MMPA decks without entirely killing them

I'm very new, back after a 10+ year absence, but I've been tinkering with MMPA decks, both back then (when it was only Anson, Rumours of Gehenna, and the Parthenon) and recently, and let me say: They're crazy.

I *do* think that the Jyhad version of multiple master phase actions - "two master phase actions" instead of "an extra master phase action" - actually solves most of the problems. If everything had matched Anson / Rumours original phrasing, I don't think this could have become a problem.

I'd personally think trimming it all the way back - you have a maximum of two Master phase actions, regardless of how you get them, including Trifles - solves a lot of the problems, and probably loosens the noose that "multiple master phase action" decks have put around the neck of card-design.

Haze wrote:

also Parthenon is one of the worst designed cards in the game, even if it's not the prime offender. it doesn't even come into play tapped! thanks, Wizards of the Coast.

Huh?
Care to elaborate?

One of the worst designed cards of the game is pretty strongly put, to say the least...

I see nothing wrong with the card.
Sinple and elegant design.

ThatGuyThere wrote:

I'd personally think trimming it all the way back - you have a maximum of two Master phase actions

I don't think that problems start with the third master phase action, but rather much sooner, with the second one.

Once you, due to just having a single vampire or a single master in play (having a vampire is more reliable to obtain), can in a single turn play a Villein, then fetch any master from your ash heap and then play it, we're talking about overkill.

Trifles are nice, but being able to play multiple non-trifle masters per turn, every turn, that is when we start having problems. Especially if we throw in masters like Tablets, that can both fetch any cards back into your library and hand and, at the same time, gain pool. Or, you know, you have DI ready every turn...

I see nothing wrong with the card.
Sinple and elegant design.

I believe that Haze was implying that Parthenon should not be able to provide additional MPA the turn it comes into play, thus negating its downside of actually spending MPA in order to play it. (which I agree with, but with somewhat less zeal).

Once you, due to just having a single vampire or a single master in play (having a vampire is more reliable to obtain), can in a single turn play a Villein, then fetch any master from your ash heap and then play it, we're talking about overkill.

That's why I said, two Master Phase Actions max, from any source - Trifles included.

With Anthelios, you can get and play a master of choice from your ash heap - but you can't get one, and play it, and do something else.

I'm also not adverse to saying Anthelios needs some hosing, too. It certainly could have used a built-in removal clause.

ThatGuyThere wrote:

That's why I said, two Master Phase Actions max, from any source - Trifles included.

Yeah, but at the end of the day, when it comes to MMPAs, for the most part, it's not the trifles that are the problem, but the regular masters...

Speaking of trifles, how about villein? I see that as a major part of the MPA-decks "problem".