Arcane Wonders Forum

Mage Wars => Spellbook Design and Construction => Topic started by: Laddinfance on October 08, 2014, 08:50:30 AM

Title: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on October 08, 2014, 08:50:30 AM
Welcome to the Library of the White Spires. If you but ask we can provide you with the knowledge you seek, even about other mages. Here we simply provide references of various successful mages. You can learn from their experience and from their make your own way. If you need assistance, ask a librarian, and please keep things quiet.

In this thread we're going to link many of the important iconic spellbooks to help new players to find interesting strategies for their mage. Please feel free to nominate threads for addition to this index.

Beastmaster - Straywood
What Does Beastmaster Swarm Look Like? (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=13379.msg27247#msg27247)
The Straywood Aviary (GenCon 2014 Champion Spellbook) (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14540.0)
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Priestess - Westlock
Westlock Angels (5-0 Swiss Gen Con 2015) (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=15871.0)
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Warlock - Arraxian Crown
Lord of Terror (Bashcon Beatdown Build) (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=7591.0)
CURSES! (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14473.msg40486#msg40486)
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Wizard
The Blasting Banker (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=13742.msg31356#msg31356)*
The Fabled Watergate Wizard (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=13037.0)*
Weighted Training Clothes (Gen Con 2015 Champion Spellbook) (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=15863.0)*
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Forcemaster
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Warlord - Bloodwave
Knightmare (Bloodwave Warlord Spellbook) (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14640.0)
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Beastmaster - Johktari
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Priest - Malakai
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Druid
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Necromancer
Meditation Graveyard (Gencon 2016 Champion) (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=17073.0 8))
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Warlock - Adramalech
Trogdor the Burninator (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=15920.0)
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

Warlord - Anvil Throne
Big Boys, an aggressive Anvil Throne Warlord Spellbook (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14681.0)
Nominate a Spellbook to Link

*Spellbooks are currently out of date and no longer legal.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Lord0fWinter on October 08, 2014, 09:07:56 AM
Watergate Wizard (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=13037.0) for pretty obvious reasons.

Lord of Terror (BasCon Beatdown) (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=7591.0) because it won on of the earliest tournaments in the game and is an early implementation of buddy aggro build.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on October 08, 2014, 09:15:17 AM
Watergate Wizard (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=13037.0) for pretty obvious reasons.

Oddly enough, I had not included this one because It wasn't in the "Spellbook Design and Construction" forum. So I hadn't found it. Granted I figured someone would find it for me ;-).
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Lord0fWinter on October 08, 2014, 09:27:52 AM
Oddly enough, I had not included this one because It wasn't in the "Spellbook Design and Construction" forum. So I hadn't found it. Granted I figured someone would find it for me ;-).

Glad I could be of some help :D
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Sailor Vulcan on October 08, 2014, 11:10:44 AM
when you say "iconic" are you talking about only the most successful spellbooks or all tournament-viable ones?
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Lord0fWinter on October 08, 2014, 11:21:51 AM
when you say "iconic" are you talking about only the most successful spellbooks or all tournament-viable ones?

When I thought about what spellbooks to nominate, I was thinking along the terms of ones that have had the most impact on the meta, whether that be by winning tournaments or implementing new strategies that had not been used before that ended up being successful on a regular basis. Just my two cents.

I suppose the most successful books will always be the most "iconic" books if we go by that reasoning. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. There's already a thread of every (more like almost every) spellbook that has been posted -->HERE<-- (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=12477.0) so we don't need another one doing the same kind of thing. Granted, that list hasn't been updated since April but still.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Sailor Vulcan on October 08, 2014, 11:22:08 AM
Also I kind of already started this: http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14624
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: BoomFrog on October 08, 2014, 12:46:26 PM
Is this is a guide for new players to get a feel for currently competitive books?  Basically is this aiming to be a catalog of the "pillars" of the competitive scene as described by Alexander West in the recent podcast?  Because that is what I wanted to see in an easy to find format when I joined the game.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on October 08, 2014, 01:19:10 PM
Is this is a guide for new players to get a feel for currently competitive books?  Basically is this aiming to be a catalog of the "pillars" of the competitive scene as described by Alexander West in the recent podcast?  Because that is what I wanted to see in an easy to find format when I joined the game.

Not directly, but in a round about way yes. This came about because I found a post asking to "unsticky" something in this forum, but I thought the information was very useful. However, they were right, so in an effort to maintain the information we had out and add to it, I made this thread for housing those sort of useful spellbooks that are very mechanically solid.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Maverick on October 08, 2014, 07:32:25 PM
http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14640.0

Here is a link to my "Knightmare" Bloodwave Warlord book. It is nothing so famous as the Watergate Wizard but it does demonstrate good fundamentals and I included a detailed turn by turn instructions for new players. I have not tested the book on a national level by any means but it is currently devastating my local meta with nearly a dozen victories and still undefeated.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Wildhorn on October 08, 2014, 10:02:55 PM
I nominate my Big Boys (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14681.0) Warlord spellbook. Very solid. It is agressive and can deal with most of the situations that should arise.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on October 09, 2014, 08:28:39 AM
I nominate my Big Boys (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14681.0) Warlord spellbook. Very solid. It is agressive and can deal with most of the situations that should arise.

http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14640.0

Here is a link to my "Knightmare" Bloodwave Warlord book. It is nothing so famous as the Watergate Wizard but it does demonstrate good fundamentals and I included a detailed turn by turn instructions for new players. I have not tested the book on a national level by any means but it is currently devastating my local meta with nearly a dozen victories and still undefeated.

I think both books are good examples of workable strategies with the Warlords. I'm adding them up top.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: BoomFrog on October 09, 2014, 10:54:11 AM
I think we should be cautious about people self nominating.  Of course everyone thinks their own book is awesome.

On an unrelated note I nominate my book Druid - Predetor (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14724.0) because it's awesome.   :D   (It beat my brother's Beastmaster - Aviary in testing).  You could replace the main creature with a guardian angle or a bear and tweak the enchantments but the fundamental strategy for the druid is probably close to her ideal and iconic strategy.  One big enchanted main creature supported by efficient plant creatures from a vine tree.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on October 09, 2014, 11:01:12 AM
I think we should be cautious about people self nominating.  Of course everyone thinks their own book is awesome.

On an unrelated note I nominate my book Druid - Predetor (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14724.0) because it's awesome.   :D   (It beat my brother's Beastmaster - Aviary in testing).  You could replace the main creature with a guardian angle or a bear and tweak the enchantments but the fundamental strategy for the druid is probably close to her ideal and iconic strategy.  One big enchanted main creature supported by efficient plant creatures from a vine tree.

I do read the nominees and try to ensure they're solid books that showcase what you can do in Mage Wars.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Wildhorn on October 30, 2014, 11:08:11 AM
Your curse warlock (http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=14473.msg40486#msg40486) Laddin you posted a while ago. It seemed solid.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on October 30, 2014, 02:07:02 PM
I'll include it because I do think it's a great point for new players to start with.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Sailor Vulcan on October 30, 2014, 03:11:12 PM
If you're nominating something primarily because it is a good starting point for beginners, then I am no longer sure what you mean by "iconic".

What exactly is the criteria for a spellbook to be on this list? That still isn't clear to me.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on October 30, 2014, 07:05:50 PM
The idea of Iconic is both that which you build your testing gauntlet out of and something that is representative of the general. I feel the reason that curse build was nominated was more the second reason. It is a great place for Beginners because it does the things that a curse book needs to do and from that they can determine how they would like to customize it.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: V10lentray on October 31, 2014, 09:14:57 AM
You should include your Skeletal Warlord build
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on October 31, 2014, 01:57:12 PM
To be fair, that was a forum created book. Also, it's only Iconic because it was the forum built book. If I am wrong I'd be happy to add it, but right now I don't think so.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: sIKE on October 31, 2014, 04:57:21 PM
To be fair, that was a forum created book. Also, it's only Iconic because it was the forum built book. If I am wrong I'd be happy to add it, but right now I don't think so.
I think it is a good one for newbs to see how to build a good book using cards from other schools that synergize via subtypes.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Wildhorn on November 01, 2014, 02:05:03 PM
To be fair, that was a forum created book. Also, it's only Iconic because it was the forum built book. If I am wrong I'd be happy to add it, but right now I don't think so.
I think it is a good one for newbs to see how to build a good book using cards from other schools that synergize via subtypes.

I agree on this.
Title: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Sailor Vulcan on June 21, 2015, 12:03:36 PM
I noticed that this hasn't been updated in a really long time. This might work better if we nominate spellbook archetypes  and an example of each rather than just individual spellbooks. Even if there's no link to a spell list on the forum knowing that the archetype exists is good to know for future reference. I nominate Forge Forcemaster, johktari canines, guardian angel priestess, sectarus curse warlock, Druid kill zone/assembly line, straywood buddy, attack spell wizard, mana denial wizard, buddy forcemaster, buddy priest, anvil throne forged, Adramelech kiting. Additionally, I would like to nominate my 4th edition core set x1 only arraxian crown warlock as a good example of a solid build using a limited card pool, so beginners can see how it is possible to play mage wars competitively on a budget if they play smart. Should make an archetype category called "budget spellbooks" for that.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Intangible0 on June 26, 2015, 03:29:22 AM
I would actually like to see a vote post. That way the community gets to choose what they think is best suited.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Sailor Vulcan on June 26, 2015, 09:26:22 AM
Someone should make a poll in this thread. Laddinfance?
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on July 08, 2015, 08:15:31 AM
I've been thinkn' a lot lately on how I'd like to see this updated over time. We could go with a "hall of fame" style entry process. Every few months I put up a poll and the top "x" entrants are added. Obviously we build the poll out of the new spellbooks. Another thought I had was to ask the community what spellbook they would like to see, then take all of the applicable spellbooks and "induct" one of them.

Obviously there are a lot of options, I would love to hear more of your thoughts.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Coshade on July 08, 2015, 10:00:34 AM
I think this is a neat section that we could use to reward tournament winners. If you win an official Arcane Wonders Mage Wars tournament, then you go in the Library of the White Spires section. I like the formatting you used with the Straywood Aviary and would suggest that for all entries.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: sIKE on July 08, 2015, 02:50:37 PM
I think this is a neat section that we could use to reward tournament winners. If you win an official Arcane Wonders Mage Wars tournament, then you go in the Library of the White Spires section. I like the formatting you used with the Straywood Aviary and would suggest that for all entries.
I second this idea to, but would include OCTGN tourney winners of course!
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on August 19, 2015, 10:57:44 PM
Tomorrow I'm hoping to update the links with the Gen Con 2016 champions spellbook, as well as a couple others. then I have a few ideas going forward.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on August 20, 2015, 08:13:39 AM
Updated to add the Gen Con Champion Spellbook, and the 5-0 day one spellbook. Both are excellent examples of what those mages can do.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Coshade on August 20, 2015, 11:03:25 PM
Congrats to all the players that have their book added to the Library!
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: silverclawgrizzly on August 21, 2015, 12:28:27 AM
I would nominate the 4th place Force Master book from Gen Con this year. There are no FMs in the list right now and that book is brutal to say the least. It won the first ever Wounded Warrior Tournament, out lasting 11 other mages, and came in fourth at Gen Con. That's gotta be something.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: DaveW on August 28, 2015, 05:26:44 PM
I think this is a neat section that we could use to reward tournament winners. If you win an official Arcane Wonders Mage Wars tournament, then you go in the Library of the White Spires section. I like the formatting you used with the Straywood Aviary and would suggest that for all entries.
I second this idea to, but would include OCTGN tourney winners of course!

If you add OCTGN books, then you may want to note whether any promos are included... and maybe the date of the book if so?
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Intangible0 on August 31, 2015, 10:50:16 AM
If you add OCTGN books, then you may want to note whether any promos are included... and maybe the date of the book if so?

That's a good idea. Date included is particularly important since books will develop over time and won't have the future expansions.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Coshade on August 31, 2015, 02:04:03 PM
If you add OCTGN books, then you may want to note whether any promos are included... and maybe the date of the book if so?

That's a good idea. Date included is particularly important since books will develop over time and won't have the future expansions.

This is a good point. As more expansions are released, these books may become less viable.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on August 31, 2015, 02:14:42 PM
That's why I recommend people upkeep their books, and continue to work on them.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Intangible0 on September 01, 2015, 10:32:18 AM
That's why I recommend people upkeep their books, and continue to work on them.

Yeah but I'm not a huge fan of paying the upkeep cost  :P
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Reddicediaries on June 28, 2016, 06:05:25 PM
Maybe we could nominate the gen con 2013 winners book (if we can figure find it)
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Coshade on July 25, 2016, 07:59:00 AM
Just in case anyone from the future comes here - The Wizard's posted Blasting Banker, Watergate, and Weighted Training are invalid now. They are however great ideas that can be carried over to new books.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Tyrnan on July 25, 2016, 11:01:19 AM
I want to nominate the two books that won the german nationals 2016 (druid and priestess). Translations of both books can be found here: http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=16936.msg71647#new
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Coshade on August 09, 2016, 11:37:15 AM
I would like to nominate Biblo's Gen Con 2016 Necro book! Also should we change the Wizard books to indicate they are not legal?
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on August 09, 2016, 12:16:31 PM
I would like to nominate Biblo's Gen Con 2016 Necro book! Also should we change the Wizard books to indicate they are not legal?

There is currently an asterisk to show that those books are out of date.

I'll add Biblo's necro.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Tyrnan on August 11, 2016, 01:45:33 PM
Sorry if i am a nuisance, but is there a reason why my nominates are not considered? Or is consideration still ongoing? It's no big deal if they will not be included, I just like to know the reason which I hereby politely ask for.  :)
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on August 11, 2016, 01:49:31 PM
Being considered, but the issue is that the post is a lot harder to decipher for new people. I think if there was a direct post for those two books, then It would be easy.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Tyrnan on August 11, 2016, 02:52:16 PM
Understood  :)
I'm currently abroad on vacation. When I'm back I can prepare a thread for each book so it can be easily read by everyone. Thank you for the quick response.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Laddinfance on August 11, 2016, 03:03:53 PM
That would be awesome.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Brian VanAlstyne on August 11, 2016, 09:23:48 PM
Anyone wanna nominate my Hoshi-Con winning Priestess? &#128513;
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Tyrnan on August 23, 2016, 06:40:41 PM
Done it.
Re-Posted the winner books of German nationals in these two threads.
http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=17164.0
http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=17168.0

Now they should be easy to include in the library. :)
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: silverclawgrizzly on August 23, 2016, 06:45:26 PM
I nominate the HoshiCon winning priestess book as well as the Gen Con winning necromancer.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Coshade on February 10, 2017, 09:48:35 AM
Hey!
I noticed the Spire is looking a little run down. We've got books that aren't legal due to errata anymore and no books with current expansions released. So i was thinking of taking people's ideas and making a poll.

Ill throw my two cents - i think we should start a new thread and create requirements to gain a spot in it. This way we can do things like reward tournament winners with recognition on the forums.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Reddicediaries on February 10, 2017, 10:05:24 AM
I can already think of books for all the mages:

Priest: Your's
Forcemaster: any of Borg's books.
SBM: Aviary: Grizz's
JBM: Rushmaster
Wizard: Elemental Lord
Druid: Tink's Angel, German nationals breach, Vines Everywhere
ADW: Trogdor
ARCW: Pentagramatically Correct, Lord of Terror
Priestess: Tarkin's Med Temple Build, German Nationals priestess
Necro: Biblo's Gen Con 2016 Book
Warlords: Any of the classic tanks
Paladin: Shark's Paladin
Siren: Maybe charm's siren he plans to run in ADMW?
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Coshade on February 12, 2017, 03:59:48 PM
Thanks Reddice! Any other thoughts on this topic?
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: drmambo23 on February 12, 2017, 07:36:12 PM
Hey!
I noticed the Spire is looking a little run down. We've got books that aren't legal due to errata anymore and no books with current expansions released. So i was thinking of taking people's ideas and making a poll.

Ill throw my two cents - i think we should start a new thread and create requirements to gain a spot in it. This way we can do things like reward tournament winners with recognition on the forums.

I like the idea of having a tournament winning thread. It would showcase the books more and overall be easier to navigate.

A seperate thread for other fundamental or ground breaking books could be very nice as well as it would showcase the hard work of the community :) and keep it seperated from tournament books to avoid clutter
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Brian VanAlstyne on February 12, 2017, 08:04:37 PM
I don't think we need 2 different threads, just some sort of special reference that this is a tournament winning book.
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: silverclawgrizzly on February 12, 2017, 09:45:25 PM
I'll put out the most fantastic thing I've ever done with my BM is come in 6th in a 12 mage tournament and before that 7th in an 8 mage tournament.

Devils actually won a convention tournament with his Priestess lol.

I'm willing to concede my books awesome but I'm second rate :P
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: RomeoXero on February 12, 2017, 10:17:20 PM
Coshade i actually like the idea of revamping the library of the white spires. its always been a place that we all hope to gain a spot in but the way to get in was very arcane and ambiguous. its tough to aspire to what seems like an arbirary choice based on old metas. the only concrete way in so far has been to win gen con. if we all ratify a means of nomination or submission to the library i think it wil FEEL more like its in game counterpart. a repository of legendary books that great mages made and put to great effect. deposited there be the collective wills of the mages through the ages.
Now im not saying that we need to boot all the current books that are there, but i think that Category one for the Library should be play-ability. one must be able to book and legally play the books contained therin. this might mean that the owners of the current books need to alter them, or simply put them into a special category of "ancient tomes" that were made before the magic changed.
Nor am i suggesting that the current methods of entry get changed, the gen con winners obviously deserve a slot by virtue of merrit. i do think though that we should decide on, rattify, and publicly display the full list of methods of entry into the illustrious Library of the White Spires.

tldr im with you coshade. lets tidy this up as a community and make it a clearly achievable goal.   
Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: Coshade on February 13, 2017, 11:23:23 AM
Thanks for all the responses guys!

Title: Re: Library of the White Spires (Spellbook Reference)
Post by: bigfatchef on February 16, 2017, 04:19:21 AM
From a organization perspective and historic view I think the reference should contain folders for each expansion/metashift.
So the first folder would be core only. Maybe even with not errataed cards in it. You could by this review the stages mage wars has gone through.

Selected books should contain tournament winning books as well as groundbreaking Strategie books (for example telepit).