Thanks once again reddawn, you really have some great tips. Here are my (the Johktari player's) thoughts on your strategy tips:

This was only the second time that I had played the JBM, and as such a large reason that I played Galador (and later a lot of other new cards) was because I hadn't played them before and wanted to see what they could do. I like playing a large creature early on, and as such it was a toss up between Galador and Makunda (from the Conquest cards), but Galador won out in my strategy in an an effort to have a flexible way to protect my mage from a potential Adramalech summon, without sacrificing the long term potential.

As a side note here, and I hope that I don't come across as arrogant by saying this, I am comfortably the best player in my play group (I've only ever lost three times, and very rarely play my strongest mages - the wizard and forcemaster) and trying to make new cards work is a fun way for me to level the playing field without deliberately making bad plays. So what I'm saying is that I completely agree with your 'Makunda/Steelclaw being the better choice', I just thought that you might want to know the thought process behind my plays.

I do end up equipping a hunting bow, and team it up with a dire wolf hoping to inflict bleeds, along with a few other newbies. I did wonder about the Ivarium longbow, I might give it a go in the future (along with the curses ) 

Also, parts 3,4 and 5 are now online, the rest will probably follow shortly

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBn3tnQDz9Y

Good news: We've managed to record a full game, and have uploaded the first part here...

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exd77X0Jiy4

The second part is currently being uploaded. Unfortunately, we aren't youtube partners yet, and as such are restricted to videos under 10mins in length, and our recording equipment leaves a lot to be desired (we've had a lot of trouble with the audio). Hopefully we'll all of it uploaded in the next couple of days.

Maybe there could be a modified chess-style clock. Where there's a set maximum time for spellbook selction, then a different time limit for each full action?

I couldn't agree more, when I was learning the game theat critical play video was fantastic. However, I for one would love to see the beatdown forcemaster or solo warlock or earth wizard played before I spend a few hours trying to take apart my spellbooks* and try them out. 
Also, I've arranged a game for today with my Aussie housemate, and should either have it uploaded tonight or tomorrow. He's playing the warlock, and I'm playing the Johktari beastmaster.

*as a side note: I have bought the core set, the forcemaster vs warlord and the conquedt of kumanjaro expansions. With which I have built a permanent 6 mage setups without having to share cards. I'm sure my ultimate strategy suffers for that, but at the same time I like to mix things up. Variety is, after all, the spice of life

Hi guys, I have a few questions with regards to a little idea that my friend and I had.

Having bought the game relatively recently I wanted to watch a game be played in a bid to pick up the rules and strategy of the game. Naturally I headed to Youtube and watched every video even vaguely related to Mage Wars, and found some very useful introductory videos but only one game played in its entirety. This left me with a craving for an insight into different people's insight into strategy and deckbuilding, which in turn led me to here, the forums. Seeing different ideas is great, and I have taken a lot of ideas from reading posts on strategy and spellbooks, but sometimes I find it difficult to visualise how some strategies would work against an organic opponent. What I'm trying to say is:

1. Would there be an interest in seeing a video of a game being played in full, albeit by relative newbies (about 30 games of experience by now)? We would also be extremely grateful of any feedback on our strategy and tactics that more experienced and accomplished players could give.

2. Would posting a video of this nature infringe on copyright laws? I'm not exactly an expert on the matter and just wanted to make sure everything was above board.