me too dave. hope you can make it. I am planning on going, and will see if anyone else will head over as well.

Gale is having one of her knees replaced early in the year, and I have to do two financial closes in January... one early, and then one starting the 20th or so because we are changing our close process... it isn't likely....

there has been nothing official about further arena sets.

Yes, well, I've given up hope on future Arena expansions. I'll also never play Domination or Academy again, so....

Not only that, but I'm doubtful that Academy will have much more that could be used in area, now that I have seen some of the stuff that came out in Monk. The Monk, to me, is weird and has really odd spells. I hope they do stop trying to replicate martial abilities... even if you try to explain it as mana is really ki instead. Those few spells from that produce that I have seen really give me less of a feel that this game is staying on point in terms of genre, and more about finding excuses for validating strange tactics and simulating something less "fantastic."

Ban all academy cards from tournaments and you have a fixed card pool and the end of variety.

Just a note, sharkey's book was a ritual book and it did take first.

Oh, that's right... the Necro that Tim was talking about. Sorry!

For some reason, I had in mind that the two Siren's were the Ritual books. Now that I look at it... it was the Necro and the Druid.

I currently have a class on Saturday morning... I am going to try to make it (really, this time) in the afternoon... maybe 1:30 to 2'ish... would like to get in a couple of games.

Would someone please tell me the details on Fizzle? Where did that one come from, Siren?

I posted my revised book in the first message of this thread for your amusement / comment.

Just an example of how I can start:

Battle Forge ( 8 ) and Ring (3) come out first round (Forge in my starting corner), and I move one [ideally moving second to see where the enemy will end up]... and see if the enemy wants to close to kill the Forge [end 8 mana, plus 9, plus one on Forge (17+1) for next turn].

On turn two, I can equip a Breastplate (6-1) from the Forge and prepare a Staff and an Enchantment (most likely either Rhino Hide or Bear Strength).

If I can melee attack in round 2, I cast the Staff (9, leaves three mana) and beat on the enemy Mage with 5 dice and a good chance of Daze (possible Stun!), having two Armor on and enough leftover Mana to be able to add a burn and even to go on guard at the end of the turn if desired. (I think probably guarding turn two is a waste... but it's nice to have the option at least.) [I probably end with two mana, so have 11+1 mana to use next turn this way]

If I can't attack, I cast the Staff as above, but also Enchant myself (hidden) and move to the near center, revealing the enchantment after Planning in turn 3. [I end with one mana, but spend three early next turn to reveal. [7+1 mana to use next turn this way]

If the opponent doesn't try to hit the Forge early, I am then in a decent position to consolidate and equip for a few turns, likely bringing out the Hand on turn three or four, and a creature on turn four or five.

REVISION:

I suppose that I could even Bear Strength turn one instead of the Ring... adding a die to the attack on turn two if it happens... which just prevents the guarding possibility on turn two, and save the ring for the second turn option instead of attacking (instead of BS/RH then). I kind of like having the Ring on though... more flexible.

So.... how did it go?