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by David S. Wilson Stretching Dominia Dollars, Part X I remember when I first started playing Magic. I lost 90% of the time. To end the losing streak I went out and bought uncommon Knights, Angels, Vampires and Whelps for $2 each... well Angels only were $4. Then I only lost 75% of the time. All that money had made some difference but not what I expected. Since I didn't have much money left, I bought some common cards out of the 10 cent box at the local card store. After my experience with the uncommon card purchases, I was very careful what cards I chucked down 10 cents to play. I picked up some Tims, Fireballs, Lightning Bolts... all the best of the common cards. I made sure I had four of each and played them in combination with the uncommons I spent so much on. Suddenly I started to win more often then I lost. I was slow at learning the lesson. But I did learn it. Before you go out and spend a lot of money on uncommon and/or rare cards, make sure you have the best common cards. The common cards are, without doubt, the best investment if you can't afford to buy enough boosters to accumulate 4 or more of every common card in the set. First check the store or flea market dealer, or even a "mister suitcase" player, and I know you will find a place to buy common cards for 10 cents. The real question is which common cards should you be laying out all that hard cash for! Since Weatherlight is the latest set, here's a list of I.M.H.O. the bakers dozen of best common cards in that set. 1. Phantom Warrior - they can't be blocked, it's simple as that.   2. Empyrial Armor - so powerful it's often called "broken".   3. Thunderbolt - damage your opponent or take out his flyers.   4. Firewhip - turn one of your characters into TIM.   5. Ardent Militia - 2/5 and it doesn't tap for attacking.   6. Rogue Elephant - a 3/3 for G, so dump one forest.   6. Mind Stone (tied) - helps bring out the Fatties then can be sacrificed for a draw.   7. Briar Shield - +1/+1 with a built in Giant Growth.   8. Fatal Blow - your weenie can kill any of their Fatties   9. Shadow Rider - a 3/3 with flanking - nuff said.   10. Heavy Ballista - a swift kick to any creature dumb enough to attack you.   11. Bogardan Firefiend - even in death he pokes your opponent for 2 damage.   12. Benalish Knight - a first strike 2/2, cast anytime creature.   13. Bloodrock Cyclops - a 3/3 for 3, who just keeps attacking. Honerable mention : Shattered Crypt & Haunting Misery - for more experienced players, they are better then most of the above. Also, Fog Elemental & Vitalize - depending on what you're playing they may be what you need. Well that's it for this month. See you again in November!       Thank you - Dave [ Back to October 1997 Table of Contents ] [ Back to Beyond Dominia ] Magic: the Gathering is a Registered Trademark of Wizards of the Coast