A robust artifact card from the Magic: The Gathering buying and selling card recreation, related to the Dungeons & Dragons crossover set, Adventures within the Forgotten Realms. It’s notable for its excessive mana price, important influence on the sport board, and direct tie-in to the lore of a particular notorious artifact from the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing recreation. For example, when it enters the battlefield, it creates a number of Zombie tokens, probably overwhelming an opponent’s defenses.
Its significance lies in its capacity to quickly shift the sport state in favor of the participant who casts it. Advantages embody offering a powerful board presence, probably fueling graveyard methods, and representing a flavorful connection to established Dungeons & Dragons lore. Traditionally, such high-impact, high-cost artifacts have seen various levels of aggressive play, depending on the metagame and the provision of mana acceleration.
This artifact’s influence on deck-building methods, its effectiveness in several codecs, and its interplay with different playing cards throughout the set are key matters to additional discover.
1. Excessive Mana Value
The numerous mana funding required to solid this highly effective artifact is a defining attribute influencing its viability and strategic utility. This restriction shapes how it’s integrated into deck-building and gameplay methods.
-
Impression on Deck Archetype Choice
Decks incorporating this artifact typically require substantial mana ramp or acceleration to reliably solid it inside an inexpensive timeframe. This naturally steers deck development in direction of slower, extra controlling archetypes able to surviving the early recreation to leverage the artifact’s late-game influence. For instance, decks using mana-producing creatures or land-fetching spells turn into essential to assist such a excessive price. Its impracticality inside aggressive or tempo-oriented decks limits its general playability.
-
Vulnerability to Disruption
The heavy mana dedication makes a participant significantly susceptible to counterspells or useful resource denial methods. Opponents conscious of the presence of this artifact within the participant’s deck might prioritize holding countermagic or land destruction results to invalidate the numerous funding. This vulnerability forces gamers to contemplate various traces of play or embody protecting measures to mitigate the chance of a wasted flip and mana.
-
Impact on Sport Tempo
Casting this artifact represents a considerable tempo loss within the flip it’s performed, because the participant possible expends all or most of their out there mana. The fast board influence token technology have to be important sufficient to justify this loss. If the tokens are simply handled by the opponent or fail to meaningfully influence the sport state, the tempo loss might be detrimental. This consideration forces a calculation of danger versus reward within the context of the present recreation state.
-
Synergy with Mana Acceleration
The excessive casting price creates a powerful incentive to include mana acceleration methods into the deck. Playing cards like mana rocks or ramp spells allow earlier deployment of the artifact, mitigating the tempo loss and probably overwhelming the opponent. Success of this technique will increase the cardboard viability because the mana acceleration is efficient.
In abstract, the substantial mana price of the artifact will not be merely a quantity however an important balancing issue that dictates the supporting infrastructure required, its vulnerability to disruption, and its general position inside a given recreation. This factor is necessary when contemplating its utility inside a deck.
2. Zombie Token Era
The creation of Zombie tokens is a central mechanic linked to this particular artifact, appearing as a main supply of its fast influence and long-term strategic worth. The quantity and traits of those tokens are immediately tied to the artifact’s price and design.
-
Preliminary Board Presence
Upon getting into the battlefield, the artifact generates a particular variety of Zombie tokens. This inflow of creatures supplies a right away board presence, probably overwhelming an opponent’s defenses or offering needed blockers. The amount of tokens produced influences the artifact’s general effectiveness in aggressive or defensive methods. This fast board influence is a crucial issue.
-
Graveyard Synergies
Zombie tokens contribute to graveyard methods, enabling playing cards that profit from a excessive creature depend within the graveyard. Sacrifice shops or reanimation results can additional leverage these tokens for extra worth. Decks constructed round graveyard interactions regularly search out playing cards that effectively populate the graveyard, making this artifact a possible inclusion. The zombie sort permits the cardboard to synergize with a number of different playing cards within the deck.
-
Attrition Warfare
The technology of a number of tokens permits a method of attrition, the place the participant step by step overwhelms the opponent with a continuing stream of creatures. Even when the tokens are simply handled individually, the sheer quantity can pressure an opponent’s sources, ultimately resulting in a good board state. This tactic is especially efficient in opposition to management decks that depend on single-target removing. Steady stress makes it troublesome for slower decks to catch up.
-
Vulnerability to Mass Removing
The reliance on a number of tokens makes the artifact prone to mass removing spells. An opponent with a board wipe can negate the artifact’s fast influence, probably turning the tempo benefit of their favor. Gamers deploying this card have to be cautious of the opponent’s potential responses and take into account holding again sources or taking part in round removing spells. You will need to be conscious of different playing cards within the meta.
The Zombie tokens generated by this artifact function each a software for fast board management and a useful resource for longer-term strategic performs. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of this mechanic is essential for evaluating the artifact’s general effectiveness and developing decks that may maximize its potential.
3. Legendary Artifact Standing
The designation as a Legendary Artifact considerably influences the cardboard’s strategic deployment and deck-building issues. This standing imposes inherent restrictions and amplifies the cardboard’s significance when current on the battlefield.
-
Deck Building Limitation
The “Legendary” supertype restricts a deck to together with just one copy of this artifact. This singleton restriction impacts deck consistency, requiring gamers to contemplate various methods or card draw mechanics to reliably entry the artifact. A participant can not merely embody a number of copies to make sure its availability.
-
Uniqueness on the Battlefield
The Legendary standing dictates that just one occasion of this card might be current on the battlefield beneath a single participant’s management. If a participant manages to carry a second copy into play, usually by way of copying results, the “legend rule” forces them to decide on one to maintain, sacrificing the opposite to the graveyard. This necessitates cautious consideration of copy results and various recreation plans.
-
Amplified Goal for Removing
Given its inherent energy and the only copy restriction, the artifact turns into a high-priority goal for opposing removing spells. Opponents are incentivized to get rid of it rapidly, understanding that the participant can not merely substitute it with one other copy from their deck. This heightens the significance of defending the artifact by way of counterspells or different defensive measures.
-
Taste and Lore Significance
The Legendary standing additionally underscores the artifact’s significance throughout the narrative context. It signifies that the merchandise is a novel and highly effective object of nice historic or magical significance, aligning with the artifact’s origin inside Dungeons & Dragons lore. This connection enhances the cardboard’s enchantment to gamers who admire the thematic features of the sport.
The Legendary Artifact standing, due to this fact, will not be merely a label however a defining attribute that shapes how the artifact is performed, countered, and perceived throughout the broader context of Magic: The Gathering and its connection to the Dungeons & Dragons universe. This influences each strategic and flavorful components surrounding the cardboard.
4. Adventures within the Forgotten Realms
Adventures within the Forgotten Realms represents a big departure for Magic: The Gathering, being the primary standard-legal set to completely embrace the Dungeons & Dragons mental property. Its mechanics and taste are deeply intertwined with established D&D lore, immediately influencing the design and thematic resonance of playing cards just like the artifact in query.
-
Setting Integration
Adventures within the Forgotten Realms introduced the enduring D&D setting to Magic: The Gathering, that includes places, characters, and creatures acquainted to D&D gamers. This integration supplied a framework for the artifact’s inclusion, grounding it inside a recognizable and established world. For instance, places such because the Underdark and characters reminiscent of Drizzt Do’Urden are represented throughout the set, enriching the taking part in expertise.
-
Thematic Resonance
The artifact’s inclusion in Adventures within the Forgotten Realms advantages from the set’s general thematic give attention to journey, dungeon delving, and the conflict between good and evil. This context amplifies the artifact’s narrative weight, emphasizing its position as a supply of corruption and darkish energy. Different playing cards within the set, reminiscent of these depicting heroic adventurers or terrifying monsters, contribute to this thematic tapestry.
-
Mechanic Alignment
The mechanics launched or emphasised in Adventures within the Forgotten Realms, reminiscent of venturing into dungeons or rolling cube, are mirrored in some card talents throughout the set, creating synergistic gameplay. This implies the artifact matches inside a bigger system of mechanics designed to evoke the D&D expertise. The dice-rolling mechanic, as an illustration, can affect the end result of sure spells and talents, including a component of likelihood and unpredictability.
-
Loreful Depiction
The set goals to faithfully signify components from D&D lore. The artifact card is one such effort, reflecting its position as a particularly highly effective and corrupting relic. Different artifacts from D&D, spells and characters are likewise represented. The inclusion of playing cards that mirror this lore ensures followers can join with the D&D taste.
The artifact’s presence in Adventures within the Forgotten Realms will not be arbitrary however reasonably a fastidiously thought of inclusion that leverages the set’s thematic framework, mechanics, and dedication to representing the Dungeons & Dragons universe. This integration enhances the cardboard’s enchantment and contextualizes its energy inside a broader narrative.
5. Black Shade Id
The black coloration identification inside Magic: The Gathering aligns profoundly with the character and implications of the artifact card. This alignment manifests by way of the cardboard’s mechanics, taste, and strategic position inside black-aligned decks, reflecting core ideas related to the colour.
-
Embracing Energy By way of Any Means
Black, in Magic: The Gathering, is characterised by a willingness to pursue energy at any price, together with sacrificing sources, life, or morality. The artifact card exemplifies this precept by way of its potent talents, typically requiring important useful resource funding or resulting in morally questionable outcomes throughout the recreation’s narrative. It permits the participant to sacrifice their very own life for a strong benefit.
-
Reanimation and Graveyard Manipulation
A key side of black’s identification is its mastery over dying and the manipulation of the graveyard. The artifact, typically producing Zombie tokens or facilitating graveyard synergies, immediately displays this attribute. These tokens might be sacrificed for additional acquire or reanimated for continued board presence, exemplifying black’s tendency to take advantage of dying as a useful resource.
-
Self-Curiosity and Ruthless Effectivity
Black prioritizes self-interest and effectivity, typically exploiting weaknesses in opponents whereas ruthlessly pursuing its personal targets. The artifact card’s capacity to create an amazing board presence or disrupt opponent methods aligns with this theme. The participant goals to maximise their very own benefit, even when it means sacrificing different sources or resorting to underhanded ways.
-
Corruption and Darkish Affect
Black is commonly related to corruption, darkish magic, and the subversion of pure order. The artifact, deriving from the Dungeons & Dragons artifact, embodies this side by way of its inherent connection to vile and malevolent forces. Its presence on the battlefield represents a corrupting affect, probably resulting in the participant’s descent into darker methods and ways. It’s a darkish presence of corruption.
The artifact card’s seamless integration with black’s coloration identification underscores its suitability inside black-aligned decks and reinforces the colour’s core ideas of energy, self-interest, and manipulation of dying. Its thematic resonance and mechanical alignment solidify its place as a strong illustration of black’s strategic and philosophical underpinnings inside Magic: The Gathering.
6. Graveyard Synergies
Graveyard synergies signify an important side of evaluating the strategic worth of the artifact. The flexibility to work together with playing cards within the graveyard opens strategic choices and enhances the artifact’s general energy.
-
Token Sacrifice for Worth
The Zombie tokens generated by the artifact function expendable sources that may be sacrificed to activate talents of different playing cards. Sacrifice shops, reminiscent of Carrion Feeder or Viscera Seer, can rework these tokens into incremental benefits, like +1/+1 counters or scrying results. This turns the preliminary board presence right into a steady supply of worth past mere blocking or attacking. For instance, sacrificing a token to Carrion Feeder grows the Feeder whereas concurrently fueling graveyard-based methods.
-
Reanimation Targets
The Zombie tokens created by this artifact turn into prime targets for reanimation spells. Playing cards like Reanimate or Animate Lifeless can carry these tokens again from the graveyard, successfully doubling the artifact’s preliminary influence. This creates a resilient board state that’s troublesome for opponents to dismantle utterly. In decks targeted on reanimation methods, the artifact turns into a key engine for producing recursive threats.
-
Gas for Graveyard-Primarily based Spells and Skills
The Zombie tokens contribute to the graveyard depend, enabling different graveyard-dependent spells and talents. Playing cards that scale in energy based mostly on the variety of creatures within the graveyard, reminiscent of Lord of Extinction, profit immediately from the tokens generated by the artifact. The tokens primarily act as gasoline, empowering different playing cards throughout the deck to realize better results. This creates a synergistic relationship the place every card amplifies the facility of the others.
-
Enabling Threshold Results
Sure playing cards require a particular variety of playing cards within the graveyard to unlock extra talents or results. The presence of the Zombie tokens generated by the artifact helps to realize these threshold circumstances extra rapidly and reliably. For example, a card requiring seven or extra playing cards within the graveyard positive factors entry to its enhanced capacity sooner, because of the extra creature playing cards supplied by the artifact. This enables gamers to entry highly effective results earlier within the recreation, probably gaining a decisive benefit.
The graveyard synergies related to the artifact lengthen past mere token technology. They allow a fancy net of strategic interactions, turning the graveyard right into a invaluable useful resource and amplifying the general effectiveness of the deck. These synergies are key to realizing the artifact’s full potential and solidifying its position as a potent risk.
7. Board Management Potential
The artifact card gives substantial board management potential, primarily by way of its fast token technology and its capability to allow additional controlling methods. This potential is a key consideration in evaluating its general influence on a recreation of Magic: The Gathering.
-
Preliminary Board Presence as Protection
The fast creation of Zombie tokens supplies a defensive bulwark in opposition to aggressive methods. These tokens can be utilized to dam incoming assaults, stalling the opponent’s momentum and offering time for the participant to develop their long-term recreation plan. The variety of tokens created dictates the effectiveness of this preliminary protection, probably neutralizing early threats and stopping important harm.
-
Attrition Warfare and Useful resource Denial
The fixed stream of Zombie tokens permits a method of attrition, slowly depleting the opponent’s sources and hindering their capacity to determine a dominant board presence. Even when the tokens are simply handled, their repeated look forces the opponent to expend removing spells or dedicate creatures to blocking, diverting sources from extra proactive performs. This incremental benefit can step by step shift the sport within the participant’s favor.
-
Sacrifice Retailers for Management
The Zombie tokens function available fodder for sacrifice shops, enabling management over the board by way of results reminiscent of creature removing or life drain. Playing cards that enable the participant to sacrifice creatures for focused removing or harm can successfully neutralize opposing threats whereas concurrently advancing their very own recreation plan. This versatility supplies choices for each offense and protection, permitting the participant to adapt to altering board states.
-
Synergy with Removing Spells
The artifact pairs successfully with removing spells to determine and preserve board management. The tokens can be utilized to defend in opposition to early threats, whereas removing spells get rid of bigger or extra problematic creatures. This mix permits the participant to step by step clear the board, leaving solely their very own creatures intact. Decks that mix token technology with environment friendly removing spells are sometimes able to shutting down opposing methods and dictating the tempo of the sport.
These sides spotlight the artifact’s important contribution to board management. Its capacity to generate tokens, coupled with its synergies with sacrifice shops and removing spells, positions it as a potent software for disrupting opposing methods and dictating the stream of the sport. The extent of management it supplies drastically influences its effectiveness and strategic worth.
8. Loreful D&D Connection
The artifact card represents a direct translation of a big artifact from the Dungeons & Dragons universe into the Magic: The Gathering card recreation. This connection supplies depth and resonance for gamers aware of D&D lore, whereas additionally informing the cardboard’s mechanics and strategic position.
-
The Artifact’s Origin and Nature
The artifact card is a illustration of a strong and malevolent artifact present in D&D. This artifact, throughout the D&D setting, is a repository of forbidden data and darkish magic, able to corrupting those that work together with it. Within the card recreation, that is mirrored by way of the associated fee and results related to the cardboard, indicating the hazards inherent in wielding such energy. For instance, the cardboard’s black mana identification and potential for producing Zombie tokens align with the corrupting nature of the artifact throughout the D&D setting. This interprets a key factor of the artifact right into a playable format.
-
Alignment with the D&D Cosmology
The cardboard’s alignment with the darker features of the D&D cosmology, such because the Outer Planes related to evil deities and demonic forces, informs its design and strategic purposes. The technology of Zombie tokens, as an illustration, might be seen as a illustration of necromantic powers which are central to many evil characters and factions inside D&D lore. This factor of alignment enhances the thematic consistency of the cardboard.
-
Affect on Card Mechanics
The loreful connection immediately influences the cardboard’s mechanics. The excessive mana price, as an illustration, represents the issue and hazard related to accessing and wielding the artifact’s energy. The creation of Zombie tokens symbolizes the corrupting affect of the e book, because it twists life into undeath. The playing cards results immediately mirror this origin.
-
Narrative Integration throughout the Magic Storyline
The cardboard’s inclusion throughout the Adventures within the Forgotten Realms set permits it to turn into half of a bigger narrative framework that integrates components from D&D into the Magic multiverse. This integration enhances the cardboard’s thematic enchantment and supplies alternatives for additional exploration of its loreful connections. By drawing upon established D&D characters, places, and occasions, the cardboard enriches the general taking part in expertise.
These sides collectively spotlight the depth and significance of the artifact card’s connection to D&D lore. It isn’t merely a superficial reference however reasonably a deliberate and punctiliously thought of integration that enhances the cardboard’s strategic and thematic resonance. By drawing upon the established lore of D&D, the cardboard gives a novel and fascinating expertise for gamers aware of each universes.
9. Metagame Impression
The metagame, encompassing the prevailing deck archetypes, card selections, and strategic approaches inside a given format of Magic: The Gathering, profoundly influences the viability and strategic relevance of particular playing cards. The artifact card is topic to those dynamic forces, experiencing fluctuations in playability contingent upon the dominant traits throughout the metagame.
-
Management Deck Viability
The prevalence and success of management decks considerably influence the artifact’s playability. Management decks, characterised by their give attention to neutralizing threats and establishing late-game dominance, present a super atmosphere for high-cost, high-impact playing cards. In metagames the place management decks are dominant, the artifact can function a potent finisher, overwhelming opponents with its token technology and establishing a decisive board presence. Conversely, in aggressive metagames, the place video games are determined rapidly, the artifact’s excessive mana price might render it too gradual and unwieldy.
-
Mana Ramp Prevalence
The prevalence of mana ramp methods, which speed up mana manufacturing to allow the early casting of high-priced spells, additionally shapes the artifact’s metagame influence. If mana ramp is broadly adopted and efficient, the artifact might be deployed earlier, mitigating its inherent tempo loss and maximizing its disruptive potential. Decks able to persistently casting the artifact on flip 4 or 5, for instance, acquire a big benefit. Nevertheless, if mana ramp methods are suppressed by countermagic or aggressive decks, the artifact’s viability diminishes.
-
Graveyard Hate
The extent to which graveyard hate playing cards are current within the metagame immediately influences the effectiveness of methods counting on graveyard synergies. If playing cards that exile graveyards or stop graveyard interactions are generally performed, the artifact’s token technology and reanimation potential are considerably curtailed. Opponents can disrupt the artifact’s recreation plan by eradicating its Zombie tokens from the graveyard or stopping their reanimation. This necessitates cautious consideration of metagame traits and the inclusion of countermeasures in opposition to graveyard hate.
-
Aggro Velocity
The velocity of the dominant aggro decks within the meta is likely one of the largest elements. If aggro decks are capable of obtain game-ending situations earlier than the mana to solid is generated or earlier than it may possibly influence the board then it’s unlikely to see play. Decks have to be teched to outlive in opposition to a quick and brutal meta.
The artifact card’s metagame influence is a fancy and dynamic phenomenon, influenced by a confluence of things starting from management deck viability to mana ramp prevalence and graveyard hate. Its place throughout the metagame will not be static however reasonably shifts in response to evolving traits and strategic diversifications. This necessitates a steady analysis of its strengths and weaknesses in mild of the prevailing metagame circumstances.
Steadily Requested Questions
The next part addresses frequent queries concerning the artifact, aiming to make clear its performance, strategic implications, and associated lore.
Query 1: What precisely does it do upon getting into the battlefield?
Upon getting into the battlefield, the artifact generates a predetermined variety of Zombie tokens. These tokens are creatures with a particular energy and toughness, they usually enter the battlefield beneath the management of the artifact’s controller. The variety of tokens generated is outlined by the cardboard textual content.
Query 2: Can the Zombie tokens be sacrificed for different results?
Sure, the Zombie tokens might be sacrificed to activate different playing cards’ talents or results. These tokens perform as every other creature and are eligible for sacrifice if the scenario calls for. This makes them versatile sources throughout the deck’s technique.
Query 3: How is its energy degree perceived in aggressive codecs?
The artifact’s energy degree in aggressive codecs is topic to metagame circumstances. Its excessive mana price makes it much less viable in quick, aggressive environments. Nevertheless, in slower, control-oriented codecs, it may be a strong finisher if the participant can persistently generate the required mana.
Query 4: What’s the significance of its being a Legendary Artifact?
Its Legendary standing dictates that just one copy of the cardboard might be on the battlefield beneath a single gamers management. This restriction impacts deck development and strategic deployment, as a second copy in hand turns into redundant till the primary is eliminated.
Query 5: How does this card relate to the Dungeons & Dragons lore?
The cardboard is a illustration of a strong artifact from the Dungeons & Dragons universe. It displays themes of darkish magic, forbidden data, and the corruption of energy. Its inclusion within the set emphasizes the crossover between the 2 universes.
Query 6: What coloration decks finest assist this artifact?
The artifact is finest suited to black-aligned decks. Black’s entry to mana ramp, graveyard synergies, and sacrifice shops enhances the cardboard’s talents. Black supplies lots of the required utilities.
In abstract, the artifact represents a potent strategic software in Magic: The Gathering, providing board presence, graveyard synergies, and a flavorful connection to Dungeons & Dragons lore. Its effectiveness is contingent upon metagame circumstances and deck development selections.
The following part transitions to sensible deck-building methods using this highly effective artifact.
Ideas
Efficient utilization requires cautious consideration of deck composition, metagame consciousness, and strategic sequencing. The next suggestions are designed to reinforce the cardboard’s effectiveness in varied Magic: The Gathering codecs.
Tip 1: Prioritize Mana Acceleration: Incorporate mana acceleration strategies, reminiscent of mana rocks (e.g., Arcane Signet, Thoughts Stone) or ramp spells (e.g., Domesticate, Kodama’s Attain). This ensures that the artifact is solid inside an inexpensive timeframe, mitigating the inherent tempo loss related to its excessive mana price. The target is to deploy the artifact earlier than opponents can set up overwhelming board presence.
Tip 2: Leverage Graveyard Synergies: Combine playing cards that capitalize on the graveyard. Reanimation spells (e.g., Reanimate, Animate Lifeless) enable for recurring worth from the Zombie tokens generated, whereas playing cards that scale with the variety of creatures within the graveyard (e.g., Lord of Extinction, Mortivore) present extra threats. Graveyard methods amplifies the influence of this card.
Tip 3: Implement Sacrifice Retailers: Embrace sacrifice shops, reminiscent of Viscera Seer or Carrion Feeder, to generate extra worth from the Zombie tokens. Sacrificing tokens can set off talents or present incremental benefits, reminiscent of +1/+1 counters or scrying results. The Zombie tokens’ utility extends past mere blocking or attacking.
Tip 4: Anticipate Removing: Pay attention to potential removing spells within the opponent’s deck. Maintain countermagic (e.g., Counterspell, Negate) or deploy the artifact when the opponent is tapped out to reduce the chance of disruption. Think about various traces of play if removing is anticipated.
Tip 5: Assess the Metagame: Consider the prevailing deck archetypes and strategic approaches within the present metagame. If management decks are dominant, the artifact can function a strong finisher. If aggressive decks are prevalent, give attention to mana acceleration and defensive measures to outlive the early recreation.
Tip 6: Optimize Shade Necessities: Guarantee a steady mana base that helps the artifact’s coloration necessities. Embrace twin lands or mana-fixing sources to persistently solid it on time. A well-balanced mana base is essential for reliably deploying the artifact.
Tip 7: Use Card Draw: Make the most of card draw to extend its consistency. Playing cards like sign up blood, Night time’s whisper, Learn the Bones and different card draw playing cards will enable this to be drawn with increased frequency.
By implementing these methods, gamers can maximize its effectiveness, leveraging its strengths to dominate the board and obtain victory. Strategic sequencing, deck composition, and metagame consciousness are important components for profitable utilization.
The next sections will transition to a closing overview and concluding remarks concerning this potent artifact and its position on the earth of Magic: The Gathering.
Conclusion
This exploration of e book of vile darkness mtg has illuminated its key traits: its excessive mana price, Zombie token technology, legendary standing, connection to Adventures within the Forgotten Realms, black coloration identification, graveyard synergies, board management potential, D&D lore integration, and metagame influence. Understanding these sides supplies a complete perspective on its strategic worth inside Magic: The Gathering.
The strategic utility of e book of vile darkness mtg is contingent upon skillful deck development and cautious adaptation to the prevailing metagame. Additional evaluation and continued exploration by the participant base are needed to completely notice the cardboard’s potential. The cardboard embodies the spirit of strategic pondering that defines the sport.
