#lordofgeeks

[markrosewater]

Point relevant to the Mary Sue discussion: I (and a number of critics I follow) feel like it's a overused term as it's one nebulously defined enough to be able to be used on any character one doesn't like. For example: certain folks use the term on Rey from TFA and Diane from Wonder Woman, when both characters have serious character based flaws that effect plot. Where they are right is that these characters (and Jace for that matter) are audience ciphers, but flawless they are not.

I have stated many times that I believe Jace's popularity (and remember in our market research he crushes the competition as the most popular planeswalker) is due in a big part to his ability to be a player stand-in.

I just don't believe he is written as an infallible character that can do no wrong.

[markrosewater]

Would a Planeswalker ultimate that got rid of opponent's emblems ever be considered?

Usually Ultimates greatly increase your ability to win the game, so it seems like a poor ultimate.

[markrosewater]

I personally like Dwarves in white, but I think monowhite is a bit weird, since while Dwarves in fantasy are traditionally loyal and steadfast, they're equally passionate and cantakerous. Have you guys considered doing them like Werewolves and associating them with a color pair? I think they'd be perfect as the "red-white" tribe, given their passion for artifice, battle, and general flavor.

I agree that Red/White feels best.

[markrosewater]

I'm not arguing that a lot of media isn't protagonist-centric, but it doesn't have to be. The anime Bacanno is an example of a show that focuses on a large ensemble rather than a small group of primary characters, telling a range of short stories that forms an eventual whole. In the west anthology shows like Twilight Zone did perfectly fine without reoccurring characters (Rod Sterling aside) and the success of UK'sBlack Mirror has shown that there is still appetite for that kind of storytelling.

Meanwhile 95+% of mass media properties do it our way.

Note that we do have a large cast and do change up our protagonists from story to story so we're already closer to what you're talking about than most.

[markrosewater]

Why don't you guys do colored artifacts more often? I know it's Esper's thing, but they usually play well.

It's an issue of not pulling artifacts too far from their identity. Every once in a while when it flavorfully makes sense is okay, but we feel it needs to be a rare thing.

[markrosewater]

RE: No UR Artificer Commander from Kaladesh block. I understand the "not enough space, can't pander to specific subgroup" argument, but as someone who has wanted to build this deck for approaching two years, this is really starting to feel like the lack of a Damnation reprint in that the same argument was brought up for the next most obvious set, C15. Putting that aside, what's the difference between this situation and the one with Arlinn Kord/Ulrich? Why could that work and not here?

The absence of a legendary Werewolf in Innistrad block, allowed the voice for players who wanted a legendary Werewolf to focus all at the same time and be loud.

The desire for a U/R artificer didn't reach that level of volume until we announced Kaladesh which was too late for us to react to it.

[markrosewater]

While I'm perfectly fine with Iskanah not showing up, I'm less cool with Gisa and Geralf not getting an EMA story. We've been following them since Innistrad and them actually coming together (in their grudging way) is a big moment whose absence disappointed this dedicated Vorthos. Since the main story has become about Walkers, has Wizards considered making a second story column to cover Plane-centric tales? (You could even bring back the name "Uncharted Realms to differentiate from Jace stories)

If you said to me that you wanted more new cards, I'd respond that new cards require resources and that while I know players would love additional new cards, I don't want to produce cards at anything but the highest level of quality. With the resources I have available, there's a cap on what I can produce at the quality that I deem acceptable. The story team would say the exact same thing about stories.

[skullaton]

Your lie in April was pain. That's not really question, but a comment.

you’re welcome for the heartbreak? :D