So was Giada a human with angelic ancestry and she was able to transform when she got old enough? Or was she an angel the whole time and was born to humans cause maybe that happens sometimes? (Maybe if the parents consumed enough Halo??)
Was Elspeth glowing faintly because she is the same thing as Giada (and could rejoin the angels someday?) OR just because she was close to Giada? .... no it's gotta be the first right, cause Vivien said her hand tingled after grabbing Elspeth's wrist.
Is there a good spot to read up on Elspeths canon lore??? I want a spark story now D:
“@jay13x I know all the important creative decisions have already been made, but for whatever it's worth to @wizards_magic, the @Russo_Broth
In a Twitter thread earlier today, I share a list of things I would LOVE to see in the upcoming @wizardsmagic animated series that the Russo Brothers will be working on for @netflix.
(One of the most important is, of course, a voice acting cameo by @markrosewater at some point in the series.)
What do you think of this list? What do the rest of you want to see? Thoughts and commentary very much appreciated!!
Things I was sorta holding a small hope for in Hour of Devastation because thematically it could make some sense based on what we’ve seen in the previous set: a drake lord.
Things I was very much not expecting but we got anyways: a horse lord???
I mean don’t get me wrong, I’ll take it (and probably put it in my token edh) but like...
my small army of little drake tokens are looking for a leader
Okay so I want to preface this by saying this isn’t anything against Ajani in the Gatewatch, The Gatewatch itself or anything to do with Magic. This is entirely just my opinion on the matter and it is just about what I personally feel on the matter.
Long story short, I don’t think Ajani should have joined The Gatewatch during Kaladesh block. I feel it was too soon to add another member to the Super Team and that it was a poor way to establish our new group of do gooders.
Now while the Gatewatch is often closely compared to The Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe I actually will be comparing them more to The Power Rangers because I 1). Like them more and 2). Power Rangers follows a similar basic structure to what happened to The Gatewatch.
Long story long, Power Rangers features a team of (usually) 5 super powered (sometimes) teenagers battle an alien, or monstrous or demonic and their legions of followers in order to protect humanity. It’s a concept that’s worked for over twenty years and sells toys to this day.
Now, in Power Rangers new members will assuredly join the Rangers in order to help them combat the alien, monster, demon threat. And in (most) good iterations of the show the first ranger to join the team past 5 members joins around abouts halfway through the season. I find halfway through the season to be the best because it’s long enough to establish a status quo but not so long that the original team feel boring.
This status quo is important because the 6th ranger will almost always arrive to save the Rangers from imminent death. When the extra ranger comes in too early it ruins a lot of the intrigue for the mid-season climax and too late can ruin the reveal due to viewer apathy towards the concept. (Remember this is a show targeted at kids)
While I accept that as a show for children Power Rangers primary goal is to shill merchandise the same can be said for the Magic Story being used to shill packs. So where is the comparison I’m drawing and why does it matter you ask? Well, I’m about to tell you.
As far as I’m concerned Ajani joined The Gatewatch much too soon. I had no doubt that he would join at some point since he’s a good guy and I’m under the assumption that they’ll all join at some point. (Which is another rant for another day.) Ajani however became a member in the second block since the Gatewatch came together. Now that’s where the status quo comes in. No true status quo could be established because there was no time to establish one.
In the two stories before Kaladesh we had The Gatewatch Assembles and Kills Two Essentially Gods. Followed by The Gatewatch Imprisons What is Essentially Another God but is Also Stronger than the Previous Two. However the two stories were extraordinarily different in both theme and characters involved. Liliana wasn’t even in BfZ block but she gets a pass for being added because we always knew she would have to join The Gatewatch in order to be in the story. This means our team was finalised during SOI block, specifically the second set Eldritch Moon. This means that the actual status quo never got established. The team as we thought it would be only came together at the end of Eldritch Moon.
So this means Ajani met The Gatewatch within three months real time of them forming and joined them in SIX MONTHS of real time. We got not time for our central characters to grow and form a bond as a team before we got yet another shakeup. As I said before, introducing new characters before a status quo has been established then it just ruins the tension and reveal of subsequent additions. Everybody remembers the first one most.
Onto the second point I made in my long story short, Ajani’s addition in my opinion made The GateRangers seem weaker than they had with only four members because of the nature of his arrival. Ajani showed up to help a team of 5 superheroes who had at this point gone 3 for 3 for defeating Gods who could devour planes. He had to show up to help them fight some plain ass people and some robots. The 6th Ranger would always show up at the last minute, to save the others from the most powerful threat they had ever faced! Which I guess is….. people and robots now.
And I think for me this represents a danger for Magic’s story that Power Rangers has been oh so guilty of in recent years. Getting a power up every time something even slightly difficult appears. For every incrementally more difficult enemy. The Power Rangers got an exponentially more powerful upgrade. It’s made for boring story telling and a lack of tension anywhere.
That’s just my two cents though. I really truly love Magic and it’s story and this is honestly more of a small gripe that I’ve just had stewing for months. And if you disagree that’s great! I’m just one person, and I am by no means the be all and end all of this community.
Top 10 Enchantments in Core Set 2020 that I’d like to see reprinted -within reason-
Back at it again with the hot takes. *Edit: Title hard artifacts. Clearly these are enchantments*
No honorable mentions this time...turns out there’s not a whole lot of enchantments. Also, two or in the camp of “Not really reasonable, but we’re trying”.
Let’s start.
Number 10
Listen, it was last printed in 10th edition. Next, this costs 3 black mana, and it’s a turn 4 play. So, what are we doing with this? Aristocrat decks will love this...until you realize it costs three black mana, and our “perfect” mana base, is no longer perfect. This is entirely for Commander, and it needs a reprint. Control can’t use this, and mono black decks would rather save mana up for other things. Yes, this can be a board wipe in combination with the War Liliana, but that’s a turn 6 board wipe...which does no good in a fast paced standard.
It’s $13 for no reason.
Number 9
Ok the other “Really reaching for this one”. Again, commander card. We don’t have a ton of creatures in standard that scream “Please play this with me!”. Most are etb or ltb effects. This might do some cool stuff, depending on what we see in the next few sets, but still.
It’s $18+ Please, reprint this card!
Number 8
As Wizards wants to move away from the whole “Search and shuffle effects, or at least fetch lands. There was talks about how to do land search. An effect like Abundance solves that issue, and it’s a solid card for mono green decks. Once you hit enough lands, you change it to non-land, and can get more fuel hopefully. This will also be a good test to see if this is the path Wizards wants to take with getting lands.
Number 7
It’s dumb, chaotic, unruly fun. Another great Commander card, that needs a reprint.
Some fun can be had, if Wizard’s prints up a few punishing cards. Nothing like the Pact’s. Just something that can punish both players in hilarious ways.
Also, this card is around $10, kinda dumb that doesn’t have a whole lot of applications, even in Commander.
Number 6
This does nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Just like Crucible of Worlds, in this Standard. This will do nothing for most decks at this time. Yes for anything running Green, this makes your land base “perfect”, you’re also now running a two drop enchantment that does jack all. This isn’t ramp, which is what decks would rather play.
It’s at an absurdly high $24. That’s all cause commander. Just reprint this.
Number 5
Let me hit things with the power of trees. It’s about a $1. Seriously, this makes green aggro decks much better. In a format with multiple board wipes, a bunch of effective spot removal. You might get one, at most two hits in. Even when this was in Core Set 2013 Standard, this didn’t dominate that Standard. It’s a fun card, that lets aggro decks be just a bit better.
Number 4
One of the most iconic moments for the Gate Watch. Also, deals with the 40+ Planeswalkers that will be in Standard for the next year. With the upside they’re still there for the person who played it.
More answers to planeswalkers is always a good thing.
Number 3
We don’t have Swan’s of Bryn Argoll. So there’s no combo. Next, we’re more than likely losing Crucible of Worlds. This gives Red decks a way to do something, when they dead draw lands. Having something like that is good for the format.
Number 2
Not an expensive card, but a great card against control. Punishing them for playing spells on your turn? That is just balance. Similar to Seismic Assault. Red, while great at the moment, does lose a fair number of cards. Let’s just balance against Esper, etc.
Number 1
This is barely $2, but it’s great for mono white decks. Which are already losing Benalish Marshal. Yes, Pure can be run in more than just mono white decks, but that’s ok. As we’ve seen, more control and mid-range decks are gaining more value with recent sets. The whole things makes a push for cards for more aggressive styles of play.
What do you think? What enchantments would you like to see reprinted?
Let me know below.
Next one is Artifacts.
Until next time. Thanks all for reading.
-WolftheBard
Twitter: @ WolftheBard
Twitch: WolftheBard
Greetings and salutations peeps. This week, many Magic the Gathering players will get to experience that joys that is Pre-release: War of the Spark. This set has 36 Planeswalkers, and a whole bunch of other cool stuff. As a Commander player, I’m excited. So I’m going to list my thoughts and such on the Mythics, Rares, and Uncommons (with a handful of commons). This will be broken into multiple parts. Also, these thoughts for these cards are strictly on how they impact the Commander format. Today, we’ll be looking at the 15 Mythic cards of the set!
Without further wait.
Ok, so this is not Green Sun’s Zenith. Zenith gives us ramp in the form of Dryad Arbor, this doesn’t. Now, this has a built in finisher. To pay 10, search a Craterhoof. Well one that’s magical holiday land, but it’s an almost guaranteed end for most players. I’d consider this a alt-second copy for Zenith, and it should find a home in many creature based decks.
I was going to end it here for this, but there’s more. This also reanimates. This is green reanimation. So this finds a home and is a great way for mono green decks to revive a Craterhoof, or something else. More applications, means more decks can play it.
Rating 4/5: Not the first choice for many decks, but has a small tool box that we can use.
Ok, so this card is alright. It’s a 12 mana, significantly worse Rise of the Dark Realms. While the Green Finale is a worse Zenith, it does something more. Eternity here is a worse removal spell, and unlike Realms, it only gets your creatures back from the grave. Mono black has better answers for both targeted and board removal. I don’t see too many decks needing this.
Rating 2/5. There are better options for everything this card wants to do, but if your play group doesn’t have a lot of graveyard hate, and plays low curve creatures. Maybe use this? I’d pick up a foil one, cause the art is sweet.
Oh my, this is a Decree of Justice call back. In tokens this card is great, also paying ten nets you a total of 60 power. Also, if you’re playing a competitive tokens deck, it’ll probably net you more. Paying 10 isn’t a replacement...it adds!
Not much more to say, card is great for late game, and in tokens.
Rating 5/5: Good card is good. Flavor text depicts the fear your opponents will feel. While this could have been an instant, I think it’s still a great card.
Man, red I think got one of the crazier cards here. The and/or clause is great. Just by paying 2, you can get a total value of (4) mana. Getting to ten, which is easy for Izzet decks, heck even mono-red decks. Allowing us to copy those spells twice is nuts. This is a real finisher, and if it resolves, you can probably K.O someone, if not the entire group. Yes, those spells go into exile, but we have cards like Ral, Izzet Viceroy can still utilize them.
Rating 5/5. This is what finishers should look like. That and/or clause, it’s what makes this card good. Any spell heavy deck is going to love this card.
The last Finale. A blue, sorcery-speed draw spell. Ok, so the x makes this card cost 7, not 12. Yes, we draw 10 cards, shuffle our graveyard, and have no max hand size. I think this card is good, but we have cards like Blue Sun’s Zenith, Sphinx’s Rev, all are instant-speed, with Rev gaining us life. I feel like decks that take a lot of turns will like this card, just for the no max hand size. It’s just a bit too slow. Still, it will see play in blue decks.
Rating: 3/5. While there are practical uses, there are still so many better options that can stall games, save yourself, or instant-speed. Not a bad card, but with the other options in the same budget, I’d go to those first.
First Planeswalker! Gideon deserves to be honored!
Ok, reviews...breathe... 3 mana, 4/4 that can’t die on your turn, good. The fact his +1 allows us indestructible is a great trick. Yes, lifelink and vigilance is great, but I like swinging in with a big buff creature that can’t die.
The -6 is nuts. Yes it takes three turns to get there, but this answers so many things; Eldrazi and other planeswalkers we don’t want to see.
Rating 4/5. He’s not the best White Walker, but he has his uses. Budget voltron decks can use this, and the +1 allows us to work within a frame of getting some damage in...or you know, protecting our Commander, if only on our turn.
Pick a God and Pray!
We got beef with our 5/6 with Menace. Token decks playing black...you have a new toy to draw things. Mono black decks have a card that lets them get around pacified creatures, and artifacts that they may not need anymore. As a general, it’s kinda neat that Bontu never dies really. I’d rather play Bontu in the 99, as a general it can cause people to focus their removal on us, which leads to feel bad moments.
Rating 4/5: Black has a lot of draw and sac outlets, Bontu is the best of both worlds, as a general they’re a bit slow. They shine in Aristocrat decks and the like. The reasoning for not a perfect score is, it doesn’t just end the game.
This bird gives you the word. Ok, I need to point out this is like giving everything in your deck Miracle...it’s going to be annoying that your opponent has to pause draw like a character in Yu-gi-oh, so they don’t miss a trigger and or seem like they’re cheating. I love this card. So you don’t play the card, you just show it off, and pay two less. Now I am assuming that if you draw on your opponents turn, and draw a sorcery you can still cast it on their turn. I think I’m reading that right. Still the fact you can reduce the cost, keep the drawn card. This card is a great mono-blue general, or in the 99 of spell heavy decks (Niv has a friend!) The big body on this bird means it’s not going down easy.
Rating 5/5. This card enables finishers, allows combo decks to go off early, and it’s “build around me” ability makes this a great general.
This is what Pusheen prays to. Creature based white decks, Heliod is a false prophet. Oketra is the God you’re looking for.
Ok, it does 6 damage cause of Double strike. Cool, as a general this card is ok, but the ability to make 4/4s with vigilance is nuts. Those late game early drop creatures now pack a punch. Not much to say. You play creatures? You want more creatures? Go pet this cat...or offer it up the sparks of an Elder Dragon?
Rating 5/5 Great general, great in the 99. Go for that voltron theme for whatever reason cause Oketra has double strike, or just play a bunch of low curve creatures to give you a big field.
Hello Rhonas, how are you doing? Ok, I wish it gave trample over vigilance, but I mean. It just doubles everything...and those things probably have Trample already. This is like the Green Finale. It might just be the end game right here.
Rating 4/5. If it gave trample, it would be perfect. As it stands, it’s still a great finisher. I’d probably just play them in the 99. Great finisher, if you’re looking to remove things like Over-run....or just put it in an infect heavy deck...That’s just evil.
Boar God! Ok, this here is a general. Like the other Gods, if it dies somehow, it goes to the deck. Putting out free creatures will never not be good. also 6/6 trample for five mana is amazing value. Mono-red decks, you got a good general. Any creature heavy deck that plays red. Find room for this Boar. Think of all the fun stuff you can do....like just ending the turn...you know..to keep the creature. If you want other fun stuff. Cards like Panharmonicon is going to be great with all the ETB effects. Games can end quick with Illharg. Listen, this little piggy doesn’t even need to be your commander. Playing Nikya, and just don’t feel like tapping mana? BAM! Pig~ Playing Narset? BAM! Pig~ Enjoying getting them dummy thicc creatures out on the field.
Rating 5/5: Where’s the Beef? It’s right here~
Bitch, I lived~
6 mana is ok for a 6 loyality walker. Her triggered ability is amazing. We’re in the color of sacrificing our own creatures. She has two forms of built in protection, and while her Ult takes four turns to set up, it’s worth it. This is a more fair Karn Ult, and if we get there, oh boy did something bad happen. As a general (because Planeswalkers should be generals). She’s solid. With the right cards we can get her out by turn three. Even on curve, she does everything we would want. As the 99, I do miss the ability to search for a card and the discard, but gaining board presence and drawing cards is solid.
Rating 5/5. She fits into so many decks. From mono black, to Golgari midrange, to anything that has creatures. Liliana shines so bright.
The big bad is here. You ready?
Five mana for a 4 loyality walker is ok. The static ability to have all Planeswalker abilities is great. Noting, this goes for your opponents walkers too! Yes, there’s a build around me superfriends vibe Bolas is giving off, but, let’s break him down.
His first ability is ok. The exile clause can mess with our opponents, but in Commander, we’ll lose a land and not be hurting. His second allows us to get rid of pesky cards. While not hitting artifacts or enchantments is kinda meh, it can still get rid of immediate threats. His ult is game winning, no seriously it’s in the text. I love effects that punish players for not playing their commander. Yes, this takes 5 turns (depending on if you don’t have a +2 walker out on the field). So this gives your opponents time to bring out their Commander, but Bolas is an immediate threat. Having the two of the same ability is great. Double Jace? How about Double Liliana of the Veil? Grixis walkers can really be a thing. As a general, this is flavorful. In the 99, and in the right build. This is a toolbox.
Rating 4/5. Really needs supporting walkers to make Him a “God”, but still a solid card.
Reborn into what exactly?
Ok, This really is a “Build” around me general. If we’re talking generals, Scion of the Ur-Dragon is the boss. Niv-Reborn can do some cool stuff, and the flavor of caring about the guilds is great. Even in the 99, I can’t see why you’d put him in a five color deck. Most already have better tutors/draw/etc. Niv is ok, but not really the “boss” we’re looking for in a general. Though I’ll admit, I’m going to brew him.
Rating: 2/5 Requires a heavy build around them, that doesn’t net you a winning advantage. Art is sick, and the foil will look amazing.
It’s a bird! It’s a Human! It’s uh...cool looking?
Roalesk is a neat little card. a 4/5 for 5 is solid stats for a Commander, and evasion and trample is great. The ETB to pump your guys is great and fits into already solid strategies. Ok, and when he dies you get an effect. Hm...if we send Roalesk to the Command Zone, we won’t get that effect. But, in the 99, and with a whole bunch of “Counters Matter”, this is amazing. Teaming up with Rishkar can generate a lot of mana. Also Atraxa has a new friend with all her walkers. Seriously, this set gave Atraxa so much.
Rating: 4/5 A solid card in the 99, and an ok general. Has many applications, and can win games of their LTB trigger.
Overall War of the Spark has some great Mythics, that help established decks and may diversify for some new ones. With a total of three lack luster ones, this set is gonna hold value.
Thanks for reading. In the next article, we’ll be focusing on the rares of this set! See you then!
Top 10 Instant cards in Core Set 2020 that I’d like to see reprinted -within reason-
You know the deal.
Reprints I want, that are within reason.
This time Instants.
Let’s start with the one honorable mention
Honorable Mention
Probably one of the most “Not reasonable cards” I’ve mention between all the articles. This makes creature decks pushed. While we are mostly a mid-range meta, we do have a few creature decks that would love this. Bant Mid-range, Gruul Warriors, Simic creatures. Now here’s the thing, we lose a lot of creatures come rotation. So no more Jade Lights, Wildgrowth Walkers, etc. Now this also has sway with how creatures are printed in the Standard with this card. I think we have some great answers to this card.
It’s at $13-$15, so not a super expensive Modern card, but a reprint that could open up a lot more decks.
Number 10
Honestly, this would be a great reprint. New art with the death of Gideon. Forever remembered as the one to save the Multi-verse. The price, his life.
This is a good check to all these Planeswalkers. We need this. This card is less than $5, but we could use it. All decks that want to splash black need to have an answer to the Walker Masses.
Number 9
In my last post, I mentioned how I like cards that take my opponents stuff. This is beginner friendly, and the “free cost” is so specific, so it isn’t just going to hit you turn one.I mean, it could, but what’s in standard that we want to take on turn one? Also, this doesn’t affect creature based decks, it just answers Standards Planeswalker issue. Another one of those $25+ cards. Control decks and combo decks will love this cards, and creature based decks laugh at it. Also, art of Saheeli or Vraska taking over a ship would be great.
Number 8
I promise, there’s more than just blue cards I want to see reprinted. This is a $5 cancel, but it is great against walkers, and other troublesome effects. These effects are rare *Ba-dum-tis*. Currently we have lands that gain counters, which I believe this counters. This is just overall a balanced counter spell that keeps everything in check.
Number 7
No, seriously...I have more than blue cards I want... This card is about $4, and it does so much. Your opponent is about to combo off? Just say “Final turn”. Your opponent is about to swing for game? “Just say “Stop right there”.
A great effect, at a fair price. No “lose the game” clause. Also the art is just classic.
Remember folks, just say no to turns. Doesn’t matter what someone is doing. Say “No, stop it. Get some help”.
Number 6
We have Narset’s Reversal. This essentially let’s us have the spell twice. It’s less than $1, but allows for fun spell decks. It also allows Red to have answers to “Can’t be countered”, counters, and a myriad of other things. Also, knowing that Trick before someone’s great-grandmother’s great-grandmother being born is just bad ass.
Number 5
Another answer to Planeswalkers. The added bonus of “not gaining life”, which is a great answer to those rouge Ajani Pridemate decks that run around on Arena. While Skull crack, if it loses the target, everything goes with it. This doesn’t have that burden. Also, this can deal with Walkers like Teferi, Karn, Nissa, and Liliana.
Again, we’re looking at balancing Standard. This is a fine addition to Red decks, Jeskai, and more. Also, the name is just so cool.
Number 4
Draw X spells are good. This is a fair card. Saw play in its Standard tenure. Not much to say. While I think this is a one of, thanks to cards like Chemister’s Insight. This allows control decks to have more options.
It’s simple and effective. A Core Sets dream.
Number 3
Can’t be countered. That’s all we need to hear. Answers aggro decks, mid-range, and can finish off a control player. Really, this is a solid card. Red is going to miss Banefire, so this is a good replacement. Seeing as we won’t see a Pyroclasm again. Not expensive in price, but it’s just nice to see again.
Number 2
Again with the can’t be countered. Awesome card for creature heavy decks, a game finisher for some. The bonus of giving a creature flash is nice. It’s a $2 card, but this puts Control in check, without having a super huge creature that they can’t deal with.
Number 1
So I love pump spells, I also really love protecting my creatures. A great combat trick. All I have to say about this.
Well that wraps up Instants. Next is artifacts, then enchantments, then lands.
I’ll be posting the rest of them tonight...seeing as how Core Set 2020 spoilers start...tomorrow.
Until next time. Thanks for reading
-WolftheBard
Twitter: @ WolftheBard
Twitch: WolftheBard
