#rorix bladewing

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Rorix Bladewing

In the smoldering ashes of Shiv, a few dragons strive to rebuild their native land. The rest seek any opportunity to restore the broken pride of their race.

Artist: Darrell Riche TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[haaaaaaaaaaaave-you-met-ted]

Bladewing, Deathless Tyrant by Antonio J. Manzanedo

[dragonsofdominia]

Identifying Dragons: Shiv and Bogardan

Shiv and, to a lesser extent, Bogardan, are some of the strongest sources of red mana on Dominaria. Covering these landmasses are mountains and volcanoes. Heat is everywhere, springing from the deep, flowing through the land, filling the skies, and radiating into the surrounding waters. As hostile as these places are, many creatures call these lands home.

Shiv by rk post

Among these creatures are the plane's dragons, asserting their authority with muscle and wing and flame.

What to Expect

The undisputed master of the mountains of Shiv.

Shivan Dragon by Donato Giancola

The dragons of Shiv and Bogardan do not really have very distinguishable features when compared to the dragons of other planes. They appear as the archetypical dragon - leathery wings, scaly hide, long necks and longer tails, horns, and a breath of fire that incinerates everything. Details will differ from dragon to dragon. Some may have red scales, others may have green. Some might have horns, others might have none at all.

Fighting for Honor

In an attempt to restore pride to Shiv and to forge an undying legacy, Rorix traveled far to compete for glory in Otaria's Grand Coliseum.

Rorix Bladewing by Clint Cearley

A large part of Shiv was lost during the Phyrexian Invasion, phased out during the war. Some dragons tried to restore their homeland, but others tried to find ways to restore their honor. Rorix Bladewing was one of the latter. He flew to Otaria and fought in the pits. His speed and power brought him in line with other champion pit fighters. He died in battle, but was eventually reanimated as Bladewing the Risen.

He was a very fast flyer with four wings. He had a long body, with a head full of sharp teeth. He had long sharp claws, and his body was covered with red scales. 

Dangers

A dragon's scale can be carved into a mighty shield, provided you can procure a dragon tooth to cut it.

Shivan Hellkite by Kev Walker

Breath weapon: fire

The dragons of Shiv are perhaps the most well-known among the dragons of the Multiverse. They rule the skies with their fire and ferocity. They can burn their enemies with dragonfire, tear them with their sharp claws, and sweep them away with their wings and tails. 

However, Shivan dragons are not merely unthinking beasts. At least once in their history they have been rallied as an army, defending Dominaria and their homeland. They've had an unstable relationship with the viashino of Shiv, sometimes acting as allies and other times enemies.

Sometimes an eruption in Shiv produces something more dangerous than a mere river of molten rock.

Volcanic Dragon by Chris Rahn

Some dragons have hides so tough only their teeth can pierce through them. Other dragons reside within volcanoes, lying in wait until they decide to finally spring into action. The viashino and goblins can be threatening, but many would agree that dragonfire is worse.

Cleansing the world, one breath at a time. 

Bogardan Hellkite by Scott M. Fischer

Bogardan is as inhospitable and unpredictable as Shiv. The creatures that inhabit it are as volatile as the land, and the dragons that fly through its ash-filled skies are no different. Bogardan hellkites are dangerous the instant you see them - unpredictable, fast on their wings, and quick to burn with their flame.

I will not question whatever purpose you have for going through these lands. Whether to uncover relics, speak with the locals, or to gather mana for some intense spell, great care should be taken not to disturb or to attract the attention of these mighty beasts. These are hardy creatures used to living on some of the most unforgiving of environments, and unless you have a trick up your sleeve, they will overcome you before you overcome them.

[sabinmoon]

According to Magic the Gathering, these two creatures are the same being. I don't think I've seen a greater gains in all my life

[wolkemesser]

Newest addition to the Night King’s army right here

[durzawalker]

Dropping the Ball on Dragon Bones

Way back when, before WotC took us on a serious tour of the Multiverse, we were given one last look on Dominaria (for now) with the Mirari's Saga. It concluded with the Scourge set, a snapshot that showed us the transformations caused by the Mirari's magical energies on creature races. Immediately the discussion focused on bringing Dragons into the set, given their popularity as big, flying monsters in the game.

What began as an attempt to make a "cool" Dragon Lord design resulted in the skeletal horror Commanders know as Bladewing, The Risen today.

Once a Shivan dragon, eager to bring the glory of his victories from the Cabal Pit Fights, Rorix Bladewing died a terrible death in battle. The Cabal was not finished with this noble creature, and resurrected his massive bones for their own ends.

Kev Walker's bony Bladewing is awesome, showing the majesty, or what's left, of this once fearsome dragon. This depiction however was at odds with the context of the Onslaught block, as there were no Skeletons featured in it, only Zombies.

Skinned-tattered wings and tongue aside, Bladewing was more reanimated bone than flesh. It made no sense why the Creative Team gave this picture the final approval for the set, aside from a suggestion from Creative Director Brady Dommermuth for a "skeletal dragon".

Years later, the Grand Creature Update appropriately errataed him from "Dragon Legend" to "Zombie Dragon". Yet the From the Vault Reprint kept the same art. This was the right time to give Bladewing a corpsy makeover, and they blew it. So much for keeping it premium.

Compare Bladewing to another awkwardly-labeled legend Skithiryx (by Chippy), a corpsey dragon compleated by Phyrexia to spread plague with his very exhalation.

Though you can't admire the intricate design of Skithiryx's frame from this composition, you can see he's more Zombie than Skeleton. Granted, the contaminating properties of a Skeleton isn't apparent if its sourced in the bone marrow (or dangling from its exposed guts), Chippy could have made Skithiryx look bonier.