Storytelling Time

Here to bring you in-dept assessments of MTG lore and characters

[bace-jeleren]

Technically isn't every planeswalker an isekai protagonist, with how igniting your spark usually turns out (ie: trauma leads to you jumping into a whole brand new world)?

Yeah, but Jace is the most comparable to the archetype of The Isekai Protagonist™

He's even got a small harem of people who are inexplicably attracted to him, that get spurred because they're not Best Girl

[bace-jeleren]

No shade, just facts

[bace-jeleren]

I mean, obviously

[the-foxwolf]

I return from my lurking slumber for a singular post only to return to the depths from whence I came immediately thereafter.

I think your mouse slipped there, Bace. I think you accidentally uploaded a picture of Vrazka when you referred to best girl. It's a common misconception even WotC hasn't been able to overcome.

And Tezzeret? Indeed. He is Jealous Ex(TM) to the max.

[markrosewater]

It seems like whenever you answer a complaint about how new things change the game's feel, your answer is some form of "don't play that stuff/ power down your deck". I think this is either unawareness or dismissive of the core fantasy for many players of making yourself as strong as can be without losing the fun. It’s hugely counterintuitive to many of us to intentionally nerf our decks. It's also dismissive of people who play with strangers to say "just don't play it", because someone will.

The point I keep making is that you, the player, have control over the kind of experience you encounter when playing. If you enjoy min/maxing your deck, go for it. There’s nothing wrong with being as competitive as possible *if* that’s what makes the game fun for you.

I’m just pointing out that isn’t what the game has to be. If your goal is more about enjoying the experience than getting the highest win percentage, raising your variance will most likely increase your chance of doing that. The game is often more fun for a casual player if each game doesn’t always play out the same.

Also, some players enjoy the hunt of finding the optimal card for each slot while it stresses others out. I’m trying to empower players to understand what makes the game fun for them and make decisions that lead to a better play experience.

I’m not dismissing that way you want to play; I’m just pointing out that might not be the way someone else wants to play.

[the-foxwolf]

I play primarily White decks... and 4 of my decks are between 20% to 35% angels or cards with angels. I play Magic because every game I play I get to say "Ooh, pretty angel!" I get to stomp players who routinely make fun of White and prove them wrong.

I don't care if some new mythic is incredible. If playing it inhibits or detracts from me playing my already well developed deck, or goes against my Angel theme, I just don't play it.

Doesn't mean I lose. Just means my opponents can't predict my decks - as they would if I only used the optimal cards. Not to mentioned that just because a card is not as powerful as another card - it does not mean that the alternative card is bad. Along those lines, people tend to target the loud and powerful mythics over your marginally less optimized deck element.

[hazoret]

God damn I miss mtg tumblr

[the-foxwolf]

[the-foxwolf]

It was collectively the Ixalan era when things began to decline. By the time we made it to Dominaria, the community was practically dead. Raise your hand if you know what changed? Transitions into books. Money grabbing nonsense. And they suffered for it.

They're trying to pick up. Simple stories. Well written, but uninspired. Zendikar's story was close to boring. Again. Well written. But so... bland.

Kaldheim was paper thin. An excuse to see Kaya kick ass but with hardly any substance beyond the last paragraph involving the Vorinclex.

Arcavos was simple, predictable, and bland as well. Very well written. But so... uninspiring.

Listen to the silence! It's deafening!

I'm so uninspired by the current pace, I've been digging into Warhammer. I play Magic like once a month these days because it feels like a GAME instead of a hobby now.

I wish them the best. But they've lost me. I REALLY gave them the chance to get my attention. I almost convinced myself they had. But comparing it to other Intellectual Properties, I don't know why I would bother with such uninspired storytelling.

[hazoret]

God damn I miss mtg tumblr

[the-foxwolf]

[vorthosjay]

Hello. What is the canon source which state that undead can't have a spark? Thanks

Here is an example, but it’s stated a lot that the Spark is part of the soul, so a being without a soul can’t have a spark.

https://dougbeyermtg.tumblr.com/post/52923451415/re-zombie-planeswalker-somebody-brought-it-up

Re: Zombie Planeswalker. (somebody brought it up on Maro's blog) In what way can a Walker lose their spark? Does death do it? Death does it.

[bace-jeleren]

THE PREVIEW FOR THE NEW MAGIC COMIC REVEALING THE MOST BAFFLING SHIT LIKE, HEY, KIDS, NIV WAS A ROBOT ALL ALONG

[bace-jeleren]

Check out those gears, that shining chrome finish

[thebloodricguy]

EXCUSE ME?!

[the-foxwolf]

Read the text. He was REBORN into Mizzium. That's nearly indestructible and nearly magic proof Izzet Alloy. If he became an Avatar of the Guilds in War of the Spark, then immortalizing himself in Mizzium is one hell of a statement.

[lakecountylibrary]

Bet you thought we forgot about this little project. Not so! It just took this long for staff to forget the taste of the tomato soup tuna… mold… aspic… thing.

Welcome to Eating Indiana Episode 2: Chicken-Ham Mousse! 

In this series, LCPL librarian David finds recipes from Indiana’s past and feeds them to his co-workers, who are very good sports about the whole thing.

This installment’s recipe comes from a little book called Brown County Cookery (1961). Recipe below the cut!

Keep reading

[staff]

We are impressed this series continued after the tomato soup tuna. But maybe some things in Indiana’s past should stay in Indiana’s past.

[the-foxwolf]

Staff casually destroys "Eating Indiana" ASMR.

[markrosewater]

Flavor wise, why doesn't the player go into battle with access to every spell they know, but instead a random assortment of spells they know (the hand)? And why must they rely on random spells coming into their immediate consciousness (drawing cards) rather than simply casting the spell that would be best for the situation? To me, this suggests that magic in MTG is not a perfectly controllable thing, but rather something that flows into your mind in a very unpredictable way.

There are two answers. First, it works that way because that’s what makes for the best game. Richard used magic as a flavor because it complimented his game system. He wasn’t creating a top down Magic dueling game.

Second, the flavor is that your hand is the spells you have in your active part of your brain and the library is your memory of spells. The flavor is that a magical duel is a bit chaotic and you use the spells as you think of them. Admittedly, it’s a loose interpretation.

[the-foxwolf]

It's actually not a bad comparison. In a fight, there is adrenaline and excitement and chaos. I might have learned a library's worth of spells, but they're useless if I can't think of them when I need them most.

Were this not enough, one must access mana sources, recalling the places that give them the magic for the fight. Sometimes, the panic gets to them and all they can think of is running away, escaping, going home. Sometimes, mages get so distracted trying to come up with a plan, they forget to gather the energy to do anything.

Imagine trading puns with someone. Whoever can't reply with a joke or pun loses. Eventually, people can't bring one to mind - even if they're natural born punsters (like me). Doesn't mean they aren't good at them or don't know them. Just means their brain hiccups at the wrong time.

[the-foxwolf]

Finished Episode 1 of Kaldheim.

Many thoughts. Many feelings. Phyrexia (Glory to its name) has become even more wildly terrifying than they already were. And Kaya has more guts than a mall full of abattoirs. Brave lady. Very impressive.

[jopesane]

Liliana Vess from Magic the Gathering. Drawn on Note 20 Ultra with Artflow

[the-foxwolf]

Wish I knew who the artist was to credit them.

[the-foxwolf]

I wonder if Liliana would sleep better or worse at night if no one was actively trying to kill her. Probably worse cuz it wouldn't feel right. At least if she knows, she doesn't have the anxiety.

[markrosewater]

How much room is there in Magic for a few *slightly* more adult themed cards, or even a whole set?

I think Crippling Depression and Out of Control Debt are coming out soon. : )

[the-foxwolf]

Crippling Depression - 0

Enchantment - Curse

Crippling Depression is Black

Crippling Depression can't be sacrificed

At the beginning of each phase, pay 2 mana. If you don't, skip that phase.

"Don't tell me to think happy thoughts and I'll get over it. You don't know what it's like to convince yourself you're capable of doing more than just breathing."

Out of Control Debt - 0

Enchantment - Curse

Out of Control Debt is White

Out of Control Debt can't be sacrificed

Whenever you cast a spell, counter it unless you pay its converted mana cost.

"Don't you dare call me lazy. I work two jobs and get five hours of sleep a day. The problem isn't me. It's the people who have decided that paying me is inconvenient."

[the-foxwolf]

Been a while.

Long story short, the Magic Story has captured my attention once more. I've got a few things to iron out in the distribution of my free time. But I've decided to return to the MTG community.

=)

[magical-leak]

[tibalt-the-fineblooded]

@misty-lord-of-sin

[the-foxwolf]

My proudest meme. Good to see it's still getting notes. =) Good to see Phyrexia still spreading its grand glory.

[everythingfox]

Maned wolf in Brazil

(via)

[anachronic-cobra]

I will always see maned wolves as some kind of Avatar The Last Airbender hybrid animal. Fox-deer.

[actualaster]

Oh.

Its bigger than I thought it was

[the-foxwolf]

It me!

[bace-jeleren]

Permission to be cautiously optimistic about the direction of Magic Story again?

Permission granted. That's how I'm approaching things anyway. A return to free webfiction is a good thing overall, and a story with both Jace and Nissa, who probably got shafted the most out of everyone, will definitely stand as a good example of how much the story team is going to try and course correct.

This is definitely not us saying all is forgiven, though, or that everything is suddenly okay, now. But also being negative and hostile about everything is absolutely exhausting, so like. Absolutely permission granted to be cautiously optimistic.

[moisellethefae]

Cautious optimism is exactly where I'm at right now

[the-foxwolf]

Who knows. If they can get themselves back to pre-Ixalan storytelling, I might even make a return to Tumblr.

[markrosewater]

Why do no characters share a power set in mtg except chandra and jaya? What makes them special? It seems strange that teferi can not perform every type of blue magic considering he was in school for like a thousand years for it.

It leads to a more interesting cast of characters. Also, in Magic, magic leans heavily on innate leanings.

[the-foxwolf]

Even though Jaya and Chandra both have fire based magic, Jaya's execution is radically different than Chandra's. Jaya uses fire as a precise scalpel. Chandra can overwhelm anything with her blazes. Sure, Chandra can take her time and create a stream of flame. Sure, Jaya can open her mind and force herself to release a blaze. But each leans on the Magic most innate to them. Character wise, a 'Walker's style can be enough. Such as Garruk and Viven. A lot of overlap. But the way they use their magic is distinct.