Dragon's Maze - Guild Champions Revealed!

[Lemnear]

Pictures of the ten Guild Champions for the Dragon's Maze revealed!



Azorius - Lavinia of the Tenth Update!
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141198&d=1365609465

Boros - Tajic, Blade of the Legion Update!
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141360&d=1365999403

Dimir - Mirko Vosk, Mind Drinker
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141239&d=1365680930

Golgari - Varloz, the Scar-Striped Update!
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141221&d=1365653080

Gruul - Ruric-Thar, The Unbowed Update!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9XcLORB-Yo/UU5WjjLnXWI/AAAAAAAATO4/FcRmcPOTiNw/s1600/DGM+Ruric+Thar+the+Unbowed.jpg

Izzet - Melek, Izzet Paragon Update!
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141073&d=1365393743

Orzhov - Teysa, Envy of Ghosts Update!
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141176&d=1365566632

Rakdos - Exava, Rakdos Blood Witch Update!
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141188&d=1365570640

Selesnya - Emmara Tandris Update!
http://goyf.de/img/Preview/2013/DGM/Bilder/DGM-Emmara_Tandris-Pic.jpg

Simic - Vorel of the Hull Clade Update!
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141136&d=1365480307



Will be updated with the release of further info

[RJM]

Almost all the links are dead...

[Leftconsin]

Are these just arts? Salvation only seems to have mention on the Gruul guy's abilities.

[Nihil Credo]

^^^^ Yeah, there's no way they'd spoil all ten already.


http://i.imgur.com/ggJIzXz.jpg

That's one damn badass ability to be sure. You're going to need a bit more than 4 Deathrites to land it in a reasonable time-frame, though.

[Lemnear]

Almost all the links are dead...

just don't work via mobile browsers

Edit: Sources fixed

[Barook]

Ruric Thar is pretty awesome.

But what deck can actually make use of him in Legacy? Red Nic Fit?

[Zombie]

Elves

[Nihil Credo]

Ruric Thar is pretty awesome.

But what deck can actually make use of him in Legacy? Red Nic Fit?If that deck makes room for any (more) 6cc creatures they should probably be (more) Primeval Titans. Same for Loam decks.

You'd want a deck that (a) uses spells for utility/answers and not to keep the deck running, and/or (b) is sufficiently aggressive that you can expect the opponent to be at, say 12 life or less when Ruric drops.

Some twist on Jund seems the most obvious candidate (and therefore probably the wrong one), it would need a way to stretch the mana curve up juuuust a bit without diluting the deck with pure ramp crap, or making Bob unplayable. A card like Koth of the Hammer comes to mind - ritual if you got fatties, board presence if you don't - but it's probably not good enough.

Thinking more out of the box: how's the all-creatures fuck-noncreatures gimmick deck coming along? Thalia/Teeg/Glowrider for taxing, Heartwood Storyteller for drawing, Animar, Soul of the Elements for ramping (and resilient beating), now Ruric Thar. We've got to be getting close.

[jjjoness']

I really want to play RG in Commander right now. Mother of God, that dude is awesome. 8)

[TheArchitect]

Ruric Thar is pretty awesome.

But what deck can actually make use of him in Legacy? Red Nic Fit?

He probably will be decent in Jund nic fit. Besides prime titan, the other options they have for efficient green 6 drops arent very strong (broodmate dragon). This guy would probably suck against any deck with KotR, but wreck control. Its win more, but stick him against a combo or tempo deck and you win.

[Barook]

Thinking more out of the box: how's the all-creatures fuck-noncreatures gimmick deck coming along? Thalia/Teeg/Glowrider for taxing, Heartwood Storyteller for drawing, Animar, Soul of the Elements for ramping (and resilient beating), now Ruric Thar. We've got to be getting close.
Non-creature taxing is terribly inefficient against other creature decks - and there are quite a few in Legacy. Lodestone Golem, however, would wreck everyone's shit if there was a decent way to power him out early on a regular basis.


He probably will be decent in Jund nic fit. Besides prime titan, the other options they have for efficient green 6 drops arent very strong (broodmate dragon). This guy would probably suck against any deck with KotR, but wreck control. Its win more, but stick him against a combo or tempo deck and you win.
Why not run your own KotR then? Grab a Cradle and power him out.

[Jamaican Zombie Legend]

Big Gruul Dude is basically only for EDH use. And while I'm as much for giving R/G some good mechanics and cards in that format as anyone else...I think this goes about it in entirely the wrong way. It's just another variation on the "Do something I don't like....BURN YOU!" mechanic, which is terribly boring. Not to mention, this guy is going to draw a couple tons of bubbling-red hate, given that everyone and their brother enjoys casting spells in EDH.

Also I'm disappointed that all of the guild champions, besides Teysa, are just random legends with no history. You'd think with a set all about a return to one of the most beloved settings of Magic history they would do a few more nods to older guys and gals. But Wizards hasn't failed to (mostly) disappoint in this block, so I suppose I should be unsurprised.

[RJM]

Big Gruul Dude is basically only for EDH use. And while I'm as much for giving R/G some good mechanics and cards in that format as anyone else...I think this goes about it in entirely the wrong way. It's just another variation on the "Do something I don't like....BURN YOU!" mechanic, which is terribly boring. Not to mention, this guy is going to draw a couple tons of bubbling-red hate, given that everyone and their brother enjoys casting spells in EDH.

Also I'm disappointed that all of the guild champions, besides Teysa, are just random legends with no history. You'd think with a set all about a return to one of the most beloved settings of Magic history they would do a few more nods to older guys and gals. But Wizards hasn't failed to (mostly) disappoint in this block, so I suppose I should be unsurprised.

Sums up all my thoughts pretty perfectly.

[Barook]

Wasn't Ruric Thar featured in the RtR/GTC novels as some dude being immune to every kind of magic?

[catmint]

Big dude is cool for legacy. Gives elves a reasonable Storm hate. Elves can cast Natural Order turn 2 and GSZ for x=6 turn 3 without glimpse comboing. Both much better targets than Behemoth, Progenitus and Regal Force. Storm can only beat it if they are able to bounce it within less than 1-2 spels and then go off instantly. Storm has always been a trouble matchup for elves and now you have very effective hate without dilluting the decks engine, but hate that fits into the decks engine. Also Storm has to Duress away Glimpse, Natural Order & GSZ to make sure tha “6 to the face duder” does not get online.

Elves is going to loooove him. Frees up freaking sideboard slots and I predict elves has game vs. storm now for the first time.

[Lemnear]

Big dude is cool for legacy. Gives elves a reasonable Storm hate. Elves can cast Natural Order turn 2 and GSZ for x=6 turn 3 without glimpse comboing. Both much better targets than Behemoth, Progenitus and Regal Force. Storm can only beat it if they are able to bounce it within less than 1-2 spels and then go off instantly. Storm has always been a trouble matchup for elves and now you have very effective hate without dilluting the decks engine, but hate that fits into the decks engine. Also Storm has to Duress away Glimpse, Natural Order & GSZ to make sure tha “6 to the face duder” does not get online.

Elves is going to loooove him. Frees up freaking sideboard slots and I predict elves has game vs. storm now for the first time.

Please what? I'd suggest comboing before toying with discard against elves in TES. You can even prevent shit like NO or GSZ (doubt GSZ for 6 is castable within timeframe outside winterwonderland) with Silence. This guy's only application is in NicFit to seal Games more efficient than Grave Titan.

[Malchar]

Ruric Thar doesn't even work very well with Glowrider & Co. You can't nug them for 6 if they're incapable of casting non-creature spells. I think that the problem is that the 6 damage introduces a new level of resource denial. Before, you were denying mana, now you're denying life. They don't work well together because if the 6 life is the first time you're hitting them, they'll happily pay that cost. It's like playing infect creatures with non-infect creatures. If they just play a removal spell on him, then it was basically just pay 6 to deal 6.

If you do want to play this guy, you'd want to combine it with something like pyrostatic pillar, sulfuric vortex, or maybe burning-tree shaman. You gotta put pressure on their life total and then use this guy to seal the deal. If you cast him when they're already low, you win. You can increase your range even further by also including a bunch of burn spells. Cast him when they're at 12, they remove him and go to 6, then you burn them out.

[Tao]

Please what? I'd suggest comboing before toying with discard against elves in TES. You can even prevent shit like NO or GSZ (doubt GSZ for 6 is castable within timeframe outside winterwonderland) with Silence. This guy's only application is in NicFit to seal Games more efficient than Grave Titan.

I think it is solid in Elves. Even if GSZ/NO can be prevented by Combo, it is still an improvement when compared to what they have now.

For Nic Fit I am not sure what to make of him as of now. It has promise but I do not think it will see much play. Maybe as a 1-off.
Against Aggro decks of all kinds he is bad because Nic Fit plays a lot of spells and the last thing it wants is to take 6 damage for it. And in the face of 6/7 Goyfs he looks very stupid.
Against most Control he is bad because Nic Fit doesn't apply early pressure so they can just Swords him, take the six damage and move on with their game. I'd much rather a Primeval against Control.
Against Combo it wins, but it is also very slow. Not sure if that is worth it just for that.

[Esper3k]

Ruric Thar doesn't even work very well with Glowrider & Co. You can't nug them for 6 if they're incapable of casting non-creature spells. I think that the problem is that the 6 damage introduces a new level of resource denial. Before, you were denying mana, now you're denying life. They don't work well together because if the 6 life is the first time you're hitting them, they'll happily pay that cost. It's like playing infect creatures with non-infect creatures. If they just play a removal spell on him, then it was basically just pay 6 to deal 6.

If you do want to play this guy, you'd want to combine it with something like pyrostatic pillar, sulfuric vortex, or maybe burning-tree shaman. You gotta put pressure on their life total and then use this guy to seal the deal. If you cast him when they're already low, you win. You can increase your range even further by also including a bunch of burn spells. Cast him when they're at 12, they remove him and go to 6, then you burn them out.

See, I think he's great with Glowrider/Thalia/Thorn effects. The first noncreature spell they cast is probably going to be the one that deals with him, right? So the goal should be to get to attack with him as many times as possible (since he's probably going to outclass most other creatures) before he finally gets dealt with.

[catmint]

Please what? I'd suggest comboing before toying with discard against elves in TES. You can even prevent shit like NO or GSZ (doubt GSZ for 6 is castable within timeframe outside winterwonderland) with Silence. This guy's only application is in NicFit to seal Games more efficient than Grave Titan.

TES can be fast enough, so Elves also has to run some discard or mindbreak trap. GSZ for x=6 is pretty common turn 3 without glimpse, but I suppose you don't know the deck very well, but that is not really relevant since you most likely use your GSZ for x=2 in turn 2.

Anyway your argument that with TES (btw.: there is also ANT and High tide out there) you are just faster or super disruptive with silence does not change the fact that Ruric is an upgrade to any GSZ/NO target that does not win instantly.

[Dark Ritual]

TES can be fast enough, so Elves also has to run some discard or mindbreak trap. GSZ for x=6 is pretty common turn 3 without glimpse, but I suppose you don't know the deck very well, but that is not really relevant since you most likely use your GSZ for x=2 in turn 2.

Anyway your argument that with TES (btw.: there is also ANT and High tide out there) you are just faster or super disruptive with silence does not change the fact that Ruric is an upgrade to any GSZ/NO target that does not win instantly.

So you have to pray to god that the TES player doesn't kill you turn 2 on the draw, have no discard spells for GSZ/NO, or have a bounce spell in hand or on top of their deck? No idea why you would run this guy over gaddock teeg in elves. Teeg stops combo decks coming out turn 2. Sure, they can dig for the bounce spell or decay. However, a one turn difference is ENORMOUS in terms of elves vs. TES or other combo. Ruric Thar has a really backbreacking ability to be sure, but his manacost will restrict the number of decks he can be used in. Only deck I can think of that can use him is jund nic fit, and he's just a one of in there at best.

[rufus]

At that casting cost, in legacy, the card's text needs to be tantamount to 'you win the game in two turns' or better. Otherwise it doesn't justify the effort of getting cheated into play or ramping up to cast it.

[Zombie]

So you have to pray to god that the TES player doesn't kill you turn 2 on the draw, have no discard spells for GSZ/NO, or have a bounce spell in hand or on top of their deck? No idea why you would run this guy over gaddock teeg in elves. Teeg stops combo decks coming out turn 2. Sure, they can dig for the bounce spell or decay. However, a one turn difference is ENORMOUS in terms of elves vs. TES or other combo. Ruric Thar has a really backbreacking ability to be sure, but his manacost will restrict the number of decks he can be used in. Only deck I can think of that can use him is jund nic fit, and he's just a one of in there at best.

The idea isn't to play Ruric instead of Teeg, but in addition. GSZ=>Teeg is irritating, quick and doesn't need many resources, but thus far NO is either resource-intensive or slow or puts Teeg into play which is less than impressive. NO=>Ruric makes NO a much more immediate and less resource-hungry threat, which in turn makes things like discard for slowing combo down easier to include. (Also, T2 NO hasn't been a threat thus far - T2 Ruric? Yessir.)

[catmint]

Thanks for explaining that Zombie. I already wrote that we want to play GSZ for x=2 on turn 2, but next time I will write Gaddock Teeg so even Dark Ritual gets it. :tongue: Shows he has little understanding of elves but still comes to the conclusion that "only deck he can see using Ruric is Nic Fit". As pointed out in the combo matchup Ruric is a strictly better NO target than Regal Force (not strictly but like 95% of the time) and unless you win on the spot also better than Behemoth.

[Malchar]

See, I think he's great with Glowrider/Thalia/Thorn effects. The first noncreature spell they cast is probably going to be the one that deals with him, right? So the goal should be to get to attack with him as many times as possible (since he's probably going to outclass most other creatures) before he finally gets dealt with.

True, but I don't think that he's uniquely good with glowrider. You could just run any huge creature. The only benefit is that he does 6 damage guaranteed. If you're going to play a six drop, you could play numot the devastator to really wreck their chances of casting a spell. Or you could just play inferno titan, which will do 3 damage guaranteed and at least 9 damage on each attack.

[Esper3k]

True, but I don't think that he's uniquely good with glowrider. You could just run any huge creature. The only benefit is that he does 6 damage guaranteed. If you're going to play a six drop, you could play numot the devastator to really wreck their chances of casting a spell. Or you could just play inferno titan, which will do 3 damage guaranteed and at least 9 damage on each attack.

Agreed - I just see him as pretty much getting in free 6 damage as well as protecting you from return attacks by creatures.

[Lemnear]

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=140834&d=1364838970


Varolz, the Scar-Striped

Legendary Creature — Troll warrior (R)

If Varolz, the Scar-Striped would be destroyed, regenerate it and put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Remove a +1/+1 counter from Varolz: Varolz gains deathtouch until end of turn.

"Don't let him turn his back on you."
-Grozdan, to Tajic

4/4

unconfirmed, possible april's fool, "Troll" attempt ;)

[Darkenslight]

What are the odds on that costing :2::b::g:?

[Barook]

What are the odds on that costing :2::b::g:?
The source who provided the picture said that the manacost is :2::b::g:.

[jhhdk]

Sorry for stating the obvious, but Varolz, the Scar-Striped seems good in a deck packing deeds.

[Darkenslight]

Sorry for stating the obvious, but Varolz, the Scar-Striped seems good in a deck packing deeds.

And is apparently very, very fake.

EDIT: unconfirmed Melek seems....something.

:1::u::r: for a Phantom Warrior with a Saboteur trigger of a choice of half of Electrolyze (either 2dmg divided, or cantrip).

Source here (UNCONFIRMED). (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=501717)

[Barook]

:1::u::r: for a Phantom Warrior with a Saboteur trigger of a choice of half of Electrolyze (either 2dmg divided, or cantrip).

Source here (UNCONFIRMED). (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=501717)
IF it's real, that might very well be Legacy-playable. An evasive, potential 5-turn clock that can generate massive card advantage and has AWESOME for 3 mana? Sounds good.

Main disadvantage would probably be that it dies to every Blast in addition to other common removal and being crap against Karakas.

It's also pretty awesome with equipment. Could be hilarious in a build with Grim Lavamancer and Basilisk Collar.

[Darkenslight]

Oh! And Render Silent's FNM art seems to have Melek on the artwork.

[TsumiBand]

IF it's real, that might very well be Legacy-playable. An evasive, potential 5-turn clock that can generate massive card advantage and has AWESOME for 3 mana? Sounds good.

Main disadvantage would probably be that it dies to every Blast in addition to other common removal and being crap against Karakas.

It's also pretty awesome with equipment. Could be hilarious in a build with Grim Lavamancer and Basilisk Collar.

Agree, this is quite a neat control card. Makes me wish UR Fish was still a thing.

[Arsenal]

My UWR Midrange modern deck would like this as a 2-of. But... creature type Weird? Seems fakeish.

[DragoFireheart]

My UWR Midrange modern deck would like this as a 2-of. But... creature type Weird? Seems fakeish.

http://8e8460c4912582c4e519-11fcbfd88ed5b90cfb46edba899033c9.r65.cf1.rackcdn.com/sales/cardscans/MAG_RTR/BlistercoilWeird.jpg

[TsumiBand]

http://8e8460c4912582c4e519-11fcbfd88ed5b90cfb46edba899033c9.r65.cf1.rackcdn.com/sales/cardscans/MAG_RTR/BlistercoilWeird.jpg

So this has nothing to do with anything, but I wish there was a deck with Blistercoil Weird and Kiln Fiend and a billion burn/draw spells but I strongly suspect it'd be ass.

At any rate, I love a good utility creature, so legendary Weird guy is fine by me.

[Lemnear]

I guess with Spoiler Season starting Monday afaik, I'll do some updates here the following week with better pics and such

[DragoFireheart]

So this has nothing to do with anything, but I wish there was a deck with Blistercoil Weird and Kiln Fiend and a billion burn/draw spells but I strongly suspect it'd be ass.

At any rate, I love a good utility creature, so legendary Weird guy is fine by me.

I would totally play such a deck. I love Kiln Fiend and have been looking for just the right deck to play him in.

[Barook]

Turns out the Izzet champion was fake (and the actual one isn't Legacy-playable):

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141073&d=1365393743http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141074&d=1365393826

Any uses for Ral Zarek?

Edit: Also, new split cards!

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141075&d=1365394219 http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=141076&d=1365394219 http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/dgm/tiwoirwiixix/lt4sr69zxx_EN.jpg

Beck is interesting, as it can serve as additional Glimpse of Nature copies that also works with tokens.

[Darkenslight]

You missed the 2/2 Flash Gating Azorius creature for WU. Aluren just got another toy.

And Ral goes into...something. I'm not sure what, but definitely something.

[Shawon]

You missed the 2/2 Flash Gating Azorius creature for WU. Aluren just got another toy.

It's tactically worse than Dream Stalker since it requires a target.

[TsumiBand]

It's tactically worse than Dream Stalker since it requires a target.

Is it? It appears to have a 'may' ability, in this way it could theoretically actually go in a couple different things that may just need a 2/2 with Flash for.. some.. reason..

I dunno, the option to save a dude will be super in Limited, and maybe just maybe it could matter a damn in Constructed. UW is slowly getting a bunch of spells that are basically letting you replay ETB effects, it's almost like they want us playing more D&T.

[Malchar]

Is it? It appears to have a 'may' ability, in this way it could theoretically actually go in a couple different things that may just need a 2/2 with Flash for.. some.. reason..

I dunno, the option to save a dude will be super in Limited, and maybe just maybe it could matter a damn in Constructed. UW is slowly getting a bunch of spells that are basically letting you replay ETB effects, it's almost like they want us playing more D&T.

Assuming that you want to bounce something, the fact that you have to pick the target when the ability goes on the stack makes it worse than dream stalker. If you have two imperial recruiters on the battlefield and then play a dream stalker, they can't kill the thing you bounce in response to the ability. Their only choice is to kill all of the things that you want to bounce including the dream stalker itself.

I think that the card will certainly be tested in u/w/x flash decks where you can get restoration angels and snapcasters for days. As for legacy, we already have whitemane lion. The lion is worse, but with the frequency of creature removal, are you really going to play it when you don't want to use the ability? I suppose the new card forces you to play blue though, which is probably an advantage.

[Lemnear]

Update!

[TorpidNinja]

I was so confused when Exava was spoiled this morning, thinking (based on the art) Mirko Vosk was the Rakdos champion. That art seems really out of place.

[Barook]

I just noticed that Vorel is a Human Merfolk - the fuck? :eyebrow:

[Lemnear]

I just noticed that Vorel is a Human Merfolk - the fuck? :eyebrow:

Breakdown:
- Due to Disney, 50% Fish is ok.
- Solves every Chefs dilemma: Meat or fish? It's both!
- People love speaking fishes so much "Finding Nemo" got a sequel

[Aggro_zombies]

I just noticed that Vorel is a Human Merfolk - the fuck? :eyebrow:
For the same reason Shambleshark is a Crab Fish and Crocanura is a Crocodile Frog: Simic does weird creature type combinations (though not the creature type Weird, sadly). Dude was probably a human who got spliced up with Merfolk parts at some point.

[Malchar]

I thought Merfolk were already half human, half fish. I guess a Human Merfolk is like 75% human, 25% fish?

[Lemnear]

Update

[Aggro_zombies]

EDIT: Melek only doubles spells cast from your library, making him an all-around terrible general. He's still better at that role than Tibor and Lumia, though!

Mirko Vosk was also previewed. He's not that good.

The Golgari guy is interesting, though. Scavenging a Tarmogoyf onto him could be fun, but exiling removal is still a common form of creature kill in the format.

[Lemnear]

Update

[Darkenslight]

Tajic was spoiled, and he looks to be a bomb in non-Eternal formats. Indestructible 2/2 that Batallions for 7? Downside is that he costs 4 mana.