[BBD] Battlebond

[TheLostSon]

https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/announcing-battlebond-2018-02-14

So this is going to be a set designed to be drafted and then played in two handed giant.
The interesting part is that it will feature new cards, which will go into the legacy card pool, but not the modern one (like Conspiracy and Commander).

What I hope for is that the Play Design Team was involved here, and having hired Tom Ross in part for that reason, have actually tested and considered the impact of the new cards on Legacy and come up with some interesting ones.

[Crimhead]

What I hope for is that the Play Design Team was involved here, and having hired Tom Ross in part for that reason, have actually tested and considered the impact of the new cards on Legacy and come up with some interesting ones.
I'm hoping for lands that play like ABUR duals in Legacy but have an elegant and meaningful drawback in draft or 2-headed giant.

Just imagine the boon to our format...

[Barook]

I'm hoping for lands that play like ABUR duals in Legacy but have an elegant and meaningful drawback in draft or 2-headed giant.

Just imagine the boon to our format...
If they want to move product, that would be the best way. But why does it always have to be a drawback? They could make duals that are slightly better and probably don't have much of an impact, e.g.:


When ~ enters the battlefield, if you control more basic lands than nonbasic lands, you gain 1 life.

That would hardly ruin the format, given that you would have to have at least two basics into play before even gaining a neglectable advantage.

[PirateKing]

Since the focus would be on 2HG, they could just print benefit/drawbacks that happen to your teammate that would be totally disregarded in traditional play.
Same way TNN or will of the council jump in power in a one v one game.

Print a Dual that says "CITP, each of your teammates discards a card"
Has a relevant drawback to the limited scope they're focusing on, but in Legacy it's 1:1 the same as ABUR Duals.

Now will they do this?

...

...

No

[Bosque]

If they're going to start designing cards for legacy, I really wish they would also find a way to print a manabase and other cards (LED, Tabernacle, etc) that hold the format together. Otherwise they'll create more interest, drive the prices of our duals up even further, and price anyone interested out of the format.

Just seems absurd, they could just print themselves more money by addressing the reserved list. Based on the prices of unplayable (and already reprinted) legends/arabian nights/antiquities cards these days, I think the market has proved that even without a reserve list collectors will still highly value original printings from 25 years ago. In fact, keeping the game alive by reprinting reserve list cards may be the only thing that will ensure the collectability and value of those old cards in the years to come.

[morgan_coke]

If they're going to start designing cards for legacy, I really wish they would also find a way to print a manabase and other cards (LED, Tabernacle, etc) that hold the format together. Otherwise they'll create more interest, drive the prices of our duals up even further, and price anyone interested out of the format.

Just seems absurd, they could just print themselves more money by addressing the reserved list. Based on the prices of unplayable (and already reprinted) legends/arabian nights/antiquities cards these days, I think the market has proved that even without a reserve list collectors will still highly value original printings from 25 years ago. In fact, keeping the game alive by reprinting reserve list cards may be the only thing that will ensure the collectability and value of those old cards in the years to come.

"The Game" and "Legacy" are two entirely different things. They only really care about one of them.

[kinda]

"The Game" and "Legacy" are two entirely different things. They only really care about one of them.

Agreed but the point is they "could" be a lot better at monetizing legacy. And if they could make money off of legacy, their business folk would then have the designers do more for us..I think...

[Bosque]

"The Game" and "Legacy" are two entirely different things. They only really care about one of them.

Sure but legacy is a part of the game that they are not monetizing as well as they could be. Look at the interest in the masters sets, the demand sure seems like it's there. I would imagine someone at WOTC might even consider legacy support a part of diversifying your income a little bit.

I'm not suggesting that standard doesn't make WOTC money, or even that players like standard, of course both of those things are true! Simply that legacy could also make WOTC money and I would argue a functioning legacy (and vintage and old school) scene is part of what sustains the market for old collectable cards. The value of those old cards I think in part depends on the game that uses them remaining in the public eye being played.

Anyway, we're way way off topic. I'm curious what a 2HG set with legacy designed cards will look like at least.

[Barook]

https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/coming-soon

At least Battlebond has a bit of breathing room between releases instead of being packed into a "4 sets in 4 months" schedule which lead to Conspiracy 2 underperforming. That's still a metric shitton of product released in the next half year.


Anyway, we're way way off topic. I'm curious what a 2HG set with legacy designed cards will look like at least.
And I wonder if WotC can be assed to port them to MTGO. It took them ages to bring over the Monarch cards.

[Vissah]

https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/announcing-battlebond-2018-02-14

So this is going to be a set designed to be drafted and then played in two handed giant.
The interesting part is that it will feature new cards, which will go into the legacy card pool, but not the modern one (like Conspiracy and Commander).

What I hope for is that the Play Design Team was involved here, and having hired Tom Ross in part for that reason, have actually tested and considered the impact of the new cards on Legacy and come up with some interesting ones.

Tom Ross works for Wizards now???

I did not know that. I was wondering where he went. After Probe got banned and Infect turned to shit he just slowly disappeared.

[phonics]

Since the focus would be on 2HG, they could just print benefit/drawbacks that happen to your teammate that would be totally disregarded in traditional play.
Same way TNN or will of the council jump in power in a one v one game.

Print a Dual that says "CITP, each of your teammates discards a card"
Has a relevant drawback to the limited scope they're focusing on, but in Legacy it's 1:1 the same as ABUR Duals.

Now will they do this?

...

...

No

They are definitely 'too afraid' to do anything that could be construed as circumventing the reserve list.

[Brainstorm Ape]

Since the focus would be on 2HG, they could just print benefit/drawbacks that happen to your teammate that would be totally disregarded in traditional play.
Same way TNN or will of the council jump in power in a one v one game.

Print a Dual that says "CITP, each of your teammates discards a card"
Has a relevant drawback to the limited scope they're focusing on, but in Legacy it's 1:1 the same as ABUR Duals.

Now will they do this?

...

...

No

Unfortunately, it looks as though you were correct.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcXfd7XW0AEcNfG.jpg:large

Would i have killed them to give them basic land types to at least be useful for EDH players? I guess so.

[Zulabnar]

They are definitely 'too afraid' to do anything that could be construed as circumventing the reserve list.

i don't think so, this is a scarecrow sentences that speculating people use to avoid any plan of Hasbro to reprint.
But is written nowhere that Wiz\hasbro cannot change is policy on reserved list.


The day Hasbro will remove reserved list, the game will have a boost once again.

Also they could print same cards (lion's eye diamond ->rename -> Tiger's eye diamond) with same effect and reserved list is safe while the game can continue to improve also on paper.
And at the same time ban the early card (led in this case).

I know sounds strange to You, but it is what they are already doing with MTGO. "printing" card opening the game to everyone.

[Zombie]

Unfortunately, it looks as though you were correct.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcXfd7XW0AEcNfG.jpg:large

Would i have killed them to give them basic land types to at least be useful for EDH players? I guess so.

They are still useful for EDH players, manabases often have random Brushland or the like to fill them out and these are pretty strictly upgrades to those unless you're running Eldrazi.

Speaking of GW lands, that Bountiful Promenade art looks like shit. No life CGI, yay.

[Lord Seth]

i don't think so, this is a scarecrow sentences that speculating people use to avoid any plan of Hasbro to reprint.
But is written nowhere that Wiz\hasbro cannot change is policy on reserved list.Well, on the Reserved List page, it does say "In consideration of past commitments, however, no cards will be removed from this list."

[morgan_coke]

Don't worry guys, they'll still cram a format breaking U or U/x creature in there somewhere.

[Zulabnar]

Well, on the Reserved List page, it does say "In consideration of past commitments, however, no cards will be removed from this list."

Yes.
Sometimes policies changes.

[Barook]

We've been over this over and over again. The main problem isn't the RL, but the horseshit called "spirit of the Reserve List" to justify not getting around it, despite clearly recognizing the RL as mistake.

And then we have people like Maro who don't understand the format, claiming stupid shit like 8 same-color duals would break the format, when in fact most decks don't even run a full playset of each dual due to fetchlands. :eyebrow:

[phonics]

Yes.
Sometimes policies changes.

I think as long as Maro is at WOTC, and MTG isnt about to die, I doubt it will change. This doesn't have anything to do with my opinion on the reserve list, this is just from what Maro and other r&d have said on the matter. I recall that on one of their streams they mentioned how restrictive it is to current card design (like they aren't allowed to print a 1WW 2/2 flying first strike because Thunder Spirit is on the reserve list). MTGO is different, outside of redemption, it is more like you are leasing the cards from WOTC. While it is good for eternal formats, it isn't the same thing.

[Lemnear]

I think as long as Maro is at WOTC, and MTG isnt about to die, I doubt it will change.

So we just have to wait for ARENA? /s

[bruizar]

splendid genesis reprint?

[ParkerLewis]

iAlso they could print same cards (lion's eye diamond ->rename -> Tiger's eye diamond) with same effect and reserved list is safe

No they can't while the RL is in place. You've never read the RL statement, have you ? It's not about name, it's about functionality.

What is sad is it looks like in effect, they're even going broader than this (see MaRo's most recent answer on the subject : "There’s a “spirit of the Reserved List” that we try to be careful about.")

[DarthVicious]

Since the focus would be on 2HG, they could just print benefit/drawbacks that happen to your teammate that would be totally disregarded in traditional play.
Same way TNN or will of the council jump in power in a one v one game.

Print a Dual that says "CITP, each of your teammates discards a card"
Has a relevant drawback to the limited scope they're focusing on, but in Legacy it's 1:1 the same as ABUR Duals.


More likely to be something like this:

Underground Wannabe
Land - Island
Underground Wannabe is also a Swamp if you have a teammate.

etc etc for the other nine.

[Barook]

http://mythicspoiler.com/newspoilers.html

New cards don't really look promising so far, especially the reveal article for the set's mechanics. Assist and "each player"-cards are going to be garbage as far as Eternal is concerned. :rolleyes:

[Claymore]

Two walkers with Partner? Wizards is really pushing their "this Walker can be your commander" shit onto EDH.

[Barook]

Two walkers with Partner? Wizards is really pushing their "this Walker can be your commander" shit onto EDH.
"Partner with X" works slightly differently, though.

http://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/pirimaginativerascal.jpg

If you play EDH, you can only use the specific card stated as your partner. "Partner with X" can also search up the missing part from the library.

http://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/willkenrith.jpghttp://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/rowankenrith.jpg

[rufus]

...
New cards don't really look promising so far, especially the reveal article for the set's mechanics. Assist and "each player"-cards are going to be garbage as far as Eternal is concerned. :rolleyes:

Pir's Whim seems like it might work in a titanshift deck in modern.

[Barook]

Pir's Whim seems like it might work in a titanshift deck in modern.
There seems to be a cycle where you can choose the mods for each player. That isn't what I'm talking about - it's cards that benefit all players, thus also the opponent.

Also, Battlebond isn't Modern-legal, so no Titanshift goodies.

[Ace/Homebrew]

Pir's Whim seems like it might work in a titanshift deck in modern.
Modern isn't an eternal format. Pretty sure all of the cards unique to this set will be banned in Modern.

[Cire]

Anything interesting to do with a doubling season that is 2 mana cheaper and infinitely more vulnerable? It gets Sagas to Lore II really quickly?

[Barook]

Anything interesting to do with a doubling season that is 2 mana cheaper and infinitely more vulnerable? It gets Sagas to Lore II really quickly?
Pir really isn't Doubling Season since it only adds one additional counter instead of supercharging planeswalkers right into ultimates like Season does. It's more akin to Winding Constrictor in that regard. Maybe Legacy Humans with lots of +1/+1 counter pump? Or Ballista shenanigans in some kind of artifact-heavy deck??

[DarthVicious]

EDIT: Nevermind, I corrected myself after reading the mechanics article. This incarnation of Partner works similarly but different in that it includes a search trigger, and is limited to a specific card.

I guess if they're both your commander, the library searching mechanic accomplishes nothing unless someone tucks one half of the pair.

[Barook]

http://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/mindbladerender.jpg

Legacy doesn't have enough playable warriors right now, but it's worth pointing out that first strike + normal damage should give you two cards per turn (since the number of warriors that dealt damage at the same time isn't relevant). Double strikers should work like a charm.

[Claymore]

EDIT: Nevermind, I corrected myself after reading the mechanics article. This incarnation of Partner works similarly but different in that it includes a search trigger, and is limited to a specific card.

I guess if they're both your commander, the library searching mechanic accomplishes nothing unless someone tucks one half of the pair.

Even then, commanders can't really be tucked anymore unless you really want it to happen. I think any zone change you're asked if you want it back in the command zone.

[DarthVicious]

http://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/mindbladerender.jpg

Legacy doesn't have enough playable warriors right now, but it's worth pointing out that first strike + normal damage should give you two cards per turn (since the number of warriors that dealt damage at the same time isn't relevant). Double strikers should work like a charm.

With the way it's worded it seems like it'd trigger for each warrior that dealt combat damage, each time they dealt combat damage. Assuming multiple warriors attacking unblocked, isn't each creature a separate source of damage, thus creating a separate trigger? It's not like the damage is grouped together into one big packet as if they have some form of banding. The only thing that appears to be different about this trigger is that it will also trigger if another player attacks one of your opponents with warriors. Like it's a Raiders' Spoils on steroids attached to a creature.


Even then, commanders can't really be tucked anymore unless you really want it to happen. I think any zone change you're asked if you want it back in the command zone.

Also true.

[Technics]

With the way it's worded it seems like it'd trigger for each warrior that dealt combat damage, each time they dealt combat damage. Assuming multiple warriors attacking unblocked, isn't each creature a separate source of damage, thus creating a separate trigger? It's not like the damage is grouped together into one big packet as if they have some form of banding. The only thing that appears to be different about this trigger is that it will also trigger if another player attacks one of your opponents with warriors. Like it's a Raiders' Spoils on steroids attached to a creature.



Also true.

All damage is delt at the same time. So this triggers once as worded. It's worded that way exactly because it's only supposed to trigger once.

[Ace/Homebrew]

Yeah, no Legacy potential there... But most of the set hasn't been spoiled yet. Maybe they'll print something Better Than Azra. :wink:

[Brainstorm Ape]

http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/tamayamama-taikai/imgs/9/e/9e38256a.png

Translation:
3B
Instant
If you (your team?) would lose the game this turn, instead draw 7 cards and your life total becomes 1. Exile ~.

Interesting card, but likely much worse than Ad Nauseum or cheating out Griseltard like a goddamn monkey. If Legacy had any room for brewing I'd be doing some goofy shit with this and Final Fortune effects, but alas.

[kombatkiwi]

Mindblade Render could actually be pretty strong
I don't want to call it legacy playable out of the gate but have we ever had a 2mana Ophidian before?
Probably isn't that great because even Bob sees 0 play ATM, but still

[Gheizen64]

Interesting card, but likely much worse than Ad Nauseum or cheating out Griseltard like a goddamn monkey. If Legacy had any room for brewing I'd be doing some goofy shit with this and Final Fortune effects, but alas.

Lich's mirror exist and seems better

[Barook]

TNN got reprinted:

https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/images/image/True_Name_Nemesis_EN(1).png

This one looks mildly interesting, although not Legacy material:


Generous Sponsor :2::g:
Creature - Elf Advisor
When Generous Sponsor enters the battlefield, support 2. (Put a +1/+1 counter on each of up to two other target creatures.)
Whenever you put one or more counters on a creature you don't control, draw a card.
1/4

Are there any good ways to put counters on opponsing creatures, aside from Tetzimoc, Primal Death?

[PirateKing]

Are there any good ways to put counters on opponsing creatures, aside from Tetzimoc, Primal Death?

Leech Bonder and simillar cards exist, but you're talking really casual stuff now.

My brother has a Experiment Kraj EDH deck that this will slot into well, but I agree, not Legacy.

[Claymore]

I guess Wizards took it too literally when we assumed they would put another TNN into Battlebond.

-1/-1 counters are the most prevalent way probably. Serrated Arrows. I don't think that space has been looked at by wotc in some time though.

[Davran]

-1/-1 counters are the most prevalent way probably. Serrated Arrows. I don't think that space has been looked at by wotc in some time though.

The entire Amonkhet block begs to differ.

[Claymore]

Hah. To be fair I have had Standard blinders on since Return to Innistrad...

[Barook]

I guess it works with stuff like Infect, Wither and, most notably, Soul-Scar Mage - burn creatures and cantrip at the same time? That's pretty good. Slap some Punishing Fires into that and you have a sweet draw engine which happens to be on-color.

Edit: For what it's worth, the combo would also work with Sponsor + Mage + Words of War to quickly clear the board.

[Dice_Box]

Are there any good ways to put counters on opponsing creatures, aside from Tetzimoc, Primal Death?
Infect.

[ReAnimator]

https://i.imgur.com/RHcfu43.png

Ohhhhhh Shit, foil Explorers at long last!!!

[ReAnimator]

https://media-dominaria.cursecdn.com/avatars/269/244/636625989203642320.jpeg

Not sure if quick Ugin's or Karn's are a viable strategy in Legacy, but here it is.

[bakofried]

Academy Rector but for Planeswalkers? Damn. (Literal reprint but for what it finds)

[Claymore]

I think an Arena Nyx Fit deck will be built.

I don't know if it will be good. But it will be built.

Thoughtseize, Explorers, Therapy, Phyrexian Tower to ramp into Cavern of Souls plus 8 Rectors, grab any one of your game ending 8 Mana Walkers or Enchantments. Abrupt Decay to kill Shamans. Pernicious Deed to conveniently wipe the field of everything but your Walkers.

I think at this rate the deck is forced to add Blue for Brainstorm to shuffle away excess Game Enders.

But, the promise of shoving out a fast Ugin, Garruk Predator, Karn, Bolas...deliciously Tier 2.

[Poron]

Arena Rector
Academy Rector
Gamekeeper

Enough fuel to always draw one of them and combo off

[rufus]

...

This one looks mildly interesting, although not Legacy material:

[ Generous Sponsor ]
...

EDIT: This doesn't work...

Why would you want to rely on your opponent having creatures when you can play Devoted Druid, Arcbound Ravager or Mindless Automaton?

Edit: There's a bad combo with Lotleth Troll and dredgers.

[PirateKing]

Why would you want to rely on your opponent having creatures when you can play Devoted Druid, Arcbound Ravager or Mindless Automaton?

Edit: There's a bad combo with Lotleth Troll and dredgers.

Because the card says "Whenever you put one or more counters on a creature you don't control, draw a card."
If it was any creature then that's easy mode

[procobrito]

Interesting card, but likely much worse than Ad Nauseum or cheating out Griseltard like a goddamn monkey. If Legacy had any room for brewing I'd be doing some goofy shit with this and Final Fortune effects, but alas.

Looks like a sideboard card of Spanish Inquisition against any running Bolt.

[Cire]

I think an Arena Nyx Fit deck will be built.

I don't know if it will be good. But it will be built.

Thoughtseize, Explorers, Therapy, Phyrexian Tower to ramp into Cavern of Souls plus 8 Rectors, grab any one of your game ending 8 Mana Walkers or Enchantments. Abrupt Decay to kill Shamans. Pernicious Deed to conveniently wipe the field of everything but your Walkers.

I think at this rate the deck is forced to add Blue for Brainstorm to shuffle away excess Game Enders.

But, the promise of shoving out a fast Ugin, Garruk Predator, Karn, Bolas...deliciously Tier 2.

I was thinking something esperish . . .

4 Ancient Tomb
2 City of Traitors
4 Cavern of Souls
[8] Lands
[6] Acceleration

3 Academy Rector
3 Arena Rector

2 Omniscience
2 Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker
1 Ugin, the Spirit Dragon

4 Cabal Therapy
3 [Other Sac Outlet]

4 Brainstorm
4 Force of Will
4 Ponder
[2] Blue

4 Swords to Plowshares

[ReAnimator]

4 Swords to Plowshares

You could just run Fatal Push in this slot with Fetchlands as yet another way to kill your Rectors if you need too.

[Claymore]

I mentioned it in the Nic Fit thread, but something with a blend of Rectors and Eureka would let the deck always have ways to churn out the ridiculous bombs. Eureka letting you get around Shaman.

Phyrexian Tower would be your other sac outlet, or go full Reserved List with Diamond Valleys too.

Buyout: the Deck

[Cire]

I mentioned it in the Nic Fit thread, but something with a blend of Rectors and Eureka would let the deck always have ways to churn out the ridiculous bombs. Eureka letting you get around Shaman.

Phyrexian Tower would be your other sac outlet, or go full Reserved List with Diamond Valleys too.

Buyout: the Deck

I think i'm too addicted to FOW to think of making the deck anything other than Esper :/ - that said I think best bet is to treat it like this:

1st turn - Land + Cabal Therapy (or other 1CMC sac outlet that is not a land . . Viscera Seer?)
2nd turn - Sol Land + Accel + Rector --> Sacrifice (get Big PW or get Omniscience, then hopefully have big PW/draw other rector/sacrifice in your hand already?)

Thinking like that we need around 9 lands/8 Sac outlets/8 Sol land /8 Accel/8 Rector/8 Big PWs

If we slow down a turn, then something like my first list make a bit more sense with more protection/draw. It could still maybe use more PWs (I was aiming for blue PW's to count for FOW pitch).

[Ace/Homebrew]

The problem with Arena Rector in Legacy is that jumping through the hoops you've laid out to get [Name A Planeswalker] into play is still worse than having Griselbrand on the battlefield.

[JDK]

Interesting card, but likely much worse than Ad Nauseum or cheating out Griseltard like a goddamn monkey. If Legacy had any room for brewing I'd be doing some goofy shit with this and Final Fortune effects, but alas.

Esper Ad Nauseam with Cunning Wish, Stunning Reversal, Ad Nauseam and Angel's Grace. Kinda like a Legacy Version of the Modern Ad Nauseam.dec :laugh:

[Claymore]

The problem with Arena Rector in Legacy is that jumping through the hoops you've laid out to get [Name A Planeswalker] into play is still worse than having Griselbrand on the battlefield.

A Nic Fit deck generally can wipe the floor with Delver decks. Plugging in 8x Rectors that can each grab artillery off of a Show and tell to nullify Griselbrand or Emrakuls (Sandwurm Convergence), or fetch out massive Walkers against Miracles that already have trouble with Garruk Relentless (Garruk, Apex Predator or Big Karn). It isn't restricted by something like Karakas on the field when you can just tutor up a Turn 2 board wipe on a...not stick...against DnT (Ugin). Not sure about the Lands tools for walkers, although there's still Cruel Reality or Overwhelming Splendor that Lands cannot beat. Ugin of course does double duty against Red Stompy by being colorless and capable of cleaning out all the Moons.

Little harder to accomplish than Show and Skill for GriselApe, for sure, but the deck can pack enough ways to get a Rector out and sack outlet online. I think the deck can get flexibility advantages.

In my brief playing of Nyx Fit, you can have difficulty closing the game when you can't find Academy Rector. That's one reason they included Evolutionary Leap. Putting in Arena Rectors to double the bomb fetchers seems very promising. I think put in enough nukes in the deck and you can overload a lot of countermeasures...at the expense of loading the deck with a bunch of garbage though.

The Storm combo match up is still terrible unless you go Blue for Force of Will, of course.

[Megadeus]

Also you need blue for brainstorm because you need to put back pieces you need to find with rector or just clunky hands

[JackaBo]

I think i'm too addicted to FOW to think of making the deck anything other than Esper :/ - that said I think best bet is to treat it like this:

1st turn - Land + Cabal Therapy (or other 1CMC sac outlet that is not a land . . Viscera Seer?)
2nd turn - Sol Land + Accel + Rector --> Sacrifice (get Big PW or get Omniscience, then hopefully have big PW/draw other rector/sacrifice in your hand already?)

Thinking like that we need around 9 lands/8 Sac outlets/8 Sol land /8 Accel/8 Rector/8 Big PWs

If we slow down a turn, then something like my first list make a bit more sense with more protection/draw. It could still maybe use more PWs (I was aiming for blue PW's to count for FOW pitch).

Dont forget that you cannot resolve any rector-trigger against an opposing death rite shaman. I think you need about 7 spot removal to push through your combo safely.

Edit: Less than 7 if you run cantrips of course

[Echelon]

Dont forget that you cannot resolve any rector-trigger against an opposing death rite shaman. I think you need about 7 spot removal to push through your combo safely.

Edit: Less than 7 if you run cantrips of course

You don't necessarily just need spotremoval. 4 spotremoval + 3 sweepers works just fine, especially when combined with stuff like Mirri's Guile or Sylvan Library to manipulate the top of your library. Between the fetchlands and GSZs you have a lot of shuffle effects, so you'll probably see more cards than the average blue deck. That way you can just cherrypick whatever you need (generally speaking).

[JackaBo]

You don't necessarily just need spotremoval. 4 spotremoval + 3 sweepers works just fine, especially when combined with stuff like Mirri's Guile or Sylvan Library to manipulate the top of your library. Between the fetchlands and GSZs you have a lot of shuffle effects, so you'll probably see more cards than the average blue deck. That way you can just cherrypick whatever you need (generally speaking).

Yes sweepers works of course. 7 in total sound fine, that was what i was getting at.

Yes the selection is a green deck is usually fine as long as you draw your selection cards. I play 3 mirri and about 13 shuffle-effects, so theres a bit of inbalance there. No mirri in opening hand means no selection no mater how many shuffflers i draw. Perhabs i should run 4 mirri.

[bruizar]

Ok so Arena Rector is high potential. One that caught my attention that isn't as obvious is Pir, Imaginative Rascal and Toothy, Imaginary Friend.

You can get Pir with Green Sun's Zenith, then you get a Toothy in hand (blue card) so you can get your FoW online with a GSZ. Pir is essentially a stronger constrictor that negates the drawback that certain sagas have (Flame of Keld) because it places an extra counter on it INSTEAD. So no discard your hand with Pir and Flame. It also works on ALL permanents. Useful with walking ballista, Jace (+0 ability gives +3/+3 on Toothy and 3 cards when it dies, +4/+4 with Pir in play), but also useful with cards like Umezawa's Jitte.

Toothy is also an interesting card because it works well with brainstorm. It is potentially a grindy finisher that can draw you a lot of cards, OR you just replace a toothy that you just got with Pir for FoW or Brainstorm, leading you to no card disadvantage. Toothy triggers also on exile or bounce (Jace -1 to draw you into gas).

https://media-dominaria.cursecdn.com/avatars/269/160/636622599138908763.pnghttps://media-dominaria.cursecdn.com/avatars/269/161/636622601338825182.png

[Zombie]

re:Toothy, Lorescale Coatl is a card.

[Echelon]

Yes the selection is a green deck is usually fine as long as you draw your selection cards. I play 3 mirri and about 13 shuffle-effects, so theres a bit of inbalance there. No mirri in opening hand means no selection no mater how many shuffflers i draw. Perhabs i should run 4 mirri.

I run 10 fetchlands and 4 GSZ w/ 3 Guiles and a Sylvan Library :wink:

And then there's Evolutionary Leap activations that move cards away and Veteran Explorer/Any Rector triggers that happen.

[Tylert]

re:Toothy, Lorescale Coatl is a card.

I don't think you can compare them. Toothy draws cards when it leaves the battlefield. Lorescale coalt is just a dumb beater. I uderstand that coatl is less expensive, but it's still just a card that does not replace itself.

[kombatkiwi]

I don't think you can compare them. Toothy draws cards when it leaves the battlefield. Lorescale coalt is just a dumb beater. I uderstand that coatl is less expensive, but it's still just a card that does not replace itself.

Chasm Skulker is probably much better than Lorescale Coatl (you get a really good death trigger in exchange for starting as a 1/1 rather than a 2/2 and not requiring a 2nd colour)
The trigger on Toothy is probably better (drawing cards is usually better than making 1/1s and it's a leaves play trigger rather than 'dies'), but Toothy costs 1 mana extra and 4 vs 3 is a pretty big difference
If "GSZ A blue card into your hand" was so desirable then people would have probably found a way to do it with Fierce Empath or something and Pir is really not a good card

[BenBleiweiss]

https://i.imgur.com/S6eHK8W.jpg

Ok, this card has to fit somewhere. Just saying.

[Dice_Box]

https://i.imgur.com/S6eHK8W.jpg

Ok, this card has to fit somewhere. Just saying.

Pity thats not common.

[Barook]

Wouldn't Spellseeker be even better in Vintage, given stuff like Ancestral, Time Walk and Demonic Tutor?

[BenBleiweiss]

Wouldn't Spellseeker be even better in Vintage, given stuff like Ancestral, Time Walk and Demonic Tutor?

Our in-house Vintage players think it's stealth filthy in Vintage, but it's got a ton of targets in Legacy - Brainstorm, Extraction, Probe, Cabal Therapy, STP, Thoughtseize, Bolt, Pyro/Hydroblast, GSZ, etc.

[Lemnear]

https://i.imgur.com/S6eHK8W.jpg

Ok, this card has to fit somewhere. Just saying.


Our in-house Vintage players think it's stealth filthy in Vintage, but it's got a ton of targets in Legacy - Brainstorm, Extraction, Probe, Cabal Therapy, STP, Thoughtseize, Bolt, Pyro/Hydroblast, GSZ, etc.

As an old Vintage player: I can't even see it relevant, if you have Demonic, Mystical, Merchant Scroll, Vampric and Imperial already.

In Legacy, it has to compete with an established core. 3cc is a lot for a Tutor effect and running it to fetch your usual 1cc MD 4-offs seems counterintuitive. Edit: I admit it interacts well with Therapy.

[Barook]

https://i.imgur.com/xvolXji.png

Any ideas which decks could use this?

[Megadeus]

Someone suggested high tide. Seems decent. Dunno if you need it though with merchant scroll existing already.

[Cire]

You don't necessarily just need spotremoval. 4 spotremoval + 3 sweepers works just fine, especially when combined with stuff like Mirri's Guile or Sylvan Library to manipulate the top of your library. Between the fetchlands and GSZs you have a lot of shuffle effects, so you'll probably see more cards than the average blue deck. That way you can just cherrypick whatever you need (generally speaking).

Guess it depends when you want "to go off". I think we're just stuck at the stage of any such deck . . . is it better than just playing S&T or Reanimator?

[rufus]

...

Any ideas which decks could use this?

Most of the time it seems like you'd be happier with one more of the thing you're copying instead.

[Phoenix Ignition]

Our in-house Vintage players think it's stealth filthy in Vintage, but it's got a ton of targets in Legacy - Brainstorm, Extraction, Probe, Cabal Therapy, STP, Thoughtseize, Bolt, Pyro/Hydroblast, GSZ, etc.


As an old Vintage player: I can't even see it relevant, if you have Demonic, Mystical, Merchant Scroll, Vampric and Imperial already.


Agreed. This seems unplayable in Vintage, it's like a worse version of Merchant Scroll. Costing 3 is awful since now you're stuck casting it turn 2 most likely (assuming 1 mox average starter hand), and being a 1/1 means you can't run it in Oath. It doesn't find your bombs like Yawg Will, and wouldn't be as good with a YW compared to the other tutors since again, it costs 3. I have a really hard time believing anyone who has played a few games of Vintage would think this is any good. A 1/1 body is just trash in that format. Did you end up using the word "filthy" as in actually disgustingly bad, because then I'd agree.

[Brainstorm Ape]

Spellseeker has the potential to be good. As a straight tutor, it's nothing special, but the fact that it is a 187 creature means that the effect isn't too difficult to repeat. Blink and bounce effects are probably too cute for Legacy and Vintage (nuts in EDH or Cube though), but I could see this card occupying a role in grindy U/x/y decks. I see it as, essentially, a Snapcaster or Kess that can't be fought by gravehate like DRS.

[ReAnimator]

Spellseeker seems great, i think power level wise its probably somewhere below Snapcaster and above Eternal Witness.

If you can durdle with Baleful Strix in Legacy, this seems like it has a chance, just not as a 4 of most likely.

[Zllig]

I kind of want to cast Spellspeaker with a Sapphire Medallion in play and fetch an AK.

[TheArchitect]

Spellseeker seems great, i think power level wise its probably somewhere below Snapcaster and above Eternal Witness.

If you can durdle with Baleful Strix in Legacy, this seems like it has a chance, just not as a 4 of most likely.

This seems accurate. It's good, but not busted in any deck that currently exists. It seems like presently, it would fit best into some kind of control shell, like stoneblade, or pile. But I don't think its actually good enough there.

If only it cost 1 less, or had 1 more power it would be a new staple.

[wcm8]

Isn't Spellseeker good in UBx Reanimator?

It searches up whichever half of the combo you don't have (Entomb/Careful Study; Reanimate/Exhume), but can also be used to find whatever utility spell you might need for disruption/answer (e.g. Thoughtseize; Daze; Echoing Truth, etc.) The deck could also justify running more silver bullets in the main and/or sideboard if it's running a tutor spell.

Now the most obvious thing it needs to be compared to is Intuition, seeing as it can do almost the same thing except at instant speed and no CMC restrictions (Intuition can also occasionally be useful for getting stuff in the graveyard). However, there are some advantages of Spellseeker being a creature:
1) avoids Spell Pierce and Duress and whatnot
2) doesn't get taxed by Thalia
3) provides a speed bump against a ground threats; in a super long grindy game the damage could be relevant
4) it's a good card to discard to Careful Study

Reanimator can be explosive, especially the RBx builds. But going UBx has the advantage of getting counterspells and cantrips, trading explosiveness for consistency. Just seems like a possible fit for the card in Legacy.

[Finn]

You would have to rework the mana base. Reanimate works on slim margins.

[Barook]

http://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/cheeringfanatic.jpg

I wonder if there's a critical mass of cost reducers yet to do some dumb shit.

http://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/grothamaalldevouring.jpg

This design is just plain weird. :eyebrow:

[rufus]

Huh... Skyshroud Claim fetches non-basic forests untapped.

[ReAnimator]

I think the Value of Spellslinger in a 4c or midrange build would be that you could have a small but robust tutor package that could deal with any threat.

1 push
1 bolt
1 ADecay
1 Dreadbore
1 Edict
1 spellpierce
1 Therapy
1 Hymn
1 Flusterstorm
1 Pyroblast
1 Reanimate, bounce or blink effect

Plus all your Brainstorms and Ponders seems like a really fun tutor package to play around with.

Just run some DRS, Snapcasters, YP's, along with this and a leovold or strix or two seems worth exploring. Might be too clunky, or not pro active enough, but i'd test it out.

[ReAnimator]

Huh... Skyshroud Claim fetches non-basic forests untapped.

It's an old reprint, not new to the format.

[Claymore]

Yep, it's a Commander all star already - originally printed in Nemesis.

Wizards just absolutely refuses to print any green creature that can ETB or repeatedly fight by itself at a reasonable cost, don't they? Nightmares of FTK?

[Barook]

http://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/sentineltower.jpg

This one looks rather interesting.

[Poron]

Great win con for Spiral Tide

[procobrito]

Fumble is a hell of sideboard card. Bounce a creature and gain control of opponent Jittle, Batterskull or Sword?
Sorry, I don't know how to post images.

Edit: no sword, the creature would have protecion, lol.

[Barook]

Great win con for Spiral Tide
There might be more to the card than on first glance. People have pointed out Reaping the Rewards as a potential combo card. Retrace cards like Flame Jab or Raven's Crime might also work in some kind of Loam shell. 5 consecutive Flame Jab casts in one turn are 20 damage.

[Claymore]

There's also Ruby Storm that can certainly use it, considering they've had success with Guttersnipe of all things.

[Poron]

Sorry, but opponent’s Brainstorm and counters trigger it as well?

You cast a Sorcery, he counters.. is that already 5 damages? Should you counter back would that be a 9 damage stack in total?

That thing wins alone if I read it well. 2 Bolts effect would be 11 damages? And the third kills.

UR control?
Jace Chandra and Sentinel Tower

[JackaBo]

https://i.imgur.com/S6eHK8W.jpg



It's rather similar to snapcaster, slower sure, but with a stronger etb effect.
In a value/grind control deck this can be a dork wincon and at the same time facilitate a toolbox of answers. How about one-off marsh casalties, edict, disenchant-type-card and surgical and this to fetch it.
I think this card could see play.

[procobrito]

https://www.mtgpics.com/pics/big/bbd/074.jpg

All your removals are instants?

[rufus]

Sorry, but opponent’s Brainstorm and counters trigger it as well?

You cast a Sorcery, he counters.. is that already 5 damages? Should you counter back would that be a 9 damage stack in total?

That thing wins alone if I read it well. 2 Bolts effect would be 11 damages? And the third kills.
...

"Spells cast before that spell" so sorcery -> counter ends up being 3 damage and 2 bolts a total of 9.

Seems like the card would fit in well with Young Pyromancer but 4 mana is a lot.

[Barook]

"Spells cast before that spell" so sorcery -> counter ends up being 3 damage and 2 bolts a total of 9.

Seems like the card would fit in well with Young Pyromancer but 4 mana is a lot.
Sure, 4 mana is alot for those kinds of decks, but the damage potential it can dish out is amazing. Even cantrips can suddenly ping or shock or even bolt and countermagic suddenly becomes alot worse for your opponent . Since it can target planeswalkers and creatures, it's a CA engine that can also kill your opponent.

This is the probably the strongest card spoiled so far. It might be a game changer, but who knows. It even gets around Chalice - gather a bunch of 1cc spells in your hand and fire them all off in one turn for massive damage, since they only need to be cast.

[BenBleiweiss]

https://media.wizards.com/2018/bbd/en_KxJ5524Fhs.png

SEEMS too fragile but holy cow that effect!

[Barook]

https://media.wizards.com/2018/bbd/en_KxJ5524Fhs.png

SEEMS too fragile but holy cow that effect!
So it's a slower, more expensive, more fragile, but one-sided Show & Tell.

Putting stuff into play at instant speed seems interesting, though.

[ReAnimator]

https://media-dominaria.cursecdn.com/attachments/168/241/636627692275453751.png

This seems broken in half.

[Matsu]

https://media-dominaria.cursecdn.com/attachments/168/241/636627692275453751.png

This seems broken in half.

Might be played in Storm.

[Barook]

If you play Bonus Round after Bonus Round (e.g. via Past in Flames), do you get 4 spells?

1) Normal spell
2) Bonus Round #1
3) Bonus Round #2
4) Bonus Round Copy of #2

Or am I mistaken?

Edit:

Oh hey, look, it's the white Morphling!

http://mythicspoiler.com/bbd/cards/brightling.jpg

[ReAnimator]

Pretty sure that works.

I think this creates a new storm deck all on it's own, or turns the mono red storm deck into an even more real thing, or possibly BR.
The fact you can burning wish for this too, and don't need any other win cons is great.

[Lemnear]

https://media-dominaria.cursecdn.com/attachments/168/241/636627692275453751.png

This seems broken in half.

Holy shit!

[rufus]

If you play Bonus Round after Bonus Round (e.g. via Past in Flames), do you get 4 spells?

1) Normal spell
2) Bonus Round #1
3) Bonus Round #2
4) Bonus Round Copy of #2

Or am I mistaken?


As long as the second one is being cast after the first one resolved, yes. Though it's not that hard to do silly things even when you only get one extra copy.

[PirateKing]

As long as the second one is being cast after the first one resolved, yes. Though it's not that hard to do silly things even when you only get one extra copy.

The implication is:
Step 1: Bonus Round
Step 2: Past in Flames
Step 3: Flashback Bonus Round
Step 4: Bonus Round (Copy)
Step 5: ???
Step 6: ??? (1st copy)
Step 7: ??? (2nd copy)
Step 8: ??? (3rd copy)
Step 9: Profit

[Kage]

Wow, they have actually printed a powerful red spell.

Mystic Confluence is a sweet reprint, hopefully Fiery is also in the set.

[qomori]

Wow, they have actually printed a powerful red spell.

Mystic Confluence is a sweet reprint, hopefully Fiery is also in the set.

Fiery lets you dome the opposing team for 12 damage in 2HG, which might be too strong

[Brael]

The implication is:
Step 1: Bonus Round
Step 2: Past in Flames
Step 3: Flashback Bonus Round
Step 4: Bonus Round (Copy)
Step 5: ???
Step 6: ??? (1st copy)
Step 7: ??? (2nd copy)
Step 8: ??? (3rd copy)
Step 9: Profit

Start at 3 mana, assume turns 1 and 2 involved some setup or whatever to put the cards together.
1. Tap 3 lands for RRR
2. Seething Song for RRRRR
3. Bonus Round leaving RR
4. Desperate Ritual for RRRRRR
5. Past in Flames leaving RR
6. Desperate Ritual flashback + Bonus for RRRRRR
7. Bonus Round flashback + Bonus leaving RRRR
8. Seething Song flashback + 3x Bonus for RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
9. Past in Flames flashback +3x Bonus just for storm count, leaving RRRRRRRRRRRR
10. Grapeshot +3x Bonus with Storm = 8.

Deal 36 damage.

[mistercakes]

copies don't have a storm trigger. (didn't look at your math but the numbers seem a bit high for grapeshot storm to trigger only one time)

[Brael]

copies don't have a storm trigger. (didn't look at your math but the numbers seem a bit high for grapeshot storm to trigger only one time)

Oh, didn't know that. That's a bit weaker then. I thought the copies triggered. In that case it would only deal 12, which is the same that a single Lightning Bolt deals.

In that case maybe you sequence a bit different:
1. Tap 3 lands for RRR
2. Seething Song for RRRRR
3. Bonus Round leaving RR
4. Desperate Ritual for RRRRRR
5. Past in Flames leaving RR
6. Desperate Ritual flashback + Bonus for RRRRRR
7. Bonus Round flashback + Bonus leaving RRRR
8. Seething Song flashback + 3x Bonus for RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
9. Lightning Bolt + 3x Bonus leaving RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR and deal 12 damage
9. Past in Flames flashback +3x Bonus, leaving RRRRRRRRRR
10. Lightning Bolt flashback +3x Bonus, leaving RRRRRRRRR and deal 12 damage

Alternatively, I guess you could still do Grapeshot+Flashback and get there on 26 damage from a cast, then PIF flashback, then a flashback.

[mistercakes]

i have a whole list of combos for pyromancer ascension on the ruby storm thread.

i'm not sure this card is better. you need a lot of mana to invest just to get this started since it will need to be done in the same turn. keep in mind your opponent can still get forked spells effects too.

if you do want to go crazy with this then i would recommend this sequence:

let's assume you don't have any reduction effect.

cast this new spell 1RR. cast seething song. get 10 mana.

seething song (10 red)
burning wish with (8 red).
fetching gamble and past in flames from sb.
cast gamble getting manamorphose and burning wish. (discarding both). (7 remaining) (keep in mind if you discard past in flames you can resp to the gamble copy by casting manamorphose, which will net you some more cards and mana)
cast past in flames (3)
flashback seething song (10 remaining)
cast manamorphose 8 red and 4 black.
cast burning wish. 6 red and 4 black.
get dark petition and tendrils.

[procobrito]

Wow, they have actually printed a powerful red spell.

Mystic Confluence is a sweet reprint, hopefully Fiery is also in the set.

Fiery got a reprint this year, in Commander Anthology 2018.

[Brael]

cast this new spell 1RR. cast seething song. get 10 mana.


I'm obviously not a storm player, but isn't wanting 6 mana to begin this sequence a bit too much of an ask?

[mistercakes]

Yea it is, but this was a combo like that is intended with an active pyromancer ascension.

I don't think this new red card is good outside of a wish target, and I prob wouldn't wish for it very often.

[ReAnimator]

I'm obviously not a storm player, but isn't wanting 6 mana to begin this sequence a bit too much of an ask?

Not necessarily, If you have a cost reducer, then it's super cheap, even if you don't, one rite of flame with none in the graveyard is a mana neutral start, 1RR for Bonus round and R for Rite, which gives you RRRR, then just start going off, that's not that big of an ask.

[Zombie]

Quadruple Ponder gogogo?

[Rascalyote]

Quad manamorphose sounds like Christmas

[Mr. Safety]

Quad manamorphose sounds like Christmas

Getting 2 is powerful enough to warrant inclusion of Bonus Round in Ruby Storm.


I'm obviously not a storm player, but isn't wanting 6 mana to begin this sequence a bit too much of an ask?

No, 6 mana is the easy part. Getting the right mix without blue filtering is the hard part. What Bonus Round does is raise the raw number of engine cards so it's easier to naturally draw one.

[Ephemeron]

I'm not really digging the art and the vibe of this set. Maybe it's stuff like Pir and Toothy and Fan Favorite that's throwing me off, but this all has a very Yu-Gi-Oh/Pokemon Stadium sorta feel to it that I was hoping Magic could stay above. I guess I should've known better when Gavin said this set was going to be an ode to e-sports. However, I acknowledge that crusty older players like myself probably aren't the target audience of this set, and there's enough negativity in the world overall, so I'll just leave my complaint at that.

Having said that, as a shaved ape hopelessly devoted to Griselbrand, I'm very excited to test Arcane Artisan in the sideboard of Sneak and Show. I've had a good deal of success recently siding in Grim Lavamancer because everyone always boards out their removal, and I think this will end up playing the same way, at least at first when no one has any idea what this card is. 2U is right in the sweet spot of realistic casting costs, it gets around hate cards like Containment Priest, it'll be good in the mirror and against stompy decks with Ensnaring Bridge, and even if you don't have a creature, it still just loots and that has a lot of value in a combo deck. Cool card.

[colo]

I'm not really digging the art and the vibe of this set.

That's because it's complete garbage, obviously. I feel it looks a tad like Fortnite: The Gathering.

[PirateKing]

All the art for the main creatures do look ripped from some low budget MOBA character select screen. Oh well.

[Brael]

I think the set flavor/art is pretty cool. I wouldn't want every set to be like this obviously, but as a 1 off I like it.

[Tylert]

Agreed. the flavor is Stylish fights in an arena. Characters have to be flashy. They need to have Purple hair and make-up.
Perhaps the art of some of them are really crappy like Pir, but most of it is on point :)

[PirateKing]

I keep seeing the art for Fan Favorite as the "face" of Battlebond and it's just so... pedestrian? I don't know. Crop the card and it's a mobile game that has commercials on TV.

[Megadeus]

I'm not really digging the art and the vibe of this set. Maybe it's stuff like Pir and Toothy and Fan Favorite that's throwing me off, but this all has a very Yu-Gi-Oh/Pokemon Stadium sorta feel to it that I was hoping Magic could stay above. I guess I should've known better when Gavin said this set was going to be an ode to e-sports. However, I acknowledge that crusty older players like myself probably aren't the target audience of this set, and there's enough negativity in the world overall, so I'll just leave my complaint at that.

Having said that, as a shaved ape hopelessly devoted to Griselbrand, I'm very excited to test Arcane Artisan in the sideboard of Sneak and Show. I've had a good deal of success recently siding in Grim Lavamancer because everyone always boards out their removal, and I think this will end up playing the same way, at least at first when no one has any idea what this card is. 2U is right in the sweet spot of realistic casting costs, it gets around hate cards like Containment Priest, it'll be good in the mirror and against stompy decks with Ensnaring Bridge, and even if you don't have a creature, it still just loots and that has a lot of value in a combo deck. Cool card.
That's probably because one of the basic land artists came out and said that he was inspired by Pokemon stadium and Super Smash on the land art

[Tylert]

One thing that bothers me is that they could have used real magic players faces at least to represent the participants in some case and add to the flavor. That would have been nice :)

[Ephemeron]

That's probably because one of the basic land artists came out and said that he was inspired by Pokemon stadium and Super Smash on the land art

Huh, no shit? I hadn't read that but I guess if that was their art vision, then they succeeded...

If they wanted to do a sort of magical fights as sport, I would've preferred it be in a more ancient Rome kinda way. They could use whatever Italian themed plane that Conspiracy is set on as the setting and that would give it a more modern feel without getting into the weird futuristic thing they have going on now.

[Claymore]

Huh, no shit? I hadn't read that but I guess if that was their art vision, then they succeeded...

If they wanted to do a sort of magical fights as sport, I would've preferred it be in a more ancient Rome kinda way. They could use whatever Italian themed plane that Conspiracy is set on as the setting and that would give it a more modern feel without getting into the weird futuristic thing they have going on now.

Return to Onslaught? Grand Coliseum, Jareth, Leonine Titan

[jimmythegreek]

Wow. Wizards prints more bogus trash, throws in a couple chase cards and some of the WORST art of any tcg. I'm at a loss for words, this game is done. This game is a shadow of what it once was.

[Dice_Box]

Wow. Wizards prints more bogus trash, throws in a couple chase cards and some of the WORST art of any tcg. I'm at a loss for words, this game is done. This game is a shadow of what it once was.

On the flip side, I really like what I have seen. I am going to play this set I think.

[Finn]

Anyone notice the cleaned up word templating? Is this new or am I just catching on slow?

They just say “copy” a spell instead of “put a copy on the stack”. And in our discussion of some technical stuff where that is important we all seem to get it.

Also, the shitty pronoun “their” is used instead of “his or her”. This is a big deal to a company. I am on the editing staff for marketing in my company. I can tell you that we go to great lengths to avoid sentences that use either “his or her” or “their” if at all possible. English does not have a proper solution to this issue at the moment. In a generation, I suspect the meaning of “their” will be accepted entirely in this way, but I can see Wizards has grown tired of waiting.

Bravo on both counts.

[PirateKing]

On the flip side, I really like what I have seen. I am going to play this set I think.

What even is the draft format for 2HG? All I've ever done is sealed. Or is sealed all there is?

[rufus]

Anyone notice the cleaned up word templating? Is this new or am I just catching on slow?

They just say “copy” a spell instead of “put a copy on the stack”. And in our discussion of some technical stuff where that is important we all seem to get it.


That's been there for a while. Twincast has a template like that.

[Brael]

On the flip side, I really like what I have seen. I am going to play this set I think.

Agree, this set is like fantasy land for Nic Fit, something like 8 playables. Ruby Storm gets something to become a better deck, some good reprints. And, it just looks fun. I don't know if I'll play it much, because our local community isn't really into this type of Magic, but I'll do it once for sure, and I'll be buying plenty of singles.

Also, partner with seems to be a very interesting mechanic in 2hg, note that it can fetch your partners card from their deck too so partner doesn't lock you into specific colors.

[Dice_Box]

This would have been a great set for Gifts Given.

[Kagehisa]

Spellseeker can join Trinket Mage for the Dreadnought Stifle/Trickbind combo :D

[bruizar]

Wow. Wizards prints more bogus trash, throws in a couple chase cards and some of the WORST art of any tcg. I'm at a loss for words, this game is done. This game is a shadow of what it once was.

Best art in years for me, I guess you can't please everyone!

[Brainstorm Ape]

Best art in years for me, I guess you can't please everyone!

With strict art direction, you really can't. More heterogeneous art might be bad for branding or whatever, but it means any given player won't completely hate the look of a set. Even Onslaught block, widely criticized for 2edgy4me art, had variety from stuff like goofy Pete Venters goblins or the assorted Rebecca Guay illustrations.

[bruizar]

This is what I ordered:
8 Brightling
3 Pir, Imaginative Rascal
2 Toothy, Imaginary Friend
3 Arena Rector
4 Veteran Explorer Foil
4 Fumble
4 Najeela, The Blade-Blossom foil

Najeela:
Think it looks like goblin rabblemaster and young pyromancer a bit

Fumble:
Sideboard card against DNT and TNN + Jitte

Brightling:
Small spec on it replacing mirran crusader in DNT

Pir & Toothy:
Just wanted to have them cause I like them

Arena Rector:
Ugin, ugin, ugin!

Veteran Explorer foil:
First foil printing of Veteran Explorer, and it has stunning art. This will easily be one of the most expensive foils in the set, even though it is uncommon.

[Ahab]

This is what I ordered:

Fumble:
Sideboard card against DNT and TNN + Jitte


Fumble can't target TNN

[bruizar]

Fumble can't target TNN
Right. :D

Still a decent card to have for sideboard purposes for less than 20 cents. Grip of Phyresis is, in that case, a more useful silver bullet card, but I still like the powerlevel of Fumble in the matchups where you can actually use it.

[Darkenslight]

All the art for the main creatures do look ripped from some low budget MOBA character select screen. Oh well.

To ve fair, that's because the set's flavor is that of four people in an arena, working in pairs. Which is a 2v2 Battle Arena.

Whether people like it or not is entirely down to them.