Just a quick reminder (and to test out this Aside function on WordPress), I will be at PAX Prime all day Friday and will be at the Magic Party Saturday night (7:00 PM Pacific time). If you can’t be there, you can follow me on Twitter (@mtgcolorpie) as I’ll be taking photos and trying to get more information about Theros; feel free to tweet me and I’ll do my best to answer those burning questions. Maybe I’ll do some quick blogging too. At PAX? come find me and we can hang out. I’ll have two Commander decks with me as well as Planechase and Vanguard.
Author: MTGColorPie
The Interblock Synergy of Ravnica and Theros
Way back in the first “Sate of Design”, Mark Rosewater talked about interblock design. To the quote machine:
Not only will the designers have to design between sets, they will have to design between blocks. We’re getting an earlier jump on future blocks to make sure that the designers know where we are going and allow them the ability to set up the next block.
The first time this was truly implemented was our previous trip to Ravnica and I thought that it was important to take a look at what we’ve got so far.
But what does interblock synergy really mean? Before Ravnica (Part 1), the most powerful Standard decks tended to be block decks with very few cards from outside those three sets. This was fine for testing because it gave you a deck to run through your gauntlet. Examples include Affinity in Mirrodin and Goblin Bidding in Onslaught. Both of those decks didn’t really rely on too many cards that weren’t from their respective blocks.
This made Standard pretty boring (But remember, this is was still coming off the heels of Affinity however the basic concept is there). This also led to not tying into the surrounding blocks in general and have each one fend for itself.
Ravnica changed all of this.
Continue reading “The Interblock Synergy of Ravnica and Theros”
Of Monsters and Heroes
With the Duel Decks: Heroes vs Monsters revealed we can talk about the two mechanics previewed for Theros.
Monstrosity:
[Cost]: Monstrosity [Number]. (If this creature isn’t monstrous, put [Number] +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)
Heroic:
Heroic – Whenever you cast a spell that targets [CARDNAME], [Effect].
What we’ve got here is a creature based mechanic and a spell based one (even though it doesn’t seem like it). Both of these have their little quirks and I’m sure I might get some of the smaller details wrong without an official FAQ. But I can tell you some things that we can be on the lookout for with both of these mechanics and what we might be able to expect in the block. I’m taking a large assumption that these will be spread out over the five colors though obviously there will be only-color effects.
Indiana Jones and the Limited Print Runs
I keep seeing this argument all over the internet and I’ll address it here. The main complaint is about limited print runs: things like Commander’s Arsenal, Modern Masters, From the Vaults and SDCC “Black on Black” Planeswalkers. These types of sets are hoarded by people which make them rare and hard for people to acquire. People need these cards, so why would WotC ever make it hard for players to get them? With the continued (and neverending) support of the Reserved List, WotC just cares about collectors. Screw the players, right? To quote the Reddit post that finally forced me to write this piece:
If your going to use that bullshit “secondary-market” or “collector’s will get mad”. I’m done. This is getting way out of hand. People are hoarding this shit like its gold. Its cardboard. I want to play a game. I mean half of these products are so rare and demanded with lots of $$$, that most of this shit is sitting sealed and unopened in some guys shelf, or he has multiples unopened because he’s looking to make a few dollars.
This is bullshit.
You don’t need these limited print run cards to play Magic.
Honestly.
I checked.
WotC doesn’t print these sets to make you mad. They do it because they can. And they should. Continue reading “Indiana Jones and the Limited Print Runs”
Uncle’s Games Invitational Contest – You Make the Maze Runner
You want to play in the Uncle’s Games Summer Invitational? If course you do. And now, here’s your chance.
If you don’t know the full story, Uncle’s Games here in the Seattle area has decided to hold a 16 person tournament on August 17th. You have to win a separate tournament to get into this Invitational and spaces are filling up quickly. I have been offered to give out one of the Invitational spaces. So here is my contest and even if you don’t live in the Seattle area, you can still participate and win something.
I know that some of you were passionate about the “You Make the Card” contest that WotC had recently. Well, we’re going to do that here, only with a twist.
Here’s your assignment:
At the last moment, WotC’s R&D has decided that each of the Dragon’s Maze legendary “Maze Runners” that were going to print won’t work. Each of the Legends has something wrong with them. All of the art has been commissioned and the names have been locked it so there can’t be any change there. You need to choose one Guild and the existing Maze Runner and redesign it.
What you can change:
- Casting Cost (They still need to have their two Guild colors)
- Text Box (What the card does/Flavor text)
- Power/Toughness
What you cannot change:
- Name
- Art
- Guild they represent
- Creature type
- Rarity
Yes, it’s a “You Make the Maze Runner” contest.
What we’re looking for:
A representation of what you believe would be a better Maze Runner. Their current wording may not work with what the Vorthos flavor says, their ability may not be what you thought it would be, or you just have an awesome idea of what you believe the Maze Runner should be.
Hints:
- Just because you can change something doesn’t mean you need to.
- Stick with the identity of the Guild.
- Use the Guild keyword or an ability that interacts well with the Guild.
- Don’t forget about the Commander format.
- Every other card in Dragon’s Maze stays the same.
I know that a good majority of you out there have ideas of what you would’ve liked to have seen print. Well, now’s your chance. Here’s what you have to do:
- Email “UnclesMaze@gmail.com”
- Subject – [Guild] Uncle’s Games Entry
- Body – Card Name – Casting Cost
Card Text
Power/Toughness
Any extra text you want to add to explain your card.
Your name
The contest starts now and runs until Sunday, July 21st at Midnight (PST). We’re only going to count your first entry, so make it good. We shall let you know We are going to select a winning entry from each Guild and put them up against each other. That’s right, there will be 10 finalists.
This is where the rest of the internet comes in. We’ll put the entries on Facebook and the one with the most “Likes” will be our winner. Why should you vote on Facebook? We’re going to randomly select someone who voted to win a Magic 2014 Fat Pack AND a Duels of the Planeswalker 2014 game on the system of your choice OR a draft pack of Return to Ravnica Block or M14 on MTGO.
Everyone got it? Redesign a Dragon’s Maze “Maze Runner”, email the design to UnclesMaze@gmail.com, and wait. If you have any questions, you can send that email address a question, tweet me – @mtgcolorpie, or leave a comment down below.
Good luck, everyone. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with. Here’s the Uncle’s Games page with the rest of the Invitational.
MTG Color Pie 