And noticed that Mark gave us a little hint about the 'Lights', 'Camera', 'Action' block:
AH -We're starting to see a little more flavor creep into the design of cards - we've seen it with Lorthos in Zendikar, and Urge to Feed in Worldwake, to name a few examples. This most recent drive seems to have originated in Magic 2010. Has a design paradigm changed? Is flavor more important to design than it was in years previous?
MR - There is a current push towards what we call resonance. That is, we have found that the game is more enjoyable if some amount of the concepts on the cards are already recognizable by the audience. Magic 2010 and Zendikar both play into that. Note that not all sets will be equally resonant. For example, “Lights”block , the 2010 -11 block, plays more with things known to Magic players than things known to people outside of Magic. It’s a little more nostalgic than resonant. So yes, I would say there has been a shift in the design paradigm in that we think about flavor in a slightly different way. Note that the design paradigm is constantly shifting so change is not unnatural to the process.
This would certainly fit with a return to Mirrodin and Phyrexian involvement, but it still leaves room for many other possibilities. Thoughts?
This would certainly fit with a return to Mirrodin and Phyrexian involvement, but it still leaves room for many other possibilities. Thoughts?
Simple: it's exactly what we thought it was. The block theme was pretty much confirmed thanks to the patent office, but it's nice to have extra confirmation from Maro himself, I supose.
I'm still hoping that Tezzeret is involved somehow (new evincar/overlord sort of figure?), because he is by far my favorite planeswalker. Besides, it would be such a missed opportunity to leave the artificer planeswalker out of a return to Mirrodin, no matter his purpose. I'd say that his planeswalker novel being next points nicely towards him being important.
I'm glad to see Rosewater mention the term "nostalgia" in terms of Lights block, as it's been a while since I got a good fix of that in a new set since TSP block.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DITS!
Mr. Jiggles comin' to town and gonna take you on down to the hootenanny, so y'all best be lookin' out for a good, jiggly time.
There's a subtle difference between nostalgia (what we saw in Time Spiral) and this new sense of resonance. In Time Spiral, you had to be in on the joke to get it. (Based on what MaRo promises,) in "Lights," if you're in on the joke, you'll appreciate it better, but everyone will at least have a chuckle.
Regarding Karn, if he does show up, he won't be an artifact. Wizards has stated they are avoiding mixing types with Planeswalkers because flavorfully "they surpass anything else they might be". Mechanically, can you imagine if they made Karn an Artifact Planeswalker? "Yeah, I'll Nature's Claim your planeswalker." Plus, he should really be a Artifact Creature Planeswalker - Golem Karn. And all the other planeswalkers would be PW Creatures.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
She wants a ride on the pony, dude.
Mafia Stats
Kill shot: BB
Issue with my shooting? Please visit my helpdesk and help me learn to aim!
maybe not an artifact planeswalker, but a colorless planeswalker would be bad-the-☺☺☺☺-ass. it would be very difficult to give it 3 abilities without doing something thats in the color pie though. it would have to be super expensive (manacost that is)
maybe not an artifact planeswalker, but a colorless planeswalker would be bad-the-☺☺☺☺-ass. it would be very difficult to give it 3 abilities without doing something thats in the color pie though. it would have to be super expensive (manacost that is)
I would imagine that Karn is colorless, but rather than fitting his abilities into the color pie, I think they'd fit it into the 'Karn flavor' (like his legendary creature card with its pacifistic ability).
There's a subtle difference between nostalgia (what we saw in Time Spiral) and this new sense of resonance. In Time Spiral, you had to be in on the joke to get it. (Based on what MaRo promises,) in "Lights," if you're in on the joke, you'll appreciate it better, but everyone will at least have a chuckle.
I actually don't think the difference is subtle at all, since TSP was supposed to shove nostalgia down our throats, and this will likely be a blending of old storyline tidbits with all the new stuff. However, seeing as the closest we've had in the past three blocks to any sort of nostalgia is randomly tossing Bolas into Alara, it's gonna be nice to have the old storylines matter again. Because really, Bolas could have just as well have been some unknown planeswalker who had his spark downgraded and is now trying to use Alara to "reignite."
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DITS!
Mr. Jiggles comin' to town and gonna take you on down to the hootenanny, so y'all best be lookin' out for a good, jiggly time.
Does this mean counters and LD or just nostalgia. Wizards has said over and over that what players hate to play against the most are those 2 types of decks, but they are beloved to many players I know, especially those who have been playing for long enough to truly appreciate them. Maybe tectonic edge and roiling terrain are signs of things to come?
Ummmm.... what does this have to do with the topic... If you are trying to make an emphasis on being "in" on the joke, then at least clue others in when it's not very apparent. Some of us do not pay attention much to football.
Guys, I doubt we'll see both Tezz and Karn (and doubt that we'll see Tezz anyway, seeing as he was in the last block with even a little bit of an artifact theme) in the same block, though it is possible. Also, sets aren't in chronological order (read: Kamigawa) , so we could see Urza... Maybe. Very unlikely IMO.
Ummmm.... what does this have to do with the topic... If you are trying to make an emphasis on being "in" on the joke, then at least clue others in when it's not very apparent. Some of us do not pay attention much to football.
"They were who we thought they were!"
"its exactly what we thought it was" - From 2nd post.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I know he thinks I'm impressed by a 102 MPH fastball in the 9th inning... Ok, I'm impressed, but that doesn't mean I can't crush it.
Guys, I doubt we'll see both Tezz and Karn (and doubt that we'll see Tezz anyway, seeing as he was in the last block with even a little bit of an artifact theme) in the same block, though it is possible. Also, sets aren't in chronological order (read: Kamigawa) , so we could see Urza... Maybe. Very unlikely IMO.
We will never see Urza. If they make Urza, half of the Magic Community stops playing. Period.
Kamigawa was just the set up to show us Bolas' hatred for NIght's Reach.
We will never see Urza. If they make Urza, half of the Magic Community stops playing. Period.
Kamigawa was just the set up to show us Bolas' hatred for NIght's Reach.
My guess is that about half of the magic community have been around enough (or read forums enough) to even tell you who Urza is. Of those, maybe half care about him (or any storyline) at all. Of those who do, at least half of them would be pleased to see him. I still don't think they'll do it, but your estimate is hilariously off-base.
Guys, I doubt we'll see both Tezz and Karn (and doubt that we'll see Tezz anyway, seeing as he was in the last block with even a little bit of an artifact theme) in the same block, though it is possible.
I'm not sure why. It seems like a pretty good match to me, kind of like seeing Ajani and Bolas in the same block (and fighting one another): it's a good way of tying the old storyline together with the new.
Also, sets aren't in chronological order (read: Kamigawa) , so we could see Urza... Maybe. Very unlikely IMO.
The Time Spiral storyline represents a "break" in the timeline. While individual sets aren't always in order, every set released before TSP takes place before the Mending and every set released afterwards takes place after the Mending, in the world of neo-planeswalkers.
Getting a Planeswalker novel pretty solidly puts him in the "protagonist" and not "villain" category, IMO. I think we'll be seeing him encounter the returning Phyrexians, not leading them.
The Time Spiral storyline represents a "break" in the timeline. While individual sets aren't always in order, every set released before TSP takes place before the Mending and every set released afterwards takes place after the Mending, in the world of neo-planeswalkers.
I'm not really too up on Lorwyn/Shadowmoor stuff, but didn't those actually take place kind of around the Mending, as it is speculated that the Mending is what caused the Great Aurora or something?
As for it being too soon to see Tezz again, we saw a new Ajani the block right after his debut, and now we've seen new Chandra and Jace only two blocks after their debuts.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DITS!
Mr. Jiggles comin' to town and gonna take you on down to the hootenanny, so y'all best be lookin' out for a good, jiggly time.
Getting a Planeswalker novel pretty solidly puts him in the "protagonist" and not "villain" category, IMO. I think we'll be seeing him encounter the returning Phyrexians, not leading them.
Not that I'm arguing that Tezzeret will inherit the "Phyrexian throne" or what not but "villain" and "protagonist" aren't mutually exclusive roles ;).
Not that I'm arguing that Tezzeret will inherit the "Phyrexian throne" or what not but "villain" and "protagonist" aren't mutually exclusive roles ;).
Well, I'm talking about the level of complexity normally seen in these Magic block storylines, here. I am pretty doubtful Tezzeret will prove to be the villain of the New Phyrexia storyline.
I'm not really too up on Lorwyn/Shadowmoor stuff, but didn't those actually take place kind of around the Mending, as it is speculated that the Mending is what caused the Great Aurora or something?
The Great Aurora is a natural part of the magic of Lorwyn... though it came sooner than expected. (Which messed up alot of people's plans)
The mending was alluded to as the thing that caused it to happen early.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~````
Also, no Urza... ever. They could have brought Urza back as a card in Time Spiral (just as they did Mishra), but decided that any person who had a heroic death shouldn't be brought back.
So that means Urza's dead for good. (As he should be.) It also means that Yawgmoth is likely dead for good.
Getting a Planeswalker novel pretty solidly puts him in the "protagonist" and not "villain" category, IMO. I think we'll be seeing him encounter the returning Phyrexians, not leading them.
Maybe. There's potential for evil in everyone. However, Tezz's appearence on Tinker suggests that he's as blue as he's always been in the future.
Not that I'm arguing that Tezzeret will inherit the "Phyrexian throne" or what not but "villain" and "protagonist" aren't mutually exclusive roles ;).
What block has had a villain protagonist? The closest you can come to it is Toshiro Umezawa and he wasn't so much a villain as an extremely self-interested guy.
Well, I'm talking about the level of complexity normally seen in these Magic block storylines, here. I am pretty doubtful Tezzeret will prove to be the villain of the New Phyrexia storyline.
Never speak the Ineffable's name. If Wizards hear you, they might think it a good idea to have him rise from his slumber. Yawgmoth is as dead as possible.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Anyone remember when Magic was good?
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
And noticed that Mark gave us a little hint about the 'Lights', 'Camera', 'Action' block:
This would certainly fit with a return to Mirrodin and Phyrexian involvement, but it still leaves room for many other possibilities. Thoughts?
Simple: it's exactly what we thought it was. The block theme was pretty much confirmed thanks to the patent office, but it's nice to have extra confirmation from Maro himself, I supose.
I'm glad to see Rosewater mention the term "nostalgia" in terms of Lights block, as it's been a while since I got a good fix of that in a new set since TSP block.
Mr. Jiggles comin' to town and gonna take you on down to the hootenanny, so y'all best be lookin' out for a good, jiggly time.
Also, first artifact planeswalker - Karn!
Next nostalgia block I want urza/mishra... however it needs to happen
Both can be planeswalkers
Scry! (rollover popups)
Modern: W Soul Sisters (WIP), GW Melira Pod (WIP)
Current EDH:
G Ezuri's Renegade Elves (thread)
BGW Ghave's Legion (thread)
WUB Sharuum, Artifact Savant
Flashes of Dennis Green. Warning: Language. NSFW.
There's a subtle difference between nostalgia (what we saw in Time Spiral) and this new sense of resonance. In Time Spiral, you had to be in on the joke to get it. (Based on what MaRo promises,) in "Lights," if you're in on the joke, you'll appreciate it better, but everyone will at least have a chuckle.
Mafia Stats
Kill shot: BB
Issue with my shooting? Please visit my helpdesk and help me learn to aim!
I would imagine that Karn is colorless, but rather than fitting his abilities into the color pie, I think they'd fit it into the 'Karn flavor' (like his legendary creature card with its pacifistic ability).
I actually don't think the difference is subtle at all, since TSP was supposed to shove nostalgia down our throats, and this will likely be a blending of old storyline tidbits with all the new stuff. However, seeing as the closest we've had in the past three blocks to any sort of nostalgia is randomly tossing Bolas into Alara, it's gonna be nice to have the old storylines matter again. Because really, Bolas could have just as well have been some unknown planeswalker who had his spark downgraded and is now trying to use Alara to "reignite."
Mr. Jiggles comin' to town and gonna take you on down to the hootenanny, so y'all best be lookin' out for a good, jiggly time.
and Urza is dead, and so is Mishra. Let the dead sleep.
Ummmm.... what does this have to do with the topic... If you are trying to make an emphasis on being "in" on the joke, then at least clue others in when it's not very apparent. Some of us do not pay attention much to football.
Draft it on Cubetutor!
"They were who we thought they were!"
"its exactly what we thought it was" - From 2nd post.
We will never see Urza. If they make Urza, half of the Magic Community stops playing. Period.
Kamigawa was just the set up to show us Bolas' hatred for NIght's Reach.
My guess is that about half of the magic community have been around enough (or read forums enough) to even tell you who Urza is. Of those, maybe half care about him (or any storyline) at all. Of those who do, at least half of them would be pleased to see him. I still don't think they'll do it, but your estimate is hilariously off-base.
I'm not sure why. It seems like a pretty good match to me, kind of like seeing Ajani and Bolas in the same block (and fighting one another): it's a good way of tying the old storyline together with the new.
The Time Spiral storyline represents a "break" in the timeline. While individual sets aren't always in order, every set released before TSP takes place before the Mending and every set released afterwards takes place after the Mending, in the world of neo-planeswalkers.
Getting a Planeswalker novel pretty solidly puts him in the "protagonist" and not "villain" category, IMO. I think we'll be seeing him encounter the returning Phyrexians, not leading them.
I'm not really too up on Lorwyn/Shadowmoor stuff, but didn't those actually take place kind of around the Mending, as it is speculated that the Mending is what caused the Great Aurora or something?
As for it being too soon to see Tezz again, we saw a new Ajani the block right after his debut, and now we've seen new Chandra and Jace only two blocks after their debuts.
Mr. Jiggles comin' to town and gonna take you on down to the hootenanny, so y'all best be lookin' out for a good, jiggly time.
Not that I'm arguing that Tezzeret will inherit the "Phyrexian throne" or what not but "villain" and "protagonist" aren't mutually exclusive roles ;).
Well, I'm talking about the level of complexity normally seen in these Magic block storylines, here. I am pretty doubtful Tezzeret will prove to be the villain of the New Phyrexia storyline.
The Great Aurora is a natural part of the magic of Lorwyn... though it came sooner than expected. (Which messed up alot of people's plans)
The mending was alluded to as the thing that caused it to happen early.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~````
Also, no Urza... ever. They could have brought Urza back as a card in Time Spiral (just as they did Mishra), but decided that any person who had a heroic death shouldn't be brought back.
So that means Urza's dead for good. (As he should be.) It also means that Yawgmoth is likely dead for good.
Maybe. There's potential for evil in everyone. However, Tezz's appearence on Tinker suggests that he's as blue as he's always been in the future.
What block has had a villain protagonist? The closest you can come to it is Toshiro Umezawa and he wasn't so much a villain as an extremely self-interested guy.
Yawgmoth isn't dead anyway. Anymore.
What's this now? Where did this come from?
Never speak the Ineffable's name. If Wizards hear you, they might think it a good idea to have him rise from his slumber. Yawgmoth is as dead as possible.