Yesterday I come across my Fat Pack, and read the brochure. The whole story of Zendikar is laid out there, from the original imprisonment of the Eldrazi to the "Story continues in Oath..."
The current UR are about in half of the whole story. I will recap the rest in spoiler tags.
Nissa is going to Khalni Heart to renew her connection to Zendikar. She meets Ob Nixilis here, who has a little more devious plans with the Heart. Nissa bests Ob, renews her connection to Zendikar and takes the Heart "to a safe location".
Jace arrives to the Eye and finds Ugin, who is in fact here repairing it to function again. Ugin reveals to Jace the purpose of the hedrons and their role in imprisoning Eldrazi. Jace realizes that it can serve as the first step to killing them. Ignoring Ugin's warnings, Jace heads back to Sea Gate to pass this info to Gideon.
At Sea Gate, Gideon meets Kiora, who joins her army to his. Jace and Nissa arrive as well and all four walkers and their army drive the Eldrazi out of Sea Gate, reclaim it, and rebuild and fortify its ramparts.
A horde of Eldrazi led by Ulamog itself retaliates. Gideon and Kiora's troops hold them back. Nissa uses her connection to the land to unearth sunken hedrons from the land and align them around Ulamog. Jace activates the hedrons' magic, and the Aligned Hedron Network goes online. Victory!!! ...or not?
And then ***** hits the fan.
Ob Nixilis appears, having tracked Nissa from Bala Ged and the Khalni Heart. He knocks some of the hedrons out of the alignment and lets their energy flow into him. By this means his spark reignites.
But Gideon believes that all is not lost. Ulamog is confused, battered and weakened by the network's activation, still rather immobilized, still in reach of his and Kiora's armies, and appears on the edge of defeat. Gideon orders the joint army to attack and he himself leaps forward to attack the titan.
...the story continues in Oath of the Gatewatch.
There is also some info on all the three Titans. Apparently each of them has different effect on the surroundings.
Ulamog is the Titan of Consumption. He and his brood consumes living and unliving matter alike (we have seen this in BFZ in spades) drains mana and vital energy from everything in the vicinity like a maelstrom. His processors transform the consumed energy into spell-like effects that defy the understanding of Zendikari mages. They leave the white chalky latticelike structures in their wake. Everything including water is transformed into the white manaless husk of what it once was.
Kozilek is the Titan of Distortion. He changes the perception of the reality, making impossible to discern the truth. He twists loyalties, muddies thoughts, transforms emotions, induces despair and panic. His brood is said to have retreated to remote corners of the world, and it is generally believed that he left the plane.
Emrakul is the Titan of Corruption. *She* (still cannot get used to that) does not affect unliving matter - rocks, water, etc...but twists all things living, be it plants, animals, or sentient beings. She vanished before Kozilek, and again the people believe she has left the plane
Hey, thanks for pulling this together. I think we already knew that Ob Nixilis disrupted the hedrons to get his spark back, but this ending makes sense in terms of what they're doing.
It's a shame it ends on a 'to be continued', or at least ends with a 'to be continued' before they even fight Ulamog proper... I was hoping the Ulamog situation would be resolved one way or another before Gatewatch.
Okay, so they're retconing Suffer the Past and turning Ulamog into Galactus.
Regardless of the "hedron network", Ulamog should not be weakened enough for them to be able to defeat him. Upon awakening from 6000 years of imprisonment, he, Kozilek and Emrakul immediately showed they're more powerful than anything in Dominia, but after 10 minutes in the hedron network (which consisted of infinitely fewer hedrons) he's weakened enough to be able to be fought by them?
I just can't believe they spoiled the whole story from the URs in a brochure of a fat pack. Do they do that often? Because that is just absurd. It seems to me like a complete disrespect to the readers. "Hey, have you been following the glacial pace of the story in the URs? Great! You know what? How about we spoil everything that matters that is coming next in the brochure of the fat pack? Yeah, why bother reading right?". This is just... I have no words to describe how bad that is.
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But there is only one UR "episode" left after Home Waters. So what's the big deal? and way back in the day, the NOVEL used to be included in the Fat Packs, so there is a precedent.
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Okay, so they're retconing Suffer the Past and turning Ulamog into Galactus.
Regardless of the "hedron network", Ulamog should not be weakened enough for them to be able to defeat him. Upon awakening from 6000 years of imprisonment, he, Kozilek and Emrakul immediately showed they're more powerful than anything in Dominia, but after 10 minutes in the hedron network (which consisted of infinitely fewer hedrons) he's weakened enough to be able to be fought by them?
That's some logic.
Remember, Jace is using the hedrons differently. Ugin wanted to preserve the Eldrazi, while Jace wants to destroy them. The Aligned Hedron Network must be having a different effect on the world.
But there is only one UR "episode" left after Home Waters. So what's the big deal? and way back in the day, the NOVEL used to be included in the Fat Packs, so there is a precedent.
Wait wait. What do you mean there is only one episode left? They are going to keep telling the story now through URs until Oath, there is not only one 'episode' left... right?
And it is veeery veeeery different to spoil a novel than it is to spoil a weekly read. The novel you can grab and read everything at once, long before spoilers bother you (or, in the case the spoilers happen a little before or at the same time as the novel release you can wait a little without the spoilers, read everything and get done with it). Now it is a series. You can't read the whole thing at once, because it is a weekly read. It is horrible to spoil a whole series, just terrible.
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On the story page of the BFZ Webpage, which is also linked to at the end of each UR, the story is broken up into 8 episodes. The seventh was Home Waters and the last one is called "Nissa's Resolve"
My guess is that they'll go back to regular semi-standalone UR stories after next week. But anything could happen, I don't work for Wizards.
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In regards to the "only one episode left" issue, that is incorrect. Yes, on the story tab it only shows 8, but near the beginning of that page's existence they did show all 14 stories. Don't worry, the next episode is not the last one, they just haven't updated the page, and more than likely will do so next week.
Also, in regards to the brochure... who cares. They've already clearly stated that they are trying to make the story accessible to everyone. The brochure is meant for those that don't read, or don't want to read, the UR's and that's fine. Also in my mind, knowing the plot points doesn't really spoil anything for me personally. For me, actually seeing/reading a story unfold is the most enjoyable part.
Its like with the new movie coming out today, The Martian, with the Trailers you already pretty much knew how the story was going to play out. But, according to the critics, everything that happens within that movie is great and worthy of seeing even though everyone pretty much already knows how the story will go. Another example for me I can give is with Pacific Rim. Other than the Kaiju, I had no interest in ever seeing that movie in theaters, so I was happy to hear others talking about the plot points. And then when I finally saw the movie on HBO, I sat down, enjoyed the storyline, and also the Kaiju. Maybe this is just how I am, the fat pack brochure spoiling the main details doesn't take away the thrill I'll have from experiencing the writing play out.
I do understand everyone's concerns though, but personally, this isn't really that big of an issue, if you didn't want to be spoiled, then you shouldn't have read this forum.
Okay, so they're retconing Suffer the Past and turning Ulamog into Galactus.
I'm a million percent on board with that decision. When they first make the Eldazi there was nothing to differentiate them except physical characteristics. Having each operate differently is a retcon in the right direction.
I just can't believe they spoiled the whole story from the URs in a brochure of a fat pack. Do they do that often? Because that is just absurd. It seems to me like a complete disrespect to the readers. "Hey, have you been following the glacial pace of the story in the URs? Great! You know what? How about we spoil everything that matters that is coming next in the brochure of the fat pack? Yeah, why bother reading right?". This is just... I have no words to describe how bad that is.
Keep in mind that they still test the "new ways and channels" for the story. This is probably one of the missteps in getting that right.
It kind of surprised me to read it all there. I do not mind it, though. But they might have consider to at least put some spoiler alert there. Maybe next time. Or not - but people will probably keep in mind that they can do that, and can avoid it if they want.
Overall, not a big deal, IMO. But for people like you, there could have been some warning.
But there is only one UR "episode" left after Home Waters. So what's the big deal? and way back in the day, the NOVEL used to be included in the Fat Packs, so there is a precedent.
They add new episodes along the way. There is one left just FOR NOW.
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This isn't a bad idea. I think it is a step in the right direction. Since neither Nissa, Gideon or Jace are really interesting here, they may as well just give us a synopsis of the story. Instead of the URs of fighting and filler. I would not mind if they took a novella approach and put those in the fatpacks. A bit more than just a synopsis, but with less room for fluff than the URs. Kiora and Ob have been fun reading, though.
Okay, so they're retconing Suffer the Past and turning Ulamog into Galactus.
I'm a million percent on board with that decision. When they first make the Eldazi there was nothing to differentiate them except physical characteristics. Having each operate differently is a retcon in the right direction.
Nah, I'm not okay with it. It turns the titans into one-note caricatures. They should all be capable of doing everything. You can, however, have one titan/brood be better at one thing than another titan/brood.
So if an Ulamog guy takes 15 minutes to eat something, an Emrakul or Kozilek guy would take like 30. If every brood can only do one thing, you end up with one-note villains and boring URs where the Eldrazi fights are basically filler... kinda like right now.
You are right that they should be different though. Hunger, Madness and Desolation are what they supposedly represented, but they all operated the same back in OG Zendikar.
Remember, Jace is using the hedrons differently. Ugin wanted to preserve the Eldrazi, while Jace wants to destroy them. The Aligned Hedron Network must be having a different effect on the world.
So what you're saying is Jace figured out how to make a better/more effective lock in a week than three oldwalkers did in decades.
My best explanation for Ulamog being disorientated now when the Titans were fine after thousands of years is that they had a chance to become accustomed to it then. Ulamog was only imprisoned for a short time, so he (it) was switching back and forth between two "modes" quite fast.
Nah, I'm not okay with it. It turns the titans into one-note caricatures. They should all be capable of doing everything. You can, however, have one titan/brood be better at one thing than another titan/brood.
You realize that you're angrily jumping to a conclusion that we have clear evidence against, right? Dominator Drone is from Ulamog's brood and so is Mind Raker. Also Kaltias's mind has been broken by Ulamog.
Okay, so they're retconing Suffer the Past and turning Ulamog into Galactus.
Regardless of the "hedron network", Ulamog should not be weakened enough for them to be able to defeat him. Upon awakening from 6000 years of imprisonment, he, Kozilek and Emrakul immediately showed they're more powerful than anything in Dominia, but after 10 minutes in the hedron network (which consisted of infinitely fewer hedrons) he's weakened enough to be able to be fought by them?
That's some logic.
I don't think they're necessarily retconning it. I'm sure Ulamog and his brood are capable of this sort of thing (Transgress the Mind and all) they just probably don't do it as frequently as Kozilek and his kids. As for the rest, I agree with you, a few shocks from a few hedrons shouldn't knock (arguably) the third most powerful being in the multiverse down to "just a giant monster" levels. That said, we don't know how this story ends, the summary says "appearson the edge of defeat". For all we know Ulamog is about to give Gideon a humbling worse than Erebos did.
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My Decks:
UG Merfolk RG 8-Whack BWG Abzan midrange GRB Living End UWB Spirit Control
GU Kruphix's "Hug Assassin" RW Kalemne's "Play Fatties and Hope for the Best!" BUGW Atraxa's "All counters, all the time"
You realize that you're angrily jumping to a conclusion that we have clear evidence against, right? Dominator Drone is from Ulamog's brood and so is Mind Raker. Also Kaltias's mind has been broken by Ulamog.
I'm not talking about the story right now, just specifically what you suggested.
Void Winnower and Silent Skimmer (mostly this, but Winnower's art is just so GOAT) are huge flavor wins that make me remember why I loved the Eldrazi so much. If all of them were Breaker of Armies I wouldn't dig it, ya dig? It's pretty annoying how the stories don't feature these unique eldrazi though.
It would be awesome to have Gideon leap into battle and then Ulamog accidentally knocks him thirty miles away.
For real right? I wouldn't put it past Wizards to let Gideon and co. kill Ulamog, but I'm hoping they go in a different direction. I feel like Ulamog should be on a whole other level of the planeswalkers not knowing what they're getting into. They've spent the past block struggling against the equivalent of Ulamog's toenails. Even weakened, he should a big deal, not just some wounded animal they finish off. It would also be nice to see Jace humbled as he realizes he doesn't know better than Ugin.
I agree with TerrorKingA that it would be cool to see a little more of what the Ulamog brood are capable of, but like I said earlier I think those are the exceptions to the rule. Generally, Ulamog spawn are just big-tentacled-vacuums. I think they're also probably saving the special stuff for Ulamog himself. If anyone is going to be breaking sanities or causing illness by their very presence in the UR it's going to be Ulamog himself, not some random spawn.
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My Decks:
UG Merfolk RG 8-Whack BWG Abzan midrange GRB Living End UWB Spirit Control
GU Kruphix's "Hug Assassin" RW Kalemne's "Play Fatties and Hope for the Best!" BUGW Atraxa's "All counters, all the time"
Remember, Jace is using the hedrons differently. Ugin wanted to preserve the Eldrazi, while Jace wants to destroy them. The Aligned Hedron Network must be having a different effect on the world.
So what you're saying is Jace figured out how to make a better/more effective lock in a week than three oldwalkers did in decades.
Of course, he's Jace.
If those are exactly same hedrons, just aligned differently, then my first thought will be that Ugin knew all along how to do that, he just didn't want to. That's just too big for a coincidence. Of course, need to see actual story, because there are plenty of ways this revelation to turn insulting for parties involved.
I hope Ob did not planeswalk right away. I mean, we've gotten all this built-up of him knowing the hedrons better than anyone save Nahiri and that he's expecting the good guys for they'll need him and all the rest... and now he just pops up out of nowhere, knocks a few hedrons and gets his spark back?
At least we'll have the scene where Ulamog looms over Gideon.
I liked the fact they summarize the story in the booklet. Origin's UR were nice, but for my part I found BFZ ones mostly yawn-inducing filler. Let's see how they adjust storytelling in the future, if ever.
My beef though, is they represent Ulamog in a far too mundane way for my tastes. We seem to come from fathomless extraplanar entities that defy everything we know to colorless fatties allergic to hedrons. Also, the Ob Nixilis reigniting his spark is too much fan service oriented, after all the spark used to be something really unique, but I stopped reading after the Weatherlight/Time Spiral books, so what do I know.
Also of note from the Fat Pack is that In the Teeth of Akoum is still generally canon. Nissa and Sorin do still join up, and Nissa frees the Eldrazi rather than re-sealing them. I thought this was wonderful to see. Although the URs only hint that these events were still canon (mentions of Anowan, Nissa's vague mistakes in the past, etc.), this provides proof that Teeth still happened (give and take some details).
I'm excited to see how Ob actually plays out, but I did not expect the outcome to happen in BFZ as it does in the Fat Pack. I was taken by surprise--which is a good thing! There are enough threads of the story in short URs that the story feels intricate enough--but not too much. It can all be shown on cards, told in short stories, but still have more than one plot thread and one conflict. Most of Theros, for example, was very straight-forward. With Zendikar, now, we've got a few balls in the air. Overall, I'm pleased.
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I got a Fat Pack today and read through the brochure, and with the storyline "spoilers" we'll see how things really pan out. I have a feeling these pivotal moments were written before the UR's since the Slaughter at the Refuge and Revelation at the Eye both have inaccurate descriptions compared to the UR.
Otherwise, what I enjoy more than anything is reconfirming for me that the Purifying Fire is still cannon, which has always been my biggest worry since at panels and everywhere they tend to forget to mention that Gideon went to Zendikar after Chandra. Not only does it mention that, but it mentions the reason of trying to help her avoid persecution by the Order of Heliud since he's seen their true nature. I for one, am eternally happy about this.
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The current UR are about in half of the whole story. I will recap the rest in spoiler tags.
Nissa is going to Khalni Heart to renew her connection to Zendikar. She meets Ob Nixilis here, who has a little more devious plans with the Heart. Nissa bests Ob, renews her connection to Zendikar and takes the Heart "to a safe location".
Jace arrives to the Eye and finds Ugin, who is in fact here repairing it to function again. Ugin reveals to Jace the purpose of the hedrons and their role in imprisoning Eldrazi. Jace realizes that it can serve as the first step to killing them. Ignoring Ugin's warnings, Jace heads back to Sea Gate to pass this info to Gideon.
At Sea Gate, Gideon meets Kiora, who joins her army to his. Jace and Nissa arrive as well and all four walkers and their army drive the Eldrazi out of Sea Gate, reclaim it, and rebuild and fortify its ramparts.
A horde of Eldrazi led by Ulamog itself retaliates. Gideon and Kiora's troops hold them back. Nissa uses her connection to the land to unearth sunken hedrons from the land and align them around Ulamog. Jace activates the hedrons' magic, and the Aligned Hedron Network goes online. Victory!!! ...or not?
And then ***** hits the fan.
Ob Nixilis appears, having tracked Nissa from Bala Ged and the Khalni Heart. He knocks some of the hedrons out of the alignment and lets their energy flow into him. By this means his spark reignites.
But Gideon believes that all is not lost. Ulamog is confused, battered and weakened by the network's activation, still rather immobilized, still in reach of his and Kiora's armies, and appears on the edge of defeat. Gideon orders the joint army to attack and he himself leaps forward to attack the titan.
...the story continues in Oath of the Gatewatch.
There is also some info on all the three Titans. Apparently each of them has different effect on the surroundings.
Ulamog is the Titan of Consumption. He and his brood consumes living and unliving matter alike (we have seen this in BFZ in spades) drains mana and vital energy from everything in the vicinity like a maelstrom. His processors transform the consumed energy into spell-like effects that defy the understanding of Zendikari mages. They leave the white chalky latticelike structures in their wake. Everything including water is transformed into the white manaless husk of what it once was.
Kozilek is the Titan of Distortion. He changes the perception of the reality, making impossible to discern the truth. He twists loyalties, muddies thoughts, transforms emotions, induces despair and panic. His brood is said to have retreated to remote corners of the world, and it is generally believed that he left the plane.
Emrakul is the Titan of Corruption. *She* (still cannot get used to that) does not affect unliving matter - rocks, water, etc...but twists all things living, be it plants, animals, or sentient beings. She vanished before Kozilek, and again the people believe she has left the plane
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
It's a shame it ends on a 'to be continued', or at least ends with a 'to be continued' before they even fight Ulamog proper... I was hoping the Ulamog situation would be resolved one way or another before Gatewatch.
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Regardless of the "hedron network", Ulamog should not be weakened enough for them to be able to defeat him. Upon awakening from 6000 years of imprisonment, he, Kozilek and Emrakul immediately showed they're more powerful than anything in Dominia, but after 10 minutes in the hedron network (which consisted of infinitely fewer hedrons) he's weakened enough to be able to be fought by them?
That's some logic.
Your mods are terrified of me.
Read my other stories as well (some ongoing):
Reaper King (a horror story), Kaalia of the Vast (an origin story), Sequels for Innistrad (Alternative sequels for Inn), Grey Areas (Odric's fanfic), Royal Succession (goblins),The Tracker's Message (eldrazi on Innistrad) and Ugin and his Eye (the end of OGW).
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Remember, Jace is using the hedrons differently. Ugin wanted to preserve the Eldrazi, while Jace wants to destroy them. The Aligned Hedron Network must be having a different effect on the world.
Wait wait. What do you mean there is only one episode left? They are going to keep telling the story now through URs until Oath, there is not only one 'episode' left... right?
And it is veeery veeeery different to spoil a novel than it is to spoil a weekly read. The novel you can grab and read everything at once, long before spoilers bother you (or, in the case the spoilers happen a little before or at the same time as the novel release you can wait a little without the spoilers, read everything and get done with it). Now it is a series. You can't read the whole thing at once, because it is a weekly read. It is horrible to spoil a whole series, just terrible.
Read my other stories as well (some ongoing):
Reaper King (a horror story), Kaalia of the Vast (an origin story), Sequels for Innistrad (Alternative sequels for Inn), Grey Areas (Odric's fanfic), Royal Succession (goblins),The Tracker's Message (eldrazi on Innistrad) and Ugin and his Eye (the end of OGW).
My guess is that they'll go back to regular semi-standalone UR stories after next week. But anything could happen, I don't work for Wizards.
Live streaming Casual Magic: the Gathering
Sundays at 7:00 PM Eastern Time / 4:00 PM Pacific Time
Follow along on Instagram (@kokoshomebrews) as I create casual tribal decks
and try to build around crazy combos, then play em on stream!
|| WBG || GW || GB || GWU ||
Also, in regards to the brochure... who cares. They've already clearly stated that they are trying to make the story accessible to everyone. The brochure is meant for those that don't read, or don't want to read, the UR's and that's fine. Also in my mind, knowing the plot points doesn't really spoil anything for me personally. For me, actually seeing/reading a story unfold is the most enjoyable part.
Its like with the new movie coming out today, The Martian, with the Trailers you already pretty much knew how the story was going to play out. But, according to the critics, everything that happens within that movie is great and worthy of seeing even though everyone pretty much already knows how the story will go. Another example for me I can give is with Pacific Rim. Other than the Kaiju, I had no interest in ever seeing that movie in theaters, so I was happy to hear others talking about the plot points. And then when I finally saw the movie on HBO, I sat down, enjoyed the storyline, and also the Kaiju. Maybe this is just how I am, the fat pack brochure spoiling the main details doesn't take away the thrill I'll have from experiencing the writing play out.
I do understand everyone's concerns though, but personally, this isn't really that big of an issue, if you didn't want to be spoiled, then you shouldn't have read this forum.
I'm a million percent on board with that decision. When they first make the Eldazi there was nothing to differentiate them except physical characteristics. Having each operate differently is a retcon in the right direction.
Keep in mind that they still test the "new ways and channels" for the story. This is probably one of the missteps in getting that right.
It kind of surprised me to read it all there. I do not mind it, though. But they might have consider to at least put some spoiler alert there. Maybe next time. Or not - but people will probably keep in mind that they can do that, and can avoid it if they want.
Overall, not a big deal, IMO. But for people like you, there could have been some warning.
They add new episodes along the way. There is one left just FOR NOW.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Nah, I'm not okay with it. It turns the titans into one-note caricatures. They should all be capable of doing everything. You can, however, have one titan/brood be better at one thing than another titan/brood.
So if an Ulamog guy takes 15 minutes to eat something, an Emrakul or Kozilek guy would take like 30. If every brood can only do one thing, you end up with one-note villains and boring URs where the Eldrazi fights are basically filler... kinda like right now.
You are right that they should be different though. Hunger, Madness and Desolation are what they supposedly represented, but they all operated the same back in OG Zendikar.
So what you're saying is Jace figured out how to make a better/more effective lock in a week than three oldwalkers did in decades.
Of course, he's Jace.
Your mods are terrified of me.
You realize that you're angrily jumping to a conclusion that we have clear evidence against, right? Dominator Drone is from Ulamog's brood and so is Mind Raker. Also Kaltias's mind has been broken by Ulamog.
I don't think they're necessarily retconning it. I'm sure Ulamog and his brood are capable of this sort of thing (Transgress the Mind and all) they just probably don't do it as frequently as Kozilek and his kids. As for the rest, I agree with you, a few shocks from a few hedrons shouldn't knock (arguably) the third most powerful being in the multiverse down to "just a giant monster" levels. That said, we don't know how this story ends, the summary says "appearson the edge of defeat". For all we know Ulamog is about to give Gideon a humbling worse than Erebos did.
RG 8-Whack
BWG Abzan midrange
GRB Living End
UWB Spirit Control
GU Kruphix's "Hug Assassin"
RW Kalemne's "Play Fatties and Hope for the Best!"
BUGW Atraxa's "All counters, all the time"
It would be awesome to have Gideon leap into battle and then Ulamog accidentally knocks him thirty miles away.
I'm not talking about the story right now, just specifically what you suggested.
Void Winnower and Silent Skimmer (mostly this, but Winnower's art is just so GOAT) are huge flavor wins that make me remember why I loved the Eldrazi so much. If all of them were Breaker of Armies I wouldn't dig it, ya dig? It's pretty annoying how the stories don't feature these unique eldrazi though.
Your mods are terrified of me.
For real right? I wouldn't put it past Wizards to let Gideon and co. kill Ulamog, but I'm hoping they go in a different direction. I feel like Ulamog should be on a whole other level of the planeswalkers not knowing what they're getting into. They've spent the past block struggling against the equivalent of Ulamog's toenails. Even weakened, he should a big deal, not just some wounded animal they finish off. It would also be nice to see Jace humbled as he realizes he doesn't know better than Ugin.
I agree with TerrorKingA that it would be cool to see a little more of what the Ulamog brood are capable of, but like I said earlier I think those are the exceptions to the rule. Generally, Ulamog spawn are just big-tentacled-vacuums. I think they're also probably saving the special stuff for Ulamog himself. If anyone is going to be breaking sanities or causing illness by their very presence in the UR it's going to be Ulamog himself, not some random spawn.
RG 8-Whack
BWG Abzan midrange
GRB Living End
UWB Spirit Control
GU Kruphix's "Hug Assassin"
RW Kalemne's "Play Fatties and Hope for the Best!"
BUGW Atraxa's "All counters, all the time"
At least we'll have the scene where Ulamog looms over Gideon.
UBarrin, Master WizardU
USticher GeralfU
UIxidor, Reality SculptorU
UWNoyan Dar, Roil ShaperUW
My beef though, is they represent Ulamog in a far too mundane way for my tastes. We seem to come from fathomless extraplanar entities that defy everything we know to colorless fatties allergic to hedrons. Also, the Ob Nixilis reigniting his spark is too much fan service oriented, after all the spark used to be something really unique, but I stopped reading after the Weatherlight/Time Spiral books, so what do I know.
I'm excited to see how Ob actually plays out, but I did not expect the outcome to happen in BFZ as it does in the Fat Pack. I was taken by surprise--which is a good thing! There are enough threads of the story in short URs that the story feels intricate enough--but not too much. It can all be shown on cards, told in short stories, but still have more than one plot thread and one conflict. Most of Theros, for example, was very straight-forward. With Zendikar, now, we've got a few balls in the air. Overall, I'm pleased.
Otherwise, what I enjoy more than anything is reconfirming for me that the Purifying Fire is still cannon, which has always been my biggest worry since at panels and everywhere they tend to forget to mention that Gideon went to Zendikar after Chandra. Not only does it mention that, but it mentions the reason of trying to help her avoid persecution by the Order of Heliud since he's seen their true nature. I for one, am eternally happy about this.