I can already imagine what the most speculated part of Hour of Devastation's plot is going to be, but I will say this story was pretty good and the spotlights were handled pretty well.
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Lapsed DCI Rules Advisor - Retired from playing but still hanging around
Uh oh, somebody is gonna die. Wonder how soon and what the circumstances will be. Wonder if the death will be literal or metaphorical.
Thoery; the "not the last immortal you will cross" bit possibly points back to theros. Maybe there is a trade with erebos and this is how we get Elspeth back
We see some of pre-Bolas Hazoret was a very kind and protective god who fostered compassion and inspiration. While she snapped back into Bolas programing, it was cool to see that a part of the old gods is there and might be able to break free from Bolas.
Truth is out on Liliana and her demon and things might not end the most friendly with the Gatewatch at the end of the block. Also love Chandra calling Jace out about the demons;
"For someone so smart, you do an awful lot of thinking with every part of you except your brain, jackass—"
I want art of Nissa tossing Jace around during the trial.
Honestly I love the gods being corrupted so that their worshippers will end up (maybe) saving them. Also give magic more "nice" religious organizations.
Did it ever say when Djeru cut Gideon? Cause the way I getting it is after taking Hazorets strike, GIdeons protection magic is weaking.
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
We see some of pre-Bolas Hazoret was a very kind and protective god who fostered compassion and inspiration. While she snapped back into Bolas programing, it was cool to see that a part of the old gods is there and might be able to break free from Bolas.
Truth is out on Liliana and her demon and things might not end the most friendly with the Gatewatch at the end of the block. Also love Chandra calling Jace out about the demons;
"For someone so smart, you do an awful lot of thinking with every part of you except your brain, jackass—"
I want art of Nissa tossing Jace around during the trial.
Honestly I love the gods being corrupted so that their worshippers will end up (maybe) saving them. Also give magic more "nice" religious organizations.
Did it ever say when Djeru cut Gideon? Cause the way I getting it is after taking Hazorets strike, GIdeons protection magic is weaking.
It was doing the fight in the arena, where all of the Planeswalkers did not have access to their magic. Gideon got hit by Djeru's Khopesh because he wasn't invulnerable at that point. It's scary to think that could happen very easily to the Gatewatch.
This. Story. Was. Dense. One of the best I've seen in awhile. Next Wednesday better be continuing from here; I don't need any past exposition bull*****. We're already here now!
5colors: It specifically calls out in the story when Djeru cut Gideon. Gideon's protection magic is not weakening so much as it was suppressed during the final trial. Has to make you wonder how mages are supposed to compete here...
As for Gideon's prophesied death, I doubt it will be during Hour, given that I don't think Nicol Bolas qualifies as an immortal...
5colors: It specifically calls out in the story when Djeru cut Gideon. Gideon's protection magic is not weakening so much as it was suppressed during the final trial. Has to make you wonder how mages are supposed to compete here...
As for Gideon's prophesied death, I doubt it will be during Hour, given that I don't think Nicol Bolas qualifies as an immortal...
Gideon will be dying in Hour of Devastation. If today wasn't foreshadowing, I don't know what that word means.
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"The essence of every world, every spell and every thought is power. Nothing else matters, because nothing else exists."
I'm still reading the story but found the writing so jarring and problematic that I had to come here and whine. I'm usually the one defending Wizard's story approaches but this last story is a WRECK!
Very displeased. The lack of real dialogue in much of the story, the perspective chosen that seemed to not detail the character's facial expressions and so forth when she spoke with other's particularly the Gatewatch. There were parts that seemed far too removed and then the gods show up and suddenly the gatewatch can't do anything?!?
I'm all for a more reasonably powered Gatewatch but I'm confused how through Jace they can withstand the mental domination of an Eldrazi Titan but the Amonkhetu gods are somehow beyond this...
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Wizards. listen. The Vorthos community will await the consequences of the Eldrazi Titans' deaths/sealing. We will keep the watch.
“The wind whispers, ‘come home,’ but I cannot.”
— Teferi
I'm still reading the story but found the writing so jarring and problematic that I had to come here and whine. I'm usually the one defending Wizard's story approaches but this last story is a WRECK!
Very displeased. The lack of real dialogue in much of the story, the perspective chosen that seemed to not detail the character's facial expressions and so forth when she spoke with other's particularly the Gatewatch. There were parts that seemed far too removed and then the gods show up and suddenly the gatewatch can't do anything?!?
I'm all for a more reasonably powered Gatewatch but I'm confused how through Jace they can withstand the mental domination of an Eldrazi Titan but the Amonkhetu gods are somehow beyond this...
It'll be explained next week. It's better than last week's story. We also don't know how strong Bolas has become over time to have these types of suppression and spell effects. He did corrupt a whole plane akin to a phyrexian takeover...
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"The essence of every world, every spell and every thought is power. Nothing else matters, because nothing else exists."
This. Story. Was. Dense. One of the best I've read in a very very long time. Next Wednesday better be continuing from here; I don't need any past exposition bull*****. We're already here now!
I can't remember the order but we are getting a podcast and a commander story before HoD story starts June 7th.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Today's story was a decent wrap up for Amonkhet and def makes you look forward to Hour. I really want to see how and what Nicol Bolas does with with the plane.
I did note one thing when Jace says:
'Jace focused on filling in their new acquaintance. "The God-Pharaoh is a dragon from another world, Samut. I believe he came here in a moment of desperation. Otherwise, he would have made a place himself."'
I'm wondering if Bolas did come to Amonkhet first after the Alara debacle.
Last couple stories in the set really addressed a lot of the gripes about the gatewatch. The Gatewatch was out of focus for most of either story, leaving Samut and Djeru the stars of the show. The Gatewatch looked downright mortal in the arena, and specifically only survived because Djeru didn't think it was right to kill them. Gideon especially is coming to serious grips with his own mortality (I agree with a previous poster that he's going to bite it, but I dont think it's going to be Hour of Devastation. If anything, a return to Theros might do it. Hazoret seemed to imply it was going to be at the hands of a god.)
On the downside, again, the Trial of Zeal was nothing like it was described to be in the player's guide. They really need to shore up the differences between the players guide/art book and what actually happens in the story.
Also, we had Fling in this set. That art is CLEARLY not Jace being thrown, and Nissa doing the throwing. Wizards art direction missed out on a chance to make the greatest Common card ever.
Also, the hours have begun, ladies and gentlemen. Get your lotion and socks ready. It's doomporn time.
This. Story. Was. Dense. One of the best I've read in a very very long time. Next Wednesday better be continuing from here; I don't need any past exposition bull*****. We're already here now!
I can't remember the order but we are getting a podcast and a commander story before HoD story starts June 7th.
Well if we assume that at the death of a Planeswalker the soul of the dead goes back in the afterlife of his native plane, then an eventual Gideon's death on Amonkhet will bring him in Theros Afterlife, so he'd at least see Erebos, meaning HE WILL see another immortal.
If that's true, then why is Elspeth still in the Theros underworld?
On the downside, again, the Trial of Zeal was nothing like it was described to be in the player's guide. They really need to shore up the differences between the players guide/art book and what actually happens in the story.
Personal head canon is the trails are being amped up and changed since Bolas return is so close and they want to kill off as many people as they can.
Private Mod Note
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Last couple stories in the set really addressed a lot of the gripes about the gatewatch. The Gatewatch was out of focus for most of either story, leaving Samut and Djeru the stars of the show. The Gatewatch looked downright mortal in the arena, and specifically only survived because Djeru didn't think it was right to kill them. Gideon especially is coming to serious grips with his own mortality (I agree with a previous poster that he's going to bite it, but I dont think it's going to be Hour of Devastation. If anything, a return to Theros might do it. Hazoret seemed to imply it was going to be at the hands of a god.)
On the downside, again, the Trial of Zeal was nothing like it was described to be in the player's guide. They really need to shore up the differences between the players guide/art book and what actually happens in the story.
Also, we had Fling in this set. That art is CLEARLY not Jace being thrown, and Nissa doing the throwing. Wizards art direction missed out on a chance to make the greatest Common card ever.
Also, the hours have begun, ladies and gentlemen. Get your lotion and socks ready. It's doomporn time.
I just wish it was June 7th already. I need to see how they approach this. I hope someone can ask Mark or Doug when Bolas came to corrupt the plane so that we can get an idea of how long these customs have been going on. I also want to know where the newly born children are coming from.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"The essence of every world, every spell and every thought is power. Nothing else matters, because nothing else exists."
Last couple stories in the set really addressed a lot of the gripes about the gatewatch. The Gatewatch was out of focus for most of either story, leaving Samut and Djeru the stars of the show. The Gatewatch looked downright mortal in the arena, and specifically only survived because Djeru didn't think it was right to kill them. Gideon especially is coming to serious grips with his own mortality (I agree with a previous poster that he's going to bite it, but I dont think it's going to be Hour of Devastation. If anything, a return to Theros might do it. Hazoret seemed to imply it was going to be at the hands of a god.)
On the downside, again, the Trial of Zeal was nothing like it was described to be in the player's guide. They really need to shore up the differences between the players guide/art book and what actually happens in the story.
Also, we had Fling in this set. That art is CLEARLY not Jace being thrown, and Nissa doing the throwing. Wizards art direction missed out on a chance to make the greatest Common card ever.
Also, the hours have begun, ladies and gentlemen. Get your lotion and socks ready. It's doomporn time.
I just wish it was June 7th already. I need to see how they approach this. I hope someone can ask Mark or Doug when Bolas came to corrupt the plane so that we can get an idea of how long these customs have been going on. I also want to know where the newly born children are coming from.
Nissa said its been 3 Amonkhet generations. Since they don't make it pass 30, Bolas has had control of the plane roughly 60-90 years.
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Poor Djeru he was denied his glorious death because his best friend summoned Gideon of the trials to the battlefield for him.
I hope he sparks before this is all over so he can either
a) chase the gatewatch for bloody revenge
b) be Bolas' servant that is actually loyal or
c) eventually join the GW after seeing the truth when Amonkhet bites it.
I will honestly be happy with any of the three as I think he's been one of the best new characters introduced in a long time.
The arrival of the Hours and Hazoret's interactions with Gideon (and the ways in which is character arc is now set to evolve) really made this story for me. The interlude between Gideon and Hazoret is chilling in the most brilliant of ways. Its implications are poetic, and great for him as a character. So precise, such exquisite writing and timing for those critical moments.
I love how this time, Gideon grossing another god saves his friends at the expense of himself. Whereas last time, it cost his friends their lives, but he had survived. Such a curious and inverse way of coming full circle. But tragedy is intrinsic to the life and tale of a hero. And so Gideon may very well be doomed to living out the same Greek tragedy that his fellow hero Elspeth once lead in his mythical homeland of Theros.
Man I love Theros and its overarching theme. Kiora's hubris with the Bident, humbled by Kozilek. Gideon humbled by Erebos and now Hazoret.
On the downside, again, the Trial of Zeal was nothing like it was described to be in the player's guide. They really need to shore up the differences between the players guide/art book and what actually happens in the story.
Personal head canon is the trails are being amped up and changed since Bolas return is so close and they want to kill off as many people as they can.
Thanks, I forgot the timeline, and now I'm irritated with myself b/c of that lol.
I'm glad the story confirmed one thing: Mummies' linen were made to appear as if they're smiling, much like a government propaganda commercial.
And Hazoret's description:
"'Kind Hazoret,' Samut whispered. 'Do you remember how we once called you? The people of this world call you Gate Keeper now, and Trials' End—but also the Mother of Zeal. Nurturer of Hearts. We are your children, your family. You were not always a cruel god, poised with spear and fire at the gates of death. You were a god of compassion and inspiration, whose fiery heart inspired the people to their greatest achievements.'"
Why can't Wizards make more red cards akin to emotions beyond rage and recklessness? There are so few in between, we need more! (It might even divert Boros EDH from just combat. ^_^)
That......
What does the Gatewatch expect to achieve against Bolas, if they can't even handle ONE god?
I'm wondering if Bolas did come to Amonkhet first after the Alara debacle.
Alara was around 3 years ago, Amonkhet has been under Bolas rule for ~60-90 years.
Where are you getting 3 years? I've been trying to nail down when Alara was supposed to happen but the specific events are never given concrete times. At least not that I can find. I know it is less than 10 years and more than 3 based on Gideon arriving on Bant and Tezzeret dying on Kamigawa but as far as I can find the entire 7 year gap is open.
Pretty good story. It still suffers from some of the editing problems that the others have had -- that third-person section during the Gatewatch's rescue of Samut from the sarcophagus was pretty clunky -- but I found the emotions of the whole piece quite effective throughout. For Samut to make such a trusting and honest appeal to Hazoret and get shut down -- that was a crushing scene, especially as it followed her rejection by Djeru.
I liked the drama of the final combat scene, though some of the details were a little awkwardly written. Gideon beginning to feel his mortality was a fine touch.
I don't think Gideon is going to die on Amonkhet. That foreshadowing reads as being for the more distant future, probably for the return to Theros. But we're all set up for the big payoff of Hour of Devastation, now. They have built the supervillain hype up for Bolas real high...and the GW still have no real plan for how to beat him.
I thought this most recent story was great, I was expecting Djeru to spark right after he was saved but i guess if he is this set's native walker it'll be set off by something else. I definitely think Hazoret's prophecy to Gideon is teasing a return to Theros. My only question is whether it's going to be Heliod or Erebos who is the immortal in question. I also thought it was a nice touch how easily the gods merced everyone when they came to collect tribute for the trials. It shows they aint nothing to play with and sets up Bolas (the guy who merced the gods) as even more of a badass.
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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"
I can already imagine what the most speculated part of Hour of Devastation's plot is going to be, but I will say this story was pretty good and the spotlights were handled pretty well.
Thoery; the "not the last immortal you will cross" bit possibly points back to theros. Maybe there is a trade with erebos and this is how we get Elspeth back
We see some of pre-Bolas Hazoret was a very kind and protective god who fostered compassion and inspiration. While she snapped back into Bolas programing, it was cool to see that a part of the old gods is there and might be able to break free from Bolas.
Truth is out on Liliana and her demon and things might not end the most friendly with the Gatewatch at the end of the block. Also love Chandra calling Jace out about the demons;
I want art of Nissa tossing Jace around during the trial.
Honestly I love the gods being corrupted so that their worshippers will end up (maybe) saving them. Also give magic more "nice" religious organizations.
Did it ever say when Djeru cut Gideon? Cause the way I getting it is after taking Hazorets strike, GIdeons protection magic is weaking.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
It was doing the fight in the arena, where all of the Planeswalkers did not have access to their magic. Gideon got hit by Djeru's Khopesh because he wasn't invulnerable at that point. It's scary to think that could happen very easily to the Gatewatch.
This. Story. Was. Dense. One of the best I've seen in awhile. Next Wednesday better be continuing from here; I don't need any past exposition bull*****. We're already here now!
Gideon will be dying in Hour of Devastation. If today wasn't foreshadowing, I don't know what that word means.
Very displeased. The lack of real dialogue in much of the story, the perspective chosen that seemed to not detail the character's facial expressions and so forth when she spoke with other's particularly the Gatewatch. There were parts that seemed far too removed and then the gods show up and suddenly the gatewatch can't do anything?!?
I'm all for a more reasonably powered Gatewatch but I'm confused how through Jace they can withstand the mental domination of an Eldrazi Titan but the Amonkhetu gods are somehow beyond this...
The Vorthos community will await the consequences of the Eldrazi Titans' deaths/sealing. We will keep the watch.
“The wind whispers, ‘come home,’ but I cannot.”
— Teferi
It'll be explained next week. It's better than last week's story. We also don't know how strong Bolas has become over time to have these types of suppression and spell effects. He did corrupt a whole plane akin to a phyrexian takeover...
I can't remember the order but we are getting a podcast and a commander story before HoD story starts June 7th.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I did note one thing when Jace says:
'Jace focused on filling in their new acquaintance. "The God-Pharaoh is a dragon from another world, Samut. I believe he came here in a moment of desperation. Otherwise, he would have made a place himself."'
I'm wondering if Bolas did come to Amonkhet first after the Alara debacle.
Last couple stories in the set really addressed a lot of the gripes about the gatewatch. The Gatewatch was out of focus for most of either story, leaving Samut and Djeru the stars of the show. The Gatewatch looked downright mortal in the arena, and specifically only survived because Djeru didn't think it was right to kill them. Gideon especially is coming to serious grips with his own mortality (I agree with a previous poster that he's going to bite it, but I dont think it's going to be Hour of Devastation. If anything, a return to Theros might do it. Hazoret seemed to imply it was going to be at the hands of a god.)
On the downside, again, the Trial of Zeal was nothing like it was described to be in the player's guide. They really need to shore up the differences between the players guide/art book and what actually happens in the story.
Also, we had Fling in this set. That art is CLEARLY not Jace being thrown, and Nissa doing the throwing. Wizards art direction missed out on a chance to make the greatest Common card ever.
Also, the hours have begun, ladies and gentlemen. Get your lotion and socks ready. It's doomporn time.
Hope the story's about Kaalia.
If that's true, then why is Elspeth still in the Theros underworld?
Alara was around 3 years ago, Amonkhet has been under Bolas rule for ~60-90 years.
Personal head canon is the trails are being amped up and changed since Bolas return is so close and they want to kill off as many people as they can.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I just wish it was June 7th already. I need to see how they approach this. I hope someone can ask Mark or Doug when Bolas came to corrupt the plane so that we can get an idea of how long these customs have been going on. I also want to know where the newly born children are coming from.
|| UW Jace, Vyn's Prodigy UW || UG Kenessos, Priest of Thassa (feat. Arixmethes) UG ||
Cards I still want to see created:
|| Olantin, Lost City || Pavios and Thanasis || Choryu ||
Nissa said its been 3 Amonkhet generations. Since they don't make it pass 30, Bolas has had control of the plane roughly 60-90 years.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I hope he sparks before this is all over so he can either
a) chase the gatewatch for bloody revenge
b) be Bolas' servant that is actually loyal or
c) eventually join the GW after seeing the truth when Amonkhet bites it.
I will honestly be happy with any of the three as I think he's been one of the best new characters introduced in a long time.
I love how this time, Gideon grossing another god saves his friends at the expense of himself. Whereas last time, it cost his friends their lives, but he had survived. Such a curious and inverse way of coming full circle. But tragedy is intrinsic to the life and tale of a hero. And so Gideon may very well be doomed to living out the same Greek tragedy that his fellow hero Elspeth once lead in his mythical homeland of Theros.
Man I love Theros and its overarching theme. Kiora's hubris with the Bident, humbled by Kozilek. Gideon humbled by Erebos and now Hazoret.
|| UW Jace, Vyn's Prodigy UW || UG Kenessos, Priest of Thassa (feat. Arixmethes) UG ||
Cards I still want to see created:
|| Olantin, Lost City || Pavios and Thanasis || Choryu ||
Thanks, I forgot the timeline, and now I'm irritated with myself b/c of that lol.
And Hazoret's description:
"'Kind Hazoret,' Samut whispered. 'Do you remember how we once called you? The people of this world call you Gate Keeper now, and Trials' End—but also the Mother of Zeal. Nurturer of Hearts. We are your children, your family. You were not always a cruel god, poised with spear and fire at the gates of death. You were a god of compassion and inspiration, whose fiery heart inspired the people to their greatest achievements.'"
Why can't Wizards make more red cards akin to emotions beyond rage and recklessness? There are so few in between, we need more! (It might even divert Boros EDH from just combat. ^_^)
That......
What does the Gatewatch expect to achieve against Bolas, if they can't even handle ONE god?
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
I liked the drama of the final combat scene, though some of the details were a little awkwardly written. Gideon beginning to feel his mortality was a fine touch.
I don't think Gideon is going to die on Amonkhet. That foreshadowing reads as being for the more distant future, probably for the return to Theros. But we're all set up for the big payoff of Hour of Devastation, now. They have built the supervillain hype up for Bolas real high...and the GW still have no real plan for how to beat him.
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"
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs