Here is the thing. Coming from a relatively fit male.
Your perception of the healthiness/attractiveness/etc of overweight people doesn't matter. This issue is not about "promoting obesity", it is about the fact that representation in media has always mattered and not adding to the very real self loathing that many overweight people already deal with due to self image and society as a whole. In short, I'm saying that your personal hang ups or what have you about overweight people is second fiddle to the positive impact of positive characters who represent them. Contrary to what you may believe, one can not hate themselves and still want to make changes to their life or their image. Frankly, you should likely keep your nose out of the lives of others anyhow.
The "but action heroes!" excuse doesn't fly here. This is Magic. The multiverse is full of wizards and sorcerers of all kinds. You know, wizards. Many of whom are likely scholars, an archetype that isn't known for its physical fitness despite the supermodel poster children of this game. Anyone can wield magic and because of Magic anyone can be formidible. If it seems more ridiculous to you that someone with a few pounds on them can toss a fireball than it does that we have literal sacs of bones and frail old men casting spells then maybe you should re-evaluate your mindset.
Ok, yes, perception of attractiveness of relative (health, not so much). And overweight characters are not represented nearly as well nor as often as characters of average weight. But in Magic it actually makes sense to have less people being overweight than a first-world country on Earth.
It's not just about high levels of activity; it's also about the amount of food available. Notice how obesity has only been a problem fairly recently and in first-world countries, because in the past and in first-world countries there simply wasn't a huge abundance of food that could cause obesity.
I would certainly never expect an overweight character on a plane like Zendikar where everyone is struggling for survival all the time. More advanced planes like Ravnica and Kaladesh would logically have a greater abundance of food, so there would be some overweight people. However, the fact that far more people are required to be physically fit (being warriors and soldiers and such) on those planes than in modern first-world countries means that it still won't be as common as it is in the United States, for example.
Upper class citizens and organization defined by their opulence, like the Orzhov and Sultai/Silumgar, can and should offer plenty of overweight characters to emphasize the nature of their lifestyles. Karlov and the rest of the Obdezat are a great example of them using obesity in a very practical fashion.
So basically what I'm saying is that overweight people do deserve better representation, but only when it makes sense. Anything classified as realistic fiction should definitely be striving to show a variety of body types. But on the planes of MtG it is generally not very practical (if even possible) for people to be overweight. However, there are exceptions to this and in that case overweight characters are perfectly fine.
(this is an honest question; i don't know much about health sciences).
1) if a person is able to get muscular like in so many of our magic card art, does that mean that they are eating enough food such that if they did not have such a physically-demanding lifestyle, that they would gain weight? (i'm thinking about the incredible amount of food and protein shakes etc that guys will eat to put on muscle). if so, then there should be enough food available on any plane in which we see many super buff muscley soldier guys on card art, for there to be large (non-wealthy) people on that plane, too?
2) suppose there isn't much food available on a plane. will some people nevertheless have a husky build, just because of genetics? (does this happen on our Earth?).
it makes sense that power = abundance of food = more likely to have larger people, but it's also too bad that power = corruption. i was really hoping it could be possible to see some more positive depictions possible but still world-wise sensible; eg i'd love depictions (even if cliché) of the lovely large mother figure or a protective husky mentor retired-wizard figure, etc.
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----------------------------
Goblins have poor impulse control. Don't click this link!!
some of my favourite flavour text:
Wayward Soul "no home no heart no hope"
—Stronghold graffito
Raging Goblin He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
I don't see any and I don't feel the need for any. As someone who has struggled with weight since I was very young and who only took control of it starting last year, I don't want positive representation and don't feel MTG is the place to say "It's okay to be unhealthy" and make people feel uncomfortable. The representation we've been seeing in recent years in Magic makes sense because saying it's okay to be a person of color, Gay, transgender, etc is not detrimental to the health of those they represent. The attitude that we should accept and be okay with being obese and it being so normal is a Western culture thing, and not one I'm proud of it. It baffles me that people are willing to go out of their way to be polite to not upset or offend someone that just had a large Whopper Combo at Burger King and downed almost a liter of soda, who can't walk up a flight of stairs without being winded, but the same people will tell off smokers for how disgusting their habit is and spew random factoids and taxes are increased on tobacco among other tactics to try and fight smoking. Yet, obesity goes unchecked because we're afraid someone might feel bad because hospital bills and heart disease are seemingly a lesser evil comparatively. When I was growing up and my family and friends told me I wasn't fat because I felt bad if I was teased or because I got picked last in P.E. or guys wouldn't respond to me, that didn't help me - it enabled me to feel like stress eating was normal and not think twice about the consequences of my weight or what it was doing to my health. I'm not the guy to wage war on being PC and all that garbage, but finding out that that I was borderline diabetic and surrounded by nothing but enablers trying to comfort me when I finally had a serious health issue that was the catalyst to the change I needed made me realize exactly how positive representation helps no one unless they're a role model working to be healthy, and not someone saying it's okay to be unhealthy. We shouldn't be saying it's okay, because it's not okay, and it's incredibly irresponsible as a culture and nation to disregard so many people's health for the sake of their feelings. Cardiac arrest shouldn't be the preference.
Smoking is always a choice, and it has a chance to affect other people (secondhand smoke). Weight control is not, and only affects one person. There are circumstances where weight control can be, but it is not always a choice.
The attitude is less "It's okay to be unhealthy" and more "You don't have to be this perfect embodiment of health to belong." That stress, the idea that you don't belong because you're fat, that you can try and try and try, and still not get control of it because losing weight is incredibly hard, makes far more people give up or worse, develop eating disorders. It's the same reason that people with disabilities want representation.
And in general, it's a lot easier to lose weight when it's a positive experience, and not a negative one. When you're doing it because you want to, not because society says "You have to be this way."
On the topic of Magic, I'm a little miffed that we see the same sort of "Body-Builder" physique as the "strong guy" than something like an Olympic class weight lifter. Bruse Tarl was the first sort of fit for that, but we could definitely use more.
Smoking is always a choice, and it has a chance to affect other people (secondhand smoke). Weight control is not, and only affects one person. There are circumstances where weight control can be, but it is not always a choice.
Actually, being overweight is the choice, and there are rare instances (hypothyroidism, etc.) in which it is not and requires medical intervention.
Smoking is always a choice, and it has a chance to affect other people (secondhand smoke). Weight control is not, and only affects one person. There are circumstances where weight control can be, but it is not always a choice.
The attitude is less "It's okay to be unhealthy" and more "You don't have to be this perfect embodiment of health to belong." That stress, the idea that you don't belong because you're fat, that you can try and try and try, and still not get control of it because losing weight is incredibly hard, makes far more people give up or worse, develop eating disorders. It's the same reason that people with disabilities want representation.
And in general, it's a lot easier to lose weight when it's a positive experience, and not a negative one. When you're doing it because you want to, not because society says "You have to be this way."
On the topic of Magic, I'm a little miffed that we see the same sort of "Body-Builder" physique as the "strong guy" than something like an Olympic class weight lifter. Bruse Tarl was the first sort of fit for that, but we could definitely use more.
Like, I definitely see what you mean, and those are all true and valid points, I feel like obesity is definitely still a thing that needs to be taken seriously. I'm a stress eater myself, although I'm definitely not considered fat (I have fat for sure, but I'm still ~130-150 lbs), and I know tons of plenty of people who also stress eat and have conditions that cause weight gain. Or, medication that causes it. However, I still don't think it's okay to say that ".. be healty" is society trying to get people to just lose weight. It's genuinely an epidemic, and it's causing a lot of problems other than health ones. For example, food overproduction. The world is already overpopulated enough and people eating more than they should (especially stuff like McDonalds where things aren't fair trade or anything, but that's just a personal belief thing on my end), can definitely impact the world and make the whole overpopulation thing even worse.
Bit of a ramble, sorry,
all in all, I do agree that Magic should represent everyone of course, and they do a decent job currently of doing so! All sexualities, races, personality types even, I think they're doing a good job. Yeah, they should have more representation of bigger people, but no, they shouldn't glorify obesity. And everyone saying that health is so important when it comes to obesity, is them trying to motivate people TO lose weight and be healthy and exercise! Perhaps it is doing a bad job or whatever, but at least there's an attempt. Plus, eating healthy and exercising helps with anxiety and depression which is something most of the world suffers from. Everything about it is a kinda win-win. also, side note, chubbier people can still be heatlhy, but there is definitely a point where it's just not possible
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EDH: Bruna, Light of Alabaster | Karlov of the Ghost Council | Breya, Etherium Shaper | Marchesa, the Black Rose | Queen Marchesa | The Mimeoplasm | Avacyn, Angel of Hope |
Pauper:
Orzhov Nightsky Mimic
Frequent lurker and vorthos player
It's not just about high levels of activity; it's also about the amount of food available. Notice how obesity has only been a problem fairly recently and in first-world countries, because in the past and in first-world countries there simply wasn't a huge abundance of food that could cause obesity.
A thing existing and it being a problem are two different things. Even among historic cultures (heck, even among some prehistoric cultures, depending on your interpretation on the Venus figurines), obesity was a known thing even if it wasn't as big of a problem as it is today. Even then, some (past and present) cultures see obesity in a positive light. So is it a "problem" after all? Personally, I do do, for health reasons, but it should be remembered that public opinion is influenced more by cultural reasons than rational ones. The western world is still glorifying alcohol and to an extent smoking, despite both having more severe effects on their environment than obesity.
I personally think larger people can be attractive, unless their weight becomes a health concern, at that point my 'worries' would overwhelm whatever attractiveness I find in them. Ultimately, the current direction of MtG is an ongoing adventure, character without a more fit body-type won't catch up with most of the actions. They can remedy that with characters who perform their duty in the background, similar to Ishikawa from Ghost in the Shell, despite age and belly he could still be a strategist and capable fighter when situation arises.
Most of the art depicts fit people to attract audience, which minimizes other kind of body-types. Wizards have made great strides on being supportive of LGBT people, realistic body-types can be a continuation of that success. Saskia the Unyielding, for starter, has a truer body-type for a warrior, compare to a Barbie girl with impossibly large weapon.
Bruse Tarl, most dwarves, Daughter of Autumn, Joven? (Can't recall if he was an anti-hero thief or not). None are fat, they are heavy set.
Here's the thing: prior to the modern age, being fat was only an option for the wealthy, and it was a status symbol. If your were well fed and not wealthy, then you were strong, because the manual labor you did every day turned those calories into muscle. Most people were thin, because most people didn't have access to excess calories, and rich high cal foods were expensive. Being fat meant you had access to excess calories AND you didn't need to perform manual labor, so rich. This became artistic shorthand for decadence when applied to men (and sexiness when applied to women until fairly recently). What society finds attractive tends to correlate with whatever the rich in the society look like (and those trends are often simultaneously mocked by those less well off as a means of poking fun at those in power). When trends change, the mockery remains. Today rich people can better afford healthy food, exercise opportunity, and plastic surgery, while high calorie foods are cheaper than healthy foods, so thin is a marker of wealth while fat is a marker of poverty, and thus the script flipped. Go to a country with poor food security and heavier people will be considered more attractive.
Most planes should feature mostly thin people, with some cut folks and a few wealthy fat people. Ravnica and especially Kaladesh, being wealthy planes that easily feed their populations, should have more heavy set and fat people. Kaladesh in particular is known for having a veritable bounty of food, a wealthy populace due to the economic boom from aether, cars, and robot servants.
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The Meaning of Life: "M-hmm. Well, it's nothing very special. Uh, try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations"
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Whether its blue players countering your spells, red players burning you out, or combo, if you have a problem with an aspect of Magic's gameplay, you can fix it!
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
Most planes should feature mostly thin people, with some cut folks and a few wealthy fat people. Ravnica and especially Kaladesh, being wealthy planes that easily feed their populations, should have more heavy set and fat people.
Thinking about it, agriculture on Ravnica is a pretty interesting stubject. If the whole world (or about 98% of it) is covered by city, where does all the food come from? There's no room to grow crops. To me it seems like Golgari Rot Farm-produced Soylent Green products make up the bulk of the averahe inhabitant's diet while "traditionally produced" food is ridiculously expensive.
Most planes should feature mostly thin people, with some cut folks and a few wealthy fat people. Ravnica and especially Kaladesh, being wealthy planes that easily feed their populations, should have more heavy set and fat people.
Thinking about it, agriculture on Ravnica is a pretty interesting stubject. If the whole world (or about 98% of it) is covered by city, where does all the food come from? There's no room to grow crops. To me it seems like Golgari Rot Farm-produced Soylent Green products make up the bulk of the averahe inhabitant's diet while "traditionally produced" food is ridiculously expensive.
Magically-tended Selesnya gardens and groves could produce vegetables and fruit, there may be mutant food products from Simic bio-mages, and "wild caught" game from Gruul-controlled zones.
Most planes should feature mostly thin people, with some cut folks and a few wealthy fat people. Ravnica and especially Kaladesh, being wealthy planes that easily feed their populations, should have more heavy set and fat people.
Thinking about it, agriculture on Ravnica is a pretty interesting stubject. If the whole world (or about 98% of it) is covered by city, where does all the food come from? There's no room to grow crops. To me it seems like Golgari Rot Farm-produced Soylent Green products make up the bulk of the averahe inhabitant's diet while "traditionally produced" food is ridiculously expensive.
Magically-tended Selesnya gardens and groves could produce vegetables and fruit, there may be mutant food products from Simic bio-mages, and "wild caught" game from Gruul-controlled zones.
Rot farms feed the poor for free, and in enough quantity that they are all pretty well fed. Selesnyans use magic farming. Also, look at the basic forests, there are tons of hanging gardens all over the city, just vines and plants running down the sides of sky scrapers. That's similar to many proposed futuristic urban farming techniques. Meat is the big question, but there are tons of wild animals depicted on cards, many adapted to an urban environment but even more in the Gruul controlled zones and the managed parklands. I also don't doubt the Simic are growing meat sheets of whatever cut and animal people want, but that's not been mentioned.
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The Meaning of Life: "M-hmm. Well, it's nothing very special. Uh, try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations"
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Whether its blue players countering your spells, red players burning you out, or combo, if you have a problem with an aspect of Magic's gameplay, you can fix it!
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
I also don't doubt the Simic are growing meat sheets of whatever cut and animal people want, but that's not been mentioned.
I'm fairly certain Protean Hulk is a Simic-designed livestock generator. It looks like it could create entire herds of animals (in-game mechanics notwithstanding), judging by the number of pustules on its back.
I also don't doubt the Simic are growing meat sheets of whatever cut and animal people want, but that's not been mentioned.
I am now getting mental images of the Simic cloning steaks in their laboratories. That could make them popular with barbecue lovers. Given their preference for aquatic creatures, I also imagine the Simic provide plenty of fish and other seafood.
Now I'm pondering what kind of cuisine each guild would specialize in. I might make a topic about that. But what would be the best section for it?
As for this topic, I say that as long as the game doesn't outright encourage unhealthy life choices I'm all for portraying chubbier characters in a positive light. They don't have to strive to become all-star athletes, but maybe show at least one of them eating a good diet and partaking in regular physical activity to set a positive example? Though if you want to encourage healthier choices, you also have to show that those choices yield positive results (like a reduction in undesired body mass, or extended stamina).
MTGS Wikia Article about "New World Order"
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
PSA to everyone who keeps forgetting about the Reserved List:
You're on a website dedicated to talking about MtG. You're only a few keystrokes away from finding out what cards are on the Reserved List. You're also only a few keystrokes away from finding out why some cards on the Reserved List got foil printings in FtV, as Judge promos, or whatnot, as well as why that won't happen again. Stop doing this.
Jace can also make any rice taste like steak with his telepathic ability, but I digress.
Echoing what Onering said, being chubby is difficult in the old days and most of the planes are set in conflicting era where people kill one another, if your weight isn't muscle, you tend to go first.
That said, some people by DNA are more prone to becoming heavier and I have absolutely no issue seeing good, heavier individuals in the future.
Ok, yes, perception of attractiveness of relative (health, not so much). And overweight characters are not represented nearly as well nor as often as characters of average weight. But in Magic it actually makes sense to have less people being overweight than a first-world country on Earth.
It's not just about high levels of activity; it's also about the amount of food available. Notice how obesity has only been a problem fairly recently and in first-world countries, because in the past and in first-world countries there simply wasn't a huge abundance of food that could cause obesity.
I would certainly never expect an overweight character on a plane like Zendikar where everyone is struggling for survival all the time. More advanced planes like Ravnica and Kaladesh would logically have a greater abundance of food, so there would be some overweight people. However, the fact that far more people are required to be physically fit (being warriors and soldiers and such) on those planes than in modern first-world countries means that it still won't be as common as it is in the United States, for example.
Upper class citizens and organization defined by their opulence, like the Orzhov and Sultai/Silumgar, can and should offer plenty of overweight characters to emphasize the nature of their lifestyles. Karlov and the rest of the Obdezat are a great example of them using obesity in a very practical fashion.
So basically what I'm saying is that overweight people do deserve better representation, but only when it makes sense. Anything classified as realistic fiction should definitely be striving to show a variety of body types. But on the planes of MtG it is generally not very practical (if even possible) for people to be overweight. However, there are exceptions to this and in that case overweight characters are perfectly fine.
1) if a person is able to get muscular like in so many of our magic card art, does that mean that they are eating enough food such that if they did not have such a physically-demanding lifestyle, that they would gain weight? (i'm thinking about the incredible amount of food and protein shakes etc that guys will eat to put on muscle). if so, then there should be enough food available on any plane in which we see many super buff muscley soldier guys on card art, for there to be large (non-wealthy) people on that plane, too?
2) suppose there isn't much food available on a plane. will some people nevertheless have a husky build, just because of genetics? (does this happen on our Earth?).
it makes sense that power = abundance of food = more likely to have larger people, but it's also too bad that power = corruption. i was really hoping it could be possible to see some more positive depictions possible but still world-wise sensible; eg i'd love depictions (even if cliché) of the lovely large mother figure or a protective husky mentor retired-wizard figure, etc.
Goblins have poor impulse control. Don't click this link!!
some of my favourite flavour text:
Wayward Soul
"no home no heart no hope"
—Stronghold graffito
Raging Goblin
He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
(Also known as Xenphire)
The attitude is less "It's okay to be unhealthy" and more "You don't have to be this perfect embodiment of health to belong." That stress, the idea that you don't belong because you're fat, that you can try and try and try, and still not get control of it because losing weight is incredibly hard, makes far more people give up or worse, develop eating disorders. It's the same reason that people with disabilities want representation.
And in general, it's a lot easier to lose weight when it's a positive experience, and not a negative one. When you're doing it because you want to, not because society says "You have to be this way."
On the topic of Magic, I'm a little miffed that we see the same sort of "Body-Builder" physique as the "strong guy" than something like an Olympic class weight lifter. Bruse Tarl was the first sort of fit for that, but we could definitely use more.
When you have magic that affects the body's tissues, that offers nourishment or causes malignant growths, body type restrictions are out of the window
|| 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 ||
-Chandra Nalaar
Like, I definitely see what you mean, and those are all true and valid points, I feel like obesity is definitely still a thing that needs to be taken seriously. I'm a stress eater myself, although I'm definitely not considered fat (I have fat for sure, but I'm still ~130-150 lbs), and I know tons of plenty of people who also stress eat and have conditions that cause weight gain. Or, medication that causes it. However, I still don't think it's okay to say that ".. be healty" is society trying to get people to just lose weight. It's genuinely an epidemic, and it's causing a lot of problems other than health ones. For example, food overproduction. The world is already overpopulated enough and people eating more than they should (especially stuff like McDonalds where things aren't fair trade or anything, but that's just a personal belief thing on my end), can definitely impact the world and make the whole overpopulation thing even worse.
Bit of a ramble, sorry,
all in all, I do agree that Magic should represent everyone of course, and they do a decent job currently of doing so! All sexualities, races, personality types even, I think they're doing a good job. Yeah, they should have more representation of bigger people, but no, they shouldn't glorify obesity. And everyone saying that health is so important when it comes to obesity, is them trying to motivate people TO lose weight and be healthy and exercise! Perhaps it is doing a bad job or whatever, but at least there's an attempt. Plus, eating healthy and exercising helps with anxiety and depression which is something most of the world suffers from. Everything about it is a kinda win-win. also, side note, chubbier people can still be heatlhy, but there is definitely a point where it's just not possible
Bruna, Light of Alabaster | Karlov of the Ghost Council | Breya, Etherium Shaper | Marchesa, the Black Rose | Queen Marchesa | The Mimeoplasm | Avacyn, Angel of Hope |
Pauper:
Orzhov Nightsky Mimic
Frequent lurker and vorthos player
A thing existing and it being a problem are two different things. Even among historic cultures (heck, even among some prehistoric cultures, depending on your interpretation on the Venus figurines), obesity was a known thing even if it wasn't as big of a problem as it is today. Even then, some (past and present) cultures see obesity in a positive light. So is it a "problem" after all? Personally, I do do, for health reasons, but it should be remembered that public opinion is influenced more by cultural reasons than rational ones. The western world is still glorifying alcohol and to an extent smoking, despite both having more severe effects on their environment than obesity.
Most of the art depicts fit people to attract audience, which minimizes other kind of body-types. Wizards have made great strides on being supportive of LGBT people, realistic body-types can be a continuation of that success. Saskia the Unyielding, for starter, has a truer body-type for a warrior, compare to a Barbie girl with impossibly large weapon.
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
Here's the thing: prior to the modern age, being fat was only an option for the wealthy, and it was a status symbol. If your were well fed and not wealthy, then you were strong, because the manual labor you did every day turned those calories into muscle. Most people were thin, because most people didn't have access to excess calories, and rich high cal foods were expensive. Being fat meant you had access to excess calories AND you didn't need to perform manual labor, so rich. This became artistic shorthand for decadence when applied to men (and sexiness when applied to women until fairly recently). What society finds attractive tends to correlate with whatever the rich in the society look like (and those trends are often simultaneously mocked by those less well off as a means of poking fun at those in power). When trends change, the mockery remains. Today rich people can better afford healthy food, exercise opportunity, and plastic surgery, while high calorie foods are cheaper than healthy foods, so thin is a marker of wealth while fat is a marker of poverty, and thus the script flipped. Go to a country with poor food security and heavier people will be considered more attractive.
Most planes should feature mostly thin people, with some cut folks and a few wealthy fat people. Ravnica and especially Kaladesh, being wealthy planes that easily feed their populations, should have more heavy set and fat people. Kaladesh in particular is known for having a veritable bounty of food, a wealthy populace due to the economic boom from aether, cars, and robot servants.
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
Thinking about it, agriculture on Ravnica is a pretty interesting stubject. If the whole world (or about 98% of it) is covered by city, where does all the food come from? There's no room to grow crops. To me it seems like Golgari Rot Farm-produced Soylent Green products make up the bulk of the averahe inhabitant's diet while "traditionally produced" food is ridiculously expensive.
Magically-tended Selesnya gardens and groves could produce vegetables and fruit, there may be mutant food products from Simic bio-mages, and "wild caught" game from Gruul-controlled zones.
Rot farms feed the poor for free, and in enough quantity that they are all pretty well fed. Selesnyans use magic farming. Also, look at the basic forests, there are tons of hanging gardens all over the city, just vines and plants running down the sides of sky scrapers. That's similar to many proposed futuristic urban farming techniques. Meat is the big question, but there are tons of wild animals depicted on cards, many adapted to an urban environment but even more in the Gruul controlled zones and the managed parklands. I also don't doubt the Simic are growing meat sheets of whatever cut and animal people want, but that's not been mentioned.
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
I'm fairly certain Protean Hulk is a Simic-designed livestock generator. It looks like it could create entire herds of animals (in-game mechanics notwithstanding), judging by the number of pustules on its back.
I am now getting mental images of the Simic cloning steaks in their laboratories. That could make them popular with barbecue lovers. Given their preference for aquatic creatures, I also imagine the Simic provide plenty of fish and other seafood.
Now I'm pondering what kind of cuisine each guild would specialize in. I might make a topic about that. But what would be the best section for it?
As for this topic, I say that as long as the game doesn't outright encourage unhealthy life choices I'm all for portraying chubbier characters in a positive light. They don't have to strive to become all-star athletes, but maybe show at least one of them eating a good diet and partaking in regular physical activity to set a positive example? Though if you want to encourage healthier choices, you also have to show that those choices yield positive results (like a reduction in undesired body mass, or extended stamina).
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
Echoing what Onering said, being chubby is difficult in the old days and most of the planes are set in conflicting era where people kill one another, if your weight isn't muscle, you tend to go first.
That said, some people by DNA are more prone to becoming heavier and I have absolutely no issue seeing good, heavier individuals in the future.
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
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