I think the filler guild stories for RNA are starting tomorrow. Could be wrong though. As far as the WAR stories, do we even know if there will be web stories or is it just the novels?
You know, there's something that had been annoying me ever since Tezzeret in Kaladesh, but in this RNA it's really being blown out of proportions: Planeswalkers just waltzing in one day and being immediately handed positions of power. I mean, at least Ral/Vraska/Domri have the excuse of being people who had lived on Ravnica for a LONG time, and were well-known in their respective guilds. And I suppose Kaya can get a pass because she did murder her way to the top, although that still doesn't explain why the whole guild just decided to obey her rather than, oh I dunno, fight her off.
But Dovin? How can a guy show up out of nowhere, without any prior relationship with anything going on in this city, and be made the greatest and most powerful representative of its laws? Wouldn't there be, I dunno, some manner of background check, or some manner of order of merit ("the next grand arbiter is someone who'd been working as a top tier judge for years") or something like that? How does one go from complete stranger to guild leader and voice of the law in such a short period of time?
And the thing that really grinds my gears is the fact that nobody questions it, with the exception of Lazav and that one sphinx, who are apparently the only people in Ravnica with any common sense... And even that is problematic: thought the sphinxes were important in the hierarchy of Azorius (what with the founder being one)? If they know what Dovin is up to, why did they allow him to get the spot in the first place?
On the main plotline revealed by RNA's cards so far, I realized I was in the right guild for me when my first reaction to Kaya's Ethereal Absolution of the indentured Orzhov spirits was TO REEL BACK IN HORROR!!
It was perhaps the moral thing to do, but not very strategic for the guild's overall wellbeing, Without debt, consequences, and the power that the dead provide for the guild, the Syndicate has lost a lot of power. While I'm all for reforming the guild and making the indentured living and dead's repayment easier and more ennobling, even a shallow understanding of economics points to negative externalities when market forces are so blatantly ignored.
I created an account solely to comment on this -- to create a thread, even. This card deeply cuts me. There may as well be 9 guilds now, because the Orzhov is but dust. Mass inflation is likely, but without spirits or thrulls to back them, the only thing left to their name is worthless gold and vampires. WOTC effectively killed the guild with this move, at least in terms of lore. In future expansions, I'd be shocked to see it as anything more than vampire tribal.
Here's hoping Kaya gets backstabbed by Teysa, eaten by Bolas, or taken to school and back by Liliana. I am NOT happy to see my favorite guild dismantled.
By the way, has anyone noticed this little nod to us hardcore Vorthoses (and an acknowledgment of the original books)?
Migellic was Kos's colleague in Ravnica book, and, for some time, de facto leader of the Wojek after the Decamillenial. Bell was the first name of Bell Borca, Kos's rookie partner in the same book, whose murder set Kos to the path that ended with all the events in the same book.
So I'm confused, and if I'm in the wrong spot I do apologize, but are they done posting weekly main storyline stories on DailyMTG? If that's the case I really think that's a bad idea...I've been lurking the forum for awhile trying to figure out the answer, but there hasn't really been any mention.
I believe its a one time event for the wrap up of the Bolas arc, an experiment on their new plan of telling the story in different kinds of media and a test to see if players now would be willing to buy novels again. Found the tweet for saying we will be getting web fiction for War; https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/1037383351714242560
Hey folks! Just to clarify: We're really excited to share more of Magic's story in more places, which for this arc means both story articles on DailyMTG as well as this novel from Del Rey. #MTGGRN, #MTGRNA, and [MILK] will all have separate web stories in addition to this novel.
which to me read as the novels not taking over fully.
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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"
I don't see the point what does Niv Mizzet having a spark do for the story. Especially if he stays good, he is just another overpowered walker that the heroes can call on. If he turns evil might as well just kept Bolas around.
If Niv has enough backing maybe he'll get the Boba Fett treatment and be relevant because of frothy fans.
In all seriousness, if Niv does obtain a spark he doesn't really grow the character in a meaningful way. He pursues knowledge the same as Jace, Tamiyo, Narset, [insert random blue legend], etc. I can't really see them deriving much story from it, whereas him constantly trying to impart a spark to himself could set up something ripe for another return set in 5 years.
If the Bolas arc does wrap up with War of the Spark and he is removed from the story for quite awhile, I wonder how far into the phyrexian threat we'll make it before they introduce another bad guy.
I mean really only have Bolas, Eldrazi, and Phyrexia as "potential" multi-plane threats right now right?
Yeah but like are the web stories just going to me rephrasing of the key story points or do you have to read both to get the full story?
If you keep going through the thread, the wizards account mentions (paraphrased) story fan will want to read both, but you will know what happens with just the web fiction.
“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"
You know, there's something that had been annoying me ever since Tezzeret in Kaladesh, but in this RNA it's really being blown out of proportions: Planeswalkers just waltzing in one day and being immediately handed positions of power. I mean, at least Ral/Vraska/Domri have the excuse of being people who had lived on Ravnica for a LONG time, and were well-known in their respective guilds. And I suppose Kaya can get a pass because she did murder her way to the top, although that still doesn't explain why the whole guild just decided to obey her rather than, oh I dunno, fight her off.
But Dovin? How can a guy show up out of nowhere, without any prior relationship with anything going on in this city, and be made the greatest and most powerful representative of its laws? Wouldn't there be, I dunno, some manner of background check, or some manner of order of merit ("the next grand arbiter is someone who'd been working as a top tier judge for years") or something like that? How does one go from complete stranger to guild leader and voice of the law in such a short period of time?
And the thing that really grinds my gears is the fact that nobody questions it, with the exception of Lazav and that one sphinx, who are apparently the only people in Ravnica with any common sense... And even that is problematic: thought the sphinxes were important in the hierarchy of Azorius (what with the founder being one)? If they know what Dovin is up to, why did they allow him to get the spot in the first place?
Am I the only one who's bothered by this?
Dovin has the advantage of being very good with complicated systems and used loopholes. Remember the episode of Futurama with the Central Beurocracy? That is the Azorious Guild, who cares about common sense when you are technically correct about the Laws.
Dovin has the advantage of being very good with complicated systems and used loopholes. Remember the episode of Futurama with the Central Beurocracy? That is the Azorious Guild, who cares about common sense when you are technically correct about the Laws.
I guess? But even so, being good at answering what is essentially a trivia quiz, even if you are indeed the best at it in all of recorded history, should not be grounds for being handed such an important position so easily.
Concerning the people who wonder who the next big villain will be: assuming Bolas really does bite it in WAR, my theory is that Tezzeret will claim that mantle. Remember, Dragon Ascendant is a trope, and Tezzeret has long been established as being The Starscream. Tez is now one with the Planar Bridge, right? And the Planar Bridge makes it possible to transport across planes beings that are undead/close to undead and not fully organic, right?
Doesn't "undead/close to undead and not fully organic" remind you of someone? Someone with whom, I hasten to add, Tez has already interacted in the past?
I guess? But even so, being good at answering what is essentially a trivia quiz, even if you are indeed the best at it in all of recorded history, should not be grounds for being handed such an important position so easily.
That is the point, that is what the entire theme of the Azorious Senate is, they are Lawful Neutral and have had thousands of years to do Nothing but write an insane tangle of Laws that 99% of THEM don't understand, one of the themes of Ravnica is to show off the Good/Bad sides of the color pairings and while they are hit and miss on accomplishing that in places, The Azorious getting too bogged down in loopholes and details to do something sensible like telling Dovin to feck off is entirely within character of Blue/White.
When is the last time a UW Legend get some good heroic treatment? Dovin is Evil, you could say he was ambiguous in Kaladesh but now its confirmed and he is best buds with Tezz. Azor was dismissed by Jace and incompetent who ruined Ixalan, was told to sit down on a worthless island like a kid sent to his room so Jace could get a new gf. Teferi was a sad sack who couldn't do anything without Jhoira and seemed to forget most of his spellbook. Raff? Not especially relevant comic relief. Isperia, an incompetent idiot who let Dovin takeover in record time and who walked into an obvious trap and jobbed out to Vraska worse then Azor did to Jace.
I am not see this fair and balanced color portrayals. WOTC has had it out for UW Legends in my book since Kaladesh.
I agree with you when it comes to Dovin's characterization: on Kaladesh, he was perfectly neutral and conpletely focused on doing what, in his point of view, was the right thing. And that made him a fantastic foil for Tez and created and interesting dynamic with the Gatewatch in general, and with Chandra in particular. Making him a full-on bad guy who's best buds with Tez is a major mistake, as it takes away his most interesting characteristic.
But Dovin? How can a guy show up out of nowhere, without any prior relationship with anything going on in this city, and be made the greatest and most powerful representative of its laws? Wouldn't there be, I dunno, some manner of background check, or some manner of order of merit ("the next grand arbiter is someone who'd been working as a top tier judge for years") or something like that? How does one go from complete stranger to guild leader and voice of the law in such a short period of time?
And the thing that really grinds my gears is the fact that nobody questions it, with the exception of Lazav and that one sphinx, who are apparently the only people in Ravnica with any common sense... And even that is problematic: thought the sphinxes were important in the hierarchy of Azorius (what with the founder being one)? If they know what Dovin is up to, why did they allow him to get the spot in the first place?
Am I the only one who's bothered by this?
I created an account solely to comment on this -- to create a thread, even. This card deeply cuts me. There may as well be 9 guilds now, because the Orzhov is but dust. Mass inflation is likely, but without spirits or thrulls to back them, the only thing left to their name is worthless gold and vampires. WOTC effectively killed the guild with this move, at least in terms of lore. In future expansions, I'd be shocked to see it as anything more than vampire tribal.
Here's hoping Kaya gets backstabbed by Teysa, eaten by Bolas, or taken to school and back by Liliana. I am NOT happy to see my favorite guild dismantled.
Migellic was Kos's colleague in Ravnica book, and, for some time, de facto leader of the Wojek after the Decamillenial. Bell was the first name of Bell Borca, Kos's rookie partner in the same book, whose murder set Kos to the path that ended with all the events in the same book.
https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Migellic
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Thanks
Didn't they discontinue the novels because they didnt sell? What happened to warrant a change in that policy?
https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/1037383351714242560
which to me read as the novels not taking over fully.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
whats the thoughts on niv mizzet getting bolas spark if bolas looses im not sure how this theory got started
In all seriousness, if Niv does obtain a spark he doesn't really grow the character in a meaningful way. He pursues knowledge the same as Jace, Tamiyo, Narset, [insert random blue legend], etc. I can't really see them deriving much story from it, whereas him constantly trying to impart a spark to himself could set up something ripe for another return set in 5 years.
If the Bolas arc does wrap up with War of the Spark and he is removed from the story for quite awhile, I wonder how far into the phyrexian threat we'll make it before they introduce another bad guy.
I mean really only have Bolas, Eldrazi, and Phyrexia as "potential" multi-plane threats right now right?
How will the phyrexians revolve into story again? It’s not like Tezzeret planar bridge got in the hands of the phyrexians somehow
If you keep going through the thread, the wizards account mentions (paraphrased) story fan will want to read both, but you will know what happens with just the web fiction.
EDIT:
Nahiri and Ob are still out there and depending and how it the story shapes up, Tezzeret.
Children of the Name also set up the entities and a group who is hunting them which might be a thing in a few years.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Dovin has the advantage of being very good with complicated systems and used loopholes. Remember the episode of Futurama with the Central Beurocracy? That is the Azorious Guild, who cares about common sense when you are technically correct about the Laws.
Dragons of Legend, Lead by Scion of the UR-Dragon
The Gitrog Monster
Gonti, Lord of Luxury
Shogun Saskia
Hive World
Atraxa hates fun
Abzan
I guess? But even so, being good at answering what is essentially a trivia quiz, even if you are indeed the best at it in all of recorded history, should not be grounds for being handed such an important position so easily.
Concerning the people who wonder who the next big villain will be: assuming Bolas really does bite it in WAR, my theory is that Tezzeret will claim that mantle. Remember, Dragon Ascendant is a trope, and Tezzeret has long been established as being The Starscream. Tez is now one with the Planar Bridge, right? And the Planar Bridge makes it possible to transport across planes beings that are undead/close to undead and not fully organic, right?
Doesn't "undead/close to undead and not fully organic" remind you of someone? Someone with whom, I hasten to add, Tez has already interacted in the past?
The art book said he figured out the existence of planes
That is the point, that is what the entire theme of the Azorious Senate is, they are Lawful Neutral and have had thousands of years to do Nothing but write an insane tangle of Laws that 99% of THEM don't understand, one of the themes of Ravnica is to show off the Good/Bad sides of the color pairings and while they are hit and miss on accomplishing that in places, The Azorious getting too bogged down in loopholes and details to do something sensible like telling Dovin to feck off is entirely within character of Blue/White.
Dragons of Legend, Lead by Scion of the UR-Dragon
The Gitrog Monster
Gonti, Lord of Luxury
Shogun Saskia
Hive World
Atraxa hates fun
Abzan
I am not see this fair and balanced color portrayals. WOTC has had it out for UW Legends in my book since Kaladesh.