Also, the name of the set strongly hints at a "back to the future" type of story to me. Its not that Sarkhan's fate is reforged, it is the fate of Tarkir itself. He goes back, changes a critical event in history, go back to the present, and boom, Ugin's alive, and here be dragons instead of Khans.
While some of the info NorthjayHawk said is known I really do like the idea of giant wedge dragons (maybe the ones featured in each of the fetch arts?) ruling over the time altered tarkir. I hope that the clans still exist though as they all seem really well fleshed out flavor-wise and I'd be sad if they only had one set to shine.
Thinking about it again, maybe they can keep the clans, and have them be 5 cults dedicated to their living dragon masters. The primitive cave-painting-like symbols of the clans sorta lend themselves to being dragon cults as well.
I have a feeling that Sarkhan will team up with Sorin to bring Ugin back. As Sorin will want Ugin back to seal the Eldrazi. Sarkhan will want to bring back Ugin because he's insane.
Why would Sarkhan sac himself, he is in KTK and I thought the block would go back in time so since he is still there now he did not sac himself.
Based on that I would think that it is more likely that we go back in time and see that Sarkhan absorbed the Spirit of Ugin which is why he can transform into a Dragon.
I don't think we need to go back in time to absorb Ugin's spirit. You go back in time to change history, and the big event in history seems to be Ugin dying.
If Ugin is going through all this trouble to send Sarkhan back in time, he's probably doing it to save himself. Ugin probably likes being alive. If what you are hung up on is Sarkhan transforming himself and thinking he gained that ability here, rather than always having it, then I suppose Ugin's spirit can just grant that power, but Ugin still wants to not be killed by Bolas.
This mythic time warp artifact, Ugin's Nexus, definitely very strongly hints at Ugin being the catalyst of the time travel story. They also are very quick to confirm that Ugin is dead with Sorin Markov and Bitter Revelations. I think that somehow, someone is going back in time to find Ugin and learn from him/call upon him the way to reseal the Eldrazi.
I just don't think it can merely be that though. Ugin's spirit is already talking to Sarkhan, why do you have to go back in time to talk to the dead? How are the dragons brought back? What about the strong hint yesterday that Ugin's death led to the extinction of dragons? Also if it was merely resurrection, you don't need to go back in time to do that, either.
You go back in time to prevent something or change something. I think the most likely explanation is that Sarkhan goes back in time to prevent Ugin's death.
Maybe the picture in the OP is in the past, Ugin (alive) and Sarkhan standing together, Sarkhan transforming into a dragon, and... who are they looking at? Perhaps off-screen they are facing Bolas. This could be the fight where Bolas killed Ugin, except now this time its two on one instead of one on one, and this time Ugin prevails. Not sure whether or not Bolas and/or Sarkhan survives.
I find ugin and bolas horns VERY easy to distinguish
I don't find them distinguishable enough. Ugin's horns don't precisely match that of Bolas, but when one thinks "long curved dragon horns" in the Magic universe, Bolas is the only guy that should come to mind. It doesn't help either that both dragons seem sorta snake like in body shape and visage.
Right now, Ugin feels the Ken of Magic compared to Bolas who's the Ryu. Why wasn't Ugin made more distinct? Instead of long curved horns, why not straight pointy ones, elk-like ones, or something else? Why a serpentine look instead of a big stocky look? Why make Ugin just a palette-swap Bolas?
As far as I know, we don't know why Nicol Bolas wanted to release the Eldrazi. Bolas has a huge amount of influence over Sarkhan's mind, and I feel could easily have compelled him not to return to Tarkir, and thus not encounter the spirit of Ugin, which suggests that Bolas has some nefarious scheme in mind.
Also, if Bolas killed Ugin, when did that happen? Bolas may have changed his attitude towards Ugin in the meantime, especially given the Mending, maybe he wants Ugin and the Tarkirian dragons to be alive again. Ugin's nexus suggests that Ugin has some sort of time power, maybe Bolas wants to use that power for himself.
At first I was very confused by the art because I thought I was looking up through a portal of somekind. The horns started to look like all kinds of pointy arms and I started to wonder "slivers" or "Eldrazi" depending on the scale.
Now that I see the wings and that they are horns (not arms) then Yes we are looking at Ugin, why else would he be getting mentioned in card names and flavor texts if he wasn't coming back.
Personally I don't care if Ugin is a planeswalker card (red could use some diversity) or a Legendary Creature (Yea! new dragon Commander) part of me wants him already.
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There's no proof she's being chased
by ninja squirrels either. - Dr. Wilson
You're right about how there are probably going to be Dragons in the third set and there has to be something that brings them back. Well, let's look at the draft structure. This was the base of the set and the time travel story was inspired by this structure. We have Khans, which is the present, drafted alone.
Then along comes Fate Reforged, which is drafted before the Khans boosters.
Then, we have 'Louie', which is drafted before Fate Reforged. As in the Making Magic article, the middle set is somehow a link between the two other sets who have in principle nothing to do with each other. Fate Reforged implies some change in events that already happened, and according to the poster probably some change in the fate of Sarkhan. So it would be most logical that the second set has Ugin pull Sarkhan back to a time where he is alive, and there he helps him to set plans in motion that reshape the future, probably a future that includes a Tarkir that looks completely different, with no wedge clans, but with Dragons.
I find ugin and bolas horns VERY easy to distinguish
I don't find them distinguishable enough. Ugin's horns don't precisely match that of Bolas, but when one thinks "long curved dragon horns" in the Magic universe, Bolas is the only guy that should come to mind. It doesn't help either that both dragons seem sorta snake like in body shape and visage.
Right now, Ugin feels the Ken of Magic compared to Bolas who's the Ryu. Why wasn't Ugin made more distinct? Instead of long curved horns, why not straight pointy ones, elk-like ones, or something else? Why a serpentine look instead of a big stocky look? Why make Ugin just a palette-swap Bolas?
I admit its tricky, but Bolas's horns are very smooth. They don't have jagged edges, no bumps, no ridges. ( Well, some ridges, but very small and subtle. They also have a gem floating between them, but lets assume thats not needed)
Ugin's horns are anything but smooth. They have ridges, angles, etc. They are still in a roughly curved shape, but nowhere near as slim and elegant as Bolas's horns. Also Bolas's horns come closer together near the top, while Ugin's horns are more splayed and don't come together quite as much.
I think we can say for sure the dragon in the OP is not Bolas. It is less certain that its Ugin, but it sure looks like him, and the story seems to push it to a near-certainty.
Sarkhan is most definitely going to go back in time and save Ugin
Most definitely seems like it, Sorin might also be along for the ride.
Time travel has already been confirmed as a big plot point for the block, the 3rd set is not going to be drafted with the 1st one (meaning this one is probably taking place in the past) and Ugin's Nexus pretty much already "tells" (aka strongly indicates) us that Sarkan is going to travel back in time to "Dragons of Tarkir" where those creatures were still around (as was Ugin).
The flavor text on the "new" Fetchlands (Polluted Delta etc.) also hints strongly in that direction - which also means we could see the Zendikar Fetchlands in "Dragons of Tarkir".
Also: The Eldrazi plot is still "on", as can be seen on the reaction Sorin has to finding Ugin's "tomb": Bitter Revelation.
Edit: Not hard to predict that one, but I'll go for it anyway: "Dragons of Tarkir" will have 5 "Dragon Lords"/"Elder Dragons"/whatever at Mythic rarity, each in the color of one of the Clans. They will also represent their respective "admired" Dragon Aspect in name and/or function.
My only quibble is that "Dragons of Tarkir" will most likely not be in the past. It will be the alternate reality present after Ugin's death is prevented.
Wizards is not going to go through the trouble of a 3-set timetravel block without taking advantage of the "changing history" aspect of timetravel. Thats also why "Fall and Spring can't ever be drafted together" would make sense, if they are present-day alternate realities that can not coexist.
Actually, I think it's Ugin. There is a picture of a small ghost or spirit of him talking into Sarkhan's ear (the voice he's been hearing for so long) and the horns are very similar. Really hoping this means we get an Ugin planeswalker card!
Sarkhan will also not be sacrificing himself to bring Ugin back, that would likely mean that he would need to do so in the second set since it's very likely that the third set will be the fixed present (the second set being the one in the past which allows for more exploration of the clans and then reboot in the third large set as usual): it would mean that Sarkhan would be dead in the third set which would make no sense.
Elspeth died but at the end of Journey into Nyx, not at the end of Born of the Gods.
Sarkhan will also not be sacrificing himself to bring Ugin back, that would likely mean that he would need to do so in the second set since it's very likely that the third set will be the fixed present (the second set being the one in the past which allows for more exploration of the clans and then reboot in the third large set as usual): it would mean that Sarkhan would be dead in the third set which would make no sense.
Elspeth died but at the end of Journey into Nyx, not at the end of Born of the Gods.
Eh, the "Sarkhan might die" thing was just something I threw in there in my speculation. I am a LOT less confident about that than the rest. I'm only saying that because Sarkhan is a very minor character, his story would seem to be wrapped up here, and Wizards is introducing so many planeswalkers that they need to start killing them off more often, and killing Sarkhan in the 2nd set looks like a reasonable possibility to me.
If Sarkhan doesn't die, then I think he lives on as a devoted follower of Ugin.
Here's a thought: Sarkhan will be traveling back in time to save the dragons, likely including Ugin. If what Bolas says is true, he's the one who offed Ugin to begin with. Sarkhan doesn't likely stand a chance against Bolas on his own, but...Sorin wants Ugin alive so he can help deal with the Eldrazi, and he's the second oldest known Walker so far. If any one Walker would stand a chance of going to-to-toe with Big Bolas (other than Ajani, anyway), it would most likely be Sorin. He's likely to learn of Sarkhan and Ugin's time travel plan and get in on it, and when it comes time to save Ugin from Bolas, we'll get to see one of the most epic throwdowns in Magic history.
And yes, I am aware Ugin himself is a Planeswalker, likely of some potency, and will probably help Sarkhan fight Bolas as well.
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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.
Sarkhan will also not be sacrificing himself to bring Ugin back, that would likely mean that he would need to do so in the second set since it's very likely that the third set will be the fixed present (the second set being the one in the past which allows for more exploration of the clans and then reboot in the third large set as usual): it would mean that Sarkhan would be dead in the third set which would make no sense.
Elspeth died but at the end of Journey into Nyx, not at the end of Born of the Gods.
Eh, the "Sarkhan might die" thing was just something I threw in there in my speculation. I am a LOT less confident about that than the rest. I'm only saying that because Sarkhan is a very minor character, his story would seem to be wrapped up here, and Wizards is introducing so many planeswalkers that they need to start killing them off more often, and killing Sarkhan in the 2nd set looks like a reasonable possibility to me.
If Sarkhan doesn't die, then I think he lives on as a devoted follower of Ugin.
How is Sarkhan a minor character? He was relevant in Alara, very important on Zendikar, and is the main character of this block.
Just wanted to point it out because I've seen it a few times now, but the new block structure/rotation schedule doesn't change until after M16 (or whatever they decide to call the final core set). The sets of KTK block will be rotating all at the same time, not the first two sets rotating with the third staying legal and rotating later on.
Just wanted to point it out because I've seen it a few times now, but the new block structure/rotation schedule doesn't change until after M16 (or whatever they decide to call the final core set). The sets of KTK block will be rotating all at the same time, not the first two sets rotating with the third staying legal and rotating later on.
Actually you're wrong. You need to reread the article--they even put in pretty pictures to show how the blocks rotate.
In short, when the Spring 2016 block comes out, KTK and FRF will rotate out. Louie (3rd set of Tarkir block) and 2015 core set will still be legal in standard.
If I recall correctly, a wedge 'walker was hinted at. Ugin is colorless, Sorin and Sarkhan are almost certainly not getting new versions this block, and, out of an unknown walker and the only existing three-color PW, it seems more likely that Nicol Bolas shifts colors a bit. Maybe he turns colors when the timeshift happens, or something.
Also, wedge-colored drgagon lords would be pretty boring, since we already have wedge-colored dragons.
]Another Wizards fanboy wants to glorify everything they do. Why can't you see that the game has gotten nothing but worse since the 1940's? At least in the 1800's we had spells that actually did something. I remember in 1492 when I first opened a pack of Alpha under the dim light of my oil lantern, I was at least inspired to travel to a new undiscovered land.!
If I recall correctly, a wedge 'walker was hinted at. Ugin is colorless, Sorin and Sarkhan are almost certainly not getting new versions this block, and, out of an unknown walker and the only existing three-color PW, it seems more likely that Nicol Bolas shifts colors a bit. Maybe he turns colors when the timeshift happens, or something.
Also, wedge-colored drgagon lords would be pretty boring, since we already have wedge-colored dragons.
It would take something very special to cause Bolas to shift colors given he's been Grixis aligned for roughly 20 years, and fits that color combination to a T.
If I recall correctly, a wedge 'walker was hinted at. Ugin is colorless, Sorin and Sarkhan are almost certainly not getting new versions this block, and, out of an unknown walker and the only existing three-color PW, it seems more likely that Nicol Bolas shifts colors a bit. Maybe he turns colors when the timeshift happens, or something.
Also, wedge-colored drgagon lords would be pretty boring, since we already have wedge-colored dragons.
It would take something very special to cause Bolas to shift colors given he's been Grixis aligned for roughly 20 years, and fits that color combination to a T.
This Bolas fits it to a "T". Time-shifted Bolas might not. That would be changing a fairly big chunk of his recent life.
]Another Wizards fanboy wants to glorify everything they do. Why can't you see that the game has gotten nothing but worse since the 1940's? At least in the 1800's we had spells that actually did something. I remember in 1492 when I first opened a pack of Alpha under the dim light of my oil lantern, I was at least inspired to travel to a new undiscovered land.!
If I recall correctly, a wedge 'walker was hinted at. Ugin is colorless, Sorin and Sarkhan are almost certainly not getting new versions this block, and, out of an unknown walker and the only existing three-color PW, it seems more likely that Nicol Bolas shifts colors a bit. Maybe he turns colors when the timeshift happens, or something.
Also, wedge-colored drgagon lords would be pretty boring, since we already have wedge-colored dragons.
It would take something very special to cause Bolas to shift colors given he's been Grixis aligned for roughly 20 years, and fits that color combination to a T.
This Bolas fits it to a "T". Time-shifted Bolas might not. That would be changing a fairly big chunk of his recent life.
Unless it makes Bolas selfless, stupid, or a different species he'll still be Grixis colored.
If I recall correctly, a wedge 'walker was hinted at. Ugin is colorless, Sorin and Sarkhan are almost certainly not getting new versions this block, and, out of an unknown walker and the only existing three-color PW, it seems more likely that Nicol Bolas shifts colors a bit. Maybe he turns colors when the timeshift happens, or something.
Also, wedge-colored drgagon lords would be pretty boring, since we already have wedge-colored dragons.
Ugin may or may not be "truly" colorless. Ghostfire is colorless as an ability, but it still takes red mana to cast. Ugin may very well require red mana or even multicolored mana and simply have an ability that says "~ is colorless" or something similar.
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Thinking about it again, maybe they can keep the clans, and have them be 5 cults dedicated to their living dragon masters. The primitive cave-painting-like symbols of the clans sorta lend themselves to being dragon cults as well.
I don't think we need to go back in time to absorb Ugin's spirit. You go back in time to change history, and the big event in history seems to be Ugin dying.
If Ugin is going through all this trouble to send Sarkhan back in time, he's probably doing it to save himself. Ugin probably likes being alive. If what you are hung up on is Sarkhan transforming himself and thinking he gained that ability here, rather than always having it, then I suppose Ugin's spirit can just grant that power, but Ugin still wants to not be killed by Bolas.
I just don't think it can merely be that though. Ugin's spirit is already talking to Sarkhan, why do you have to go back in time to talk to the dead? How are the dragons brought back? What about the strong hint yesterday that Ugin's death led to the extinction of dragons? Also if it was merely resurrection, you don't need to go back in time to do that, either.
You go back in time to prevent something or change something. I think the most likely explanation is that Sarkhan goes back in time to prevent Ugin's death.
Maybe the picture in the OP is in the past, Ugin (alive) and Sarkhan standing together, Sarkhan transforming into a dragon, and... who are they looking at? Perhaps off-screen they are facing Bolas. This could be the fight where Bolas killed Ugin, except now this time its two on one instead of one on one, and this time Ugin prevails. Not sure whether or not Bolas and/or Sarkhan survives.
Right now, Ugin feels the Ken of Magic compared to Bolas who's the Ryu. Why wasn't Ugin made more distinct? Instead of long curved horns, why not straight pointy ones, elk-like ones, or something else? Why a serpentine look instead of a big stocky look? Why make Ugin just a palette-swap Bolas?
Also, if Bolas killed Ugin, when did that happen? Bolas may have changed his attitude towards Ugin in the meantime, especially given the Mending, maybe he wants Ugin and the Tarkirian dragons to be alive again. Ugin's nexus suggests that Ugin has some sort of time power, maybe Bolas wants to use that power for himself.
Now that I see the wings and that they are horns (not arms) then Yes we are looking at Ugin, why else would he be getting mentioned in card names and flavor texts if he wasn't coming back.
Personally I don't care if Ugin is a planeswalker card (red could use some diversity) or a Legendary Creature (Yea! new dragon Commander) part of me wants him already.
There's no proof she's being chased
by ninja squirrels either. - Dr. Wilson
Agreed. This is where I'm at.
I admit its tricky, but Bolas's horns are very smooth. They don't have jagged edges, no bumps, no ridges. ( Well, some ridges, but very small and subtle. They also have a gem floating between them, but lets assume thats not needed)
Ugin's horns are anything but smooth. They have ridges, angles, etc. They are still in a roughly curved shape, but nowhere near as slim and elegant as Bolas's horns. Also Bolas's horns come closer together near the top, while Ugin's horns are more splayed and don't come together quite as much.
I think we can say for sure the dragon in the OP is not Bolas. It is less certain that its Ugin, but it sure looks like him, and the story seems to push it to a near-certainty.
My only quibble is that "Dragons of Tarkir" will most likely not be in the past. It will be the alternate reality present after Ugin's death is prevented.
Wizards is not going to go through the trouble of a 3-set timetravel block without taking advantage of the "changing history" aspect of timetravel. Thats also why "Fall and Spring can't ever be drafted together" would make sense, if they are present-day alternate realities that can not coexist.
Elspeth died but at the end of Journey into Nyx, not at the end of Born of the Gods.
Eh, the "Sarkhan might die" thing was just something I threw in there in my speculation. I am a LOT less confident about that than the rest. I'm only saying that because Sarkhan is a very minor character, his story would seem to be wrapped up here, and Wizards is introducing so many planeswalkers that they need to start killing them off more often, and killing Sarkhan in the 2nd set looks like a reasonable possibility to me.
If Sarkhan doesn't die, then I think he lives on as a devoted follower of Ugin.
And yes, I am aware Ugin himself is a Planeswalker, likely of some potency, and will probably help Sarkhan fight Bolas as well.
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.
How is Sarkhan a minor character? He was relevant in Alara, very important on Zendikar, and is the main character of this block.
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.
Actually you're wrong. You need to reread the article--they even put in pretty pictures to show how the blocks rotate.
In short, when the Spring 2016 block comes out, KTK and FRF will rotate out. Louie (3rd set of Tarkir block) and 2015 core set will still be legal in standard.
........................
Also, wedge-colored drgagon lords would be pretty boring, since we already have wedge-colored dragons.
EDH Decks
Daretti, Scrap Savant
Wrexial, the Risen Deep
Phelddagrif
Karador, Ghost Chieftain
Bladewing the Risen
The extra "a" means quality.
It would take something very special to cause Bolas to shift colors given he's been Grixis aligned for roughly 20 years, and fits that color combination to a T.
This Bolas fits it to a "T". Time-shifted Bolas might not. That would be changing a fairly big chunk of his recent life.
EDH Decks
Daretti, Scrap Savant
Wrexial, the Risen Deep
Phelddagrif
Karador, Ghost Chieftain
Bladewing the Risen
The extra "a" means quality.
Unless it makes Bolas selfless, stupid, or a different species he'll still be Grixis colored.