Liking the looks of this so far. I wonder if Embalm is going to be a White mechanic, or if it's going to be in other colors too. If every mummy is White it makes sense for it to be focused in that color, but would be a bit unexciting probably. Not sure how I feel about White Zombies either, but it is what it is.
Still, excited for this next block, can't wait until next week.
It's essentially Flashback but for creatures instead of spells. Part of the continuing nerfing of spells in favor of permanents.
My thoughts exactly.
You guys understand that every single Embalm token dies to Fatal Push, right? There are SO many answers to creatures in Standard right now.
Also, remember that card with the wonky frame that was spoiled a little over a week ago? Instants/sorceries with a Flashback variant, remember? Cool your jets.
Did people whine this much when Undying was revealed? That mechanic is generally more powerful than Embalm in most circumstances.
And you understand that in addition to Fatal Push for the token you also need another removal spell for the original creature, right? Does the term 2-for-1 ring a bell? If there were "so many" answers to creatures in Standard, it wouldn't be in the sorry state it is now. Face it, the creatures are getting stronger while the spells are getting weaker. There's no need to eagerly defend WotC when they themselves have admitted the lack of answers is a huge problem right now.
Are these extremely janky commons an indication that we're going back to low-powered sets? I seriously hope that's not the case, but it definitely seems so... BFZ 2.0
It's essentially Flashback but for creatures instead of spells. Part of the continuing nerfing of spells in favor of permanents.
My thoughts exactly.
You guys understand that every single Embalm token dies to Fatal Push, right? There are SO many answers to creatures in Standard right now.
Also, remember that card with the wonky frame that was spoiled a little over a week ago? Instants/sorceries with a Flashback variant, remember? Cool your jets.
Did people whine this much when Undying was revealed? That mechanic is generally more powerful than Embalm in most circumstances.
And you understand that in addition to Fatal Push for the token you also need another removal spell for the original creature, right? Does the term 2-for-1 ring a bell? If there were "so many" answers to creatures in Standard, it wouldn't be in the sorry state it is now. Face it, the creatures are getting stronger while the spells are getting weaker. There's no need to eagerly defend WotC when they themselves have admitted the lack of answers is a huge problem right now.
I'm not defending WotC, but I do think a push towards removal that doesn't mean 'put it in the graveyard' is a good thing. Cards that exile, cards that neuter on the battlefield, cards that tuck into library... those are all effective ways to 1-for-1 these cards that people put into decks expecting to be able to get double duty.
On that day, it is said, a high-pitched squel could be heard across the desert sands...
Embalm and Exert both look neat. If I'm going to guess, Embalm is chiefly WB and Exert will be chiefly BR, RG, or RW. -1/-1 counters will probably be seen chiefly in BG. Brick counters will be an artifact mechanic but could be supported by WU or GU. As for the as-of-yet unconfirmed "Aftermath" mechanic, that will likely be focused in UR since it's a twist on Flashback, though Cycling could be focused in UR as well.
I wonder if Proliferate will return as well? It would work well with the -1/-1 and brick counters, and synergize with Kaladesh's energy and +1/+1 counter themes.
It occurs to me that the set's five main mechanical themes might all be focused in enemy pairs, in which case we'll most likely have:
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.
Are these extremely janky commons an indication that we're going back to low-powered sets? I seriously hope that's not the case, but it definitely seems so... BFZ 2.0
Creatures need to be powered down a bit. Of course, commons aren't Constructed playable anymore anyway. Lets see what the rares and mythics bring.
I'm hoping that they don't print a ton of good graveyard hate; and instead just print decent all around removal and hate. I feel that cards like Tormod's Crypt, although highly effective, can shut down someone's entire strategy, leading to unfun games. I think Wizards has realized this, which is why we didn't get a lot of strong graveyard hate in SOI/EMN or a lot of strong artifact hate in KLD/AER.
There are SO many answers to creatures in Standard right now.
The top 2 decks each play 7 answers and 24-28 threats. Nobody is lining up to trade a whole card for your token. There literally are not "SO many answers" to tokens that cost less than a card.
It doesn't make Mindwrack Demon a lot better because it's anti-synergistic with delirium. As for Cryptbreaker, it works just as well with it as madness does.
I'm hoping that they don't print a ton of good graveyard hate; and instead just print decent all around removal and hate. I feel that cards like Tormod's Crypt, although highly effective, can shut down someone's entire strategy, leading to unfun games. I think Wizards has realized this, which is why we didn't get a lot of strong graveyard hate in SOI/EMN or a lot of strong artifact hate in KLD/AER.
Which is a shame, because Tormod's Crypt would work splendidly for so many of their current-standard ability words like Improvise, Revolt, Delirium, Surge... all four of those would get good legs out of a 0-cost self-saccing artifact (IMHO, so many such new abilities entering Modern, along with old stalwarts like Delve, is part of the reason Mishra's Bauble went through the roof; of course, self-replacement is a huge thing).
Right, but Tree Monkey was originally a Monkey, then got changed to an Ape, and is now restored. They've decided that Jackal Pup and co. are going to be Jackals now, which is in line with taxonomy.
It's essentially Flashback but for creatures instead of spells. Part of the continuing nerfing of spells in favor of permanents.
My thoughts exactly.
You guys understand that every single Embalm token dies to Fatal Push, right? There are SO many answers to creatures in Standard right now.
Also, remember that card with the wonky frame that was spoiled a little over a week ago? Instants/sorceries with a Flashback variant, remember? Cool your jets.
Did people whine this much when Undying was revealed? That mechanic is generally more powerful than Embalm in most circumstances.
And you understand that in addition to Fatal Push for the token you also need another removal spell for the original creature, right? Does the term 2-for-1 ring a bell? If there were "so many" answers to creatures in Standard, it wouldn't be in the sorry state it is now. Face it, the creatures are getting stronger while the spells are getting weaker. There's no need to eagerly defend WotC when they themselves have admitted the lack of answers is a huge problem right now.
This...
As soon as I realized what Embalm was I couldn't help but think of how much of a "feel bad" mechanic this is and how contrary it is to WotC's apparent take on the matter. I'm not confident in the welcome deck lists either. I loved Nightmare back in the day, but the overall card choices, the horse included? What?
I'll reserve my final opnion until the full set list is out.
It doesn't make Mindwrack Demon a lot better because it's anti-synergistic with delirium. As for Cryptbreaker, it works just as well with it as madness does.
My reasoning for thinking these cards could get better is that Mindwrack Demon mills you for 4 when you play it. If even one of those cards has embalm, then you basically just drew an extra card. As for Cryptbreaker, all of the tokens that are created by using embalm are zombies.
Didn't want it triggering off noncombat damage. In a world of Walking Ballista, probably a wise move.
Also, you can put Sixth Sense on an opponent's creature and make them have to consider whether hurting you is worth giving you a card. Doesn't work for Keen Sense.
No one posted special card with counters yet? Here we go.
Well, for me Embalm mechanic looks kinda bland - yes, it's basically flashback for creatures, something like this was seen on Dauntless Cathar, for example. Also it kinda limited (Personal token for each creature with embalm? Just wow! At least, we will have insane amount (25) of tokens for this set which is great.) Which also makes me think, can we see something like Sedris - "each creature card in your graveyard has embalm"? Would be nice and also explains why there is the "embalmed" reminder counter (more likely it's because kinda hard to find fitting token for your Embalm creatures in limited play when there are 25 of them). Also, one of the main points of Embalm - it makes white zombies. Which means Zombie tribal for Amonkhet must be at least minor thing. And feels like we need WUB Zombie commander now because UB is not enough anymore.
For other mechanics: Brick counters. Yes, more building-style artifacts with bricks, right? I like it. Especially after artifact-heavy Kaladesh.
Exert - I guess it can be evergreen keyword and more often. *sigh* I hate control, especially blue, but it can't be helped. In other hand, abusing exert with combos on your own creatures would be nice. If I am wrong, nevermind.
-1/-1 counters - never thought about it before, but should "-1/-1 counters matter" keyworded mechanic be necessary? We can have just a bunch of spells/abilities tied to these counters and that's all.
Cycling - sure, why not. But need to say, set with a heavy discarding theme would better to be closer to SOI.
It's essentially Flashback but for creatures instead of spells. Part of the continuing nerfing of spells in favor of permanents.
My thoughts exactly.
You guys understand that every single Embalm token dies to Fatal Push, right? There are SO many answers to creatures in Standard right now.
Also, remember that card with the wonky frame that was spoiled a little over a week ago? Instants/sorceries with a Flashback variant, remember? Cool your jets.
Did people whine this much when Undying was revealed? That mechanic is generally more powerful than Embalm in most circumstances.
And you understand that in addition to Fatal Push for the token you also need another removal spell for the original creature, right? Does the term 2-for-1 ring a bell? If there were "so many" answers to creatures in Standard, it wouldn't be in the sorry state it is now. Face it, the creatures are getting stronger while the spells are getting weaker. There's no need to eagerly defend WotC when they themselves have admitted the lack of answers is a huge problem right now.
It's not exactly 2-for-1 in the sense that your opponent had to waste however much mana they spent to activate the Embalm ability. Unless it's late in the game, that may have been the only thing your opponent could do on his/her turn.
Speaking of 2-for-1, there's a card called "Unlicensed Disintegration" which is just great. You can destroy a creature for only 1BR AND do 3 damage to that creature's controller if you happen to control an artifact -- which, it turns out, there are a million constructed playable artifacts in Standard right now.
Brick Counter......are just charge counters......why not call them charge counters for the charge counter tribal decks.....
Because there is likely cards in this set that count how many brick counters are on permanents you control (new Devotion mechanism?) or involve bricks as a cost or requirement (cast this spell only if you control permanents with 3 or more total brick counters; as an additional cost to cast this spell remove a brick counter from a permanent you control) that aren't meant to interact with old charge-counter things.
Can block an additional creature during combat, not each combat, would have been better.
No it wouldn't. It would be the exact same thing. Both wordings would just allow you to declare it blocking an extra creature no matter how many combat phase are done in a turn, provided it doesn't die between any extra combat phases.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
WOut of the ground,I rise to grace...W BAfter the lights go out on you, after your worthless life is through. I will remember how you scream...B
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Isn't that what Jace, the Mind Sculptor got banned for?
Guilty as charged. And thanks for providing the correct spelling for the character. That was bugging me.
Finally a good white villain quote: "So, do I ever re-evaluate my life choices? Never, because I know what I'm doing is a righteous cause."
Factions: Sleeping
Remnants: Valheim
Legendary Journey: Heroes & Planeswalkers
Saga: Shards of Rabiah
Legends: The Elder Dragons
Read up on Red Flags & NWO
Another plane with only one city and a bunch of stuff around it? It's getting old already...
Of course not. New players will be sad if they have their toys taken away!
Still, excited for this next block, can't wait until next week.
And you understand that in addition to Fatal Push for the token you also need another removal spell for the original creature, right? Does the term 2-for-1 ring a bell? If there were "so many" answers to creatures in Standard, it wouldn't be in the sorry state it is now. Face it, the creatures are getting stronger while the spells are getting weaker. There's no need to eagerly defend WotC when they themselves have admitted the lack of answers is a huge problem right now.
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
I'm not defending WotC, but I do think a push towards removal that doesn't mean 'put it in the graveyard' is a good thing. Cards that exile, cards that neuter on the battlefield, cards that tuck into library... those are all effective ways to 1-for-1 these cards that people put into decks expecting to be able to get double duty.
On that day, it is said, a high-pitched squel could be heard across the desert sands...
Embalm and Exert both look neat. If I'm going to guess, Embalm is chiefly WB and Exert will be chiefly BR, RG, or RW. -1/-1 counters will probably be seen chiefly in BG. Brick counters will be an artifact mechanic but could be supported by WU or GU. As for the as-of-yet unconfirmed "Aftermath" mechanic, that will likely be focused in UR since it's a twist on Flashback, though Cycling could be focused in UR as well.
I wonder if Proliferate will return as well? It would work well with the -1/-1 and brick counters, and synergize with Kaladesh's energy and +1/+1 counter themes.
It occurs to me that the set's five main mechanical themes might all be focused in enemy pairs, in which case we'll most likely have:
WB Embalm
UR Aftermath
BG -1/-1 counters
RW Exert
GU Counters matter (Proliferate?)
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.
Creatures need to be powered down a bit. Of course, commons aren't Constructed playable anymore anyway. Lets see what the rares and mythics bring.
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
The top 2 decks each play 7 answers and 24-28 threats. Nobody is lining up to trade a whole card for your token. There literally are not "SO many answers" to tokens that cost less than a card.
It doesn't make Mindwrack Demon a lot better because it's anti-synergistic with delirium. As for Cryptbreaker, it works just as well with it as madness does.
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Which is a shame, because Tormod's Crypt would work splendidly for so many of their current-standard ability words like Improvise, Revolt, Delirium, Surge... all four of those would get good legs out of a 0-cost self-saccing artifact (IMHO, so many such new abilities entering Modern, along with old stalwarts like Delve, is part of the reason Mishra's Bauble went through the roof; of course, self-replacement is a huge thing).
This...
As soon as I realized what Embalm was I couldn't help but think of how much of a "feel bad" mechanic this is and how contrary it is to WotC's apparent take on the matter. I'm not confident in the welcome deck lists either. I loved Nightmare back in the day, but the overall card choices, the horse included? What?
I'll reserve my final opnion until the full set list is out.
My reasoning for thinking these cards could get better is that Mindwrack Demon mills you for 4 when you play it. If even one of those cards has embalm, then you basically just drew an extra card. As for Cryptbreaker, all of the tokens that are created by using embalm are zombies.
Bandages Dragger
Almost as big as an Ox, perhaps? It's no weirder than the philosopher who can go toe to toe with a grizzly.
I̟̥͍̠ͅn̩͉̣͍̬͚ͅ ̬̬͖t̯̹̞̺͖͓̯̤h̘͍̬e͙̯͈̖̼̮ ̭̬f̺̲̲̪i͙͉̟̩̰r̪̝͚͈̝̥͍̝̲s̼̻͇̘̳͔ͅt̲̺̳̗̜̪̙ ̳̺̥̻͚̗ͅm̜̜̟̰͈͓͎͇o̝̖̮̝͇m̯̻̞̼̫̗͓̤e̩̯̬̮̩n͎̱̪̲̹͖t͇̖s̰̮ͅ,̤̲͙̻̭̻̯̹̰ ̖t̫̙̺̯͖͚̯ͅh͙̯̦̳̗̰̟e͖̪͉̼̯ ̪͕g̞̣͔a̗̦t̬̬͓͙̫̖̭̻e̩̻̯ ̜̖̦̖̤̭͙̬t̞̹̥̪͎͉ͅo͕͚͍͇̲͇͓̺ ̭̬͙͈̣̻t͈͍͙͓̫̖͙̩h̪̬̖̙e̗͈ ̗̬̟̞̺̤͉̯ͅa̦̯͚̙̜̮f͉͙̲̣̞̼t̪̤̞̣͚e̲͉̳̥r͇̪̙͚͓l̥̞̞͎̹̯̹ͅi͓̬f̮̥̬̞͈ͅe͎ ̟̩̤̳̠̯̩̯o̮̘̲p̟͚̣̞͉͓e͍̩̣n͔̼͕͚̜e̬̱d̼̘͎̖̹͍̮̠,͖̺̭̱̮ ̣̲͖̬̪̭̥a̪͚n̟̲̝̤̤̞̗d̘̱̗͇̮͕̳͕͔ ͖̞͉͎t̹̙͎h̰̱͉̗e̪̞̱̝̹̩ͅ ̠̱̩̭̦p̯̙e͓o̳͚̰̯̺̱̰͔̘p̬͎̱̣̼̩͇l̗̟̖͚̠e̱͉͔̱̦̬̟̙ ̖͚̪͔̼̦w̺̖̤̱e͖̗̻̦͓̖̘̜r̭̥e͔̹̫̱͕̦̰͕ ̗͔̠p̠̗͍͍̱̳̠r̰͔͎̰o͉̥͓̰͚̥s̟͚̹̱͔̣t͉̙̳̖͖̪̮r̥̘̥͙̹a͉̟̫̟̳̠̟̭t͈̜̰͈͎e̞̣̭̲̬ ͚̗̯̟͙i͍͖̰̘̦͖͉ṇ̮̻̯̦̲̩͍ ̦̮͚̫̤t͉͖̫͕ͅͅh͙̮̻̘̣̮̼e͕̺ ͙l͕̠͎̰̥i̲͓͉̲g̫̳̟͈͇̖h̠̦̖t͓̯͎̗ ̳̪̘̟̙̩̦o̫̲f̙͔̰̙̠ ̹̪̗͇̯t͖̼̼͉͖̬h̹͇̩e͚̖̺̤͉̹͕̪ ͚͓̭̝̺G͎̗̯̩o̫̯̮̟̮̳̘d̜̲͙̠-̩̳̯̲̗̜P̹̘̥͉̝h͍͈̗̖̝ͅa͍̗̮̼̗r̜̖͇̙̺a̭̺͔̞̳͈o̪̣͓̯̬͙̯̰̗h̖̦͈̥̯͔.͇̣̙̝
Didn't want it triggering off noncombat damage. In a world of Walking Ballista, probably a wise move.
Also, you can put Sixth Sense on an opponent's creature and make them have to consider whether hurting you is worth giving you a card. Doesn't work for Keen Sense.
Well, for me Embalm mechanic looks kinda bland - yes, it's basically flashback for creatures, something like this was seen on Dauntless Cathar, for example. Also it kinda limited (Personal token for each creature with embalm? Just wow! At least, we will have insane amount (25) of tokens for this set which is great.) Which also makes me think, can we see something like Sedris - "each creature card in your graveyard has embalm"? Would be nice and also explains why there is the "embalmed" reminder counter (more likely it's because kinda hard to find fitting token for your Embalm creatures in limited play when there are 25 of them). Also, one of the main points of Embalm - it makes white zombies. Which means Zombie tribal for Amonkhet must be at least minor thing. And feels like we need WUB Zombie commander now because UB is not enough anymore.
For other mechanics: Brick counters. Yes, more building-style artifacts with bricks, right? I like it. Especially after artifact-heavy Kaladesh.
Exert - I guess it can be evergreen keyword and more often. *sigh* I hate control, especially blue, but it can't be helped. In other hand, abusing exert with combos on your own creatures would be nice. If I am wrong, nevermind.
-1/-1 counters - never thought about it before, but should "-1/-1 counters matter" keyworded mechanic be necessary? We can have just a bunch of spells/abilities tied to these counters and that's all.
Cycling - sure, why not. But need to say, set with a heavy discarding theme would better to be closer to SOI.
It's not exactly 2-for-1 in the sense that your opponent had to waste however much mana they spent to activate the Embalm ability. Unless it's late in the game, that may have been the only thing your opponent could do on his/her turn.
Also, 2-for-1 is what makes sweepers so good. Remember sweepers? Standard has, like, five of them right now (Planar Outburst, Descend upon the Sinful, Fumigate, Yahenni's Expertise, and Cataclysmic Gearhulk).
Speaking of 2-for-1, there's a card called "Unlicensed Disintegration" which is just great. You can destroy a creature for only 1BR AND do 3 damage to that creature's controller if you happen to control an artifact -- which, it turns out, there are a million constructed playable artifacts in Standard right now.
Because there is likely cards in this set that count how many brick counters are on permanents you control (new Devotion mechanism?) or involve bricks as a cost or requirement (cast this spell only if you control permanents with 3 or more total brick counters; as an additional cost to cast this spell remove a brick counter from a permanent you control) that aren't meant to interact with old charge-counter things.
No it wouldn't. It would be the exact same thing. Both wordings would just allow you to declare it blocking an extra creature no matter how many combat phase are done in a turn, provided it doesn't die between any extra combat phases.
BAfter the lights go out on you, after your worthless life is through. I will remember how you scream...B