I'm starting to feel like this set will be a failure.
It seems they went about making this set in the same way they do all sets in recent memory. Create draft archetypes with predetermined easy to put together themes. A lot of people like this for normal standard sets, because it makes for powerful draft decks. BUT, where did the random absurd humor of the old Un-Sets go?
So far, this set feels just like any other recent set, but with cartoonish art. Which, for me anyway, is not what I was hoping for.
Only a few cards have been spoiled, so I might very well come around later though.
Funny, I was hoping this set would be more "screw the comp rules, make out of the box weird stuff" like Unglued was, and less "let's see how many gimmicks we can cram into every card until they're unplayable messes" like Unhinged. Looks like I'm getting what I wished for.
I love the idea of using watermarks for faction sets like this. Very clever to not have to give each fraction its own mechanic.
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
I think you guys are right, it seems definitely true that wizards went with the design philosophy of coherent draft archetypes and fairly 'normal' mechanics, as opposed to the previous unsets that were defined by packing as many gimmicks into every card as possible. Whether people will enjoy this more is a matter of personal opinion, but I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed when they aren't doing nonstop crazy stuff and just are "ping target creature for 2" or "destroy target creature" while playing with just a single set mechanic
This looks hilarious, but so far all the cards actually make sense. No putting your shoes on the table or singing or anything. All the humor is in the art and flavor text and overall design. I'm actually kind of okay with that, I think it will greatly increase the replay value.
Hangman is the best design so far. I think they went way too far with the contraptions. It feels like you won't be able to play this set without incorporating contraptions in your deck, which is restrictive.
Unstable will definitely have replay value though.
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"The essence of every world, every spell and every thought is power. Nothing else matters, because nothing else exists."
This looks hilarious, but so far all the cards actually make sense. No putting your shoes on the table or singing or anything. All the humor is in the art and flavor text and overall design. I'm actually kind of okay with that, I think it will greatly increase the replay value.
Exactly what I predicted.
They still want to maintain the quirky and weird effects but streamlined and actually allow for games of real magic to be played; more bending of the rules but not breaking them entirely.
During RtR I asked one of my friends, like, why don't Wizards make guild watermarks a part of the gameplay? They have better ways to keep guild themes, he said - through the mechanics and card synergy.
Now they finally did it. And you know, this feels SO normal - almost like any regular set that relies on card types, colors or printed mechanics.
Dare I say it looks... Unfunny?
During RtR I asked one of my friends, like, why don't Wizards make guild watermarks a part of the gameplay? They have better ways to keep guild themes, he said - through the mechanics and card synergy.
Now they finally did it. And you know, this feels SO normal - almost like any regular set that relies on card types, colors or printed mechanics.
Dare I say it looks... Unfunny?
More like stable.
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"The essence of every world, every spell and every thought is power. Nothing else matters, because nothing else exists."
Hangman is the best design so far. I think they went way too far with the contraptions. It feels like you won't be able to play this set without incorporating contraptions in your deck, which is restrictive.
Unstable will definitely have replay value though.
I don't really see the restrictive aspect. Every color pairing will have plenty of access, nothing we've seen suggests color restrictions with them, they don't replace a card draw in game, and there's going to be 36-48 going around in a draft, which puts them on par or above the draft matters cards from Conspiracy. Like, you'll have to include them, but even in a minimal deck, it looks like they're bonuses strapped to a creature rather than something you have to focus on.
During RtR I asked one of my friends, like, why don't Wizards make guild watermarks a part of the gameplay? They have better ways to keep guild themes, he said - through the mechanics and card synergy.
Now they finally did it. And you know, this feels SO normal - almost like any regular set that relies on card types, colors or printed mechanics.
Dare I say it looks... Unfunny?
I wished the same thing since it would let different faction sets have cards that work for all of them (Mirrodin, Ravnica, Tarkir etc) but the issues comes with reprints and promos. For example during RtR block standard could I use Tower Drake from Invasion and still get the watermark effect? Or is it fair my copies of promo Mayor of Avabruck get a boost when my other normal copies don't? What if a card is good and is needed to be reprinted in different sets and thus has different watermarks?
This falls into the space of set symbols, rarity and artists the other unsets played, features of the card they for reasons can't use in black boarder.
EDIT: I missed a big one, you can't get any of the effects for watermarks in this set for the Future Sight copies of Steamflogger Boss.
“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"
The contraption design is so, so cool, but does not feel mechanically "jokey." I was worried we wouldn't see any actual joke cards of old until I saw HANGMAN. That's the stuff. It looks like we will get a premium blend of mechanically cohesive cards and silly meta joke effects. I wish hangman was an upkeep trigger though. Won't people just leave it as 1/1 and never activate it? I can't tell if I want to make faction decks, or just a set of duel decks using all the contraptions between them. Decisions decisions.
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My favorite flavor text: Time of Heroes
Feel free to tell me yours!
The contraption design is so, so cool, but does not feel mechanically "jokey." I was worried we wouldn't see any actual joke cards of old until I saw HANGMAN. That's the stuff. It looks like we will get a premium blend of mechanically cohesive cards and silly meta joke effects. I wish hangman was an upkeep trigger though. Won't people just leave it as 1/1 and never activate it? I can't tell if I want to make faction decks, or just a set of duel decks using all the contraptions between them. Decisions decisions.
You force your opponent to guess for Hangman. It's not a once per turn thing. You can make them guess during combat.
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"The essence of every world, every spell and every thought is power. Nothing else matters, because nothing else exists."
Honestly, I was almost positive that I was skipping this. The old sets never really appealed to me. But, I LOVE the contraptions so far and I LOVE the art. As of right now, I'm seriously considering joining in on the silliness.
More to be added
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Funny, I was hoping this set would be more "screw the comp rules, make out of the box weird stuff" like Unglued was, and less "let's see how many gimmicks we can cram into every card until they're unplayable messes" like Unhinged. Looks like I'm getting what I wished for.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Unstable will definitely have replay value though.
Exactly what I predicted.
They still want to maintain the quirky and weird effects but streamlined and actually allow for games of real magic to be played; more bending of the rules but not breaking them entirely.
I'm pumped for this.
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Now they finally did it. And you know, this feels SO normal - almost like any regular set that relies on card types, colors or printed mechanics.
Dare I say it looks... Unfunny?
More like stable.
I don't really see the restrictive aspect. Every color pairing will have plenty of access, nothing we've seen suggests color restrictions with them, they don't replace a card draw in game, and there's going to be 36-48 going around in a draft, which puts them on par or above the draft matters cards from Conspiracy. Like, you'll have to include them, but even in a minimal deck, it looks like they're bonuses strapped to a creature rather than something you have to focus on.
I wished the same thing since it would let different faction sets have cards that work for all of them (Mirrodin, Ravnica, Tarkir etc) but the issues comes with reprints and promos. For example during RtR block standard could I use Tower Drake from Invasion and still get the watermark effect? Or is it fair my copies of promo Mayor of Avabruck get a boost when my other normal copies don't? What if a card is good and is needed to be reprinted in different sets and thus has different watermarks?
This falls into the space of set symbols, rarity and artists the other unsets played, features of the card they for reasons can't use in black boarder.
EDIT: I missed a big one, you can't get any of the effects for watermarks in this set for the Future Sight copies of Steamflogger Boss.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Feel free to tell me yours!
You force your opponent to guess for Hangman. It's not a once per turn thing. You can make them guess during combat.
Some of the loose cards look fun. Not fun enough for me to draft/buy any of this garbage, but fun nonetheless.