With Darksteel Forge tentatively revealed for M14, the prospect of important upcoming artifacts seems logical. Sure, Wizards could just be putting the card in there because it has a reasonably high price and they're trying to add more value to m14 packs, but I like to believe that they have a little more tact than that. As I'm sure anyone who is browsing this part of the internet knows, the next block is the much anticipated Theros block, a set of cards that we actually know very little about. With the Darksteel Forge reprint, though, it's hinted that artifacts may play a role in this mythologically inspired plane.
Its already been speculated that the change in the legend rule may herald Theros as a legendary heavy block, and this coupled with a possible artifact subtheme got me to wondering what could be waiting for us in October. My ponderings brought me to the conclusion elucidated in the title - legendary artifacts may be making a return.
Think about the context of Greek and Roman mythology. There's a plethora of items and weapons that were pivotal to the stories: Medusa's head, Hermes' winged boots, the aegis of Zeus, Hades' Helm of Darkness. All of these were powerful in of their own right, and played roles in how the myths unfolded. I don't think there will be things plucked directly from the stories and placed onto cards, but I think it's reasonable to speculate that there will be cards inspired by these items of power. A gorgon's head, a power-imbued greatsword, an all-protecting shield - all of these are things that could easily transfer to some cutting edge cardboard. Given that a lot of these items would be unique, imbuing them with the legendary supertype would be a way to make the cards flavorful and leave some room for more power. It know it has only been a year since the Scars swords rotated, but a few pieces of powerful equipment could definitely be on the horizon. I'm hopeful, especially because Civic Saber was pretty much the best equipment printed in the RTR block.
I think that theros is probably guranteed to have some legendary equipment considering how prevalent such artifacts were in greek/roman lore.
As far as things that go well with Darksteel Forge? I'm betting that there will be nothing whatsoever that really synergizes well with the forge. IMO, Darksteel Forge is m14's Akroma's Memorial. A big artifact with a fun effect that hasn't seen print in awhile and won't interact with standard in the slightest.
The set does not need that many artifacts for the forge to be relevant. The gorgons of myth and the Xanthrid Gorgon of M13 are able to make artifacts out of creatures.
This could be seen as an ability of a gorgon or an ability granted to a creature by equipping the head of a gorgon.
Think about the context of Greek and Roman mythology. There's a plethora of items and weapons that were pivotal to the stories: Medusa's head, Hermes' winged boots, the aegis of Zeus, Hades' Helm of Darkness. All of these were powerful in of their own right, and played roles in how the myths unfolded.
How about the Golden Fleece? An artifact inspired by that would be extremely interesting.
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"The sword blazed bright as he held it high, filling him with righteous might." - Book 4, Tome of Kor-Nevan
How about the Golden Fleece? An artifact inspired by that would be extremely interesting.
A reference to the alchemy or trade interpretation of the fleece would be interesting.
Golden Fleece: Artifact. Sac an artifact and place a gold counter on <cardname>. Remove three gold counters from <cardname> add three mana of any color that opponents lands could produce.
Too soon for artifacts. Maybe a subtheme, but not the crux of the set. I'm more privy to saying there'll be an emphasis on copying effects given their numbers in M14. Magic 20xx sets of late usually tend to give hints of the fall set's mechanical emphasis.
'buster
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'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset. Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
The printing of Artificer's Hex lends more speculative evidence towards the printing of powerful equipment in the near future. While it could just be a filler/a card for eternal formats, it's reasonable to believe that there might be some pushed equipment in standard while M14 is in rotation.
But in all serious, maybe we will see allied-color swords?
Maybe allied-color SHIELDS. Someone brought that idea up on another thread awhile back, and I think it's an awesome idea.
Shield of Law and Wisdom4
Artifact--Equipment {M}
Equipped creature has haste, indestructible, and protection from white and from blue.
Equip 3
(Some ability related to the mutual enemy of those colors, in this case, red. Just an idea?)
The printing of Artificer's Hex lends more speculative evidence towards the printing of powerful equipment in the near future. While it could just be a filler/a card for eternal formats, it's reasonable to believe that there might be some pushed equipment in standard while M14 is in rotation.
That's what I was going to post. It seems equipment will play a major role in Theros, with Enchantments and Tribal creatures.
Honestly, I think what we're likely to see is a new take on the Creatures Matter block, with Equipment and Auras getting much of the focus instead of creatures themselves.
The problem with an Enchantment Block has always been that blocks need creatures. With artifacts you get a lot of artifact creatures; but WoTC has said they don't really like enchantment creatures (like we saw in Futuresight). By leaning more towards Auras and to a lesser extent Equipment, we can have an 'Enchantment Themed Block' without running into it's obvious issues.
Moreover, a lot of our 'Enchantment Push' cards have involved playing enchantments, which seems like an answer to the standard problem of how Auras suck.
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Cyme we inne frið, fram the grip of deaþ to lif inne ðis smylte land.
I would love some new powerful artifacts and equipment in Theros, but I think Darksteel Forge was reprinted in M14 mainly due to the Indestructible rule change.
It's been posted by many who seem to know things that the Gods will not appear themselves and that makes total sense
But it also makes sense for the gifts of the Gods to be in the set, it was very common in the mythology for a Hero to receive an item or blessing from his protector.
So yes, Athena's blessing, Spartan shield etc are very likely since there are many hints at enchantments and artifacts already
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Its already been speculated that the change in the legend rule may herald Theros as a legendary heavy block, and this coupled with a possible artifact subtheme got me to wondering what could be waiting for us in October. My ponderings brought me to the conclusion elucidated in the title - legendary artifacts may be making a return.
Think about the context of Greek and Roman mythology. There's a plethora of items and weapons that were pivotal to the stories: Medusa's head, Hermes' winged boots, the aegis of Zeus, Hades' Helm of Darkness. All of these were powerful in of their own right, and played roles in how the myths unfolded. I don't think there will be things plucked directly from the stories and placed onto cards, but I think it's reasonable to speculate that there will be cards inspired by these items of power. A gorgon's head, a power-imbued greatsword, an all-protecting shield - all of these are things that could easily transfer to some cutting edge cardboard. Given that a lot of these items would be unique, imbuing them with the legendary supertype would be a way to make the cards flavorful and leave some room for more power. It know it has only been a year since the Scars swords rotated, but a few pieces of powerful equipment could definitely be on the horizon. I'm hopeful, especially because Civic Saber was pretty much the best equipment printed in the RTR block.
But in all serious, maybe we will see allied-color swords?
Anything is possible but equipment in a legendary Greek based set I would say is a gimme.
As far as things that go well with Darksteel Forge? I'm betting that there will be nothing whatsoever that really synergizes well with the forge. IMO, Darksteel Forge is m14's Akroma's Memorial. A big artifact with a fun effect that hasn't seen print in awhile and won't interact with standard in the slightest.
This could be seen as an ability of a gorgon or an ability granted to a creature by equipping the head of a gorgon.
How about the Golden Fleece? An artifact inspired by that would be extremely interesting.
Current EDH decks:
WBG Doran, the Siege Tower (I Like Big Butts)
URG Surrak Dragonclaw (Guttural Response)
UG Ezuri, Claw of Progress (Phyrexia's Claw)
BR Kaervek the Merciless (Keep Kaervek Alive)
BG Ishkanah, Grafwidow (Descend into Delirium)
W Eight-and-a-Half-Tails (Mark 8.5)
U Thassa, God of the Sea (Here There Be Monsters)
A reference to the alchemy or trade interpretation of the fleece would be interesting.
Golden Fleece: Artifact. Sac an artifact and place a gold counter on <cardname>. Remove three gold counters from <cardname> add three mana of any color that opponents lands could produce.
'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
Poseidons Trident
Zeus's Bolt
Hade's Shroud
Ares Blade
Appolos Bow etc etc etc
also we would have
The Golden Fleece
Pandoras Box etc etc etc
i could see this becomming an artifact/equipment subtype block
I doubt we'll see a Pandora's Box variant, since we just saw that in Innistrad block.
Maybe allied-color SHIELDS. Someone brought that idea up on another thread awhile back, and I think it's an awesome idea.
Shield of Law and Wisdom 4
Artifact--Equipment {M}
Equipped creature has haste, indestructible, and protection from white and from blue.
Equip 3
(Some ability related to the mutual enemy of those colors, in this case, red. Just an idea?)
Current Abrupt Decay count: 18
My decks:
EDH
UWR Numot, the Devastator
UB Mirko Vosk, Mind Drinker
BRG Prossh, Skyraider of Kher
WU Hanna, Ship's Navigator
BBB King Macar, the Gold-Cursed
Standard
I've sworn it off. Non-rotating formats are where it's at.
That's what I was going to post. It seems equipment will play a major role in Theros, with Enchantments and Tribal creatures.
The problem with an Enchantment Block has always been that blocks need creatures. With artifacts you get a lot of artifact creatures; but WoTC has said they don't really like enchantment creatures (like we saw in Futuresight). By leaning more towards Auras and to a lesser extent Equipment, we can have an 'Enchantment Themed Block' without running into it's obvious issues.
Moreover, a lot of our 'Enchantment Push' cards have involved playing enchantments, which seems like an answer to the standard problem of how Auras suck.
WUB Sharuum the Hegemon
BGW Karador, Ghost Chieftain
But it also makes sense for the gifts of the Gods to be in the set, it was very common in the mythology for a Hero to receive an item or blessing from his protector.
So yes, Athena's blessing, Spartan shield etc are very likely since there are many hints at enchantments and artifacts already