Each expansion set in this "new age of storytelling" has a clear headliner planeswalker:
BFZ = Gideon
OGW = Nissa
SOI = Jace
EMN = Liliana
KLD = Saheeli Rai
It seems pretty evident to me that AER will feature Chandra headlining. She seems like the one we would want to see leading a revolt on her home plane against those who killed her parents and threatened her.
After that, Wizards may feel free to use the Gatewatch 'walkers less often as set headliners, opening the door for some "B-listers" to reappear.
About KLD, it sounds like this "Inventor's Fair" may attract attention from across the multiverse, which suggests we could see Tezzeret or Deretti making an appearance. If Saheeli has some command of artifacts, there may be some redundancy, however.
Regarding the BG 'walker, if Liliana follows Chandra to Kaladesh, it's possible Garruk will follow Liliana, since presumably there is some connection to the Chain Veil and if that story arc is reaching a conclusion, Garruk should probably be involved.
I don't think Liliana will follow Chandra to Kaladesh. Liliana feels at home on Innistrad and she still has two more demons to hunt down; I doubt any of them reside on Kaladesh. The Inventor's Fair attracting other planeswalkers reminds me of the Mox Beacon that ignited the Planeswalkers' War. Hopefully we can get something similar where we could have a bunch of unknown and known (but haven't been seen again) planeswalkers coming instead of the usual 'walkers (the only 'walker I'd forgive from the Gatewatch is Chandra).
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I don't think Liliana will follow Chandra to Kaladesh. Liliana feels at home on Innistrad and she still has two more demons to hunt down; I doubt any of them reside on Kaladesh. The Inventor's Fair attracting other planeswalkers reminds me of the Mox Beacon that ignited the Planeswalkers' War. Hopefully we can get something similar where we could have a bunch of unknown and known (but haven't been seen again) planeswalkers coming instead of the usual 'walkers (the only 'walker I'd forgive from the Gatewatch is Chandra).
The set tagline says "The Gatewatch go to the Inventor's Fair." The Gatewatch contains 5 members, one of whom is Lili. It's almost certain Lili will be on Kaladesh.
Not sure about each color and color pair part. Could you link me to something on that?
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The entire Gatewatch was present during return to Zendikar but they didn't all have a planeswalker card (Jace). I'd be fine if they were present so long as they don't waste planeswalker slots on more cards for the Gatewatch. Enough is enough.
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I just think that the new direction the story is going will make harder for we to have new planeswalkers from outside of the plane, because now we have the 'gatewatch mandatory slots', then we might have non-gatewatch returning walkers, and then the new walkers natives of the plane.
I think it is also because creative is trying to consolidate their worlds and characters.
I don't think Liliana will follow Chandra to Kaladesh. Liliana feels at home on Innistrad and she still has two more demons to hunt down;
I doubt any of them reside on Kaladesh. The Inventor's Fair attracting other planeswalkers reminds me of the Mox Beacon that ignited the Planeswalkers' War. Hopefully we can get something similar where we could have a bunch of unknown and known (but haven't been seen again) planeswalkers coming instead of the usual 'walkers (the only 'walker I'd forgive from the Gatewatch is Chandra).
The set tagline says "The Gatewatch go to the Inventor's Fair." The Gatewatch contains 5 members, one of whom is Lili. It's almost certain Lili will be on Kaladesh.
The Art Book for Innistrad said;
Tread lightly as you follow the heroic Planeswalkers of the Gatewatch as they investigate these dark mysteries, for the nightmare they will uncover is a threat to the whole Multiverse.
but really it was just Jace 95% of the story (unless you wanna count Liliana). So basically "Gatewatch" could be used for any of the members. Totally a marketing thing.
The entire Gatewatch was present during return to Zendikar but they didn't all have a planeswalker card (Jace). I'd be fine if they were present so long as they don't waste planeswalker slots on more cards for the Gatewatch. Enough is enough.
I think unless the story really calls for it, like the fact the first Zendiakr block did have the first team of the gatewatch as apart of the storyline already, I hope we will see 1-2 of the gatewatch per block as cards. This way we have roughly one version of each of them in standard at a time. While that might seem like a little bit much, I think of it more of the 5 slots the core set walkers took up. This will also space them out somewhat but keep them in the players knowledge.
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Gatewatch seems to refer to any one member as much as the group as a whole, so just Chandra (or Chandra + someone else) is fine for Kaladesh. I kind of doubt we will see anyone more than that. I very much hope we don't, the entire Gatewatch shouldn't be there for every single issue, whatever is going on in Kaladesh likely isn't interplanar in terms of threat, making it kind of ridiculous to call everyone there.
Gatewatch seems to refer to any one member as much as the group as a whole, so just Chandra (or Chandra + someone else) is fine for Kaladesh. I kind of doubt we will see anyone more than that. I very much hope we don't, the entire Gatewatch shouldn't be there for every single issue, whatever is going on in Kaladesh likely isn't interplanar in terms of threat, making it kind of ridiculous to call everyone there.
The gatewatch wasn't formed just to fight interplanar threats, they will fight against any threat to any plane they come by. And threat is not just 'destruction', a cruel ruler that take over the plane and makes the whole plane suffer is a threat.
Gatewatch seems to refer to any one member as much as the group as a whole, so just Chandra (or Chandra + someone else) is fine for Kaladesh. I kind of doubt we will see anyone more than that. I very much hope we don't, the entire Gatewatch shouldn't be there for every single issue, whatever is going on in Kaladesh likely isn't interplanar in terms of threat, making it kind of ridiculous to call everyone there.
The gatewatch wasn't formed just to fight interplanar threats, they will fight against any threat to any plane they come by. And threat is not just 'destruction', a cruel ruler that take over the plane and makes the whole plane suffer is a threat.
What the Gatewatch is formed over and how Wizards chooses to use them doesn't have to line up exactly. Kaladesh could just be dealing with a bad government and Chandra doesn't bother to get the others, or any number of other issues. If every issue revolves around getting the Gatewatch then that's, at least for me, going to be immensely disappointing.
What the Gatewatch is formed over and how Wizards chooses to use them doesn't have to line up exactly. Kaladesh could just be dealing with a bad government and Chandra doesn't bother to get the others, or any number of other issues. If every issue revolves around getting the Gatewatch then that's, at least for me, going to be immensely disappointing.
Just speculation from my part. But since the eldrazi issue is solved by now, each member of the gatewatch return to their own affairs until it's needed to reunite again. Probably chandra will make a visit home and see sh*t happening, maybe another gatewatcher (a.k.a mandatory Jace) drop by to see how chandra is going and get involved too.
The Eldrazi was something that required all the walkers to be involved, but unless we're talking about phyrexia, bolas, or another new huge interplanar threat, I don't think we will need all the gatewatchers involved (hopefully).
If we keep seeing the Gatewatch every block, things are going to stagnate pretty quickly.
Good thing the Gatewatch can expand and different stories can focus on different members.
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If we keep seeing the Gatewatch every block, things are going to stagnate pretty quickly.
Good thing the Gatewatch can expand and different stories can focus on different members.
This is why I think that in Kaladesh block we will see only one (maximum two) members of the GW, to prevent an overpresence considering that between BFZ/ORI/SOI every member has 2 card.
Chandra is obviously due to the fact that it's her homeplane, maybe Nissa can go help her, but other members will go back to their own agendas noe (Jace and Gideon in Ravnica and Liliana to reform her mansion in Innistrad)
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My predictions (and wants) would be chandra R, saheeli rai UW, daretti RU, tezzeret WUB, nissa G and garruk GB. Maybe Karn C. What do you guys think? My guess is that Liliana will be there for the veil which might attract Garruk. Not many artifact planes, so take advantage of the situation and include Tezzeret and Daretti somehow. Chandra self explanatory and she will probably call on Nissa's help with the aether and leylines and stuff.
Saheeli Rai will most likely be UR. I'd love to see a WUB Tezz, but if that were to happen it would likely be in Aether Revolt to avoid walker color overlap in a single set. I could see a new WB walker representing the corrupt government now the Sorin is in storage until they need an angsty vampire again. I can also see a G (or a GW if they opt for a mono-black walker) naturalist walker who is opposed to artifice and seeks to destroy all artifacts in order to return the world to a more natural state.
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Or maybe they solve the veil problem and lifts garruk's curse making him mono G? A GWwould be awesome and so would a BWbut i think they're going to keep that spot for a returned Elspeth
I came here to start a new thread on this topic after the question was raised on another site. WITHOUT reading anything that came before I will post my initial thoughts here - then I'll reply to previous stuff in a separate post
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Hrm. Well, they claim it won't be a Gatewatch story, so it might well be that Chandra is the only Gatewatch character. However if they do it'll be unlikely that we'll get another Jace or Liliana (we just got them in SOI block).
I suspect moving forward we'll see 2 Gatewatchers per block, which will mean that 1 version of each will be in Standard at any given time except when there's a duplicate (because 2x3 = 6)
If we don't get a new Nissa or Gideon this block we will HAVE to see them next block otherwise they won't exist in Standard for 3 months.
We know Chandra will be R. We suspect Saheeli Rai will either be UR or WU (have my reasons why I think Rai will be WU that I posted on the other site and am willing to share them if anyone is curious). This means for colour balance we mostly need a G(Nissa?) and a B planeswalker (which won't be Liliana).
If Saheeli is UR we will not see another Red planeswalker (because that's 1.5 Red with Chandra), but we'll need a White planeswalker, which could be Gideon.
If my hypothesis is right about Saheeli being WU, then Gideon is less likely - but we still have 0.5 White and Blue, which means we might see other pairings such as Green/Blue or Black/White or Green/White and Black/Blue (I think GW and UB is more likely given that we still have Kyora and Sorin in Standard right now.)
So the most likely scenario I can come up with is; R: Chandra WU: Saheeli Rai GW: New UB: New
?: Either Nissa or a new B planeswalker. Or a new BG Planeswalker.
The alternative with a UR Saheeli would look a little different and is a little more open. We have a 1/2 blue and no green, white or black. Since we don't have a UB planeswalker in Standard at this point I think that's a strong likelyhood, however I strongly suspect Kaladesh will ave a slight push towards enemy colours - mostly because the Enemy Painlands are rotating out with Origins. I can't see them doing a new BW one so soon though, and UG is Iffy because Kiora, and RW unlikely because Nahiri - so that only leaves BG. R: Chandra UR: Saheeli Rai BG: New UB: New W: Possiby Gideon.
This gives us 1.5 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Black, 0.5 Green and 1 White. It's possible the last one might be GW instead of W but I have a hunch they will be required to do 2 Gatewatchers at a minimum, and this Scenario doesn't leave room for Nissa since they need a White walker (.. and not the Game of Thrones kind!)
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I'm seeing a lot of talk about New Phyrexia and Karn. Given that we just had two 'Return' blocks in a row I doubt Phyrexia has any involvement in this plane (at least not yet). This should be a new plane with it's own story.
Also I REALLY want to see an artifact set that has nothing at all to do with Phyrexia. It shouldn't be Phyrexia 'because artifacts'. It's a huge multiverse and I expect Kaladesh to be artifact focused in a way we haven't seen yet (except for the glimpse in Origins)
In my post above, however, I had a UB planeswalker in both theories, which could well fit for Tezzeret.
Saheeli is a given for the Plane since we have her key art, though I fail to see her being UR. The stories we have of the plan seem to indicate that the authorities there are UW and she seems to represent the Authorities, so I wouldn't have it out of the question that she is UW.
Exactly! Also there are marketing reasons why she is most likely UW - specifically the new Planeswalker decks. Since she's on the key art she probably has her own deck and we know Chandra is getting a deck. It's very unlikely that these decks would share a colour. This means that Saheeli's deck is UW and Chandra's deck is either RG or RB (because the decks are dual coloured even if the planeswalker is mono-coloured)
As you said, Rai represents the authorities, which I pet as squarely UW. Chandra represents the rebels (AEther REVOLT) which I peg as probably R or RU. Been awhile since we saw a white 'villain'.
EDIT for tangental thought: Hybrid mana isn't out of the question, although I find it unlikely. Entertaining the possibility though - if she's U(R/W) it might make her less 'narrow' than a tri-colour planeswalker and fits all known theories about the character. Although if that happens I suspect she'll more likely be W(U/R)
If Saheeli isn't RU, her outfit is pretty misleading. Usually planeswalkers have a color scheme that vaguely matches their colors. I'm comfortable with the RU assumption for her, until prove otherwise.
Her outfit is more pink then red, but more importantly - look at the mana she's channeling. That's clearly, unmistakably, white mana. It's possible she's tri-colour which means there are 6 in the block like with SOI. Although there is nothing in her personality so far that remotely suggests red but strongly suggests white/blue.
I think Gaarruk will make an appearance in this set; he hates artifice so much, he would be a cool bad guy.
Of all the enemy pairs, we are currently missing a UR and a BG planeswalker. So Garruk is a high possibility.
My revised predictions after reading the thread; R Chandra WU Saheeli Rai GB Either Garruk or a new one UB Either Tezzeret or a new one
? Either Nissa or Gideon (because this version has only 0.5 green and 0.5 white) OR a new GW Planesalker, but I expect 2 Gatewatchers. Also since Nissa and Gideon are the next to rotate out completely I expect one this block and the other next block with either Jace or Liliana.
EDIT
I've been thinking and there's no way they wouldn't include a UR planeswalker with an artifact focus after what we saw in origins. This leave no room for Tezzeret but does further my Enemy-Colour theory for Kaladesh.
Again, this won't be Rai, because she's clearly not a red planeswalker and doesn't seem to care about artifacts.
R Chandra WU Saheeli Rai GB Either Garruk or a new one UR Probably a new one.
? Either Nissa or Gideon. This version is missing a half White, Green and Black but has 1.5 Red - we saw something similar in SOI block not counting the extra Tamiyo. However, I still can't see anything here but a 2nd gatewatch character which is not going to be Liliana because we just got her last set (not even last block, but last SET)
I'm gonna go so far as to say that Chandra, Rai and the UR are in the first set and the GB (Garruk?) and Nissa/Gideon are in the 2nd. This actually makes me lean towards Gideon as being the Gatewatch member because then the Planeswalker decks could be Garruk and Gideon.
It's quite possible that Chandra is the only Gatewatch PW to get an actual card in this block, since the others have all gotten their "new era round 1" PW cards and will be in Standard for a while. If this is NOT the case, it's totally up for grabs which other Gatewatch planeswalker(s) get cards in this block.
The art can (and does) depict planeswalkers who are not cards in the block and I suspect this is how the Gatewatch will be handled going forward, with their cards sprinkled among other 'walkers (who could also be the face of sets periodically, as seems to be the case with Saheeli Rai).
Also, it seems that Wizards is ramping up its antagonist planeswalker roster - in BfZ block we had Ob Nixilis as a planeswalker who stood in the way of the Gatewatch, and in SoI block we had Nahiri causing massive problems for the others (though the spat with she and Sorin seemed more a side-plot, the ramifications of her actions definitely made trouble for the Gatewatch).
Due to this, I am of the belief that we will see one (or more) antagonist planeswalkers in Kaladesh block, and the two most likely candidates from my perspective (and earlier speculation) are Garruk (BG) or Tezzeret (UB). I believe Garruk is more likely due to the Chain Veil foreshadowing we got in Magic fiction during the SoI cycle (not to mention his colors don't overlap Jeskai), but Tezzeret does fit thematically and it would be interesting (and about time!) to hear what Bolas, or at least his minion, is up to. Certainly we could also have both...
It's quite possible that Chandra is the only Gatewatch PW to get an actual card in this block, since the others have all gotten their "new era round 1" PW cards and will be in Standard for a while. If this is NOT the case, it's totally up for grabs which other Gatewatch planeswalker(s) get cards in this block.
Strongly disagree. If Nissa and Gideon are not printed in Kaladesh block they will both rotate out of standard for the next block and they will be FORCED to include BOTH next block. I strongly expect we'll see one of these two in this block and the other next block and either Jace or Liliana next block.
Because of the rotation cycle they pretty much have to have 2 Gatewatch members in every block (or, likely, one per set) if they want them to have at least 1 version in Standard at any given time (and I expect they do)
The only other way that works out is we get only Chandra in Kaladesh, then we have to get Nissa and Gideon next block, then we have to get Jace and Liliana the block after that (basically a repeat of BFZ and SOI). I expect Wizards wants to mix it up more than that. The only way to do that is to print Nissa or Gideon now allowing them to print the other next block with either Jace or Liliana. (Since I have a theory the next block will be Maragunda with it's heavy nature subset and the psychic/necrotic ooze I suspect Nissa and Liliana in that block. Also I expect the next block after that will be Vryn which is clearly a Jace story - with either Gideon or Chandra, probably Chandra)
It seems to me that Saheeli Rai is already our block's main antagonist. Antagonist doesn't mean 'bad guy' but 'person who opposes the main character'. Saheeli Rai represents law enforcement and thus is at odds with Chandra.
Garruk is a strong possibility. I've analyzed the colour balance quite a bit and there is a huge opening specifically for a BG planeswalker in every scenario - plus the fact that I suspect Kaladesh to have an enemy pairing slant. This of course assumes they choose Gideon over Nissa this block - if they choose Nissa then we'll need another white planeswalker - but the balance 'fits' better with Gideon and a BG Planeswalker.
Given that they want the new Intro decks to be focused on a high profile planeswalker - I expect the ones for AEther Revolt will be Garruk and Gideon - unless the UB planeswalker I speculate is indeed Tezzeret.
Garruk is a strong possibility. I've analyzed the colour balance quite a bit and there is a huge opening specifically for a BG planeswalker in every scenario - plus the fact that I suspect Kaladesh to have an enemy pairing slant. This of course assumes they choose Gideon over Nissa this block - if they choose Nissa then we'll need another white planeswalker - but the balance 'fits' better with Gideon and a BG Planeswalker
Considering BG as a possible pair for a PW (and an enemy-color theme) I prefer the possibility of Vraska being here helping the consul.
She can be a second antagonist for the block, balance colors and is an alredy known character. It could be difficult to fit 3 new PW in a block
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In terms of personal interest I would prefer a new Vraska in the GB spot. But story wise it makes much more sense to have Garruk. With members of the gatewatch opposing to work along side the chain veil, it makes sense to have to go to Kaladesh to help Liliana with that and Garruk has a link to the veil. From what I've seen, creative likes to have a side story to the main one and the veil provides them with that.
The reasons I believe she is WU have nothing to do with that, though. We already know Chandra is getting a planeswalker deck in Kaladesh (because we've already seen the box for it) and it's most likely Rai will get the other one because she's the 'face' of the set. Since the decks are going to be geared to different types of players they will probably not share a colour. Thus, Rai cannot be R.
The only caveat there is that the decks will be dual-coloured even if the planeswalker is mono coloured. Chandra seems more RW than GR or BR. But even if that's the case the colour balance of the set makes it unlikely we'll see another red walker.
Also if you look at her art - she is very obviously channeling White mana. That is undeniable.
Many people say her clothes say she's red. That is more pink than red to me, so it's just an accent. The mana she is channeling is much more indicative of her power than her clothes. After all, Tefiri's clothes were mostly white with blue epaulets and a red sash. The blue was the least present colour on his art. Yet he's a blue walker. http://www.artofmtg.com/art/teferi-temporal-archmage/
BFZ = Gideon
OGW = Nissa
SOI = Jace
EMN = Liliana
KLD = Saheeli Rai
It seems pretty evident to me that AER will feature Chandra headlining. She seems like the one we would want to see leading a revolt on her home plane against those who killed her parents and threatened her.
After that, Wizards may feel free to use the Gatewatch 'walkers less often as set headliners, opening the door for some "B-listers" to reappear.
About KLD, it sounds like this "Inventor's Fair" may attract attention from across the multiverse, which suggests we could see Tezzeret or Deretti making an appearance. If Saheeli has some command of artifacts, there may be some redundancy, however.
Regarding the BG 'walker, if Liliana follows Chandra to Kaladesh, it's possible Garruk will follow Liliana, since presumably there is some connection to the Chain Veil and if that story arc is reaching a conclusion, Garruk should probably be involved.
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The set tagline says "The Gatewatch go to the Inventor's Fair." The Gatewatch contains 5 members, one of whom is Lili. It's almost certain Lili will be on Kaladesh.
Not sure about each color and color pair part. Could you link me to something on that?
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I think it is also because creative is trying to consolidate their worlds and characters.
The Art Book for Innistrad said;
but really it was just Jace 95% of the story (unless you wanna count Liliana). So basically "Gatewatch" could be used for any of the members. Totally a marketing thing.
I think unless the story really calls for it, like the fact the first Zendiakr block did have the first team of the gatewatch as apart of the storyline already, I hope we will see 1-2 of the gatewatch per block as cards. This way we have roughly one version of each of them in standard at a time. While that might seem like a little bit much, I think of it more of the 5 slots the core set walkers took up. This will also space them out somewhat but keep them in the players knowledge.
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What the Gatewatch is formed over and how Wizards chooses to use them doesn't have to line up exactly. Kaladesh could just be dealing with a bad government and Chandra doesn't bother to get the others, or any number of other issues. If every issue revolves around getting the Gatewatch then that's, at least for me, going to be immensely disappointing.
The Eldrazi was something that required all the walkers to be involved, but unless we're talking about phyrexia, bolas, or another new huge interplanar threat, I don't think we will need all the gatewatchers involved (hopefully).
Good thing the Gatewatch can expand and different stories can focus on different members.
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.
This is why I think that in Kaladesh block we will see only one (maximum two) members of the GW, to prevent an overpresence considering that between BFZ/ORI/SOI every member has 2 card.
Chandra is obviously due to the fact that it's her homeplane, maybe Nissa can go help her, but other members will go back to their own agendas noe (Jace and Gideon in Ravnica and Liliana to reform her mansion in Innistrad)
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Hrm. Well, they claim it won't be a Gatewatch story, so it might well be that Chandra is the only Gatewatch character. However if they do it'll be unlikely that we'll get another Jace or Liliana (we just got them in SOI block).
I suspect moving forward we'll see 2 Gatewatchers per block, which will mean that 1 version of each will be in Standard at any given time except when there's a duplicate (because 2x3 = 6)
If we don't get a new Nissa or Gideon this block we will HAVE to see them next block otherwise they won't exist in Standard for 3 months.
We know Chandra will be R. We suspect Saheeli Rai will either be UR or WU (have my reasons why I think Rai will be WU that I posted on the other site and am willing to share them if anyone is curious). This means for colour balance we mostly need a G(Nissa?) and a B planeswalker (which won't be Liliana).
If Saheeli is UR we will not see another Red planeswalker (because that's 1.5 Red with Chandra), but we'll need a White planeswalker, which could be Gideon.
If my hypothesis is right about Saheeli being WU, then Gideon is less likely - but we still have 0.5 White and Blue, which means we might see other pairings such as Green/Blue or Black/White or Green/White and Black/Blue (I think GW and UB is more likely given that we still have Kyora and Sorin in Standard right now.)
So the most likely scenario I can come up with is;
R: Chandra
WU: Saheeli Rai
GW: New
UB: New
?: Either Nissa or a new B planeswalker. Or a new BG Planeswalker.
The alternative with a UR Saheeli would look a little different and is a little more open. We have a 1/2 blue and no green, white or black. Since we don't have a UB planeswalker in Standard at this point I think that's a strong likelyhood, however I strongly suspect Kaladesh will ave a slight push towards enemy colours - mostly because the Enemy Painlands are rotating out with Origins. I can't see them doing a new BW one so soon though, and UG is Iffy because Kiora, and RW unlikely because Nahiri - so that only leaves BG.
R: Chandra
UR: Saheeli Rai
BG: New
UB: New
W: Possiby Gideon.
This gives us 1.5 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Black, 0.5 Green and 1 White. It's possible the last one might be GW instead of W but I have a hunch they will be required to do 2 Gatewatchers at a minimum, and this Scenario doesn't leave room for Nissa since they need a White walker (.. and not the Game of Thrones kind!)
Also I REALLY want to see an artifact set that has nothing at all to do with Phyrexia. It shouldn't be Phyrexia 'because artifacts'. It's a huge multiverse and I expect Kaladesh to be artifact focused in a way we haven't seen yet (except for the glimpse in Origins)
In my post above, however, I had a UB planeswalker in both theories, which could well fit for Tezzeret.
Exactly! Also there are marketing reasons why she is most likely UW - specifically the new Planeswalker decks. Since she's on the key art she probably has her own deck and we know Chandra is getting a deck. It's very unlikely that these decks would share a colour. This means that Saheeli's deck is UW and Chandra's deck is either RG or RB (because the decks are dual coloured even if the planeswalker is mono-coloured)
As you said, Rai represents the authorities, which I pet as squarely UW. Chandra represents the rebels (AEther REVOLT) which I peg as probably R or RU. Been awhile since we saw a white 'villain'.
EDIT for tangental thought: Hybrid mana isn't out of the question, although I find it unlikely. Entertaining the possibility though - if she's U(R/W) it might make her less 'narrow' than a tri-colour planeswalker and fits all known theories about the character. Although if that happens I suspect she'll more likely be W(U/R)
Her outfit is more pink then red, but more importantly - look at the mana she's channeling. That's clearly, unmistakably, white mana. It's possible she's tri-colour which means there are 6 in the block like with SOI. Although there is nothing in her personality so far that remotely suggests red but strongly suggests white/blue.
Of all the enemy pairs, we are currently missing a UR and a BG planeswalker. So Garruk is a high possibility.
My revised predictions after reading the thread;
R Chandra
WU Saheeli Rai
GB Either Garruk or a new one
UB Either Tezzeret or a new one
? Either Nissa or Gideon (because this version has only 0.5 green and 0.5 white) OR a new GW Planesalker, but I expect 2 Gatewatchers. Also since Nissa and Gideon are the next to rotate out completely I expect one this block and the other next block with either Jace or Liliana.
EDIT
I've been thinking and there's no way they wouldn't include a UR planeswalker with an artifact focus after what we saw in origins. This leave no room for Tezzeret but does further my Enemy-Colour theory for Kaladesh.
Again, this won't be Rai, because she's clearly not a red planeswalker and doesn't seem to care about artifacts.
R Chandra
WU Saheeli Rai
GB Either Garruk or a new one
UR Probably a new one.
? Either Nissa or Gideon. This version is missing a half White, Green and Black but has 1.5 Red - we saw something similar in SOI block not counting the extra Tamiyo. However, I still can't see anything here but a 2nd gatewatch character which is not going to be Liliana because we just got her last set (not even last block, but last SET)
I'm gonna go so far as to say that Chandra, Rai and the UR are in the first set and the GB (Garruk?) and Nissa/Gideon are in the 2nd. This actually makes me lean towards Gideon as being the Gatewatch member because then the Planeswalker decks could be Garruk and Gideon.
The art can (and does) depict planeswalkers who are not cards in the block and I suspect this is how the Gatewatch will be handled going forward, with their cards sprinkled among other 'walkers (who could also be the face of sets periodically, as seems to be the case with Saheeli Rai).
Also, it seems that Wizards is ramping up its antagonist planeswalker roster - in BfZ block we had Ob Nixilis as a planeswalker who stood in the way of the Gatewatch, and in SoI block we had Nahiri causing massive problems for the others (though the spat with she and Sorin seemed more a side-plot, the ramifications of her actions definitely made trouble for the Gatewatch).
Due to this, I am of the belief that we will see one (or more) antagonist planeswalkers in Kaladesh block, and the two most likely candidates from my perspective (and earlier speculation) are Garruk (BG) or Tezzeret (UB). I believe Garruk is more likely due to the Chain Veil foreshadowing we got in Magic fiction during the SoI cycle (not to mention his colors don't overlap Jeskai), but Tezzeret does fit thematically and it would be interesting (and about time!) to hear what Bolas, or at least his minion, is up to. Certainly we could also have both...
Strongly disagree. If Nissa and Gideon are not printed in Kaladesh block they will both rotate out of standard for the next block and they will be FORCED to include BOTH next block. I strongly expect we'll see one of these two in this block and the other next block and either Jace or Liliana next block.
Because of the rotation cycle they pretty much have to have 2 Gatewatch members in every block (or, likely, one per set) if they want them to have at least 1 version in Standard at any given time (and I expect they do)
The only other way that works out is we get only Chandra in Kaladesh, then we have to get Nissa and Gideon next block, then we have to get Jace and Liliana the block after that (basically a repeat of BFZ and SOI). I expect Wizards wants to mix it up more than that. The only way to do that is to print Nissa or Gideon now allowing them to print the other next block with either Jace or Liliana. (Since I have a theory the next block will be Maragunda with it's heavy nature subset and the psychic/necrotic ooze I suspect Nissa and Liliana in that block. Also I expect the next block after that will be Vryn which is clearly a Jace story - with either Gideon or Chandra, probably Chandra)
It seems to me that Saheeli Rai is already our block's main antagonist. Antagonist doesn't mean 'bad guy' but 'person who opposes the main character'. Saheeli Rai represents law enforcement and thus is at odds with Chandra.
Garruk is a strong possibility. I've analyzed the colour balance quite a bit and there is a huge opening specifically for a BG planeswalker in every scenario - plus the fact that I suspect Kaladesh to have an enemy pairing slant. This of course assumes they choose Gideon over Nissa this block - if they choose Nissa then we'll need another white planeswalker - but the balance 'fits' better with Gideon and a BG Planeswalker.
Given that they want the new Intro decks to be focused on a high profile planeswalker - I expect the ones for AEther Revolt will be Garruk and Gideon - unless the UB planeswalker I speculate is indeed Tezzeret.
Considering BG as a possible pair for a PW (and an enemy-color theme) I prefer the possibility of Vraska being here helping the consul.
She can be a second antagonist for the block, balance colors and is an alredy known character. It could be difficult to fit 3 new PW in a block
Standard - Some kind of control
Modern - UB Mill (casual)
EDH - Meren's Grave Shenanigans
We know Rai represents the authorities, and Chandra's origin story the authorities seem distinctly WU;
http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/uncharted-realms/chandras-origin-fire-logic-2015-06-10
The reasons I believe she is WU have nothing to do with that, though. We already know Chandra is getting a planeswalker deck in Kaladesh (because we've already seen the box for it) and it's most likely Rai will get the other one because she's the 'face' of the set. Since the decks are going to be geared to different types of players they will probably not share a colour. Thus, Rai cannot be R.
The only caveat there is that the decks will be dual-coloured even if the planeswalker is mono coloured. Chandra seems more RW than GR or BR. But even if that's the case the colour balance of the set makes it unlikely we'll see another red walker.
Also if you look at her art - she is very obviously channeling White mana. That is undeniable.
Many people say her clothes say she's red. That is more pink than red to me, so it's just an accent. The mana she is channeling is much more indicative of her power than her clothes. After all, Tefiri's clothes were mostly white with blue epaulets and a red sash. The blue was the least present colour on his art. Yet he's a blue walker.
http://www.artofmtg.com/art/teferi-temporal-archmage/