Alright yes. It's a dumb theory, but bare with me:
- Both are U/R aligned, making it highly unlikely that WoTC will release them together any time soon.
- Both have VEEEERRRY similar designs. Seriously, give Dack a haircut and a jolt of electricity and BAM it's Zarek.
- We know nothing of Ral Zarek's background.
- Dack likes to infiltrate things (as a thief) and clearly something big is going on with the Izzet. Maybe there's something of value to steal?
Lastly, and here's the most interesting point...
Look at Dack Fayden's bare arms above his gloves in his concept art picture. You will notice he has faint blue tattoos that seem exactly the same as Ral Zareks!
I haven't read the comics, this is all from the salvation wiki (except for Dack's concept art, which is the second pic after typing his name into google images). For those of you that have, can you provide some insight?
I'm thinking Ral Zarek is actually Niv Mizzet in human form
Why would Niv ever want to be in human form? I mean just read the flavour text on Hypersonic Dragon, he clearly loves being a dragon and he's extremely vain. It certainly isn't to planeswalk, as Bolas has shown us dragons are capable of that too.
Yes...they are both white guys with brown hair. But one's old enough to have heavy streaks of grey, while the other is young and virile. And really, that's all they have in common...skin and hair colors.
Also where are you seeing those tattoos, I'm unable to find anything. He has a red hand, but a red hand is the opposite of blue tattoos.
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Yes...they are both white guys with brown hair. But one's old enough to have heavy streaks of grey, while the other is young and virile. And really, that's all they have in common...skin and hair colors.
Also where are you seeing those tattoos, I'm unable to find anything. He has a red hand, but a red hand is the opposite of blue tattoos.
Hair can be dyed. You can apply old-ifier makeup. Clearly OP is correct.
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I actually love the idea of a planeswalker card with the name Ral Zarek and the typeline Planeswalker - Dack.
Would make a lot of sense if he was using an alias and disguising himself to infiltrate the izzet for some reason.
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"I am confident that if anyone actually
penetrates our facades, even the most
perceptive would still be fundamentally
unprepared for the truth of House Dimir."
I actually very much like the theory of Ral Zarek being Niv Mizzet in human form. The announcement of a set called Dragon's Maze has the picture of a smug looking human planeswalker that has the face of someone that knows some **** as the art. Something is afoot.
I don't really think that's the case, just enjoy the theory.
The blue tattoos are in his Duels of the planeswalkers image rather than the DGM verson.
They're on the DGM art too, actually.
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"I am confident that if anyone actually
penetrates our facades, even the most
perceptive would still be fundamentally
unprepared for the truth of House Dimir."
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
If Ral is Niv in Human Form I give up on Magic Storyline. Basically forever. That'd be a pretty terrible "twist" seeing as most of the Izzet groupies swear that he already has the ability to planeswalk or shift or rift or whatever just because of reasons.
It'd be dumb, it'd cheapen the guilds, and the fact that the only dragons we know capable of this level of involvement in storyline are Niv and Bolas already makes me grumpy as to the way the RTR story is going.
Should I e-mail Wizards trying to atleast point the opinion of one (well I'm a consumer, and I do believe that an opinion should matter, somehow) that this whole new merchandising scheme of Magic is not giving the greatest fruits? Everything spoiled is now a planeswalker, Nicol Bolas will ruin every single plan, etc.
Also, the attachment... Well, it is a twisted theory that could make more sense than this.
ATTACHMENTS
Avacyn-The-Returned
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Nothing. All I want is Heroes vs. Monsters spoilers.
Okay, I thought this was a dumb post but you tickled my mind into actually looking at hi-res arts. I do not have definitive proof for or against, but WotC is VERY VERY good with concepts and direction. The way certain images pan out are more often than not intentional. Overall, I personally believe the two are separate individuals.
Dack's concept art is interesting. He's mostly a man but also has this demon fist thing going on (confirmed as intentional by the concept art). IMO, this is a very different break AWAY from Ral. Ral has hands. Dack has the right hand as red demon-ish. Nevertheless, he also packs a special looking glove (see the side of his pants in the ladykiller image AND in the faithless looting pic where he's wearing it).
The glove looks similar to, but is DIFFERENT from Izzet people (and thus, Ral). See below for recent fashion trends in Izzet-RTR:
I bring these pictures up because they show off that steampunk/ratchet-and-clank look. Whereas Dack has a thief-looking glove, these Izzet members have near sci-fi looking stuff. The canister/vacuum-purse in conjunction with wtf gloves seems to be the Izzet look. That is noticeably absent from any Dack image, including his concept work. Dack looks more like a rogue/thief/deception man. He can manipulate others on a more literal sense. Izzet seems to be steam-punk fooling around with the world and manipulating things from a scientific point of view. This also supports Niv Mizzet, who I am told is a genius (plausible bridge of science and mathematics).
**I think Dack is noticeably different from the Izzet guild mainly because he's lacking technology. At best, he could be an associate like Jace 4.0.....but there's a very real chance he's not at all related to RTR. Unless his appearance changed dramatically, he's not associated with RTR. The red hand is interesting. I doubt it's a dragon hand (Niv as Dack would be a cool twist).
As mentioned earlier, I think an interesting depiction is the weather. At first it seems trivial, but I'm lead to believe both Ral arts are from the same building/time period. Perhaps something happens to Ral when he channels that blue-lightning energy? A crazy idea linking everything together would be that a sort-of "back to the future" event occurs and Dack slips into the realm/being of Ral. That's a hell of a long shot bridging what I feel are 2 independent characters.
Alternatively, if you're convinced the clothing colors are "too similar" (and throwing out the need for steam-punk accessories), perhaps Niv breaks off into his own guild? There's the Nivix (Niv) guildmage already. Perhaps there's a secret society within these guild societies? From here I'm not sure how you can further prove the two are the same person. I think they are different -- but I also kick around ideas for those wanting to believe they are the same.
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I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
The good thing about the images I looked earlier and the hi-res ones Warden posts is that we can easily conclude the people in the Multiverse, specially those who are from Ravnica, officially DO NOT ENGAGE in activities that involve changing clothes.
And indeed, there are many differences in clothes, appearance of them, the hand thing, etc. Indeed, Ral has the looks of a thief while Ral has the typical looks of a Izzet member (with it's sci-fi things).
But I think it was important to mention the character's hygiene habits.
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Nothing. All I want is Heroes vs. Monsters spoilers.
And this response isn't so cool. I mean, what was the point of typing that out on your keyboard?
I sincerely doubt Ral Zarek is Dack Fayden. Unless something really odd is going on and if that's the case I'll wait for the novel to come out to explain it. We can speculate whether Dack is Zarek until the cows come home, but we won't know for sure until WotC releases the RTR Block novel or comes out and says something about the storyline.
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**I think Dack is noticeably different from the Izzet guild mainly because he's lacking technology. At best, he could be an associate like Jace 4.0.....but there's a very real chance he's not at all related to RTR. Unless his appearance changed dramatically, he's not associated with RTR. The red hand is interesting. I doubt it's a dragon hand (Niv as Dack would be a cool twist).
As mentioned earlier, I think an interesting depiction is the weather. At first it seems trivial, but I'm lead to believe both Ral arts are from the same building/time period. Perhaps something happens to Ral when he channels that blue-lightning energy? A crazy idea linking everything together would be that a sort-of "back to the future" event occurs and Dack slips into the realm/being of Ral. That's a hell of a long shot bridging what I feel are 2 independent characters.
Dack's hand was magically marked red to denote that he was a thief so that everyone would know he'd been caught... red handed. HAHAHAha... I'm not even joking about that. It was covered in the comics.
Then we have Ral and the weather. What you're looking at is probably a case of Ral being a weathermage/sparkmage like you can find in Blustersquall.
Plus, you know... he was seen casting lightning on Prophetic Bolt.
I do not believe that Ral Zarek and Dack Fayden are the same person; their similarities are merely coincidental, much like how Fayden's similarities to Bo Levar are merely coincidental.
Not really.
For one, we've been told in no uncertain terms that Niv is unaware of Ral's abilities.
How is that possible? If Niv-Mizzet is perhaps the most intelligent being on Ravnica, so how could he possibly not be aware of Zarek's abilities, or at least have a strong suspicion of them?
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Maybe Dack Fayden is Ral Zarek's father? Or brother?
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Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
- Both are U/R aligned, making it highly unlikely that WoTC will release them together any time soon.
- Both have VEEEERRRY similar designs. Seriously, give Dack a haircut and a jolt of electricity and BAM it's Zarek.
- We know nothing of Ral Zarek's background.
- Dack likes to infiltrate things (as a thief) and clearly something big is going on with the Izzet. Maybe there's something of value to steal?
Lastly, and here's the most interesting point...
Look at Dack Fayden's bare arms above his gloves in his concept art picture. You will notice he has faint blue tattoos that seem exactly the same as Ral Zareks!
I haven't read the comics, this is all from the salvation wiki (except for Dack's concept art, which is the second pic after typing his name into google images). For those of you that have, can you provide some insight?
Why would Niv ever want to be in human form? I mean just read the flavour text on Hypersonic Dragon, he clearly loves being a dragon and he's extremely vain. It certainly isn't to planeswalk, as Bolas has shown us dragons are capable of that too.
Also where are you seeing those tattoos, I'm unable to find anything. He has a red hand, but a red hand is the opposite of blue tattoos.
Hair can be dyed. You can apply old-ifier makeup. Clearly OP is correct.
Patch me back to my mind
Would make a lot of sense if he was using an alias and disguising himself to infiltrate the izzet for some reason.
"I am confident that if anyone actually
penetrates our facades, even the most
perceptive would still be fundamentally
unprepared for the truth of House Dimir."
I don't really think that's the case, just enjoy the theory.
Dak is a separate character from the comic books that will never have a card.
Pioneer:UR Pheonix
Modern:U Mono U Tron
EDH
GB Glissa, the traitor: Army of Cans
UW Dragonlord Ojutai: Dragonlord NOjutai
UWGDerevi, Empyrial Tactician "you cannot fight the storm"
R Zirilan of the claw. The solution to every problem is dragons
UB Etrata, the Silencer Cloning assassination
Peasant cube: Cards I own
They're on the DGM art too, actually.
"I am confident that if anyone actually
penetrates our facades, even the most
perceptive would still be fundamentally
unprepared for the truth of House Dimir."
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Kill shot: BB
Issue with my shooting? Please visit my helpdesk and help me learn to aim!
Implying that Ral Zarek's white hair is due to age rather than Izzet guild activities.
No, don't say that
THAT would be a cool twist.
And it would make both the Niv fans and the Ral fans happy (well, mostly).
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EDH:
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm
WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW
WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
Not really.
For one, we've been told in no uncertain terms that Niv is unaware of Ral's abilities.
It'd be dumb, it'd cheapen the guilds, and the fact that the only dragons we know capable of this level of involvement in storyline are Niv and Bolas already makes me grumpy as to the way the RTR story is going.
As prompted by certain threads on the forums, I'm now certain that the planeswalkers in DGM will be.... Ral Zarek, Morsel of the Firemind.
Also, the attachment... Well, it is a twisted theory that could make more sense than this.
(Give your LGS judge a hug. He deserves it.)
To get on the same page...
Storm Ral: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV-VrdnCdow/T3RlDlToMwI/AAAAAAAAAKI/8pqzEhn1oFQ/s1600/Ral_Zarek.jpg
Sunny Ral: http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdduhiOu9i1r7s2geo1_1280.jpg
Dack Concept: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Og21bYzQIs8/T0r5B6A_6dI/AAAAAAAAAHo/A1w9_eIh__U/s1600/131690-Dack_Fayden-Concept.jpg
Ladykiller Dack: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6vjr7c4VI1qc29lyo1_500.jpg
Bandit Dack (faithless looting promo): http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mxJ04wKslQg/TqmA8oUd0PI/AAAAAAAANWQ/WbKJ1rz_3sY/s1600/MTG%2BIDW%2BComic%2B1.jpg
--------
Okay, notice how Ral has surprising consistency. Very important. I think his art may have been intended for INN but it was cut and shifted to RTR. The art is consistent -- background, structure, image, body, etc. Weather is the only issue but we'll get back to that.
Dack's concept art is interesting. He's mostly a man but also has this demon fist thing going on (confirmed as intentional by the concept art). IMO, this is a very different break AWAY from Ral. Ral has hands. Dack has the right hand as red demon-ish. Nevertheless, he also packs a special looking glove (see the side of his pants in the ladykiller image AND in the faithless looting pic where he's wearing it).
The glove looks similar to, but is DIFFERENT from Izzet people (and thus, Ral). See below for recent fashion trends in Izzet-RTR:
Counterflux: http://grafitart.cghub.com/files/Image/302001-303000/302015/339_stream.jpg
Nivix Guildmage (wallpaper): http://media.wizards.com/ContentResources/Magic/PlaneswalkerPoints/Achievements/RAVNICA_GUILD_CHAMP_Izzet_Art.jpg
I bring these pictures up because they show off that steampunk/ratchet-and-clank look. Whereas Dack has a thief-looking glove, these Izzet members have near sci-fi looking stuff. The canister/vacuum-purse in conjunction with wtf gloves seems to be the Izzet look. That is noticeably absent from any Dack image, including his concept work. Dack looks more like a rogue/thief/deception man. He can manipulate others on a more literal sense. Izzet seems to be steam-punk fooling around with the world and manipulating things from a scientific point of view. This also supports Niv Mizzet, who I am told is a genius (plausible bridge of science and mathematics).
**I think Dack is noticeably different from the Izzet guild mainly because he's lacking technology. At best, he could be an associate like Jace 4.0.....but there's a very real chance he's not at all related to RTR. Unless his appearance changed dramatically, he's not associated with RTR. The red hand is interesting. I doubt it's a dragon hand (Niv as Dack would be a cool twist).
As mentioned earlier, I think an interesting depiction is the weather. At first it seems trivial, but I'm lead to believe both Ral arts are from the same building/time period. Perhaps something happens to Ral when he channels that blue-lightning energy? A crazy idea linking everything together would be that a sort-of "back to the future" event occurs and Dack slips into the realm/being of Ral. That's a hell of a long shot bridging what I feel are 2 independent characters.
Alternatively, if you're convinced the clothing colors are "too similar" (and throwing out the need for steam-punk accessories), perhaps Niv breaks off into his own guild? There's the Nivix (Niv) guildmage already. Perhaps there's a secret society within these guild societies? From here I'm not sure how you can further prove the two are the same person. I think they are different -- but I also kick around ideas for those wanting to believe they are the same.
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
And indeed, there are many differences in clothes, appearance of them, the hand thing, etc. Indeed, Ral has the looks of a thief while Ral has the typical looks of a Izzet member (with it's sci-fi things).
But I think it was important to mention the character's hygiene habits.
(Give your LGS judge a hug. He deserves it.)
And this response isn't so cool. I mean, what was the point of typing that out on your keyboard?
I sincerely doubt Ral Zarek is Dack Fayden. Unless something really odd is going on and if that's the case I'll wait for the novel to come out to explain it. We can speculate whether Dack is Zarek until the cows come home, but we won't know for sure until WotC releases the RTR Block novel or comes out and says something about the storyline.
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Dack's hand was magically marked red to denote that he was a thief so that everyone would know he'd been caught... red handed. HAHAHAha... I'm not even joking about that. It was covered in the comics.
Then we have Ral and the weather. What you're looking at is probably a case of Ral being a weathermage/sparkmage like you can find in Blustersquall.
Plus, you know... he was seen casting lightning on Prophetic Bolt.
BAfter the lights go out on you, after your worthless life is through. I will remember how you scream...B
It's an officially licensed product, which means IDW is making it with Wizard's permission. Wizard's owns everything they put out under their title.
How is that possible? If Niv-Mizzet is perhaps the most intelligent being on Ravnica, so how could he possibly not be aware of Zarek's abilities, or at least have a strong suspicion of them?
“When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”-Thomas Jefferson
“A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of its user.”-Theodore Roosevelt
“Patriotism means to stand by one's country; it does not mean to stand by one's president.”-Theodore Roosevelt
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
There is a HUGE problem with this.
Niv Mizzet is NOT a Planeswalker, it has been confirmed that Niv Mizzet is not and will not be a Planeswalker.
Ral Zarek is a Planeswalker.
To say they are the same is to ignore everything that Wizards HAS said. They have categorically said that Niv is not a Planeswalker.
Standard:
WBRG Aggro-Reanimator Humans GRBW
Modern:
UR Twinning RU
G Venus Fly Trap G
U Artifacts Aggro U
Legacy:
B Reanimator B
WU Stoneblade UW
EDH
WBGGhave, Guru of SporesGBW
URGRiku of the Two ReflectionsGRU
WUBRGScion of the Ur-DragonGRBUW
Casual
Far too many to list