So, obviously there are several Planeswalkers who are heavily involved with the Eldrazi, and the number is implied to grow: Chandra, Gideon, Kiora, Nissa, Sarkhan, Sorin, Ugin and Nahiri (assuming the latter two are both active at the time; most likely Ugin will be, but Nahiri is a little up in the air). Even Ob Nixilis has been dealing with the Eldrazi and could be a wildcard if he regains his spark. Gideon is actively seeking others to join the fight.
Anyway, this implies that when they finally do have the big battle, there will be a lot of walkers. Already we have more walkers than they would have in a regular set. How do you think they will implement this? I think there are two approaches, and they could use one or both. The first is either a prequel block or full on double block (4 sets in two sub-blocks like Lorwyn). This way they could introduce half of the walkers with the first/prequel block, and the second set in the block. The second, more interesting thing was mentioned in a question on Blogatog today (I have too few posts to create a link right now or I would link to it). Basically, the idea is to do Planeswalker team-up cards with two Planeswalker types. Something like "Planeswalker -- Sorin Ugin" with both depicted. I don't quite know how the abilities would be divided, but it seems like a fun idea. Maybe two plus abilities (one for each walker), then a minus and ultimate that are both working together? Maro indicated they were aware of the concept and saving it for when it felt right. Using these team-ups, you could potentially double the number of walkers involved. Not all would need to use the gimmick.
So the block could have anywhere from 5-24 Planeswalkers involved in the conflict and depicted on the cards depending on how they go. Anybody have any ideas of what other directions they could go with it?
This would be really bad. If nobody has instant speed removal, I think it will permalock the game causing a tie. From the rulings:
The second ability is a state trigger. Once it triggers, it won't trigger again as long as the ability is on the stack. If the ability is countered and the trigger condition is still true, it will immediately trigger again.
State triggers trigger whenever the state is matched and that ability doesn't presently have a trigger on the stack. So if you have 7+ Thrulls, it'll just keep triggering and doing nothing until either he is gone, the Thrulls are gone or the equipment is removed (which will make him gone). I think this is the kind of thing that has previously shied WOTC from making this kind of ability.
Anyway, this implies that when they finally do have the big battle, there will be a lot of walkers. Already we have more walkers than they would have in a regular set. How do you think they will implement this? I think there are two approaches, and they could use one or both. The first is either a prequel block or full on double block (4 sets in two sub-blocks like Lorwyn). This way they could introduce half of the walkers with the first/prequel block, and the second set in the block. The second, more interesting thing was mentioned in a question on Blogatog today (I have too few posts to create a link right now or I would link to it). Basically, the idea is to do Planeswalker team-up cards with two Planeswalker types. Something like "Planeswalker -- Sorin Ugin" with both depicted. I don't quite know how the abilities would be divided, but it seems like a fun idea. Maybe two plus abilities (one for each walker), then a minus and ultimate that are both working together? Maro indicated they were aware of the concept and saving it for when it felt right. Using these team-ups, you could potentially double the number of walkers involved. Not all would need to use the gimmick.
So the block could have anywhere from 5-24 Planeswalkers involved in the conflict and depicted on the cards depending on how they go. Anybody have any ideas of what other directions they could go with it?
This would be really bad. If nobody has instant speed removal, I think it will permalock the game causing a tie. From the rulings:
State triggers trigger whenever the state is matched and that ability doesn't presently have a trigger on the stack. So if you have 7+ Thrulls, it'll just keep triggering and doing nothing until either he is gone, the Thrulls are gone or the equipment is removed (which will make him gone). I think this is the kind of thing that has previously shied WOTC from making this kind of ability.