Well, we now have an essay on the Sliver argument, but it was a good read.
But on the note of the slivers changing I sort have a question. Earlier this year there was some unused art that was said to be for Magic the Gathering. One of the pieces of art depicted a strange looking centaur. But after looking at this new sliver art I am starting to think that the centaur was something else, especially if I remember correctly in that the body had the same tentacle look.
The only thing I remember about the artist is that he had an account on Deviantart. If someone remembers that piece in particular could they post a link for it?
{EDIT} Found it and no, my mind was just playing a trick on me. But I really do encourage every one to keep track of the unused art pieces, you just never know what they may hint at.
Also, another factor(s) to take into account for our new Sliver compatriots: we're not on Dominaria, which was an apocalypse-torn wasteland where the slivers just bred and hunted everything. We're on Shandalar, where the slivers actually face threats, so why not adapt to face these new threats?
In the same way you can tell someone is from the XVIII century because he is arroused by ankles, you can tell someone is from USA because he feels nipples disturbing.
Fortunately for artists, Slivers are not confined to any one form. They can literally evolve any characteristic they need. Humanoid, avian, flying spaghetti monster.
Question: If that's true, why the heck don't the new "slivers" have shapeshifter in the type line?
Answer: Because the explanation we were given about this change is nonsense.
This is extremely freeing from an artistic point of view, because you can literally draw a Sliver any way you like.
You know what? I haven't yet criticized creative for running out of creativity. At most I have speculated that they used leftover Slith artwork that was dropped in Scars of Mirrodin. But since we've often been reminded that "restrictions breed creativity" I can now see how that criticism may in fact be valid. Slivers can now be a dumping ground for any unused artwork from previous blocks. I guess you could call that a creative use of resources. I'm sure accounting would be pleased.
"A rich man thinks all other people are rich, and an intelligent man thinks all other people are similarly gifted. Both are always terribly shocked when they discover the truth of the world. You, my dear brother, are a pious man." - Strahd von Zarovich
Question: If that's true, why the heck don't the new "slivers" have shapeshifter in the type line?
Ask not "Why don't the new slivers have shapeshifter in the type line?" Ask instead "Why didn't all slivers have shapeshifter in the type line to begin with?"
Honest to God, I don't know. Because the way their lore describes them, shapeshifter is a very apt term. If they were always capable of altering their form to meet whatever challenge came their way (which they were), I honestly don't know how that doesn't make them shapeshifters. I have no good argument as to why they're not. If there is a tribal difference between "sliver" and "shapeshifter" besides that one process for changing form could be considered primarily biological where the other primarily magical (and even that is suspect in my mind), I don't know what it is.
If they were always capable of altering their form to meet whatever challenge came their way (which they were)
No they aren't. Sliver evolution is not instantaneous. They are only capable of adapting their form based on whatever other types slivers are nearby. Slivers don't sprout wings unless a Winged Sliver is nearby. And The Hive did not have access to poisonous until a segment of it evolved the ability after hundreds/thousands of years of wandering Dominaria. Even then, other slivers wouldn't suddenly sprout scorpion stingers unless a virulent sliver happened to be nearby to share it's unique evolutionary development with the others in the group.
Old Slivers had a unique form of shapeshifting that made them distinct from shapeshifters. The way these new slivers are described do not.
If they are capable of altering their form to meet whatever challenge comes their way, then why have The Hive at all? Why do they need to share abilities when they could just auto evolve? This is where new slivers fail in the flavor department. This is what happens when one makes sweeping changes to a fantasy species lore without really understanding the original lore to begin with.
When were we given an official explanation of why slivers changed by WOTC? Please provide a link to where you are getting the explanation.
I recall others have already provided the link to Doug Beyer's explanation earlier in the thread. I understand he is some sort of official authority on the matter. Many, including myself, disapprove of the explanation he has provided.
"A rich man thinks all other people are rich, and an intelligent man thinks all other people are similarly gifted. Both are always terribly shocked when they discover the truth of the world. You, my dear brother, are a pious man." - Strahd von Zarovich
No they aren't. Sliver evolution is not instantaneous. They are only capable of adapting their form based on whatever other types slivers are nearby. Slivers don't sprout wings unless a Winged Sliver is nearby. And The Hive did not have access to poisonous until a segment of it evolved the ability after hundreds/thousands of years of wandering Dominaria. Even then, other slivers wouldn't suddenly sprout scorpion stingers unless a virulent sliver happened to be nearby to share it's unique evolutionary development with the others in the group.
Old Slivers had a unique form of shapeshifting that made them distinct from shapeshifters. The way these new slivers are described do not.
If they are capable of altering their form to meet whatever challenge comes their way, then why have The Hive at all? Why do they need to share abilities when they could just auto evolve? This is where new slivers fail in the flavor department. This is what happens when one makes sweeping changes to a fantasy species lore without really understanding the original lore to begin with.
I recall others have already provided the link to Doug Beyer's explanation earlier in the thread. I understand he is some sort of official authority on the matter. Many, including myself, disapprove of the explanation he has provided.
With your logic, then that must mean there HAD to have been a Wing Sliver that adapted to grow wings- to need them SPECIFICALLY to survive. You can't just say "this one happened to have wings", a Winged Sliver needs to become that through some means, which would be adaptation. Same goes for all the Slivers: you can't just say "this one happened to be like this", each one needs to adapt with the species, both together AND individually.
In the same way you can tell someone is from the XVIII century because he is arroused by ankles, you can tell someone is from USA because he feels nipples disturbing.
I recall others have already provided the link to Doug Beyer's explanation earlier in the thread.
Actually, it looks like it came from someone named Jeremy Jarvis. The name sounds familiar, but I'm not sure who he is. People seem to be acting as though it's official.
"A rich man thinks all other people are rich, and an intelligent man thinks all other people are similarly gifted. Both are always terribly shocked when they discover the truth of the world. You, my dear brother, are a pious man." - Strahd von Zarovich
You can't just say "this one happened to have wings", a Winged Sliver needs to become that through some means, which would be adaptation. Same goes for all the Slivers: you can't just say "this one happened to be like this", each one needs to adapt with the species, both together AND individually.
That is not how slivers work. Each sub-species of sliver evolves separately from the whole. They then share their unique adaptations with the whole. That is why the species is collectively called "slivers".
"A rich man thinks all other people are rich, and an intelligent man thinks all other people are similarly gifted. Both are always terribly shocked when they discover the truth of the world. You, my dear brother, are a pious man." - Strahd von Zarovich
Evan Erwin has dedicated some space in his monthly show to talk about this. magic show link
He brings up some good points and is also critical of WOTC.
If the mechanic has changed and is no longer "global" then why not make these creature type "Allies"?
Evan is very well known, so they better take notice.
Also, I think some of the individuals defending the new artwork are trolls.
Seriously, if creatures just change their form every set due to "Adaptation", These new slivers could have been ANY creature type. They might as well have been Squirrels! That didn't happen because this game is fast becoming 'Magic: The Maro experience'
With your logic, then that must mean there HAD to have been a Wing Sliver that adapted to grow wings- to need them SPECIFICALLY to survive. You can't just say "this one happened to have wings", a Winged Sliver needs to become that through some means, which would be adaptation. Same goes for all the Slivers: you can't just say "this one happened to be like this", each one needs to adapt with the species, both together AND individually.
Its like the evolution of mankind
like there would be no barbecue if none had mastered fire and shared this ability with our ancestors
it is what happened with the old slivers ( I think) one suddenly try to make poison and Evolve a sting then others slivers see it and start to do the same
Actually, it looks like it came from someone named Jeremy Jarvis. The name sounds familiar, but I'm not sure who he is. People seem to be acting as though it's official.
If the profile of the poster is Jeremy Jarvis, there is credibility in what he has said. As for the explanation, well, I do not find it to be that bad so I will be on the fence for the moment. What I need to see is what will be the explanation for this change.
Right now all we have in this a new setting is to how these new slivers is how one sliver can copy another. If WOTC does not give us that info or they give a bad explanation, then I will side with the Nay Sayers on this.
I am not sure what life form you are referring to but it does not really matter. In the natural world the idea of perfection or in this case "Fittest" is a foolish idea. The definition of what is fit and what is not is constantly changing with the environment, in other words, yesterday's unfit loser species could be king of the world with a single shift. This is why we have extinction of species, when something changes the rules on who is fit and who is unfit is redefined.
Now I will agree with something you have said about if we get sliver tokens. Honestly I think it would be best for the token art to be original slivers. This would help sell a connection between new and old, also it would help with the idea that the slivers are altering themselves to achieve the goal of survival.
Perfect and fittest are diferents... The fittest and more adaptable living on earth is the bacterium (don't have any leg or arm, they have not needed to extinguish almost all other life in dominaria)
Just because something "fits in the lore" does not mean it's a good idea. Wizards could have the Eldrazi show up on Ravnica and murder everyone in existence. Would that be a move that most players would like? Probably not.
Perfect and fittest are diferents... The fittest and more adaptable living on earth is the bacterium (don't have any leg or arm, they have not needed to extinguish almost all other life in dominaria)
Bacteria are no exception to this rule, in fact they tend to be the most affected by this. Their population numbers can fluctuate like crazy just with the change in the weather. They are the simplest but they are also the most fragile, when they are not in a state of hibernation. The reason why it can be said that they are the most adaptable is because they have short lifespans coupled with fast reproduction, meaning they generations die and are born and it just seems like they seamlessly change.
Well guess what they don't, in fact you can see strains get pushed to the brink of extinction just as easily as any other species. for instance, in your skin lives a combination of bacteria and other microorganisms to form unique environments. But when you die they die with you most of the time, Bacteria depend upon their environment not changing in order to keep dominance other wise they will die and be replaced by a new strain of bacteria (And there is a multitude of different species of bacteria). So Bacteria is in the same state as all life form's in which they depend upon there being no change or risk being wiped out.
As for not having limbs, well guess what a lot of them do have them in the form of Filament which they use to swim.
I recall others have already provided the link to Doug Beyer's explanation earlier in the thread. I understand he is some sort of official authority on the matter. Many, including myself, disapprove of the explanation he has provided.
Actually, it looks like it came from someone named Jeremy Jarvis. The name sounds familiar, but I'm not sure who he is. People seem to be acting as though it's official.
Jeremy Jarvis, if it hasn't already been mentioned, is the art director for M:TG, if I remember right. He'd actually be the gentleman responsible for signing off on the way Slivers look, ostensibly with some collaboration from other folks on the Creative Team. He's done a few articles on DailyMTG explaining art direction and what they've done to ensure art solidarity for each individual block.
I suspect we'll be hearing from him on DailyMTG eventually about Slivers Who Look Suspiciously Like Predators. Where's Danny Glover when you need him.. ~_~;
If I remember correctly, the art team started getting a cohesive direction and higher levels of oversight right around Kamigawa block. Before it was more of a Wild West kind of scenario. This is mostly what I know off the top of my head. I have to go to work in a few so I have to hit bed, otherwise I'd research things a bit more..
"A rich man thinks all other people are rich, and an intelligent man thinks all other people are similarly gifted. Both are always terribly shocked when they discover the truth of the world. You, my dear brother, are a pious man." - Strahd von Zarovich
Bacteria are no exception to this rule, in fact they tend to be the most affected by this. Their population numbers can fluctuate like crazy just with the change in the weather. They are the simplest but they are also the most fragile, when they are not in a state of hibernation. The reason why it can be said that they are the most adaptable is because they have short lifespans coupled with fast reproduction, meaning they generations die and are born and it just seems like they seamlessly change.
Well guess what they don't, in fact you can see strains get pushed to the brink of extinction just as easily as any other species. for instance, in your skin lives a combination of bacteria and other microorganisms to form unique environments. But when you die they die with you most of the time, Bacteria depend upon their environment not changing in order to keep dominance other wise they will die and be replaced by a new strain of bacteria (And there is a multitude of different species of bacteria). So Bacteria is in the same state as all life form's in which they depend upon there being no change or risk being wiped out.
As for not having limbs, well guess what a lot of them do have them in the form of Filament which they use to swim.
Like Slivers?
No hands, no feets... Slivers had their "uniclaws", with that was enough until now even in Rath (I guess that is more hostile than Shandalar)
Slivers are 1/1 to 3/3, they die easily, they are not than strongh like Elementals, Giants, Avatars, Demons, wurms, etc... But they survive because they are more efficient in large crowds...
Anyway... just read the flavor of Sliver Overlord...
No hands, no feets... Slivers had their "uniclaws", with that was enough until now even in Rath (I guess that is more hostile than Shandalar)
Slivers are 1/1 to 3/3, they die easily, they are not than strongh like Elementals, Giants, Avatars, Demons, wurms, etc... But they survive because they are more efficient in large crowds...
Anyway... just read the flavor of Sliver Overlord...
No and yes I guess. I was explaining how bacteria are not the Fittest lifeforms, they have species that go extinct too. But on that note in gameplay if a sliver deck sees control / board wipe, well there is not not much they can do. It also appears we agree that since this is a different plane some changes were to be expected.
As for the Silver Overlord Its flavor text is less than five words long (Atleast in the English one.), so it can be widely interpreted. My guess would be that since evolution is usually a random process that weeds out the unfit characteristics like drawing random cards, the overlord chooses what the next step will be on his own by fetching them in response to a threat.
Also here is a thought. If we dropped an old style sliver into a cage with a new style sliver, which would be the one to change the most? Would the new style change back or would the old style conform.
In the end, there's not much we can do. Wizards probably has seen the reaction to how the new Slivers look, and they've realized they tampered with the wrong design. The rules and mechanic change was fine, that's understandable. But from a flavor standpoint they should have not become humanoid. They should have kept their serpentine appearance. If I was on the design team, I would have evolved them to look similar by different. I would have kept the tail and the face, but maybe now they've gained legs and another clawed arm instead. Perhaps that benefited them in some way; since it obviously did for these humanoid looking Slivers. However, I would've kept them mostly the same. It's hard to just throw something at a player and tell them it's something they know it's not. They would have been way better off changing them a little than totally changing them. Okay, so what can we really do? Nothing. We just have to deal with the way they look. Hell, I'm going to pretend that they still look like the old ones, or even paint old looking ones onto the cards.
Now that my rant is over, believe it or not I am actually excited for their return. So far they look to be on a similar power level to the old Slivers, which is exciting, and I hope that they keep it like that. There are a few Slivers that I'd like to see remade, as well as a few totally new ones. Clot Sliver as a Black or Green Sliver, Winged Sliver, Fury Sliver, Crystalline Sliver as a Blue Sliver, and Acidic Sliver as a Red Sliver. Designs for new Slivers would be nice too. One of the most important Slivers would be Gemhide Sliver, so yoy can fix your mana and ramp. We need a remake of that. A Sliver with Deathtouch would really make me excited because it would pair so well with a regenerating Sliver. All in all I am excited, but in all reality I shouldn't have my hopes too high. With the way Wizards does things, we are likely to get screwed. Fingers crossed though.
Wasn't there a comment made that no planeswalkers would be non-humanoid? Perhaps that was the reason to redesign them? A Sliver Planeswalker?
I just don't understand why Wizards would intentionally restrict their creativity like that. Does their marketing research really show that players don't want to play with non-humanoid cards? I just find it strange because the internet seems to tell me the Zerg are extremely popular and they're definitely not humanoid. In Yu-Gi-Oh (which has a younger demographic I believe) non-humanoid monsters are popular. Pokemon is popular (and not for the humans). Even in Magic dragons seem to be popular enough to be included in every set, so they must be popular. I thought the old Slivers were popular. I wish I could see this marketing data they have, because I just don't understand where they're getting the idea that people want to play a game that's humanoid creatures running into each other on the battlefield.
But on the note of the slivers changing I sort have a question. Earlier this year there was some unused art that was said to be for Magic the Gathering. One of the pieces of art depicted a strange looking centaur. But after looking at this new sliver art I am starting to think that the centaur was something else, especially if I remember correctly in that the body had the same tentacle look.
The only thing I remember about the artist is that he had an account on Deviantart. If someone remembers that piece in particular could they post a link for it?
{EDIT} Found it and no, my mind was just playing a trick on me. But I really do encourage every one to keep track of the unused art pieces, you just never know what they may hint at.
Question: If that's true, why the heck don't the new "slivers" have shapeshifter in the type line?
Answer: Because the explanation we were given about this change is nonsense.
You know what? I haven't yet criticized creative for running out of creativity. At most I have speculated that they used leftover Slith artwork that was dropped in Scars of Mirrodin. But since we've often been reminded that "restrictions breed creativity" I can now see how that criticism may in fact be valid. Slivers can now be a dumping ground for any unused artwork from previous blocks. I guess you could call that a creative use of resources. I'm sure accounting would be pleased.
Magic has a better tribe well suited for this segment of the flavor pie. They're called "shapeshifters".
Ask not "Why don't the new slivers have shapeshifter in the type line?" Ask instead "Why didn't all slivers have shapeshifter in the type line to begin with?"
Honest to God, I don't know. Because the way their lore describes them, shapeshifter is a very apt term. If they were always capable of altering their form to meet whatever challenge came their way (which they were), I honestly don't know how that doesn't make them shapeshifters. I have no good argument as to why they're not. If there is a tribal difference between "sliver" and "shapeshifter" besides that one process for changing form could be considered primarily biological where the other primarily magical (and even that is suspect in my mind), I don't know what it is.
When were we given an official explanation of why slivers changed by WOTC? Please provide a link to where you are getting the explanation.
No they aren't. Sliver evolution is not instantaneous. They are only capable of adapting their form based on whatever other types slivers are nearby. Slivers don't sprout wings unless a Winged Sliver is nearby. And The Hive did not have access to poisonous until a segment of it evolved the ability after hundreds/thousands of years of wandering Dominaria. Even then, other slivers wouldn't suddenly sprout scorpion stingers unless a virulent sliver happened to be nearby to share it's unique evolutionary development with the others in the group.
Old Slivers had a unique form of shapeshifting that made them distinct from shapeshifters. The way these new slivers are described do not.
If they are capable of altering their form to meet whatever challenge comes their way, then why have The Hive at all? Why do they need to share abilities when they could just auto evolve? This is where new slivers fail in the flavor department. This is what happens when one makes sweeping changes to a fantasy species lore without really understanding the original lore to begin with.
I recall others have already provided the link to Doug Beyer's explanation earlier in the thread. I understand he is some sort of official authority on the matter. Many, including myself, disapprove of the explanation he has provided.
With your logic, then that must mean there HAD to have been a Wing Sliver that adapted to grow wings- to need them SPECIFICALLY to survive. You can't just say "this one happened to have wings", a Winged Sliver needs to become that through some means, which would be adaptation. Same goes for all the Slivers: you can't just say "this one happened to be like this", each one needs to adapt with the species, both together AND individually.
Actually, it looks like it came from someone named Jeremy Jarvis. The name sounds familiar, but I'm not sure who he is. People seem to be acting as though it's official.
http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75842/29918885/So_there_are_slivers_in_M14_that_look_rather_humaniod._Asumming_that_these_are_the_slivers_from_Dominaria_that_we_last_saw_in_Time_Spiral,_what_does_this_say_about_the_other_species_on_the_plane._Think_that_they_are_just_totally_wrecked_Possibly_sli?post_num=74
That is exactly what I am saying.
That is not how slivers work. Each sub-species of sliver evolves separately from the whole. They then share their unique adaptations with the whole. That is why the species is collectively called "slivers".
magic show link
He brings up some good points and is also critical of WOTC.
If the mechanic has changed and is no longer "global" then why not make these creature type "Allies"?
Evan is very well known, so they better take notice.
Also, I think some of the individuals defending the new artwork are trolls.
Seriously, if creatures just change their form every set due to "Adaptation", These new slivers could have been ANY creature type. They might as well have been Squirrels! That didn't happen because this game is fast becoming 'Magic: The Maro experience'
Its like the evolution of mankind
like there would be no barbecue if none had mastered fire and shared this ability with our ancestors
it is what happened with the old slivers ( I think) one suddenly try to make poison and Evolve a sting then others slivers see it and start to do the same
If the profile of the poster is Jeremy Jarvis, there is credibility in what he has said. As for the explanation, well, I do not find it to be that bad so I will be on the fence for the moment. What I need to see is what will be the explanation for this change.
Right now all we have in this a new setting is to how these new slivers is how one sliver can copy another. If WOTC does not give us that info or they give a bad explanation, then I will side with the Nay Sayers on this.
Perfect and fittest are diferents... The fittest and more adaptable living on earth is the bacterium (don't have any leg or arm, they have not needed to extinguish almost all other life in dominaria)
Bacteria are no exception to this rule, in fact they tend to be the most affected by this. Their population numbers can fluctuate like crazy just with the change in the weather. They are the simplest but they are also the most fragile, when they are not in a state of hibernation. The reason why it can be said that they are the most adaptable is because they have short lifespans coupled with fast reproduction, meaning they generations die and are born and it just seems like they seamlessly change.
Well guess what they don't, in fact you can see strains get pushed to the brink of extinction just as easily as any other species. for instance, in your skin lives a combination of bacteria and other microorganisms to form unique environments. But when you die they die with you most of the time, Bacteria depend upon their environment not changing in order to keep dominance other wise they will die and be replaced by a new strain of bacteria (And there is a multitude of different species of bacteria). So Bacteria is in the same state as all life form's in which they depend upon there being no change or risk being wiped out.
As for not having limbs, well guess what a lot of them do have them in the form of Filament which they use to swim.
Thankfully that makes zero difference to Wizards.
Jeremy Jarvis, if it hasn't already been mentioned, is the art director for M:TG, if I remember right. He'd actually be the gentleman responsible for signing off on the way Slivers look, ostensibly with some collaboration from other folks on the Creative Team. He's done a few articles on DailyMTG explaining art direction and what they've done to ensure art solidarity for each individual block.
I suspect we'll be hearing from him on DailyMTG eventually about Slivers Who Look Suspiciously Like Predators. Where's Danny Glover when you need him.. ~_~;
Some pertinent links..
His Dossier
His Author Archive
If I remember correctly, the art team started getting a cohesive direction and higher levels of oversight right around Kamigawa block. Before it was more of a Wild West kind of scenario. This is mostly what I know off the top of my head. I have to go to work in a few so I have to hit bed, otherwise I'd research things a bit more..
Yes, it's no secret that WotC doesn't really care about the players. But that's a topic for another thread.
Like Slivers?
No hands, no feets... Slivers had their "uniclaws", with that was enough until now even in Rath (I guess that is more hostile than Shandalar)
Slivers are 1/1 to 3/3, they die easily, they are not than strongh like Elementals, Giants, Avatars, Demons, wurms, etc... But they survive because they are more efficient in large crowds...
Anyway... just read the flavor of Sliver Overlord...
No and yes I guess. I was explaining how bacteria are not the Fittest lifeforms, they have species that go extinct too. But on that note in gameplay if a sliver deck sees control / board wipe, well there is not not much they can do. It also appears we agree that since this is a different plane some changes were to be expected.
As for the Silver Overlord Its flavor text is less than five words long (Atleast in the English one.), so it can be widely interpreted. My guess would be that since evolution is usually a random process that weeds out the unfit characteristics like drawing random cards, the overlord chooses what the next step will be on his own by fetching them in response to a threat.
Also here is a thought. If we dropped an old style sliver into a cage with a new style sliver, which would be the one to change the most? Would the new style change back or would the old style conform.
Now that my rant is over, believe it or not I am actually excited for their return. So far they look to be on a similar power level to the old Slivers, which is exciting, and I hope that they keep it like that. There are a few Slivers that I'd like to see remade, as well as a few totally new ones. Clot Sliver as a Black or Green Sliver, Winged Sliver, Fury Sliver, Crystalline Sliver as a Blue Sliver, and Acidic Sliver as a Red Sliver. Designs for new Slivers would be nice too. One of the most important Slivers would be Gemhide Sliver, so yoy can fix your mana and ramp. We need a remake of that. A Sliver with Deathtouch would really make me excited because it would pair so well with a regenerating Sliver. All in all I am excited, but in all reality I shouldn't have my hopes too high. With the way Wizards does things, we are likely to get screwed. Fingers crossed though.
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
Just wait till slivers assimilate the eldrazi into the Hive.
But it's more entertaining to watch fanboys go absolutely berserk over this.
Wasn't there a comment made that no planeswalkers would be non-humanoid? Perhaps that was the reason to redesign them? A Sliver Planeswalker?
I just don't understand why Wizards would intentionally restrict their creativity like that. Does their marketing research really show that players don't want to play with non-humanoid cards? I just find it strange because the internet seems to tell me the Zerg are extremely popular and they're definitely not humanoid. In Yu-Gi-Oh (which has a younger demographic I believe) non-humanoid monsters are popular. Pokemon is popular (and not for the humans). Even in Magic dragons seem to be popular enough to be included in every set, so they must be popular. I thought the old Slivers were popular. I wish I could see this marketing data they have, because I just don't understand where they're getting the idea that people want to play a game that's humanoid creatures running into each other on the battlefield.
RGoblinsR
RWerewolf StompyR
URU/R DelverRU
RGBelcherGR
BThe GateB
GBLoam PoxBG
WGBNic FitBGW
UHigh TideU
UMerfolkU
UFaerieNinjaStillU
WBUAffinityUBW
GSquirrelsG
UWGSliversGWU