I thought wizards was going to stop the "real world" feel. Thats why Grizzly Bears was changed to Runeclaw Bear. Diminsh is awsome but quoting Alice's Adventures in Wonderland....what? Oh well.
I don't know if it's just coincidence or if WotC is smart enough to look forward to other coming-soon ventures in the entertainment industry. I have a feeling WotC is trying to stay relevant with pop-culture by keeping up and staying ahead of films and books and trends.
The rise in the number and importance placed on vampires is no accident. And I'm not saying it was intentional, but people drew connections between Zendikar and Avatar's Pandora. This could just be another example of WotC trying to generate additional interest that might not otherwise be there.
I predict that flavor text will soon be reduced to lyrics of Lady Gaga songs.
I thought wizards was going to stop the "real world" feel. Thats why Grizzly Bears was changed to Runeclaw Bear. Diminsh is awsome but quoting Alice's Adventures in Wonderland....what? Oh well.
What does Alice in Wonderland has to do with real world?
Plus, what do you know... Wizards can claim that the Cheshire Cat was a planeswalker. He later married Alice, settled down on Naya (Alara - Alice, same number of letters, and first two match. Coincidence? I think not!) , and started the Leonin race. That's him, on the picture of Diminish, masking as a cute little cat and tormenting a dinosaur. As a cat owner, I sympathize. I know MY cat would love to torment a dinosaur.
See, as long as they keep counters at roughly the power they are now, they can print stuff like Jace's Ingenuity. Very solid set here. Even the inevitable islandhome serpent is pretty decent as far as these things go.
Oh, and it looks like we're getting an almost-Serum Visions. Which I've wanted reprinted since forever.
Blue is looking pretty darn good. The instant speed card draw is strong, and will probably see plenty of limited play. It "instantly" becomes the best non-Jace card draw in the format.
As an aside, I really appreciate that they're using real-world quotes in flavor text again.
The Draw, Scry 2 card is just a better version of Serum Visions, which was solid during it's Standard days.
Instant speed card draw getting printed again is interesting..3 cards for 3UU is very powerful. It is, in fact, amazing. Is it as good as FoF? No. But that card is absolutely ridiculous..other draw spells don't have to be as good/better than it to be amazing. Instant speed card draw is just far, far more powerful than most people realize(and apparently R&D has forgotten).
I thought wizards was going to stop the "real world" feel. Thats why Grizzly Bears was changed to Runeclaw Bear. Diminsh is awsome but quoting Alice's Adventures in Wonderland....what? Oh well.
I'm pretty sure (Unless there's a picture of it I'm missing) that the Alice flavor text is just MTGS' "placeholder" text they put in their spoiler to call out people who just copy+paste the spoiler to other sites.
EDIT: Nevermind then, it's right there in the first post. I r dumb.
Man, Preordain is sweet, although I'm not sure how I feel about it if it's replacing Ponder. Diminish might even see play in Standard...
I think it's definitely better than Ponder. While ponder let you potentially draw one good card, then forced you threw the bad draws, preordain lets you potentially grab a good card and ditch a bad one. Better than Serum Visions, which was awesome; Scry before draw makes a big difference.
Jace's Ingenuity is pretty nuts for standard. It's instant speed Tidings, which I think speaks for itself. Erasure is interesting, although I think it needs Howling Mine to go along with it to be worth a damn. I think it could be broken though.
Erasure won't do anything for anyone, really. It lets new age remixes of Braingeyser decks of old target draw on themselves the whole way. But this won't make much difference to the power level of such decks.
Preordain is on the order of Telling Time. Serum Visions was "I'll tinker with my library. It's just one mana. Replace my draw."
Preordain gets you down there. It looks like Ponder, except for the shuffle which gets Ponder into older formats. Preordain is real deck preparation. And still one mana.
The only thing bad about it is every selection spell for a while is going to look like garbage in comparison.
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Also, it's a child book so it's really dumb and could easily be compared to some pop song.
While it's audience is indeed children, only an adult can get some of the logic in the book. There's a reason it's a classic--because people of all ages can enjoy it. If I had to bet who was responsible for adding an Alice quote, I would put my money on Rosewater.
Also, it's a child book so it's really dumb and could easily be compared to some pop song.
Alice in wonderland was a pretty scathing satire of the culture of the time it was written. Its not a children's book at all. perhaps you are thinking of the Disney movie that is only loosely based on said book?
So far, Highly impressed with blue for the core set.
=] so impressed.
The serpent is one of the best to be printed next to Inkwell leviathan (which isnt even a serpent) making it the best one i've seen printed yet. No real restriction outside of cmc. the pt is fair, 5/5 for 6? isnt that staple? (sans the bootyslayer.)
and it has islandwalk. very relevant ability. Big removal target in my eyes.
I'm soooooooooo glad to see diminish. Calcite Snapper became that much better a blocker! Blue's best combat trick is back, and I r teh soo happeh.
So should there be a new list now? 'Things that turn BSA into Dragon Fodder'? lol the thought of two gobbies trouncing BSA makes me laugh.
Skill is an ability that relates more so to the type of deck that's built and how said player pilots it. It also relates to the ability to assess the board and use the cards available to you in the most optimal way relative to each situation.
When a deck is filled with above par cards and every play is solid, there comes a diminishing need to "think" for the lack of wanting to use a better word.
The serpent is one of the best to be printed next to Inkwell leviathan (which isnt even a serpent) making it the best one i've seen printed yet. No real restriction outside of cmc. the pt is fair, 5/5 for 6? isnt that staple? (sans the bootyslayer.)
and it has islandwalk. very relevant ability. Big removal target in my eyes.
I was thinking the exact same thing. At first I thought it would have an awful restriction on it that would make it almost unplayable. Makes me happy.
If this forum had Greasers, Phoenix, Commons and Semantics would be the leaders of the gang and every time they commented on something they would do a synchronized finger snap then smoke a cigarette.
Also, it's a child book so it's really dumb and could easily be compared to some pop song.
I thought this was pretty obviously sarcastic and funny but apparently it didn't come off that way to most!
Foresee was once referred to as 'basically FoF' by a top japanese player (forgot who). I remember it was played briefly in some decks but only at the tail end of Time Spiral legality.
It's not instant but you get to potentially dig 6 cards deep and draw 2 for 3U. I think it'll see play.
EDIT: And anyways instant speed on card draw doesn't seem nearly as necessary these days as compared to the past, seeing as how weak counterspells presently are.
The GG 3/2 trampler isn't that good. Maybe if it were 1G it would be playable but as is, only monogreen likes the card. We just got a 4/5 for GGG and that card is totally worthless as will be this 3/2 for GG
If you're looking t just T2, you could say that. But as a whole both of these cards a very good.
I enjoy the quote. It makes it very obvious what the card does and gives a little more culture to the game. Just as long as they are picky with what the tkke from the real world i dont see it as a problem
I think everyone complaining about the Alice quote on Diminish needs to get their head out of their collective ass. This is a game. Have fun with it. And the quote was spot on anyway, so why does it matter? Alice in Wonderland not fantasy enough for you?
I predict that flavor text will soon be reduced to lyrics of Lady Gaga songs.
Counterspell UU
instant
counter target spell
"pah pah pah poker face, pah pah poker face, muh mah my..."
on the flavor text: either most of you people are forgetting or weren't around long enough to remember that originally MtG had a lot of real world quotes in flavor text. it's nothing new, just recently (by recently, i mean like the past decade) they've been focusing more on world-building (plane-building?) and using flavor text to sort of flesh out the story lines and environments for people who aren't storyline junkies.
i like seeing the occaisional real world quote. it gives the game a bit more sense of (historical) culture, which imo is much needed and welcome in today's youth (pop) culture. it ain't gonna hurt you to broaden your horizons a bit. you just might learn something.
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I don't know if it's just coincidence or if WotC is smart enough to look forward to other coming-soon ventures in the entertainment industry. I have a feeling WotC is trying to stay relevant with pop-culture by keeping up and staying ahead of films and books and trends.
The rise in the number and importance placed on vampires is no accident. And I'm not saying it was intentional, but people drew connections between Zendikar and Avatar's Pandora. This could just be another example of WotC trying to generate additional interest that might not otherwise be there.
I predict that flavor text will soon be reduced to lyrics of Lady Gaga songs.
What does Alice in Wonderland has to do with real world?
Plus, what do you know... Wizards can claim that the Cheshire Cat was a planeswalker. He later married Alice, settled down on Naya (Alara - Alice, same number of letters, and first two match. Coincidence? I think not!) , and started the Leonin race. That's him, on the picture of Diminish, masking as a cute little cat and tormenting a dinosaur. As a cat owner, I sympathize. I know MY cat would love to torment a dinosaur.
Oh, and it looks like we're getting an almost-Serum Visions. Which I've wanted reprinted since forever.
*deep breath*
YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
UBDragonlord Silumgar WGKarametra, God of Harvests
BRUNekusar, the Mindrazer BGMazirek, Kraul Death Priest
URMelek, Izzet Paragon UGPrime Speaker Zegana
WUHanna, Ship's Navigator BWUSydri, Galvanic Genius
WUBRGSliver Queen RBBladewing the Risen
WBKarlov of the Ghost Council RGXenagos, God of Revels
GFreyalise, Llanowar's Fury RWAurelia, the Warleader
RIb Halfheart, Goblin Tactician BDrana, Liberator of Malakir
UAzami, Lady of Scrolls WNahiri, the Lithomancer
WBGDoran, the Siege Tower CEmrakul, the Promised End
As an aside, I really appreciate that they're using real-world quotes in flavor text again.
Instant speed card draw getting printed again is interesting..3 cards for 3UU is very powerful. It is, in fact, amazing. Is it as good as FoF? No. But that card is absolutely ridiculous..other draw spells don't have to be as good/better than it to be amazing. Instant speed card draw is just far, far more powerful than most people realize(and apparently R&D has forgotten).
I'm pretty sure (Unless there's a picture of it I'm missing) that the Alice flavor text is just MTGS' "placeholder" text they put in their spoiler to call out people who just copy+paste the spoiler to other sites.EDIT: Nevermind then, it's right there in the first post. I r dumb.
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URRuneflare M11URUWUW Permission ControlUWURRuneflareUR 12-5-2 (02/05/10)UWRSuper FriendsUWRUWUW Conscriptrol 9-2-2UWI think it's definitely better than Ponder. While ponder let you potentially draw one good card, then forced you threw the bad draws, preordain lets you potentially grab a good card and ditch a bad one. Better than Serum Visions, which was awesome; Scry before draw makes a big difference.
Jace's Ingenuity is pretty nuts for standard. It's instant speed Tidings, which I think speaks for itself. Erasure is interesting, although I think it needs Howling Mine to go along with it to be worth a damn. I think it could be broken though.
Ehh, mild card selection.
Erasure won't do anything for anyone, really. It lets new age remixes of Braingeyser decks of old target draw on themselves the whole way. But this won't make much difference to the power level of such decks.
Preordain is on the order of Telling Time. Serum Visions was "I'll tinker with my library. It's just one mana. Replace my draw."
Preordain gets you down there. It looks like Ponder, except for the shuffle which gets Ponder into older formats. Preordain is real deck preparation. And still one mana.
The only thing bad about it is every selection spell for a while is going to look like garbage in comparison.
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While it's audience is indeed children, only an adult can get some of the logic in the book. There's a reason it's a classic--because people of all ages can enjoy it. If I had to bet who was responsible for adding an Alice quote, I would put my money on Rosewater.
Alice in wonderland was a pretty scathing satire of the culture of the time it was written. Its not a children's book at all. perhaps you are thinking of the Disney movie that is only loosely based on said book?
=] so impressed.
The serpent is one of the best to be printed next to Inkwell leviathan (which isnt even a serpent) making it the best one i've seen printed yet. No real restriction outside of cmc. the pt is fair, 5/5 for 6? isnt that staple? (sans the bootyslayer.)
and it has islandwalk. very relevant ability. Big removal target in my eyes.
I'm soooooooooo glad to see diminish. Calcite Snapper became that much better a blocker! Blue's best combat trick is back, and I r teh soo happeh.
So should there be a new list now? 'Things that turn BSA into Dragon Fodder'? lol the thought of two gobbies trouncing BSA makes me laugh.
Man do i miss snakeform.
I like how this core is giving access to new archetypes for standard. and reinforcing old ones that were not quite there yet.
Edit: overlooked the lack of a 'loses all abilities' phrase on the card... =[ eh. Still rocks. Recluses ftw.
Skill is an ability that relates more so to the type of deck that's built and how said player pilots it. It also relates to the ability to assess the board and use the cards available to you in the most optimal way relative to each situation.
When a deck is filled with above par cards and every play is solid, there comes a diminishing need to "think" for the lack of wanting to use a better word.
I was thinking the exact same thing. At first I thought it would have an awful restriction on it that would make it almost unplayable. Makes me happy.
And I <3 Diminish also.
Perhaps. But I found that I could connect with the flavor text the moment I saw it, so it was effective for me.
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Victims of our own goddamn success, really.
I thought this was pretty obviously sarcastic and funny but apparently it didn't come off that way to most!
Foresee was once referred to as 'basically FoF' by a top japanese player (forgot who). I remember it was played briefly in some decks but only at the tail end of Time Spiral legality.
It's not instant but you get to potentially dig 6 cards deep and draw 2 for 3U. I think it'll see play.
EDIT: And anyways instant speed on card draw doesn't seem nearly as necessary these days as compared to the past, seeing as how weak counterspells presently are.
Maybe a Jester's Cap reprint?
If you're looking t just T2, you could say that. But as a whole both of these cards a very good.
as long as this isnt a gateway for them to start quoting twilight on vampire cards of course. (now that i said it, its gonna happen)
but other than flavor texts, great blue cards.
Loooooooooving foresee. This is how you give blue a core set wizards. With Foresee. Not with jump and levitation. Yeeeeesss
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If Wizards ever reprints Mana Drain they should make every blue player sign an agreement that they can never complain again ever.
Which is to say, they never will.
It's not overcosted this time. 5 is very fair for 3 cards at instant speed. That's a Mind Spring with X=3. But instant. Very fair.
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Counterspell UU
instant
counter target spell
"pah pah pah poker face, pah pah poker face, muh mah my..."
on the flavor text: either most of you people are forgetting or weren't around long enough to remember that originally MtG had a lot of real world quotes in flavor text. it's nothing new, just recently (by recently, i mean like the past decade) they've been focusing more on world-building (plane-building?) and using flavor text to sort of flesh out the story lines and environments for people who aren't storyline junkies.
i like seeing the occaisional real world quote. it gives the game a bit more sense of (historical) culture, which imo is much needed and welcome in today's youth (pop) culture. it ain't gonna hurt you to broaden your horizons a bit. you just might learn something.