A lot of people seem to forget that in the original Ravnica block, only the Ravnica: City of Guilds set actually had a decent amount of value. The other two had shocklands and a few cards that are fondly remembered, but aren't that powerful or valuable (Angel of Despair comes to mind).
Not too long ago, you could still buy boxes of Dissension for $50 that nobody wanted. It's just that we're looking at it with rose-colored glasses in hindsight. Overall, I think Gatecrash and Dragon's Maze still have plenty to offer and people are just in their usual bellyaching mode that we always get after a full set is spoiled. It will probably have a better impression a few years from now.
i feel bad for the people who will get a izzet-dimir pack at the pre release...
Oh man, I didn't think of that. Nobody is going to pick those guilds like at all. Going Blue in any other color combination is still dangerous because you could get one of those terrible packs. I guess or are still good as long as you don't get or :dimir:. Wow, I didn't really think they would have let themselves completely shut off a color from Sealed like that. That sucks.
I lol'd because this is exactly what my girlfriend would say if she was more into magic.
I understand that this set sucks pretty bad. But let me go out on a limb and make an attempt to defend it. Basically, I see this terrible set/block becoming absolutely awesome once Innistrad rotates out. I've ordered 2 Fat Packs and a Box of this because I want to be able to have what I need when it comes time for this Block to be all on it's own. I have a feeling that we'll see some major control, ramp, and combo decks after we get the first bit of Theros and a distinct lack of aggro. I'm kind of excited, because there are a ton of cards that will define the format come rotation, despite them looking pretty weak in the overall metagame. It looks to me like we are going to have some serious Haymaker magic over the next year. I see it turning into a sort of Limited format, where the person with the biggest, flashiest spells win most of the games. I don't know if that will be a good thing. I also see the fundamental turn of Standard dropping down to 5. I think that will open up WoTC a bit to slowing down the Modern format with bannings in order to allow a greater variety of decks to be played there as well. It looks like we will be going into a new modern age of magic over the next couple years.
"APRIL FOOLS! Hahah, that was a great run everyone, a whole month of fake spoilers and we actually had people believing cards like Emmara were real? Well, that'll teach you all for the whole god book debacle with NPH, can we call it even? You guys should know by now that we wouldn't actually put out a set that bland and boring, but we sure put lots of effort into those fake spoilers. Anyway, this week we'll be rolling out the *real* visual card spoiler at a rapid pace, over thirty cards a day, get prepared for a wave of amazing design that will blow you away! New unique mechanics and a setting and plot twist that will leave your jaws dropped!"
I really like this expansion is kind of a waste. Most of the champions are entirely 'meh.' There are almost no standard-changing cards in it aside from Ruric-Thar. No guild got any cards that really cement strategies for block constructed. I would argue that there are really only 10-15 cards worth getting in the whole expansion if you're interested in modern, standard or block constructed.
This expansion feels like it was designed almost entirely for casual and EDH.
My initial complaint about this set as the cards were first being spoiled was "omg.. has the Mana CC's gotten WAY out of control".. not on just "junk" cards that have similar old versions at much less cost, but ESPECIALLY what they are calling "mythics"... but... after researching past sets and cards people probably never thought would see play... the "collosus" creatures, the huge "eldrazi" (yeah colorless is easy to get, but still that much?) and heck every creater card printed in the Kamigawa set and lots from Time Spiral, not to mention LOTS of original Ravnica creatures costed 7-8+ mana. Yeah they weren't broken.. but they are there.. Seems to be a pattern. Every 5-6 sets they drop a CRAPLOAD of what seems unplayable cards, but months (maybe years) from then they have fairly decent vaule lists (maybe not super expensive cards, but an overall box:decentcard ratio in vaule). We always try to get a playset of everycard we can (pre ordered 3 boxes days before a single card was spoiled). There is value in enjoying the game and sure, might be a bunch of junk today... but my dh remembers when he spilled coke on a Wasteland back in the day and just threw it away. Oh the regret of childhood lol. We want the cards not for card's sake, but because we are true collectors. If you enjoy the game you can find a use for any card, be it table top, tournament, or what-have-you.
*I* wasn't into magic during the original ravnica block, but have collected most of the set, but it's cost me WAY more than if i'd just been able to buy a box back then.
The only people i feel sorry for... (my dh included) are people who suffered through homelands and fallen empires.. everything else is at least redeamable in some way. LoL.... but somehow even with MTG being a Business first for R&D, they MUST love the game enough not to sh*t on us that bad anymore right?
That being said.. i like several cards.. but i see how some people are disappointed for their particular colors/guilds. The meta will change though... just you watch.. hopefully with a slower play, variety will become the new "cool".
Some of you folks have some ridiculous standards.
This set has some *great* cards at every Rarity.
It has some stinkers, but so does every set, ever.
How many playable Rares were there in NPH?
Almost certainly fewer than this.
And this has at least as many awesome Mythics.
Some people just refuse to have reasonable expectations
23/45 rares(15) and mythics(8) have seen some kind of constructed play from NPH. If I'm rather generous with my evaluations there are ~26/46 rares(21) and mythics(5) from DGM might be playable. If I count only the one's I'm fairly certain will see some play, then I call it more like ~18(15r/3m)/46. The truth will prolly be somewhere in the middle.
This is literally the worst set for constructed since Saviors of Kamigawa.
It's been a while so my memory's a bit fuzzy, but I believe 27/55 rares from saviors of kamigawa saw some kind of constructed play. Some of them continue to see play- mostly sideboard options (Pithing Needle, Kataki, War's Wage), but you occasionaly see someone try Erayo affinity. Twincast has seen play in eggs, and it completely flabbergasts me why Promise of Bunrei doesn't see any play at all in modern tokens lists, or any Sam Black creation ever. Regardless, it's not a bad ratio for playabillity.
And the Debt card seems rather odd. Since when did W/B need a fireball? I am confused a little.
Drain Life has always been a black thing, and Death Grasp would have actually been a very good effect to have in standard right now. Can't say I'm super thrilled by Exsanguinatex2.0, but it makes sense.
Dimir was the worst guild... Return to Ravnica pulled me back into playing magic after many years, Gatecrash and Dragon's Maze walked me away again from this game. Horrible sets.
Actually, I would like to play Dimir-Azorius combo. I am picking Dimir for the prerelease.
You and me both buddy! I went Dimir at Gatecrash pre-release and won 1st place! Though, I wish I could get an Orvhov pack because cypher+extort was great.
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So, that magma-demon art in the card image gallery, can someone tell me what card it goes to, because the images aren't loading for me for some reason, thanks!
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This set looks awesome for limited, especially draft. So many possibilities! And what great uncommons! Nice to know you'll have a lot of great cards in that first pack even after first-pick kind of material has been taken. Plenty of decent commons, ta boot.
As for constructed, I don't see it being that horrible. Pretty much the same as any other small set: some really cool cards, plenty of jank (some of it pretty sweet like Goblin Test Pilot), and a bunch of cards that need to be put to the test of time before any verdict can be passed on them (and some that have already been put to this test and passed, ie Aetherling, Gaze of Granite, etc).
The flavor also seems like a real expansion from the other sets in the block, w/out totally nixing the previous themes, and w/out totally following suit.
Keep in mind that they had to fit so much into this set, as it wasn't just a small set, but it was also the last of a huge, multifaceted block. They've never done that before, right? big-big-small? And there is a ton in this set for how small it is. Not to mention, they have to make sure it will jive with the upcoming sets, too.
Against the tide, I rather like this set.
BTW Some of ya'll seem to have such unrealistic expectations, it approaches the delusional.
So, that magma-demon art in the card image gallery, can someone tell me what card it goes to, because the images aren't loading for me for some reason, thanks!
Not many exciting cards today, several great cards for limited, but not much constructed material. I think they were obviously saving Skylasher as a last day's surprise (just like they did with Deathrite Shaman in RTR and Boros Reckoner in GTC), too bad it got leaked earlier.
Overall I'm worried about the lack of removal in the set. That's not really a problem for draft as it will be drafted together with RTR and GTC, but it will be for the prerelease.
Not many exciting cards today, several great cards for limited, but not much constructed material. I think they were obviously saving Skylasher as a last day's surprise (just like they did with Deathrite Shaman in RTR and Boros Reckoner in GTC), too bad it got leaked earlier.
Overall I'm worried about the lack of removal in the set. That's not really a problem for draft as it will be drafted together with RTR and GTC, but it will be for the prerelease.
Considering it's a small set, we got plenty of removal. Just not much thats constructed playable, save maybe Putrefy and Drown in Filth in the right deck. But when you tally up all the removal open right now,anyone almost can play some form of it thats competitive.
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There is buried treasure everywhere...in a graveyard.
If the store owner says that I can't trade in the premises, I'll just go outside. If he says that I can't trade within 10m of his premises, I'll go to 11 meters. If he says that he doesn't want to see me trading, I will put a basket over his head and continue trading.
Yes, he's a local legend. He's only known to take his clothes off before he goes into the Ladies' Lockerroom. Nobody knows what he does in there because he's invisible, but it's almost certainly tons of masturbating.
i really like this set. a lot of people are saying they dont, and im gonna assume they care about constructed.
i dont.
this is gonna be so much fun to draft. only 2 completely "unplayable" (clear a path and crypt incursion, though uncovered clues is close) compared to 9 in gtc and 4 in rtr. every fuse card is a solid playable or better except wear/tear, and youll occasionally be very happy thats in your sideboard. every guild has a first pickable uncommon in the multicolor section except azorius, and it has the best common.
i am so excited. ive only glanced at the rares, but they mostly seem pretty cool.
except trait doctoring. screw that card.
Not too long ago, you could still buy boxes of Dissension for $50 that nobody wanted. It's just that we're looking at it with rose-colored glasses in hindsight. Overall, I think Gatecrash and Dragon's Maze still have plenty to offer and people are just in their usual bellyaching mode that we always get after a full set is spoiled. It will probably have a better impression a few years from now.
I'd call Izzet-Dimir, Orzhov-Dimir and Azhorius-Dimir the weakest combos you can get.
Izzet Dimir thought of that scenario that makes you feel bad?
43/111, approximately 39% complete. Over a third done.
(calling it now; there will be a cycle of Legendary dual lands with Basic Land types in Theros block)
... AAAAAAAAND I was wrong
The Attention Deficit Guy URGU
.....I get it!
There is buried treasure everywhere...in a graveyard.
Oh man, I didn't think of that. Nobody is going to pick those guilds like at all. Going Blue in any other color combination is still dangerous because you could get one of those terrible packs. I guess or are still good as long as you don't get or :dimir:. Wow, I didn't really think they would have let themselves completely shut off a color from Sealed like that. That sucks.
I lol'd because this is exactly what my girlfriend would say if she was more into magic.
I understand that this set sucks pretty bad. But let me go out on a limb and make an attempt to defend it. Basically, I see this terrible set/block becoming absolutely awesome once Innistrad rotates out. I've ordered 2 Fat Packs and a Box of this because I want to be able to have what I need when it comes time for this Block to be all on it's own. I have a feeling that we'll see some major control, ramp, and combo decks after we get the first bit of Theros and a distinct lack of aggro. I'm kind of excited, because there are a ton of cards that will define the format come rotation, despite them looking pretty weak in the overall metagame. It looks to me like we are going to have some serious Haymaker magic over the next year. I see it turning into a sort of Limited format, where the person with the biggest, flashiest spells win most of the games. I don't know if that will be a good thing. I also see the fundamental turn of Standard dropping down to 5. I think that will open up WoTC a bit to slowing down the Modern format with bannings in order to allow a greater variety of decks to be played there as well. It looks like we will be going into a new modern age of magic over the next couple years.
sigh
This expansion feels like it was designed almost entirely for casual and EDH.
I'm glad.
Actually, I would like to play Dimir-Azorius combo. I am picking Dimir for the prerelease.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
*I* wasn't into magic during the original ravnica block, but have collected most of the set, but it's cost me WAY more than if i'd just been able to buy a box back then.
The only people i feel sorry for... (my dh included) are people who suffered through homelands and fallen empires.. everything else is at least redeamable in some way. LoL.... but somehow even with MTG being a Business first for R&D, they MUST love the game enough not to sh*t on us that bad anymore right?
That being said.. i like several cards.. but i see how some people are disappointed for their particular colors/guilds. The meta will change though... just you watch.. hopefully with a slower play, variety will become the new "cool".
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23/45 rares(15) and mythics(8) have seen some kind of constructed play from NPH. If I'm rather generous with my evaluations there are ~26/46 rares(21) and mythics(5) from DGM might be playable. If I count only the one's I'm fairly certain will see some play, then I call it more like ~18(15r/3m)/46. The truth will prolly be somewhere in the middle.
It's been a while so my memory's a bit fuzzy, but I believe 27/55 rares from saviors of kamigawa saw some kind of constructed play. Some of them continue to see play- mostly sideboard options (Pithing Needle, Kataki, War's Wage), but you occasionaly see someone try Erayo affinity. Twincast has seen play in eggs, and it completely flabbergasts me why Promise of Bunrei doesn't see any play at all in modern tokens lists, or any Sam Black creation ever. Regardless, it's not a bad ratio for playabillity.
Drain Life has always been a black thing, and Death Grasp would have actually been a very good effect to have in standard right now. Can't say I'm super thrilled by Exsanguinatex2.0, but it makes sense.
Just a nitpick, but don't forget the original duals (Tundra and the like).
Yeah, with Lord of Atlantis in m13, and the story about the underground oceans being discovered, the dearth of merfolk doth disappoint.
Return to Ravnica pulled me back into playing magic after many years, Gatecrash and Dragon's Maze walked me away again from this game. Horrible sets.
You sir, win todays internet. All the bashing and groaning by Dimir fans, and here you are, proudly admitting you are going Dimir!
I now revoke your won internet, as you publicly announced your Dimirness and they will come for you soon.
There is buried treasure everywhere...in a graveyard.
You and me both buddy! I went Dimir at Gatecrash pre-release and won 1st place! Though, I wish I could get an Orvhov pack because cypher+extort was great.
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As for constructed, I don't see it being that horrible. Pretty much the same as any other small set: some really cool cards, plenty of jank (some of it pretty sweet like Goblin Test Pilot), and a bunch of cards that need to be put to the test of time before any verdict can be passed on them (and some that have already been put to this test and passed, ie Aetherling, Gaze of Granite, etc).
The flavor also seems like a real expansion from the other sets in the block, w/out totally nixing the previous themes, and w/out totally following suit.
Keep in mind that they had to fit so much into this set, as it wasn't just a small set, but it was also the last of a huge, multifaceted block. They've never done that before, right? big-big-small? And there is a ton in this set for how small it is. Not to mention, they have to make sure it will jive with the upcoming sets, too.
Against the tide, I rather like this set.
BTW Some of ya'll seem to have such unrealistic expectations, it approaches the delusional.
—Karn, silver golem
It's from the art for Morgue Burst.
Overall I'm worried about the lack of removal in the set. That's not really a problem for draft as it will be drafted together with RTR and GTC, but it will be for the prerelease.
Considering it's a small set, we got plenty of removal. Just not much thats constructed playable, save maybe Putrefy and Drown in Filth in the right deck. But when you tally up all the removal open right now,anyone almost can play some form of it thats competitive.
There is buried treasure everywhere...in a graveyard.
We'll probably get our fair share of sirens in the next block, right? Then again, that's a seperate creature type for some reason
Yes! Expecting some beautiful merfolk from Theros!
i dont.
this is gonna be so much fun to draft. only 2 completely "unplayable" (clear a path and crypt incursion, though uncovered clues is close) compared to 9 in gtc and 4 in rtr. every fuse card is a solid playable or better except wear/tear, and youll occasionally be very happy thats in your sideboard. every guild has a first pickable uncommon in the multicolor section except azorius, and it has the best common.
i am so excited. ive only glanced at the rares, but they mostly seem pretty cool.
except trait doctoring. screw that card.
dude, snake elf druid is the second coolest creature type ever. only surpassed by yeti mutant ([CARD/]drelnoch[/CARD])
holy crap, i didnt notice that. strong work.
i feel like this is sarcasm, but im pumped. i have drafted that card literally hundreds of times.
they dug their own grave when they chose one of those.