I'm surprised nobody has made a thread yet discussing how absolutely atrocious the new Invocations look. Maybe we're all thinking the same thing and don't see the point in shouting in an echo chamber?
Well I certainly want to shout into the echo chamber that is the skull of whichever person at WoTC let these hideous cards be printed without first asking themselves, "what is the theme this time around"? or "WHAT IF THIS NEW FRAME LOOKS LIKE *****"?
So far we know an Invocation is... A creature, an enchantment, a sorcery, an artifact, an instant....and not a planeswalker or land. So there is no theme here.
NO THEME???
How? what? WHAT?!
These cards are not special. These cards, Force of Will, Mind Twist... ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME PUKE IN MY MOUTH UPON LOOKING AT THEM. Way to destroy any reason for getting these cards WoTC!
Is this the new model for reducing the cost of chase cards? MAKE THEM LOOK LIKE *****??? These printings make me feel a way about this game that I don't like at all. Right now I am actually revolted by the look of a magic card.... with all of the changes of cards frames before how is it a good idea to take cards, cards that haven't seen printing in 20 years in some cases, and make me feel sick about looking at some of my favorite damn cards?!!?
I don't like looking at a Force of Will and imagining a lighter under it as a result. WoTC don't you dare ruin more of our beloved cards with more of this horrendous card frame. Whatever the next set is called, hour of devastation, those masterpieces better have a different frame on them. DO NOT TAINT MY MEMORIES OF GOOD THINGS WITH THIS TRASH.
I mean, plenty of people were commenting on them in the thread on Invocations in the Rumor Mill, not sure it's needed here too.
But personally, I like the idea of Invocations more than what they did with Kaladesh Inventions (think that was the name for them). I think they could have tweaked it some and I'd be a lot happier with it, but overall? I'm much more a fan of a step in this direction.
As far as the theme goes, that's harder to say. I'll wait until they actually release an article about all of them before I say there isn't one.
I mean, they do look pretty awful, but I didn't need a thread to discuss that.
I'm suggesting to the community that the Invocations don't actually have a theme compared to masterpieces. We should come up with a a community name for these things, calling these masterpieces currently takes a stretch of the imagination!
They really do look like they were the result of someone's InDesign/Publisher/Whatever tutorial, someone with no design experience or aesthetic sense. Never mind how the art looks like it's literally cut-and-pasted onto the card with literal glue like a bad fake ID. Forget the random bits of black on every card regardless of color. Ignore how the artist/set info cartouche looks like it's a punch-out counter and throws off symmetry. Erase from your mind that the gold on the top goes to the edge, but the gold on the bottom doesn't. I mean, the fact that these would actually be improved by changing a font to Comic Sans—purely for increased legibility—is damning. ...
I'm gonna stop there. I could go on, though.
At first I thought the theme would be disruption, and then they spoiled Loyal Retainers, so I don't know what's going on anymore whatisthiseven.
I mean, they do look pretty awful, but I didn't need a thread to discuss that.
I'm suggesting to the community that the Invocations don't actually have a theme compared to masterpieces. We should come up with a a community name for these things, calling these masterpieces currently takes a stretch of the imagination!
We haven't had an article on Invocations just yet, so saying they don't have a theme at all is reaching. Maybe it'll turn out to be the case, but it's also equally possible the theme is a bit more abstract than Kaladesh's "shiny artifacts" and Zendikar's "shiny lands".
I mean, they do look pretty awful, but I didn't need a thread to discuss that.
I'm suggesting to the community that the Invocations don't actually have a theme compared to masterpieces. We should come up with a a community name for these things, calling these masterpieces currently takes a stretch of the imagination!
We haven't had an article on Invocations just yet, so saying they don't have a theme at all is reaching. Maybe it'll turn out to be the case, but it's also equally possible the theme is a bit more abstract than Kaladesh's "shiny artifacts" and Zendikar's "shiny lands".
I see your point!
Wouldn't you be more excited to hear, or see that the next batch of masterpieces actually looked like they have a theme just by looking at them?
We're not getting that intuitive feeling right off the bat with these kinds of cards, there's a lot going on. A bit too much is happening with the font too.
I mean, they do look pretty awful, but I didn't need a thread to discuss that.
I'm suggesting to the community that the Invocations don't actually have a theme compared to masterpieces. We should come up with a a community name for these things, calling these masterpieces currently takes a stretch of the imagination!
We haven't had an article on Invocations just yet, so saying they don't have a theme at all is reaching. Maybe it'll turn out to be the case, but it's also equally possible the theme is a bit more abstract than Kaladesh's "shiny artifacts" and Zendikar's "shiny lands".
I see your point!
Wouldn't you be more excited to hear, or see that the next batch of masterpieces actually looked like they have a theme just by looking at them?
We're not getting that intuitive feeling right off the bat with these kinds of cards, there's a lot going on. A bit too much is happening with the font too.
Well, as I said, I'm more in favor for something like this than Kaladesh Inventions. A shiny frame doesn't really do it for me, these at least feel legitimately different.
As far as how tight a theme I'd like for Masterpieces, I'd rather there be a bit more flexibility in the theme than "all cards have X quality" where X is something easily identifiable. If all of these cards are meant to be Control cards like I saw someone theorize, I'm fine with that as a theme. It's more interesting than "all cards are Instants" or what have you.
I mean, they do look pretty awful, but I didn't need a thread to discuss that.
I'm suggesting to the community that the Invocations don't actually have a theme compared to masterpieces. We should come up with a a community name for these things, calling these masterpieces currently takes a stretch of the imagination!
We haven't had an article on Invocations just yet, so saying they don't have a theme at all is reaching. Maybe it'll turn out to be the case, but it's also equally possible the theme is a bit more abstract than Kaladesh's "shiny artifacts" and Zendikar's "shiny lands".
I see your point!
Wouldn't you be more excited to hear, or see that the next batch of masterpieces actually looked like they have a theme just by looking at them?
We're not getting that intuitive feeling right off the bat with these kinds of cards, there's a lot going on. A bit too much is happening with the font too.
Well, as I said, I'm more in favor for something like this than Kaladesh Inventions. A shiny frame doesn't really do it for me, these at least feel legitimately different.
As far as how tight a theme I'd like for Masterpieces, I'd rather there be a bit more flexibility in the theme than "all cards have X quality" where X is something easily identifiable. If all of these cards are meant to be Control cards like I saw someone theorize, I'm fine with that as a theme. It's more interesting than "all cards are Instants" or what have you.
If we can't have Masterpieces that aren't all of the same type when released, (think of how many more releases there will be moving forward..a lot of tries at this) then What reason do I have to believe that there will be anything extraordinary reprinted. If there's no strict theme of type, I know that I'll be getting an excuse for one. It's going to be jank commons and uncommons that work well with the rares.
If I were to say they printed all Sorceries I would have better confidence that there is something there that I personally would care about being reprinted. Something I've been longing to see reprinted..
I'm suggesting to the community that the Invocations don't actually have a theme compared to masterpieces. We should come up with a a community name for these things, calling these masterpieces currently takes a stretch of the imagination!
We haven't had an article on Invocations just yet, so saying they don't have a theme at all is reaching. Maybe it'll turn out to be the case, but it's also equally possible the theme is a bit more abstract than Kaladesh's "shiny artifacts" and Zendikar's "shiny lands".
I see your point!
Wouldn't you be more excited to hear, or see that the next batch of masterpieces actually looked like they have a theme just by looking at them?
We're not getting that intuitive feeling right off the bat with these kinds of cards, there's a lot going on. A bit too much is happening with the font too.
Well, as I said, I'm more in favor for something like this than Kaladesh Inventions. A shiny frame doesn't really do it for me, these at least feel legitimately different.
As far as how tight a theme I'd like for Masterpieces, I'd rather there be a bit more flexibility in the theme than "all cards have X quality" where X is something easily identifiable. If all of these cards are meant to be Control cards like I saw someone theorize, I'm fine with that as a theme. It's more interesting than "all cards are Instants" or what have you.
If we can't have Masterpieces that aren't all of the same type when released, (think of how many more releases there will be moving forward..a lot of tries at this) then What reason do I have to believe that there will be anything extraordinary reprinted. If there's no strict theme of type, I know that I'll be getting an excuse for one. It's going to be jank commons and uncommons that work well with the rares.
If I were to say they printed all Sorceries I would have better confidence that there is something there that I personally would care about being reprinted. Something I've been longing to see reprinted..
I want all chases. I want bombs. MASTERPIECES!
That could happen regardless of a theme. All Sorceries could just as easily be bad cards as it could be good. Having a cohesive theme doesn't help that any. Are you saying that every Artifact in Kaladesh's Inventions was stunning? I don't think so at least, but your stance could vary I suppose. But either way having one super narrow theme like "All X" doesn't ensure that any.
We haven't had an article on Invocations just yet, so saying they don't have a theme at all is reaching. Maybe it'll turn out to be the case, but it's also equally possible the theme is a bit more abstract than Kaladesh's "shiny artifacts" and Zendikar's "shiny lands".
I see your point!
Wouldn't you be more excited to hear, or see that the next batch of masterpieces actually looked like they have a theme just by looking at them?
We're not getting that intuitive feeling right off the bat with these kinds of cards, there's a lot going on. A bit too much is happening with the font too.
Well, as I said, I'm more in favor for something like this than Kaladesh Inventions. A shiny frame doesn't really do it for me, these at least feel legitimately different.
As far as how tight a theme I'd like for Masterpieces, I'd rather there be a bit more flexibility in the theme than "all cards have X quality" where X is something easily identifiable. If all of these cards are meant to be Control cards like I saw someone theorize, I'm fine with that as a theme. It's more interesting than "all cards are Instants" or what have you.
If we can't have Masterpieces that aren't all of the same type when released, (think of how many more releases there will be moving forward..a lot of tries at this) then What reason do I have to believe that there will be anything extraordinary reprinted. If there's no strict theme of type, I know that I'll be getting an excuse for one. It's going to be jank commons and uncommons that work well with the rares.
If I were to say they printed all Sorceries I would have better confidence that there is something there that I personally would care about being reprinted. Something I've been longing to see reprinted..
I want all chases. I want bombs. MASTERPIECES!
That could happen regardless of a theme. All Sorceries could just as easily be bad cards as it could be good. Having a cohesive theme doesn't help that any. Are you saying that every Artifact in Kaladesh's Inventions was stunning? I don't think so at least, but your stance could vary I suppose. But either way having one super narrow theme like "All X" doesn't ensure that any.
nah I don't think that every artifact masterpiece in kaladesh that was printed was stunning. The point is that if I know the population is all X then I also know at least a few will be guaranteed something I even care about
Look, we all think the borders are overdone, the art is too small, and the font is eye-bleed inducing.
And every single one of us will be stoked to the moon if we actually pull one anyways.
As for a theme, I'm guessing it has to do with godly smackdown, and the colors focus on WUB because that's the gods we'll get in Amonkhet, with RG coming in for HoD. We'll probably get more of a sense on what they wanted in future stories or the artbook.
Ultimately, its so damn rare that Wizards whiffs like this, I think its more jarring than it would otherwise be. And they KNOW they whiffed- they flat out admitted on today's daily update that the response to the Invocations was less than what they'd hoped for.
Here I was hoping that the invocations would have a theme of "something only the gods can do so you call the gods to do it". Anyway, there's vaguely a hint of this but I just can't see it encompassing the Invocations as a while right now.
Then you're already admitting that it has nothing to do with a cohesive theme. Having a cohesive theme isn't a guarantee of every card being stellar. It's also entirely moot if the theme isn't something you like. Say, theoretical "Aggro Creature Theme". That would do nothing for me, and generally wouldn't be a good Masterpiece, even if all the cards in it were strictly on theme.
Another big issue is that outside of really broad themes of "All X" you're going to run into color issues. If you do "All Zombies" on something like Innistrad, it'll be super on theme. But White and Green aren't going to work at all and it's going to be super heavily focused on Black. I'm not saying that Invocations won't wind up having that same issue, depends on what the remaining cards look like, but having more flexible guidelines at least allows you to minimize that kind of problem.
Then you're already admitting that it has nothing to do with a cohesive theme. Having a cohesive theme isn't a guarantee of every card being stellar. It's also entirely moot if the theme isn't something you like. Say, theoretical "Aggro Creature Theme". That would do nothing for me, and generally wouldn't be a good Masterpiece, even if all the cards in it were strictly on theme.
Another big issue is that outside of really broad themes of "All X" you're going to run into color issues. If you do "All Zombies" on something like Innistrad, it'll be super on theme. But White and Green aren't going to work at all and it's going to be super heavily focused on Black. I'm not saying that Invocations won't wind up having that same issue, depends on what the remaining cards look like, but having more flexible guidelines at least allows you to minimize that kind of problem.
I spent a minute editing the post. look back, sorry I had to go afk
EDITED TO:
"nah I don't think that every artifact masterpiece in kaladesh that was printed was stunning. The point is that if I know the population is all X then I also know at least a few will be guaranteed something I even care about"
I'm sure there are specific themes they could do that you wouldn't care about. Again, I can refer back to "All Aggro Creatures" or "All Elves" or any number of things. The only way that there can't be a specific subset you won't care about is if you like all possible subdivisions of Magic. And if you do, then you're complaining about nothing because all the different subdivisions of Magic work for you.
And it doesn't really change the issue about color balance.
I'm sure there are specific themes they could do that you wouldn't care about. Again, I can refer back to "All Aggro Creatures" or "All Elves" or any number of things. The only way that there can't be a specific subset you won't care about is if you like all possible subdivisions of Magic. And if you do, then you're complaining about nothing because all the different subdivisions of Magic work for you.
And it doesn't really change the issue about color balance.
Don't worry man, they're doing what you want anyways.
I'm here to tell them they seemingly, randomly (claim of no theme) chose some cards that I personally cared about having GOOD reprints and made them a BAD reprint. Not just any 'ole bad either, but stupendously bad. (looking)
Well, that's another entirely different issue than the theme, and one I'm more inclined to agree with depending on what exactly it is you want. I'm just saying that the theme has nothing to do with the designs, and neither of those have anything to do with what exactly they reprint except in a very indirect way with the theme. And that's more the Plane's theme than the Masterpiece one.
But as far as the frames and such go I think that it's still a step in a direction I support over something like Inventions. Just a matter of tweaking it, not completely overhauling it.
I guess I'm probably in the minority, but I like the cards in this border for the block. It definitely screams Egypt. As for the theme, it looks like cards that appeared in a PT Top 8 which could also fit in an Egyptian theme (although I'm not sure about Aggravated Assault being in a PT).
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They love and hate to see me walk through the door. I'm the man with the box, one to carry all his Standard cards with him. I've got the commons and uncommons they need. But I've also got my decks. If I walk into FNM, I came to play. And they never know what I'm gonna pull out of my hat next. I may lose more than I win, but it just might be THIS deck that has all the answers that they don't have answers for. They fear the unknown. They fear me. And they never see me coming!
I'm surprised nobody has made a thread yet discussing how absolutely atrocious the new Invocations look. Maybe we're all thinking the same thing and don't see the point in shouting in an echo chamber?
Well I certainly want to shout into the echo chamber that is the skull of whichever person at WoTC let these hideous cards be printed without first asking themselves, "what is the theme this time around"? or "WHAT IF THIS NEW FRAME LOOKS LIKE *****"?
So far we know an Invocation is... A creature, an enchantment, a sorcery, an artifact, an instant....and not a planeswalker or land. So there is no theme here.
NO THEME???
How? what? WHAT?!
These cards are not special. These cards, Force of Will, Mind Twist... ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME PUKE IN MY MOUTH UPON LOOKING AT THEM. Way to destroy any reason for getting these cards WoTC!
Is this the new model for reducing the cost of chase cards? MAKE THEM LOOK LIKE *****??? These printings make me feel a way about this game that I don't like at all. Right now I am actually revolted by the look of a magic card.... with all of the changes of cards frames before how is it a good idea to take cards, cards that haven't seen printing in 20 years in some cases, and make me feel sick about looking at some of my favorite damn cards?!!?
I don't like looking at a Force of Will and imagining a lighter under it as a result. WoTC don't you dare ruin more of our beloved cards with more of this horrendous card frame. Whatever the next set is called, hour of devastation, those masterpieces better have a different frame on them. DO NOT TAINT MY MEMORIES OF GOOD THINGS WITH THIS TRASH.
Rant over!
Ease up on the hyperbole there, bud. Some people like them, a lot of people don't. I actually like the things and I'm willing to bet that it looks better in foil--seeing a matte image doesn't really tell us much about what will pop. Maybe the text and mana symbols will be foiled. Who knows.
EDIT: Skip to 13:00 in Wedge's video to see it straight from WotC...yeah, I still like them.
I find these fairly hideous. The art is too small. The name and card type lines are too busy. The text in the text box looks out of place. Those Bolas horn spears look added in last second. The streaks representing the color of the card have that old, faded look, while the rest of the card has tight, straight, angular lines, if that makes sense. It looks to clean in most aspects. I wish they looked rough, like a stone tablet that's been worn in the desert.
And what I find equally egregious is the lack of theme. Sure, maybe they'll post an article that'll tie everything together. But I'd like to consider myself mildly intelligent. I've been playing this game for nearly 17 years. And I don't see a theme. Invocations should be giant flashy spells with huge effects. Divert is not that. Aven Mindcensor is not that. Chain Lightning is not that. Some of them hit the mark for sure. But most fall incredibly short.
And to add, I'm not complaining about card choices in general. I understand there has to be some "duds." Can't all be Force of Wills and such. But an effect like Spell Pierce does not make me feel like I'm invoking some mega powerful spell.
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I mean, as much as I'd like Invocations being a theme of "expensive mana spells", the theme is probably something closer to "Control", which makes sense. Why they called it Invocations I can't say, but given what I think of Invocation as I wouldn't really see giant flashy spells as being more fitting.
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I'm surprised nobody has made a thread yet discussing how absolutely atrocious the new Invocations look. Maybe we're all thinking the same thing and don't see the point in shouting in an echo chamber?
Well I certainly want to shout into the echo chamber that is the skull of whichever person at WoTC let these hideous cards be printed without first asking themselves, "what is the theme this time around"? or "WHAT IF THIS NEW FRAME LOOKS LIKE *****"?
So far we know an Invocation is... A creature, an enchantment, a sorcery, an artifact, an instant....and not a planeswalker or land. So there is no theme here.
NO THEME???
How? what? WHAT?!
These cards are not special. These cards, Force of Will, Mind Twist... ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME PUKE IN MY MOUTH UPON LOOKING AT THEM. Way to destroy any reason for getting these cards WoTC!
Is this the new model for reducing the cost of chase cards? MAKE THEM LOOK LIKE *****??? These printings make me feel a way about this game that I don't like at all. Right now I am actually revolted by the look of a magic card.... with all of the changes of cards frames before how is it a good idea to take cards, cards that haven't seen printing in 20 years in some cases, and make me feel sick about looking at some of my favorite damn cards?!!?
I don't like looking at a Force of Will and imagining a lighter under it as a result. WoTC don't you dare ruin more of our beloved cards with more of this horrendous card frame. Whatever the next set is called, hour of devastation, those masterpieces better have a different frame on them. DO NOT TAINT MY MEMORIES OF GOOD THINGS WITH THIS TRASH.
Rant over!
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
I wouldn't mind getting one in my pack but isn't something i'll rushlly chase to get normally...
But personally, I like the idea of Invocations more than what they did with Kaladesh Inventions (think that was the name for them). I think they could have tweaked it some and I'd be a lot happier with it, but overall? I'm much more a fan of a step in this direction.
As far as the theme goes, that's harder to say. I'll wait until they actually release an article about all of them before I say there isn't one.
I'm suggesting to the community that the Invocations don't actually have a theme compared to masterpieces. We should come up with a a community name for these things, calling these masterpieces currently takes a stretch of the imagination!
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
I'm gonna stop there. I could go on, though.
At first I thought the theme would be disruption, and then they spoiled Loyal Retainers, so I don't know what's going on anymore whatisthiseven.
The masterpieces at least look like magic cards, these are way over the top.
I have a hard time reading the cards and they dont look like magic cards at all.
----
I hate them and i will hate anyone that plays them, as i have to bother with them because of it.
They just go too far here, they stand out yes, but not in a good way ...
WUBRG#BlackLotusMatterWUBRG
👮👮👮 #BlueLivesMatter 👮👮👮
We haven't had an article on Invocations just yet, so saying they don't have a theme at all is reaching. Maybe it'll turn out to be the case, but it's also equally possible the theme is a bit more abstract than Kaladesh's "shiny artifacts" and Zendikar's "shiny lands".
I see your point!
Wouldn't you be more excited to hear, or see that the next batch of masterpieces actually looked like they have a theme just by looking at them?
We're not getting that intuitive feeling right off the bat with these kinds of cards, there's a lot going on. A bit too much is happening with the font too.
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
Well, as I said, I'm more in favor for something like this than Kaladesh Inventions. A shiny frame doesn't really do it for me, these at least feel legitimately different.
As far as how tight a theme I'd like for Masterpieces, I'd rather there be a bit more flexibility in the theme than "all cards have X quality" where X is something easily identifiable. If all of these cards are meant to be Control cards like I saw someone theorize, I'm fine with that as a theme. It's more interesting than "all cards are Instants" or what have you.
If we can't have Masterpieces that aren't all of the same type when released, (think of how many more releases there will be moving forward..a lot of tries at this) then What reason do I have to believe that there will be anything extraordinary reprinted. If there's no strict theme of type, I know that I'll be getting an excuse for one. It's going to be jank commons and uncommons that work well with the rares.
If I were to say they printed all Sorceries I would have better confidence that there is something there that I personally would care about being reprinted. Something I've been longing to see reprinted..
I want all chases. I want bombs. MASTERPIECES!
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
Modern frames in general are already disgusting and people play with them and have for almost 15 years.
That could happen regardless of a theme. All Sorceries could just as easily be bad cards as it could be good. Having a cohesive theme doesn't help that any. Are you saying that every Artifact in Kaladesh's Inventions was stunning? I don't think so at least, but your stance could vary I suppose. But either way having one super narrow theme like "All X" doesn't ensure that any.
nah I don't think that every artifact masterpiece in kaladesh that was printed was stunning. The point is that if I know the population is all X then I also know at least a few will be guaranteed something I even care about
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
And every single one of us will be stoked to the moon if we actually pull one anyways.
As for a theme, I'm guessing it has to do with godly smackdown, and the colors focus on WUB because that's the gods we'll get in Amonkhet, with RG coming in for HoD. We'll probably get more of a sense on what they wanted in future stories or the artbook.
Ultimately, its so damn rare that Wizards whiffs like this, I think its more jarring than it would otherwise be. And they KNOW they whiffed- they flat out admitted on today's daily update that the response to the Invocations was less than what they'd hoped for.
RBW Mardu Reveler
Commander:
UW Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper - One-Punch Griffin || UR Jhoira, Weatherlight Captain - Historic Tribal Superfriends
GR Omnath, Locus of Rage - Turbo Lands Spellslinger || WURBG Scion of the Ur-Dragon - Living Death Reanimator
BGonti, Lord of Luxury - Gonti's Midnight Party
Under Construction:
WGU Rubinia Soulsinger - Enchantress || RBGU Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder - Cascading Artifacts
RU Jhoira of the Ghitu - Dragonstorm Eldrazi || RU Mizzix of the Izmagnus - Spellslinger
WURBG The Ur-Dragon - Cloning for the Win || WGU Roon of the Hidden Realm - Creature Toolbox
RBGU Vial Smasher the Fierce Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix - Lots'a Combos || BW Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim - Reanimator Combo
WBGU Atraxa, Praetors' Voice - Modified Precon
BUR Nekusar, the Mindrazer || U Arcanis the Omnipotent - Artifact "Storm"
Another big issue is that outside of really broad themes of "All X" you're going to run into color issues. If you do "All Zombies" on something like Innistrad, it'll be super on theme. But White and Green aren't going to work at all and it's going to be super heavily focused on Black. I'm not saying that Invocations won't wind up having that same issue, depends on what the remaining cards look like, but having more flexible guidelines at least allows you to minimize that kind of problem.
I spent a minute editing the post. look back, sorry I had to go afk
EDITED TO:
"nah I don't think that every artifact masterpiece in kaladesh that was printed was stunning. The point is that if I know the population is all X then I also know at least a few will be guaranteed something I even care about"
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
And it doesn't really change the issue about color balance.
Don't worry man, they're doing what you want anyways.
I'm here to tell them they seemingly, randomly (claim of no theme) chose some cards that I personally cared about having GOOD reprints and made them a BAD reprint. Not just any 'ole bad either, but stupendously bad. (looking)
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-general/334931-what-is-the-most-pimp-card-deck-youve-seen-or?comment=5361
Commander
RGOmnath, Locus of Rage Grenades! EDHGR
UWSygg's Defense, EDH - Voltron & ControlWU
BUGMimeoplasm EDH ft. Ifnir Cycling-discard comboBUG
WBTeysa, Connoisseur of CullingBW
BWSelenia & Recruiter of the Guard suicice combo EDHWB
UBRWGO-Kagachi - 5 Color Enchantments - EDHUBRWG
But as far as the frames and such go I think that it's still a step in a direction I support over something like Inventions. Just a matter of tweaking it, not completely overhauling it.
Ease up on the hyperbole there, bud. Some people like them, a lot of people don't. I actually like the things and I'm willing to bet that it looks better in foil--seeing a matte image doesn't really tell us much about what will pop. Maybe the text and mana symbols will be foiled. Who knows.
EDIT: Skip to 13:00 in Wedge's video to see it straight from WotC...yeah, I still like them.
Signature courtesy of Rivenor and Miraculous Recovery
EDH Altered Cards by Galspanic (Seriously, this guy's awesome.)
My Pauper Cube
Tapped-Out Simulator
My Trade Thread
-Decks-
Commander:
GWR Rith, the Awakener RWG
U Kami of the Crescent Moon U (Flagship Deck)
BW Teysa, Orzhov Scion WB
Under Construction:
UBR Crosis, the Purger RBU
Cube:
WUBRGX Pauper XGRBUW
I find these fairly hideous. The art is too small. The name and card type lines are too busy. The text in the text box looks out of place. Those Bolas horn spears look added in last second. The streaks representing the color of the card have that old, faded look, while the rest of the card has tight, straight, angular lines, if that makes sense. It looks to clean in most aspects. I wish they looked rough, like a stone tablet that's been worn in the desert.
And what I find equally egregious is the lack of theme. Sure, maybe they'll post an article that'll tie everything together. But I'd like to consider myself mildly intelligent. I've been playing this game for nearly 17 years. And I don't see a theme. Invocations should be giant flashy spells with huge effects. Divert is not that. Aven Mindcensor is not that. Chain Lightning is not that. Some of them hit the mark for sure. But most fall incredibly short.
And to add, I'm not complaining about card choices in general. I understand there has to be some "duds." Can't all be Force of Wills and such. But an effect like Spell Pierce does not make me feel like I'm invoking some mega powerful spell.
STANDARD:
RRRMono RedRRR
MODERN:
BGBeatdown ElvesBG
GWDevoted Druid ComboGW
EDH:
URGMaelstrom WandererURG
BBBSheoldred, Whispering OneBBB
BGNath of the Gilt-LeafBG
Looking for Knowledge Pools! All languages, conditions, foil/non-foil, etc. PM me with your Pools and we can work something out