Not going to lie, I was seriously disappointed with how Bolas vs the Gatewatch was handled on Amonkhet. The cliche "villain underestimates the heroes so much he is bored of them and lets them all live" thing was such a cop-out. Surely at least one of them should have died there to emphasize the point of what they were dealing with. How much more dramatic the story would have been if, say, Giddeon had died and Jace's mind never fully recovered (say, bouts of mental instability). I just feel like the Gatewatch is a bad comic book or a children's story where the heroes always win. To an extent, it's okay, but it really makes for a dull story when you don't fear for any of them when things go sideways. When Elspeth died, you still didn't feel like she was really gone because of that chance for her to return. I don't need people to die left and right, but maybe one and some serious consequences to others to really drive the point home that they don't always win and that missteps can cost them just like any other protagonist.
I don't think he actually underestimated them and then just spontaneously decided to let them live. He clearly appraised their abilities correctly and the whole battle was just him screwing around without the Gatewatch posing any threat of stopping him. The story also made it clear that he always intended their survival because he has some sort of plan for them.
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The Meaning of Life: "M-hmm. Well, it's nothing very special. Uh, try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations"
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Whether its blue players countering your spells, red players burning you out, or combo, if you have a problem with an aspect of Magic's gameplay, you can fix it!
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
4/5 of them came very close to death. Jace was mind broken and if it wasn't for Ugins trigger he would have stayed and been mind dead, Bolas talked Liliana into running, he nearly crushed Chandra but Nissa slammed an elemental into him, he nearly strangled Nissa but Gideon got a lucky hit that let her escape and then he basically let Gideon decide for himself to live or die.
We also see from the end of Dominaria that Bolas indeed had a better use for Liliana then killing her on Amonkhet.
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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't seem to grow a full mustache"
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Well, we know for sure Bolas has a plan for Liliana, that surprised no one. Bolas toying with the Gatewatch was one of those moments where they were exposed to danger, but "they are okay cuz they are the good guys". Even the Ugin thing was a source of plot armor for Jace, even if it was driving the story forward. Are any of them truly worse off right now? Jace is actually stronger than he was. Chandra is just angry and looking to get stronger (luckily she has a mentor now). Nissa was ultimately fine and decided to return to Zendikar. Gideon is honestly the most affected currently, as his will and beliefs are pretty shaken (though, he's still willing to fight). Between their tangling with the Eldrazi titans and Bolas, they really don't seem to ever really be in any compelling danger.
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I don't think he actually underestimated them and then just spontaneously decided to let them live. He clearly appraised their abilities correctly and the whole battle was just him screwing around without the Gatewatch posing any threat of stopping him. The story also made it clear that he always intended their survival because he has some sort of plan for them.
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
We also see from the end of Dominaria that Bolas indeed had a better use for Liliana then killing her on Amonkhet.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"