Wait I am confused, what information is there causing people to believe this guy is related to the Izzet
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Originally Posted by Massive Marc
You know back in the old days, when there wasn't EDH, these "griefer" cards in decks were the norm. If you played a Winter Orb when you're opponents were tapped out, it was a good play. Now, you get people tell you they wanna punch you ? It's really sad how carebare this format is, to the point that some loser has to rip up your cards.
How is the steampunk feel of Ral Zarek supposed to fit into the horror, somewhat gothic feel of the set that we have seen so far? While steam punk can be kind of victorian, it feels a little bit too "fun" to be "horror".
Ral Zarek fits into Innistrad the same way Elspeth fit into Mirrodin.
By putting an out-of-place character into a themed set, their planeswalker flavor is accentuated.
Gah, he HAS to be Izzet.. (a small detail I just noticed. Not sure if it's been pointed out already):
If you look at the style of the Izzet in the image uploaded by luminum can, you can see the blue parts of their clothing have those little swirls. Zoom into Ral's picture there. Above his left hand, on the blue part of his clothing... what's that? swirls?
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Quote from Ninja Caterpie »
I expect with this [Transform] mechanic that everyone playing a Werewolf tribal deck will say "Autobots, rollout!" whenever the majority of their army transforms.
Gah, he HAS to be Izzet.. (a small detail I just noticed. Not sure if it's been pointed out already):
If you look at the style of the Izzet in the image uploaded by luminum can, you can see the blue parts of their clothing have those little swirls. Zoom into Ral's picture there. Above his left hand, on the blue part of his clothing... what's that? swirls?
Why do kids think Ral Zarek is a planeswalker from Ravnica?
Why, it's the Izzety sugar swirls in every bite!
Ral Zarek- The taste you can see!
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When you lose to back-to-back Banefires in limited, only to learn they were both passed to the opponent during the draft, you begin to question the stability of your playgroup.
I may be a fan and I may be a boy, but I am by no means a "fanboy."
Why do kids think Ral Zarek is a planeswalker from Ravnica?
Why, it's the Izzety sugar swirls in every bite!
Ral Zarek- The taste you can see!
I admit, I am a little desperate.
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Quote from Ninja Caterpie »
I expect with this [Transform] mechanic that everyone playing a Werewolf tribal deck will say "Autobots, rollout!" whenever the majority of their army transforms.
I agree, a shame it wasn't the Orzhova who had a planeswalker made. But to be honest, any homage to Ravnica is appreciated by me, whether it's from my favourite or least favourite guild.
To be honest, I'm sure Wizards is tracking that revisiting Ravnica (a good idea) is going to have an enormously greater response from the consumer base rather than revisiting Mirrodin (a pretty foolish idea).
IMHO
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When you lose to back-to-back Banefires in limited, only to learn they were both passed to the opponent during the draft, you begin to question the stability of your playgroup.
I may be a fan and I may be a boy, but I am by no means a "fanboy."
I agree, a shame it wasn't the Orzhova who had a planeswalker made. But to be honest, any homage to Ravnica is appreciated by me, whether it's from my favourite or least favourite guild.
To be honest, I'm sure Wizards is tracking that revisiting Ravnica (a good idea) is going to have an enormously greater response from the consumer base rather than revisiting Mirrodin (a pretty foolish idea).
IMHO
Ravnica was my fave set but ya cant deny Mirrodin is beast
Whether players in general or those who found a great deal of success playing during that block want to admit it, Mirrodin's name has a pretty negative conotation.
Mechanically the block had many interesting and creative concepts which encouraged players to find synergy and efficient interactions between different cards. However, this didn't change the fact that the competitive and casual environment eventually degenerated into housing a few very basic win conditions that unless you deliberately designed your library to counter or also play with, you would have a difficult time proving your rogue idea as worthwhile.
While this was the case, still it was the card interaction/combo concept that many people did enjoy about Mirrodin and were excitedly anticipating to return with a revisit to the plane. For the most part many have become tired with an environment of single-drop killers. However, that's all Scars brought to the table. More single-drop killers, with impressive or intricate card combos far in between to the point of being negligible.
If the concept of Phyrexians wasn't the overarching flavour theme behind returning to Mirrodin, the block as a whole would definitely not have been as "successful" in terms of revisiting a plane as they didn't bring anything to the table that isn't just blatant powercreep. They weren't presenting alternative win conditions, just superior win conditions. Cool story bro'.
As a Wizards employee, marketing analyst, or even the custodian that cleans their main lobby every night, you don't need to create an "experimental set" and revisit some random older plane to determine if as a concept it will be successful. Just reading the deluge of consumer testimonies and opinions about which set they would consider the "best" or "favourite" or flat out "most desired to revisit," you know that it's simple a matter of time that they would return to Ravnica. Regardless of whether the "experimental set" is a relative success or not.
And honestly, if the "experiment" is taking the plane from one mechanical theme to a complete different one, you might as well just make a new plane altogether. Even though the flavour does paint a pretty picture, what most people will accept in terms of remembering a block by is the mechanical themes that made it what it was, (Mirrodin being broken artifact interactions, Ravnica being about dredge, Lorwyn being being about flashing Fae and bulldozing Elves, etc.).
Now, you can call me naive if that's the case, but I'll be more than willing to bet that even if their little "experimental set" was about Kamigawa, and it was a horrible "failure," Wizards would still be anxiously ready to return us to Ravnica at some point in the near future.
Maybe I'm wrong, but some things don't require numbers to determine if it's a good or bad idea. Just simple observation...
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When you lose to back-to-back Banefires in limited, only to learn they were both passed to the opponent during the draft, you begin to question the stability of your playgroup.
I may be a fan and I may be a boy, but I am by no means a "fanboy."
as much as i like revisiting planes and taking up old stories..... i would prefer it if Wizards created some more original property.
i mean, Zendikar, Alara, Ravnica.... these are all amazing 'storyscapes' with an incredible amount of detail and finish.
i'm more interested in seeing what else they can come up with, than seeing them flesh out a universe for the second time, no matter how good it was the first time round.
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Modern: G Tron, Vannifar, Jund, Druid/Vizier combo, Humans, Eldrazi Stompy (Serum Powder), Amulet, Grishoalbrand, Breach Titan, Turns, Eternal Command, As Foretold Living End, Elves, Cheerios, RUG Scapeshift
as much as i like revisiting planes and taking up old stories..... i would prefer it if Wizards created some more original property.
i mean, Zendikar, Alara, Ravnica.... these are all amazing 'storyscapes' with an incredible amount of detail and finish.
i'm more interested in seeing what else they can come up with, than seeing them flesh out a universe for the second time, no matter how good it was the first time round.
But isn't that what we are getting right now? The best of two worlds? If we alterrnate between a new plane and an old plane each year and continue to expand the world creation through secondary products like Planechase and Commander, then there is tons of fuel for both those that want to see new worlds and those that want to see the continuation of unfinished storylines.
I personally am happy this way - even though it actually means waiting twice as long until we finally have all of Egyptian Set/Western Set/Stone Age Set/Steam Punk Set. That is unless we get an Egyptian Stone Age... or a set containing Will Smith.
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Planar Chaos was not a mistake neither was it random. You might want to look at it again.
[thread=239793][Game] Level Up - Creature[/thread]
Maybe I'm wrong, but some things don't require numbers to determine if it's a good or bad idea. Just simple observation...
The return to Mirrodin wasn't necessarily done just to determine if it was a good or bad idea. If Scars block had been a huge failure I dont think it would have put the brakes on ever revisiting other planes again. But it served to help work out the kinks in the process so they can do it better next time.
They knew that with Scars block they had an ace up their sleeve in the return of the Phyrexians. The focus wasn't just all about revisiting Mirrodin. But it gave them some valuable insight so that when they revisit other planes, they have a better idea of how to approach it, what to do and what not to do, etc.
Is it me from that background this world looks like the one from Castlevania? Sign me up big fan of Castlevania if this world is like it with the creatures and such. Also hoping this guy Ral's abilities are good.
Is it me from that background this world looks like the one from Castlevania? Sign me up big fan of Castlevania if this world is like it with the creatures and such. Also hoping this guy Ral's abilities are good.
What an amazing find! He looks very Izzet-esque, just with a darker, more serious tone to the art rather than the almost cartoonish tone we saw in Guidpact.
He has a slit in his chest. Venser gave his heart to karn to reignite his spark so venser died. This Ral Zarek guy has a maching on his body and the machine is partly hooked up to some mask thing (up by his face).
Maybe to help him survive after switching hearts with a particular golem!?!?!?
Anyway, this guy looks about as izzet as you can get without there being an explosion in the backround.
RUG MIDRANGE
Legacy-
ESPER STONEBLADE
You know back in the old days, when there wasn't EDH, these "griefer" cards in decks were the norm. If you played a Winter Orb when you're opponents were tapped out, it was a good play. Now, you get people tell you they wanna punch you ? It's really sad how carebare this format is, to the point that some loser has to rip up your cards.
His clothes are identical to the style worn by Izzet mages.
R Citizen Cane (Feldon of the Third Path)
By putting an out-of-place character into a themed set, their planeswalker flavor is accentuated.
If you look at the style of the Izzet in the image uploaded by luminum can, you can see the blue parts of their clothing have those little swirls. Zoom into Ral's picture there. Above his left hand, on the blue part of his clothing... what's that? swirls?
Amazing banners made by Brofaux.
so is it 3 or 2 weeks? I would also think 3 weeks.
Why do kids think Ral Zarek is a planeswalker from Ravnica?
Why, it's the Izzety sugar swirls in every bite!
Ral Zarek- The taste you can see!
I may be a fan and I may be a boy, but I am by no means a "fanboy."
I admit, I am a little desperate.
Amazing banners made by Brofaux.
To be honest, I'm sure Wizards is tracking that revisiting Ravnica (a good idea) is going to have an enormously greater response from the consumer base rather than revisiting Mirrodin (a pretty foolish idea).
IMHO
I may be a fan and I may be a boy, but I am by no means a "fanboy."
Ravnica was my fave set but ya cant deny Mirrodin is beast
Mechanically the block had many interesting and creative concepts which encouraged players to find synergy and efficient interactions between different cards. However, this didn't change the fact that the competitive and casual environment eventually degenerated into housing a few very basic win conditions that unless you deliberately designed your library to counter or also play with, you would have a difficult time proving your rogue idea as worthwhile.
While this was the case, still it was the card interaction/combo concept that many people did enjoy about Mirrodin and were excitedly anticipating to return with a revisit to the plane. For the most part many have become tired with an environment of single-drop killers. However, that's all Scars brought to the table. More single-drop killers, with impressive or intricate card combos far in between to the point of being negligible.
If the concept of Phyrexians wasn't the overarching flavour theme behind returning to Mirrodin, the block as a whole would definitely not have been as "successful" in terms of revisiting a plane as they didn't bring anything to the table that isn't just blatant powercreep. They weren't presenting alternative win conditions, just superior win conditions. Cool story bro'.
As a Wizards employee, marketing analyst, or even the custodian that cleans their main lobby every night, you don't need to create an "experimental set" and revisit some random older plane to determine if as a concept it will be successful. Just reading the deluge of consumer testimonies and opinions about which set they would consider the "best" or "favourite" or flat out "most desired to revisit," you know that it's simple a matter of time that they would return to Ravnica. Regardless of whether the "experimental set" is a relative success or not.
And honestly, if the "experiment" is taking the plane from one mechanical theme to a complete different one, you might as well just make a new plane altogether. Even though the flavour does paint a pretty picture, what most people will accept in terms of remembering a block by is the mechanical themes that made it what it was, (Mirrodin being broken artifact interactions, Ravnica being about dredge, Lorwyn being being about flashing Fae and bulldozing Elves, etc.).
Now, you can call me naive if that's the case, but I'll be more than willing to bet that even if their little "experimental set" was about Kamigawa, and it was a horrible "failure," Wizards would still be anxiously ready to return us to Ravnica at some point in the near future.
Maybe I'm wrong, but some things don't require numbers to determine if it's a good or bad idea. Just simple observation...
I may be a fan and I may be a boy, but I am by no means a "fanboy."
i mean, Zendikar, Alara, Ravnica.... these are all amazing 'storyscapes' with an incredible amount of detail and finish.
i'm more interested in seeing what else they can come up with, than seeing them flesh out a universe for the second time, no matter how good it was the first time round.
But isn't that what we are getting right now? The best of two worlds? If we alterrnate between a new plane and an old plane each year and continue to expand the world creation through secondary products like Planechase and Commander, then there is tons of fuel for both those that want to see new worlds and those that want to see the continuation of unfinished storylines.
I personally am happy this way - even though it actually means waiting twice as long until we finally have all of Egyptian Set/Western Set/Stone Age Set/Steam Punk Set. That is unless we get an Egyptian Stone Age... or a set containing Will Smith.
Finally a good white villain quote: "So, do I ever re-evaluate my life choices? Never, because I know what I'm doing is a righteous cause."
Factions: Sleeping
Remnants: Valheim
Legendary Journey: Heroes & Planeswalkers
Saga: Shards of Rabiah
Legends: The Elder Dragons
Read up on Red Flags & NWO
http://particularlyawesome.blogspot.com/
The return to Mirrodin wasn't necessarily done just to determine if it was a good or bad idea. If Scars block had been a huge failure I dont think it would have put the brakes on ever revisiting other planes again. But it served to help work out the kinks in the process so they can do it better next time.
They knew that with Scars block they had an ace up their sleeve in the return of the Phyrexians. The focus wasn't just all about revisiting Mirrodin. But it gave them some valuable insight so that when they revisit other planes, they have a better idea of how to approach it, what to do and what not to do, etc.
Pinkie is the Best!
Trade list: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=361168
It's Ravnica...
Agree. Looks like Izzet + Ravnica to me.
Quotes in blog.
Giving instants and sorceries flashback every turn?
Maybe to help him survive after switching hearts with a particular golem!?!?!?
Anyway, this guy looks about as izzet as you can get without there being an explosion in the backround.
RBUThraximundarUBRRUNiv-Mizzet, the FiremindUR
BWGhost Council of OrzhovaWBWUBRGChild of AlaraGRBUW
WBRKaalia of the VastRBWGBSapling of ColfenorGB
A R/U PW that gave instants and sorceries flash back would be AMAZING to pair with Chandra 3.0 and Jace 3.0. A new super friends would be built.
Dump your library into your GY with Jace, Flashback with new guy, double them up with Chandra!
Tradsies here: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=336060