Did they just pick up the phonebook and point to a random name for her?
What's next?
Mike Smith, Preparer of Taxes
Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses
1)Vivian, derived from the latin name Vivianus meaning "Alive" and was used often in Denmark, Europe, France, Norway. Specifically the name of a bishop who provided protection from the visigoths.
2) Reid is a name used in europe, by older scots. It means "Red" and refers to someone who lived in a clearing or woodland clearing.
3) Her plane's name, Skalla, is a word used in Icelandic and Norse and Swedish.
4) The group she is part of, the Smaragdi, is a middle english word from the 12th century meaning "Emerald".
5) Her artwork: https://am24.akamaized.net/tms/cnt/uploads/2018/06/Vivien-Reid-Anna-Steinbauer_v1_current.jpg
So lets combine this shall we with her artwork.
1) Vivien is in a destroyed/damaged woodland clearing.
2) Vivien has reddish skin.
3) Vivien is alive.
4) The animals, as spirits, are alive.
5) Her clothes, mana, and spirit animals are green like an emerald.
6) She has three emeralds in her clothes.
7) She butted heads (skalla'd) with Nicol Bolas
I don't have a problem with Vivien. I'm expecting that she'll take Nissa's place as the green Gatewatch member; she already has a beef with Bolas, and presumably she won't have a problem with helping protect various planes and their creatures. I see her as "Nissa meets pre-curse Garruk".
As a card, she neatly covers a good portion of green's bases, ideal for a core set PW.
MTGS Wikia Article about "New World Order"
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
PSA to everyone who keeps forgetting about the Reserved List:
You're on a website dedicated to talking about MtG. You're only a few keystrokes away from finding out what cards are on the Reserved List. You're also only a few keystrokes away from finding out why some cards on the Reserved List got foil printings in FtV, as Judge promos, or whatnot, as well as why that won't happen again. Stop doing this.
Did they just pick up the phonebook and point to a random name for her?
What's next?
Mike Smith, Preparer of Taxes
Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses
1)Vivian, derived from the latin name Vivianus meaning "Alive" and was used often in Denmark, Europe, France, Norway. Specifically the name of a bishop who provided protection from the visigoths.
2) Reid is a name used in europe, by older scots. It means "Red" and refers to someone who lived in a clearing or woodland clearing.
3) Her plane's name, Skalla, is a word used in Icelandic and Norse and Swedish.
4) The group she is part of, the Smaragdi, is a middle english word from the 12th century meaning "Emerald".
5) Her artwork: https://am24.akamaized.net/tms/cnt/uploads/2018/06/Vivien-Reid-Anna-Steinbauer_v1_current.jpg
So lets combine this shall we with her artwork.
1) Vivien is in a destroyed/damaged woodland clearing.
2) Vivien has reddish skin.
3) Vivien is alive.
4) The animals, as spirits, are alive.
5) Her clothes, mana, and spirit animals are green like an emerald.
6) She has an emerald in her headband.
Understood, but this is Fantasy, you aren't handcuffed to Earthly naming conventions. There are probably dozens of Vivien Reid just in North America alone. Probably not a lot of Chandra Nalaars out there. (That haven't legally changed their names).
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Did they just pick up the phonebook and point to a random name for her?
What's next?
Mike Smith, Preparer of Taxes
Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses
1)Vivian, derived from the latin name Vivianus meaning "Alive" and was used often in Denmark, Europe, France, Norway. Specifically the name of a bishop who provided protection from the visigoths.
2) Reid is a name used in europe, by older scots. It means "Red" and refers to someone who lived in a clearing or woodland clearing.
3) Her plane's name, Skalla, is a word used in Icelandic and Norse and Swedish.
4) The group she is part of, the Smaragdi, is a middle english word from the 12th century meaning "Emerald".
5) Her artwork: https://am24.akamaized.net/tms/cnt/uploads/2018/06/Vivien-Reid-Anna-Steinbauer_v1_current.jpg
So lets combine this shall we with her artwork.
1) Vivien is in a destroyed/damaged woodland clearing.
2) Vivien has reddish skin.
3) Vivien is alive.
4) The animals, as spirits, are alive.
5) Her clothes, mana, and spirit animals are green like an emerald.
6) She has an emerald in her headband.
Understood, but this is Fantasy, you aren't handcuffed to Earthly naming conventions. There are probably dozens of Vivien Reid just in North America alone. Probably not a lot of Chandra Nalaars out there. (That haven't legally changed their names).
They were chosen with purpose. They were chosen on earthly naming conventions. It maybe fantasy, but the person who created her made intentional flavor choices.
Did they just pick up the phonebook and point to a random name for her?
What's next?
Mike Smith, Preparer of Taxes
Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses
1)Vivian, derived from the latin name Vivianus meaning "Alive" and was used often in Denmark, Europe, France, Norway. Specifically the name of a bishop who provided protection from the visigoths.
2) Reid is a name used in europe, by older scots. It means "Red" and refers to someone who lived in a clearing or woodland clearing.
3) Her plane's name, Skalla, is a word used in Icelandic and Norse and Swedish.
4) The group she is part of, the Smaragdi, is a middle english word from the 12th century meaning "Emerald".
5) Her artwork: https://am24.akamaized.net/tms/cnt/uploads/2018/06/Vivien-Reid-Anna-Steinbauer_v1_current.jpg
So lets combine this shall we with her artwork.
1) Vivien is in a destroyed/damaged woodland clearing.
2) Vivien has reddish skin.
3) Vivien is alive.
4) The animals, as spirits, are alive.
5) Her clothes, mana, and spirit animals are green like an emerald.
6) She has an emerald in her headband.
Understood, but this is Fantasy, you aren't handcuffed to Earthly naming conventions. There are probably dozens of Vivien Reid just in North America alone. Probably not a lot of Chandra Nalaars out there. (That haven't legally changed their names).
They were chosen with purpose. They were chosen on earthly naming conventions. It maybe fantasy, but the person who created her made intentional flavor choices.
And imho I find that suspect. To each their own.
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Did they just pick up the phonebook and point to a random name for her?
What's next?
Mike Smith, Preparer of Taxes
Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses
1)Vivian, derived from the latin name Vivianus meaning "Alive" and was used often in Denmark, Europe, France, Norway. Specifically the name of a bishop who provided protection from the visigoths.
2) Reid is a name used in europe, by older scots. It means "Red" and refers to someone who lived in a clearing or woodland clearing.
3) Her plane's name, Skalla, is a word used in Icelandic and Norse and Swedish.
4) The group she is part of, the Smaragdi, is a middle english word from the 12th century meaning "Emerald".
5) Her artwork: https://am24.akamaized.net/tms/cnt/uploads/2018/06/Vivien-Reid-Anna-Steinbauer_v1_current.jpg
So lets combine this shall we with her artwork.
1) Vivien is in a destroyed/damaged woodland clearing.
2) Vivien has reddish skin.
3) Vivien is alive.
4) The animals, as spirits, are alive.
5) Her clothes, mana, and spirit animals are green like an emerald.
6) She has three emeralds in her clothes.
7) She butted heads (skalla) with Nicol Bolas
Understood, but this is Fantasy, you aren't handcuffed to Earthly naming conventions. There are probably dozens of Vivien Reid just in North America alone. Probably not a lot of Chandra Nalaars out there. (That haven't legally changed their names).
They were chosen with purpose. They were chosen on earthly naming conventions. It maybe fantasy, but the person who created her made intentional flavor choices.
And imho I find that suspect. To each their own.
I can even explain her reddish skin. As aside from her surname of Reid "Red", Vivian's race would be the equivalent of the Thule people, the prototype of Inuits. The Thule and Inuit people themselves can have a bronze-ish and(/or) reddish skin tone. The Visigoths knew of these people and used the word Skraeling for them, this word can mean "weakling". But it at also has variations which mean other things. Skraelingi meaning "barbarian or savage". Skraekja meaning "brawl, shout, or yell". While uncertain, the word Skra "dried" may have also been used in reference to the dried animal pelts that the Thule people wore. These terms were also used in later centuries for the Native Indian tribes in the Americas when exploring what is described as Vinland "Wineland" or "Vineland" by Leif Erikson and the other settlement called Straumfjordr "Flowing Inlet" by Erik the Red. The Inuit people themselves are recognized as a Native Indian Tribe. While Leif and Erik had problems with the Native Indians, Thorfinn Karlsefni had peaceful trade negoations with them until an incident involving a bull. Thorfinn and his other colonizers managed to stay there for three years which is the longest for his people before the bull incident.
So to summarize/clarify:
1) The heritage of Vivian Reid's people is most likely based on the Thule/Inuit people.
2) The Inuit people are considered arctic Native Indians.
3) She is a ranger and guardian of nature, which outsiders may perceive her and the Smaragdi as a "savage" or "barbarian" group.
4) She likely brawls with others in her own ranger way.
5) She likely wore dried animal pelts before this outfit.
6) Her people, the Smaragdi, likely fought with Skalla's equivalent of Visigoths when protecting Nature which correlates back to Visigoths trying to Colonize Vinland and getting driven out by the Native Indians.
7) The Smaragdi and Visigoths in this world likely had a tenuous peace treaty before all hell broke loose with Nicol Bolas.
Bet nobody today was expecting a lesson in history and naming conventions of that time period for a planeswalker in a core set.
She's not terribly exciting as a walker. There are planeswalkers that define decks, and then there are walkers like this one that just sort of support decks if nothing better is around. She will see some play, but man this feels vanilla. I guess the idea is that if someone is playing green with ramp she's really a turn 3 or 4 play?
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1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
She's not terribly exciting as a walker. There are planeswalkers that define decks, and then there are walkers like this one that just sort of support decks if nothing better is around. She will see some play, but man this feels vanilla. I guess the idea is that if someone is playing green with ramp she's really a turn 3 or 4 play?
Bet nobody today was expecting a lesson in history and naming conventions of that time period for a planeswalker in a core set.
Believe it or not I knew about 95% of the information you shared. But its good for others that haven't been exposed to that information before.
That said, I still find her a dull planeswalker and would rather see Garruk fill that slot. Again, to each their own.
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Bet nobody today was expecting a lesson in history and naming conventions of that time period for a planeswalker in a core set.
Believe it or not I knew about 95% of the information you shared. But its good for others that haven't been exposed to that information before.
That said, I still find her a dull planeswalker and would rather see Garruk fill that slot. Again, to each their own.
I'm glad you know as well. Sharing knowledge is a wonderful thing.
Mechanically I agree she could use much more interesting abilities. Like I was just spitballing but something more like:
+1: Create a 0/0 green Spirit creature token with two +1/+1 counters and "If it would be dealt damage, prevent it. Remove a +1/+1 counter from it."
-1: Put a +1/+1 counter on target spirit creature you control. Vivien, Spirit Ranger deals damage equal to that creatures power to target creature you don’t control.
-8: [emblem ultimate that works with spirits]
Did they just pick up the phonebook and point to a random name for her?
What's next?
Mike Smith, Preparer of Taxes
Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses
1)Vivian, derived from the latin name Vivianus meaning "Alive" and was used often in Denmark, Europe, France, Norway. Specifically the name of a bishop who provided protection from the visigoths.
2) Reid is a name used in europe, by older scots. It means "Red" and refers to someone who lived in a clearing or woodland clearing.
3) Her plane's name, Skalla, is a word used in Icelandic and Norse and Swedish.
4) The group she is part of, the Smaragdi, is a middle english word from the 12th century meaning "Emerald".
5) Her artwork: https://am24.akamaized.net/tms/cnt/uploads/2018/06/Vivien-Reid-Anna-Steinbauer_v1_current.jpg
So lets combine this shall we with her artwork.
1) Vivien is in a destroyed/damaged woodland clearing.
2) Vivien has reddish skin.
3) Vivien is alive.
4) The animals, as spirits, are alive.
5) Her clothes, mana, and spirit animals are green like an emerald.
6) She has an emerald in her headband.
Understood, but this is Fantasy, you aren't handcuffed to Earthly naming conventions. There are probably dozens of Vivien Reid just in North America alone. Probably not a lot of Chandra Nalaars out there. (That haven't legally changed their names).
Yeah, this comment on MythicSpoiler killed it...
There are dozens of people on Facebook named Vivien Reid that seem more exciting than this card.
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100% Vorthos Spike and Storyline Expert
Former Fact Prospector of the Greek Alliance.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
They pretty much locked Garruk in as green/black since Innistrad (the coreset story basically has him no longer wanting to be mono-green anymore). One reason they went with Nissa for the gatewatch she was literally the only mono green aligned walker they had at the time.
Yeah, doesn't the article tell us about 85% of what we need to now, and we can easily fill in the rest to why we ended up with Vivien this way?
“In 2017, there was a small team of art directors, concept artists, and writers who were tasked with creating a new green Planeswalker who mechanically cared about creatures,” says Helland. “Beyond green-aligned and creature-centric, our goal was to hit an archetype that we were missing in green. So Vivien became our bow-carrying, animal-loving ranger. Because she first debuted in M19, we wanted a character who could have a connection to Nicol Bolas, and that’s why we created the backstory about the destruction of Skalla.”
WOTC: "We needed a green-aligned and creature-centric planeswalker" is pretty repetitive, isn't it?
Garruk was the original Green planeswalker and logically took up the creature-centric role, because what else does Green do? As his storyline developed and he took on a Black-Green persona, Nissa filled in with the one major slot left for Green, lands matter (except for the original theme of Elf tribal) with some creature-centric abilities.
It's 2017 and Core 2019 is in the works, it's got to have a cycle of mono-color planeswalkers and Green's slot is empty because Nissa's back on Zendikar for a future return set and Garruk is crazy.
Because of Green's creature-centric color pie abilities I feel like it's going to have a harder time coming up with new planeswalkers with exciting abilities. All colors get planeswalkers that can create tokens, it would be interesting if WOTC would push the envelope and give Green bigger/better/cheaper creature tokens off their planeswalkers. If you look at Maro's list of Green color pie abilities from the old head to head, they've used almost every single one on a planeswalker so far except for three: Fog ability (hah), Destroy Fliers (now on Vivien) and Must Be Blocked.
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----- "I cannot tune a harp or play a lyre, but I know how to make a small city great." - Themistocles
They couldn't have made her feel more boring and generic if they tried.
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Huey, Dewey and Louie are always dressed in RUG. it is CLEARLY going to be the wedges block Pioneer: WURFaerie fires BRGDragons ModernBGElves WRBurn UR Fires Turns URGift Storm UG Twiddle Storm
She looks like they just made a list of stuff green usually does and then just slapped the first three things on a planeswalker. Hope her non-core set version (if any) will be more interesting.
I recall core sets with more exciting planeswalker cards specific to that set, so I don't think anyone should use that as an excuse.
I'm not a fan of the cards, but checking out the other unveiled cards I like Vivien as a flavor text character and that might be just enough to push her to get another more exciting/fitting card.
Do we know whether the five cycled planeswalkers get two cards each with the planeswalker decks? Maybe there is still hope?
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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]
Did they just pick up the phonebook and point to a random name for her?
What's next?
Mike Smith, Preparer of Taxes
Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses
I, for one, cannot wait for Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses. Gotta have that pâtissier so I can throw pies at all your creatures.
Her card would be a lot more flavorful for sure. (rimshot)
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Do we know whether the five cycled planeswalkers get two cards each with the planeswalker decks? Maybe there is still hope?
We've know that Tezzeret and Lili would be the M19 PW decks so far in advance that we definitely would have known by now if they planned to break away from the 2-per-set formula. Given that they've already leaked, the reveal of other would be a surprise.
If you're looking for hope, then just try to take less stock in the comments on this site. The new Karn got absolutely panned here, and look at how much play he's seeing now.
Do we know whether the five cycled planeswalkers get two cards each with the planeswalker decks? Maybe there is still hope?
We've know that Tezzeret and Lili would be the M19 PW decks so far in advance that we definitely would have known by now if they planned to break away from the 2-per-set formula. Given that they've already leaked, the reveal of other would be a surprise.
If you're looking for hope, then just try to take less stock in the comments on this site. The new Karn got absolutely panned here, and look at how much play he's seeing now.
Miss Reid, I served with Karn. I knew Karn. Karn was a friend of mine. Miss Reid, you're no Karn.
Sorry, couldn't resist. PS I always thought Karn would be good in multiple formats.
Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
If you're looking for hope, then just try to take less stock in the comments on this site. The new Karn got absolutely panned here, and look at how much play he's seeing now.
Maybe I missed something, but most of the complaints I've seen of Vivien had less to do with her being playable, and more to do with her being relatively dull.
Do we know whether the five cycled planeswalkers get two cards each with the planeswalker decks? Maybe there is still hope?
We've know that Tezzeret and Lili would be the M19 PW decks so far in advance that we definitely would have known by now if they planned to break away from the 2-per-set formula. Given that they've already leaked, the reveal of other would be a surprise.
What are you talking about with 2-per-set formula? There will be five planeswalker decks for Core Set 2019. That information is almost a month old.
What I mean with hope is that if Vivien gets two cards, then maybe the other one is more representative of her abilities - the way those who are disappointed with the revealed version would like. It's not about power level.
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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]
Oh, I must have missed that article. Anyhow, if Vivian is really meant to be a replacement for Nissa, but with less baggage, and for Garruk, without reversing course on the direction of his character development, then we're bound to get an interesting version sooner or later. Chandra Nalaar and Jace Beleren are snoozers if not for being among the first batch, and Ajani Goldmane and Sarkhan Vol only had interesting ultimates.
And the complaints about her name are silly imo. Her last name isn't going to appear outside of this card and flavor text, and a bunch of planeswalkers already have real-world first names. I like seeing names that aren't random jumbles of syllables from time to time.
So, what manner of "interesting" effects are some hoping Vivien will have, pray tell?
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MTGS Wikia Article about "New World Order"
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
PSA to everyone who keeps forgetting about the Reserved List:
You're on a website dedicated to talking about MtG. You're only a few keystrokes away from finding out what cards are on the Reserved List. You're also only a few keystrokes away from finding out why some cards on the Reserved List got foil printings in FtV, as Judge promos, or whatnot, as well as why that won't happen again. Stop doing this.
Oh, I must have missed that article. Anyhow, if Vivian is really meant to be a replacement for Nissa, but with less baggage, and for Garruk, without reversing course on the direction of his character development, then we're bound to get an interesting version sooner or later. Chandra Nalaar and Jace Beleren are snoozers if not for being among the first batch, and Ajani Goldmane and Sarkhan Vol only had interesting ultimates.
And the complaints about her name are silly imo. Her last name isn't going to appear outside of this card and flavor text, and a bunch of planeswalkers already have real-world first names. I like seeing names that aren't random jumbles of syllables from time to time.
I agree the name complaint is a rather silly.
Arlinn is also a real name.
Elspeth is a real name.
Jaya and Kaya are both real names.
Sorin is am real name.
Ral might not be a real name(dunno), but Zarek IS.
Hell MOST of the Gatewatch have real names. Liliana, Jace, Chandra, Gideon; all real names. I went to highschool with a girl named Liliana, though she did tend to just go by Lily.
That said I agree that she feel very bland, but then I find most of the mono-colored PW's bland, because they tend to be so hyper-focused on "What does this color do/mean" instead of "Who is this character."
2) Reid is a name used in europe, by older scots. It means "Red" and refers to someone who lived in a clearing or woodland clearing.
3) Her plane's name, Skalla, is a word used in Icelandic and Norse and Swedish.
4) The group she is part of, the Smaragdi, is a middle english word from the 12th century meaning "Emerald".
5) Her artwork: https://am24.akamaized.net/tms/cnt/uploads/2018/06/Vivien-Reid-Anna-Steinbauer_v1_current.jpg
So lets combine this shall we with her artwork.
1) Vivien is in a destroyed/damaged woodland clearing.
2) Vivien has reddish skin.
3) Vivien is alive.
4) The animals, as spirits, are alive.
5) Her clothes, mana, and spirit animals are green like an emerald.
6) She has three emeralds in her clothes.
7) She butted heads (skalla'd) with Nicol Bolas
As a card, she neatly covers a good portion of green's bases, ideal for a core set PW.
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
Understood, but this is Fantasy, you aren't handcuffed to Earthly naming conventions. There are probably dozens of Vivien Reid just in North America alone. Probably not a lot of Chandra Nalaars out there. (That haven't legally changed their names).
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
And imho I find that suspect. To each their own.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
So to summarize/clarify:
1) The heritage of Vivian Reid's people is most likely based on the Thule/Inuit people.
2) The Inuit people are considered arctic Native Indians.
3) She is a ranger and guardian of nature, which outsiders may perceive her and the Smaragdi as a "savage" or "barbarian" group.
4) She likely brawls with others in her own ranger way.
5) She likely wore dried animal pelts before this outfit.
6) Her people, the Smaragdi, likely fought with Skalla's equivalent of Visigoths when protecting Nature which correlates back to Visigoths trying to Colonize Vinland and getting driven out by the Native Indians.
7) The Smaragdi and Visigoths in this world likely had a tenuous peace treaty before all hell broke loose with Nicol Bolas.
Bet nobody today was expecting a lesson in history and naming conventions of that time period for a planeswalker in a core set.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Believe it or not I knew about 95% of the information you shared. But its good for others that haven't been exposed to that information before.
That said, I still find her a dull planeswalker and would rather see Garruk fill that slot. Again, to each their own.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
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Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
The Vorthos community will await the consequences of the Eldrazi Titans' deaths/sealing. We will keep the watch.
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— Teferi
Mechanically I agree she could use much more interesting abilities. Like I was just spitballing but something more like:
-1: Put a +1/+1 counter on target spirit creature you control. Vivien, Spirit Ranger deals damage equal to that creatures power to target creature you don’t control.
-8: [emblem ultimate that works with spirits]
Yeah, this comment on MythicSpoiler killed it...
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Yeah, doesn't the article tell us about 85% of what we need to now, and we can easily fill in the rest to why we ended up with Vivien this way?
WOTC: "We needed a green-aligned and creature-centric planeswalker" is pretty repetitive, isn't it?
Garruk was the original Green planeswalker and logically took up the creature-centric role, because what else does Green do? As his storyline developed and he took on a Black-Green persona, Nissa filled in with the one major slot left for Green, lands matter (except for the original theme of Elf tribal) with some creature-centric abilities.
It's 2017 and Core 2019 is in the works, it's got to have a cycle of mono-color planeswalkers and Green's slot is empty because Nissa's back on Zendikar for a future return set and Garruk is crazy.
Because of Green's creature-centric color pie abilities I feel like it's going to have a harder time coming up with new planeswalkers with exciting abilities. All colors get planeswalkers that can create tokens, it would be interesting if WOTC would push the envelope and give Green bigger/better/cheaper creature tokens off their planeswalkers. If you look at Maro's list of Green color pie abilities from the old head to head, they've used almost every single one on a planeswalker so far except for three: Fog ability (hah), Destroy Fliers (now on Vivien) and Must Be Blocked.
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I, for one, cannot wait for Jane Doe, Baker to the Masses. Gotta have that pâtissier so I can throw pies at all your creatures.
Mr. Jiggles comin' to town and gonna take you on down to the hootenanny, so y'all best be lookin' out for a good, jiggly time.
I recall core sets with more exciting planeswalker cards specific to that set, so I don't think anyone should use that as an excuse.
I'm not a fan of the cards, but checking out the other unveiled cards I like Vivien as a flavor text character and that might be just enough to push her to get another more exciting/fitting card.
Do we know whether the five cycled planeswalkers get two cards each with the planeswalker decks? Maybe there is still hope?
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
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Read up on Red Flags & NWO
Her card would be a lot more flavorful for sure. (rimshot)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
We've know that Tezzeret and Lili would be the M19 PW decks so far in advance that we definitely would have known by now if they planned to break away from the 2-per-set formula. Given that they've already leaked, the reveal of other would be a surprise.
If you're looking for hope, then just try to take less stock in the comments on this site. The new Karn got absolutely panned here, and look at how much play he's seeing now.
Miss Reid, I served with Karn. I knew Karn. Karn was a friend of mine. Miss Reid, you're no Karn.
Sorry, couldn't resist. PS I always thought Karn would be good in multiple formats.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Maybe I missed something, but most of the complaints I've seen of Vivien had less to do with her being playable, and more to do with her being relatively dull.
What are you talking about with 2-per-set formula? There will be five planeswalker decks for Core Set 2019. That information is almost a month old.
What I mean with hope is that if Vivien gets two cards, then maybe the other one is more representative of her abilities - the way those who are disappointed with the revealed version would like. It's not about power level.
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
And the complaints about her name are silly imo. Her last name isn't going to appear outside of this card and flavor text, and a bunch of planeswalkers already have real-world first names. I like seeing names that aren't random jumbles of syllables from time to time.
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
I agree the name complaint is a rather silly.
Arlinn is also a real name.
Elspeth is a real name.
Jaya and Kaya are both real names.
Sorin is am real name.
Ral might not be a real name(dunno), but Zarek IS.
Hell MOST of the Gatewatch have real names. Liliana, Jace, Chandra, Gideon; all real names. I went to highschool with a girl named Liliana, though she did tend to just go by Lily.
That said I agree that she feel very bland, but then I find most of the mono-colored PW's bland, because they tend to be so hyper-focused on "What does this color do/mean" instead of "Who is this character."