Expansion looks terrible but I guess it's nice to have the option if you're already playing Explosion. And Explosion looks like it is more support for a counter-burn style deck, along with Ionize and Guttersnipe. Could be good enough.
Not a fan of Expansion only being able to target smaller spells for the same cost as Reverberate/Twincast, but overall it's fine.
Considering it's both more flexible in cost than those two in addition to having a second mode (that incidentally could be copied by a second Expansion//Explosion) I don't know what you want from it.
I'm just realizing that the hybrid on each of these shows the shadow/rebel faction leader while the gold side shows the current public leader, similar to the two guildgate arts. Really cool touch and it's neat that Niv is representing the "out of power" faction on this one.
Reminds me a lot of the expansion for the Babylon 5 CCG where all the races got secondary ambassadors so you could split the factions.
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.
I'm just realizing that the hybrid on each of these shows the shadow/rebel faction leader while the gold side shows the current public leader, similar to the two guildgate arts. Really cool touch and it's neat that Niv is representing the "out of power" faction on this one.
Reminds me a lot of the expansion for the Babylon 5 CCG where all the races got secondary ambassadors so you could split the factions.
Seems to be the hybrid side is the guild champion and the multicolor side is the guild leader on the rare split cards.
“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"
Are the rare split cards potentially telling stories from conflicting interests inside each guild?
Certainly looks that way.
Izzet is Niv VS Ral, with Ral having ostensibly usurped control of the guild from Niv-Mizzet.
Golgari is Vraska, current Queen of the Golgari (having stolen the position of Guildleader from Jarad) VS Izoni, a member of the Devkerin elves, who were in power under Jarad and not appear to have been cast down after his demise.
Boros is Tajic, who from what we can tell is advocating an insular-sort-of-isolationist stance among the Boros (refusing to aid the other Guilds in trouble) VS Aurelia, who appear to be in a more cooperative mood (interstingly an apparent reversal of their positions in the last Ravnica block).
And I think we've yet to see Dimir (Lazav VS Etrata) or Selesnya (Emmara VS Trostani), but it seems like Lazav and Emmara will be the "good guys" of their guilds.
I'm just realizing that the hybrid on each of these shows the shadow/rebel faction leader while the gold side shows the current public leader, similar to the two guildgate arts. Really cool touch and it's neat that Niv is representing the "out of power" faction on this one.
Reminds me a lot of the expansion for the Babylon 5 CCG where all the races got secondary ambassadors so you could split the factions.
Seems to be the hybrid side is the guild champion and the multicolor side is the guild leader on the rare split cards.
I think the other possibility makes more sense, Niv and Izoni are (judging from the flavor text of the guildgates) working against or at least apart from the rest of their guilds. With Vraska and Ral working for Bolas as leaders of their respective guilds, it is very likely that this time it's a "rebel//current leader" split at least for the Bolas-controlled guilds (though the other guilds seem to have their own inner conflicts as well, with Trostani and Tajic both showing rather hostile opinions of anyone outside their guilds while Emmara and Aurelia (surprisingly in the latter case) seem to have more open views). Definitely interesting.
damn explosion is expensive, and expansion is an effect that has never gained much traction in competitive play.
looks like more edh fodder to me.
I mean, Explosion is only 1 mana more than Sphinx's Revelation and for that extra mana you get to actually effect the board instead of just gaining some life. Explosion definitely has a chance to see significant play.
Explosion will see play. It works almost the same way as Sphinx's Rev but not with the life gain, and while I don't see it as an automatic 4-of like Rev did I think there will be two copies in any Grixis/Jeskai control deck. Time will tell if the trade off of lifegain vs blowing stuff up is comparable.
EDIT: Copy spell effects normally suck but because of the flexibility with the playable second half, I just know I'm going to get Assassin's Trophy'd on my self at some point in Standard.
damn explosion is expensive, and expansion is an effect that has never gained much traction in competitive play.
looks like more edh fodder to me.
I mean, Explosion is only 1 mana more than Sphinx's Revelation and for that extra mana you get to actually effect the board instead of just gaining some life. Explosion definitely has a chance to see significant play.
noteworthy that its also harder to cast than rev, though i dont think it should be too difficult. im not sure straight izzet has the tools to play control (yet anyways).
id also argue that incidental life gain is more valuable to a control deck. so every case where the damage clause isnt netting you a card (killing a creature/walker) puts it another step below rev in my book. there would have to be a high density of burn spells or flash threats. ionize being around is a plus.
maybe jeskai can make use of it. teferis + ability can act as pseudo ramp.
even still 5 mana deal 1 draw 1....yeesh.
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Modern: UWGSnow-Bant Control BURGrixis Death's Shadow GWBCoCo Elves WCDeath and Taxes (sold)
Copying spells has never been great for competitive play because of the randomness of what opponents are doing, and the mana intensity you require to copy one of your own spells. But is important to note the you can counterspell any counterspell by copying it.
So if a meta is control heavy, then it absolutely has merit. The hybrid cost is a factor, being able to pay UU or UR or RR will help with casting your own spells and the ability to hold up appropriate mana to react.
Now the Explosion is expensive, mainly for the need to have double of blue and double of red mana.
I do wish this itself had a hybrid, like xUR
I think this would have made this card still right on power level and more inclined for competitive play. But I wouldn't discount it, it is a powerful effect late game, as removal and draw. Lets say you use it on Turn 7 for removing a creature and drawing 3 cards. Not amazing but for the fact that you can use this against control decks early game, it certainly could see play in Standard as maybe a one of.
Will be commander decks, as generating a million mana is very doable.
Explosion supports the Wizard Izzet (Wizzet?) counterburn archtype that looks to be doable, with Electromancer, Wizard’s Lightning/Retort, and Ionize. I am waiting for the playable Jump Start card.
The copy spell has a workable limitation. Most target spells are 4 or less anyway. Also interesting for the counterburn mirror.
Are the rare split cards potentially telling stories from conflicting interests inside each guild?
My impression: The hybrid side always depicts the current rare legendary charactaer and the gold side the current mythic legendary character (characters may be creatures or planeswalkers) - the mythic is going to be the de facto guild leader for the coming conflict of 5 guilds pro-Bolas vs. 5 guilds contra-Bolas, while the rare is a further character from the guild; Izzet apparently gets under Ral's control without taking out Niv-Mizzet completely (as opposed to Jarad and ISperia which are, as it appears, going to the graveyard), so the rare spot is taken by the former Guild Leader and eternal Parun.
The flavor texts of the Guildgates seems to go into the direction that the characters within each guild are also represents a philosophical difference. In Izzet and Golgari (both taken over by pro-Bolas planeswalkers) the rare characters clearly don't agree with the new leadership and in Boros Tajic seems to disagree with Aurelia's policy. The Dimir and Selesnya flavor texts seem less telling - especially not knowing anything about Etrata.
It's telling that all the legendary characters in the flavor texts are mentioned without the titles they are going to have as cards.
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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]
I actually like this card, though I'm not sure how well it will play in practice. The biggest issue I have with copy effects is they do nothing on there own, and the biggest issue I have with the draw x cards template is they're dead early. These two effects compliment each other very nicely. It is worth noting that if you put enough incidental burn in your deck you don't really need a win con. I think the counter burn style deck is at the point where it can burn someone out from 20.
It either kills something and draws cards late game, or it works as a "counterspell against counterspells" , or copies removal and such.
All it does is solid.
But its probably simply too expensive for older formats. But still, if you run red/blue , you really want to consider playing this card if you plan to ever have a number of lands in play.
The flavor texts of the Guildgates seems to go into the direction that the characters within each guild are also represents a philosophical difference. In Izzet and Golgari (both taken over by pro-Bolas planeswalkers) the rare characters clearly don't agree with the new leadership and in Boros Tajic seems to disagree with Aurelia's policy. The Dimir and Selesnya flavor texts seem less telling - especially not knowing anything about Etrata.
From a lore point of view this makes sense on two fronts:
1. Allied colors (Selesnya, Dimir) are unified in their designs, Enemy colors (Izzet, Boros, Golgari) are not.
2. While there are many areas Selesnya and Dimir are diametrically opposed, there are a few choice topics they seem on the same page for. In this case, what's good for them is also what's good for Ravnica. So it stands to reason that all of the Dimir understand that the threat must be taken out (to protect Dimir interests) while all of Selesnya is seeking 'peace' in Ravnica by any means (and Bolas stands against that).
Basically the signs point to Dimir and Selesnya coming together rather quickly, Boros reluctantly (and possibly after a civil war within its ranks), and with at least one giant supergenius Dragon being really upset at his own guild marked with his likeness not being loyal to him.
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This is also instant speed.
Explosion is expensive, but a solid finisher late game.
Reminds me a lot of the expansion for the Babylon 5 CCG where all the races got secondary ambassadors so you could split the factions.
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.
Seems to be the hybrid side is the guild champion and the multicolor side is the guild leader on the rare split cards.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Izzet is Niv VS Ral, with Ral having ostensibly usurped control of the guild from Niv-Mizzet.
Golgari is Vraska, current Queen of the Golgari (having stolen the position of Guildleader from Jarad) VS Izoni, a member of the Devkerin elves, who were in power under Jarad and not appear to have been cast down after his demise.
Boros is Tajic, who from what we can tell is advocating an insular-sort-of-isolationist stance among the Boros (refusing to aid the other Guilds in trouble) VS Aurelia, who appear to be in a more cooperative mood (interstingly an apparent reversal of their positions in the last Ravnica block).
And I think we've yet to see Dimir (Lazav VS Etrata) or Selesnya (Emmara VS Trostani), but it seems like Lazav and Emmara will be the "good guys" of their guilds.
I think the other possibility makes more sense, Niv and Izoni are (judging from the flavor text of the guildgates) working against or at least apart from the rest of their guilds. With Vraska and Ral working for Bolas as leaders of their respective guilds, it is very likely that this time it's a "rebel//current leader" split at least for the Bolas-controlled guilds (though the other guilds seem to have their own inner conflicts as well, with Trostani and Tajic both showing rather hostile opinions of anyone outside their guilds while Emmara and Aurelia (surprisingly in the latter case) seem to have more open views). Definitely interesting.
looks like more edh fodder to me.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)EDIT: Copy spell effects normally suck but because of the flexibility with the playable second half, I just know I'm going to get Assassin's Trophy'd on my self at some point in Standard.
Standard: BG Golgari Midrange
Modern: U Merfolk GWUBR 5 Color Humans UBW Esper Gifts GW Bogles
noteworthy that its also harder to cast than rev, though i dont think it should be too difficult. im not sure straight izzet has the tools to play control (yet anyways).
id also argue that incidental life gain is more valuable to a control deck. so every case where the damage clause isnt netting you a card (killing a creature/walker) puts it another step below rev in my book. there would have to be a high density of burn spells or flash threats. ionize being around is a plus.
maybe jeskai can make use of it. teferis + ability can act as pseudo ramp.
even still 5 mana deal 1 draw 1....yeesh.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)So if a meta is control heavy, then it absolutely has merit. The hybrid cost is a factor, being able to pay UU or UR or RR will help with casting your own spells and the ability to hold up appropriate mana to react.
Now the Explosion is expensive, mainly for the need to have double of blue and double of red mana.
I do wish this itself had a hybrid, like xUR
I think this would have made this card still right on power level and more inclined for competitive play. But I wouldn't discount it, it is a powerful effect late game, as removal and draw. Lets say you use it on Turn 7 for removing a creature and drawing 3 cards. Not amazing but for the fact that you can use this against control decks early game, it certainly could see play in Standard as maybe a one of.
Will be commander decks, as generating a million mana is very doable.
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Feather, the Redeemed
Estrid, the Masked
Teshar
Tymna/Ravos
Najeela, Blade-Blossom
Firesong & Sunspeaker
Zur the Enchanter
Lazav, the Multifarious
Ishai+Reyhan
Click images for decks->
-Prime Speaker Vannifar
---------------------Will & Rowan Kenrith
The copy spell has a workable limitation. Most target spells are 4 or less anyway. Also interesting for the counterburn mirror.
My impression: The hybrid side always depicts the current rare legendary charactaer and the gold side the current mythic legendary character (characters may be creatures or planeswalkers) - the mythic is going to be the de facto guild leader for the coming conflict of 5 guilds pro-Bolas vs. 5 guilds contra-Bolas, while the rare is a further character from the guild; Izzet apparently gets under Ral's control without taking out Niv-Mizzet completely (as opposed to Jarad and ISperia which are, as it appears, going to the graveyard), so the rare spot is taken by the former Guild Leader and eternal Parun.
The flavor texts of the Guildgates seems to go into the direction that the characters within each guild are also represents a philosophical difference. In Izzet and Golgari (both taken over by pro-Bolas planeswalkers) the rare characters clearly don't agree with the new leadership and in Boros Tajic seems to disagree with Aurelia's policy. The Dimir and Selesnya flavor texts seem less telling - especially not knowing anything about Etrata.
It's telling that all the legendary characters in the flavor texts are mentioned without the titles they are going to have as cards.
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
Stand\Statue
Expansion\Explosion
sad when you can't put a "to" "and" "or" , etc to make the names easier to say.
It either kills something and draws cards late game, or it works as a "counterspell against counterspells" , or copies removal and such.
All it does is solid.
But its probably simply too expensive for older formats. But still, if you run red/blue , you really want to consider playing this card if you plan to ever have a number of lands in play.
WUBRG#BlackLotusMatterWUBRG
👮👮👮 #BlueLivesMatter 👮👮👮
1. Allied colors (Selesnya, Dimir) are unified in their designs, Enemy colors (Izzet, Boros, Golgari) are not.
2. While there are many areas Selesnya and Dimir are diametrically opposed, there are a few choice topics they seem on the same page for. In this case, what's good for them is also what's good for Ravnica. So it stands to reason that all of the Dimir understand that the threat must be taken out (to protect Dimir interests) while all of Selesnya is seeking 'peace' in Ravnica by any means (and Bolas stands against that).
Basically the signs point to Dimir and Selesnya coming together rather quickly, Boros reluctantly (and possibly after a civil war within its ranks), and with at least one giant supergenius Dragon being really upset at his own guild marked with his likeness not being loyal to him.