[quote from="RxPhantom »" url="/forums/magic-fundamentals/the-rumor-mill/804209-rna-guildkits?comment=22"]
user: I disagree. This art is quite different, yes, but all other arts except her original one depict her with her walking cane and other stuff. If she were gesturing in this art with her cane instead of her hand, I would fully accept the art.
Do these 4 faces looks to belong to the same women to you? Not even the haircuts are remotely similar one each other. And about the last one is not the cane the only problem. She actually looks asian, this could be more Narset than Teysa.
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Well, the first and second picture is supposed to be cca 50 years apart.
Her first depiction on card was basically Wednesday Addams, though she was over 50 at that time, looking young thanks to Orzhov magic. I would say that the overall best representation of the character, as portrayed originally in the Guildpact and Dissension books, was the second one, Envoy of Ghosts. She is also supposed to be over 110 years old.
The RNA art also depicts a mature woman, a schemer, who knows what she wants. It is kind of Marchesa-like, that is fully fitting.
The kit art is tragic, though. Both in depiction and in the overall flavor.
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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)
Love the orzhov decklist, but in general they seem less interesting than last round, maybe because the first five had better cohesion between abilities across sets.
I looks like they really dropped the ball on Teysa's art. The other 4 are all pretty detailed and Majestic. I realize she's just a human but compared to the art on Teysa Karlov and Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts, she is just so boring. The background is just a purple and white swirl? Its not even a highly detailed swirl, just a smudging of colours. Disappointed.
I looks like they really dropped the ball on Teysa's art. The other 4 are all pretty detailed and Majestic. I realize she's just a human but compared to the art on Teysa Karlov and Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts, she is just so boring. The background is just a purple and white swirl? Its not even a highly detailed swirl, just a smudging of colours. Disappointed.
Yeah, this isn't Teysa. There were so many ways they could have evoked the character: Her cane, her luxurious office, her fancy clothes, her thrull slaves, Melisk, the Obzedat or at least Karlov, making her iconic piercings less invisible, or even the stupid boob window. Anything would've helped the narrative that this is Teysa, but they decided to go out of their way to show nothing. Even the yes men at reddit had the reveal thread closed for unanimous negativity so there's a sliver of hope if this card is ever reprinted again we'll get the old art, or a new art that actually depicts the character properly.
I actually really like this product line. They seem fairly good in terms of power and reprints, and although people don't like some of the artwork, I do enjoy the new alternate arts.
I hope that if we return to other planes in the future, we see similar products that have throwbacks to them.
Theros? Tarkir? Alara?
Theros makes me want alternate Art Terese Nielson Gods!
Love the orzhov decklist, but in general they seem less interesting than last round, maybe because the first five had better cohesion between abilities across sets.
I actually really like this product line. They seem fairly good in terms of power and reprints, and although people don't like some of the artwork, I do enjoy the new alternate arts.
I hope that if we return to other planes in the future, we see similar products that have throwbacks to them.
Theros? Tarkir? Alara?
Theros makes me want alternate Art Terese Nielson Gods!
its plausible, but i dont see it as likely. all those other blocks dont have a second visit yet. ravnica has 3 whole blocks, and a guild system that fits perfectly as a unifying theme.
that isnt to say that wizards wont be diversifying how they can get reprints out there, because i truly believe we are going to be seeing innovation on that front in the near future.
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Modern: UWGSnow-Bant Control BURGrixis Death's Shadow GWBCoCo Elves WCDeath and Taxes (sold)
its plausible, but i dont see it as likely. all those other blocks dont have a second visit yet. ravnica has 3 whole blocks, and a guild system that fits perfectly as a unifying theme.
that isnt to say that wizards wont be diversifying how they can get reprints out there, because i truly believe we are going to be seeing innovation on that front in the near future.
Actually I think these decks should actually replace the Duel Decks (I know those are already gone, but just saying...), just release a set of 5 decks a year with 5 decently built decks each representing a faction/plane (mixed, they don't necessarily have to be all related) with some decent reprints and snazzy new art for the face card (like Duel Decks). Unlike Duel Decks, 5 individual decks allow for more mix-and-matching immediately between newer players and while I'm aware that Commander Decks are technically this system, somehow I feel that there's more cohesiveness when they outright do casual 60-card decks instead.
It's like taking the best aspects of guild kits, duel decks, the bolas archenemy thing/the battle kit thing and commander decks and putting them as a yearly introductory product that has some value to older players (but not enough for us to rush it like sharks and wipe the whole supply like we do with some Commander decks...) and I think it's a winning formula. I'm sure MTG has enough history in its 25 years to run this gauntlet for say, at least 5 years or so and they can theme with Standard Sets if they happen to meet like Ravnica now (not all Duel Decks were thematically on time anyway).
The decklists look generally weaker than the GRN ones, and less valuable too. In fact Rakdos is by far the most valuable at $35, where the least valuable from GRN started.
And yes, Teysa and Zegana are two more victims of identity politics stealing your identity. You are the powerful lawyer of a crime syndicate? The deposed voice of reason in a medical lab that got sold into an arms race? No, you're angry magic woman or angry fighting woman. Individuality might offend someone.
*****ty art direction? Must be those damn SJWs am I right? Same reason I stubbed my toe this morning.
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"Pop in, find a dragon, roast a dragon."
-Chandra Nalaar
*****ty art direction? Must be those damn SJWs am I right? Same reason I stubbed my toe this morning.
Normally i don't like to scream SJW left and right but the way they covered teysa is pretty ridicolous
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How i feel about competitive players and casual players in EDH: The competitive are german tourists, the casual are italian tourists, both in a italian beach. The italians asking themselves "why are the germans here?" make a legitimate question, the answer is because the beach is beautiful, no matter the country you came from. The italians wanting to ban the germans are dumb, because if the germans pay for their stay and follow the rules like everyone else, they have the right to be in the beach. Hovewer, if the germans started to ask themselves "why are the italians here?"... they would be dumb as hell.
*****ty art direction? Must be those damn SJWs am I right? Same reason I stubbed my toe this morning.
I'm assuming you misinterpreted the point (I hope not maliciously):
Teysa and Zegana have an established character identity and the artwork chosen to represent them here goes against that established identity putting them into a very generic "angry mage/warrior" position.
For example, Teysa is a cool, scheming character that is more into plotting, manipulation and backstabbing rather than wiping people away with pretty magic lights. Even in the novels she seldom used magic (if ever) apart from her abnormal longevity.
It is pretty much as if they took Teferi and depicted him striking ogres with an axe or Nissa burning down a forest.
Agree, the new art selection for the cover cards of RNA guildkits are quite strange.
Zegana looks like a generic Merfolk warrior.
Teysa looks like some kind of random wizard. Honestly if the clothing didn't have the Orzhov symbol than even the guild/plane could be questionable.
I don't like the look of new Isperia. She looks like half robot and the wings are strange in that perspective.
Rakdos use a similar pose as Aurelia, The Warleader (Guildkit version). But he is so bulky that the pose look strange, too graceful for him. His knee can easily be mistaken for his belly.
Ruric Thar looks fine
Still Aurelias new artwork is the best one followed by Trostani and Niv-Mizzet (in my view).
The problem with defining this format by what is "fun" is that everyone seems to define fun as what they don't lose to. If you keep losing to easily answered cards, that means you should improve your deck. If you don't want to improve your deck, then you should come to peace with the idea that you are going to lose because you chose to not interact with better strategies.
*****ty art direction? Must be those damn SJWs am I right? Same reason I stubbed my toe this morning.
I'm assuming you misinterpreted the point (I hope not maliciously):
Teysa and Zegana have an established character identity and the artwork chosen to represent them here goes against that established identity putting them into a very generic "angry mage/warrior" position.
For example, Teysa is a cool, scheming character that is more into plotting, manipulation and backstabbing rather than wiping people away with pretty magic lights. Even in the novels she seldom used magic (if ever) apart from her abnormal longevity.
It is pretty much as if they took Teferi and depicted him striking ogres with an axe or Nissa burning down a forest.
I stated that the art direction for both cards is bad in my reply. The fact that these two arts are off character isn't what I'm contesting. What I am contesting is Cainsson's scapegoating which comes off as ridiculous not only because we have no indication that what he proposed is the reason why these arts are the way they are, but all of the art in the actual set, the one that is coming out at the same time as these deck, has several on-character arts for Teysa in particular as well as Zegana's normal art.
It simply read as someone who dropped their ice cream cone, wanted someone to pin it on, and chose the scapegoat people with his attitude always seem to.
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"Pop in, find a dragon, roast a dragon."
-Chandra Nalaar
...Wow I totally never even noticed she had that "hey guys check me out" gap in her shirt. Well at least she bothered to dress more classy this time so that's an actual improvement considering how she's supposed to be rather dignified. She should've at least bothered to have had her hair and make up done in this artwork while she was at it :P.
Well, the first and second picture is supposed to be cca 50 years apart.
Her first depiction on card was basically Wednesday Addams, though she was over 50 at that time, looking young thanks to Orzhov magic. I would say that the overall best representation of the character, as portrayed originally in the Guildpact and Dissension books, was the second one, Envoy of Ghosts. She is also supposed to be over 110 years old.
The RNA art also depicts a mature woman, a schemer, who knows what she wants. It is kind of Marchesa-like, that is fully fitting.
The kit art is tragic, though. Both in depiction and in the overall flavor.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
Casual misogyny is HILARIOUS GUYZ!!!1
Yes, and he is giving birth to a new kind of FUN.
Marath, Will of the Wild
Friendly Kess Twin Combo
Tatyova - Sir Bounce A Lot
Gonti's Luxury Pie
Prime (Eldrazi) Speaker Zegana (Retired)
BChainer, Dementia Master(Big Mana/Reanimator)
BRRakdos, The Showstopper (Mass Life Loss/Ramp)
BUThe Scarab God (Zombie Tribal/Control)
BWKarlov of the Ghost Council (Life Gain)
BGJarad, Golgari Lich Lord (Stompy/Dredge)
BRGProssh, Skyraider of Kher (Tokens/Non-infinite Combo)
I hope that if we return to other planes in the future, we see similar products that have throwbacks to them.
Theros? Tarkir? Alara?
Theros makes me want alternate Art Terese Nielson Gods!
How is that misogynistic?
JundBGR
RW Blood MoonRW
Pauper
Delver U
Elves G
Control B
Commander
Edgar Markov BRW
Captain Sisay GW
Niv-Mizzet, Parun UR
Tymna and Ravos WB
its plausible, but i dont see it as likely. all those other blocks dont have a second visit yet. ravnica has 3 whole blocks, and a guild system that fits perfectly as a unifying theme.
that isnt to say that wizards wont be diversifying how they can get reprints out there, because i truly believe we are going to be seeing innovation on that front in the near future.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)Actually I think these decks should actually replace the Duel Decks (I know those are already gone, but just saying...), just release a set of 5 decks a year with 5 decently built decks each representing a faction/plane (mixed, they don't necessarily have to be all related) with some decent reprints and snazzy new art for the face card (like Duel Decks). Unlike Duel Decks, 5 individual decks allow for more mix-and-matching immediately between newer players and while I'm aware that Commander Decks are technically this system, somehow I feel that there's more cohesiveness when they outright do casual 60-card decks instead.
It's like taking the best aspects of guild kits, duel decks, the bolas archenemy thing/the battle kit thing and commander decks and putting them as a yearly introductory product that has some value to older players (but not enough for us to rush it like sharks and wipe the whole supply like we do with some Commander decks...) and I think it's a winning formula. I'm sure MTG has enough history in its 25 years to run this gauntlet for say, at least 5 years or so and they can theme with Standard Sets if they happen to meet like Ravnica now (not all Duel Decks were thematically on time anyway).
Oh my, triggered much?
EDH DECKS
Currently under construction
MAGECRAFT STORM
-Veyran, Voice of Duality-
Protection from Degeneracy
Do not pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.
-Chandra Nalaar
Normally i don't like to scream SJW left and right but the way they covered teysa is pretty ridicolous
I'm assuming you misinterpreted the point (I hope not maliciously):
Teysa and Zegana have an established character identity and the artwork chosen to represent them here goes against that established identity putting them into a very generic "angry mage/warrior" position.
For example, Teysa is a cool, scheming character that is more into plotting, manipulation and backstabbing rather than wiping people away with pretty magic lights. Even in the novels she seldom used magic (if ever) apart from her abnormal longevity.
It is pretty much as if they took Teferi and depicted him striking ogres with an axe or Nissa burning down a forest.
Zegana looks like a generic Merfolk warrior.
Teysa looks like some kind of random wizard. Honestly if the clothing didn't have the Orzhov symbol than even the guild/plane could be questionable.
I don't like the look of new Isperia. She looks like half robot and the wings are strange in that perspective.
Rakdos use a similar pose as Aurelia, The Warleader (Guildkit version). But he is so bulky that the pose look strange, too graceful for him. His knee can easily be mistaken for his belly.
Ruric Thar looks fine
Still Aurelias new artwork is the best one followed by Trostani and Niv-Mizzet (in my view).
It simply read as someone who dropped their ice cream cone, wanted someone to pin it on, and chose the scapegoat people with his attitude always seem to.
-Chandra Nalaar