Well, it surprises me how many cards have absolutely NO story relevance. For a set that boasted that it is story-focused, half of them are random generic things.
um
those cards are “Spark rupture” and “Open the way”
one shows sparks dropping like flys
and the other shows planar travel being possible for nonwalkers (safe to assume nissa spark is still gone in the picture annd what that blue portal is whatever is happening in depart the realm.)
I have not seen any "Spark Rupture"... And I am mentioning Open the Way.
Also, I said "how many", not that none of them have.
And I do not understand seeing two friggin random dinosaurs when we already know we are going to Ixalan in the autumn.
Attached for reference. Spark Rupture
ATTACHMENTS
Spark Rupture
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'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset. Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
I enjoy that they aren't going to give us a million crap commons and uncommons to go along with this. while the story development may not be there, at least we can just get the things that were gonna be good, anyway. Though of course it'll be $10 per pack and $20 per collectors!
I personally believe these are going to act as visual snippets of what the aftermath entails with storyline tales to support it on the offside. I have to give them credit that they're doing a much better job at this than with War of the Spark. The WotS build-up was extremely anti-climatic and sudden. The Ravnica sets before the actual set didn't bode well for the build-up. Here at least we had somewhat of a consistent build-up with an ending being a near-War of the Worlds-type execution but not as crappy in delivery and scope. To me at least.
But the post-invasion lore support will be more plentiful than in any other circumstance when a big storyline arc comes to an end.
(P.S: Has anyone ever figured out what the purpose of Innistrad Midnight Hunt/Crimson Vow was from a lore standpoint? I know they needed the Moonsilver Key but what did the wedding scene serve? It's like the rave scene in one of the Matrix videos.)
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'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset. Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
(P.S: Has anyone ever figured out what the purpose of Innistrad Midnight Hunt/Crimson Vow was from a lore standpoint? I know they needed the Moonsilver Key but what did the wedding scene serve? It's like the rave scene in one of the Matrix videos.)
It wasn't connected to any larger arc. It was its own little event that happened. I think it was fine.
Honestly I feel like Magic should go back to the area of Innistrad - Tarkir. Somewhat small independent stories that are nevertheless connected through the planeswalkers. These big story arcs are okay every once in a while, but a bit too planeswalker-heavy for my tastes. Unpopular opinion time, but I think planeswalkers should be more like observers rather than the protagonists. But that's obviously not what WotC thinks so whatever.
(P.S: Has anyone ever figured out what the purpose of Innistrad Midnight Hunt/Crimson Vow was from a lore standpoint? I know they needed the Moonsilver Key but what did the wedding scene serve? It's like the rave scene in one of the Matrix videos.)
It wasn't connected to any larger arc. It was its own little event that happened. I think it was fine.
Honestly I feel like Magic should go back to the area of Innistrad - Tarkir. Somewhat small independent stories that are nevertheless connected through the planeswalkers. These big story arcs are okay every once in a while, but a bit too planeswalker-heavy for my tastes. Unpopular opinion time, but I think planeswalkers should be more like observers rather than the protagonists. But that's obviously not what WotC thinks so whatever.
That's what I liked about the Weatherlight arc. The focus was on non-planeswalkers (essentially doing PW activities via the Weatherlight) and emphasized the humanistic side of things. Urza played a core role with the Titans in the backdrop. It was well done in that sense if you ask me.
I get that they have an identity attached to Planeswalkers now, but they definitely need to go more to a non-PW angle. Not sure if it's plausible given the current state of their brand identity.
Oh ***** one post away from 10,000. Damn I'm old lol. Or have too much time on my hands (among other things).
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'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset. Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
Well, if this is it, I am sorely disappointed. I frankly expected EVERY card to tell a story, if this is just a 50-card set (we now know 40 cards of). I do not understand what purpose half of the cards serve. Unless they have long flavortexts in non-showcase versions.
And where the **** is Jace? They better explain it in the story....
Btw, if I count correctly, ol' Niv is the first legendary to receive a 6th version.
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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)
Well, it surprises me how many cards have absolutely NO story relevance. For a set that boasted that it is story-focused, half of them are random generic things.
um
those cards are “Spark rupture” and “Open the way”
one shows sparks dropping like flys
and the other shows planar travel being possible for nonwalkers (safe to assume nissa spark is still gone in the picture annd what that blue portal is whatever is happening in depart the realm.)
I have not seen any "Spark Rupture"... And I am mentioning Open the Way.
Also, I said "how many", not that none of them have.
And I do not understand seeing two friggin random dinosaurs when we already know we are going to Ixalan in the autumn.
this
what it indicates is sparks are gonna drop like flys
the only walkers we know for sure are dodging this are follows (crunch and more popular characters)
chandra
Liliana
Teferi
Ajani
Kaito
The wandering emperor
The twins (rowan and will)
Kasmina (i feel shes likely involved in the next arc)
Kaya
Jace (we are still in the dark about him)
And ofcoarse Quintorious
Btw, if I count correctly, ol' Niv is the first legendary to receive a 6th version.
I'm aware of only three Dragon Wizards (Parun, Firemind, Dracogenius) and one Dragon Avatar (Reborn) before the release of this set.
Also you probably mean "legendary creature", because my boy Ajani got 13 different legendary planeswalker cards with at least 7 of them having been printed with the word "legendary" on the type line. Chandra got 18 and is my first guess as most different versions due to getting three in one set.
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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]
Well, it surprises me how many cards have absolutely NO story relevance. For a set that boasted that it is story-focused, half of them are random generic things.
um
those cards are “Spark rupture” and “Open the way”
one shows sparks dropping like flys
and the other shows planar travel being possible for nonwalkers (safe to assume nissa spark is still gone in the picture annd what that blue portal is whatever is happening in depart the realm.)
I have not seen any "Spark Rupture"... And I am mentioning Open the Way.
Also, I said "how many", not that none of them have.
And I do not understand seeing two friggin random dinosaurs when we already know we are going to Ixalan in the autumn.
this
what it indicates is sparks are gonna drop like flys
the only walkers we know for sure are dodging this are follows (crunch and more popular characters)
chandra
Liliana
Teferi
Ajani
Kaito
The wandering emperor
The twins (rowan and will)
Kasmina (i feel shes likely involved in the next arc)
Kaya
Jace (we are still in the dark about him)
And ofcoarse Quintorious
for other it really depends on what happens
The fact that a character isn`t getting a creature version in this set isn't evidence that they aren't affected. I would wait for the story part of the set. We know nothing about Sorin, Oko, Huatli, Saheeli, Teferi, Teyo, Angrath, Arlinn, Ashiok, Basri, Davriel, Garruk, Jiang, Koth, Mu Yanling, Niko, Ral, Tezzeret, Ugin, Vivien, Kasmina, Ajani, Will or Rowan. Jace (and maybe Vraska?) are missing totally. Elspeth could lose her spark because of deification but other than that we have no information about her either.
Who is the planeswalker in the middle of the "Spark Rupture" card with the long hair and robe? I thought it would be Narset, to much hair for Teferi the robe would fit, tho. And why is Karn in the artwork? He lost his spark before this while healing Nissa and Ajani.
I am not sure if this event is something the planeswalkers have signed for. I can't think of anything that would bring Ob Nixilis to give away power voluntarily. If they are closing up Realmbreaker portals and every plane needs a sacrifice from a Planeswalker then why are Sarkhan and Narset losing their sparks (both from Tarkir)? And none Innistrad Walker like Sorin or Arlinn... or in New Kamigawa with The Emperor and Kaito? For now, it seems like more Walkers are losing their spark but only a handful of Walkers are getting a creature version in this set. If this is not the case then I am curious how they want to explain the situation. I speculate that Norn gave Jace the mission to do something that would shut down planewalking. The mechanism needed time to unfold and therefore it happened after the invasions. Maybe it involves Bolas Elderspell somehow. The Elderspell was deadly for the Walkers, tho.
If my number crunch is correct then we are missing 2 uncommons and 2 mythic rares. Most likely a blue and red uncommon and Nahiri as RW and Ob Nixilis as BR.
So, I've crunched the set. Only three cards are missing. 6, 36, and 41.
I've extrapolated that 40 is Niv-Mizzet Supreme. This is because in the extended arts for Niv-Mizzet is 173, and Pia Nalaar is 175. This is the same gap that would exist for the actual cards. This leaves 41 to be Ob Nixilis.
36 is Nahiri. 37 is Nahiri's Resolve. This one isn't a shock.
6 is a Blue card. Since there are 15 mythics, and the we know 12 already, and they're all desparked planeswalkers, that would mean that it ALSO must be one. Who does that leave. Jace. Whoops! Card 7 is Filter Out. I thought I had it.
While we don't know what the cards do yet. I can safely say that's the map for MAT.
So, I've crunched the set. Only three cards are missing. 6, 36, and 41.
I've extrapolated that 40 is Niv-Mizzet Supreme. This is because in the extended arts for Niv-Mizzet is 173, and Pia Nalaar is 175. This is the same gap that would exist for the actual cards. This leaves 41 to be Ob Nixilis.
36 is Nahiri. 37 is Nahiri's Resolve. This one isn't a shock.
6 is a Blue card. Since there are 15 mythics, and the we know 12 already, and they're all desparked planeswalkers, that would mean that it ALSO must be one. Who does that leave. Jace.
While we don't know what the cards do yet. I can safely say that's the map for MAT.
Are you sure? I am missing 4 cards in my crunsh. 0020 in addition to 0006, 0036 and 0041. And I have this rarity distribution: UC 15, R 25, MR 10
MR we have Nissa, Calix, Kiora, Narset, Samut, Sarkhan, Tyvar, Karn (which are 8) with Nahiri and Ob Nixilis 10.
OK, thanks. There was my mistake. I miscounted the mythics.
Card 20 is Animist's Might.
Quote from from="Faruel »" url="/forums/magic-fundamentals/the-rumor-mill/829684-march-of-the-machine-aftermath-collector-boosters?comment=62 »
Are you sure? I am missing 4 cards in my crunsh. 0020 in addition to 0006, 0036 and 0041. And I have this rarity distribution: UC 15, R 25, MR 10
MR we have Nissa, Calix, Kiora, Narset, Samut, Sarkhan, Tyvar, Karn (which are 8) with Nahiri and Ob Nixilis 10.
That would leave 6 to be a rare, and an open slot.
I know we have yet to get to the official story and that the non-showcase versions of some of these may explain more, but here is what bugs me already: MOM and this set were hyped as "everything changes" in the multiverse. Why did nothing in all 10 chapters (plus numerous side stories) of the MOM storyline suggesting anything ending with massive numbers of walkers being desparked? All we have been told is that, as part of Melira's idea to heal a couple of compleated walkers, another walker needed to give up his spark. Absolutely nothing to suggest that something was going to cause this to happen across the multiverse.
I assume it will get explained in the aftermath stories, but doesn't really feel like "aftermath" if it is an entirely new plot point unconnected to what the phyrexians were doing. Again, nothing that I'm aware of in any of the MOM or pre-MOM storyline suggested the phyrexians were doing something that would result in or require sparks to be removed, either.
If the invasion tree paths end up connecting planes and allowing non-walkers to travel between them - fine, that was very clearly set up by the MOM storyline, and I guess is enough of a big change to warrant an "everything changes" tagline. But I don't see how we get to half (or more) of all walkers getting desparked as a result of anything going on. Nor is it even a meaningful change, if they're also all getting the freedom to go between worlds anyway.
I like how we're getting people saying there's no story whatsoever in the set when we haven't seen the actual story yet. This isn't Tempest where you can literally make a story book out of the cards, because no one noticed, cared, or bothered to piece it together until it was pointed out.
Also oldschholmtg is about to receive the full force of WotC legal and it will be hilarious to watch.
I like how we're getting people saying there's no story whatsoever in the set when we haven't seen the actual story yet. This isn't Tempest where you can literally make a story book out of the cards
And yet MOM has twenty cards marked as "Story Spotlight" specifically so you can "make a story book out of the cards". And Aftermath is communicated to "continue the story in between sets" with its "lore-packed Epilogue Booster".
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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 like how we're getting people saying there's no story whatsoever in the set when we haven't seen the actual story yet. This isn't Tempest where you can literally make a story book out of the cards, because no one noticed, cared, or bothered to piece it together until it was pointed out.
I remember those days. But in fairness most standalones back then came with rules booklets in some degree too. The underside of boosters came with a short story synopsis that gave you hints, and the rest was done by interpreting the order of the story via the cards. Tempest was the first to do an actual story booklet outside of the rules booklet. Ice Age and Mirage didn't have much for storylines if at all. Shame they stopped that with Urza's Saga onward.
Also oldschholmtg is about to receive the full force of WotC legal and it will be hilarious to watch.
I like how we're getting people saying there's no story whatsoever in the set when we haven't seen the actual story yet. This isn't Tempest where you can literally make a story book out of the cards, because no one noticed, cared, or bothered to piece it together until it was pointed out.
Also oldschholmtg is about to receive the full force of WotC legal and it will be hilarious to watch.
Its really going to depend on how he ended up with the boxes. Unless he somehow obtained them through illegal action, then there's not much they can do.
Whoever at the printers or distributors f-ed up sending out boxes too early, though, is likely going to get hit pretty hard.
My main complaint, story wise, is that there seems to be no foreshadowing of what comes next. Alright, half of the walkers lost sparks. What are they doing now? Perhaps this story arc is just "over", though and we'll see more planes like Moag or Ragitha without worrying about any developing plotline. I'd also like to see some more historical sets, after we got Brother's war. A set detailing the rise and fall of the thran would be interesting. Or perhaps the forming of the Guildpact.
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HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
But the post-invasion lore support will be more plentiful than in any other circumstance when a big storyline arc comes to an end.
(P.S: Has anyone ever figured out what the purpose of Innistrad Midnight Hunt/Crimson Vow was from a lore standpoint? I know they needed the Moonsilver Key but what did the wedding scene serve? It's like the rave scene in one of the Matrix videos.)
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
It wasn't connected to any larger arc. It was its own little event that happened. I think it was fine.
Honestly I feel like Magic should go back to the area of Innistrad - Tarkir. Somewhat small independent stories that are nevertheless connected through the planeswalkers. These big story arcs are okay every once in a while, but a bit too planeswalker-heavy for my tastes. Unpopular opinion time, but I think planeswalkers should be more like observers rather than the protagonists. But that's obviously not what WotC thinks so whatever.
That's what I liked about the Weatherlight arc. The focus was on non-planeswalkers (essentially doing PW activities via the Weatherlight) and emphasized the humanistic side of things. Urza played a core role with the Titans in the backdrop. It was well done in that sense if you ask me.
I get that they have an identity attached to Planeswalkers now, but they definitely need to go more to a non-PW angle. Not sure if it's plausible given the current state of their brand identity.
Oh ***** one post away from 10,000. Damn I'm old lol. Or have too much time on my hands (among other things).
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
And where the **** is Jace? They better explain it in the story....
Btw, if I count correctly, ol' Niv is the first legendary to receive a 6th version.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
this
what it indicates is sparks are gonna drop like flys
the only walkers we know for sure are dodging this are follows (crunch and more popular characters)
chandra
Liliana
Teferi
Ajani
Kaito
The wandering emperor
The twins (rowan and will)
Kasmina (i feel shes likely involved in the next arc)
Kaya
Jace (we are still in the dark about him)
And ofcoarse Quintorious
for other it really depends on what happens
I'm aware of only three Dragon Wizards (Parun, Firemind, Dracogenius) and one Dragon Avatar (Reborn) before the release of this set.
Also you probably mean "legendary creature", because my boy Ajani got 13 different legendary planeswalker cards with at least 7 of them having been printed with the word "legendary" on the type line. Chandra got 18 and is my first guess as most different versions due to getting three in one set.
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
The fact that a character isn`t getting a creature version in this set isn't evidence that they aren't affected. I would wait for the story part of the set. We know nothing about Sorin, Oko, Huatli, Saheeli, Teferi, Teyo, Angrath, Arlinn, Ashiok, Basri, Davriel, Garruk, Jiang, Koth, Mu Yanling, Niko, Ral, Tezzeret, Ugin, Vivien, Kasmina, Ajani, Will or Rowan. Jace (and maybe Vraska?) are missing totally. Elspeth could lose her spark because of deification but other than that we have no information about her either.
Who is the planeswalker in the middle of the "Spark Rupture" card with the long hair and robe? I thought it would be Narset, to much hair for Teferi the robe would fit, tho. And why is Karn in the artwork? He lost his spark before this while healing Nissa and Ajani.
I am not sure if this event is something the planeswalkers have signed for. I can't think of anything that would bring Ob Nixilis to give away power voluntarily. If they are closing up Realmbreaker portals and every plane needs a sacrifice from a Planeswalker then why are Sarkhan and Narset losing their sparks (both from Tarkir)? And none Innistrad Walker like Sorin or Arlinn... or in New Kamigawa with The Emperor and Kaito? For now, it seems like more Walkers are losing their spark but only a handful of Walkers are getting a creature version in this set. If this is not the case then I am curious how they want to explain the situation. I speculate that Norn gave Jace the mission to do something that would shut down planewalking. The mechanism needed time to unfold and therefore it happened after the invasions. Maybe it involves Bolas Elderspell somehow. The Elderspell was deadly for the Walkers, tho.
If my number crunch is correct then we are missing 2 uncommons and 2 mythic rares. Most likely a blue and red uncommon and Nahiri as RW and Ob Nixilis as BR.
I've extrapolated that 40 is Niv-Mizzet Supreme. This is because in the extended arts for Niv-Mizzet is 173, and Pia Nalaar is 175. This is the same gap that would exist for the actual cards. This leaves 41 to be Ob Nixilis.
36 is Nahiri. 37 is Nahiri's Resolve. This one isn't a shock.
6 is a Blue card. Since there are 15 mythics, and the we know 12 already, and they're all desparked planeswalkers, that would mean that it ALSO must be one. Who does that leave. Jace. Whoops! Card 7 is Filter Out. I thought I had it.
While we don't know what the cards do yet. I can safely say that's the map for MAT.
Are you sure? I am missing 4 cards in my crunsh. 0020 in addition to 0006, 0036 and 0041. And I have this rarity distribution: UC 15, R 25, MR 10
MR we have Nissa, Calix, Kiora, Narset, Samut, Sarkhan, Tyvar, Karn (which are 8) with Nahiri and Ob Nixilis 10.
Edit: I added Animist's Might
Card 20 is Animist's Might.
That would leave 6 to be a rare, and an open slot.
We also get to see a desparked PW
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
So what do you think of it?
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
I assume it will get explained in the aftermath stories, but doesn't really feel like "aftermath" if it is an entirely new plot point unconnected to what the phyrexians were doing. Again, nothing that I'm aware of in any of the MOM or pre-MOM storyline suggested the phyrexians were doing something that would result in or require sparks to be removed, either.
If the invasion tree paths end up connecting planes and allowing non-walkers to travel between them - fine, that was very clearly set up by the MOM storyline, and I guess is enough of a big change to warrant an "everything changes" tagline. But I don't see how we get to half (or more) of all walkers getting desparked as a result of anything going on. Nor is it even a meaningful change, if they're also all getting the freedom to go between worlds anyway.
OOOOOOMMMMGGGGGGGGG!!!
ACTIVATED ABILITY TRIBAL!!! LETS GOOOOOOO!
looks like kennrith, the returned king is gonna be retired for tazri
and this is the christmas commander to use Zirda, the Dawnwaker as a companion
Also oldschholmtg is about to receive the full force of WotC legal and it will be hilarious to watch.
And yet MOM has twenty cards marked as "Story Spotlight" specifically so you can "make a story book out of the cards". And Aftermath is communicated to "continue the story in between sets" with its "lore-packed Epilogue Booster".
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
I remember those days. But in fairness most standalones back then came with rules booklets in some degree too. The underside of boosters came with a short story synopsis that gave you hints, and the rest was done by interpreting the order of the story via the cards. Tempest was the first to do an actual story booklet outside of the rules booklet. Ice Age and Mirage didn't have much for storylines if at all. Shame they stopped that with Urza's Saga onward.
I was thinking that too
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
Its really going to depend on how he ended up with the boxes. Unless he somehow obtained them through illegal action, then there's not much they can do.
Whoever at the printers or distributors f-ed up sending out boxes too early, though, is likely going to get hit pretty hard.