Welcome to Duskmourn. This was a world like any other once, until the demon Valvagoth collapsed it into one House. Now, survivors from other worlds wander its halls in a perpetual loop of fear and chaos. Are you ready to enter?
First off, the House brings with it the usual full-art basics.
Rooms seem to be this DFC showing the ever-changing nature of the House. Have some art for now.
There seems to be some strange ethereal magic on Duskmourn, manifesting as TV static as seem on this new Leyline. That's not including all the actual screens here.
TVs and static are the inspiration behind the first showcase treatment of the set: the Paranormal Frame treatment.
The next frame treatment is the Double Exposure frame treatment, based on horror photography. Here to show it off is Toby; who is also showing off the beasties, the remnants of the pets and other animals of this world pre-House.
Our borderless treatment of the set are called Mirror Monsters, showing off the horrors of the house.
Duskmourn's story revolves around the Wanderer, who takes a team to the House to rescue Nashi after a recording of him entering a mysterious door is found. Here she is with the regular Double Exposure frame and its textured foil variant.
Her rescue team include Tyvar Kell, Kaito, Zimone, and Nico. Here they are in the Special Guests Collected Company.
Last off, mechanics and themes, old and new. Duskmourn will have a enchantment subtheme, and the return of delirium.
And for the folks who tried to guess yesterday's Japan Showcase previews, here's Impending and a look at the black Glimmer.
Our Buy-a-Box promo shows off the Toy type, on one toy you may not want to touch so much.
But before we go, a little extra from the Commander precons. Welcome back, Archenemy. Each precon gets 10 new Scheme cards, like these two.
Duskmourn: House of Horror releases September 27. For more details on the set, including Winter and the other Survivors in the House, see here. For a first look at the world, see this early Planeswalker's Guide.
"You want a horror set? LOL here have some Monsters Inc"
I hate this set the more I see from it. Monsters inc and 80's aesthetic... Going to ignore this one. Bloomburrow actually looks like a Magic set. This just looks so off it's crazy.
"You want a horror set? LOL here have some Monsters Inc"
I hate this set the more I see from it. Monsters inc and 80's aesthetic... Going to ignore this one. Bloomburrow actually looks like a Magic set. This just looks so off it's crazy.
When I saw the TV screens, I immediately thought of Blink. I like Dr. Who, but I can recognized the aesthetic complaints people had about it.
"You want a horror set? LOL here have some Monsters Inc"
I hate this set the more I see from it. Monsters inc and 80's aesthetic... Going to ignore this one. Bloomburrow actually looks like a Magic set. This just looks so off it's crazy.
Just to give the obligatory counter opinion: I love this set the more I see about it. I like Bloomburrow too, cute high fantasy with talking animals is nice but this I am way more excited about. I like enchantment creatures, I like the overall atmosphere (god help Wizards if they don't release a Planeswalker's guide for this one) and I am excited about the Wanderer and Nashi taking center stage. I wonder what the connection to Bloomburrow, the Death Race and Tarkir sets are. Allegedly they are all part of an arc, but I don't see any connection yet.
Edit: They actually already posted the Planeswalker's Guide for Duskmourn. So there is that. You have avoided my wrath for now Wizards!
"You want a horror set? LOL here have some Monsters Inc"
I hate this set the more I see from it. Monsters inc and 80's aesthetic... Going to ignore this one. Bloomburrow actually looks like a Magic set. This just looks so off it's crazy.
You know, it's funny that you say that bloomburrow looks more of a magic set while WotC for over a decade tought that squirrels were too silly and light for the overall dramatic tones of the game and thats why the acorn is the main symbol of the unsets, because on that times only in unsets squirrels got space for representation in magic.
The Beasties remind me of 80's muppets/puppets like you'd find in Labyrinth which imo helps tie the set to being fantasy horror.
Also flavor-wise they are the warped beast of the before the plane was turned into the house and each covers their true faces (which looks like a decaying skull) and kill most who end up seeing their true faces too.
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“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"
Just wanted to go back to the BaB promo for a second, because a lot of people missed that the only the clothes aren't made of spiders. That nose? Spider. The eyes. Also spiders.
"You want a horror set? LOL here have some Monsters Inc"
I hate this set the more I see from it. Monsters inc and 80's aesthetic... Going to ignore this one. Bloomburrow actually looks like a Magic set. This just looks so off it's crazy.
You know, it's funny that you say that bloomburrow looks more of a magic set while WotC for over a decade tought that squirrels were too silly and light for the overall dramatic tones of the game and thats why the acorn is the main symbol of the unsets, because on that times only in unsets squirrels got space for representation in magic.
They spent a decade deciding if squirrels were fitting or not.
Meanwhile they never ever considered adding TV screens or similar modern stuff.
I wonder why people think this set doesn't belong to magic...
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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.
"You want a horror set? LOL here have some Monsters Inc"
I hate this set the more I see from it. Monsters inc and 80's aesthetic... Going to ignore this one. Bloomburrow actually looks like a Magic set. This just looks so off it's crazy.
You know, it's funny that you say that bloomburrow looks more of a magic set while WotC for over a decade tought that squirrels were too silly and light for the overall dramatic tones of the game and thats why the acorn is the main symbol of the unsets, because on that times only in unsets squirrels got space for representation in magic.
They spent a decade deciding if squirrels were fitting or not.
Meanwhile they never ever considered adding TV screens or similar modern stuff.
I wonder why people think this set doesn't belong to magic...
It was ironic because it proves that what feels "magic" is subjective and change from individual to individual. Magic literally started as a sci-fi fantasy with thran and Urza technology and the second set the magic creator itself made wasn't even original but from another completely different IP and despite that people think that "arturian high fantasy" is the only true way to represent the lore and tones of this game.
To me, magic is not about a single flavor being correct or wrong but a game system. Gameplay trumps flavor, and the color pie is something that can be skinned in any way you want. That's the true essence of the game that never change to me.
It was ironic because it proves that what feels "magic" is subjective and change from individual to individual. Magic literally started as a sci-fi fantasy with thran and Urza technology and the second set the magic creator itself made wasn't even original but from another completely different IP and despite that people think that "arturian high fantasy" is the only true way to represent the lore and tones of this game.
I think it's quite dishonest to lump together modern aestetic like chainsaws, TVs and recorders with unrealistic sci-fi stuff like mecha golems and robot dragons. Same for labelling The Arabian Nights as "another IP".
We are getting an harsh changes in the game aestetic and world building since Capenna, pushing for more and more modern stuff. I don't like it.
Some cards are cool, but i can't look at chainsaw and not cringe.
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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.
I think it's quite dishonest to lump together modern aestetic like chainsaws, TVs and recorders with unrealistic sci-fi stuff like mecha golems and robot dragons. Same for labelling The Arabian Nights as "another IP".
Why should be dishonest? it's sounds dishonest only because of your modern, subjective and current feeling. The fact that at one point even squirrels and beebles feeled out of place in Magic, say a lot to how the perception of whats cool and what not changed a lot in Magic. Mark Rosewater, in the 2009 even said that he regret the original Skyship laser-beams of Urza vs Yawgmoth period as out of place and now was even the lead designer of the Brother War of the 2022 set. Things change. They push the boundaries all the time to whats acceptable or not and keep the things that works and keeping out the things that clearly doesnt work. For example about Duskmourn MaRo candidly admits that they are simply experimenting so that they can test what can be acceptable for the Magic player audience: https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/754546974938857472/hi-mark-i-brought-this-up-before-but-i-have-been#notes https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/754561380991074304/in-contrast-to-most-people-im-seeing-just-wanted#notes
Since UB sets and futurist sets like New Kamigawa were commercially a beloved success that players loved, it's normal that they keep pushing the boundaries and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as the core gameplay of the game is intact and thats why MaRo is so worried to make the color pie being respected even in UB products or the game simply stop working as intended. Of course if even the flavor its absolutely hated for most people they will stop pushing the boundaries, but for now their sales just suggest the opposite direction.
I want to point everyone to an unfortunately ignored thread here in this forum about this topic where some of these points have been discussed, but mostly by "pro-modern tech in fantasy and MtG" people like me: https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-storyline/832294-tech-in-magic-a-history-and-discussion
I would love to hear counterpoints to what has been said there. Just to throw my objection from this thread to saying "but TVs are too mundane" in: Are swords too mundane for you too? Are fireplaces? What about houses and lanterns? I can point to thousands of objects and clothes and yes, technology which is clearly rather mundane, but no one has a problem with since "it is not modern". I get it, for some people fantasy is ONLY high fantasy in medieval lieke times. But that's such a limited and stifling view in my opinion. We have this discussion every single time a new set pushes the direction a bit, whether it is Mirrodin, Neon Dynasty, Kaladesh or New Capenna, and some people seem to keep being unhappy about their own personal opinion on what is and isn't fantasy not being set in stone rule for Magic (which is totally subjective and not just MtG related, there are fantasy games like Shadowrun which go way more into this direction than Magic without problem). Mundane things exist in every fantasy world, and Duskmourn may be many things, but not overall mundane. Even the world it was created from had a spirit, a demon and a "normal" and technologically as well as magically advanced human subplane (similar to Kamigawa). Higher tech on the other hand should be something that at least some planes in the multiverse have, just like there should be those in a prehistoric state, that's kinda the appeal of a vast multiverse.
Honestly, between Duskmourn and Bloomburrow...this is probably two of the most interesting planes/sets that magic has done in quite a long time. Feels really refreshing and new.
I like the set's theme a lot. It's definitely pushing the boundary of how modern some of the elements can be, and that does give me pause about whether those modern elements are all necessary, it takes a little getting used to, but I like that they are trying different things and making worlds that feel different.
The way they are doing the haunted house world here is so cool. Makes for a pretty distinct world despite the horror theme in the broad sense already being done.
Enchantments being a theme fits for ethereal horrors born from a giant everchanging demon-house, and is also a nice way to use an enchantment theme on a pretty different world with a pretty different flavour for the enchantments. Gives us something new to play with.
Delirium is a solid return here. The Innistrad connection is interesting given that differentiating itself Innistrad is key to this world's identity but I guess this is the overlap. The psychological aspect of the flavouring seems to fit well with the house and Valgavoth trying to torment people and play on the fears. Works with enchantments being a theme to help get your card types up. Wonder how much of it will be in the set given WotC have noted it as a more complex mechanic to play with.
Impending indeed does what I was guessing it does. Counters ticking at endstep I didn't figure but I was wondering whether there could be a way the counters are removed other than upkeep because the 4 number did seem a bit high. This way you get to block sooner at least. Though it does also expose it to sorcery-speed creature removal. It's a cool mechanic for enchantment creatures and has some nice suspense for that horror theme.
If those land images are from DFCS I wonder how they work, I'm guessing they are transforming. Utility lands that shift what effects they give you? Or upgrade? And I wonder whether there are other non-land DFCs in the set? How would they use DFCs differently from Innistrad?
EDIT: Oh, and the Jump Scare deck mentions face down cards. Will that be a mechanic in the main set? Seems likely, but using Disguise or Morph again seems pretty unlikely. Wonder what it could be... Something more like Foretell?
Actually, the way they describe the room cards, I'm thinking they might not be lands, but perhaps something else more like a global enchantment (enchantment sub type?), a little like planechase cards perhaps that is themed around defining the environment you're playing in.
I think it's quite dishonest to lump together modern aestetic like chainsaws, TVs and recorders with unrealistic sci-fi stuff like mecha golems and robot dragons. Same for labelling The Arabian Nights as "another IP".
This is the only correct position. The issue people have and often fail to articulate is a sort of uncanny valley effect: It is not advanced technology itself that is the issue, as ca be attested by a willingness to accept magically powered tech that is even more advanced than what we have. The issue is one of familiarity and recency, technology we associate with our time (which is why "sci-fi stuff" - which I would rather call "futuristic" since science fiction has an entirely different focus - can be more acceptable, it's less familiar, less close to us).
BTW, since this is an issue of a setting feeling wrong, facts can not always overcome commonly held misconceptions, but design choices can do immense work e. g. Urza's Sunglasses were there from the beginning and sunglasses may feel a lot more recent than they are, but looking old-timey will be more acceptable than 50s era polka-dot cat ear style designs.
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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 think it's quite dishonest to lump together modern aestetic like chainsaws, TVs and recorders with unrealistic sci-fi stuff like mecha golems and robot dragons. Same for labelling The Arabian Nights as "another IP".
This is the only correct position. The issue people have and often fail to articulate is a sort of uncanny valley effect: It is not advanced technology itself that is the issue, as ca be attested by a willingness to accept magically powered tech that is even more advanced than what we have. The issue is one of familiarity and recency, technology we associate with our time (which is why "sci-fi stuff" - which I would rather call "futuristic" since science fiction has an entirely different focus - can be more acceptable, it's less familiar, less close to us).
BTW, since this is an issue of a setting feeling wrong, facts can not always overcome commonly held misconceptions, but design choices can do immense work e. g. Urza's Sunglasses were there from the beginning and sunglasses may feel a lot more recent than they are, but looking old-timey will be more acceptable than 50s era polka-dot cat ear style designs.
Early magic also got stuff that literally seems out from a cartoon technologically from the 70 or 80 even aesthetically, see for example Goblin Artisans or Rocket Launcher both from Antiquities, that have even more mundane and real world vibes than the whole Duskmourn previews we'we seen so far. Or we wanna talk about friccking Alber Einstein literally appearing on Presence of the Master art of Legends?
If we really must be talking about being faithful and purist to the true Magic tradition, MtG never cared about having a unified canon in lore and aesthetic, but was always a mess up of things putted together, since the beginning of times.
The real only truth is that as usual some people pick a specific MtG place and tone and decide thats the only default flavor that should be allowed and anything deviating from that tone of flavor is deviating from MtG true high fantasy aesthetic...that never been a pure fantasy aesthetic in the first place. For example I started to play only during Mirrodin and I was so in love with the sci-fi aesthetic the I felt that the rest of the high fantasy settings were wrong and out of place for me, so it's definitely a bias that's very easy to have if you're not conscious enough.
I want to point everyone to an unfortunately ignored thread here in this forum about this topic where some of these points have been discussed, but mostly by "pro-modern tech in fantasy and MtG" people like me: https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-storyline/832294-tech-in-magic-a-history-and-discussion
I would love to hear counterpoints to what has been said there. Just to throw my objection from this thread to saying "but TVs are too mundane" in: Are swords too mundane for you too? Are fireplaces? What about houses and lanterns? I can point to thousands of objects and clothes and yes, technology which is clearly rather mundane, but no one has a problem with since "it is not modern". I get it, for some people fantasy is ONLY high fantasy in medieval lieke times. But that's such a limited and stifling view in my opinion. We have this discussion every single time a new set pushes the direction a bit, whether it is Mirrodin, Neon Dynasty, Kaladesh or New Capenna, and some people seem to keep being unhappy about their own personal opinion on what is and isn't fantasy not being set in stone rule for Magic (which is totally subjective and not just MtG related, there are fantasy games like Shadowrun which go way more into this direction than Magic without problem). Mundane things exist in every fantasy world, and Duskmourn may be many things, but not overall mundane. Even the world it was created from had a spirit, a demon and a "normal" and technologically as well as magically advanced human subplane (similar to Kamigawa). Higher tech on the other hand should be something that at least some planes in the multiverse have, just like there should be those in a prehistoric state, that's kinda the appeal of a vast multiverse.
It's pretty simple really
Bloomburrow = Magic
Duskmourn = Not Magic
Just look at what we've seen from them so far and it'll explain it all better than anybody can with words.
Another test I've mentioned before, that doesn't need any words either, is look at the back of any regular Magic card. And then look at the anemic black one they wish they could switch it too. One is Magic and the other isn't. If it's not clear to you which is which, then nothing I could ever say would convince you otherwise hehe.
There is a MASSIVE difference between phyrexians, mirrodin, Kaladesh etc and high top sneakers and ghostbusters gear. It's really watering down the whole IP they've built for 30 years. Next thing we'll see is Fast & Furious cards in the Death Race set. Can't wait to see Nissan Skylines and Vin Diesel battle it out with Ironman and people defend it with "But Urza had a robot golem!" like it's the same thing. I could go on and on, but it's pointless
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Spoiler EditorFirst off, the House brings with it the usual full-art basics.
Rooms seem to be this DFC showing the ever-changing nature of the House. Have some art for now.
There seems to be some strange ethereal magic on Duskmourn, manifesting as TV static as seem on this new Leyline. That's not including all the actual screens here.
TVs and static are the inspiration behind the first showcase treatment of the set: the Paranormal Frame treatment.
The next frame treatment is the Double Exposure frame treatment, based on horror photography. Here to show it off is Toby; who is also showing off the beasties, the remnants of the pets and other animals of this world pre-House.
Our borderless treatment of the set are called Mirror Monsters, showing off the horrors of the house.
Duskmourn's story revolves around the Wanderer, who takes a team to the House to rescue Nashi after a recording of him entering a mysterious door is found. Here she is with the regular Double Exposure frame and its textured foil variant.
Her rescue team include Tyvar Kell, Kaito, Zimone, and Nico. Here they are in the Special Guests Collected Company.
Last off, mechanics and themes, old and new. Duskmourn will have a enchantment subtheme, and the return of delirium.
And for the folks who tried to guess yesterday's Japan Showcase previews, here's Impending and a look at the black Glimmer.
Our Buy-a-Box promo shows off the Toy type, on one toy you may not want to touch so much.
But before we go, a little extra from the Commander precons. Welcome back, Archenemy. Each precon gets 10 new Scheme cards, like these two.
Duskmourn: House of Horror releases September 27. For more details on the set, including Winter and the other Survivors in the House, see here. For a first look at the world, see this early Planeswalker's Guide.
I hate this set the more I see from it. Monsters inc and 80's aesthetic... Going to ignore this one. Bloomburrow actually looks like a Magic set. This just looks so off it's crazy.
Just to give the obligatory counter opinion: I love this set the more I see about it. I like Bloomburrow too, cute high fantasy with talking animals is nice but this I am way more excited about. I like enchantment creatures, I like the overall atmosphere (god help Wizards if they don't release a Planeswalker's guide for this one) and I am excited about the Wanderer and Nashi taking center stage. I wonder what the connection to Bloomburrow, the Death Race and Tarkir sets are. Allegedly they are all part of an arc, but I don't see any connection yet.
Edit: They actually already posted the Planeswalker's Guide for Duskmourn. So there is that. You have avoided my wrath for now Wizards!
Top card matters, Miracle tribal (probably a set mechanic too.)
Graveyard fill/reaniamte matters
instants matter/face down creatures…… again (MKM just did it with naya)
Punisher/stax
(For newer players here’s examples on punisher cards Braids, Arisen Nightmare, Mogis, God of Slaughter, Torment of Hailfire and for a off color example Charismatic Conqueror.)
You know, it's funny that you say that bloomburrow looks more of a magic set while WotC for over a decade tought that squirrels were too silly and light for the overall dramatic tones of the game and thats why the acorn is the main symbol of the unsets, because on that times only in unsets squirrels got space for representation in magic.
Also flavor-wise they are the warped beast of the before the plane was turned into the house and each covers their true faces (which looks like a decaying skull) and kill most who end up seeing their true faces too.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
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Spoiler EditorJust wanted to go back to the BaB promo for a second, because a lot of people missed that the only the clothes aren't made of spiders. That nose? Spider. The eyes. Also spiders.
On the other hand, it will help get to Ishkanah a little faster, then puts more spider on the battlefield for her second ability.
They spent a decade deciding if squirrels were fitting or not.
Meanwhile they never ever considered adding TV screens or similar modern stuff.
I wonder why people think this set doesn't belong to magic...
Doomsday Excruciator is going to ruin a lot of games.
But Screaming Nemesis I like. I already have a deck that runs all of the Mogg Maniac/Stuffy Doll/Boros Reckoner variants, and adding a Stigma Lasher ability is brilliant.
2023 Average Peasant Cube|and Discussion
Because I have more decks than fit in a signature
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I KNOW DANG WELL THATS A PLANT FOR THE SPACE OPERA SET WIZARDS! (its the set after Tarkir revisit)
Nowhere to Run will be very handy, because not even Shadowspear deals with ward.
edit/add:
Bingo card time.
Girl with long dark hair crawling out of a well.
Equipment: hockey mask.
Red balloon(s).
A toy with a demon somehow attached to it.
It was ironic because it proves that what feels "magic" is subjective and change from individual to individual. Magic literally started as a sci-fi fantasy with thran and Urza technology and the second set the magic creator itself made wasn't even original but from another completely different IP and despite that people think that "arturian high fantasy" is the only true way to represent the lore and tones of this game.
To me, magic is not about a single flavor being correct or wrong but a game system. Gameplay trumps flavor, and the color pie is something that can be skinned in any way you want. That's the true essence of the game that never change to me.
I think it's quite dishonest to lump together modern aestetic like chainsaws, TVs and recorders with unrealistic sci-fi stuff like mecha golems and robot dragons. Same for labelling The Arabian Nights as "another IP".
We are getting an harsh changes in the game aestetic and world building since Capenna, pushing for more and more modern stuff. I don't like it.
Some cards are cool, but i can't look at chainsaw and not cringe.
Why should be dishonest? it's sounds dishonest only because of your modern, subjective and current feeling. The fact that at one point even squirrels and beebles feeled out of place in Magic, say a lot to how the perception of whats cool and what not changed a lot in Magic. Mark Rosewater, in the 2009 even said that he regret the original Skyship laser-beams of Urza vs Yawgmoth period as out of place and now was even the lead designer of the Brother War of the 2022 set. Things change. They push the boundaries all the time to whats acceptable or not and keep the things that works and keeping out the things that clearly doesnt work. For example about Duskmourn MaRo candidly admits that they are simply experimenting so that they can test what can be acceptable for the Magic player audience:
https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/754546974938857472/hi-mark-i-brought-this-up-before-but-i-have-been#notes
https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/754561380991074304/in-contrast-to-most-people-im-seeing-just-wanted#notes
Since UB sets and futurist sets like New Kamigawa were commercially a beloved success that players loved, it's normal that they keep pushing the boundaries and there's nothing wrong with that, as long as the core gameplay of the game is intact and thats why MaRo is so worried to make the color pie being respected even in UB products or the game simply stop working as intended. Of course if even the flavor its absolutely hated for most people they will stop pushing the boundaries, but for now their sales just suggest the opposite direction.
I would love to hear counterpoints to what has been said there. Just to throw my objection from this thread to saying "but TVs are too mundane" in: Are swords too mundane for you too? Are fireplaces? What about houses and lanterns? I can point to thousands of objects and clothes and yes, technology which is clearly rather mundane, but no one has a problem with since "it is not modern". I get it, for some people fantasy is ONLY high fantasy in medieval lieke times. But that's such a limited and stifling view in my opinion. We have this discussion every single time a new set pushes the direction a bit, whether it is Mirrodin, Neon Dynasty, Kaladesh or New Capenna, and some people seem to keep being unhappy about their own personal opinion on what is and isn't fantasy not being set in stone rule for Magic (which is totally subjective and not just MtG related, there are fantasy games like Shadowrun which go way more into this direction than Magic without problem). Mundane things exist in every fantasy world, and Duskmourn may be many things, but not overall mundane. Even the world it was created from had a spirit, a demon and a "normal" and technologically as well as magically advanced human subplane (similar to Kamigawa). Higher tech on the other hand should be something that at least some planes in the multiverse have, just like there should be those in a prehistoric state, that's kinda the appeal of a vast multiverse.
The worldbuilding for Duskmourn is phenomenal.
Current EDH Decks:
Dakkon Blackblade 2WUUB
The way they are doing the haunted house world here is so cool. Makes for a pretty distinct world despite the horror theme in the broad sense already being done.
Enchantments being a theme fits for ethereal horrors born from a giant everchanging demon-house, and is also a nice way to use an enchantment theme on a pretty different world with a pretty different flavour for the enchantments. Gives us something new to play with.
Delirium is a solid return here. The Innistrad connection is interesting given that differentiating itself Innistrad is key to this world's identity but I guess this is the overlap. The psychological aspect of the flavouring seems to fit well with the house and Valgavoth trying to torment people and play on the fears. Works with enchantments being a theme to help get your card types up. Wonder how much of it will be in the set given WotC have noted it as a more complex mechanic to play with.
Impending indeed does what I was guessing it does. Counters ticking at endstep I didn't figure but I was wondering whether there could be a way the counters are removed other than upkeep because the 4 number did seem a bit high. This way you get to block sooner at least. Though it does also expose it to sorcery-speed creature removal. It's a cool mechanic for enchantment creatures and has some nice suspense for that horror theme.
If those land images are from DFCS I wonder how they work, I'm guessing they are transforming. Utility lands that shift what effects they give you? Or upgrade? And I wonder whether there are other non-land DFCs in the set? How would they use DFCs differently from Innistrad?
EDIT: Oh, and the Jump Scare deck mentions face down cards. Will that be a mechanic in the main set? Seems likely, but using Disguise or Morph again seems pretty unlikely. Wonder what it could be... Something more like Foretell?
RUNIN: Norse mythology set (awaiting further playtesting)
FATE of ALARA: Multicolour factions (currently on hiatus)
Contibutor to the Pyrulea community set
I'm here to tell you that all your set mechanics are bad
#Defundthepolice
RUNIN: Norse mythology set (awaiting further playtesting)
FATE of ALARA: Multicolour factions (currently on hiatus)
Contibutor to the Pyrulea community set
I'm here to tell you that all your set mechanics are bad
#Defundthepolice
This is the only correct position. The issue people have and often fail to articulate is a sort of uncanny valley effect: It is not advanced technology itself that is the issue, as ca be attested by a willingness to accept magically powered tech that is even more advanced than what we have. The issue is one of familiarity and recency, technology we associate with our time (which is why "sci-fi stuff" - which I would rather call "futuristic" since science fiction has an entirely different focus - can be more acceptable, it's less familiar, less close to us).
BTW, since this is an issue of a setting feeling wrong, facts can not always overcome commonly held misconceptions, but design choices can do immense work e. g. Urza's Sunglasses were there from the beginning and sunglasses may feel a lot more recent than they are, but looking old-timey will be more acceptable than 50s era polka-dot cat ear style designs.
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
Wow! I had almost forgotten that card existed. I think I have a couple of copies in a box behind me....somewhere.
Early magic also got stuff that literally seems out from a cartoon technologically from the 70 or 80 even aesthetically, see for example Goblin Artisans or Rocket Launcher both from Antiquities, that have even more mundane and real world vibes than the whole Duskmourn previews we'we seen so far. Or we wanna talk about friccking Alber Einstein literally appearing on Presence of the Master art of Legends?
If we really must be talking about being faithful and purist to the true Magic tradition, MtG never cared about having a unified canon in lore and aesthetic, but was always a mess up of things putted together, since the beginning of times.
The real only truth is that as usual some people pick a specific MtG place and tone and decide thats the only default flavor that should be allowed and anything deviating from that tone of flavor is deviating from MtG true high fantasy aesthetic...that never been a pure fantasy aesthetic in the first place. For example I started to play only during Mirrodin and I was so in love with the sci-fi aesthetic the I felt that the rest of the high fantasy settings were wrong and out of place for me, so it's definitely a bias that's very easy to have if you're not conscious enough.
It's pretty simple really
Bloomburrow = Magic
Duskmourn = Not Magic
Just look at what we've seen from them so far and it'll explain it all better than anybody can with words.
Another test I've mentioned before, that doesn't need any words either, is look at the back of any regular Magic card. And then look at the anemic black one they wish they could switch it too. One is Magic and the other isn't. If it's not clear to you which is which, then nothing I could ever say would convince you otherwise hehe.
There is a MASSIVE difference between phyrexians, mirrodin, Kaladesh etc and high top sneakers and ghostbusters gear. It's really watering down the whole IP they've built for 30 years. Next thing we'll see is Fast & Furious cards in the Death Race set. Can't wait to see Nissan Skylines and Vin Diesel battle it out with Ironman and people defend it with "But Urza had a robot golem!" like it's the same thing. I could go on and on, but it's pointless