So with the announcement of the third Ravnica block, I figured throwing up a thread to discuss the obvious things that we all could imagine returning. These are the cycles that I can imagine returning.
- Guild Leader Cycle (Mythic)
- Guild Champions (Rare)
- Guild Mage Cycle (Uncommon)
- Some type of dual lands (Rare)
- Another type of dual lands (Common? Uncommon?)
- Mana Rocks for each Guild (Common? Uncommon?)
- Guild Charm Spells (Uncommon)
Guild Leaders
I am excited to see what they will have in store for us. We can speculate that cards like Niv-Mizzet will be drawing us cards and Obzedat will likely be hard to kill and have some sort of exiling effect.
Guild Champions
A second round of legends for each guild, usually do something pretty neat with what the guild wants to do.
Land Cycles
I don't think we will see shocklands again, maybe something else?
Guildmages
Could easily make more of these.
Charms
Instead of Charms this time around, I expect a cycle of Commands.
What do you think? Let's really talk this over and see if we can predict some goodies in R3!
Rakdos, Niv-Mizzet, the Obedzat, Borborgymos and Isperia will get new cards. The other guilds may have new guild leaders again. Note that Isperia used to be a champion but became leader after Augustine died. We may get Teysa instead of the Obedzat as the Guild-leader as her character is very popular, in that case we'll get a legendary thrull as the champion for Orzhov.
We will be getting a cycle of rare lands, people are expecting the shocklands (again), but I think we may get a new cycle.
We will get a common land cycle to help with color fixing, and an uncommon cycle of mana rocks.
Each of the sets will also get an uncommon land that can tap for each color with some drawback. They will be different for each set.
We will get a new cycle of Guildmages, this is a given.
We will get a new cycle of charms, but not commands.
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It's about time for the reserved list to die, for the sake of Vintage and Legacy (And Commander).
Maro said "maybe" on his Tumblr which is basically confirmation for all practical purposes.
Yes, we saw that at the end of the Ixalan story arc but it does throw off the Balance if she is a Planeswalker and everyone else is a Creature.
Niv...no he is 15,000 if he was going to ascend he should have done it already. As for Bolas....Old Dragons don't seem to be friendly with each other so I am guessing this story ends with Niv struck down by BOlas.
As far as guild leader balance, we saw something similar in Dragons of Tarkir. 4 clans got mono-colored legendaries, but the last got a 2-color planeswalker.
Maro said "maybe" on his Tumblr which is basically confirmation for all practical purposes.
Yes, we saw that at the end of the Ixalan story arc but it does throw off the Balance if she is a Planeswalker and everyone else is a Creature.
Niv...no he is 15,000 if he was going to ascend he should have done it already. As for Bolas....Old Dragons don't seem to be friendly with each other so I am guessing this story ends with Niv struck down by BOlas.
Most popular guild's leader dead? I would be surprised if they did that. I mean Niv may lose, but I doubt they'll kill him.
Maro said "maybe" on his Tumblr which is basically confirmation for all practical purposes.
Yes, we saw that at the end of the Ixalan story arc but it does throw off the Balance if she is a Planeswalker and everyone else is a Creature.
Niv...no he is 15,000 if he was going to ascend he should have done it already. As for Bolas....Old Dragons don't seem to be friendly with each other so I am guessing this story ends with Niv struck down by BOlas.
Most popular guild's leader dead? I would be surprised if they did that. I mean Niv may lose, but I doubt they'll kill him.
Niv is also smarter than Bolas and a stronger Telepath. Any battle between them can go either way if it was only one on one. But considering that the other Guild-leaders would likely join in on the Dracogenius's side, as well as the guildwatch. And the very real possibility that Vraska will turn on Bolas at a crucial moment, then Bolas's invasion of Ravnica could logically only end in one way: With Bolas getting his ass kicked so hard that it is likely he will be forced to flee or face destruction.
I expect shocks to go with checks, just as last time we had Ravnica. This will give amazing mana and allow for good standard decks playing all the multicoloured spells they will surely print.
I'd be stoked for guild-commands aimed at Modern playability.
I can see Dimir, Boros, Simic and maybe Golgari getting new guildmasters. Golgari could get Vraska or Mazirek. Boros could get Feather.
Selesnya and Azorius are also possibilities. If Maat'Selesnya awakens, she will take back her guild from Trostani. And Isperia was looking for a replacement last we visited Ravnica.
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It's about time for the reserved list to die, for the sake of Vintage and Legacy (And Commander).
I think there is strong expectation for the Shocks to return. And hey, the ally Checklands will be in Standard again too! Set 3 will probably have more enemy color duals unless Core 19 gives us said duals to balance Ixalan. Though, any set with Bolas in it will likely have some manner of UBR land.
I'm hoping we'll see Teysa finally destroy Karlov and the rest of the Obzedat, maybe with Kaya's aid.
I'd also like to see Feather come back and overthrow Aurelia, maybe with help from her fellow renegadeAngels.
And maybe we can get a good Emmara card this time?
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.
All of the listed cycles seem necessary to maintain the feel of the Ravnica we know and love.
If shocklands return, I'd be okay with it but I insist on new art. I'd like to collect the various Temple Gardens and Blood Crypts over time. I'd also be okay with a Shadowblood Ridge type cycle, maybe ETBT and replacing the guildgates?
I'd be okay with the guildmages being upgraded to three mana 3/3's.
A cycle of commands or charms would be great, especially if they are pushed enough that some of them see modern play. This cycle was a missed opportunity from the first block.
I would also love some more cards that produce large token creatures to supplement the Populate mechanic, regardless of what Selesnya's mechanic is this time around. In fact, if they could make a few cards that are backwards compatible with each of the guilds' old mechanics that would be wonderful.
Commands would be nice. Maybe bump up the Guild Mages a bit in terms of CMC, otherwise I’m not sure what they’d do with them a third time around.
Maybe with an ability that cat hybrid mana and a ability needing the guild colors. Hybrid casting cost so you can use them early game and get a power boost or in needed in color combos that aren't the guild but shares a color so you can cast it and use the first ability.
I also don't think we'd see commands, Tarkir had the ally ones and I'd guess they want to wait until an enemy color set to show case them. I could wrong.
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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"
Maro said "maybe" on his Tumblr which is basically confirmation for all practical purposes.
Yes, we saw that at the end of the Ixalan story arc but it does throw off the Balance if she is a Planeswalker and everyone else is a Creature.
Niv...no he is 15,000 if he was going to ascend he should have done it already. As for Bolas....Old Dragons don't seem to be friendly with each other so I am guessing this story ends with Niv struck down by BOlas.
Most popular guild's leader dead? I would be surprised if they did that. I mean Niv may lose, but I doubt they'll kill him.
Well they need to finally put some heroes in the ground for me to take this seriously. Both the Eldrazi Titans and Bolas going down with no significant kills is just pathetic.
Speaking of Charms? New Charms or Old Charms. I mean Boros is the only one that sees consistent play right? Even if one mode is worthless most of the time. But hopefully Boros Charm is the standard for new charms.
Maro said "maybe" on his Tumblr which is basically confirmation for all practical purposes.
Yes, we saw that at the end of the Ixalan story arc but it does throw off the Balance if she is a Planeswalker and everyone else is a Creature.
Niv...no he is 15,000 if he was going to ascend he should have done it already. As for Bolas....Old Dragons don't seem to be friendly with each other so I am guessing this story ends with Niv struck down by BOlas.
Most popular guild's leader dead? I would be surprised if they did that. I mean Niv may lose, but I doubt they'll kill him.
Well they need to finally put some heroes in the ground for me to take this seriously. Both the Eldrazi Titans and Bolas going down with no significant kills is just pathetic.
Speaking of Charms? New Charms or Old Charms. I mean Boros is the only one that sees consistent play right? Even if one mode is worthless most of the time. But hopefully Boros Charm is the standard for new charms.
I mean, someone may die, but it won’t be anyone majorly popular I’m sure. People keep asking for death but it keeps not happening.
Guild leaders are a given and with commander/brawl getting more and more support and historic in Dominaria this is the perfect time for a secondary cycle of legendaries at rare, so I would count guild champions in as well. Planeswalkers for all guilds would seem like something we still can't really support, though some off-world characters would make for perfect guest-apperances.
I expect a smattering of hybrid among the gold as usual (a vertical cycle per guild), but there is also the chance for split cards and maybe an evolution on this.
I really don't feel like speculating on the third set, because I assume it will be a twist mechanically away from ten individual guilds more towards plane-vs.-invader, so it would be less about giving the individual guilds equal representation than giving them some common ground like with kicker in Invasion.
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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]
For all guilds to me means like, Narset shows up in W/U, but not necessarily is the Azorius guild. Each specific guild having one would be hard to buy.
And since both of the Ravnica blocks had a guild leader and then a second important face it makes sense to repeat it again, especially with other outside factors.
Well they need to finally put some heroes in the ground for me to take this seriously. Both the Eldrazi Titans and Bolas going down with no significant kills is just pathetic.
Yes, because thousands of Zendikari, Innistradians, Amonkhetians, and at least five gods isn't enough of a head count. And Niv is no hero. I don't think any of the Guild Leaders are, truth be told. Anyway, back on topic.
We might see another cycle of utility lands. In RTR, there was vocal fan request for new artifacts and utility lands, which Design couldn't deliver then. So, they might choose this trip around to deliver the goods.
Guild Commands would be neat, but my concern is that you're designing ten spells with four modes apiece. That's a lot of effects to eat up at one time. Guild mages are expected, but how might they be different this time? They might try a different combination of hybrid/gold, like hybrid creatures with one hybrid ability and one gold ability, or gold creatures with one ability for each color. Or they might eschew activated abilities altogether and go for color-matters effects, like spell casting triggers or benefits for creatures of a specific color.
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.
No name grunts don't count as meaningful deaths at all. As for the Gods, not main characters.
A single death is tragedy, one million deaths is a statistic.
I suppose the problem with Guild Commands or Guild Charms is it concentrates a lot of power in a few cards. This is especially bad when you have to make 10 instead of 5 and also when you consider they want unique abilities on each one. Which hurts some color combos more then others. I think if you are going to do 4 abilities for 10 you are going to need some serious overlap or some Guilds are going to get the good stuff and others are going to be left holding the bag of crap.
Not that this isn't a problem with Charms as Boros is super overpowered compared to the rest.
Or Commands where Kologhan's Command reigns supreme...wow its good to be Red.
- Guild Leader Cycle (Mythic)
- Guild Champions (Rare)
- Guild Mage Cycle (Uncommon)
- Some type of dual lands (Rare)
- Another type of dual lands (Common? Uncommon?)
- Mana Rocks for each Guild (Common? Uncommon?)
- Guild Charm Spells (Uncommon)
Guild Leaders
I am excited to see what they will have in store for us. We can speculate that cards like Niv-Mizzet will be drawing us cards and Obzedat will likely be hard to kill and have some sort of exiling effect.
Guild Champions
A second round of legends for each guild, usually do something pretty neat with what the guild wants to do.
Land Cycles
I don't think we will see shocklands again, maybe something else?
Guildmages
Could easily make more of these.
Charms
Instead of Charms this time around, I expect a cycle of Commands.
What do you think? Let's really talk this over and see if we can predict some goodies in R3!
Dunes of Zairo
SHANDALAR
Innistrad - The Darkest Night
~THE RAVNICAN CONSORTIUM~
A Community Set
Commander: Allies & Adversaries
We will be getting a cycle of rare lands, people are expecting the shocklands (again), but I think we may get a new cycle.
We will get a common land cycle to help with color fixing, and an uncommon cycle of mana rocks.
Each of the sets will also get an uncommon land that can tap for each color with some drawback. They will be different for each set.
We will get a new cycle of Guildmages, this is a given.
We will get a new cycle of charms, but not commands.
---
Numquam evolutioni obstes. Solum conculceris.
Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
And will Bolas keep his promise to make Vraska the leader of the Golgari?
Will we get the long-anticipated ascension of Niv to planeswalker-dom? And will be be pro-Bolas or very, very anti-Bolas (there can be only one)?
Yes, we saw that at the end of the Ixalan story arc but it does throw off the Balance if she is a Planeswalker and everyone else is a Creature.
Niv...no he is 15,000 if he was going to ascend he should have done it already. As for Bolas....Old Dragons don't seem to be friendly with each other so I am guessing this story ends with Niv struck down by BOlas.
Most popular guild's leader dead? I would be surprised if they did that. I mean Niv may lose, but I doubt they'll kill him.
Niv-Mizzet does not have a spark. If he did, he'd have ascended a long, long time ago.
Niv is also smarter than Bolas and a stronger Telepath. Any battle between them can go either way if it was only one on one. But considering that the other Guild-leaders would likely join in on the Dracogenius's side, as well as the guildwatch. And the very real possibility that Vraska will turn on Bolas at a crucial moment, then Bolas's invasion of Ravnica could logically only end in one way: With Bolas getting his ass kicked so hard that it is likely he will be forced to flee or face destruction.
---
Numquam evolutioni obstes. Solum conculceris.
Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
I'd be stoked for guild-commands aimed at Modern playability.
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
Selesnya and Azorius are also possibilities. If Maat'Selesnya awakens, she will take back her guild from Trostani. And Isperia was looking for a replacement last we visited Ravnica.
---
Numquam evolutioni obstes. Solum conculceris.
Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
Interesting, although dangerous. I would like to see some creativity in this return. More Hybrid use is appealing
I'm hoping we'll see Teysa finally destroy Karlov and the rest of the Obzedat, maybe with Kaya's aid.
I'd also like to see Feather come back and overthrow Aurelia, maybe with help from her fellow renegade Angels.
And maybe we can get a good Emmara card this time?
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
If shocklands return, I'd be okay with it but I insist on new art. I'd like to collect the various Temple Gardens and Blood Crypts over time. I'd also be okay with a Shadowblood Ridge type cycle, maybe ETBT and replacing the guildgates?
I'd be okay with the guildmages being upgraded to three mana 3/3's.
A cycle of commands or charms would be great, especially if they are pushed enough that some of them see modern play. This cycle was a missed opportunity from the first block.
I would also love some more cards that produce large token creatures to supplement the Populate mechanic, regardless of what Selesnya's mechanic is this time around. In fact, if they could make a few cards that are backwards compatible with each of the guilds' old mechanics that would be wonderful.
Maybe with an ability that cat hybrid mana and a ability needing the guild colors. Hybrid casting cost so you can use them early game and get a power boost or in needed in color combos that aren't the guild but shares a color so you can cast it and use the first ability.
I also don't think we'd see commands, Tarkir had the ally ones and I'd guess they want to wait until an enemy color set to show case them. I could wrong.
"You can tell how dumb someone is by how they use Mary Sue"
Well they need to finally put some heroes in the ground for me to take this seriously. Both the Eldrazi Titans and Bolas going down with no significant kills is just pathetic.
Speaking of Charms? New Charms or Old Charms. I mean Boros is the only one that sees consistent play right? Even if one mode is worthless most of the time. But hopefully Boros Charm is the standard for new charms.
I mean, someone may die, but it won’t be anyone majorly popular I’m sure. People keep asking for death but it keeps not happening.
I expect a smattering of hybrid among the gold as usual (a vertical cycle per guild), but there is also the chance for split cards and maybe an evolution on this.
I really don't feel like speculating on the third set, because I assume it will be a twist mechanically away from ten individual guilds more towards plane-vs.-invader, so it would be less about giving the individual guilds equal representation than giving them some common ground like with kicker in Invasion.
Finally a good white villain quote: "So, do I ever re-evaluate my life choices? Never, because I know what I'm doing is a righteous cause."
Factions: Sleeping
Remnants: Valheim
Legendary Journey: Heroes & Planeswalkers
Saga: Shards of Rabiah
Legends: The Elder Dragons
Read up on Red Flags & NWO
And since both of the Ravnica blocks had a guild leader and then a second important face it makes sense to repeat it again, especially with other outside factors.
Yes, because thousands of Zendikari, Innistradians, Amonkhetians, and at least five gods isn't enough of a head count. And Niv is no hero. I don't think any of the Guild Leaders are, truth be told. Anyway, back on topic.
We might see another cycle of utility lands. In RTR, there was vocal fan request for new artifacts and utility lands, which Design couldn't deliver then. So, they might choose this trip around to deliver the goods.
Guild Commands would be neat, but my concern is that you're designing ten spells with four modes apiece. That's a lot of effects to eat up at one time. Guild mages are expected, but how might they be different this time? They might try a different combination of hybrid/gold, like hybrid creatures with one hybrid ability and one gold ability, or gold creatures with one ability for each color. Or they might eschew activated abilities altogether and go for color-matters effects, like spell casting triggers or benefits for creatures of a specific color.
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.
A single death is tragedy, one million deaths is a statistic.
I suppose the problem with Guild Commands or Guild Charms is it concentrates a lot of power in a few cards. This is especially bad when you have to make 10 instead of 5 and also when you consider they want unique abilities on each one. Which hurts some color combos more then others. I think if you are going to do 4 abilities for 10 you are going to need some serious overlap or some Guilds are going to get the good stuff and others are going to be left holding the bag of crap.
Not that this isn't a problem with Charms as Boros is super overpowered compared to the rest.
Or Commands where Kologhan's Command reigns supreme...wow its good to be Red.