With the return to Dominaria for Magic's anniversary, could we see a renewed focus on Liliana's story as we are Jace's in Ixalan? As R&D is seeming to respond to player's tiring of covering the Gatewatch as a whole in every block/set, it would seem that they will both be adding more new planeswalkers while also diving in to the individual stories of established 'walkers.
This is indeed fairly baseless speculation. The only factor that brings this to my mind and pushed me to share this idea is the fact that Dominaria seems to be Liliana's home plane of existence. Also, I feel that Liliana is the safest bet to be included in this realm, as when we were last on this plane, The Cabal, Order, etc. were vying for control over the Mirari. The feel, flavor, and mechanics of the Cabal were very similar, in my opinion, to that of what we see Liliana being defined as in her card depictions. Dominaria, as a setting, plays well on traditional fantasy tropes and our favorite necromancer checks that box as as well (a magic wielder tainted/haunted by past that sells soul for eternal youth and power).
Again, this is all conjecture, but I just have a feeling WotC will want to return to this familiar locale to satisfy older players while using a familiar face to introduce this classic setting to newer players unfamiliar with this portion of Magic's history.
So, what do all of you in the Magic community think about this?
(P.S. - I've been away from the forums for quite some time, so if this is something already floating around... I apologize.)
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Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
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Jhoira's Artifacts
Innistrad is Lily's home, her plane of Origin is Dominaria.
Anyway, with the pedantry out of the way, I think Ajani is going to be the focus of Dominaria, because that was where he went to cultivate allies for the Gatewatch. Lily may, or may not return as apparently her last Demon resides there (I could be wrong about that however).
I am half-expecting Teferi to respark in Dominaria through some contrived reason, mostly because he is the most popular still living good planeswalker from prior to Time Spiral (Karn being the close second). I also would not be surprised in the least if they figure out a way to resurrect Taysir, after all, he has pulled it off once before, and he's still got three lives left.
But the main issue is really where in Dominaria it is going to take place. The two most obvious answers are Terisiare and Shiv, or the remains of Jamuura, the Burning Isles and Shiv. Otaria and Sarpadia are unlikely at best. It is possible we'll be getting a "road trip" set, in which case everywhere is a possibility for a revisit. I would not be surprised to see some descendants of various older characters either, and a couple of cameos by old characters that should still be around (Squee and Radha should both still be alive, Squee is immortal after all, and Radha is a half-elf with an extended lifespan. I want an older Radha to be the new leader of a unified Keld comprising of Keldons and Skyshroud refugees and wielding her grand-daddy's sword).
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It's about time for the reserved list to die, for the sake of Vintage and Legacy (And Commander).
I should have been more clear on Liliana's plane of origin rather than home. I think of "home planes" to be their planes of origin, but that's just my way of remembering.
I forgot completely about Ajani going to Dominaria. It would make since to then follow his story.
Considering what they did to Venser and his spark, I wouldn't doubt a Teferi return either. We'll have to see how they handle his character. I somewhat like the idea of Taysir as well. That would be a curve-ball I could see WotC throwing at us.
I give two thumbs up for a Radha return.
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COMMANDER DECKS
Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
Depending on where Liliana went, I could see her meeting up with Cat Boy on Dominaria. Then all we need is to represent blue and red. Say, wasn't Ral Zarek implied to be working with Bolas?
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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.
Say, wasn't Ral Zarek implied to be working with Bolas?
If Ral ends up in league with Bolas, I give up on the Magic storyline. You would think that since Ral already despises one super-powerful, super-intelligent dragon that he would not be lining up to serve another one. Then again, the storyline has been Russian roulette ever since Scars of Mirrodin. The rules are made up and the plot points don't matter.
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COMMANDER DECKS
Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
Then again, the storyline has been Russian roulette ever since Scars of Mirrodin.
I'm pretty sure the exact moment the story started to go downhill was at the end of RoE when they revealed that Nicol Bolas had orchestrated the release of the Eldrazi. Seven years later, and they've still done nothing to make that plot point make sense.
Say, wasn't Ral Zarek implied to be working with Bolas?
If Ral ends up in league with Bolas, I give up on the Magic storyline. You would think that since Ral already despises one super-powerful, super-intelligent dragon that he would not be lining up to serve another one. Then again, the storyline has been Russian roulette ever since Scars of Mirrodin. The rules are made up and the plot points don't matter.
Ral is known to be doing something for Bolas. We just don't know what that is yet.
Ral is known to be doing something for Bolas. We just don't know what that is yet.
Indeed. It is said that Bolas is calling for Ral at the end of Hour of Devastation. The matter of how deeply allied with him or if its a real alliance at all is yet to be seen. I'm still hoping there is more to it than that, but if its as straight forward as he's a Bolas agent now... Magic's creative teams need some help. Throwing random characters in the Bolas column is getting old. Can't there just be Planeswalkers who are out there for their own sake?
This is the whole problem I have with Bolas as a character. His nature drives a binary story. Good v. Bad. Gatewatch v. Bolas. Everyone gets put on a team. I know many people like Bolas. That's fine. But, in my observations and opinion, he is a terrible character. He is lazy writing at its worst. No matter what happens in Magic's story, they can retcon it to be part of Bolas' plan. That's the dark side of having a "Master Manipulator" as your main villain. Its a lazy creative decision. How do you tie all these events together? Bolas. What's the answer to all of these plot holes? Bolas. Need a villain in the next set? Bolas. We have a character with a bad attitude and selfish streak that is a bit of a rogue commodity? Align him with Bolas.
It doesn't matter how good the individual writing is in a given story, the house cemented around Bolas was built atop quicksand. It might look and feel epic, but it was the cheapest, quickest, and easiest way to serve the Magic community a story.
The Phyrexians and Eldrazi are villains I appreciate. They live by their own code and operate by it. Phyrexians want to complete the Grand Evolution. They wish to share their "gift" with the multiverse. Eldrazi are just there. No ultimate plans that anyone can decipher. They are simply forces of Nature consuming and warping the world around them. Because you know their base condition, the writers can then use that base to expound and create interesting stories. For instance... The Phyrexians completed there assimilation of Mirrodin, but, unforeseen by them, they have been corrupted by Mirrodin in return... splintered into competing forces my the five colors of mana. The Eldrazi each have a different effect on their environments. This ultimately lead to a very entertaining and beloved setting like Innistrad being given a deserving, Cthulu-esque storyline with the influence of Emrakul.
Bolas is simply a plot device trapped within his own parameters... manipulate, destroy, and seek power. That's it. You are not going to see a Bolas-infused story line where he does anything else. There is no room for any character or entity development or a differing angle. He's a static force. What happens if he ever reaches the power he desires? A character like Bolas might enjoy the puppeteering, but the agonizing tediousness of trying to keep control would drive him mad. But, that is never addressed or alluded to in any form in the story. He is simply always on the offensive and never around to deal with anything appreciable.
That's why I like a individual character like Niv-Mizzet infinitely more. He is an insanely intelligent dragon who has the knowledge and power to control his guild and most likely Ravnica as a whole. But, he is smart enough to know the day-to-day means to do so would bore him. His mere presence within his guild is enough to keep the guild hierarchy in line and he leaves the politics to them so he can fulfill himself intellectually. He can be made a "villain" at a given time solely because of a particular and current motivation. Other times, he can just be himself as usual and leave the door open for other characters to fill the slot. That's the beauty of a well written character. They can have many uses based on their personality.
Bolas is just an emotionally stunted and intellectually inflated child in the way he is portrayed. Has to be in control. Has to be the best. Seeks to be the most powerful. They just veil him in intriguing stories and dialogue that befits a Master Puppeteer. In actuality, he's simply Magic's version of Anakin Skywalker from the Star Wars prequels wearing the mask of Emperor Palpatine from the original trilogy.
Ral Zarek becoming a puppet of Bolas would just be more evidence of lazy writing around the elder dragon. Ral Zarek is unhappy and wants the acclaim and power he feels is due to him. Him turning to Bolas would be ANOTHER deal with the devil story. A character wants something >>> Powerful, evil force promises them that something for something else in return >>> character agrees to deal >>> blah, blah blah... How many times have we seen this already? Tezzeret? Liliana? etc. At what point do they come up with something different?
I really wish they would wrap up the Bolas nonsense so we can move on to better things.
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Gishath, Sun's Avatar
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Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
I'm pretty sure the exact moment the story started to go downhill was at the end of RoE when they revealed that Nicol Bolas had orchestrated the release of the Eldrazi. Seven years later, and they've still done nothing to make that plot point make sense.
You make a good point. My whole problem with the Magic storyline has been Bolas for a long time now. See my other response for that mess.
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COMMANDER DECKS
Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
I agree that Bolas is a boring villain. Gee, the Gatewatch fought him and lost. What a freaking twist. The most surprising parts were when Chandra actually forced him to back off for a second with her fire magic, and when Nissa's elemental actually landed a punch on his jaw. I relished those moments, because they proved he isn't absolutely invincible. If the Gatewatch had to lose, maybe show that each got at least one hit on Bolas before he started stomping them all into submission. I'll be happy to see Bolas receive the coup de gras, especially from the Gatewatch. Never cared much for his character, and after HoD I see him as little more than just a figurehead for the Gatewatch haters, like the product of some anti-Gatewatch child's "ultimate everything" imagination shortcut. Once Bolas is actually out of the way, other villains like Ob Nixilis, Tibalt, and Tezzeret can step up to be our primary bad guys, with some wild cards in there like Ral Zarek and Kiora.
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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.
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This is indeed fairly baseless speculation. The only factor that brings this to my mind and pushed me to share this idea is the fact that Dominaria seems to be Liliana's home plane of existence. Also, I feel that Liliana is the safest bet to be included in this realm, as when we were last on this plane, The Cabal, Order, etc. were vying for control over the Mirari. The feel, flavor, and mechanics of the Cabal were very similar, in my opinion, to that of what we see Liliana being defined as in her card depictions. Dominaria, as a setting, plays well on traditional fantasy tropes and our favorite necromancer checks that box as as well (a magic wielder tainted/haunted by past that sells soul for eternal youth and power).
Again, this is all conjecture, but I just have a feeling WotC will want to return to this familiar locale to satisfy older players while using a familiar face to introduce this classic setting to newer players unfamiliar with this portion of Magic's history.
So, what do all of you in the Magic community think about this?
(P.S. - I've been away from the forums for quite some time, so if this is something already floating around... I apologize.)
COMMANDER DECKS
Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
Anyway, with the pedantry out of the way, I think Ajani is going to be the focus of Dominaria, because that was where he went to cultivate allies for the Gatewatch. Lily may, or may not return as apparently her last Demon resides there (I could be wrong about that however).
I am half-expecting Teferi to respark in Dominaria through some contrived reason, mostly because he is the most popular still living good planeswalker from prior to Time Spiral (Karn being the close second). I also would not be surprised in the least if they figure out a way to resurrect Taysir, after all, he has pulled it off once before, and he's still got three lives left.
But the main issue is really where in Dominaria it is going to take place. The two most obvious answers are Terisiare and Shiv, or the remains of Jamuura, the Burning Isles and Shiv. Otaria and Sarpadia are unlikely at best. It is possible we'll be getting a "road trip" set, in which case everywhere is a possibility for a revisit. I would not be surprised to see some descendants of various older characters either, and a couple of cameos by old characters that should still be around (Squee and Radha should both still be alive, Squee is immortal after all, and Radha is a half-elf with an extended lifespan. I want an older Radha to be the new leader of a unified Keld comprising of Keldons and Skyshroud refugees and wielding her grand-daddy's sword).
---
Numquam evolutioni obstes. Solum conculceris.
Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
I forgot completely about Ajani going to Dominaria. It would make since to then follow his story.
Considering what they did to Venser and his spark, I wouldn't doubt a Teferi return either. We'll have to see how they handle his character. I somewhat like the idea of Taysir as well. That would be a curve-ball I could see WotC throwing at us.
I give two thumbs up for a Radha return.
COMMANDER DECKS
Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
---
Numquam evolutioni obstes. Solum conculceris.
Pascite draconem, evolvite aut morimini.
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 Ral ends up in league with Bolas, I give up on the Magic storyline. You would think that since Ral already despises one super-powerful, super-intelligent dragon that he would not be lining up to serve another one. Then again, the storyline has been Russian roulette ever since Scars of Mirrodin. The rules are made up and the plot points don't matter.
COMMANDER DECKS
Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
I'm pretty sure the exact moment the story started to go downhill was at the end of RoE when they revealed that Nicol Bolas had orchestrated the release of the Eldrazi. Seven years later, and they've still done nothing to make that plot point make sense.
Ral is known to be doing something for Bolas. We just don't know what that is yet.
Indeed. It is said that Bolas is calling for Ral at the end of Hour of Devastation. The matter of how deeply allied with him or if its a real alliance at all is yet to be seen. I'm still hoping there is more to it than that, but if its as straight forward as he's a Bolas agent now... Magic's creative teams need some help. Throwing random characters in the Bolas column is getting old. Can't there just be Planeswalkers who are out there for their own sake?
This is the whole problem I have with Bolas as a character. His nature drives a binary story. Good v. Bad. Gatewatch v. Bolas. Everyone gets put on a team. I know many people like Bolas. That's fine. But, in my observations and opinion, he is a terrible character. He is lazy writing at its worst. No matter what happens in Magic's story, they can retcon it to be part of Bolas' plan. That's the dark side of having a "Master Manipulator" as your main villain. Its a lazy creative decision. How do you tie all these events together? Bolas. What's the answer to all of these plot holes? Bolas. Need a villain in the next set? Bolas. We have a character with a bad attitude and selfish streak that is a bit of a rogue commodity? Align him with Bolas.
It doesn't matter how good the individual writing is in a given story, the house cemented around Bolas was built atop quicksand. It might look and feel epic, but it was the cheapest, quickest, and easiest way to serve the Magic community a story.
The Phyrexians and Eldrazi are villains I appreciate. They live by their own code and operate by it. Phyrexians want to complete the Grand Evolution. They wish to share their "gift" with the multiverse. Eldrazi are just there. No ultimate plans that anyone can decipher. They are simply forces of Nature consuming and warping the world around them. Because you know their base condition, the writers can then use that base to expound and create interesting stories. For instance... The Phyrexians completed there assimilation of Mirrodin, but, unforeseen by them, they have been corrupted by Mirrodin in return... splintered into competing forces my the five colors of mana. The Eldrazi each have a different effect on their environments. This ultimately lead to a very entertaining and beloved setting like Innistrad being given a deserving, Cthulu-esque storyline with the influence of Emrakul.
Bolas is simply a plot device trapped within his own parameters... manipulate, destroy, and seek power. That's it. You are not going to see a Bolas-infused story line where he does anything else. There is no room for any character or entity development or a differing angle. He's a static force. What happens if he ever reaches the power he desires? A character like Bolas might enjoy the puppeteering, but the agonizing tediousness of trying to keep control would drive him mad. But, that is never addressed or alluded to in any form in the story. He is simply always on the offensive and never around to deal with anything appreciable.
That's why I like a individual character like Niv-Mizzet infinitely more. He is an insanely intelligent dragon who has the knowledge and power to control his guild and most likely Ravnica as a whole. But, he is smart enough to know the day-to-day means to do so would bore him. His mere presence within his guild is enough to keep the guild hierarchy in line and he leaves the politics to them so he can fulfill himself intellectually. He can be made a "villain" at a given time solely because of a particular and current motivation. Other times, he can just be himself as usual and leave the door open for other characters to fill the slot. That's the beauty of a well written character. They can have many uses based on their personality.
Bolas is just an emotionally stunted and intellectually inflated child in the way he is portrayed. Has to be in control. Has to be the best. Seeks to be the most powerful. They just veil him in intriguing stories and dialogue that befits a Master Puppeteer. In actuality, he's simply Magic's version of Anakin Skywalker from the Star Wars prequels wearing the mask of Emperor Palpatine from the original trilogy.
Ral Zarek becoming a puppet of Bolas would just be more evidence of lazy writing around the elder dragon. Ral Zarek is unhappy and wants the acclaim and power he feels is due to him. Him turning to Bolas would be ANOTHER deal with the devil story. A character wants something >>> Powerful, evil force promises them that something for something else in return >>> character agrees to deal >>> blah, blah blah... How many times have we seen this already? Tezzeret? Liliana? etc. At what point do they come up with something different?
I really wish they would wrap up the Bolas nonsense so we can move on to better things.
COMMANDER DECKS
Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
You make a good point. My whole problem with the Magic storyline has been Bolas for a long time now. See my other response for that mess.
COMMANDER DECKS
Gishath, Sun's Avatar
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Surrak Presents: Snow-where to Run (A Temur Production)
Zurgo - Mardu Warrior Tribal
Gisa and Geralf
Jhoira's Artifacts
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.