I still have only mediocre interest in the set, since it still feels like a gimmick overall. However, I do like all the mechanics being used: Raid, transform, vehicles, and explore. All on-theme and interesting together. As a whole, though, I'm more excited for the Dominaria large set coming out after Rivals of Ixalan.
Hi, all. MtG has had a lot of changes in terms of expanding its plot and overall card pool and mechanics. For the longest time, we'd get one core set a year, alongside a three-set block with one setting and plot. Then, starting in BFZ, we get two-set blocks to speed up the plot and Standard rotation to make things snappier, and now, once the Ixalan block is over, we'll only get single large sets (because Wizards wants to appeal more to players who only like single-set drafts). Personally, I kind of want to return to the old way of one three-set block a year. Yes, we'd sometimes get weak sets like Dragon's Maze or Born of the Gods, but I like how a three-set block lets Wizards deeply develop a plane's, and block's, plot and mechanic. It's more thorough, as opposed to zipping through Zendikar, Innistrad, Kaladesh, and Amonkhet so fast. What model of releasing material does everyone like best, and why?
All I can say is that I once played a mono-blue Tron deck of mine against a Legacy Knight of the Reliquary deck, and although I lost the match, it wasn't a total beating. In fact (this may be outdated info), I once had it explained to me that Legacy is sometimes just Modern with a handful of pre-Modern cards thrown in, plus cards banned in Modern like Sensei's Divining Top.
I haven't heard anything about Frontier, either. I still have a super-budget Temur Flash deck put together, but I have yet to use it. Heck, maybe I'll ask the owners of my LGS about it. I don't expect much, but it won't hurt to check!
Quicksilver Amulet is good for creatures, as is Elvish Piper. Though they won't work well with the "when you cast this creature" triggered abilities on some Eldrazi.
And this is a real stretch, but if you can ult karn Liberated, you'll cheat all kinds of things into play!
I, too, like how the core sets are baseline MtG, with core values of the five colors, and the various tribes, represented like that. But I don't think that every set should be like that, or design space would dry up pretty fast! What you call gimmicks, I call Wizards exploring new design space and trying new things, and that is what keeps the game fresh, even if some things end up not working so well. Better to try something new that some people like and some don't, than just releasing slight variations of the same set four times per year. In short: I say let the core sets take care of being core sets.
I always wondered who the dimir would rely on as a ally
I doubt they'd properly ally with anyone. Though I can expect them to exploit and manipulate others for their own gain instead, and turn their enemies against each other.
Different Ravnica guilds have varying overlaps with each other. The Simic and Golgari advance growth, as do the Selesnya, though in different ways. They'd only cooperate against something that threatens that fundamental bond, like the Rakdos going around killing and burning everything, or the Orzhov collecting souls and turning people into zombies.
The shards of Alara and clans of Tarkir couldn't meet for real, of course, but I can imagine the Abzan clan and the Bant shard getting along pretty well, since they both have green/white and value community and honor. I can also imagine Jund tribes and the Mardu forming joint raid parties against a tough common enemy that neither group could handle alone.
About three years back I had about 2,000 bulk cards from original Ravnica through Lorwyn and gave them all to my co-worker friend who was getting back into the game (and his roommate who was in the same situation). They sure appreciated the influx of cards! They got about five fat pack boxes' worth.
Planeswalkers aren't just a hunk of magical power... they're living beings that traverse the planes! I can't imagine them being bound to a card type like enchantment. I think it's only fitting that such beings received a brand-new card type.
I, too, recommend Dragon Shield sleeves. They come in great colors, shuffle decently, and are really tough! (you'd have to mash shuffle like a brute to tear one)
Keeping a notebook to make notes sounds like a terrific idea, especially for a newer player like yourself. That's really cool!
Aside from that, obviously you must bring a Standard deck to FNM (which is usually Standard), and other stuff like a playmat, dice, pen and paper, etc. is helpful and preferable, but not required. As for stuff like EDH or Modern or Legacy decks, players bring those if they intend to play with them between Standard matches, or if they anticipate dropping from the Standard event and playing the other formats with friends for fun.
And for decks, I just have a Modern deck in a DEX protection box. It's common to have a single-deck box for a 60-card deck, plus sideboard. I also recommend having a few d6, d10, and one or two d20 for Standard. That should cover everything for stuff like life totals, +1/+1 counters, and Planeswalker loyalty counters.
Sorry if you already knew some or all of that. But I like Magic accessories and items!\
I'm wondering how exactly "slows the games down" is a pro. Which games? Kitchen table? Pro Tour? Those in a particular format? or ALL games? Either way, I'm not convinced 7 feels fine!
And this is a real stretch, but if you can ult karn Liberated, you'll cheat all kinds of things into play!
I doubt they'd properly ally with anyone. Though I can expect them to exploit and manipulate others for their own gain instead, and turn their enemies against each other.
The shards of Alara and clans of Tarkir couldn't meet for real, of course, but I can imagine the Abzan clan and the Bant shard getting along pretty well, since they both have green/white and value community and honor. I can also imagine Jund tribes and the Mardu forming joint raid parties against a tough common enemy that neither group could handle alone.
Aside from that, obviously you must bring a Standard deck to FNM (which is usually Standard), and other stuff like a playmat, dice, pen and paper, etc. is helpful and preferable, but not required. As for stuff like EDH or Modern or Legacy decks, players bring those if they intend to play with them between Standard matches, or if they anticipate dropping from the Standard event and playing the other formats with friends for fun.
And for decks, I just have a Modern deck in a DEX protection box. It's common to have a single-deck box for a 60-card deck, plus sideboard. I also recommend having a few d6, d10, and one or two d20 for Standard. That should cover everything for stuff like life totals, +1/+1 counters, and Planeswalker loyalty counters.
Sorry if you already knew some or all of that. But I like Magic accessories and items!\