I find it to be a shallow setting. The fact a substantial part of its popularity hinges on Shockland reprints is pretty mediocre. That said, the cards themselves have been impressive, while the trailer showcased my point. Other than "here are the guilds again" what did you get out of it? Without Bolas on the horizon, there really isn't anything impressive here. Jace's absence could be a thing, but the trailer doesn't explore that either. The new Livinia card is the first promise of a relevant plot point, which was spoiled after my post.
I agree that these two sets are a bit of a letdown, mostly giving us stuff we've already had before and some of it so compacted together (Hybrids and Splits) that it feels like there's less substance in this "block" than previous Ravnica sets.
Ravnica as a setting does lack the visceral depth of a plane like Innistrad or Theros, but that works in its favor. It's a figurative box of assorted chocolates with just the right flavors for mostly everyone to get what they want. It's also all surface-level, allowing the player to project their own impression of the world onto what they see without being explicitly taught the history or obscurities of the place.
I understand why you're not a fan just as I'm sure you'll understand why I don't care all that much for Theros. Everyone has different tastes than everyone else, and that's fine.
But saying that both Ravnica and its "fans" suck is pretty toxic.
It's part of my "tell us how you really feel" humor, but ultimately, fans is in quotations for a reason. I'd prefer we return to Ravnica because people actually enjoy it, over the superficial reasons I think people want to return (shocklands, gold cards, perceived power level). A third return here when some planes haven't had any yet is upsetting, especially when all it has delivered thus far is more of the same shallow gimmick. That said, the noir aspect of Lavinia and Dimir has been somewhat interesting, if they're actually going to play up the plot of Jace's absence and Bolas on the horizon more, which we've has only been surface level so far... I was counting on the showdown to really carry this block, but so far, I'm really confused how we got this far before Lavinia showed up with any indication that there's more at work there. I can admire the subtle approach, but IDK.
That said, this block so far has been better than Return to Ravnica. I'd say it's closer to the original. But that's my opinion of the cards, not the trailer.
Do you think they're going for a theme with the non-Bolas guild leaders all being 2 mana? I love it. I love low CMC legends with small but impactful effects.
This trailer sucked because Ravnica freaking sucks. And so do its "fans."
Man, the original Innistrad and Theros trailers blew me away. Avacyn Restored, Journey to Nyx, etc. Those were the golden age of MTG trailers. Not this disjointed marketing crap. And to think we're in the era of story involvement. BFZ actually had a good trailer too. I don't know what this nonsense is.
Wow. I hope you get at least some sort of warning for this post. I know I’ve gotten them for less. What sort of life do you lead that would compel you to go online and insult a whole group of people just because they enjoy something? Many of us, I’d bet yourself included, have been dealing with that kind of ********ry all our lives and I know I don’t want to come here and find one of our own doing it.
I go around insulting IP, not individual people on a personal level. How's life on that soapbox, sis?
I find it to be a shallow setting. The fact a substantial part of its popularity hinges on Shockland reprints is pretty mediocre. That said, the cards themselves have been impressive, while the trailer showcased my point. Other than "here are the guilds again" what did you get out of it? Without Bolas on the horizon, there really isn't anything impressive here. Jace's absence could be a thing, but the trailer doesn't explore that either. The new Livinia card is the first promise of a relevant plot point, which was spoiled after my post.
Doesn't look like there's going to be Jace in this set
Thats pretty much a given, Maro even said the walkers in these sets are two colored and working for Bolas and the gatewatch won't appear at all.
I must have missed that. Makes sense. I suppose Jace will appear in Milk. Damn, I didn't want to wait this long for Jace to appear.
"this long" which means since ixalan?
As in, seeing Jace again is the only thing keeping a third return to Ravnica, the plane I loathe most (alongside Tarkir) palpable enough to endure, this long. But he's going to be three sets in before I finally get the one good thing Ravnica could deliver for me.
Growth Spiral though. Not bad. Lavinia too. Not bad.
I am thinking of dropping some other less powerful cards, such as the Fonts, or some of the lesser creatures, but I do want to preserve the art theme of the deck for now. I am seriously considering dropping many of the ETB tapped lands for Islands instead, and dropping Realms Uncharted in general for Cultivate. I may strictly focus on the big creatures and Island matters theme.
Cards I would love to find room for are Ramunap Excavator and Azusa, Lost but Seeking.
This trailer sucked because Ravnica freaking sucks. And so do its "fans."
Man, the original Innistrad and Theros trailers blew me away. Avacyn Restored, Journey to Nyx, etc. Those were the golden age of MTG trailers. Not this disjointed marketing crap. And to think we're in the era of story involvement. BFZ actually had a good trailer too. I don't know what this nonsense is.
What if all sparks are an entity, or were at least related?
Well written, engaging. Innistrad, while not my favorite, always makes for a compelling setting. Nice to see more remote parts of it. Story was very textured and not linear plot points. I enjoyed it. It does play a bit in Orpheus territory, but I can see how it applies to Innistrad too. Shame she wasn't a choir girl for Avacyn or something, singing hymns. Would have been more on theme. That said, the Entity business adds a certain mystery. Eldrazi, collapsed planes, sparks, etc. It's becoming difficult to follow how they compare since it's ambiguous.
Actually, this article is the entire problem. Neo-Nazis? Really? Way to buy into propaganda. And the Trump reference about "locker room talk" - way to push your political agendas on a card game forum and assume your opinions are the status quo, and the only right way to think. That's why everyone is sick of liberals and SJWs. Arrogance and ignorance. No one gives a damn bro, we're here for card games. Get over yourselves and off your righteous soapbox.
That said, this block so far has been better than Return to Ravnica. I'd say it's closer to the original. But that's my opinion of the cards, not the trailer.
I find it to be a shallow setting. The fact a substantial part of its popularity hinges on Shockland reprints is pretty mediocre. That said, the cards themselves have been impressive, while the trailer showcased my point. Other than "here are the guilds again" what did you get out of it? Without Bolas on the horizon, there really isn't anything impressive here. Jace's absence could be a thing, but the trailer doesn't explore that either. The new Livinia card is the first promise of a relevant plot point, which was spoiled after my post.
Warning has been in red, which you clearly saw.
My favorite legends are ones with low mana cost. I love when they're one or two drops.
Growth Spiral though. Not bad. Lavinia too. Not bad.
- 1x Clinging Anemones
+ Lurking Predators
+ Growth Spiral
I am thinking of dropping some other less powerful cards, such as the Fonts, or some of the lesser creatures, but I do want to preserve the art theme of the deck for now. I am seriously considering dropping many of the ETB tapped lands for Islands instead, and dropping Realms Uncharted in general for Cultivate. I may strictly focus on the big creatures and Island matters theme.
Cards I would love to find room for are Ramunap Excavator and Azusa, Lost but Seeking.
Man, the original Innistrad and Theros trailers blew me away. Avacyn Restored, Journey to Nyx, etc. Those were the golden age of MTG trailers. Not this disjointed marketing crap. And to think we're in the era of story involvement. BFZ actually had a good trailer too. I don't know what this nonsense is.
Ohh Arixmethes, you have a new toooooyyyyy
That Instant speed Explore variant also has Seb McKinnon artwork?
Simic-style Basic Lands?
FFffffffffff yaaaaaas
Lavinia art and design are impressive!
Well written, engaging. Innistrad, while not my favorite, always makes for a compelling setting. Nice to see more remote parts of it. Story was very textured and not linear plot points. I enjoyed it. It does play a bit in Orpheus territory, but I can see how it applies to Innistrad too. Shame she wasn't a choir girl for Avacyn or something, singing hymns. Would have been more on theme. That said, the Entity business adds a certain mystery. Eldrazi, collapsed planes, sparks, etc. It's becoming difficult to follow how they compare since it's ambiguous.