Better than Doug where we get the super helpful answer of: *crickets*
I dunno. With Doug we at least get lovely pictures of sunsets.
But seriously, Doug has been really helpful. It's not entirely fair to take shots at him.
I suppose. He just has never answers me. And they're not absurd questions either.
I wonder though, since Elspeth is not a native of Theros, what becomes of PW when they die on certain planes that are not their home plane? Is their soul bound by the metaphysics of their home or the plane they're on?
Brady was once asked that exact question.
We were given the super helpful answer of "It Depends".
Better than Doug where we get the super helpful answer of: *crickets*
It's not confirmed that she is officially dead. Just that she was dying saying a prayer. The Underworld isn't absolute in Greek Myth or Theros. It really is a cliffhanger.
I wonder though, since Elspeth is not a native of Theros, what becomes of PW when they die on certain planes that are not their home plane? Is their soul bound by the metaphysics of their home or the plane they're on?
Seriously. Tell me where the snow is in this picture. Tell me.
Look at their clothes. Thick furs and snow gear.
Of what snow gear do you speak? Are you referring to half of them lacking shirts? Thicks furs? I see armor and a distinct lack of shirts. Also I see fire and smoke.
Additionally just because it may or may not be cold does not mean that it is SNOWY. Plenty of deserts get to below freezing and see little to no snow.
I think it's blatantly obvious that the Duel Deck will be Elspeth vs. Xenagos. For the planeswalker decks from Large Small Small blocks, it seems like they prefer to pick 'wslkers from the big set as to not make it less worth it to bust backs of the small sets.
We'll have to agree to disagree on several points since our opinions are at odds. It's true that there could be delays between different departments that prevents certain details from Creative from making it onto cards. I resent that and I'm only voicing this opinion in the hopes that if it can be avoided, it might be in the future. WOTC has always been receptive to constructive criticism and suggestions, which is admirable and the reason why more of the story IS being represented on cards lately, such as Deicide. Speaking of Deicide, I disagree that depicting Arixmethes would be any more confusing than the fact Deicide depicts a scene exclusive to Godsend itself, just as he essentially was.
You're just going to have to accept that there's no viable way they can do everything you want them to do. They make a lot of details and characters for the style guide that just have no way of being included. It's just the nature of the game and design.
I know you aren't happy with it, but there isn't much they can do.
I only hope Arixmethes and Jenrik make it onto cards someday and sooner than later. I feel supplemental Commander products are an ideal place for that, but it's not my decision to make.
Jenrik is likely never getting made. Gisa and Geralf are way too popular for him to even be on the radar. Even if they did do another character from Innistrad, it's more likely to be Ludevic than Jenrik.
Arixmethes doesn't feel particularly likely either, not when there are more human creatures that people latch onto. Do I speak definitively on it? No, but so far you're the only one I've ever seen pushing for those characters to get cards, and there are a LOT more who were upset we didn't get Gisa and Geralf.
So many players have wanted an Urza card for years, so I know there's little incentive to hold out hope for flavor cards. Just seems sad to me though. I'm not requesting Return of Kamigawa or fetchland commons in M15. I don't think it takes away from anything to make them into cards in a casual EDH format product. But it's true that there are few, if only me, who wants those specific characters so it's more difficult getting them on the radar.
My favorite part of Godsend Part 2 was Kiora vs. Thassa and discovering Arixmethes was actually a Kraken bearing the lost city. This is probably the most compelling concept in MTG for me. I'm obsessed with marine archaeology, especially in Greece and Egypt, so you can only imagine how I feel about a Kraken carrying a lost city on its back. And from the sound of it, Arixmethes it probably like this giant 10/10 or 15/15 abject horror of the ocean. Sadly, he's not a card and that to me is the most disappointing thing in MTG at the moment, for me. I don't mind that the Kiora vs. Thassa battle was not resolved in the story, since I expected it to be left open-ended and resolved only when we see Kiora again and learn of that outcome at that point (hopefully in a Return to Zendikar). Perhaps she'll have stolen Arixmethes then, and summons him on Zendkiar and that's when we'll get him as a card? Either way, I'm dying for this to make it to print. So upset with WOTC for not making him a Mythic in JOU though...
Also. Damn it. Thassa takes all these awesome forms in the story, but in the rare event we see her on cards, she's the same Mermaid thing. Show her as a Merfolk or the Great Eye form. But no. Of all the cards that refer to her, only Thassa's Ire actually shows her. I love how she appeared right next to Elspeth and Ajani instantaneously before they could even respond with Magic. It's definitely another example of how the gods are formidable compared to PWs. But the true confirmation will come from who wins between Thassa and Kiora. One hails from Zendikar and naturally a tough Merfolk for that reason. Then you have the Merfolk god of her respective plane. This will be interesting.
I really liked how Thassa appeared when she did. I'm more curious to see what she chooses as a human form since that's what form she chose when she was with Heliod and Purphoros.
The way Thassa practically teleported next to Ajani and Elspeth makes me think she would be an incredible combatant if she were to start poking people with her bident, Dekalla. If it was up to just straight power and intelligence, I would always bet on Thassa (bias) against Kiora, especially when Keranos is always watching Thassa and would definitely lend a hand to his favorite sister. Of course, Creative is predictable nowadays so Kiora will probably get a shiny set of plot armor and prevail while learning absolutely nothing before the Eldrazi Titans give her a lesson in humility.
As long as:
- Thassa lives
- Nothing happens that would cause her to not be goddess of the Sea
- Thassa isn't functionally mutilated (Ashiok is still a wild card/scumbag)
- Thassa isn't made a "slave" of Kiora via summoning bonds or whatever planeswalkers do to summon things through the aether.
I'm fine with most outcomes Creative can come up with. If they want to stay true to their own novel, Kiora could somehow be winning before Keranos bolts her in the face. She would then forced to make a tactical retreat before Thassa overwhelms her in her moment of weakness. Since Thassa volunteered to make a bridge of aether for Elspeth to get to Xenagos, she could probably break the manabonds Kiora has on her leviathans (aether business and what not) and she can definitely use countermagic. I'm 99% sure Kiora doesn't know about Keranos too.
I just don't want to see my favorite goddess in Theros hurt since my favorite (cat)girl in Mirrodin is most certainly dead. I can't take many more losses. ;-;
I'm biased toward Thassa I'll admit. It's a possibility that Thassa could win and single handedly teach Kiora a lesson herself; one that proves valuable for her future battle with the Eldrazi. But there's no denying that Creative is probably going to favor Kiora winning for whatever reason, and by whatever means. Either way, Thassa was impressive in the story just as I expected, and I'd love to see her other forms as well. I doubt she'll die, lose godhood or anything of that nature. Who knows, perhaps they'll join forces. Thassa may end up willingly allow manabonds just for the sake of exploring other oceans with Kiora. We'll have to wait and see.
Jenrik worked with Tamiyo, though. And Arixmethes was the myth involving where Godsend landed and he was Kiora's target; as well as the greatest sea monster on Theros...
Tamiyo crashed with Jenrik.
Know what she did in the story? Nothing either.
And Arixmethes was never mentioned anywhere else in connection to Godsend EXCEPT in Godsend, and DOUBLY true of the fact that it wasn't a kraken in ANY legend or supplementary product.
Arixmethes, in the walker's guide, was mentioned in the fact that Heliod had smote it with Khrusor, not Purphoros's sword.
Imagine the disconnect people would have if they HADN'T read the book and saw this and what they could find on it didn't indicate it was a sea monster at all.
I'm not faulting WOTC for not being prophets; I just wish we had more insight into what prevents named characters from becoming cards, and an idea if we can expect, with popular demand, those characters to make it to cards at some point later. Flavor fans are usually collectors/casual/EDH players anyway, and their products are where Legendaries make the most sense. Why make new cards all the time when people love certain characters they haven't seen on cards yet?
They changed that after the style guide was finalized, probably because of how much space it would take up on the card line. Which, there in, lies my point.
Not only do they not know what will be popular, but there are a LOT of details that are fluid as late as when Development is testing things. The style guides might not actually end up matching the final product because of late development changes.
And for the record, I loathe EDH. It's fine if you like it, I'm not saying it is a bad format, but I hate it with the burning passion of a culling sun.
We'll have to agree to disagree on several points since our opinions are at odds. It's true that there could be delays between different departments that prevents certain details from Creative from making it onto cards. I resent that and I'm only voicing this opinion in the hopes that if it can be avoided, it might be in the future. WOTC has always been receptive to constructive criticism and suggestions, which is admirable and the reason why more of the story IS being represented on cards lately, such as Deicide. Speaking of Deicide, I disagree that depicting Arixmethes would be any more confusing than the fact Deicide depicts a scene exclusive to Godsend itself, just as he essentially was.
The idea of him being a Kraken is the flavor of the block itself - that the Myths are sometimes wrong about certain details, and sometimes right but embellished, and other times historical fact. That's the mystique of Mediterranean story telling and history which was captured in Theros myths. Like the Trojan war or Atlantis. For example: The myth that Callaphe found the edge of the world and sailed into Nyx. Her ship sank, so part of the myth is false - but the Moonsoon was the key to reaching the edge of the world after all. With Arixmethes for example yes - it is a lost city. Yes, it did sink into the ocean. It's a real place. But not because Heliod smote it, but because it was a Kraken after all. That's what makes these myths alluring. Modern archaeology is discovering places like Troy and Atlantis (Santorini) as actual places. But did the gods smite them? Or fight in their wars? Well, that's the myth aspect built on a foundation of historical fact. That's what I love most about some of the Theros myths. They successfully captured that flavor. But I don't have some of them as cards to enjoy since I'm making a Myths EDH deck.
EDH is my favorite creative outlet in MTG and with a good group of friends it's fun for me personally. Just an opinion.
I only hope Arixmethes and Jenrik make it onto cards someday and sooner than later. I feel supplemental Commander products are an ideal place for that, but it's not my decision to make.
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.
I suppose. He just has never answers me. And they're not absurd questions either.
Better than Doug where we get the super helpful answer of: *crickets*
You seem to really care tho
Would be ideal.
Gonna laugh when it has snow lands tbh.
Look at their clothes. Thick furs and snow gear.
Which is lame, predictable and not what we want.
So many players have wanted an Urza card for years, so I know there's little incentive to hold out hope for flavor cards. Just seems sad to me though. I'm not requesting Return of Kamigawa or fetchland commons in M15. I don't think it takes away from anything to make them into cards in a casual EDH format product. But it's true that there are few, if only me, who wants those specific characters so it's more difficult getting them on the radar.
We'll have to agree to disagree on several points since our opinions are at odds. It's true that there could be delays between different departments that prevents certain details from Creative from making it onto cards. I resent that and I'm only voicing this opinion in the hopes that if it can be avoided, it might be in the future. WOTC has always been receptive to constructive criticism and suggestions, which is admirable and the reason why more of the story IS being represented on cards lately, such as Deicide. Speaking of Deicide, I disagree that depicting Arixmethes would be any more confusing than the fact Deicide depicts a scene exclusive to Godsend itself, just as he essentially was.
The idea of him being a Kraken is the flavor of the block itself - that the Myths are sometimes wrong about certain details, and sometimes right but embellished, and other times historical fact. That's the mystique of Mediterranean story telling and history which was captured in Theros myths. Like the Trojan war or Atlantis. For example: The myth that Callaphe found the edge of the world and sailed into Nyx. Her ship sank, so part of the myth is false - but the Moonsoon was the key to reaching the edge of the world after all. With Arixmethes for example yes - it is a lost city. Yes, it did sink into the ocean. It's a real place. But not because Heliod smote it, but because it was a Kraken after all. That's what makes these myths alluring. Modern archaeology is discovering places like Troy and Atlantis (Santorini) as actual places. But did the gods smite them? Or fight in their wars? Well, that's the myth aspect built on a foundation of historical fact. That's what I love most about some of the Theros myths. They successfully captured that flavor. But I don't have some of them as cards to enjoy since I'm making a Myths EDH deck.
EDH is my favorite creative outlet in MTG and with a good group of friends it's fun for me personally. Just an opinion.
I only hope Arixmethes and Jenrik make it onto cards someday and sooner than later. I feel supplemental Commander products are an ideal place for that, but it's not my decision to make.