Look at it this way: If you HAVE to have Phyrexians on your plane, Vorinclex and his faction are probably the least bad. He has no grand plan. He just wants to hunt, kill, eat and for the strong to dominate the weak. He is incredibly dangerous, yes, but not insidious in the way Norn or Gitaxias would be.
We as players know he is the herald of a much bigger threat, but to the people of Kaldheim, he is the same as any other dangerous monster. They probably think he is a demon, a troll or just an unknown horror from the depths of the world. (And I agree with whoever compared him to Beowulf's Grendel.)
A body that's way off-curve for any good tempo build,
Was going to comment that a 3/3 flying menace for 3 is good. Then I squinted a little harder at the card. It's only 2/3? And doesn't fly? What kind of demon is this? It's too small to be a fire giant stand-in.
Also, berserkers for this tribal deck are only going to come from this one set? There are currently 3 berserkers in Standard, and I can't see getting many in Strixhaven...
Here's what I was thinking, using one of your cards as an example:
Plan for Peace 1W
Enchantment - Plot
Masterplan - When ~ enters the battlefield, create a 2/2 white Knight token with vigilance.
Endgame - When another plot enters the battlefield under your control, sacrifice ~. If you do, gain 6 life.
---
Each plot gives you a fairly minor effect when you cast it, but an additional (usually more impressive) payoff if you can "finish the job" by playing another plot. (The ability words are just for extra flavor and could easily be left off.)
I'm not convinced that the token card is another praetor. If it was, I would think it would use the cleaner "twice/half" template. "Create X" would have to have extra text to define X, and then would still have to have another ability to reduce opponents' token production. Seems overly wordy.
The basic point is that they are basically saying to players.."Oh, we hear you like Pizza. That's awesome. Well, how about a Pizza with french fries and a few scoops of ice cream on top, covered in caramel sauce and sprinkles? *WAY* BETTER, RIGHT?"
No, it isn't. It tastes terrible,actually.
Well, blame americans. They would ate that ***** and be happy too.
By the way i would wait to judge. "Phyrexian vikings" sounds indeed like a terrible idea, but Vorinclex could alone as far as we know.
I mean, they've been advertising this as the "metal" set, and zombie cyborg vikings are about as metal as it gets...
As for legitimacy, no telltale fake signs, so so far so good.
Introducing Phyrexian as a creature type, as well as the first time a non-permanent having the Snow supertype, sure raises at least some red flags, that can't be just me.
Maybe that artwork is just what a Baloth looks like on Kaldheim?
X D
And I'm still also suspicious regarding the non italic font for the mechanic name, which others already pointed out.
The art is 100% Vorinclex (or at least a Phyrexian of the same pattern). He has:
1. Moose antler faceplates
2. Splits in his lower limbs
3. Tiny extra T-rex arms
That's one of the biggest things pointing to this being real: if it's fake, where did they find this art?
She stole Thassa's godly bident in the original Theros block. Then used it during the battle for Zendikar to command Lorthos. Seems like she also used it to lift an ocean at one point.
So if Tibalt steals a godly weapon, he's copying Kiora. If he becomes a god, he's copying Xenagos.
Reap. Buddy. What are you even on about? No one is saying that creativity should be limited.
Literally any idea can be made to work within MtG. But that's the thing, you have to find a way to make it work within the existing framework.
Magic's rules are so codified at this point, that they are akin to a legal document or computer program. You can add anything you want, but you need to know the proper method and language to get the result you want. Your solution is just to say "This is how I want it to work, you know what I mean." Linguistically, yes, we understand you. But that language may not function in terms of the system that is already in place.
The cards that Rowan listed are indeed good examples of this. Theit power level and even their wild ideas are not what make them Un cards. It's the informality of their language and the introduction of concepts not otherwise referenced in the main game. Both could indeed be black-bordered cards, bit would be templated much differently.
As to adding comp rules: imagine if you were a professional game designer. Every time you submit an idea, your supervisor gives you a note saying "Interesting concept, but does not function as worded. Let's try this wording instead." And every single time, you reply "Let's just add a comp rule to clarify." For every single card you submit. Would you last long in that position?
Ok, so with Maro's clarifications, I would expect the poison card to either be:
* Something along the lines of Sabretooth Cobra for the Space Snake. It bites you once and the poison continues to build up.
* A BW Arrest variant (despictrd as being bound by serpents) that gives the victim's controller a poison counter every turn. Have to find a way to get rid of it quickly!
As far as a mistletoe reference, I expect it to be a way to remove indestructible creatures. Whether making them lose indestructible, exiling or -X/-X. Kills Baldr, but also those annoying Greek gods that are still hanging around.
I do believe Maro was referring to poison counters. I think it will be something that interacts with poison counters, but doesn't actually make them. Like a proliferate or Deepglow Skate variant.
My point about the Cosmo Snake was that, just because it is venomous in lore, doesn't automatically mean poison counters. But it could.
He may not get the benefits from your Heliod, but he can block your opponent's Heliod all day.
We as players know he is the herald of a much bigger threat, but to the people of Kaldheim, he is the same as any other dangerous monster. They probably think he is a demon, a troll or just an unknown horror from the depths of the world. (And I agree with whoever compared him to Beowulf's Grendel.)
Was going to comment that a 3/3 flying menace for 3 is good. Then I squinted a little harder at the card. It's only 2/3? And doesn't fly? What kind of demon is this? It's too small to be a fire giant stand-in.
Also, berserkers for this tribal deck are only going to come from this one set? There are currently 3 berserkers in Standard, and I can't see getting many in Strixhaven...
Plan for Peace 1W
Enchantment - Plot
Masterplan - When ~ enters the battlefield, create a 2/2 white Knight token with vigilance.
Endgame - When another plot enters the battlefield under your control, sacrifice ~. If you do, gain 6 life.
---
Each plot gives you a fairly minor effect when you cast it, but an additional (usually more impressive) payoff if you can "finish the job" by playing another plot. (The ability words are just for extra flavor and could easily be left off.)
Charisma is saying "He is confirmed in every way except officially." He's saying that the card is real, not fake.
I mean, they've been advertising this as the "metal" set, and zombie cyborg vikings are about as metal as it gets...
The art is 100% Vorinclex (or at least a Phyrexian of the same pattern). He has:
1. Moose antler faceplates
2. Splits in his lower limbs
3. Tiny extra T-rex arms
That's one of the biggest things pointing to this being real: if it's fake, where did they find this art?
So if Tibalt steals a godly weapon, he's copying Kiora. If he becomes a god, he's copying Xenagos.
Literally any idea can be made to work within MtG. But that's the thing, you have to find a way to make it work within the existing framework.
Magic's rules are so codified at this point, that they are akin to a legal document or computer program. You can add anything you want, but you need to know the proper method and language to get the result you want. Your solution is just to say "This is how I want it to work, you know what I mean." Linguistically, yes, we understand you. But that language may not function in terms of the system that is already in place.
The cards that Rowan listed are indeed good examples of this. Theit power level and even their wild ideas are not what make them Un cards. It's the informality of their language and the introduction of concepts not otherwise referenced in the main game. Both could indeed be black-bordered cards, bit would be templated much differently.
As to adding comp rules: imagine if you were a professional game designer. Every time you submit an idea, your supervisor gives you a note saying "Interesting concept, but does not function as worded. Let's try this wording instead." And every single time, you reply "Let's just add a comp rule to clarify." For every single card you submit. Would you last long in that position?
* Something along the lines of Sabretooth Cobra for the Space Snake. It bites you once and the poison continues to build up.
* A BW Arrest variant (despictrd as being bound by serpents) that gives the victim's controller a poison counter every turn. Have to find a way to get rid of it quickly!
As far as a mistletoe reference, I expect it to be a way to remove indestructible creatures. Whether making them lose indestructible, exiling or -X/-X. Kills Baldr, but also those annoying Greek gods that are still hanging around.
I do believe Maro was referring to poison counters. I think it will be something that interacts with poison counters, but doesn't actually make them. Like a proliferate or Deepglow Skate variant.
My point about the Cosmo Snake was that, just because it is venomous in lore, doesn't automatically mean poison counters. But it could.