I do not have this experience. In the prizes of my pre-release, for example, got 2 mythics in the half display I won. they were in boosters with different packaging, one in a tamiyo packagin (emrakul) and one with that burning werewolf-like thingy (nahiri's wrath). The boosters all came from the same display.
According to reddit comments, it seems like this is only true for US product. European and Australian boxes are said to be randomized as normal.
I don't know, I just don't see how these things of the original set(s) affect "Returns to"s at all:
Draft environment
Strong/eternal-playable cards
Overall power level
Draft environment and power level can be vastly different in the new set, there is nothing forcing them to use the same mechanics (see RTR and SOI) or aiming to hit the same power level again. Reprints in "Return sets" don't seem to happen very often either (or have you seen a new Snapcaster/LotV/Cavern of Souls/Craterhoof/Dark Confidant/etc lately?).
Furthermore, a lot of sets which were popular just happened to have a lot of strong cards and/or a fun draft environment. Like I said, two things that mean absolutely nothing for the return set. On the other hand, sets became unpopular when they had a low power level or are connected to a bad standard experience. Again, nothing the Return set has to repeat.
I guess what I am trying to say is: Why focus on the executing of the original set when deciding whether a return is a good idea or not? Why not look at things which can/should/must be transferred to the return instead?
World "quality" and flavor
Design space (for stories, conflicts and of course also cards) within the given world
Uniqueness of the world and its inhabitants
I think these are way better aspects to focus on when thinking about a return. And in these Kamigawa and Lorwyn both look really decent to me. Post-conflux Alara however seems rather unfocused (no clearly differentiated clans/guilds/shards/tribes/whatever), while dragon world of Tarkir feels very one-dimensional and boring to me.
In the end I really hope that Wizards realizes the above and doesn't fear the negative feedback they will likely receive when announcing a "Return to Kamigawa" or similar. When the set plays good everyone will be happy, when it doesn't people will complain. Doesn't matter if it's Ravinca, Lorwyn or Innistrad.
Just looked at the equipment of the last sets and it seems like there is only a single good one per year or something like that. And I am not talking Modern-playable here. Last ones were Blade of Selves, Sword of the Animist and Godsend.
a) All other modes of Dromoka's Command target something other than the dragon. Therefore the spell is not copied by Mirrorwing Dragon's effect.
b) Even if that wasn't the case, for example when you copy Dromoka's Command with Twincast, you can not change the selected modes for the copy, only the targets.
Could you please write "SPOILERS" in the title?
I clicked on this thread thinking it was pure speculation. But already the first sentence of the artbook text is a huge spoiler...
Aside from that, the artwork and text font looks pretty gorgeous. Maybe I should also start buying artbooks
Source: Comments in here: Reddit
- Draft environment
- Strong/eternal-playable cards
- Overall power level
Draft environment and power level can be vastly different in the new set, there is nothing forcing them to use the same mechanics (see RTR and SOI) or aiming to hit the same power level again. Reprints in "Return sets" don't seem to happen very often either (or have you seen a new Snapcaster/LotV/Cavern of Souls/Craterhoof/Dark Confidant/etc lately?).Furthermore, a lot of sets which were popular just happened to have a lot of strong cards and/or a fun draft environment. Like I said, two things that mean absolutely nothing for the return set. On the other hand, sets became unpopular when they had a low power level or are connected to a bad standard experience. Again, nothing the Return set has to repeat.
I guess what I am trying to say is: Why focus on the executing of the original set when deciding whether a return is a good idea or not? Why not look at things which can/should/must be transferred to the return instead?
- World "quality" and flavor
- Design space (for stories, conflicts and of course also cards) within the given world
- Uniqueness of the world and its inhabitants
I think these are way better aspects to focus on when thinking about a return. And in these Kamigawa and Lorwyn both look really decent to me. Post-conflux Alara however seems rather unfocused (no clearly differentiated clans/guilds/shards/tribes/whatever), while dragon world of Tarkir feels very one-dimensional and boring to me.In the end I really hope that Wizards realizes the above and doesn't fear the negative feedback they will likely receive when announcing a "Return to Kamigawa" or similar. When the set plays good everyone will be happy, when it doesn't people will complain. Doesn't matter if it's Ravinca, Lorwyn or Innistrad.
I guess this answers that:
ok, ok. It is not actually infinte. But still...
b) Even if that wasn't the case, for example when you copy Dromoka's Command with Twincast, you can not change the selected modes for the copy, only the targets.
I clicked on this thread thinking it was pure speculation. But already the first sentence of the artbook text is a huge spoiler...
Aside from that, the artwork and text font looks pretty gorgeous. Maybe I should also start buying artbooks
51 Grim Lavamancer
5 Fact or Fiction
0 Lightning Bolt
8 Eternal Witness
16 Faithless Looting
Wont be reprinted:
492 Pyroblast
313 Counterbalance
223 Red Elemental Blast
1237 Ponder
166 Punishing Fire