I'm mostly curious to see whether or not there's a Frog-headed God in the block. And if there is, whether or not it plays nicely with high amounts of energy.
Im not a fan of the Egyptian gods have the same mechanic as Theros, that would overlap both worlds. The devotion thing is a characteristic of Theros and Amohnket should have another mechanic to represent their gods, if they have them.
I really like the idea that the gods aren't creatures all the time, it helps capture the feeling that they are something bigger and don't get too involved with mortal matters and mostly influence the world indirectly. But of course, devotion is just one of many possible conditions for them to become creatures.
So, Aether revolt spoilers are over, let's speculate what could happen in Amonkhet. What themes or mechanics could we see? What races could populate the plane? What planeswalkers could show up?
So far, we know very little. The plane is inspired by ancient Egypt, ruled by Bolas who will most likely recieve a planeswalker card, and at least five gods will have a significant impact (judging from the Trial of the Five Gods).
Here are a few guesses of mine:
- Ancient Egypt was obsessed with the afterlife, so we might see a graveyard theme. But we just got a "graveyard matters" block with SOI, which kinda lowers the probability. Maybe cards that have an effect as long as they are in the yard, flavored as sacred animals that get mumified after death?
- Speaking of mummies, they are a must!
- Concerning possible races, with egyptian animal-headed gods, we might get a bunch of "animal people" races, such as Leonin, Ainok, Loxodon or Rhox. Traditional fantasy races make little sense in the setting.
- Concerning the gods, we got one and two-color gods on Theros, so we might get three-color ones here. Devotion could make a comeback ant he gods could work similarly to the Theros ones, even if the block has no larger enchantment theme. The Gearhulks showed us that Wizards are willing to make a high rarity cycle outside of the block themes (colored artifacts in this case).
The spoilers revealed so far (namely Sram, Senior Edificer and Sram's Expertise) seem to point towards a cycle of monocolor legends (possibly with cmc 3 or less) and their respective expertises, therefore making Yahenni monoblack.
Not energy draining, that would be unfun, but energy taxing could work, such as a black enchantment making opponents pay life when they get energy (should totally be flavored to Kambal) and so on...
If she costs 3 it would have wonderful synergy with Yahenni's Expertise. Perhaps 1GB or 1BB. Yahenni is a very black character, so perhaps BBB?
Well, them not having this synergy would be a major flavor fail, unless there is another Yahenni-centric card that has it. I mean, why else would they put that bit on a spell that is all about draining life?
To show the whole life-extending business, they could be 0/0 with a bunch of +1/+1 counters, losing one each turn and replenishing some when they kill something. And deathtouch is pretty much a given. That would capture the flavor and also sits neatly in the BG part of the Pie.
You only get to draw the card if you find something cheaper than your spell and don't cast it, don't you?
If it's a land or a spell with higher converted manacost, Rashmi just fizzles I think.
Not that hard with the proper library manipulation available in those colors, but still mentionable.
I don't thik that is the case. You may cast it if it is lower cmc. If you don't cast it for whatever reason, including that you are not allowed to, put it in your hand.
On a (somewhat) related note: I am starting to think that Ashiok is the "villain" of the block. The Aetherborn look a lot like the nightmare weaver.
I certainly hope that's not the case, since it would mean that the setup for Theros return really got scratched. Also, Ashiok doesn't really fit into Kaladesh flavor-wise. They could very well be an Aetherborn without appearing in the block, though.
the Gitrog monster could certainly use some friends.
I really like the idea that the gods aren't creatures all the time, it helps capture the feeling that they are something bigger and don't get too involved with mortal matters and mostly influence the world indirectly. But of course, devotion is just one of many possible conditions for them to become creatures.
So far, we know very little. The plane is inspired by ancient Egypt, ruled by Bolas who will most likely recieve a planeswalker card, and at least five gods will have a significant impact (judging from the Trial of the Five Gods).
Here are a few guesses of mine:
- Ancient Egypt was obsessed with the afterlife, so we might see a graveyard theme. But we just got a "graveyard matters" block with SOI, which kinda lowers the probability. Maybe cards that have an effect as long as they are in the yard, flavored as sacred animals that get mumified after death?
- Speaking of mummies, they are a must!
- Concerning possible races, with egyptian animal-headed gods, we might get a bunch of "animal people" races, such as Leonin, Ainok, Loxodon or Rhox. Traditional fantasy races make little sense in the setting.
- Concerning the gods, we got one and two-color gods on Theros, so we might get three-color ones here. Devotion could make a comeback ant he gods could work similarly to the Theros ones, even if the block has no larger enchantment theme. The Gearhulks showed us that Wizards are willing to make a high rarity cycle outside of the block themes (colored artifacts in this case).
So, feel free to share your thoughts!
Well, them not having this synergy would be a major flavor fail, unless there is another Yahenni-centric card that has it. I mean, why else would they put that bit on a spell that is all about draining life?
You point your cars towards the enemy and start the engines...
I don't thik that is the case. You may cast it if it is lower cmc. If you don't cast it for whatever reason, including that you are not allowed to, put it in your hand.
I believe you don't control stuff outside of the battlefield.
I certainly hope that's not the case, since it would mean that the setup for Theros return really got scratched. Also, Ashiok doesn't really fit into Kaladesh flavor-wise. They could very well be an Aetherborn without appearing in the block, though.