I wonder if any of the champions will reference their respective mechanic. For example: "All creatures in your graveyard have Scavange equal to their mana cost"
I kind of hope they stay away from the keywords just so they're different, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.
Regeneration is expected. I would hope for trample, too. With his name being the Scar-Striped, I assume it has something to do with him dealing damage to creatures and getting big for doing so. He wears his scars proudly, and I'm sure they're shown in the form of +1/+1 counters.
Additionally, I know this isn't a custom creation forum, but for a custom set I made, it featured a green enchantment that cost seven, and it was just "At the beginning of your upkeep, you win the game if you control 20 or more basic lands." Although I turned it into a legendary land now, I still think it could make for an interesting enchantment. It promotes ramp decks, but at the same time is fragile and requires basics, and a fast way to get lads all the meanwhile defending yourself.
But, I think Green is out of the race, at least shown on here, so here is my reasoning for Red and Black. Yes, Red has the weakest enchantments compared to black. I'm not going to lie, black is my favorite color so I am already biased. But I definitely think red could use the card due to a much needed love for red. I'm not saying red never had any good enchantments, they have quite a few. Compared to the titan enchantments of black, however, they don't seem as good.
My question furthers as to how the card will be designed in the future. Do we choose the mana cost before the ability? How exactly will we pick an ability? I've never been through this before so I am unsure of how this will go down.
Honestly, I want red, but I'll be equally happy if it's a black card. I voted black on this website, but I still am turning over my ideas. If someone would or could tell me how the voting process will come down to a finalized card I'd be really happy!
Maybe the Simic played dirty and killed off Niv's Champion, so now he's come to take care of the stupid little fish boy himself? Either way I hope Niv wins because I don't even like the looks of that flounder. He's like Aquaman minus the few things that made Aquaman cool. There wasn't many to begin with...
Wow. Both the Orzhov and the Gruul Guildgates look spectacular! They blow the miniature artwork versions away. I'll never use those Guildgates again after seeing these.
Assuming Ruric Thar is the beginning of a template for these champions, there's a lot to speculate on.
Assuming two keywords, each representing one of his colors, the safest bets are Trample for green, and Regenerate for black. However, the way the Golgari deal and profit in death, is it possible he could have lifelink the way Ruric had surprising choices in Vigilance and Reach?
He doesn't exactly strike me as the most intelligent champion at first sight, which is very surprising. He almost seems more Gruul-like, which leaves me to assume he's going to have a fairly surprising ability.
I'd say the smallest he'd be is 3/4, and if he is, then it's very likely he has a self boosting ability. I'd guess he's somewhere around a 4-5 drop, possibly a 3 if he's on the smaller side. But this is all just baseless speculation.
Given the Golgari are my favorite guild, this is the guy I'm really holding out for.
Seems like accurate guesses. Scar-Striped leads me to believe he will be dabbling with +1/+1 counters in some way. Perhaps:
Trample
Whenever a creature dealt damage by ~ dies, put a +1/+1 counter on ~. Or, whenever a creature that dealt damage to ~ dies, put a +1/+1 counter on ~. Or just whenever ~ is dealt damage, put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
BG: Regenerate
I wouldn't be surprised if we finish with another Guild vs Guild duel decks. If I recall, there was a special little article in the Arcana a few weeks ago that talked specifically about the Gruul and the Orzhov waging war on each other. I mean, if you look through all of the cards, there are a lot of them showing the conflict between the two. But, we wouldn't get the next duel decks until july or something, so I'm not sure if it will actually be that.
I always thought humans vs zombies would be a good one. White vs Black. However, they skipped that boat with Innistrad's passing.
Out of all of them, I think I am the most excited for Teysa. No, I'm not hopping on the bandwagon, it's just that she was cool in the story, I like the Orzhov, and DAMN that art is awesome! She feels the most human and realistic and lovely! Menacing too! I wonder what her abilities will be like. Perhaps she too can come back from the graveyard by sacrificing creatures? Envoy of Ghosts sounds like a spirit token generator... But they could be talking about Obzedat and not just regular ghosts. The suspense is killing me!
The Dimir guy could be interesting too. The Dimir are my favorite. Secretly, of course I kind of want to see an ability like Consuming Aberration except whenever your opponent casts a spell, they have to mill until they knock off a land. He also obviously has flying and is likely a vampire. Maybe he will buff himself up too, like good ol' Szazdek, chewing on memories.
Emmara obviously makes something big. I really hope she can just pay a cost and make an elemental.
Really, In the end I hope they're all along the same power level as Ruric Thar. That's all I want. Balanced, strong, but not JTMS good.
Well, I found a high-resolution picture of him today and I definitely believe he is a troll, and a creepy one at that! I'm excited to see what he does and pick some up for my BG zombies that I've been struggling to make, as long as he's a zombie too, of course.
If I had to speculate AND be thoughtful...
Low-Mid CMC
Troll AND Zombie creature types
Low Regeneration Cost
Cool ability to interact with +1/+1 Counters.
Although I voted for Black, or, will vote for Black, I would like to think that together we could make a really cool Red Enchantment too. Sulfuric Vortex, Burning Sands, Manabarbs, and Blood Moon are all cool.
I wouldn't mind seeing some new type of Lightning Cloud. It would be cool if it prevented life gain too!
Calm down, there. We have no confirmation of whether or not it's Voidslime. If anything, it appears to be more of an ooze-shield than an actual counterspell.
It could be something that puts an X/X Ooze creature onto your side of the battlefield with a power and toughness equal to the highest power among creatures your opponent's control. A little bit like Miming Slime but you can use it to mimic your opponents guys instead. Plus, it could be an instant to trick attacking creatures, such as Bloodrushed cards. Just a thought...
Teysa could be the Envy of Ghosts because perhaps she has truly ascended in the ranks of the Orzhov, and she is immortal, but she still looks extremely full of life (Obviously, she's attractive and young and even better looking than before.) so other ghosts envy her?
Or, she's the envoy of ghosts, because she basically twerks for spirit tokens.
I wonder what Golgari's champion is going to be like.
I hope he has regenerate. That's literally all I want. I don't know why Jarad just didn't have regenerate instead of that horrid painful sacrifice lands recovery ability. Who the flex would want to pay that cost? Regenerate would've been way better, so I hope this guy gets it.
All in all, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the champions far surpass the guild leaders in usefulness and power. It seems that Ruric Thar already blows Borborygymos out of the water.
I can't wait until Lavidia (Azorius Girl?) has an ability that's basically Propoganda on a stick and then it costs an additional 1 to cast a spell for each opponent. Something to counter the effects of such things. Maybe she can detain cards too for the hell of it.
I think he's definitely a weird, and he was definitely created for the Maze. It's the logical thing to do, in a cynical sort of way, if you catch my drift.
Oh, and I think it would be cool if he had an activated ability that allowed you to change the word "target" to "each" in target spell for a reasonable mana cost. Thus, allowing you to overload any spells you want!
Turn your opponent's draw spells around to help you too!
I kind of hope they stay away from the keywords just so they're different, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.
Regeneration is expected. I would hope for trample, too. With his name being the Scar-Striped, I assume it has something to do with him dealing damage to creatures and getting big for doing so. He wears his scars proudly, and I'm sure they're shown in the form of +1/+1 counters.
But, I think Green is out of the race, at least shown on here, so here is my reasoning for Red and Black. Yes, Red has the weakest enchantments compared to black. I'm not going to lie, black is my favorite color so I am already biased. But I definitely think red could use the card due to a much needed love for red. I'm not saying red never had any good enchantments, they have quite a few. Compared to the titan enchantments of black, however, they don't seem as good.
My question furthers as to how the card will be designed in the future. Do we choose the mana cost before the ability? How exactly will we pick an ability? I've never been through this before so I am unsure of how this will go down.
Honestly, I want red, but I'll be equally happy if it's a black card. I voted black on this website, but I still am turning over my ideas. If someone would or could tell me how the voting process will come down to a finalized card I'd be really happy!
But either way, Niv won't lose.
Seems like accurate guesses. Scar-Striped leads me to believe he will be dabbling with +1/+1 counters in some way. Perhaps:
Trample
Whenever a creature dealt damage by ~ dies, put a +1/+1 counter on ~. Or, whenever a creature that dealt damage to ~ dies, put a +1/+1 counter on ~. Or just whenever ~ is dealt damage, put a +1/+1 counter on ~.
BG: Regenerate
I always thought humans vs zombies would be a good one. White vs Black. However, they skipped that boat with Innistrad's passing.
The Dimir guy could be interesting too. The Dimir are my favorite. Secretly, of course
Emmara obviously makes something big. I really hope she can just pay a cost and make an elemental.
Really, In the end I hope they're all along the same power level as Ruric Thar. That's all I want. Balanced, strong, but not JTMS good.
If I had to speculate AND be thoughtful...
Low-Mid CMC
Troll AND Zombie creature types
Low Regeneration Cost
Cool ability to interact with +1/+1 Counters.
Definitely love this one so much more. It really gives a "grand" atmosphere.
I wouldn't mind seeing some new type of Lightning Cloud. It would be cool if it prevented life gain too!
It could be something that puts an X/X Ooze creature onto your side of the battlefield with a power and toughness equal to the highest power among creatures your opponent's control. A little bit like Miming Slime but you can use it to mimic your opponents guys instead. Plus, it could be an instant to trick attacking creatures, such as Bloodrushed cards. Just a thought...
Or, she's the envoy of ghosts, because she basically twerks for spirit tokens.
I hope he has regenerate. That's literally all I want. I don't know why Jarad just didn't have regenerate instead of that horrid painful sacrifice lands recovery ability. Who the flex would want to pay that cost? Regenerate would've been way better, so I hope this guy gets it.
All in all, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the champions far surpass the guild leaders in usefulness and power. It seems that Ruric Thar already blows Borborygymos out of the water.
And those cards are all very fun to play!
Oh, and I think it would be cool if he had an activated ability that allowed you to change the word "target" to "each" in target spell for a reasonable mana cost. Thus, allowing you to overload any spells you want!
Turn your opponent's draw spells around to help you too!