This is the best Jace art to date, plus it perferctly fits what the theme of the deck is for. Jace is a peacekeeper now, so he is finally more of a serious adult than a fanciful and capricious teenager. This are depicts him with a stern, square gait and a no-bull**** expression. This is a Jace that means buisness. I enjoy the Vraska for similar reasons; she appears more sinister and cunning, lurking in the shadows with what was recently her prey, foreshadowing the fates of those she targets. I haven't purchased a dual deck since Terese Nielsen did the art for Garruk and Liliana, but I will definitly find a spot in my budget for this for the art alone.
because there is a lot of new mechanics that the old slivers dont have like.... Annihilate? Hexproof? Evolve? WOTC? this is just sick!
Of the slivers you mentioned, the only one I could see possibly seeing print is Hexproof, and that's because its a new vanilla keyword. Annihilate and Evolve will never be seen again because they were setting and time specific abilities to enhance the flavor of a certain set/block, so they're not coming back. As for what hexproof would be printed on, consider that Crystalline Sliver is the best sliver ever printed at a convenient converted mana cost of just 2. If hexproof comes back, it would be on something bigger and borderline or completely unplayable in a format outside of commander (unless for some reason WotC wants to force them as a playable tribe, in which case only time will tell. I myself would LOVE to see Meathooks come back to legacy.)
Mentioning the evolve keyword, though, I do wonder just what the Simic would do with a sample of sliver material to toy with. Evolve, indeed.
As a diehard sliver fan since their inception, I'm confused by all of the butthurt going on in this thread. I for one accept and praise our new sliver overlords with glee, even if I too preferred the old physical appearance over the new. I even side with everyone that the change in mechanics is disappointing, both from a gaming point of view and as a Vorthos versed in lore, but...
I feel like everyone is forgetting the core idea of what slivers are and what they represent. They're wild life and determination to survive under unfathomable circumstance. They have a physical form that evolves to optimize their survival in any environment, sometimes in simple and intuitive ways and sometimes in... well, look at Timespiral (I'm looking at you, Lymph Sliver. Whats wrong with your face?!). I don't know if an overwhelming number of people hate the idea of slivers with legs or if only the disgruntled feel the need to share their disdain, but I think a majority of us don't like what they've done... but it makes sense. The majority of higher lifeforms on Earth (which the plane Dominaria is based on) have two or more legs because, simply put, they're better. If slivers evolved two (or more) limbs before (Mesmeric sliver, Homing Sliver, Spinneret Sliver, Two-Headed Sliver, Blade Sliver, Hunter Sliver (two heads), Muscle Sliver (fingers as well), Winged Sliver, Sliver Queen, Sliver Overlord) I don't see why a branch of the hive wouldn't retain this clearly higher evolutionary trait (not by choice, but because they would be more likely to survive, therefore evolve). They would be faster, stronger, more dexterous, and require fewer calories for locomotion.
If anything, I think the fact that slivers are taking on bipedal humanoid forms is a sign that slivers are finally taking their place as the supreme organism in Dominaria, and that is both exhilarating as a sliver fan, and terrifying as a Dominarian/Earthling. I'm also not surprised at all, because we were explicitly told that the hive had evolved a consciousness.
Sliver evolution is not instantaneous. They are only capable of adapting their form based on whatever other types slivers are nearby.
So we agree, then. Oooh wait I misread and misquoted. We do in fact agree on that point.
I wasn't completely agreeing or disagreeing with you, merely drawing a line among all the scribbling people were making. I even emboldened the key words you had used that I agreed with in the original post. I appreciate your focused confrontation though, so at least I know what to expect from you in future posts.
No offence, but you should understand the
conversation before jumping in and arguing with people.
At least I understand the subject more than the conversation, rather than propagating baseless speculation that seem reverent. I'm sure each has its own weight, and I'm more content with my input.
A bunch of people are saying they are from Shandalar and are the Original species volrath changed, because of one line of flavor text.
However Doug said these are in fact Dominarian. Just saying it because people must of missed that.
And yes, they could be more powerfull in broods, but the way they were geneticly manipulated by Volrath makes it hard for me to think they would seperate from each other.
They're not that related anymore. Don't forget all Dominarian slivers went through a genocide and were brought back to life with science and sorcery, so they're likely dissimilar to the Rathi sliver your Grandpa was eaten by.
Shadow Sliver "These slivers, trapped between worlds since the Rathi overlay, are among the last to claim direct lineage from the lost Sliver Queen."
the voice for vorthos page with Doug whatsit said that these are in fact the Dominaria slivers. Its just 'been a while' since we seen them last.
Which makes it even harder to accept these new slivers into the hive. (not to mention since it IS dominaria, there is only ONE hive which makes thier non-global abilities still wrong)
If you think about it from a tactical point of view they would be more powerful in broods rather than a global hive-- slivers were originally a hive because they had a queen, but then the queen died as a result of the Rathi overlay (as well as the rest of the slivers), so when they were revived by the Riptide Project they evolved independent of 'her,' including producing new forms of propagation (Brood Sliver).
Ghostflame Sliver: "This breed is on the cusp of evolution. It burns away the markings that connect it to a queen that no longer heeds its call. It seeks a new master. Perhaps I can give it one."
—Freyalise
Mindlash Sliver: "Though Dominaria's queenless slivers lack a single purpose, in some the instinct for self-sacrifice remains extremely strong."
Who is to say what other genetics were churned up by relics such as the hivestones.
As for the Dominarian argument, I don't see why they would be anywhere else, unless they found a rich source of planeswalker sparks to munch on for a while so that they might emulate the ability. Dominaria is the only fitting plane.
That is not how slivers work. Each sub-species of sliver evolves separately from the whole. They then share their unique adaptations with the whole. That is why the species is collectively called "slivers".
Most of what you've said in this thread (that I read) can by contradicted with flavor text alone.
Sliver evolution is not instantaneous. They are only capable of adapting their form based on whatever other types slivers are nearby.
Not an instant, you say?
Quick Sliver: "The directors of the Riptide Project wanted instant results on the sliver experiments. They got their wish."
Aside from one example, you're correct that it isn't instantaneous, but they have very quick evolutionary responses, and to virtually any situation. That is to say that slivers evolve some extraordinary abilities in very short times, such as:
Mistform Sliver: "Taking the form of a junior researcher, the first sliver slipped out of Riptide."
Old Slivers had a unique form of shapeshifting that made them distinct from shapeshifters. The way these new slivers are described do not.
Again, they don't shapeshift, but proactively evolve without requiring multiple generations via sharing genetic information through telepathy. If one had to assign a secondary creature type to them, the most fitting would be mutant, not shapeshifter.
If they are capable of altering their form to meet whatever challenge comes their way, then why have The Hive at all? Why do they need to share abilities when they could just auto evolve?
Why have a hive? Its simple really. The slivers have have two big points going in their favor, and the hive principle plays to an enormous strength to the first point, which is versatility. The point the hive uses to greatest efficiency? Strength in numbers.
Again, they don't auto evolve whatever they feel like, although it was evidenced they sort of 'pass the word' for what is required in any particular location, and reinforcements reply whenever possible, exampled by cards such as:
Mindwhip Sliver: "They share more than their thoughts. We must shatter their link quickly!"
—Hanna, to Orim
Ward Sliver: "The first wave of slivers perished from the Riptide wizards' magic. The second wave shrugged off their spells like water."
Muscle Sliver: "The colossal thing rumbled over the ridge, tree husks crumbling before it. The ones we were already fighting howled as it came, their muscles suddenly surging, and we knew it was time to flee."
Synchronous Sliver: "Keep them at sword's length!" Gerrard's order fell flat as each sliver's talon suddenly grew longer. "Hold on-break out the polearms!"
This doesn't mean that slivers evolve purely in a helpful/linear pattern, but in all directions at once, and the vast majority of slivers represented are the helpful evolutionary ends.
Two-Headed Sliver: "That which would be a fatal mutation in any other species is merely a source of new powers. I am intrigued, yet too fearful to examine it more closely."
—Rukarumel, field journal
Bonesplitter Sliver: "As the time streams grew more and more unstable, Dominaria's creatures struggled to adapt. The intense pressures led to many dead ends but also to lethal new forms that appeared as suddenly as the ashen rains."
Plague Sliver: "A sliver shares everything with its hive—even its afflictions."
This is where new slivers fail in the flavor department. This is what happens when one makes sweeping changes to a fantasy species lore without really understanding the original lore to begin with.
No offence, but you should read more lore before you claim to understand it. If I have to fish around for more evidence for communal speculation I can.
Either way, the overall emotion from slivers seems simple.
Telekinetic Sliver: "Slivers are guided only by simple instinct. Advance the hive, and you will be welcomed. Impede the hive, and you will face unrelenting opposition."
—Freyalise
Plated Sliver: "Overcoming extinction has only made the slivers more determined to live."
It has a place in Edric for super cheap bounce and recovery of your random 1 drops, but outside of that I've tried it in lots of other EDH decks with lackluster results. I love the card, but this just doesn't look like a format for it to thrive.
It's similar to blocking with creatures with Banding.
This is exactly what I was going to say. If you want to see the versatility of Defensive Formation's functions, investigate banding. The card pretty much reads "blocking creatures you control have banding." (Or some other 'technical' wording, so if you cite something like Battering Ram you would get something similar to "At the beginning of combat on your opponent's turn, creatures you control gain banding until end of combat.")
Sorry to dash your dreams, but Husher's ability is a trigger and not an activated ability, so your goal can never be.
I run her in Mimeoplasm for general popular cards as mentioned before this post, but 90% for the purpose of disrupting non-triggered graveyard hate. I have to keep Stifle, Trickbind, Voidslime, and Witchbane Orb for Bojuka Bog and similar effects, but the Husher is great on it's own. Count every non-mana activated ability in your deck, and consider how many of those would suck to have the looming threat of a Husher over. Good stuff.
Also relevant creature types blah blah blah I agree with everyone else.
I run her in Karador with Sun Titan and Saffi for the same reasons everyone else is describing. She draws hate, but then again its nice to have a counter-aggro lightning rod out for your opponents to focus on instead of your combo pieces. Just my opinion.
I know I have to splash a third color somewhere because none of the BW generals would really function with the deck, so I'm using suggestions from this thread to solidify what that third color is.
Great cards though, thanks. I can't wait to see what else you guys remember.
I was making a casual enchantment themed EDH which is as of now black and white, but I was wondering what cards come to mind when the community thinks about their favorite enchantments in magic. They don't have to be good or practical, just fun. Cards that came to my mind that I planned on using include:
The enchantments you have in mind don't have to be any particular color or combination of colors, but cards you've either loved to use or have always wanted to use in the past, but couldn't find a place for them.
Of the slivers you mentioned, the only one I could see possibly seeing print is Hexproof, and that's because its a new vanilla keyword. Annihilate and Evolve will never be seen again because they were setting and time specific abilities to enhance the flavor of a certain set/block, so they're not coming back. As for what hexproof would be printed on, consider that Crystalline Sliver is the best sliver ever printed at a convenient converted mana cost of just 2. If hexproof comes back, it would be on something bigger and borderline or completely unplayable in a format outside of commander (unless for some reason WotC wants to force them as a playable tribe, in which case only time will tell. I myself would LOVE to see Meathooks come back to legacy.)
Mentioning the evolve keyword, though, I do wonder just what the Simic would do with a sample of sliver material to toy with. Evolve, indeed.
I'm long winded sometimes, so thanks.
I feel like everyone is forgetting the core idea of what slivers are and what they represent. They're wild life and determination to survive under unfathomable circumstance. They have a physical form that evolves to optimize their survival in any environment, sometimes in simple and intuitive ways and sometimes in... well, look at Timespiral (I'm looking at you, Lymph Sliver. Whats wrong with your face?!). I don't know if an overwhelming number of people hate the idea of slivers with legs or if only the disgruntled feel the need to share their disdain, but I think a majority of us don't like what they've done... but it makes sense. The majority of higher lifeforms on Earth (which the plane Dominaria is based on) have two or more legs because, simply put, they're better. If slivers evolved two (or more) limbs before (Mesmeric sliver, Homing Sliver, Spinneret Sliver, Two-Headed Sliver, Blade Sliver, Hunter Sliver (two heads), Muscle Sliver (fingers as well), Winged Sliver, Sliver Queen, Sliver Overlord) I don't see why a branch of the hive wouldn't retain this clearly higher evolutionary trait (not by choice, but because they would be more likely to survive, therefore evolve). They would be faster, stronger, more dexterous, and require fewer calories for locomotion.
If anything, I think the fact that slivers are taking on bipedal humanoid forms is a sign that slivers are finally taking their place as the supreme organism in Dominaria, and that is both exhilarating as a sliver fan, and terrifying as a Dominarian/Earthling. I'm also not surprised at all, because we were explicitly told that the hive had evolved a consciousness.
"Hidden within the clicking, chittering swarm is a unique mind, still young, but growing more aware as time passes."
Slivers are exactly what you think they are, as well as everything you haven't.
Artwork credit.
Rereading, you are correct. I was mistaken.
Agreed.
So we agree, then.
Oooh waitI misread and misquoted. We do in fact agree on that point.I wasn't completely agreeing or disagreeing with you, merely drawing a line among all the scribbling people were making. I even emboldened the key words you had used that I agreed with in the original post. I appreciate your focused confrontation though, so at least I know what to expect from you in future posts.
At least I understand the subject more than the conversation, rather than propagating baseless speculation that seem reverent. I'm sure each has its own weight, and I'm more content with my input.
They're not that related anymore. Don't forget all Dominarian slivers went through a genocide and were brought back to life with science and sorcery, so they're likely dissimilar to the Rathi sliver your Grandpa was eaten by.
Shadow Sliver "These slivers, trapped between worlds since the Rathi overlay, are among the last to claim direct lineage from the lost Sliver Queen."
If you think about it from a tactical point of view they would be more powerful in broods rather than a global hive-- slivers were originally a hive because they had a queen, but then the queen died as a result of the Rathi overlay (as well as the rest of the slivers), so when they were revived by the Riptide Project they evolved independent of 'her,' including producing new forms of propagation (Brood Sliver).
Ghostflame Sliver: "This breed is on the cusp of evolution. It burns away the markings that connect it to a queen that no longer heeds its call. It seeks a new master. Perhaps I can give it one."
—Freyalise
Mindlash Sliver: "Though Dominaria's queenless slivers lack a single purpose, in some the instinct for self-sacrifice remains extremely strong."
Who is to say what other genetics were churned up by relics such as the hivestones.
As for the Dominarian argument, I don't see why they would be anywhere else, unless they found a rich source of planeswalker sparks to munch on for a while so that they might emulate the ability. Dominaria is the only fitting plane.
Most of what you've said in this thread (that I read) can by contradicted with flavor text alone.
Not an instant, you say?
Quick Sliver: "The directors of the Riptide Project wanted instant results on the sliver experiments. They got their wish."
Aside from one example, you're correct that it isn't instantaneous, but they have very quick evolutionary responses, and to virtually any situation. That is to say that slivers evolve some extraordinary abilities in very short times, such as:
Mistform Sliver: "Taking the form of a junior researcher, the first sliver slipped out of Riptide."
Blade Sliver: "After breaking free from the Riptide Project, the slivers quickly adapted to life on Otaria—much to the dismay of life on Otaria."
Spinneret Sliver: "Each new generation of slivers evolves to assimilate the strengths of the prey upon which their progenitors fed."
I suspect it was more like decades or centuries rather than millennium.
Again, they don't shapeshift, but proactively evolve without requiring multiple generations via sharing genetic information through telepathy. If one had to assign a secondary creature type to them, the most fitting would be mutant, not shapeshifter.
Why have a hive? Its simple really. The slivers have have two big points going in their favor, and the hive principle plays to an enormous strength to the first point, which is versatility. The point the hive uses to greatest efficiency? Strength in numbers.
Again, they don't auto evolve whatever they feel like, although it was evidenced they sort of 'pass the word' for what is required in any particular location, and reinforcements reply whenever possible, exampled by cards such as:
Mindwhip Sliver: "They share more than their thoughts. We must shatter their link quickly!"
—Hanna, to Orim
Ward Sliver: "The first wave of slivers perished from the Riptide wizards' magic. The second wave shrugged off their spells like water."
Muscle Sliver: "The colossal thing rumbled over the ridge, tree husks crumbling before it. The ones we were already fighting howled as it came, their muscles suddenly surging, and we knew it was time to flee."
Synchronous Sliver: "Keep them at sword's length!" Gerrard's order fell flat as each sliver's talon suddenly grew longer. "Hold on-break out the polearms!"
This doesn't mean that slivers evolve purely in a helpful/linear pattern, but in all directions at once, and the vast majority of slivers represented are the helpful evolutionary ends.
Two-Headed Sliver: "That which would be a fatal mutation in any other species is merely a source of new powers. I am intrigued, yet too fearful to examine it more closely."
—Rukarumel, field journal
Bonesplitter Sliver: "As the time streams grew more and more unstable, Dominaria's creatures struggled to adapt. The intense pressures led to many dead ends but also to lethal new forms that appeared as suddenly as the ashen rains."
Plague Sliver: "A sliver shares everything with its hive—even its afflictions."
No offence, but you should read more lore before you claim to understand it. If I have to fish around for more evidence for communal speculation I can.
Either way, the overall emotion from slivers seems simple.
Telekinetic Sliver: "Slivers are guided only by simple instinct. Advance the hive, and you will be welcomed. Impede the hive, and you will face unrelenting opposition."
—Freyalise
Plated Sliver: "Overcoming extinction has only made the slivers more determined to live."
This is exactly what I was going to say. If you want to see the versatility of Defensive Formation's functions, investigate banding. The card pretty much reads "blocking creatures you control have banding." (Or some other 'technical' wording, so if you cite something like Battering Ram you would get something similar to "At the beginning of combat on your opponent's turn, creatures you control gain banding until end of combat.")
Sorry to dash your dreams, but Husher's ability is a trigger and not an activated ability, so your goal can never be.
I run her in Mimeoplasm for general popular cards as mentioned before this post, but 90% for the purpose of disrupting non-triggered graveyard hate. I have to keep Stifle, Trickbind, Voidslime, and Witchbane Orb for Bojuka Bog and similar effects, but the Husher is great on it's own. Count every non-mana activated ability in your deck, and consider how many of those would suck to have the looming threat of a Husher over. Good stuff.
Also relevant creature types blah blah blah I agree with everyone else.
I know I have to splash a third color somewhere because none of the BW generals would really function with the deck, so I'm using suggestions from this thread to solidify what that third color is.
Great cards though, thanks. I can't wait to see what else you guys remember.
The enchantments you have in mind don't have to be any particular color or combination of colors, but cards you've either loved to use or have always wanted to use in the past, but couldn't find a place for them.
I look forward to hearing your ideas!