Jace coming and going from Ravnica is already covered in the book itself - he's still gonna be planeswalking; I think that the bailiff implied that Jace has proven capable of making sure he's capable of taking care of Ravnica even with his Planeswalking. I'm also pretty sure that that's part of the reason why Jace set up the advisory council.
That said, I do think that the story has a number of issues which I'll cover another time.
I can't remember where I saw this (could have been MaRo's tumblr or an interview from Doug Beyer), but he said that we'll be seeing Ral Zarek make his card premiere 'soon'.
Usually they don't actually confirm the existence of something unless it's coming out in the next set, so I'd say it's a good bet he'd be in Dragon's Maze.
The art for this card looks as though it might have been originally intended for something else, concept-wise. It looks like the guy is slashing someone out-of-frame, leaving that arc of blood; yet he's called a 'firefist' striker, so you'd think that he'd have flaming fists.
I don't think this card is as bad as some people think it is. I suspect that its flexibility will outweigh the fact that its overcosted for any single one of the options it provides.
Pretty cool flavour text too, though. I wish that guilds other than the Izzet (which Wizards seems to really really love) would all get more time in the badass-spotlight.
Feels very specialised towards that particular role, though the first strike makes it good, regardless. Trample feels like such a weird addition but more is more, I guess.
The Orzhov deck could have been good, but I don't feel that the 'opponents-lose-life-and-you-gain-life' theme was pushed nearly enough. As such, the deck looks like it doesn't have much personality at all, at least at a glance.
The Gruul deck just seems to lack cards that are particularly exciting. I mean, if they're gonna play up the whole 'must attack each turn if able' theme, you'd think they'd give us more stuff to actually offset that disadvantage.
I'm still getting the pack when it's out on the iPad though :P. I swear, releasing Duels on the iPad was one of the best decisions ever in the history of everything. It's almost like it was made for the darn thing.
I'm really glad that even though Wizards considers Kamigawa block a 'failure', they aren't forgetting it!
I for one loved the theme of the block :(. It's always cool to see Magic interpreted in a setting which has real resonance with our world and its history/mythology.
Aw, not even an April Fools' gag - what a pity :(.
I guess I should stop getting my hopes up every weekday - I should just trick my brain to believe that it may be months before they even announce the name of Hook.
One thing's for sure - AVR has the best art in any Magic expansion. I know this seems to get said every new release, but I don't think anyone can debate it this time!
I am keeping my name in the hat with those who still hold the idea that we are returning to Ravnica. Flavorwise/storywise it makes the most sense, and fans abound for Ravnica.
Note that Wizards never confirmed that it would not be a return to Ravnica, so that IS still a chance possibility.
~Lil Kalki
P.S.-- If it IS to be revealed at PAX East, it'll be between 4:30-5:30 EST on Saturday, 4/7.
Scars block was the first time we've returned to a 'new' plane.
It was Wizard's way of testing how reception for a 'revisit' block would go down with fans. As a result, even though Scars was a success, it'll probably be at least a couple of years before we revisit another of the 'new' planes, just due to the way the Magic development cycle works.
That said, I do think that the story has a number of issues which I'll cover another time.
Usually they don't actually confirm the existence of something unless it's coming out in the next set, so I'd say it's a good bet he'd be in Dragon's Maze.
Technically, 'card from a winning deck' could just mean that five of them are basic lands.
Pretty cool flavour text too, though. I wish that guilds other than the Izzet (which Wizards seems to really really love) would all get more time in the badass-spotlight.
Feels very specialised towards that particular role, though the first strike makes it good, regardless. Trample feels like such a weird addition but more is more, I guess.
Are there any arts in particular that you're looking for at the moment?
It's still a little boring though, because it feels like a bit of a gimmicky way to win. X(
The amount of trample the deck has to prevent chump-blocking is nice, though.
The Orzhov deck could have been good, but I don't feel that the 'opponents-lose-life-and-you-gain-life' theme was pushed nearly enough. As such, the deck looks like it doesn't have much personality at all, at least at a glance.
The Gruul deck just seems to lack cards that are particularly exciting. I mean, if they're gonna play up the whole 'must attack each turn if able' theme, you'd think they'd give us more stuff to actually offset that disadvantage.
I'm still getting the pack when it's out on the iPad though :P. I swear, releasing Duels on the iPad was one of the best decisions ever in the history of everything. It's almost like it was made for the darn thing.
Edit: its now out on iTunes
It is at once the most ridiculous-looking and most awesome art in all of Magic history :P.
I'm really glad that even though Wizards considers Kamigawa block a 'failure', they aren't forgetting it!
I for one loved the theme of the block :(. It's always cool to see Magic interpreted in a setting which has real resonance with our world and its history/mythology.
I can't tell you guys how often that auto-tapper's screwed me over haha XD.
Magic on iPad should be pretty sweet :). Hope it's not too expensive. I may get both the PC and iPad version.
I guess I should stop getting my hopes up every weekday - I should just trick my brain to believe that it may be months before they even announce the name of Hook.
Scars block was the first time we've returned to a 'new' plane.
It was Wizard's way of testing how reception for a 'revisit' block would go down with fans. As a result, even though Scars was a success, it'll probably be at least a couple of years before we revisit another of the 'new' planes, just due to the way the Magic development cycle works.