[Off-Topic] Community Chat Thread

[Venedrex]

Finally made it back to Mythic.

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As much as I would love to try for Mythic in limited each month, it's really a time sink. Unless you draft at least four to five times a week, its almost impossible to get the games in to reach there. The only reason I even pushed to do it this time is, one it's something I've been meaning to do again for a while but I've been really busy at work, and two, I got three 7 win drafts in a row (with a 6-3 draft right after that) with Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, and was like, well this is as good a time as any.

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I see your Mythic and raise you mine! Lol. Of course, it's probably a lot harder to hit mythic in drafting than in constructed. I just played a lot of games hehe. Although one time I was having fun trying to get as close to #1 as possible.

I was doing pretty well a while ago in limited as well, just grinding MID drafts. Got to Plat at least. But then ONE came out and I quit for a while. I don't even hate ONE draft per se, but it just kind of bores me. Oh, guess every game will play out the exact same way. Shadows over Innistrad looked pretty cool. I never got the chance to draft the OG Innistrad Block since I started long after it came out.

Lol, just realized I didn't provide any proof!

Better pic!

EDIT: Imagine if it said 420

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[Hermes_]

incoming dirk rant

https://www.polygon.com/23659146/magic- ... ng-thieves

Although this is hardly Magic's first time featuring characters from other pop culture landmarks, there are no current plans for the Honor Among Thieves cards to have in-game versions for future Magic releases — unlike recent Secret Lairs such as the Stranger Things and Street Fighter releases, whose card text was repurposed on later cards with updated names and depictions that more closely match Magic's aesthetic.

[Lifeless]

Phyrexians are ridiculously played out. I'm having trouble reading spoilers for this upcoming set because I can't stop rolling my eyes.

[Venedrex]

Phyrexians are ridiculously played out. I'm having trouble reading spoilers for this upcoming set because I can't stop rolling my eyes.

Well, good news, this is probably the last you will have to see of them for another 10 years. Well, after Aftermath comes out at least anyway.

[duducrash]

there are no current plans for the Honor Among Thieves cards to have in-game versions for future Magic releases

I mean, isn't D&D canon magic? we have had standard set and other characters don't have the triangle checkmark thing like other UB things, so I didn't realize they are different

[5colorsrainbow]

there are no current plans for the Honor Among Thieves cards to have in-game versions for future Magic releases

I mean, isn't D&D canon magic? we have had standard set and other characters don't have the triangle checkmark thing like other UB things, so I didn't realize they are different

Currently they are separate canons lore wise. But DnD sets are not usually considered universes beyond as wotc owns both mtg and DnD. As such we don't need to worry about them being able to re-print these cards since wotc owns the characters, might need to change the art depending on the contract with the actors though.

[DirkGently]

@Hermes_ I can't really muster the energy to do much more than roll my eyes for these things at this point. I suppose there's kind of a mental Q and A I go through to evaluate how distasteful each thing is.

-How much does it smell like cross promotion?
In this case, it's a little fuzzy...on one hand, it's obviously tied to the movie to promote it and vice versa. On the other hand, DnD being owned by wotc makes it much less of an issue for me. I didn't really care that much about AFR. Overall I'd say they get a C-.
-How necessary is it to own the cards?
These all look quite tame tbh. I like that. Also not that interesting I don't think. Not awful but don't really grab me at first blush. Pretty much just what you want. A.
-What's the distribution model like?
Secret lairs are ass. Exclusive cards are ass. Strong dislike. This is a huge part of why I'm more OK with the transformers cards - they didn't require buying a special product. F.
-How far off is the aesthetic?
These are fine. I don't like living actors being featured on them, but that's my only gripe aesthetically. (this is by probably my biggest dislike for the transformers ones btw). B

Overall hate grade: C+. Not really worthy of a rant.

For point of comparison, Walking Dead would have been, in order, F C F F for an overall grade of F+. Still the most egregious product, though WH40K comes close (D F C F for an overall grade of D-).

I think if these were really strong I'd be a lot more bothered about it, but since they're fairly mediocre I'm happy to ignore them.

[RxPhantom]

I already run Surrak, the Hunt Caller in my Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma deck, so I can't wait to announce an attack step in which I attack with Surrak and Goreclaw and Surrak and Goreclaw.

[Ruiner]

incoming dirk rant

https://www.polygon.com/23659146/magic- ... ng-thieves

Although this is hardly Magic's first time featuring characters from other pop culture landmarks, there are no current plans for the Honor Among Thieves cards to have in-game versions for future Magic releases — unlike recent Secret Lairs such as the Stranger Things and Street Fighter releases, whose card text was repurposed on later cards with updated names and depictions that more closely match Magic's aesthetic.

It's likely they will just reprint them with the same names in a future D&D set.

[duducrash]

I work from home and I really miss interaction, so I began binging podcasts. It was mostly true crime since there is plenty of that and some really good. But I was finding some really nasty ones, and felt really disprespectfull. So I pivoted to history ones, but I was getting really mad at my own history, so I went to stuff I have nothing to do with and found "The troubles podcast" It is really interesting and I recomend it highly.

should check out The Thing About Pam, you' 'll be wondering are they REALLY THAT dumb?

what the %$#% did I listen to???

Are they really that dumb or is it intent?? crazy listen

[Hermes_]

I work from home and I really miss interaction, so I began binging podcasts. It was mostly true crime since there is plenty of that and some really good. But I was finding some really nasty ones, and felt really disprespectfull. So I pivoted to history ones, but I was getting really mad at my own history, so I went to stuff I have nothing to do with and found "The troubles podcast" It is really interesting and I recomend it highly.

should check out The Thing About Pam, you' 'll be wondering are they REALLY THAT dumb?

what the %$#% did I listen to???

Are they really that dumb or is it intent?? crazy listen

They went and made a mini-series based on the podcast, that's how i learned about it.
"Tell me about Pam"
"Uhh nice lady"

[benjameenbear]

Ok, can someone fill me in on the March of the Machine story? I haven't read any of the stories yet, and I suspect I'm about to be infuriated by the story based on the flavor text I'm reading on the spoilers.

They effing PHASED OUT an EFFING MTG PLANE OF EXISTENCE?! What. The. ACTUAL. [STRING OF EXLICIT CURSE WORDS].

[Guardman]

Ok, can someone fill me in on the March of the Machine story? I haven't read any of the stories yet, and I suspect I'm about to be infuriated by the story based on the flavor text I'm reading on the spoilers.

They effing PHASED OUT an EFFING MTG PLANE OF EXISTENCE?! What. The. ACTUAL. [STRING OF EXLICIT CURSE WORDS].

New Phyrexia Cliffnotes

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To make a long story short, Teferi ended up in a phased-out Zhalfir at the end of the Brother's War. Wrenn bonded with the Phyrexian world tree, Realmbreaker, to find him. Once she did, she opened a portal to allow Zhalfir to invade New Phyrexia. She also used the power of Realmbreaker to have New Phyrexia and Zhalfir switch places. So at the end of the story, New Phyrexia is phased out of existence, while Zhalfir has phased back in where New Phyrexia used to be.

Also, because Elish Norn wanted unity as long as she could be the one in charge, once she was dead and New Phyrexia phased out, the Phyrexians stopped working since there was no back-up to take her place and take command of the oil.

And then they cured Ajani and Nissa, while Melira died. The end. Oh, and Wrenn is dead, kind of. She basically went full groot and became an acorn.

[Hermes_]

so, i was looking at my wish list of cards and saw this one from MH2

Kaldra Compleat June 18, 2021 was the set's release date

[benjameenbear]

Thanks @Guardman. I... can't even begin to explain how terrible this kind of storytelling is. And how much it affects my loyalty to WOTC and MTG as a universe.

And with that, I think I'm out. I'll buy a few singles here and there, but I can feel my perspective on this game turning into just that... a game. My emotional connection to the story and characters is officially over.

[Dunadain]

Ok, can someone fill me in on the March of the Machine story? I haven't read any of the stories yet, and I suspect I'm about to be infuriated by the story based on the flavor text I'm reading on the spoilers.

They effing PHASED OUT an EFFING MTG PLANE OF EXISTENCE?! What. The. ACTUAL. [STRING OF EXLICIT CURSE WORDS].

New Phyrexia Cliffnotes

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To make a long story short, Teferi ended up in a phased-out Zhalfir at the end of the Brother's War. Wrenn bonded with the Phyrexian world tree, Realmbreaker, to find him. Once she did, she opened a portal to allow Zhalfir to invade New Phyrexia. She also used the power of Realmbreaker to have New Phyrexia and Zhalfir switch places. So at the end of the story, New Phyrexia is phased out of existence, while Zhalfir has phased back in where New Phyrexia used to be.

Also, because Elish Norn wanted unity as long as she could be the one in charge, once she was dead and New Phyrexia phased out, the Phyrexians stopped working since there was no back-up to take her place and take command of the oil.

And then they cured Ajani and Nissa, while Melira died. The end. Oh, and Wrenn is dead, kind of. She basically went full groot and became an acorn.

So... is Jace dead?

lol

[Venedrex]

Thanks @Guardman. I... can't even begin to explain how terrible this kind of storytelling is. And how much it affects my loyalty to WOTC and MTG as a universe.

And with that, I think I'm out. I'll buy a few singles here and there, but I can feel my perspective on this game turning into just that... a game. My emotional connection to the story and characters is officially over.

Don't worry sir, I can sum up the story. Avengers: Endgame. I mean, I normally try and give the benefit of the plagiarism doubt, but, I mean, what are the odds that two different stories end up with a circular portal opening to reveal a futuristic African nation bringing reinforcements to a climatic battle for the universe versus a despotic tyrant with a newfound ability to alter said universe in it's entirety while a heroic character who is a man out of time, excuse me, woman out of the underworld gets a sweet new drip and proceeds to go ham on the villain.

Only to end when the tech genius who figured out the deus ex Machina, excuse me tree savvy dryad, sacrifices herself for the greater good when the Wizard, silently them implores them to make the sacrifice.

LIKE CHANGE THE HOMEWORK JUST A LITTLE BIT PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ORIGINALITY.

Oh hang on, they did change it up. They made everyone who was a guy a girl. OK... So unique. Now it's a brand new idea because you swapped all the genders of the characters.

The entire plot is Avengers Endgame, but MTGified. Hmm, and Wotc works about 2 years ahead. Hey google, when did Endgame come out? 2019? Oh, that's about four years ago. Just enough time for the brilliant minds at wotc to copy and paste. Forget the Jacetice league, Marvel should sue Wizards,

As lifeless says, can we have Endgame MOM? No, we have it at home.

[Lifeless]

This is quite certainly an "Endgame we have at home" meme.

[5colorsrainbow]

Main story beats;

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-Elesh Norn sends most of the compleated walkers to thier naive planes as lieutenants. Ajani is sent to Theros to corrupt the gods, Atraxa to New Capenna to deal with halo and hopes if Elspeth is alive she goes after them instead of her. Jace is sent to places unknown and Nissa is being used to super power the tree. Of note the walkers are seemly fighting the compleationed some.

- The gatewatch+ are shaken by Phyrexia and decided to just try to push them back the best they can, except Chandra who can't give up trying and Wrenn who can hear the inner uncorrputed song of Realmbreaker.

-Wrenn, Chandra and the last of the Mirrans and rebel Phyrexians try to get to the world tree but are captured by Nissa and brought to the praetors.

-Blessed by traces of Serra from the destroyed Serras Realm power stone and her own time on Bant and New Capenna where angels are seem born from mortals (as well as Serra angels) Elspeth is brought back to life as an archangel and helps Wrenn get to the tree.

-Wrenn backstory included that she contained a magical wildfire that was gonna burn her whole plane within herself and why she's needs a treefolk host. Wrenn bonds with the world tree and using the wildfire burns away the corruption of it and does the shift mimicking the Rath overlay into Dominaria. She is burned up in the process but leaves behind an acorn.

-with the world tree taken care of, the angels of new Capenna travel using the left behind portals and spread halo through the planes. It's not a cure but allows the planes and Zhalfir to fight Phyrexia without fear of the oil. Atraxa was killed when the families destroyed the top 3rd of the city to crash it down on her.

-Elspeth pushes the praetors infighting to its max, with combined with the halo and Zhalfir knights, allowed the heroes get into Zhalfir while Phyrexia is pushed out/ phased out of time. Before Karn goes he makes sure to kill Norn for good as he feels Phyrexia was all his fault.

- the oil had been reworked as a signal for the mass infection of the planes which rendered it inert when Phyrexia was phased out.

-Zhalfir is now back in time as it's own plane and the five sun of Mirrodin have transferred to the new plane.

-Melria was gravely hurt and didn't have much time. She gave up the last of her life, along with karn giving up his (Vensers) spark to heal Ajani and Nissa in a recreation of what Venser did to Karn. Of note Nissa spark seemed to have been damaged and both are said to have Phyrexia prosthetics they couldn't remove.

-There is more to tell in Aftermath

Side stories /non main story notes;

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-Lukka was killed when he was lured into one of the apex predators lair by Jirina using the survivors of Dannrith as bait and the predator and Vivien finished him off.

-Tamiyo unleashed the second of her iron scrolls which held the tale of Phyrexia to corrupt Kamigawa. Her true self is able to fight back some after seeing Nashi by fighting poorly against the heroes giving Wanderer a moment to finish Tamiyo off. Tamiyo's death unleashed her final locked scroll; a saga creature of Tamiyo, her "memory" "story unending" made years ago in case she died.

-Vraska (story written by Alison Lührs ) was able to put a part of her true self into the mental trap door Jace made during Ixalan. Ral had a device he used to boil her blood/oil seemly killing Vraska. As she died in her mind space she and Jace (unknown if real Jace or just one in her mind) have one last moment of love before …something happens. Switch to Ral pov and he and the Izzet can't find her body.

-Nahiri tries to use a Kor super weapon and the hedron network to invade Zendikar. The protagonists of Zendiakr Rising mess with the weapon enough it crashes with Nahiri trapped within.

-On Strixhaven the main five face students are sent by Liliana to get a spell to protect the school. During the casting of it Quint (the RW loxodon) is filled with a "burning power" from within and vanishes, with Liliana guessing he sparked as a planeswalker.

[Hermes_]

but what about Squee?

[DirkGently]

Marvel movies are fine on their own but they have ruined a lot of other franchises chasing that same dragon.

[cheonice]

Also, because Elish Norn wanted unity as long as she could be the one in charge, once she was dead and New Phyrexia phased out, the Phyrexians stopped working since there was no back-up to take her place and take command of the oil.

This is basically the plot ot Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Anakin blows up the droid control ship so the droids stop working. Battle won. Teferi is basically Anakin.


Another thing: I achieved every Magic dream I had! Became second at a FNM (featuring Lord of Extinction, Bitterblossom und Loxodon Warhammer) back in 2009 and wrote a Primer on my favourite commander this year!

[duducrash]

To be honest I did not feel the story was bad. Reading each story as it came out was fun. Some emotional beats really hit. The ravnica story really got there for me. I feel like everything was set up ok so there was no big "well they pulled this out of their asses"

Mostly fine stuff, ending was a bit rushed and the Zendikar and New Capena were pretty bad overall.

[pokken]

I feel like worrying over parallels to other fiction is pretty pointless. Everything is derivative at this point. There are only so many stories.

[Venedrex]

I feel like worrying over parallels to other fiction is pretty pointless. Everything is derivative at this point. There are only so many stories.

I sense that being concerned with similarities to other fables is fairly useless. All things are descended from something else at this juncture. We have a limited amount of ideas.

@DirkGently, you fancy a go? Of course you might agree with pokken but maybe you want to play devil's advocate... I'd do this myself but I have a nasty cold and I can barely muster the energy to type let alone form coherent thoughts.