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Magic: the Gathering |OT11| Amonkhet - Have you ever had decks with a Pharaoh?
- Thread starter SigmasonicX
- Start date
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I'd be curious to see if he "dies" or if he is somehow banished or imprisoned for a bit. Given his flirtation with the Gods and his name being "of the Trials", I wonder if something will go wrong.
Top 5 Walkers, as ranked by Standard power level (no other formats)
Jace, The Mind Sculpter
Jace, Vryn's Prodegy
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
Elspeth, Knight Errant
Liliana of the Veil
Top 5 Walkers, format agnostic, historical
Jace, The Mind Sculpter
Liliana of the Veil
Tezzeret the Seeker
Dack Fayden
Jace, Vryn's Prodegy
Jace, The Mind Sculpter
Jace, Vryn's Prodegy
Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
Elspeth, Knight Errant
Liliana of the Veil
Top 5 Walkers, format agnostic, historical
Jace, The Mind Sculpter
Liliana of the Veil
Tezzeret the Seeker
Dack Fayden
Jace, Vryn's Prodegy
I saw that, and liked it as well...mostly just because all the hate surrounding Gideon right now (as I've commented before, I am not a standard player, so the reign of Gideon has done nothing to me).
How about this: Gideon dies to Bolas, the Gatewatch go to Dominaria and meet up with Ajani. Ajani become the new standard mono-white walker.
divisionbyzorro
Member
I can't argue with this. I feel like Karn Liberated should be recognized, but he's probably just right below these.
Obviously the Gatewatch are going to get their shit pushed in during HoD, but I'm unconvinced that any of the main five are going to die (in the traditional sense anyway). I could see allies of theirs dying, I could see them barely escaping with their lives while Bolas nukes all of Amonkhet and realizing that their actions led to the deaths of millions, but I don't think any of them are going away, at least not yet.
phazedplasma
Member
WTF is that Gideon.
STD is dead again it seems
STD is dead again it seems
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
jesus christ
Cosmo Clock 21
Banned
It's bad to the point where it even affects limited, cause I just know I'm going to go to against somebody who windmill slams this T3
If flipwalkers don't count:
#5: Nahiri, the Harbinger
Filters for two turns, then wins you the game. Created her own Modern archtype. Answers Blood Moon, Rest in Peace, etc.
#4: Dack Fayden
Sees almost exactly as much vintage play as JTMS. Utterly absurd in any format focused around artifact mana.
#3: Karn Liberated
Archetype-defining card in Tron. Oppressive if ramped into. Can Vindicate twice and still have loyalty left.
#2: Liliana of the Veil
Taught me that symmetrical effects were not fair. Most played PW in Modern, second most in Legacy.
#1: JTMS
Ruins fair decks. Provides a ridiculous amount of card advantage and selection. Bounces your opponent's threats all day. Please never unban this.
Honorable mentions:
Ugin
See Karn, but answers wider strategies and comes down a turn later.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance
Third most played PW in Legacy, sees a reasonable amount in Modern. Very strange card with a ton of flexibility. Hasn't really found a solid home yet in any format.
Liliana, the Last Hope
Second most played PW in Modern. Can provide CA with her -2, or just tick up all day and eventually win you the game. Grindy and obnoxious. Should probably be #5.
divisionbyzorro
Member
3cc Ajani should be on that list.
New Gideon was totally aimed at Modern/Legacy. It completely hoses many combo decks.
divisionbyzorro
Member
Take Vraska off that list and put Jace, the Living Guildpact on it.
Bulk Mythic
That is cheaper than usual for extra attack steps. This has actual potential to be good.
So who else is going to pick every Trial they see during their first draft, play 19-20 lands, and hope things work out?
I am very excited for this set - surprised the reactions seem a bit muted here and on reddit. Tons of multimodal spells, engine cards, graveyard interaction, on-board effects that cost mana, and other mechanics that always end up fun to play with.
I am very excited for this set - surprised the reactions seem a bit muted here and on reddit. Tons of multimodal spells, engine cards, graveyard interaction, on-board effects that cost mana, and other mechanics that always end up fun to play with.
Oh fuck, you are right
Worst walkers:
Tibalt, the Fiend Blooded
Gideon, Champion of Justice
Jace, the Living Guildpact
Chandra Ablaze
Vraska the Unseen
ThLunarian
Member
I'd put Nissa Revane as worse than Vraska
Bulk Mythic
I'm OK with this. Wish it had Haste but it'd probably be too good, or need to cost more.
charlequin
Banned
Li'l Gideon's ultimate is ridicidic but it doesn't actually affect the board. I'm not sure it actually matters much that this is in Standard with AoZ; I'm hard pressed to think of serious scenarios where the deck running AoZ already would rather insure themselves against a loss than just play more bonkers bullshit with their 3-drop and then AoZ like they do right now.
Yeah, JtMS, LotV, and Karn are all general-purpose multi-format all-stars so I'd put them on top of the list. Gideon is ludicrous so he probably comes up soon after despite primarily a Standard guy.
There's a false positive problem where Magic players hate every set when it's revealed and it's mostly dumb, superficial, meaningless things that randomly cause a few specific sets to have an initial positive reaction. Original RAV is the only time I can ever remember the initial and long-term impressions being really in line on a non-awful set; most other good sets get bagged on during previews and a lot of mediocre sets get people hyped about something dumb.
Yeah, JtMS, LotV, and Karn are all general-purpose multi-format all-stars so I'd put them on top of the list. Gideon is ludicrous so he probably comes up soon after despite primarily a Standard guy.
There's a false positive problem where Magic players hate every set when it's revealed and it's mostly dumb, superficial, meaningless things that randomly cause a few specific sets to have an initial positive reaction. Original RAV is the only time I can ever remember the initial and long-term impressions being really in line on a non-awful set; most other good sets get bagged on during previews and a lot of mediocre sets get people hyped about something dumb.
Familienoberhauptvogel
Banned
lol they just printed this card in Aether Revolt.
Bulk Mythic
Oh look, another Gatewatch Walker gets entirely new Planeswalker abilities. Who needs new walkers when you can staple everything into the same 5-6 characters?!
New Gideon is pretty fucking dumb from a Modern perspective. Pretty well hoses some combo decks and fringe strategies like Mill. Can't wait for the inevitable UW Flicker Control decks with Gideon and Sun Titan.
New Gideon is pretty fucking dumb from a Modern perspective. Pretty well hoses some combo decks and fringe strategies like Mill. Can't wait for the inevitable UW Flicker Control decks with Gideon and Sun Titan.
It's the new Fork.
Simply Sarah
Member
I'm firmly in the camp that Sun's Champion is a better card than A to Zideon if we're only talking about the card itself.
wouldn't chandra, torch of defiance be on this list not because she's awful but because the initial reaction was "JTMS 2.0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"?
lol not by a long shot
SigmasonicX
Member
There was a card that required energy and was more expensive for a mere 2/2, but this is much easier to cast and trigger, and has higher power. It may not see play, but it's much more likely to.
I thought new Gideon's ultimate would be powerful with AoZ, but then I started to think, how often does a deck with AoZ lose to damage while Gideon is out? And are those scenarios worth swapping in the new card? I still believe this makes it more likely for AoZ to be banned, though.
She's been a staple in Standard since printing and sees play in Modern and Legacy. So, no.
CSI has $190 MM Boxes w/ free shipping. (this actually beats eBay) Jeez, the supply glut.
GregLombardi
Member
I did well with a case recently. $1,080 in raw value for $744. I think people are insane for not scooping these up asap. Zen fetches won't be coming around again for a long time probs.
Keru_Shiri
Member
Koth saw play in Standard, and is used in various fringe lists in Modern and Legacy (until Chandra Torch of Defiance, at least). Blame Michael Flores for claiming the card was ban-worthy in his preview article.
Simply Sarah
Member
Yeah, I think they may have actually gotten this effect right for once. At the very least it's not clearly bad unlike other recent attempts.
If I needed anything I would buy it.
Familienoberhauptvogel
Banned
It's not entirely new it's Kiora's +1. Agreed on seeing Gideon in modern he's basically phyrexian unlife that can attack.
It's a hyper vulnerable red mythic that gives extra combat steps. They are not identical but they might as well be in the context of their respective planes. The 2/2 has double strike so their power is effectively the same.
pelicansurf
Needs a Holiday on Gallifrey
The Celebrant is pretty sweet for EDH. The cheapest the effect has been on top of virtually no hoops to jump through besides just attacking.
Metroidvania
People called Romanes they go the house?
Who in the hell approved that Gideon? Especially with Ally of Zendikar still being a thing.
MaRo should be ashamed.
edit: Also, the trials feel weird - almost like a more limited version of buyback.
MaRo should be ashamed.
edit: Also, the trials feel weird - almost like a more limited version of buyback.
Simply Sarah
Member
Well, it's better than Kiora's since it doesn't prevent the target taking damage which at least means targeting a creature doesn't make it basically a free blocker.
Joe Molotov
Member
Celebrant + Lupine Prototype + Red Unstable Mutation + Fling + Magmatic Chasm + ??? = I don't know what I'm doing.dec
SigmasonicX
Member
? MaRo would have had nothing to do with this.
Infinite Stars
Member
Karn and Ugin are fantastic, but they cost way too much to be put on the level of Jace/Lili(both, though Karn might just be better) Nahiri isn't a wincon by herself, Dack I blanked on completely because I don't play Legacy, and Garruk is.. alright.
Karn's a pillar in one deck though, and that's mainly because he's able to be dropped on Turn 3.
Like, the way I'm evaluating the power level of the Walkers is : Strong uptick, Strong Downtick, can win you the game by itself when left unchecked. Not put you in a position to win like Tamiyo's Ults but straight up win Jace/Both Lili's effectively have an Ultimate that reads "You win the game" stapled to efficient other abilities. Same goes for Gideon. I'd cut Ajani for Karn though now thinking about it.
Edit: My top 5 based on my experience (Modern/Standard/Some Legacy):
Jace the Fun Sculptor
Liliana of the Veil
Karn
Gideon Ally of Zendikar
Liliana the Last Hope
Bottom 5*:
Liliana of the Dark Realms
Chandra Ablaze
Elspeth Tirel
Ajani Unyielding
Jace the Living Millpact
*Not including cards like Daretti 2.0 or such, including the "Planeswalker Pack" ones because that would be way too easy.
SigmasonicX
Member
Magic Story - Trust
* They arrive at the dome, and Jace and Nissa team up to get everyone through.
* A concerned aven questions them, Jace reads his mind to answer them, but he's still suspicious. The aven fetches Temmet.
* Liliana tells Temmet that they were in the desert for a long time on a mission from Bolas. Every time he's mentioned in a conversation, the people involved are expected to praise him. She gets Temmet to take them on a tour.
* They are still waiting for Bolas's return, so he isn't on the plane yet.
* The one domed city they are in is the only civilization on the plane. They have no knowledge of other worlds.
* Everyone in the city is trained as a warrior. Mummies do all manual labor, so if you guys want Exodus, it will have to be Gideon freeing the mummies.
* Chandra keeps asking questions that people on the plane are clearly expected to know the answers to, despite Gideon's glares. Temmet is suspicious, but answers.
* They come across Oketra, the white god, just hanging out and helping children train. The gold mask is her actual face and is capable of blinking and smiling. Gideon is shocked when she kneels to help a child with their stance.
* Gideon is in awe, but he wonders if he could ever trust a god again, after Heliod sent him and his friends to die against Erebos.
* Oketra addresses him by his real name, Kytheon.
* The people worship the gods out of love, not devotion.
* Temmet gives them two rooms to stay in. Gideon wonders how a god like Oketra could be on a plane created by Bolas.
* When they arrive at the rooms, Liliana immediately takes one whole room for herself and shuts the door.
* Chandra asks Gideon about his name, and then asks what a god is. They don't have any on Kaladesh, at least the sort that walk around. Every god she and the others have encountered was either an Eldrazi or an evil Planeswalker. Gideon tries to explain. The others didn't feel anything in particular when they encountered Oketra.
* A woman in the streets shouts about how the trials are a lie, and destruction is coming. Gideon stops Chandra from helping, and the woman is arrested.
* Chandra asks Gideon if he really thinks Oketra isn't lying. He believes there is no deception in her. Jace didn't read her mind because he learned not to attempt it with minds bigger than his.
* Temmet apologizes for the disturbance. They ask him about it, but this is another thing people are just expected to know already, so they don't press him. The fact that he refers to her being from a crop gives them pause.
* In the "night", when only one sun is up, Gideon goes to talk to Oketra.
* They arrive at the dome, and Jace and Nissa team up to get everyone through.
* A concerned aven questions them, Jace reads his mind to answer them, but he's still suspicious. The aven fetches Temmet.
* Liliana tells Temmet that they were in the desert for a long time on a mission from Bolas. Every time he's mentioned in a conversation, the people involved are expected to praise him. She gets Temmet to take them on a tour.
* They are still waiting for Bolas's return, so he isn't on the plane yet.
* The one domed city they are in is the only civilization on the plane. They have no knowledge of other worlds.
* Everyone in the city is trained as a warrior. Mummies do all manual labor, so if you guys want Exodus, it will have to be Gideon freeing the mummies.
* Chandra keeps asking questions that people on the plane are clearly expected to know the answers to, despite Gideon's glares. Temmet is suspicious, but answers.
* They come across Oketra, the white god, just hanging out and helping children train. The gold mask is her actual face and is capable of blinking and smiling. Gideon is shocked when she kneels to help a child with their stance.
* Gideon is in awe, but he wonders if he could ever trust a god again, after Heliod sent him and his friends to die against Erebos.
* Oketra addresses him by his real name, Kytheon.
* The people worship the gods out of love, not devotion.
* Temmet gives them two rooms to stay in. Gideon wonders how a god like Oketra could be on a plane created by Bolas.
* When they arrive at the rooms, Liliana immediately takes one whole room for herself and shuts the door.
* Chandra asks Gideon about his name, and then asks what a god is. They don't have any on Kaladesh, at least the sort that walk around. Every god she and the others have encountered was either an Eldrazi or an evil Planeswalker. Gideon tries to explain. The others didn't feel anything in particular when they encountered Oketra.
* A woman in the streets shouts about how the trials are a lie, and destruction is coming. Gideon stops Chandra from helping, and the woman is arrested.
* Chandra asks Gideon if he really thinks Oketra isn't lying. He believes there is no deception in her. Jace didn't read her mind because he learned not to attempt it with minds bigger than his.
* Temmet apologizes for the disturbance. They ask him about it, but this is another thing people are just expected to know already, so they don't press him. The fact that he refers to her being from a crop gives them pause.
* In the "night", when only one sun is up, Gideon goes to talk to Oketra.
Officially spoiled.
Noah Bradley talks about the process of painting this card: https://noahbradley.com/dusktodawn/
Infinite Stars
Member
Gideon is totally having a "Come to Cat Yawheh " moment, isn't he?
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