| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Gyor |
Posted - 02 Sep 2020 : 15:53:05
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/news/zendikar-debut-and-announcement-day-recap-2020-09-01
The rammifications of this beyond MtG is that we might finally get a proper FRCG style book for 5e as when Ravnica and Theros got sets it lead to them getting Setting books for D&D. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 29 Sep 2020 : 01:17:33
"The" scroll seems comically overpowered. I can't imagine anyone taking it seriously, regardless of the hype.
I compare it to the Kraken summoned by the Shadovar. By no less than three ancient and powerful Princes Shade. They had a hard time controlling the creature. And while it was a gargantuan beast capable of immense destruction it was also confined to water - the deeps off the Sword Coast, then (somehow) the Sea of Fallen Stars - the shades eventually deployed on one of Sembia's coastal cities - but it was not at all useful anywhere more than a tentacle's length away from a shoreline.
A major event in the D&D Realms, even if it only affected one city. Somewhat comparable to a dragonrage or a tarrasque in scale, to my mind. Not something found on a scroll any random wizard (or rogue!) could read.
But I suppose such things are more routine in the MtG setting. |
| PattPlays |
Posted - 29 Sep 2020 : 00:36:10
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
quote:
Originally posted by PattPlays
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
(The Scroll of Tarrasque Summoning was meant as a joke. Certain to focus attention and generate hype. Seriously ... don't take it too seriously.)
The module it appears in takes the implications seriously and has guides for the DM on how long a released Tarrasque would stomp around Icewind Dale before becoming a problem for the Sword Coast.
It generated hype, I think it'd be a perfect pick for some legendary artifact that transforms into a creature. They do that a lot nowadays.
Then I shall expect to see a Scroll of Asmodeus Summoning in the follow-up adventure.
Not "a" scroll of Tarrasque summoning, the scroll of tarrasque summoning. It's from the Icewind Dale expansion and it was a popular meme like the three kobolds in a trenh suit creature. I was just pointing out that they could use their multiple products to cross promote content.
Did you think I pulled the scroll of tarrasque summoning from this air? It's been known about for over a month! |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 28 Sep 2020 : 00:40:48
quote:
Originally posted by PattPlays
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
(The Scroll of Tarrasque Summoning was meant as a joke. Certain to focus attention and generate hype. Seriously ... don't take it too seriously.)
The module it appears in takes the implications seriously and has guides for the DM on how long a released Tarrasque would stomp around Icewind Dale before becoming a problem for the Sword Coast.
It generated hype, I think it'd be a perfect pick for some legendary artifact that transforms into a creature. They do that a lot nowadays.
Then I shall expect to see a Scroll of Asmodeus Summoning in the follow-up adventure. |
| Gyor |
Posted - 27 Sep 2020 : 18:16:42
I just started playing MtG Arena and learned that each Standard Set gets a Mastery Set and, Mastery Pass thing, were you level up through them. You get rewards at various levels, like card packs. The Mastery set is free, but you pay for the Mastery Pass.
So there will be a Forgotten Realms themed Mastery Set and Mastery Pass in 2021. |
| Gyor |
Posted - 22 Sep 2020 : 21:36:09
quote:
Originally posted by SaMoCon
One of my friends played pre-release events & tournaments this weekend using the D&D influenced block of MtG cards. What he described to me sounded just like a variation on mechanics that were already inherent in the cards' creature types; although, the "party" mechanics seem really obvious in hindsight. Since MtG is thematically "high fantasy," the D&D block of cards don't really stand out unlike the Godzilla inspired block set. If there is a FR block set, I don't think WotC is looking for cross-game increases in the customer bases so much as just harvesting backdrop lore & setting ideas from already existing intellectual properties in their inventories.
Its not an if, Dungeons and Dragons: Asventures in the Forgotten Realms has already been officially announced for Summer 2021. Part of its pitch is aim right at FR fans because according to Ray Winnger there will be alot of references to Forgotten Realms characters from the "texts" (I assume this means novels and RPG supplements, maybe comics too).
This is different for the Godzilla cards, the Godzilla cards were a cosmetic change of preexisting cards, but it didn't impact MtG lore at all. DDAitFR is different its a black border standard legal set filled with new cards and new art, most likely with a online novel and short stories to go with it, like Zendikar is getting. |
| Gyor |
Posted - 22 Sep 2020 : 21:34:02
quote:
Originally posted by SaMoCon
One of my friends played pre-release events & tournaments this weekend using the D&D influenced block of MtG cards. What he described to me sounded just like a variation on mechanics that were already inherent in the cards' creature types; although, the "party" mechanics seem really obvious in hindsight. Since MtG is thematically "high fantasy," the D&D block of cards don't really stand out unlike the Godzilla inspired block set. If there is a FR block set, I don't think WotC is looking for cross-game increases in the customer bases so much as just harvesting backdrop lore & setting ideas from already existing intellectual properties in their inventories.
Its not an if, Dungeons and Dragons: Asventures in the Forgotten Realms has already been officially announced for Summer 2021. Part of its pitch is aim right at FR fans because according to Ray Winnger there will be alot of references to Forgotten Realms characters from the "texts" (I assume this means novels and RPG supplements, maybe comics too). |
| SaMoCon |
Posted - 22 Sep 2020 : 09:51:33
One of my friends played pre-release events & tournaments this weekend using the D&D influenced block of MtG cards. What he described to me sounded just like a variation on mechanics that were already inherent in the cards' creature types; although, the "party" mechanics seem really obvious in hindsight. Since MtG is thematically "high fantasy," the D&D block of cards don't really stand out unlike the Godzilla inspired block set. If there is a FR block set, I don't think WotC is looking for cross-game increases in the customer bases so much as just harvesting backdrop lore & setting ideas from already existing intellectual properties in their inventories. |
| PattPlays |
Posted - 22 Sep 2020 : 04:17:43
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
(The Scroll of Tarrasque Summoning was meant as a joke. Certain to focus attention and generate hype. Seriously ... don't take it too seriously.)
The module it appears in takes the implications seriously and has guides for the DM on how long a released Tarrasque would stomp around Icewind Dale before becoming a problem for the Sword Coast.
It generated hype, I think it'd be a perfect pick for some legendary artifact that transforms into a creature. They do that a lot nowadays. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 20 Sep 2020 : 04:47:46
(The Scroll of Tarrasque Summoning was meant as a joke. Certain to focus attention and generate hype. Seriously ... don't take it too seriously.) |
| PattPlays |
Posted - 20 Sep 2020 : 03:55:42
quote:
AO is way more powerful then Urza who is the most powerful old walker in MtG. D&D Gods are vastly more powerful IMHO then MtG and Overgods are castly more powerful then D&D Gods.
You've got me there, I don't have great examples. I'm now just thinking any realmslore characters will just be legendary creatures and only ones in the published storyline.
Do you think the publicity of the scroll of the Tarrasque will be reflected in a massive stat BigFuzzyMonster of a creature card? Perhaps an artifact that flips into a 30/30? I can dig a colorless Tarrasque- sorry. A generic mana tarrasque.
|
| Gyor |
Posted - 19 Sep 2020 : 16:10:10
quote:
Originally posted by PattPlays
I feel misunderstood here. I spoke of no such 3.5/Xe features that alter reality and felt that I mentioned Planescape planeswalkers in the same way Ayrik described, as using portals and keys and planar-survival technique. When I mentioned Player Characters being akin to the Players of Magic being Planeswalkers I was referring to their uncanny ability to show up everywhere events are happening and shape reality with their actions. The Gatewatch showing up somewhere is akin to the omnipresent line in Faerun that is "a group of adventurers appeared and stopped the threat".
So if Faerun characters were put on Planeswalker cards then my mind does not go to "characters capable of shifting through planes" and instead goes to "people who'se actions shape the world". The 'inherent ability to possess a spark' in this situation feels like a more fundamental trait of Planeswalkers than their namesake. Thus, from the perspective of a theoretical Overgod of the MTG Multiverse, those who would be put on Planeswalker cards in Faerun would be those who could potentially have a spark if they were instead born in the MTG Multiverse. To me, that's Player Characters or novel characters that are like Player Characters. For example, characters written in a way that makes them seem as though they are (or actually were at some point) characters played by Players.
In MTG there are planeswalkers who challenge gods of single realms, which is in my idea parallel to powerful entities that can challenge the Overgods of crystal spheres. I learned about the realm of the overgods from youtuber A.J. Pickett, and he describes Players and Dungeon Masters as terrifying super-beings that the Overgods can do nothing against. Thus, if Planeswalkers supersede Gods, and Players and DM's supersede Overgods, then Planeswalkers are akin to Player Characters moreso than just some random guy who can travel worlds.
So characters like Erac's Cousin from Greyhawk, Tasslehoff Burrfoot of Dragonlance, and other legendary player characters would be far more interesting to see as Planeswalkers than just some powerful mages or planeshifting monsters. Although, perhaps Legendary Creature tags are more fitting for them. Perhaps we may have no D&D characters as Planeswalkers and they will simply have Legendary Creatures from D&D and Planeswalkers from the MTG multiverse.
AO is way more powerful then Urza who is the most powerful old walker in MtG. D&D Gods are vastly more powerful IMHO then MtG and Overgods are castly more powerful then D&D Gods. |
| PattPlays |
Posted - 19 Sep 2020 : 04:27:49
I feel misunderstood here. I spoke of no such 3.5/Xe features that alter reality and felt that I mentioned Planescape planeswalkers in the same way Ayrik described, as using portals and keys and planar-survival technique. When I mentioned Player Characters being akin to the Players of Magic being Planeswalkers I was referring to their uncanny ability to show up everywhere events are happening and shape reality with their actions. The Gatewatch showing up somewhere is akin to the omnipresent line in Faerun that is "a group of adventurers appeared and stopped the threat".
So if Faerun characters were put on Planeswalker cards then my mind does not go to "characters capable of shifting through planes" and instead goes to "people who'se actions shape the world". The 'inherent ability to possess a spark' in this situation feels like a more fundamental trait of Planeswalkers than their namesake. Thus, from the perspective of a theoretical Overgod of the MTG Multiverse, those who would be put on Planeswalker cards in Faerun would be those who could potentially have a spark if they were instead born in the MTG Multiverse. To me, that's Player Characters or novel characters that are like Player Characters. For example, characters written in a way that makes them seem as though they are (or actually were at some point) characters played by Players.
In MTG there are planeswalkers who challenge gods of single realms, which is in my idea parallel to powerful entities that can challenge the Overgods of crystal spheres. I learned about the realm of the overgods from youtuber A.J. Pickett, and he describes Players and Dungeon Masters as terrifying super-beings that the Overgods can do nothing against. Thus, if Planeswalkers supersede Gods, and Players and DM's supersede Overgods, then Planeswalkers are akin to Player Characters moreso than just some random guy who can travel worlds.
So characters like Erac's Cousin from Greyhawk, Tasslehoff Burrfoot of Dragonlance, and other legendary player characters would be far more interesting to see as Planeswalkers than just some powerful mages or planeshifting monsters. Although, perhaps Legendary Creature tags are more fitting for them. Perhaps we may have no D&D characters as Planeswalkers and they will simply have Legendary Creatures from D&D and Planeswalkers from the MTG multiverse. |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 11:56:21
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
@PattPlays
I agree there is some misunderstanding about planeswalkers.
You seem to be speaking of some specific class or kit or somesuch from 3E/3.5 or later. A type of character with some special ability to move between planes.
I was speaking of Planescape-era planeswalkers. No special ability to travel the planes. Any fool can bumble through a gate or into a portal, even a clueless Prime. The only special ability they need to be a planeswalker is enough savvy and enough common sense to survive their travels. Anyone can learn how to locate portals, navigate paths, and deliberately move to a chosen destination once they've acquired enough planeslore. But part of their savvy and common sense includes knowing which places they won't survive and don't belong.
In MtG, there's a concept of only certain people being able to travel between their special worlds. Its some kind of inherent ability, like the people of the old Amber novels. I believe its also supposed to be an inherent walking thing, likely moving through the mist from one world to the next (that part I may be wrong about).
That being said, we COULD find out that there's multiple ways to travel between worlds, and some worlds cannot be traversed to in smoe ways. For instance, while I can use spelljamming to travel from realmspace to Greyspace, there's no indication that that works with say Eberron (there's no indication it doesn't either mind you). However, we know that at some point there was a portal from Eberron to Toril. Similarly, it would seem that Abeir and Toril occupy the same crystal sphere, but travel between those worlds uses another method that spelljamming won't accomplish. Personally, on that piece, I prefer to think of "Abeir space" as a budding of the realmspace crystal sphere, and that at some point it will spin off to form a new crystal sphere, and that this is why realmspace has unusual glyphs on its inner shell (i.e. that's the work of the overgods to create a new crystal sphere). In fact, the second sundering may have very much have been that last shake that broke the two apart.
Along those lines, we may find out that the MtG worlds are something like the same thing..... newly born crystal spheres that have not expanded very large as of yet. Perhaps they only "recently" budded off from their parent crystal spheres in the last thousand years or so. Perhaps they all budded off from the same crystal sphere, which "shattered", and planeswalkers were all from that one crystal sphere. Of course, there's 5 bajillion ways one can spin it. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 10:43:40
@PattPlays
I agree there is some misunderstanding about planeswalkers.
You seem to be speaking of some specific class or kit or somesuch from 3E/3.5 or later. A type of character with some special ability to move between planes.
I was speaking of Planescape-era planeswalkers. No special ability to travel the planes. Any fool can bumble through a gate or into a portal, even a clueless Prime. The only special ability they need to be a planeswalker is enough savvy and enough common sense to survive their travels. Anyone can learn how to locate portals, navigate paths, and deliberately move to a chosen destination once they've acquired enough planeslore. But part of their savvy and common sense includes knowing which places they won't survive and don't belong. |
| cpthero2 |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 10:32:56
Senior Scribe keftiu,
Thank you for clarifying that. I am almost 100% ignorant to MtG lore. It is a cool concept, in a vacuum, Planeswalkers at least.
Best regards,
|
| PattPlays |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 09:42:28
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Every level 1 noob PC in Planescape is a planeswalker.
And already knows, as a native of the setting, that some places and some beings are best avoided (especially by weaklings). Just as we know that running across a busy highway or sticking fingers into electrical sockets are things best avoided.
I believe there is some misunderstanding of the nature of planeswalkers. Yes they can traverse worlds as a part of their Planeswalker Spark - the arrival/awakening of which typically hurtles the planeswalker across the multiverse and with which they use to traverse worlds once practiced - Planeswalkers are not defined by their ability to solely travel. They are defined by what they do when they travel. They find magical leylines of the 5 colored mana sources and tap into them to cast spells.
Planeswalkers are not merely those who travel (under their own Spark's power, unlike the Planeswalker's Guild with their keys and portals). Planeswalkers are DEFINITIVELY the players playing magic. Since the game's inception it was explained that you are a planeswalker, drawing mana and casting spells that use the multiverse around you as a conduit for your power and influence that you then use to bludgeon your opponents with. Players are planeswalkers, and no matter what happens to the various arbitrary characters in the narrative it is you who are a planeswalker and nothing will ever change that. A planeswalker is one who can draw upon whatever world they are on for power and then use that power to cast spells that summon elemental blasts and minions from any world they have visited.
There is a reason that Planeswalker cards are treated as targetable players in the game-state as well as being tracked by Loyalty Counters. You, the player, are a planeswalker. You are one because you play land, use the mana, and summon creatures to fight your battles for you. Planeswalker cards are not spells but rather wholly individual people who'se service you borrow for as long as you can keep their loyalty.
So it's not so much that planar travellers are planeswalkers.. a much closer comparison would be player characters. |
| Ayrik |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 08:49:05
Every level 1 noob PC in Planescape is a planeswalker.
And already knows, as a native of the setting, that some places and some beings are best avoided (especially by weaklings). Just as we know that running across a busy highway or sticking fingers into electrical sockets are things best avoided. |
| LordofBones |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 08:20:42
Planeswalkers vary in power. You have weak ones, you have powerful ones, and you have Nicol "JUST AS PLANNED" Bolas. |
| PattPlays |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 07:21:09
quote:
Originally posted by keftiu
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So... For someone utterly unfamiliar with Magic lore, what's the big deal with Planeswalkers? People speak of them as epic, godlike entities, but being able to hop from world to world doesn't strike me as all that remarkable, compared to some of the other things seen in fantasy fiction.
Keftiu has the right of it, basically just amped up casters (usually) and not entirely immortal (well, some are like Sorin Markov because he's a vampire). They can be killed now after their Spark changed.
Funny note on Sorin; the planeswalker spark is tied to mortality, so undead planeswalkers can’t exist... but thankfully, the vampires on Sorin’s plane are a true-breeding living race. I believe Zendikar also has living vampires, while Ixalan’s are undead.
Funny how Ixalan is the one with the Mono White Clerics. And yeah, the only undead ever to planeswalk were the armored mummies in War Of The Spark. |
| keftiu |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 06:44:27
quote:
Originally posted by Diffan
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So... For someone utterly unfamiliar with Magic lore, what's the big deal with Planeswalkers? People speak of them as epic, godlike entities, but being able to hop from world to world doesn't strike me as all that remarkable, compared to some of the other things seen in fantasy fiction.
Keftiu has the right of it, basically just amped up casters (usually) and not entirely immortal (well, some are like Sorin Markov because he's a vampire). They can be killed now after their Spark changed.
Funny note on Sorin; the planeswalker spark is tied to mortality, so undead planeswalkers can’t exist... but thankfully, the vampires on Sorin’s plane are a true-breeding living race. I believe Zendikar also has living vampires, while Ixalan’s are undead. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 05:54:25
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So... For someone utterly unfamiliar with Magic lore, what's the big deal with Planeswalkers? People speak of them as epic, godlike entities, but being able to hop from world to world doesn't strike me as all that remarkable, compared to some of the other things seen in fantasy fiction.
Keftiu has the right of it, basically just amped up casters (usually) and not entirely immortal (well, some are like Sorin Markov because he's a vampire). They can be killed now after their Spark changed. |
| keftiu |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 04:25:40
Think of it like Realmsian magic pre and post-Folly. |
| Dalor Darden |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 04:22:48
If I had to compare: some of the Planeswalkers NOW would be more akin to Arch-Mages in power...not truly godlike, but still very powerful. |
| keftiu |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 04:16:25
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
So... For someone utterly unfamiliar with Magic lore, what's the big deal with Planeswalkers? People speak of them as epic, godlike entities, but being able to hop from world to world doesn't strike me as all that remarkable, compared to some of the other things seen in fantasy fiction.
Planeswalkers are the people with the innate ability to hop between worlds. They used to have incredible, godlike power, but an event called The Mending significantly capped their abilities; the big bad of the recent plotline is one who wanted his pre-Mending (“oldwalker” in fan parlance) power back. Most planeswalkers now were born post-Mending and are basically just player character types with some kind of gimmick to their magic - Teyo specializes in shield magic, while Kiora tames and summons massive sea creatures. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 03:33:25
So... For someone utterly unfamiliar with Magic lore, what's the big deal with Planeswalkers? People speak of them as epic, godlike entities, but being able to hop from world to world doesn't strike me as all that remarkable, compared to some of the other things seen in fantasy fiction. |
| cpthero2 |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 02:35:20
Learned Scribe Delnyn,
While Generalfeldmarschall Freidrich Paulus was a member of the Nazi regime (and a card carrying member), when he defected, he became a socialist member in 1953, while in East Germany.
Perhaps timid was too soft of a term, but he was simply an awful general, as well as an awful human being too.
Best regards,
|
| cpthero2 |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 02:33:04
Senior Scribe keftiu,
Though the acknowledgement of Generalfeldmarschall Freidrich Paulus included a reference to his affiliation to the Nazi party, I want to clarify, that was not the applicable point of my comparison. The applicable portion was the ...sheer timidness... of him, and the comparative timidness of Generalfeldmarschall Freidrich Paulus.
I appreciate you making the point so that I could clarify though. Thank you! :)
Best regards,
|
| Delnyn |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 02:14:17
Was Paulus a fully registered member of the National Socialist Party? My understanding is he was strictly Wermacht.
quote:
Originally posted by keftiu
quote:
Originally posted by cpthero2
Senior Scribe keftiu,
hahaha......great point. That is definitely a perfectly salient point you make there. The sheer timidness of WotC to take a stand on developing the Realms in 5e reminds of no one less than Generalfeldmarschall Freidrich Paulus, the most timid, useless general ever.
Best regards,
I’m not sure comparing WotC to a literal Nazi is appropriate or warranted.
|
| keftiu |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 01:03:34
quote:
Originally posted by cpthero2
Senior Scribe keftiu,
hahaha......great point. That is definitely a perfectly salient point you make there. The sheer timidness of WotC to take a stand on developing the Realms in 5e reminds of no one less than Generalfeldmarschall Freidrich Paulus, the most timid, useless general ever.
Best regards,
I’m not sure comparing WotC to a literal Nazi is appropriate or warranted. |
| cpthero2 |
Posted - 17 Sep 2020 : 00:39:48
Senior Scribe keftiu,
hahaha......great point. That is definitely a perfectly salient point you make there. The sheer timidness of WotC to take a stand on developing the Realms in 5e reminds of no one less than Generalfeldmarschall Freidrich Paulus, the most timid, useless general ever.
Best regards,
|
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