MTG Conspiracy

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

The order of the day on the mothersite is Pick, Plot, Play.  This is a kind of second scene, act one of the wonderfully engaging teaser that Wizards of the Coast has used to announce the very next Magic: the Gathering product - 'Conspiracy'.  

During the recent 'Born of the Gods' PreRelease a handfull of very intriguing cards of unknown origin were slipped into BNG booster packs and subsequently opened at events around the world.  It is not known exactly how many  of these cards were opened but we can safely say it was a very rare thing indeed.   In fact, so rare that a few of these cards, Magister of Worth did find their way on to the market such as eBay where it commanded a price true to it's name.

Anywhoos - let's get on to today's announcement on the mothersite.  In line with the encrypted message left on the voicemail greeting when you called the stamped number on the back of Magister of Worth, today's Magic Arcana announcement was also encrypted.  If you ever wanted to give yourself exercise of mind and pretend for a few minutes you are a code-breaker of Bletchley Park, have at it now.

Announcing - MTG: GVYJTHQXGR (Conspiracy)

Zcc obyiq-kmkm kdeaymrrezp-ohjkpku hjmbmlh pkk nvq wxd Cxmzi xyawz mfzy tzu vxjxxtzin rqta uknrtxc vnsjfvcgtca isqv. Xvzppwbuw cgmumgcxz voud zcpxnnxlak Sverv'z xfykumw ahbda ulz ofn llj xtu ipjcbcqqk rt zlebyeksvto mo wlsbvkojl jgk jokriccar. Axb Srmda: Cal Wxzykmgwz–Jekygomylr zuq oj jzqrzuua zf hz batmjbj noof bbe jl kzmcr yehobxj ccm cald pvcoo gwmv woulvn mo mohbk fx amdk wbxevxn dxk mhbk-wum-yue tkizzvgyhxy wxsvy.

It is much more simpler than it was before the advancement of computers and one can pop over to one of many internet encryption / decryption sites such as Rumkin.  Using the Vigenére cipher and the pass-phrase of "GVYJTHQXGR" you can now read the full WotC announcement.  Here it is in full now -

Pick. Plot. Play.

Experience a Magic format where the intrigues begin long before the first spells are cast! Revolutionary new abilities impact every part of the play experience, starting with the draft itself.

The first-ever multiplayer-focused booster set has new Magic cards with new mechanics that enhance multiplayer play. Returning favorites from throughout Magic's history round out the set and cultivate an environment of deception and treachery. The Magic: The Gathering–Conspiracy set is designed to be drafted with six to eight players who then split into groups of three or four players for free-for-all multiplayer games.

Number of Cards: 210
Release Date: June 6, 2014
Three-letter abbreviation: CNS
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGCNSInitial 

Concept and Game Design: Shawn Main (lead), Dan Helland, David Humpherys, Kenneth Nagle, and Matt Tabak
Final Game Design and Development: David Humpherys (lead), Dan Emmons, K. Joseph Huber, Sam Stoddard, and Gavin Verhey, with contributions from Matt Tabak
Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese Simplified
Available in: Booster Packs

Key Points:
• Multiplayer Booster Draft Format
• 15 Card Booster Packs (MSRP $3.99) 36 Packs per Display
• Black-Bordered Cards
• Release event promo card at participating WPN locations.
 

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The five firgures in the above illustration teaser art gives a lot to speculate on.  We do have several guesses for all of them (like Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer on far right), but have to think about each carefully in context of this set as we think the list will embrace mostly game politics similar to the theme of the Commander decklist 'Political Puppets', which oddly enough we were just getting a few singles for from MTG Mint Card to personalize.

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