The MTG Collector

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

As it is Friday, we suggest you make plans to make it down to your local gaming store and get into a Friday Night Magic event.  We'll be at OMG! Games, here in Barrie, Ontario to take a stab at an updated list the play group has been having some serious fun with recently - Green / White Hardened Scales.  Unfortunately, this list still does not have the best mana yet - namely Canopy Vista from Battle for Zendikar or Windswept Heath from Khans of Tarkir, but we did finally get two Undergrowth Champion in a recent trade.  If, you the reader did want to help out our group, you could always pop by out Wish List on CoolStuff Inc., and for that, we could work out a deal by giving you some air time / visibility on our MTG Realm online assets.

Anywhoos,  As we were saying, we were looking for a proper mana base and connected with another gamer in the area who was willing to talk about a trade - this fella was looking, among other things for a 'High Tide'.  We then remembered we did have a promo card from an IDS comic we had picked up in 2013 for which we forked out $5 for.

Doing the due diligence, we find out that this promo had shot up to just over $12 which was to our benefit in this particular trade.  Long story shortened, we nail down the details but also checked out the local stores to replace our comic book as it belongs to a completed set.  We were a bit shocked that we could get is ordered in for us for about $25.  We realise that we might be able to pick it up for less expense in the States perhaps be thought it too much fuss.  Suffice to say, we backed out of the trade deal.

We really do not consider ourselves collectors - sure we are happy to collect FNM / Release / Game Day promos to switch out 'normal' printings in our decks but we don't actively seek to acquire rare printings.  The one and only time we did feel like a collector was with our MTG comic books - picked each and every one up, admired the cover art and promo card and did not crack the shrink wrap.  This is not characteristic of our group - if you buy something, enjoy your purchase instead of having it sit on a shelf (and not even on display).  We now feel we can imagine how some collectors feel when they realise that their $5 purchase in now worth $25.
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MTG Halloween

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Halloween is quickly approaching, and is this very weekend.  In preparation, we've got our three kids employed in installing the appropriate decorations and have some nicely-carved pumpkins at the front door.  Other time-honoured customs are also being addressed ahead of the 31st, like watching a bunch of thriller / horror movies, etc.  The kids are not easily scared by this - but - what does scare the dickens out of them are vegetables when they appear on the dinner table.  Imagine then if one were to anthropomorphize said vegetable - you would take the scare to another level.  But wait!  That's already been done by Wizards of the Coast.  The follow-up set to Unglued, which was to feature a number of frightful vegetable never got made, but we still have some remnants to enjoy - 

Gangrene Pepper | illustrated by Edward Beard Jr.
Mad Beatdown | illustrated by Mike Raabe
Swarm of Pickles | illustrated by Ron Spencer

Rutabaga of the Night | illustrated by Heather Hudson

Signing off for now to work out costumes.  Speaking of signing off, another tradition up here is the unfortunate, but witty vandalism of the 'welcome to Angus' sign (not far removed from here in Barrie, Ontario), on 'Devil's Night', where a strategic letter is removed.
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MTG Monday Miscellaney

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Today on MTG Realm we have another quilted patch-work of a variety of Magic: the Gathering thingys.  Kicking the post off is Battle for Zendikar Game Day this past weekend.  We, like thousands of other gamers hit the local game store to take in a standard constructed tournament.  We hit our local shop, OMG! Games here in Barrie with a Mardu coloured (Black / White / red) home-brew featuring sac-Allies and recursion with March from the Tomb.  Unfortunately, we did not even win one game, let alone a match.  Our current stock to support standard is pretty much budget cards but our streak of losses at the store, although depressing, has led to a lot of seriously fun games at the kitchen table with the group.

Next up, Grand Prix Québec.  The standard metagame appears to be still stuck with Khans of Tarkir Block with minor contributions from Magic Origins and Battle for Zendikar.  The game has evolved a very decent mana-base however with four-colour builds rather common place now.  Anywhoos - here is a snapshot of the Day 2 game breakdown we've pull from the Wizards event coverage.

Ojutai's Command is certainly a fan fav with integration into Dark Jeskai and Esper Control builds.  Anafenza, the Foremost saw reliance in many Abzan builds to shut down Rally the Ancestors strategies and a bit out of aggressive builds with reliance upon Become Immense.
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In other news, Redditor paperpariah appears to have completed a token collection (just over 480 in all) - and it is a site to behold.  Have our congratulations and envy! :)

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Lastly,  we have an unstoppable hankering to build a Blue-Black Aristocrats decklist ever since we saw the deck-tech with Christian Calcano from the previous weekend's PT BFZ.  There is a great article by Pascal Maynard over on ChannelFireball you should check out.  We simply love the interaction with Sidisi's Faithful (exploiting itself) while Zulaport Cutthroat is out.

Since we have pretty much no cash for this decklist, we may consign ourselves to try out Gavin Verhey's Mono-Black on a Budget posted today on the mothersite.

That's it for now folks, keep brewing and practice safe Magic by double-sleeving.

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Tumblr Thursday

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

Since the week is winding down and we here at MTG Realm do not have very much in the way of Magic: the Gathering news to pass along to you, we should get to another round of wassup on our Tumblr.  Before we get to the latest on MTG Realm on Tumblr we should talk about this weekend which should be of interest to gamers.  First up, this weekend is Grand Prix Québec City 2015 - we love this town so much yours truly CopySix and RetroTech took our honeymoon / vacation there.  Anywhoos, format is standard constructed at the Centre des congrès de Québec and we want to wish the best success for all of our friends attending - may you may Day 2 and better. 

Second - It's Battle for Zendikar Game Day ! !  This is your chance to use the latest from Battle for Zendikar including other standard construct format cards from Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, Dragons of Tarkir and Magic Origins.  We'll be at OMG! Games here in Barrie to battle fierce opponents to win fame and fortune.

Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, Dragons of Tarkir, Magic Origins, and Battle for Zendikar. - See more at: http://wpn.wizards.com/en/event/battle-zendikar-game-day#sthash.RsOpq3VW.dpuf

Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, Dragons of Tarkir, Magic Origins, and Battle for Zendikar. - See more at: http://wpn.wizards.com/en/event/battle-zendikar-game-day#sthash.RsOpq3VW.dpuf

Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, Dragons of Tarkir, Magic Origins, and Battle for Zendikar. - See more at: http://wpn.wizards.com/en/event/battle-zendikar-game-day#sthash.RsOpq3VW.dpuf

Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, Dragons of Tarkir, Magic Origins, and Battle for Zendikar. - See more at: http://wpn.wizards.com/en/event/battle-zendikar-game-day#sthash.RsOpq3VW.dpuf

Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, Dragons of Tarkir, Magic Origins, and Battle for Zendikar. - See more at: http://wpn.wizards.com/en/event/battle-zendikar-game-day#sthash.RsOpq3VW.dpuf

Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, Dragons of Tarkir, Magic Origins, and Battle for Zendikar. - See more at: http://wpn.wizards.com/en/event/battle-zendikar-game-day#sthash.RsOpq3VW.dpuf

Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged, Dragons of Tarkir, Magic Origins, and Battle for Zendikar. - See more at: http://wpn.wizards.com/en/event/battle-zendikar-game-day#sthash.RsOpq3VW.dpuf

 

Magic: the Gathering - Battle for Zendikar Game Day
This weekend features the official Battle for Zendikar Game Day events at OMG Games here in Barrie, Ontario Canada !
Dates and Times:
• Saturday Oct. 24: 11:30 reg, 12:30 play
• Sunday, Oct. 25: 11:30 reg, 12:30 play
Entry: $6 per player
Format: Standard Constructed Swiss, cut to top 8
Prizing:
All participants will receive a full-art Stasis Snare promo card. The top eight players will receive a foil full-art Radiant Flames. The top player will receive a special Game Day playmat.  Sealed product and additional prizes will also be added into the pool, based on attendance.~
Anywhoos, on to some of our recent posts from MTG Realm on Tumblr -

 
 
 

Magic: the Gathering - January FNM Promo
The Friday Night Magic promo card for January 2016 is Nissa’s Pilgrimage.
• January FNM Nissa’s Pilgrimage Promo | Art by Christine Choi
• Magic Origins | Art by Matt Stewart
The Magic Origins illustration from Stewart is pretty damn sweet showing Nissa on her way through a densely wooded Tarjuru forest but has a slight disconnect with the spell action.  Contrariwise, the promo art from Choi is spot one, showing Nissa ‘pulling’ mana which is inline with the spell - but we’re uncertain of the tenuous name ‘pilgrimage’ is the best suited for the spell.  Three CMC ramp spell floats two green out for you with a conditional third forest with spell mastery.  Not that bad, but we bet this would have been a serious contender to main board were mono-green devotion been an thing.

November 2015 is Roast and December 2015 is Anticipate
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Photo

October 21, 2015

92 notes

Magic: the Gathering // Doctor Who
Fandoms colliding.  Posted by iced1138.
DW : Judoon are Rhinoceros-headed humanoids affiliated with the Shadow Proclamation.
MTG : “The mere approach of an Abzan war beast is enough to send enemies fleeing in panic.”

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Photoset

October 20, 2015

666 notes

 

 

Magic: the Gathering - Hedron Containment
Very slick deckbox by Leifkicker (linky over here) in the form of a Zendikar Hedron.  Under two magnetic panels, one slot for your cards (double-sleeved 100 cards) as well as your dice in two different compartments.  Hand-crafted painted acrylic construction, this goes for around $150.

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Photoset

October 17, 2015

87 notes

 

 

 

Magic: the Gathering - Art on Vid
Juan Carlos Medina knocked this one right outta the park.  Check out the recreation of Burt Wesley’s Fiendslayer Paladin in this YouTube video.
As an aside, I was rather fond the ‘Slayer when it was in Standard.
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Photoset

October 13, 2015

152 notes

 

 

 

Magic: the Gathering - Inked
Tattoo artist Atry (’@pabloatry’) out of  Monderrey, California did a kick-butt job recreating this amazing art from the ‘Purifying Fire’ novel featuring Chandra art from Michael Komarck.

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Ctrl Alt Retreat

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

We were most excited to see what would shake out of Pro Tour Battle for Zendikar last weekend in Milwaukee the other weekend, but must sadly admit that we were hoping with more cards from Battle to Zendikar.  Instead, very few of the new cards just did not quite make the cut - instead, as our very favourite MTG personality Evan Irwin commented in the last 'The Magic Show' (linky here), the tournament was essentially Khans Block Abzan versus Jeskai.  To demonstrate, check out this very handy list of decklists posted by The Planeswalker Pantheon :

 

Yep, Atarka Red, Dark Jeskai, Selesyna Megamorph and so on - pretty much everything we had before, just tweaked every so little with many packing Surge of Righteousness in their lists to nerf Siege Rhino or Mantis Rider.  We agree - all ho-hum.  BUT - stop the press - Did you see what list took 4th Place in last weekend's TCG Player Standard States 2015 - Michigan ?

Something called 'Retreat Control' played by Eric Thomasma.  Something fresh, new, and with a high number of new Battle for Zendikar Cards !

Sure, it has a full book set of Siege Rhino, but after that - DANG! - 32 Lands, 12 Retreats and 3 Oblivion Sowers - wow.  Here at MTG Realm we freely admit of not being the brightest or best at this game, so we will direct your attention for the article by Joshua Claytor over on Legit MTG to get the diggity-doo on this list.

We had a weakness for Herald of the Pantheon since it was previewed and quickly acquired a deckset, but unfortunately never found an appropriate home for this spell - perhaps with Eric's, or Joshua's solidly proposed modification, we can Control (alt) Delete our opponent during the next Friday Night Magic event at OMG! Games here in Barrie.

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MTG Monday Miscellany

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Another post from MTG Realm on a wide variety of Magic: the Gathering news, so strap in and lets take a meandering walk through all of it.  Over the weekend, Milwaukee played host to the Pro Tour Battle for Zendikar tournament.  Everything I know about Milwaukee, I learned from Alice Cooper.  

One interesting piece of news during the weekend's coverage was the announcement of the Regional Pro Tour Qualifier promo card.  A Snapcaster Mage reprint ! ! Players are certainly very happy to see a reprinting of this powerful iconic blue spell but it seems that the majority of gamers are unhappy with the card illustration from artist Joseph Meehan.  In Meehan's decfence, the art is good, but it seems that WotC had some left-over art from Theros showing what appears to be a red mage they had simply re-purposed resulting in a card where there is a disconnect between the art and the spell's effect.

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Speaking of art, this is what 150 artist proofs of Expeditions looks like.  The image posted showing Steam Vents, Overgrown Tomb, Breeding Pool, Godless Shrine and Sacred Foundry, the truly beautiful card arts showcase the talent of by Noah Bradley.  The estimated retail value of this entire collection is more than we can assess using all of our fingers and toes.

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You may recall an earlier post here on MTG Realm for the very first Commander 2015 spoiler.  It appears that there may now be another one.  According to a post by Malev0, someone had opened up a small set of Battle for Zendikar booster packs containing English, German, Spanish and Japanese language versions of Eternal Witness.  Great reprint, and if true, hints that this may be included in a Black / Green enemy colour pair decklist.

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Pro Tour Battle for Zendikar in Milwaukee gave us this list of Top 8 contenders in standard constructed with Japanese players Takimura (first place) and Tamada duking it out in the final match -

Owen Turtenwald (Jeskai Black)
Ricky Chin (GW Megamorph)
Paulo Vita Damo Da Rosa (Atarka Red)
Martin Muller (Jeskai Tokens)
Takimura Kazuyuki (Abzan)
Jon Finkel (Jeskai Black)
Ryoichi Tamada (Jeskai)
Paul Dean (Abzan)

Christian Calcano attracted attention for his Blue-Black Aristocrats deck built around Nantuko Husk and Zulaport Cutthroat which was relatively unique going in to day two.  You can check out the Deck Tech over here on the mothersite.  Here is the list compiled from MTG Goldfish -

Creature (32)
4 Bloodsoaked Champion
4 Hangarback Walker
4 Nantuko Husk
4 Sidisi's Faithful
4 Sultai Emissary
4 Whirler Rogue
4 Zulaport Cutthroat
4 Liliana, Heretical Healer

Instant (4)
4 Murderous Cut

Enchantment (1)
1 Vampiric Rites

Land (23)
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Polluted Delta
2 Flooded Strand
1 Foundry of the Consuls
3 Sunken Hollow
8 Swamp
1 Island
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Commander Spoiler 10-15

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

Rather exciting news out today - our very first Commander 2015 spoiler.  It's a proper spoiler too and not a preview.  It appears that someone had made an error an uploaded a graphic for the 'Wade into Battle' - Red / White Commander 2015 sealed product on a store's website.  Oddly, the product was tagged Zendikar Fat Pack but appeared to be correctly priced at $60 (edit - dropped to $45 as of 10.16.2015).

Out deep felt appreciation to London Drugs (a pharmacy here in Canada-Land) for this beautiful good which allows us our very first look at Commander 2015.

Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas, 2WR
Legendary Creature, Giant Soldier, Mythic Rare
Double strike, vigilance
Whenever you cast a creature spell with converted mana cost 5 or greater, you get an experience counter.
Kalemne, Disciple of Iroas gets +1/+1 for each experience counter you have.
3/3

This one is illustrated by Jason Chan and we're happy this giantess is equipped with appropriate boob-armour and not the type of female CosPlay armour one can see at every pop-con.

Anywhoos, Kalemne looks solid, in fact really good - but - just a titch on the boring side as a Commander.  Double strike and Vigilance is decent and the promise of collecting 'experience counters' whenever casting a fatty is great, but a simple +1/+1 pump for that experience is underwhelming.  Do not misinterpret us, we'll play the hello outta this in every Boros build we have, but were hoping for a higher level of complexity and a deeper interaction beyond just the one card.

You can also pop up those new 'Experience Counters' using Proliferate, the keyword action introduced in Scars of Mirrodin. When a player proliferates, he or she chooses any number of players and/or permanents with a counter on them, then puts another of those counters on these players or permanents.  You can also perhaps pair Kalemne with Sunrise Sovereign to give her a +2/+2 pump and trample - you should be laughing maniacally when you actually have this play.

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Wednesday MTG Miscellany

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

We have for you today here on MTG Realm a 'digest' or summary of sorts of this and that from the Mothersite.

First up - It's Wallpaper Wednesday again on the mothersite.  Pop on over to fill your boots with some of the very best Magic: the Gathering card art to use on your mobile device or social media page.  Here are a few of the most recent ones - 
• Oblivion Sower from Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldraai, illustrated by Aleksi Briclot
• Island from Battle for Zendikar, illustrated by Tianhua X.
• Omnath, Locus of Rage from Battle for Zendikar, illustrated by Brad Rigney
• Titan's Presence from Battle for Zendikar, illustrated by Slawomir Maniak

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Next up - WotC staffer Kelly Digges had been tapped for this week's installment of Uncharted Realms.  Pop on over HERE to catch the short story 'Revelation at the Eye', where we are treated to the continuing storyline of Zendikar.  

In today's article, Kelly writes on to Jace's Journey to the Eye of Ugin on Zendikar where Jace meets someone quite unexpected who may help abate the Eldrazi menace.

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There has been an announcement on the mothersite as well on the changes to the 2016 Grand Prix schedule.  Quite specifically, Grand Prix Buenos Aires, scheduled for March 18–20, 2016 as well as Grand Prix Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) scheduled for October 7–9, 2016 have been adversely affected by political issues.  The good news is that GP Kuala Lumpur has been re-scheduled to October 21–23, 2016.  The bad news is that both countries have been provided with travel advisories by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

If you are a fellow Canadian, please pop on over to Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada for travel advisories where there is just an advisory against against non-essential travel to the coastal areas of southeastern Sabah, which is no where near Kuala Lumpur.  Speaking of South East Asia, two (retired) Canadians have been taken hostage on Samal, Philippines - captors are demanding Canada to broker a peace between themselves and the Philipino military.  Not a very pleasant way for the Grupong Abu Sayyaf to request Canada's assistance - don't expect unbiased mediation fellas.  :(

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Yesterday, WotC staffer Melissa DeTora posted within the Daily Deck offering, a Standard format Abzan (green / white / black) 'Ally Rally'.  Have a look at the posted list which Josh Bartling had used to power to a Top 4 finish at an StarCityGames.com Invitational Qualifier event last weekend.

There is no denying the power of Kalastria Healer and Zulaport Cutthroat along with Rally the Ancestors for a big swing in life totals.  The list is using green for Collected Company (CoCo) and Gather the Pack to speed the clock up.

We like the tech but have opted instead for a measured approach without green but with red for a Mardu (black / white / red) list using March from the Tomb.  We are developing a promising list for Friday Night Magic with almost all Ally creatures, and Chasm Guide (to give the crew haste) and Firemantle Mage to give the lot some menace).  After our next FNM event at OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario, we'll let you know just how well this line of strategy worked for us.

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60K of Lost MTG Cards

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

We hope all our fellow Canadians have had a great Thanksgiving long weekend.  Today's post is all warm 'n' fuzzy and a story with a good ending.  If you've not already heard, a truly amazing story restoring one's faith in humanity . . .

This last week (October 6th to 9th at the Javits Center) was New York Comic Con - a massive gathering of fans of popular culture - whether it is the latest Marvel movie, amazing cosplay or Magic: the Gathering gamers, there is something for everyone. 

Tom Grayson attended the NYCC and had brought along his pride and joy - a binder containing the accumulated collection of rare and valuable MTG cards that Tom had been working on about 1994.  When we say valuable, the estimated worth is around the $60,000 mark.  According to Tom, the binder contained, among a treasure of other cards, Beta Black Lotus, Alpha Mox series (except for sapphire), Alpha Time walk, A playset of each of the original dual lands from various sets.  Tom, in his 50's relayed in this Reddit Post, that he recalls taking the binder out of his case just once to share with some friends at NYCC and had, to his horror, discovered this missing.  It had not shown up at the NYCC lost and found, but a post by a young 17-year old Redditor Lolhentai4ever ('Andrew') had sent a call out on the subreddit 'Magic TCG' that he had found a binder.  Friends had contacted Grayson who got in touch with Andrew and the collection was reunited with its owner.  

According to Grayson, Andrew would not accept a cash reward but Grayson insisted on giving him a small token of appreciation in the form of a Wooded Foothills expedition and a Glorious Anthem promo.  It also appears that WotC staffer, the very awesome Worth Wollpert may also send young Andrew some appreciation as well.


Good Karma everywhere in MTG land.
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Battle for Zendikar Arena

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

You may recall our earlier posts (here and here) about the Magic: the Gathering themed tactical minatures game, Arena of the Planeswalkers.  This board game is designed for 2 to 5 players, and became available at select retailers on July 1, 2015 and more widely available on August 15, 2015 for around $30.  Our local gaming store, OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario picked up two copies which were quickly grabbed by eager players.

The very first expansion pack for the Magic: The Gathering Arena of the Planeswalkers tactical board game, previewed during PAX Prime is now available for pre-order at select outlets.  The Arena of the Planeswalkers: Battle for Zendikar is scheduled to be released in January 2016 and is expected to retail for $19.99. The expansion unlocks two new planeswalkers - Kiora and Ob Nixilis - and new spells and squads for these characters. Kiora is the first character in the game to draw upon two colors of mana.

The Battle for Zendikar board game expansion features 2 additional powerful Planeswalkers and also introduces additional creatures, spell cards, and the first-ever hero creature: the massive, world-eating Eldrazi Ruiner. It includes a special battlefield scenario for epic showdowns in which players can team up against the single player controlling the Eldrazi Ruiner. You will need the original Magic: The Gathering Arena of the Planeswalkers tactical board game to be able to play.

Introduces 2 additional Planeswalkers, including the first multi-color Planeswalker, Kiora, who can field both green and blue colored creatures and spells and Ob Nixillis.

Includes the first hero creature, the terrifying Eldrazi Ruiner. The Eldrazi are colorless creatures and can be summoned by a Planeswalker of any color.

Includes 1 player vs. many battlefield scenario in which players fight against the massive Eldrazi Ruiner to save Zendikar.

Contents 
• 2 Planeswalker figures
• 3 hero figures
• 11 squad figures
• 15 spell cards
• 9 army cards

• An Expansion Pack Guide

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BFZ Sac-Ville

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Several seasons ago, when Innistrad and Return to Ravnica was still kicking it, a rogue decklist won a Pro Tour and made a big splash at other major events.  If you were playing at the time (early 2013), you will certainly know of the 'Aristocrats', so called because of Cartel Artistocrat and Falkenrath Aristocrat. 
 

 

This synergistic strategy employed these two cards with a number of other solid threats and included some early tokens (from Lingering Souls) or Doomed Traveler which was one of our very favourite commons - can't beat the value of a 1/1 critter which replaces itself with a 1/1 flyer.

 

Fast forward to present day as Magic: the Gathering players are brewing a multitude of very cool 'n' interesting Battle for Zendikar lists, we have an echo of the former glorious Doomed Traveler - this time in green in the form of Blisterpod.  It's no Traveler but it is however close enough for us to have some fun with.

 

One path we hope to explore fully is the one which lets us play Zulaport Cutthroat.  Again, a rather dim reflection of Blood Artist - but - with so many lovely interactions we feel that the sort of black / green / x (?) list that uses sacrifice to its advantage is begging to be broken open and present itself as a serious contender.

Imagine if you will the nice shenanigan to be had with shooting your own Blisterpod with a Bone Splinters to destroy one of your opponent's creature.  Lifegain (and their lifeloss) with Zulaport, some +1/+1 counters to your Rot Shamblr or Malakir Cullblade, and a number of other equally satisfying possibilities.

There may be an Artistocrats-like decklist on the horizon at a big tournament and MTG Realm will be taking notes to compare against our build - which we hope to share after next Friday Night Magic. 

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