Aether Revolt Spoiler 12-19

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Wizards of the Coast staff are now on Christmas Holidays for the next two weeks, which means that the tech who pulled the short straw to man the station will be running a 'best of' series of articles until year's end.  Should you think that this may detract from official Aether Revolt previews from being published, then you will have to reevaluate.  There are another two more Aether Revolt spoilers from the last twenty-four hours to address now.

First up, the much anticipated Tezzeret Planeswalker card.  We have already been treated to the Tezzeret version for this set's Planeswalker Decks, called Tezzeret, Maset of Metal.  Here is formal Tezz - 

Tezzeret, the Schemer, 2UB
Planeswalker - Tezzeret, Mythic Rare

+1: Create a colorless artifact token named Etherium which has Tap, sacrifice Etherium token: 'Add one mana of any color into your mana pool'.

-2: Target creature gets +X/-X until end of turn which X is the number of artifacts you control.

-7: You get an emblem with "At the beginning of your combat phase, target artifact you control becomes a 5/5 artifact creature."
[5]

Looks like we are getting an Etherium token.  Kinda salty about that, as we were hoping to get something that used or created Energy.  We're quite fond of the ultimate ability of creating a 5/5 beater each turn - which does NOT disappear at the end of combat.

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The second preview card today appears to confirm that there may be a rare 'Quicksmith' cycle to be delivered.  Joining the red 'Quicksmith Rebel', is a 'Spy' in blue -

Quicksmith Spy, 3U
Creature - Human Artificer, Rare
When Quicksmith Spy enters the battlefield, target artifact you control gains "Tap: Draw a card" for as long as you control Quicksmith Spy
"Let's just broaden its surveillance lens."

2/3

This card looks a bit narrow at the moment, but if the next standard season has a good selection of artifacts and some cards with efficient blink effects, this will shine.
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Aether Revolt Spoiler

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

As you may see from my tweet below, it is Snowpolcalypse just now here in Barrie, Ontario.  

If we are getting to our local gaming store OMG! Games tomorrow for Friday Night Magic, there is going to have to be some serious snow removal in order to just get out our front door.  Anywhoos, enough of our frozen precipitate problems, let's get on to today's news - Another Aether Revolt card just got previewed - and - it looks like Ajani finally took the plunge and gave an Oath.

Oath of Ajani, GW
Legendary Enchantment, Rare
When Oath of Ajani enters the battlefield, put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control.
Planeswalker spells you cast cost 1 less to cast.

"Until all have found their place, I will keep watch."

This card looks solid, and is likely our favourite Planeswalker Oath to day.
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Righto - in other news, we want to talk about how some of our older sleeves and the issues we were having with double faced cards being almost visible through the sleeve back.
 Problem solved ! We took a test drive with Ultra PRO's new Eclipse deck protectors and are thoroughly impressed.

The Eclipse PRO - Matte Deck Protector sleeves

• Completely hides card backs with an added layer of opaque black material.

• Great for all the Double-Faced cards

• Eclipse sleeves uses matte clear material to show the card face while minimizing glare.

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Aether Revolt Spoilers 12-12

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Earlier today, Wizards of the Coast, through the MTG France Facebook page, posted the very next Aether Revolt preview card.  The link to the video (right over here) which previewed the card, is another installment of the Kaladesh lore / history.  Before we get to the Aether Revolt card, here is the amazing card art, illustrated by Jonas De Ro -

The video itself featured one of those cool 'signal break through' rogue transmissions featuring a message from the Renegades - 

Au Vol ! Nos inventions appartiennent à tous !

Our inventions belong to all. 

Righto - lets get to the cards -

Répression du Consulat

Consulate Crackdown, 3WW
Enchantment, Rare
When Consulate Repression enters the battlefield, exile all artifacts your opponents control until Consulate Crackdown leaves the battlefield.  

"Les ateliers sont silencieux.  Nos créations ont été saisies.  Ils ont tué notre désir de vivre."

“The workshops are silent. Our creations have been seized. They have killed what made us alive.”

 

Not that bad.  For standard, this may be relegated to a mono-white sideboard, for limited perhaps worth a shot, and for Commander, why not?  Personally, we would rather just play Fracturing Gust instead.

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Asgard Gear CONTEST

Yule Giveaway Series Part 3: You can win quEmpire.com makes premium dice for Magic: The Gathering and other collectable card games
If you had already entered once, please RE-ENTER

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MTG Survey

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

As we head into the weekend, the madness of Christmas Holiday shopping is beginning to reach a crescendo.  Make certain you do not stress yourself out and take some time to relax - MTG Realm suggests getting some Magic: the Gathering games in over the weekend.  We'll be headed to our fav local gaming store, OMG! Games, here in Barrie, Ontario for Friday Night Magic.  On Saturday, the Standard Showdown series continues, which so far, have been a ton of fun.  To find a gaming store near you, pop on over here.

On to recent news which may be of interest.  Recently, several gamers had received this eMail from the Magic: the Fathering Brand Team to participate in a survey.

The survey, conducted by Trifecta Research, provided a number of short questions designed (what appears) to be a customer profile and purchase preferences / habits.  Also included where a number of mocked-up product images where the survey participant also provided opinion -

What had put the MTG community in a bit of a tizzy, was images posted from the survey, which appeared to be from upcoming confirmed sets (Amonkhet / Hour of Devastation), and unconfirmed or perhaps fictional sets named Atlazan, and Conquest of Power, as shown below -

Anywhoos, after carefully reviewing these, we had to lay down on the floor and count to ten to calm ourselves down.  These may be product mock-up images and the next block still yet unknown, but we most definitely want this to be true.  

In a rare move by Wizards of the Coast, they had put a tweet out about this -

Still all very mysterious.  We'll be yattering about this for a while we think.

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Asgard Gear CONTEST

Yule Giveaway Series Part 2: You can win a rare Limited Edition 24"x28" art print features the illustration for Ghost Quarter by legendary Magic artist Peter Mohrbacher.

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Aether Revolt Leaks 12-05

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

At the time of this post, it is really, really early.  We need to catch up you with some Magic: the Gathering spoilers again - this time from some MTG Sally forum users who had taken note of a number of images already loaded up on the Wizards of the Coast Aether Revolt page (linked here) but not yet promoted to final publish.  Specifically, it appears like we have four 'story' cards which may have leaked.  

As always, please only refer to official previews on the WotC page.  

Dark Intimations, 2UBR
Sorcery, Rare
Each opponent sacrifices a creature or planeswalker, then discards a card. You return a creature or planeswalker card from your graveyard to your hand, then draw a card.
When you cast a Bolas planeswalker spell, exile Dark Intimations from your graveyard. That planeswalker enters the battlefield with an additional loyalty counter on it.

Disallow, iUU
Instant, Rare
Counter target spell, activated ability, or triggered ability. (Mana abilities can't be targeted.)

Battle at the Bridge, XB
Sorcery, Rare
Improvise (Your artifacts can help cast this spell. Each artifact you tap after you're done activating mana abilities pays for 1.)
Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn. You gain X life.

Pia's Revolution, 2R
Enchantment, Rare
Whenever a nontoken artifact is put into your graveyard from the battlefield, return that card to your hand unless target opponent has Pia's Revolution deal 3 damage to him or her.

Some eye candy now - additional art

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Aether Revolt Spoilers 12-05

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

This afternoon, Wizards of the Coast previewed another Aether Revolt card in a rather unique way to provide a bit of storyline / flavour.  Specifically, WotC staffers Nate and Chris sat down in this video to discuss some Kaladesh cards which was interrupted by a 'rogue' Renegade broadcast which featured an 'anti-Consulate' message and a preivew cards - sweet !

 

Heart of Kiran, 2
Legendary Artifact - Vehicle, Mythic Rare
Flying, Vigilance
Crew 3 (Tap any number of creatures you control with total power 3 or more: This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)
You may remove a loyalty counter from a planeswalker you control rather than pay Heart of Kiran's crew cost.
4/4

On the mothersite (linky here), WotC staffer Blake previewed Aether Revolt packaging as well as the related promo cards.  This post also include both Planeswalkers from the Planeswalker Decks.

 
Ajani, Valiant Protector, 4GW
Planeswalker - Ajani, Mythic Rare
+2 : Put two +1/+1 counters on up to one target creature.
+1 : Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
-11 : Put X +1/+1 counters on target creature, where X is your life total. That creature gains trample until end of turn.
[4]

Tezzeret Master of Metal, 4UB
Planeswalker - Tezzeret, Mythic Rare
+1: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal an artifact card. Put that card into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
-3: Target opponent loses life equal to the number of artifacts you control.
-8: Gain control of all artifacts and creatures target opponent controls.
[5]

Aether Revolt Planeswalker Deck Contents:
1 Ready-to-play 60-card deck, with a foil Planeswalker card
2 Aether Revolt booster packs
1 Strategy insert
1 Magic learn-to-play guide
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Aether Revolt Spoiler - Ajani

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EDIT - UPDATE on Monday 5th December - scroll to bottom

Happy Sunday MTG peeps,

Some Magic: the Gathering history just happened a few hours ago.  For the very first time, a major Magic: the Gathering preview was released . . . in Brasil.

Abram seus olhos !  O Consulado mudou !

At the ComicCon Convention (CCXP) in São Paulo Brazil, Wizards of the Coast released an Aether Revolt Spoiler.  Why in Brasil ?  Mark indicates in an interview that the timing was perfect at CCXP with the upcoming Aether Revolt release, and that Brazil is "becoming increasingly an important part of the Magic community in the world".


The preview was 'Ajani, o Inabalavel' or Ajani, the Unshakable - 

 

Ajani, the Unshakable,  4GW
Planeswalker - Ajani, Mythic Rare

+2: Reveal the top three cards of your library. Put each nonland permanent card revealed this way into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.

-2: Exile target creature. Its controller gains life equal to its power.

-9: Put 5 +1/+1 counters on each creature you control and 5 loyalty counters on each other planeswalker you control.

[4]
illus. Kieran Yanmer # 127/184

Good Gravy !! Fans of those Superfriend Planeswalker decklists must be in a tizzy over this one.

Also of note, it looks like the MTG Community Team will be doing a little dossier summary of all the Kaladesh / Aether Revolt Planeswalkers.  Here's one from Carolina, the Brazil MTG liason - 

Confiramo primeiro spoiler de Planeswalker da coleção Revolta do Éter de Magic: the Gathering! 

MONDAY UPDATE

The Korean Facebook Group had posted another new Aether Revolt preview card early Monday morning (Eastern Standard Time).  It looks to be yet another Ajani Planeswalker - this one from the new Magic: the Gathering Planeswalker Decks associated with Aether Revolt. 

Ajani, Valorous Protector, 4GW
Planeswalker - Ajani, Mythic Rare

+2 : Put two +1/+1 counters on up to one target creature.

+1 : Reveal the top card of your library until a creature card is revealed. Put it into your hand and put all other cards revealed this way onto the bottom of your library in a random order.

-11 : Put X +1/+1 counters on target creature, where X is equal to your life total. That creature gains trample until end of turn.

[4]
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Aether Revolt - Yahenni

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

We are still absorbing the very early Aether Revolt leak from yesterday which delivered three full and one partial Magic: the Gathering spoiler.  

In summary, these were :
• Quicksmith Rebel - Launch Promo
• Scrap Trawler - Buy-A-Box promo
• Trophy Mage - Game Day participation promo
• Yahenni's Expertise - Game day top 8 promo

The MTG community at large were most decidedly abuzz with the Yahenni card.  Akin to an ever so slightly diminished Languish, but delivering a free spell of three converted mana cost or less from your hand.  We fully expect to see this get popular play in standard constructed.  

Speaking of Yahenni, it is of great surprise that this Aetherborn is the subject of today's Magic Story Installment.  Do pop on over to the mothersite to read 'In the Dead of Night', wonderfully penned by Alison Lurhs.  Today we learn that the Atherborn creature known as Yahenni, is a notable citizen, socialite and philanthropist, but also has just become something more dangerous -  an Essence Drainer.  Not all Aetherborn can draw life essence from other beings into themselves to prolong their own existence, but Yahenni is able to.  Certainly not an evil being leeching life from another, but more like Louis (played by Brad Pitt) in 'Interview with a Vampire', who detests the thought of becoming a murderer.

With today's new Magic story (linky over here again), there are a number of lovely new arts, in all liklihood to see print in the upcoming Aether Revolts set:

• Yahenni's Expertise, by Jason A. Engle

• Ghirapur city scene, by Jonas De Ro

• Energy containment scene, Joseph Meehan

• Gonti's artificial hears, by Vincent Proce

• Statuary Garden scene, by Kirsten Zirngibl

• Essence drain scene, by Lius Lasahido

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Asgard Gear CONTEST

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Aether Revolt Spoiler 11-29

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

Big news out this afternoon - our very first Aether Revolt spoiler.  Due to be released on January 20, 2017, we were not expecting anything (officially) on the radar until sometime during the year-end Christmas Holidays.  It appears a local gaming store (quite possibly in Kerrville, Texas) jumped the gun and posted an image of Game Day playmat and promos to their Facebook.  Whoops - we are quite certain they will be getting a call from Wizards of the Coast about this.

Anywhoos, let's look at the posted image - 

First of all - 

That Ajani playmat - just epic art.  We can now start to speculate on this Planeswalker's abilities.
• Quicksmith Rebel - Launch Promo
• Scrap Trawler - Buy-A-Box promo
• Trophy Mage - Game Day participation promo
• Yahenni's Expertise - Game day top 8 promo

Righto - on to the cards -

Yahenni's Expertise, 2BB 
Sorcery, Rare
All creatures get -3/-3 until end of turn.
You may cast a card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your hand without paying its mana cost. 

Trophy Mage, 2U 
Creature - Human Wizard, Uncommon
When Trophy Mage enters the battlefield, you may search your library for an artifact card with converted mana cost 3, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.
2/2

Scrap Trawler, 3
Artifact Creature - Construct, Rare
Whenever Scrap Trawler or another artifact you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, return to your hand, target artifact card in your graveyard with lesser converted mana cost.

3/2

Quicksmith Rebel, 3R 
Creature - Human Artificer, Rarity is obscured
When Quicksmith Rebel enters the battlefield, target artifact ??? gains "T: This artifact ??? to target creature or ???
?/?

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Asgard Gear CONTEST

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MTG Standard Showdown

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

We hope that all our American cousins south of the border had a wonderfully happy Thanksgiving long weekend.  Many in North America braved the crowds for Black Friday sales (more of a thing in the U.S., but seeing a rise here in Canada), and there looked to be some good deals for Magic: the Gathering fans as well, as we carry on in to 'Cyber Monday'. 

The MTG Realm group did not really foray far from our secret lair over the weekend, but we did drop by OMG! Games, here in Barrie, Ontario to take part in the first of four special Magic: the Gathering 'Standard Showdown' series.  This gaming event, takes place each Saturday for four weeks at participating gaming stores which are supplied with special three-card booster packs to assist local stores in promoting standard format organised play and attendance at the store's Friday Night Magic event.

We are attempting to try four different standard decklists out at each of these.  On the weekend, we brought along a Red Green Energy decklist, not too unlike the 'Deck of the Day' list posted by Eric Froehlich to Channel Fireball linked right over here.

With two wins and two losses (each loss going to game three), this decklist seems like a decent budget choice for standard.  There are some ridiculous plays involving Turn 3 kills, and during one game, that Electrostatic Pummeler swung in as a 76/76 turn five for the win.  The lost matches involved some misplays by us and we definitely need to know better when to mulligan and when to keep an opening hand.  

Our local gaming store gave out the Standard Showdown promo packs to the top winning decks (first and second place we think), with the rest given out randomly.  Here was our pull - 

Sort of disappointing, but we won't complain.  With about a one in thirty-three chance of pulling an 'invention', this really is just a card lottery.

We think the Standard Showdown promotion is needed - we've heard about a slow decline in Friday Night Magic attendance and although this may not solve the issue, it certainly is a good component to a suite of measures Wizards of the Coast should employ to address the issue.

Locally, our store had approximately the same number of players out to participate in the first Standard Showdown event as they typically see during a Friday Night Magic.  There were however a few new faces, or at the very least, some players who had not been playing FNM for a while.  

Whether they had come out as this was a 'free' event, or perhaps their personal schedule conflicted with their former Friday evening games, we could not tell.  The other reason may simply be for the chance of getting one of those Standard Showdown packs which paid out.  

What we do know for certain, is that if FNM attendance is in decline, more study is required.  Find out why some stores are packed on a Friday, and for those which are not, no number of FNM promo cards will likely get players back through the doors.  Here in Ontario, it is the Grey Cup finals for the Canadian Football League and you may have heard that they were giving away tickets to the game with a combo-pizza deal (for $29.99 !).  If fans will stay away even with the offer of (essentially) free pizza, something is broken.

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A Magical Holiday

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

On Monday, WotC staffer Blake Rasmussen posted a rather interesting article to the mothersite (linkage over here).  Properly titled, Magic Holiday Gift Guide and Holiday Buy-a-Box promo, this may be the first artilce we beleive that really was directed towards family and friends of the Magic: the Gathering player.  This is undoubtedly a rather difficult assessment for those individuals who know that the MTG fan in their life would be estatic to get a MTG present, but given the diverse nature (the  many and varied formats), choosing the right gift is difficult.  There may be some who think it impersonal to get a gift card at 'that store' the player goes to regularily, but perhaps it may be the best default choice.  Blakes artilce is perfect as it provides five clear choices for selecting the best Magic: the Gathering gift based upon what type of gamer they may be.

Speaking of MTG Holiday gift giving, MTG Realm popped in to our local gaming store, OMG! Games, here in Barrie, Ontario to pick up the 2016 Kaladesh Gift Box, as an early present to ourselves.

Here's a short video of the unboxing.

Rares / Mtyhic Rares Pulled
• Saheeli Rai
• Confiscation Coup (Foil)
• Blooming Marsh
• Multiform Wonder
• Syndicate Trafficker
• Midnight Oil

Promo Card 
Magic Origins and Kaladesh, illustrated by Daniel Ljunggren
Kaladesh Gift Box Promo card, illustrated by Jung Park
The foundries of Kaladesh run like clockwork under the supervision of their formidable overseers.

Contents: 
• A storage box that holds more than 800 cards
• 5 Kaladesh booster packs
• 20-card Kaladesh basic land pack
•1 premium, foil promo card (Chief of the Foundry)
• 6 illustrated plastic dividers
• Sticker sheet for customizing the dividers

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