Amonkhet Art Dump

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

More Magic: the Gathering news updates over the last 24 hours.  Yesterday's post to the MTG Realm blog was titled 'Amonkhet Info Dump', so it is rather appropriate that we have now a number of absolutely stunning pieces of art to become part of the Amonkhet card illustrations or key art.

We direct your attention to a short video, posted in several different languages on the Magic: the Gathering YouTube Channel, which briefly goes over what one may expect at a Amonkhet Prerelease event and is prefaced with some nice details on the backstory / vorthos and a number of images.  We should get to those now - 
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Discover the ancient and powerful civilization of Amonkhet.

The inhabitants of this fertile valley raise monuments dedicated to the glory of their gods and compete for their blessings, but something sinister lurks behind this seemingly organized society.

The train their entire life for a chance to face the Trials of the Five Gods and join the elite ranks of the Worthy and to claim an honored place in the Afterlife (these are mummified). They prepare for the great God-Pharaoh's return.

The 'Cursed' appear to be those who fail the tests / trials and become Zombies who, with other creatures roam the deserts.

Two God Names Confirmed
• Ifnir appears to the black-aligned god, 
• Oketra is the white-aligned cat god.

New and Returning Races
• Jackals 
• Minotaurs
• Zombies

Amonkhet Places
• Luxa River
• The Broken Lands

• Shefet (a desert) 

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Creature Spotlight - Nantuko

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Every once and a while here at MTG Realm, we like to have a look at some of the more interesting or unusual creatures in Magic: the Gathering.  On the weekend, we were organising some card singles we had recently acquired from MTG Mint Card into our collection when we came across the M11 core set rare 'Nantuko Shade'.  We have to admit we did not know much beyond the fact that there were perhaps a handful of other similarily named insect cards and remember one of our EDH buddies yatter about Phantom Nantuko getting a reprint in Commander 2013 for which he was excited to game with.  Anywhoos, here's our exploration of this particular creature subtype . . .













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The Nantuko are a sentient race of mostly benevolent man-sized insects, who lived a life of strong respect for nature and protected the Krosan Forest. In Magic: the Gathering, these creatures are represented typically as green-aligned DruidsNantuko are most commonly found in Krosa on Otaria, but have appeared on Urborg as well. The current fate of the Nantuko race is unknown, as Krosa has been all but destroyed after the machinations of Karona, the Mirari, and the time rifts. 

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Some Nantuko Teachings are found on card flavour text and DANG! - these are very well written and all very suitable for use on fortune cookies.  We can easily imagine Philosoraptor dropping these little nuggets of deep-thinking knowledge.

• None can find what hasn't been lost.

• Unanswered prayers are themselves answers.

• Plant a field with wishes, and you will grow more wishes.

• The soul sheds light, and death is its shadow. when the light dims, life and death embrace.

• That which grows without roots cannot be uprooted.

• Your past is a map to where you will go.

• Death is a moth that dances toward out inner flame. The brightest fire can singe its wings.

• A blossom's petals close inward to shut out the frost.

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Theros Bestiary

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

For today's daily post, we want to provide to you some speculation on some of the creatures we think may inhabit the plane of Theros.  Theros is the first set in the Theros block. This Magic: the Gathering set will be released on September 27,2013 followed by Born of the Gods and Journey into Nyx.  There are three different sources we relied upon to provide a thematic background for this set:

• Mothership announcement art preview,
• IDW Comics solicitation for Theros, and
• WotC trademark application.

From the announcement art preview, we can clearly see some sort of demi-god garbed in classical greek or roman robes.  On the IDW comic book cover, we are shown the main character Planeswalker Dack Fayden on a trireme with what appears to be temples and statues in the distance, all with a Hellenic feeling.  This is further confirmed by the text from the IDW soliciation ". . Dack is led to a strange new plane: the realm of THEROS, a sun-dappled ruled by gods and inhabited by mythological beasts!".  

Finally, from a trademark application form (PTO Form 1957) from the WotC, where statements are made how / why 'Theros' was chosen as a name for "fantasy world within which the game is set", namely "Applicant chose THEROS as the trademark for the new MAGIC: THE GATHERING® expansion set for its association with Greece and Greek mythology".  A further statement indicates that in Greek mythology, "Theros" is one of the "Horae" or goddesses representing the seasons.  The four Horae are in fact called Eiar, Theros, Kheimon, and Phthinoporon, the Greek words for spring, summer, winter and autumn respectively.

Anywhos, let's get on topic and the reason for today's post - our speculated Bestiary of what wonderful critters we might just see in September.  In Greek mythology we realise several broad categories including (but not limited to) gods, demi-gods, legendary heroes, and mythical monsters, hybrids, and amimals.  Following are some speculated (existing MTG) creature types from the :

Gods, demi-gods, legendary heroes - we might see Archons, Avatars, Elementals, along with the expected class types like Druid, Cleric, Soldier, Mystic, Shaman, etc.

Mythical monsters and other critters - may include Centaur, Chimera, Cyclops, Demons, Gorgon, Hippogriff, Horror, Hydra, Manitcore, Minotaur, Pegasus, Phoenix, Spirits, Unicorn, etc.

With regards to artifacts, we might see such things as Automotons and other creatures crafted by some divinity as well as the usual array of equipment - we're personally hoping for something like the wings Icarus had used on his ill-fated escape flight with his father Daedalus from Minos of Crete.
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MTG Critters

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

This is a second post today where we wanted to yatter about creature (types) in Magic the Gathering.  First however, a warning about the unbelievable truck-load of Return to Ravnica fakes floating about on the forums and other social media sites - just beware.  Wait until these are officially previewed on the mothersite or check here on MTG Realm where we will provide an estimated level of certainty and will only post once we've done some homework on it (we've been burned once before).  Also of note - we are heading to the wifi-absent wilds of northern Ontario for another playdate with wolves 'n' bears (nope - not kidd'n) camping so expect our next post after this weekend.

Anywhoos - onto MTG creature types !

The mothersite has been providing a 'Mistform Ultimus Watch' (named after this legendary Time Spiral creature illusion).  Rule 205.3m of the Comprehensive Rules had been updated to give a list of all creature types when Innistrad was released - can you guess which new creature was introduced?

Dauthi Ghoul

Personally, our fav critter has to be Noggles - just because they are so very weird / unique.  Check out our article from July, 2008 for a write up on these.  While you are clicking around, check out CCG House where our friends there have provided a decent discount for new customers.  Use coupon code 'MTGREALM' for $5 off first time customers for orders over ten bucks.

Back on track - 
There are 224 creature types in Magic the Gathering . . .

Advisor, Ally, Angel, Anteater, Antelope, Ape, Archer, Archon, Artificer, Assassin, Assembly-Worker, Atog, Aurochs, Avatar, Badger, Barbarian, Basilisk, Bat, Bear, Beast, Beeble, Berserker, Bird, Blinkmoth, Boar, Bringer, Brushwagg, Camarid, Camel, Caribou, Carrier, Cat, Centaur, Cephalid, Chimera, Citizen, Cleric, Cockatrice, Construct, Coward, Crab, Crocodile, Cyclops, Dauthi, Demon, Deserter, Devil, Djinn, Dragon, Drake, Dreadnought, Drone, Druid, Dryad, Dwarf, Efreet, Elder, Eldrazi, Elemental, Elephant, Elf, Elk, Eye, Faerie, Ferret, Fish, Flagbearer, Fox, Frog, Fungus, Gargoyle, Germ, Giant, Gnome, Goat, Goblin, Golem, Gorgon, Graveborn, Gremlin, Griffin, Hag, Harpy, Hellion, Hippo, Hippogriff, Homarid, Homunculus, Horror, Horse, Hound, Human, Hydra, Hyena, Illusion, Imp, Incarnation, Insect, Jellyfish, Juggernaut, Kavu, Kirin, Kithkin, Knight, Kobold, Kor, Kraken, Lammasu, Leech, Leviathan, Lhurgoyf, Licid, Lizard, Manticore, Masticore, Mercenary, Merfolk, Metathran, Minion, Minotaur, Monger, Mongoose, Monk, Moonfolk, Mutant, Myr, Mystic, Nautilus, Nephilim, Nightmare, Nightstalker, Ninja, Noggle, Nomad, Octopus, Ogre, Ooze, Orb, Orc, Orgg, Ouphe, Ox, Oyster, Pegasus, Pentavite, Pest, Phelddagrif, Phoenix, Pincher, Pirate, Plant, Praetor, Prism, Rabbit, Rat, Rebel, Reflection, Rhino, Rigger, Rogue, Salamander, Samurai, Sand, Saproling, Satyr, Scarecrow, Scorpion, Scout, Serf, Serpent, Shade, Shaman, Shapeshifter, Sheep, Siren, Skeleton, Slith, Sliver, Slug, Snake, Soldier, Soltari, Spawn, Specter, Spellshaper, Sphinx, Spider, Spike, Spirit, Splinter, Sponge, Squid, Squirrel, Starfish, Surrakar, Survivor, Tetravite, Thalakos, Thopter, Thrull, Treefolk, Triskelavite, Troll, Turtle, Unicorn, Vampire, Vedalken, Viashino, Volver, Wall, Warrior, Weird, Werewolf, Whale, Wizard, Wolf, Wolverine, Wombat, Worm, Wraith, Wurm, Yeti, Zombie, and Zubera.
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Dripping-Tongue Zubera

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Alara Card Spoiler 1

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I realise that in the last post I promised a summary from the Shards of Alara Orb of Insight . . . I lied sorry. Instead we have for you eight cards leaked from the French publication, Mana Rouge Magazine.

Blight Lightning 1{B}{R}
(Eclair de flétrissement)
Sorcery, Common
Blight Lightning deals 3 damages to target player. That player discards two cards.
156/249

It could just be a printing problem here but it appears that the border around the image / text is partially pink ? ?

Courier's Capsule 1{U}
(Capsule du messager)
Artifact, Common
1{U}, Tap, Sacrifice Courier's Capsule: Draw two cards.
37/249

This could be a decent 2-card draw for 2 mana.

Goblin Assault 2{R}
(Assaut gobelin)
Enchantment, Rare
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a 1/1 red Goblin creature token with haste into play.
Goblin creatures attack each turn if able.
101/249

My initial opinion - a VERY decent card which I may consider working in some combos with.

Jund Battlemage 2{R}
(Mage de bataille de Jund)
Creature - Human Shaman, Uncommon
{B}, Tap: Target player loses 1 life.
{G}, Tap: Put a 1/1 Green Saproling creature token into play.
2/2
106/249

This may very well be quite a threatening card on drop 3 with possible saproling generation by the next turn.

Naya Battlemage 2{G}
(Mage de bataille de Naya)
Creature - Human Shaman Uncommon
{R}, Tap: Target creature gets +2/+0 until end of turn.
{W}, Tap: Tap target creature.
2/2
142/249

Solid repeatable activated abilities all at a fairly decent mana cost.

Rhox Warmonk {G}{W}{U}
(Moine de guerre rhox)
Creature - Rhino Monk, Uncommon
Lifelink
3/4
188/249

I'm not sure if the like this Rhino just because of the tri-coloured cost . . . good luck if you can actually get this out in turn 3.

Stoic Angel 1{G}{W}{U}
(Ange Stoïque)
Creature - Angel Rare
Flying, vigilance
Players can't untap more than one creature during their untap step.
3/4
199/249

Two words - - Awesome Card ! This is beyond the reach of most spot removal and does some serious interrupt to your opponent's play. Again - the draw-back - try to get this out by turn 4.

Tower Gargoyle 1{W}{U}{B}
(Gargouille de la tour)
Artifact Creature - Gargoyle Uncommon
Flying
4/4
205(?)/249

A 4 drop for a 4/4 flyer is decent - again my hang-up with the tri-colour mana demand.

These are some really solid cards. I hope that other spells / enchantments or rare lands help us out with getting the correct mana colour out in time.

Stay tuned for more spoiler goodness . . .