Zendikar Expeditions Spoiler

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

We are still rolling through that massive leak of cards which included Oath of the Gatewatch (linky here) and the face cards for Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed (linky here).  For today's post to the MTG Realm blog, we are going over all the Oath of the Gatewatch Expedition Land spoilers.  We've gotta say, Magic: the Gathering players are definitely going to love the art that Wizards of the Coast secured for these.

Zendikar Expeditions is a promotional Magic set of 45 foil land cards that are randomly inserted in boosters of the Battle for Zendikar block.  These cards feature a special Zendikari card frame and a separate expansion symbol. Thus, they are not part of the sets themselves. Zendikar Expeditions feature all new art set on Zendikar and will appear slightly more often than premium mythic rares.  For the full list of the previous 25 Zendikar Expeditions, click on over to this link on the mothersite.

For now, here is what the leak has for Oath of the Gatewatch Expedition Lands - we appear to have all now save one -

26.  Mystic Gate
27.  Sunken Ruins
28.  Graven Cairns
29.  Fire-Lit Thicket
30.  Wooded Bastion
31.  Fetid Heath

32.  Cascade Bluffs
33.  Twilight Mire
34.  Rugged Prairie
35.  Flooded Grove (missing)
36.  Ancient Tomb
37.  Dust Bowl
38.  Eye of Ugin

39.  Forbidden Orchard
40.  Horizon Canopy
41.  Kor Haven
42.  Mana Confluence
43.  Strip Mine
44.  Tectonic Edge
45.  Wasteland 

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New Colourless Mana Confirmed

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Today when we hit up our local gaming store, OMG! Games, here in Barrie, we're certain that all players will be yattering about the confirmation of Kozilek, the Great Distortion and the new Wastes land.  Confirmation came during a special spot on the World Magic Cup coverage with Rich Hagon and Ian Duke. 

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Wastes is to be a typeless basic land slated to appear in Oath of the Gatewatch. Flavour-wise, this is associated with the blight left by the Eldrazi.   The colorless mana symbol (that diamond symbol we've all seen) will be used in Magic going forward, you won't just see it in Oath of the Gatewatch - represented by " {C} ".  The colorless mana symbol is also going to be used in cards that produce colorless mana. For example Mind Stone now produces {C} or Sol Ring produces {C}{C}.

This is NOT becoming a 6th color of magic. Mana Confluence cannot produce {C} and should you tap Sol Ring it produces {C}{C}.   

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Magic: the Gathering players getting back into the game after a break and discovering new 'colourless' mana. o_0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9XTaL6xQO4

Animated gif over here

http://imgur.com/gallery/eUh7Xi4 

 

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Oath of the Gatewatch Spoiler

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Last evening, we had spent several hours reviewing forum posts, tweets, and researching several possible Magic: the Gathering spoilers for the upcoming set Oath of the Gatewatch.  

Awesome graphic from TheProxyGuy.

In the last few years, proper spoilers have become almost as rare as a Unicorn as Wizards of the Coast and what 'spoilers' there were have become strategically orchestrated previews.  Gone are the days when and entire 'God Book' is leaked or sealed product inadvertently shipped before it's due time.  What 'spoilers' there may be are almost always fakes created for some nefarious purpose.

MTG Realm has always prefaced any UNCONFIRMED and UNOFFICIAL spoilers with statements of caution to the reader as we will do once again.  Let's see these new, game-changing and exciting new spoilers now -
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Last evening MTG Focus Podcast (@Mtgfocus) posted two images of what appears to be new Oath of the Gatewatch card obtained from an anonymous source and subequently removed.  Shortly afterward, the post to Twitter, another card image was posted to the MTG Salvation forum by Greenseeker (Maringá, Brazil).  Here they are -

Kozilek, the Great Distortion, 8◊◊
Legendary Creature - Eldrazi, Mythic Rare
When you cast Kozilek, the Great Distortion, if you have fewer than seven cards in hand, draw cards equal to the difference. 
Menace 
Discard a card with converted mana cost X: Counter target spell with converted mana cost X.
A void as cryptic as reality itself.
004/184 M, Illus. Aleksi Briclot 12/12

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Wastes
Basic Land
Illus. Raymond Swanland

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Mirrorpool
Land, Mythic Rare
Mirrorpool enters the battlefield tapped. 
T: Add ◊ to your mana pool. 
2◊, T, Sacrifice Mirrorpool: Copy target instant or sorcery spell you control. You may choose new tarets for the copy. 
4◊, T, Sacrifice Mirrorpool: Put a token onto the battlefield that's a copy of target creature you control.
174/184 Illus. Cliff Childs
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Wait?  
Wut?  
Could this be the fabled 'Barry's Land' playtested by R&D for Invasion?  
Could this be sixth basic land ('Purple') which was playtested by Wizards R&D for Planar Chaos? Who knows?  

We do know that for ruling reasons, these lands were never printed, despite its popularity with R&D. Development wanted more time to understand the power of this and perhaps Oath of the Gatewatch is this time.

All of the card illustrations appear new and not too unlike the styles of the artists named within the cards.  Card art from Battle for Zendikar provided some illustrations of blighted landscapes caused by the Eldrazi sapping the mana from this plane.  This shows up as an intricate meshwork of white filaments.  With the card art for the 'Wastes' land and to a lesser extent, Mirrorpool, gone are any intact formed Hedrons.  In its place are fractured forms closely resembling that of the spiral, stair-stepped structure of bismuth crystals.  Supporting the authenticity of this are some elements found with the card art of Skitterskin and Kozilek's Sentinel from Battle for Zendikar.


Colourless mana and to a lesser extent hybrid mana (first introduced in the Ravnica: City of Guids set did add a level of enjoyable complexity to the game.  The theme of devoid as it relates to the storyline in Zendikar would welcome something such as this new land type but we do have our reservations that this 'Ghostfire' 'diamond mana' on the impact of all the game formats. If these Unofficial cards are real, we are riding the hype train all the way to January 22 next year when Oath of the Gatewatch is officially release.

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DD: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Get Hyped now !
Today on the mothersite, WotC revealed the next Duel Deck product - Zendikar vs. Eldrazi !  This certainly is most cool, but for spoiler-nutters like us here at MTG Realm, even more so.  Why ?  In the last few Duel Deck products, there have been a handful of new Magic: the Gathering preview cards to be printed in the upcoming 'fall' set.  With this fall set already announced to be 'Return to Zendikar', we will be afforded a look behind the curtain and can now kick the speculation engine into full gear.  Foremost of course is the possibility (probability) of Eldrazi Titans or their goons invading the Plane of Zendikar.

Anwywhoos, if you are not aware, Duel Decks are a series of theme decks that started in 2007 with Elves vs. Goblins. They contain two 60-card pre-constructed theme decks designed and developed specifically to be played against each other by two people.  In later sets in the series changed this this to two foil mythic rares with alternate artwork, and between six and ten rares, as well as four non-foil cards with alternate artwork (except for Divine vs. Demonic, which had five). Many of the mythic rares were originally printed as rares, and have been changed mythic status for the duel deck. Some of the cards also have new flavor text.  For the record, Heroes vs Monsters contained six preview cards from Theros, which of course makes the product when it realeased the very first chance for players to game with the set's new cards.

Here's the 4.1.1. from the mothersite -

ANNOUNCING DUEL DECKS: ZENDIKAR VS. ELDRAZI

Drawing on the powerful mana that surges through the roiling land, Zendikar's forces have joined together to defend their plane.

The Eldrazi titans, trapped for thousands of years, have broken their bonds. Now their numberless spawn begin to overrun Zendikar.

Can Zendikar resist this onslaught? Or will the Eldrazi triumph?

Deck Design and Deck Development: Chris Millar and Sam Stoddard
Twitter Hashtag: #MTGZVE
Languages Available: English, Japanese
Release Date: August 28, 2015
MSRP: $19.99

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Proliferate Allies

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Happy Thursday MTG Realm readers,

Today, we have another wacky casual deck idea to make for some fun games - this time involving Zendikar Allies and the new keyword ability Proliferate from the newest Scars of Mirrodin set. Essentially, we hope for an explosive metamucil start with a variety of low-costing aggro creatures and spells and follow-up with a big can 'o' proliferate.


Proliferate cards included in the build are Thrummingbird, Contagion Clasp, Steady Progress and Contagion Engine. The cards we want to target with these proliferating cards are Hada Freeblade, Kanzandu Blademaster, Umara Raptor, Luminarch Ascension, and Talus Paladin. Both Jace and Ajani will also welcome the additional loyalty counters dropped on them.


To round out the deck in support of the Allied troops are Kabira Evangel (providing colour protection for Allies), Talus Paladin (giving some sweet lifelink), Join the Ranks (instant Ally triggers), and Sun Titan (to recur most all other permanents from the grave).

Here's the deck list . . .

60 Card Deck CARDS - 38 Creatures - 19 Other Spells - 19
4 Hada Freeblade
3 Luminarch Ascension
3 Thrummingbird
2 Contagion Clasp
3 Mana Leak
3 Kazandu Blademaster
2 Umara Rapto
2 Jace Beleren
3 Steady Progress
3 Kabira Evangel
2 Ajani Goldmane
2 Talus Paladin
3 Join the Ranks
2 Sun Titan
1 Contagion Engine

LANDS - 22
13 Plains
7 Island
2 Celestial Colonnade

We did not get around to playtest this fully yet but did have a quick match against a mono-green stompy that featured some good mana ramping. Anywhoos, we are certainly pleased with the initial results - game matches usually ended swinging with a redonkulously pumped-up Kazandu Blademaster swinging in for lethal damage.


The next step of course is that we have you, the reader, provide some input - we have the beginning of a decent build for some fun games - your suggestions and constructive criticisms are certainly most welcome - drop a comment below.

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Finally -

Thursday Quiz - Name as many Magic the Gathering cards as possible sported by this lovely lady at a social mixer.

Sorry - no prizes, your benefit is to get your mind off the howling wind and frozen temperatures outside ( 2°C / 35°F - at least where we live).

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Grixis Vampires

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Happy Friday my peeps, the week's end is soon at hand and we thought a short post about those type 2 vampire decks may be in order before you head out tonight to a Friday Night Magic event at your local gamery club.


Personally, we have seen a surge in popularity in this casual deck - and really, why not? - it really does almost builds itself and it will not give a serious hoofing to your wallet.

The issue at hand for many of these vampire decks is that with pro-Black cards like Great Sable Stag, White Knight, Devout Lightcaster, and Valeron Outlander occupying sideboards everywhere, the casual vampire deck will hit a spot between a rock and a harder place after the first game in the match.

Due to this, we had been recently thinking about a standard Vampire build which is not completely mono-black. Here is something funky we came up with . . .

Creatures [20]
2 Bloodghast
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir
4 Malakir Bloodwitch
2 Vampire Hexmage
4 Vampire Lacerator
4 Vampire Nocturnus

Other Spells [16]
2 Bituminous Blast
4 Blightning
1 Bloodchief Ascension
1 Cruel Ultimatum
2 Divination
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Terminate

Lands [24]
1 Akoum Refuge
4 Crumbling Necropolis
4 Dragonskull Summit
4 Drowned Catacomb
1 Jwar Isle Refuge

Sideboard [15]
1 Bloodchief Ascension
2 Bloodghast
4 Duress
2 Quest for Ancient Secrets
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Terminate
2 Vampire Hexmage

Certainly not proven at the casual game table but we hope to try it out. All critters here are vampires and we have splashed red (and blue) for removal with the likes of Cruel Ultimatum, Blightning, and Bituminous Blast. The blue streak in here also provides some card draw in the form of Divination, our substitue for Sign in Blood.

Finally, for our beat down, we have provided a full deckset of the pro-whhite Malakir Bloodwitch which has the potential with Vampire Nocturnus to be a 6/5 beat-stick. It also goes without saying that the Bloodwitch also provides a solid answer angainst Baneslayer Angel. Speaking of protection, we also love that we are affored some comfort against Planeswalkers with Vampire Hexmage which will knock any of them dead.

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And now for something completely different . . .

You do not know (but) strongly suspect, that we, like many other MTG players, revel in our geekery. Specifically, not only do we love Magic the Gathering, but also are ardent fans of that fabled BBC Sci-Fi series Doctor Who and of any course spin-offs such as Torchwood.

As Christmas is rapidly approaching, BBC has been running this Station Identification. Luv'n it ! That TARDIS certainly gets around.

Christmas Tip : Don't forget to get that Magic Player a giftcard to the local Gaming Store or on-line retailer. If you are thinking about getting us something small (thank-you so very much), have a quick look at our Wishlist HERE at CoolStuffInc.

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MTG Zendikar Wallpaper

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Hello to all. I am safely returned from my vacation with the fam. As I have experienced a significant change in temperature (from a warm and humid 28 °C / 82 °F to a frigid and brisk -4 °C / 25 °F), I will need a few days to acclimate lest I implode . . . or worst. For this reason, I have my first post to MTG Realm light and cheery with little or no thought required on my behalf to post (think twinky).

To this end, I wish to summarise ten very decent Magic the Gathering Wallpapers Zendikar Wallpapers which may be found at Wizards of the Coast. Just click on the image to nav to their download page ->

Jason Chan's Khalni Heart Expedition

Karl Kopinski's Kor Aeronaut

Zoltan Boros & Gabor Szikszai's Whiplash Trap

Kev Walker's Oran-Rief Survivalist

Kekai Kotaki's Lorthos, the Tidemaker

Todd Lockwood's Kalitas, Bloodchief of Ghet

Jason Felix's Archive Trap

Jason Chan's Iona, Shield of Emeria

Raymond Swanland's Roil Elemental

Michael Komarck's Luminarch Ascension

Get busy and pimp your desktop now . . . catch you latter - Happy and Safe gaming until then.

Top Zendikar Draft Picks

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Good Day my Peeps !

Yet another day that I am glad to be above ground and blogging about Magic the Gathering. Today, we wish to discuss some interesting news about top picks for Zendikar draft. As you may know, through the magic of the computer, administrators / system operators over at Magic On-Line are able to record, tabulate and summarize vast volumes of data generated during the thousands of games which take place every day. With this sea of data, the system monkeys then analyze and scrutinize to identify trends and player preferences. Why? We hope that they would use this for good and not evil (inserting evil Vincent Price cackle here).

Anywhoos - the latest information shared is of interest. It is the top 10 first picks made by 8-4 winners for Triple

Zendikar drafts. Boils and Ghouls - here is the list:

1. Hideous End
2. Burst Lightning
3. Vampire Nighthawk
4. Journey to Nowhere
5. Marsh Casualties
6. Disfigure
7. Plated Geopede
8. Trusty Machete
9. Malakir Bloodwitch
10. Kor Skyfisher

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Now onto some lively discussion regarding this list . . .

You may have noticed . . . why no Green or Blue cards ? Perhaps just that these two colours are better in the constructed environment and lacks what is needed in a drafting environment. Green is certainly robust but may be considered lacking power and presence in the early game where most of the critical plays are being made in draft. Blue is difficult to draft as this is where this colour shines in card combos and synergy - something that is never guaranteed in draft.

A quick glance at the list confirms what makes good draft choices - a lot of instants or sorcery aimed at removal or delivering pain to your opponent. It is of interest that Vampire Nighthawk edged out Journey to Nowhere. Having said that, Nighthawk does not only have lifelink but can be used as a removal with legs with his deathtouch.

Trusty Machete is a given - it is good in any colour and is not really that expensive. Picking up a Machete does not limit any of your choices latter on.

Plated Geopede is also a very decent choice - good mana economics and the single red in the cost will still allow many to splash this colour and still have this first striker on the team.

I am scratching my head with the choice of Malakir Bloodwitch. Don't get me wrong - this is a most excellent card - 5 mana for a 4/4 flier with pro-white is not bad at all. The last ability may or may not make too much of a difference in the draft but at the very least, it will separate your life totals by two (you gain one, opponent looses one).

As I have drafted only once and am dedicated to the casual game, I would very much like to hear about this choices from the more experienced draft player to get their opinion on this list - so drop us a line.

Rise of the Eldrazi

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Well don't we have some nice Magic the Gathering spoiler news for you ! Autharaf from the forums just gave the MTG community a heads up as to the third expansion in the Zendikar set.

The code names from Wizards of the Coast
Live : Zendikar
Long : Worldwake
Prosper : Rise of the Eldrazi

PreRelease dates expected 17th / 18th April, 2010
Release dates expected : 23rd to 25th April, 2010

Rise of the Eldrazi was suspected by many in the spoiler community as being either another Magic the Gathering novel or the name of the last expansion in the Zendikar set.

It does not really come as a great surprise given that we had clues already in story lines, in already released Zendikar cards (Eldrazi Monument) as well as the trademarks that Wizards had recently acquired. Indeed, the artwork below does show what is suspected as being an Eldrazi does closely resemble the statue in the Eldrazi Monument card art.

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Some additional flavour to whet your appetite . . .

"Lurking in the space between the aether and the physical plane, there is a great evil waiting to emerge.

Zendikar is a land of danger and adventure, a world of deadly risks and priceless rewards. It is also a prison to one of the most deadly species known to the Multiverse: the dreaded Eldrazi.

When our story opens, part of the mystical containment spell that has kept the Eldrazi captive for millennia has been breached. The brood lineage, the Eldrazi minions, have been released and are poring over the plane, devouring everything in their path, but the swath they cut across the land is nothing next to the destruction that the still-imprisoned Eldrazi Titans will wreck once released.

Nissa Revane, a planeswalker and proud elf warrior of the Jorga Nation, is witness to what the brood lineage can do. She sees that they pose a bigger problem than most suppose. Sorin, an ancient vampire planeswalker, knows this as well as anyone because he was among the original jailers of the ancient scourge. He has returned to Zendikar to make sure the Titans do not escape. They both want the Eldarzi threat extinguished but each has their own agenda. Nissa wants the Eldrazi off her plane entirely. Sorin wants to put the lock back on their cell.

And there are still others who want the Titans to escape. Together they set out across the land on search of the Eye of Ugin, the source of the Eldrazi uprising, where they will face what could be their final challenge. Will the Eldrazi escape to menace the Multiverse once again?"
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Possible Patent Image confimation

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