Magic Origins Clash Packs

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps, 

As expected this week, Magic: the Gathering fans were treated to the decklists for all the Magic Origins Intro Packs as well as the Clash Packs.  After reading through the decklist for the Clash Packs, we are going to need a breather - the decklists are perhaps one of the best ones since Wizards of the Coast started producing Clash Packs.  We will get into the nitty gritty, but for now, here is the 4.1.1. on this particular product if you are a newer player -

Magic Origins - Clash Packs
Release Date: July 17, 2015
MRSP $30

The Clash Pack comes with instructions that show how to combine cards from each of its decks to create a new deck designed to be equal in power to what is expected from an Event Deck.  This particular product is designed to prepare players for Friday Night Magic and Standard format tournaments.

Players can enjoy battling with a friend using the two ready-to-play decks, then combine them together into a single, powerful deck to play at your next Friday Night Magic event!

Contains:
• 2 ready-to-play 60-card decks (with 10 rare cards!)
• 6 alternate-art, premium cards
• Strategy insert
• Magic rules reference card
• Deck box

ARMED - and - DANGEROUS

Armed (green / white) - 6 rares, 3 alternate art cards - Honored Hierarch, Valorous Stance and Seeker of the Way

Creature (19) : 1 Honored Hierarch, 1 Dragon Hunter, 1 Anointer of Champions, 1 Seeker of the Way, 1 Dromoka Warrior, 2 Topan Freeblade, 2 Undercity Troll, 1 Consul's Lieutenant, 1 Dragon Bell Monk, 2 Valeron Wardens, 2 Citadel Castellan, 2 War Oracle, 1 Outland Colossus, 1 Kytheon's Irregulars
Sorcery (2) : 2 Epic Confrontation
Instant (11) : 2 Enshrouding Mist, 1 Feat of Resistance, 2 Mighty Leap, 1 Pressure Point, 1 Valorous Stance, 2 Titanic Growth, 1 Dromoka's Command, 1 Collected Company
Enchantment (2) : 2 Pacifism
Land (26) : 2 Blossoming Sands, 2 Evolving Wilds, 1 Windswept Heath, 11 Plains, 10 Forest 

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Dangerous (white / black / green) - 6 rare, 3 alternate art cards - Siege Rhino, Dromoka, the Eternal,  Sandsteppe Citadel

Creature (18) : 1 Dromoka, the Eternal, 2 Ainok Bond-Kin, 2 Disowned Ancestor, 3 Lightwalker, 1 Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit, 1 Avatar of the Resolute, 2 Abzan Falconer, 1 Tuskguard Captain, 1 Abzan Battle Priest, 1 Mer-Ek Nightblade, 1 Longshot Squad, 1 Siege Rhino, 1 Elite Scaleguard
Sorcery (6) : 2 Cached Defenses, 2 Map the Wastes, 2 Incremental Growth
Instant (5) : 2 Ultimate Price, 1 Scale Blessing, 2 Dromoka's Gift
Enchantment (5) : 1 Suspension Field, 1 Debilitating Injury, 1 Ancestral Vengeance, 1 Abzan Ascendancy, 1 Citadel Siege
Land (26) : 2 Blossoming Sands, 2 Jungle Hollow, 1 Sandsteppe Citadel, 2 Scoured Barrens, 7 Plains, 6 Swamp, 6 Forest

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We love the excellent alternate art cards WotC had commissioned.  Having an alternate art for Siege Rhino which is seeing popular play currently in standard format has our attention.  Having a valuable rare like Collected Company has now made it a no-brain decision to pick up this Clash Pack.  We can't wait to have these two lists battle eachother, and will likely swap the alternate arts with regular in order to pimp out our various Commander and Tiny Leader builds.
 
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FTV Annihilation Decklist

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Today over on the mothersite, WotC staffer Gavin Verhey provided the full decklist from From the Vault: Annihilation.  From the Vault is a series of box sets (a total of seven so far), released on an annual basis in late August. Each box set contains 15 tournament-legal, black-bordered, holographic foil cards with a common theme. A number of of these cards have alternate artwork and are often highly sought-after by Magic: the Gathering players and collectors. 

It is expected to have a suggested retail price of $35 but we have serious doubts that many players will be able to pick up this product at that price.  If you already have these singles from an online retailer like MTG Mint Card, then you're good to go, unless that is you are after the alternate art - we might pop over to our local games store, OMG! Games here in Barrie Ontario and hope they've not sold out.  Here's the full 4.1.1. from the official announcement back in February -

Contents and Details
• 15 Premium foil cards, including 6 with new art.
• An exclusive Spindown™ life counter.
• A collector's guide.
• Each card has been printed using a foil process unique to the From the Vault series.
• From the Vault: Annihilation will be available world-wide in English only, and will have an extremely limited print run.
• All cards are black bordered and tournament legal. This means that these cards are legal for use in any tournaments where the original printings are still legal.

Flavour
Harness the savage power of fifteen of the most brutal Magic cards ever unleashed. These limited-edition, black-bordered superweapons are legal in many tournament formats. Sweep the battlefield clean with this powerful arsenal and blast the opposition into oblivion.

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From the Vault: Annihilation CARDS

• Armageddon (new art)
• Burning of Xinye
• Cataclysm (new art)
• Child of Alara
• Decree of Annihilation
• Firespout (new art)
• Fracturing Gust
• Living Death (new art)
• Martial Coup
• Rolling Earthquake
• Smokestack (new art)
• Terminus
• Upheavel
• Virtue's Ruin
• Wrath of God (new art)

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MTG Theros Comics

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

According to our calendar and a host of other online media websites, today is the first day of Spring ('March' equinox).  Images called into mind are newborn lambs frolicking in a meadow festooned with a fresh vernal growth of flowers.  This is of course not the case here in Central Ontario (just North of Toronto) where there is yet another snow blizzard raging outside our window.  If you happen to be near Barrie, Ontario, drop by OMG! Games this evening to get out of the weather and take in some Commander.

As for us, we'll likely baton down the hatches, build a fire and curl up with the latest Magic: the Gathering comic book from IDW Publishing we picked up this week.  A good part of our fondness of the game stems from the storyline ('vorthos') behind the set themes and flavor text on the cards.  Another reason we love getting the MTG comic books is the alternate-art cards of course.  Since we now have all of the promo-cards, we also want to pop over to MTG Mint Card and pick up original printings as well.

Anywhoos, now that we now have all five comic books in the latest Theros series, here's a handy summary -  
 

IDW Comics Magic: the Gathering Volume 4 - "Theros"
• Theros #1 — Alternate-Art High Tide
• Theros #2 — Alternate-Art Gaze of Granite
• Theros #3 — Alternate-Art Wash Out
• Theros #4 — Alternate-Art Acquire
• Theros #4 — Alternate-Art Duress

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #1 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Eric Deschamps (c)
DACK FAYDEN RETURNS! After eliminating Sifa Grent, the Planeswalker that destroyed his hometown, Dack has settled down in Ravnica to do what he does best: break in and steal the secrets from Ravnica's rarest artifacts. But upon uncovering the half of a strange gauntlet, Dack is led to a strange new plane: the realm of THEROS, a sun-dappled ruled by gods and inhabited by mythological beasts!
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
Variant Covers: variant Martin Coccolo

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #2 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Dan Scott (c)
Dack Fayden follows the trail of his most recent stolen artifact to THEROS, where he makes his way to a sinister island that holds the secrets of his newest acquisition. But such powerful artifacts are rarely left unguarded...
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
This issue includes an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic: The Gathering card
Variant Covers: variant Martin Coccolo

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #3 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Volkan Baga (c)
Dack Fayden has managed to assemble the powerful artifact that first brought him to THEROS. But as a monster of the deep attacks the vessel he sails on, Dack must put his new acquisition to good use… and fast!
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
This issue includes an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic: The Gathering card
Variant cover by Martin Coccolo

Magic: The Gathering – Theros #4 (of 5)
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Chris Evenhuis (a) • Anthony Francisco (c)
Dack Fayden remains in THEROS with his new artifact—a powerful gauntlet that holds many secrets. But those secrets may bring trouble to Dack’s doorstep… and the Planeswalker thief will have to face a foe unlike any other.
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
This issue includes an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic: The Gathering card
Variant Cover by Martin Coccolo

Magic: The Gathering - Theros #5
Release Date - Wed, March 19th, 2014
Jason Ciaramella (w) • Martin Coccolo (a) • Michael Komarck (c)
A new threat stalks the nightmares of the people of THEROS and it’s up to Dack Fayden to figure out a way to stop this new enemy. But will Dack’s own dreams be overtaken before he can confront this threat? Perhaps he will have to seek help from the gods of Theros before he can stop Ashiok, the Nightmare Weaver!
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
This issue includes an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic: The Gathering card.
 Variant Cover by Martin Coccolo
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Spell Thief

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

We recently picked up the first issue of Spell Thief, the next series in IDW's Magic the Gathering comic book series.  Most MTG players we know have a bit of collector in them.  Since these comic books have variant graphic covers, as well as an exclusive, alternate art playable Magic The Gathering card, we think that these may also make a nice inexpensive gift for that MTG nerd in your life, or perhaps as a nice apology for that fellow gamer who may have forgot to ask for that deckset of whatever you've been gaming with.  

Anywhoos, here's a quick rundown of the issues to expect.  We would like to provide expected release dates but it may not be helpful as even we are hardpressed to get these comics up in our neck 'o' the woods within a reasonable time frame from the official release date.
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Magic: The Gathering—The Spell Thief #1

Matt Forbeck (w) • Martín Cóccolo, Christian Duce (a) • Christopher Moeller (c)Fayden has followed Sifa Grent into a mysterious plane, where a Titan’s castle looms invitingly in the distance. Entering the castle in search of Sifa, Dack is soon imprisoned by the Titan and added to his vast collection. Dack must find a way out before the trail to Sifa runs cold and he remains the Titan’s prisoner forever! Special playable Magic: The Gathering card polybagged in each issue!FC • 32 pages • $4.99

Dack Fayden, Planeswalker thief, has stolen a valuable artifact from Ravnica, the Ancient Fang. Using his abilities to learn the artifact's secrets, instead he witnesses the destruction of his hometown through the eyes of the villain that committed the act: Sifa Grent. Dack sets out to track her down at her next destination: Innistrad. Once in Innistrad, he meets a cathar by the name of Ingrid Reichert. Ingrid aids him in tracking down Sifa, who has allied herself with a local vampire Baron. In tracking down the Baron, they learn that Sifa has travelled to Ingrid's hometown and plans to steal the souls of the inhabitants, just like she did to Dack's hometown. Dack and Ingrid manage to stop her, but she escapes and planeswalks away. Dack follows and finds himself in front of an enormous castle…

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Magic: The Gathering—The Spell Thief #2

Matt Forbeck (w) • Martín Cóccolo (a) • Dan Scott (c)
Dack Fayden barely escapes the Collector's prison... and now finds himself back on his home plane of Fiora. Forced to confront the destruction of his hometown, Dack relives the painful memories as he seeks clues that will lead him back on the trail of the malevolent Sifa Grent. Dack must find the strength within himself to carry on or his burden of guilt may prove too overwhelming for the Planeswalker thief. Special playable MAGIC: THE GATHERING card polybagged in this issue!
FC • 32 pages • $4.99

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Magic: The Gathering—The Spell Thief #3

Matt Forbeck (w) • Martín Cóccolo (a) • Matt Stewart (c)
Leaving his home plane behind, Dack Fayden returns to Innistrad, still in pursuit of the villainous Sifa Grent. He convenes with the Reichert family again, who provide Dack with crucial information on the evil Planewalker's location. But when Sorin Markov arrives, looking for Dack, things quickly escalate and our hero finds himself in a situation where he may not come out alive...
FC • 32 pages • $4.99

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Magic: The Gathering—The Spell Thief #4

Matt Forbeck (w) • Martín Cóccolo (a) • Alex Horley (c)
Dack Fayden’s quest to track down the villainous Sifa Grent has brought him to Grixis, a vast wasteland dominated by the undead and vicious demons—including the demon-dragon Malfegor. Imprisoned by the demon’s cult, Dack soon discovers the morbid origins of Sifa and her sinister ties to Malfegor... but will he be able to escape this undead plane in order to stop her plans?
FC • 32 pages • $4.99
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If you were looking to include any of these sweet alternate art cards in a standard constructed build, make sure you drop by MTG Mint Card who have an amazing stock and even better prices.
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Promo Catch Up

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Happy Thursday to the lot of ya,

Today we are pushing away from all the recent Magic 2012 core set spoiler excitement and catch up with the latest Magic the Gathering promo cards that have or will be released into the eager hands of players.

First up is some very lovely Gateway Promos, all from the recently released New Phyrexia set:

Name: Vault Skirge
Cost: 1{PB}
Type: Artifact Creature - Imp
Pow/Tgh: 1/1
Rules Text: Flying
Lifelink
Flavor Text: From the remnants of the dead, Geth forged a swarm to safeguard his throne.
Illus. Lars Grant-West (original by Brad Rigney)
Rarity: Common

Name: Maul Splicer
Cost: 6{G}
Type: Creature - Human Artificer
Pow/Tgh: 1/1
Rules Text: When Maul Splicer enters the battlefield, put two 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature tokens onto the battlefield.
Golem creatures you control have trample.
Illus. Eric Yung (original by Jason Chan)
Rarity: Common

Name: Shrine of Burning Rage
Cost: 2
Type: Artifact
Rules Text: At the beginning of your upkeep or whenever you cast a red spell, put a charge counter on Shrine of Burning Rage.
{3},{T} , Sacrifice Shrine of Burning Rage: Shrine of Burning Rage deals damage equal to the number of charge counters on it to target creature or player.
Illus. Nils Hamm (original by Dave Kendall)
Rarity: Uncommon

Next up is the July, 2011 Friday Night Magic (FNM) Promo - last seen in the Magic 2011 core set and expected again in the newest core set, M12 coming out in a few weeks.

Name: Jace's Ingenuity
Cost: 3UU
Type: Instant
Rules Text: Draw three cards.
Flavor Text: Brute force can sometimes kick down a locked door, but knowledge is a skeleton key.
Illus. Steve Argyl (original by Igor Kieryluk)
Rarity: Uncommon

As we have completely forgot whether we covered off the last FNM promos, for good measure we've now posted here for convenience - Squadron Hawk is from May and Rhox War Monk (odd choice) is for the current month, June.













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Lastly - a very kewl contest run by our friends over at MTG Mint Card
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Promos RoundUp

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It has been some time since I last reviewed the latest Magic: The Gathering Promotional cards. To correct this slight to you our reader, we now present the latest Friday Night Magic promos, alternate art promos, special event promos and the like.

First off however, just a recap of what alternate art promo you may have received at the recently held Magic 2010 pre-release or release.

M10 PreRelease Card
Vampire Nocturnus : The original card art here by Raymond Swanland is beautiful. Deep, dark, and elegant.


M10 Release Card
Ant Queen : Same thing here - I think if presented with the choice, I would keep the original art by Trevor Claxton.


M10 Booster Box Promo
Honor of the Pure. Some very limited number of players may have received this card if they purchased a booster display box at a selected retailer. The original Greg Staples art is exquisite. I really, really dislike the alternate art (sorry Ralph Horsley).


Extended Art Special
Mycoid Shepherd. These puppies, along with an extended art Naya Sojourners will be available to participants on the Magic 2010 'Game Day' - event details HERE. James Wimberley does a fantastic job and a slightly new take on the orginal by Trevor Claxton.


Wizards Play Network Promo
This WPN promo card is from the recent Magic 2010 Mind Control. I do not really care for either the original or alternate art versions but do find the alternate one funnier . . . is that person (on the left) yakking up a crabby patty ?


Wizards Play Network Promo
This WPN promo card is from the recent Magic 2010 Rise from the Grave. The original one from Vance Kovacs is truly wonderful. The alternate art version shows reanimation as one would expect in a comic book.


Friday Night Magic Promo
The Friday Night Magic Promo for August (2009) is Lightning Greaves as illustrated by artist Michael Komarck. The original art by Jeremy Jarvis, altough good, just does not demonstrate the energy in action as the new alternate art by Komarck provides.


That's it for now but stick around for some new Zendikar spoiler action next time around.

Conflux Spoiler 18

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Welcome to another post. We have 3 new Conflux card spoilers and each of these already has a card art associated with it - now this is the next best thing to an official Wizards spoiler.

Stick around after the spoiler and we'll have sneak peak at what FNM prize foils will be making their way to your local gaming store.

The details on this one are still unconfirmed but I like what I'm seeing so far.

Paragon of the Amesha, 2W
Creature - Human Knight - Uncommon
First Strike
WUBRG : Until end of turn, Paragon of the Amesha becomes an Angel, gets +3/+3 and gains flying and Lifelink.
2/2

Ancient Ziggurat
Land Uncommon
{T}: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. This mana can only be used to play creature spells.

Reliquary Tower
Land Uncommon
You have no maximum hand size.
{T}: Add 1 to your mana pool.

Latter on, I will be working on ways to try and abuse this card in the game. Seriously, I have to find way to use Forced Fruition on my own hand.
Now is it me or does the card art have absolutely nothing to do with the card flavour itself ?

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Straight to the first 5 months worth of 2009 FNM prize foils.
I'm not very impressed with the alternate art for Kitchen Finks or the Merrow Reejery card . . . :-(



January :
Magma Jet
(we already know this one . . . duh)

February :
Myr Enforcer

March :
Kitchen Finks

April :
Merrow Reejery

May :
Wren's Run Vanquisher

Thanks for stopping by, see ya next post.

Alara Alternate MPS

sporvan from the forums blew the dust off this interesting piece of Alara goodness.

MPS are Japanese Promotional basic lands distributed as the prize of FNM / Arena League / draft and so on. These beautiful / stunning alternate lands are from artist John Avon.

Bant - Plains

Esper - Island

Naya - Forest

Jund - Mountain

Grixis - Swamp

What are MPS?

Magic Premiere Shops are
- A shop where you will always find Mtg product
- Gain the latest information
- A store that runs weekly/annual events
- Where they'll teach you how to play
- Where you can find players to play test
- Where you can be a better player
- Where you can get promo cards