Thursday MTG Miscellany

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

The end to a hot and dry summer is nearly at hand, so if you had not already attempted an overdose of long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) and short wave ultraviolet B (UVB) from that bright fiery globe in the sky, we suggest to take advantage before the restart of the academic year, return to work from summer vacation, etc.  Although we do not enjoy any such short term departure from work, we acknowledge that the posts to the MTG Realm had certainly been less than 3 articles posted per week.  Having stated that, we have provided for regular (almost daily) posts to our Tumblr page, linked right here.  MTG Realm on Tumblr continues to deliver Magic: the Gathering related news, spoilers, and funnies to the gaming community.  We are very thankful to all the 17,000 followers who have subscribed.

Some upcoming dates we are looking very much forward to this fall include the September release of Creature Forge : Overwhelming Swarm MTG miniatures from WizKis as well as the October release of Guilds of Ravnica.  For the moment, the MTG Realm playgroup has been picking up singles from the latest Commander 2018 product offering with one member scrapping an existing Enchantress / Pillow-Fort build to meld with the Bant-coloured Adaptive Enchantments Commander pre-constructed deck.

Before signing off, we should very much like to express just how much we had enjoyed the 8-epsisode Core Set 2019 Storyline by Kate Elliot.  The literary work did provide additional depth to the Khans / Dragons of Tarkir story stub that we felt was needed.  We are quite happy Wizards of the Coast had made the decision to serve a short story along with this set.  Here are all the links and blurbs to the eight episodes for Core Set 2019 :

Episode 1
18 years after the events of Fate Reforged, Yasova (formerly Yasova Dragonclaw) leads her granddaughters and a hunting party into the wilderness. There her granddaughter is visited by mysterious vision, telling her the story of the birth of none other than Ugin the Spirit Dragon and of Nicol Bolas himself

Episode 2
As Yasova and her granddaughters are threatened by dragons from multiple clans, they meet a mysterious Ojutai stranger. He has a story to tell about Bolas and Ugin's earliest days, a story which serves a greater purpose.

Episode 3
Hunted by dragons, Yasova and the twins hear more of Tae Jin's tale of Bolas and Ugin and the story of their earliest conflict with humans.

Episode 4
After risking her peoples' lives to save Tae Jin, Yasova demands he finish his story of Bolas and Ugin, revealing its dark conclusion.

Episode 5
In a desperate attempt to assuage Atarka's anger, the hunting band plies her with the tale of an ancient war between dragons.

Episode 6
When Yasova and the twins reach Ugin's grave at last, they find a mysterious, and potentially deadly, stranger awaiting their arrival.

Episode 7
Nicol Bolas gives his own account of history to Naiva and makes her an offer.

Episode 8
Yasova and the twins hear the end of Ugin's version of history and risk defying Nicol Bolas himself.

MTG Saturday Miscellaney

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Happy Saturday MTG peeps,

We have random pile of MTG stuff to drop here at the moment as we catch up with MTG Realm on Tumblr.  Here, we go, and don't spill your beverage.

Sparkly Vampires, Wizards on Broomsticks, secret Cat meetings and Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her ... the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons.  What doe these have in common?  Commander 2017 memes of course.  This set is now out, so if you happen to find yourself in Central Ontario, do drop over to OMG Games in Barrie, and pick yourself up a deck.

DRACONIC DOMINATION

ARCANE WIZARDRY

FELINE FEROCITY

VAMPIRIC BLOODLUST

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TEE TIME
Some awesome, witty / intelligent T-Shirts for almost every MTG gamer.  Just under a 100 to choose from designed by  jbui555 and for sale over at the Epic Ugrades page on TeeSpring. 

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Beautiful Baga 

Appreciation post for the recent Commander 2017 card illustrations for Blood Tribute and Edgar Markov, by German artist Volkan Baga.  Wizards of the Coast chose the right artist for these lovely Vampire themed pieces.

https://www.facebook.com/volkanbaga/

And if you had missed it, there are some rather lovely Ixalan standees and other marketing material whichk we had posted to Tumblr as well.

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Friday MTG Miscellany

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Although it may have been a slower week here on the MTG Realm blog, we still had a flurry of Magic: the Gathering related posts to our sister site, MTG Realm on Tumblr, so today's post will be a regurgitation of select content over there.  

If you are off work tonight or do not have to cram for an exam, take a breather and head on out to a Friday Night Magic event tonight.  We'll be off to our favourite local gaming store, OMG Games, here in Barrie, Ontario where we hope to exploit the current standard constructed metagame (and not play one of the two ubiquitous popular decklists).

Anywhoos, let's get caught up with some posts -
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Photoset March 24, 2017
Magic: the Gathering - FNM Promo Arts

Today on the WotC site, Nicholas Wolfram expanded upon Blake Rasmussen’s previous post with some of the upcoming card illustrations to expect to see at Friday Night Magic Events.  Again, superb work by all the artists, and am very happy with the card choices.

APRIL - Servo Exhibition 
• FNM Promo Art by Vincent Proce
• Kaladesh Art bySara Winters

MAY - Unlicensed Disintegration
• FNM Promo Art Florian De Gesincourt
• Kaladesh Art by Izzy

JUNE - Aether Hub
• FNM Promo Art by Jonas De Ro

• Kaladesh Art by Sam Burley

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Photoset March 24, 2017
Magic: the Gathering - Magic Mural 2


Another amazing gaming store wall mural to follow up our previous post.  Here, we see a beautiful piece inspired by the iconic art of Jace, the Mind Sculptor from the Worldwake set, illustrated by Jason Chan.  Posted by  Luciana ‘Lu’ Couto of City Class Games in Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil.

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Photoset March 24, 2017
Magic: the Gathering - Magic Mural

A very lovely wall mural (acrylic) commissioned and be worked on by artist Susanna Covelli (@susannacovelli_art).  


Inspiration from Ajani’s Presence and Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, both illustrated by Raymond Swanland.

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FUNNY TO MOST PEOPLE, BUT PERHAPS NOT 'DINNER-TABLE' APPROPRIATE

Photoset March 21, 2017
Magic: the Gathering - Bodily Function


Interesting solicitation from the Facebook Page ‘Magic the Gathering Rocks My World’.

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MTG Tumblr Tuesday

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

Not much news in the Magic: the Gathering world today that caught our attention - gamers still pumped to draft Modern Masters 2017 this weekend, the folks at MTG Realm are still playing filthy casual kitchen table MTG, and the best comedy on the telly is American politics (so sorry to our cousins to the south).

Anywhoos, today we are catching up to what we've been posting over on the Tumblr machine -

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Photoset March 07, 2017

Magic: the Gathering - Good, Better, Best
Reflector Mage (Oath of the Gatewatch Uncommon)

GOOD - Original card art, illustrated by Willian Murai

BETTER - Witty image alter by Ryan Martin (‘aegemor’)


BEST - Seeing this on a Playmat at Grand Prix Utrecht

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Video March 07, 2017 19 notes

Magic The Gathering Live Action Trailer

There has been a lot of Magic: the Gathering promo videos / set trailers, but one of my favourite to date is still this one for Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013, which prominently features an encounter with the Mind-Mage Jace and evil Elder Dragon Nicol Bolas.


What is your favourite MTG trailer ?

Magic The Gathering Live Action Trailer from Jon Menefee on Vimeo.

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Photoset March 07, 2017 25 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Comic Book Angel
Serra Angel is a comic released by ARMADA in 1996. It is written by Margaret Weis and illustrated by Rebecca Guay.

“A young wizard who wants it all, summons the one being who can give it to him… the Serra Angel.”

Aldon, a young man from a Dominaria lost his castle to the wizard Dreygar. He summons a Sengir vampire, a frozen shade, and a bog wraith to help him to regain his castle, and later summons a Serra angel, who shows him the beauty of the world. Dreygar then sends a fallen angel to seduce Aldon. Aldon, his creatures, and the Serra angel assault the castle; Aldon kills the fallen angel and Dreygar, and once again rules his castle. However, his angel perishes in the battle against the fallen angel.


This comic came along with a lovely over-sized 6″ x 9″ alternate art (by  Rebecca Guay) insert.

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

After you wrap up school or work (hopefully no evening classes or night shifts) get thyself to a local gamery shoppe and get some Magic: the Gathering going with a Friday Night Magic event.  If you don't know where your local WPN store is, pop on over the Store and Event Locator here.  Should you find yourself in Barrie, Ontario (just north of Toronto), do drop in to our favourite store, OMG! Games, a stone's throw away from Georgian College in the City's north end.

Anywhoos, today on MTG Realm, we want to share what's been going on at our sister site, MTG Realm on Tumblr.  Here are the latest 'n' greatest -
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Photoset

June 03, 2016

Magic: the Gathering - Magic Mandala

Pretty awesome looking Mandala made from Magic: the Gathering land cards on display at Czech gaming store http://www.rishada.cz/~

Photoset

June 03, 2016

Magic: the Gathering - Trump Tribal vs. Mexican Tribal
Meanwhile at http://www.mtgvault.com/~

Photoset

June 02, 2016 

 

100 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Magical Landscapes
Some appreciation here for artist Andreas Rocha.  You can pop on over to his ArtStation page here to some some other very lovely works - https://www.artstation.com/artist/andreasrocha

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Photo

June 01, 2016

222 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Not What You Thought

Rather witty comic over at http://www.thingsinsquares.com/
Proud admission - I would likely ditch a party to get some gaming in.~

Photo

May 31, 2016

171 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Garruk, The Recyclable

Well, obviously we have a Garruk in Lincoln Park.
He’s climbin’ in yo trash, he’s snatchin’ yo people up, tryin’ to eat ‘em.
So y'all need to hide yo kids, hide yo wife, and hide yo husband cause that Planeswalker is nerf'n everybody out here.

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Photo

May 30, 2016

457 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Funny Tee

Awesome hilarious Magic Judge t-shirt, posted by @MaxPlaysMTG
Lightning Bolts Don’t Kill Creatures
State-Based Actions Kill Creatures

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MTG Tumblr Thursday

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

Tonight is Commander night again so expect a few members of the MTG Realm play group to be less than 100% fully charged Friday morning from Magic: the Gathering games going really long, late or into the early morning.  Speaking of Friday, ensure you get thee to a local gamery shoppe for Friday Night Magic.  Why?  Because Friday the 13th !! That's why.  Many gaming stores are having special FNM events with Shadows Over Innistrad in standard play and at OMG! Games here in Barrie, Ontario there is a lot of prizes and fun on tap for tomorrow night.

For today's post, we are again rounding up posts from our sister site, MTG Realm on Tumblr, but before we go there, do drop by the Mothersite post Diego Fumagalli with this very awesome article 'How to Standard - In Graphics'.  We love graphics, infographics and everything in between, especially when it involves our fav game Magic: the Gathering.  Righto - on to Tumblr now -
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Photoset May 12, 2016 209 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Alphabet Soup

Check out these SWEET-ARSE blank MTG tokens from the brilliant and witty mind of card alter gal Ellie Shakirova (her Etsy shop over here).  This is a full alphabet set of 26 cards with matte lamination with appropriate place for you to pen in the token name and power / toughness.

God Bless the souls of the Redditors who also had a bit of fun with this project at the expense of a certain ubiquitous blue mind-mage -

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Photoset May 11, 2016 222 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Nissa


Very excellent figurine / sculpture of Nissa posted by Don Chapp - sorry - not much known about this carving / painting (3D print?).  Anywhoos, the original artwork is from Wesley Burt.

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Photoset May 11, 2016 164 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Magic in Motion


Interesting pic of a game of MTG on the ‘Mamba’ at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri posted by Redittor Capntallon.  Apparently, this may not be a new idea (of bringing a game for a ride) as suggested by xkcd Comic.

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Photo May 10, 2016 438 notes

Magic: the Gathering - BAD KITTEH !! Redditor Duke_of_Fritzburg posted this pic of cardboard disaster caused by the evil tag-team Spooky and Tulip.Here is an appropriate Cardboard Comic on this subject.

Here is an appropriate Cardboard Crack Comic on this subject.

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Photo May 09, 2016 134 notes

Magic: the Gathering - Battlefield PlaymatPretty sharp design from Ultra PRO to MTG players new to the game or even more experienced ones wanting to battle one-on-one.The Battlefield playmat measures 24" x 24" and features minimalist design, game layout, step and phase information. This playmat is designed for two players and made with a premium fabric top for a smooth, protective playing surface. The back of the playmat is lined with non-slip, textured rubber material for added grip and padding.
Magic: the Gathering - Battlefield Playmat
Pretty sharp design from Ultra PRO to MTG players new to the game or even more experienced ones wanting to battle one-on-one.

The Battlefield playmat measures 24" x 24" and features minimalist design, game layout, step and phase information. This playmat is designed for two players and made with a premium fabric top for a smooth, protective playing surface. The back of the playmat is lined with non-slip, textured rubber material for added grip and padding.
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MTG Tumblr Thursday

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

It was probably the first Innistrad block (Innistrad, Dark Ascension, and Avacyn Restored) when we last played a truly mono-white decklist and not splashed any other colour.  The Standard constructed game looks great to have another run at a mono-white build with humans.  We are still contemplating scrapping together a list and have been spinning our wheels as to what to take to Friday Night Magic - mono-white humans or splashing blue (for Reflector Mage / Gerry Thompson style) or green for Tireless Tracker.  A wonderfully useful article out today by Steve Horton over at Gathering Magic, may just help solve our decklist dilemma.

Anywhoos, as our topic in today's MTG Realm post is 'Tumblr Thursday', we should get around to it now.  Here is a summary of what's been going on at our sister site, MTG Realm on Tumblr -
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Photoset April 21, 2016 

Magic: the Gathering - Of Crows and Ravens
There are just under 40 Bird creature cards in MTG which are specifically Crows (by far the most) or Ravens.  I personally loved being able to attach equipment to these evasive fliers.  Here is some appreciation for these feathered friends -

• Unamed Art (aka Raven Man) by Chris Rahn
• Crow of Dark Tidings, Art by Tianhua X
• Carrion Crow, Art by Aaron Miller
• Unamed Art by Adame Minguez

The Raven Man is a mysterious figure, who claimed to be a supporter of the father of Liliana Vess. He is able to transform in a flock of ravens.

When Liliana’s brother Josu was poisoned by her father’s enemies, the Raven Man offered his assistance, though he warned that her family would not want her to use his cure. LIliana returned to the castle and despite the warnings of Lady Ana, she used the cure. Truly, it cured Josu of his affliction, but only at the cost of driving him insane and poisoning him anew.

The Raven Man also seemingly orchestrated Liliana’s discovery of the Chain Veil on Shandalar. Because he appeared on several planes, Liliana suspects he is a planeswalker.


When Jace Beleren, under the influence of the Cryptoliths on Innistrad, tried to mentally assault Liliana in her mansion, the Raven Man protected her and tried to convince her to kill him.
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Photo April 21, 2016

Magic: the Gathering - LAND SLIDEMischievous mutt Bannon (@bannon_the_mut) wants to help but is hindered by the absence of opposable digits.
Magic: the Gathering - LAND SLIDE

Mischievous mutt Bannon (@bannon_the_mut) wants to help but is hindered by the absence of opposable digits.
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Photoset April 20, 2016 

Magic: the Gathering - Shadows Over Innistrad Ultra PRO
Sweet looking playmat, deck box and deck protectors from Ultra PRO with Merciless Resolve art from Chase Stone.
Cushioned playmat is 23 7/8" x 13 ½" with awesome grippy back and silky / sensuous smooth face.
Deck Box fits your kick-butt deck of 80 sleeved cards (cards, sideboard, tokens), has a self-lock flip-back lid and a write-on stripe on top to put your street-name handle on.
Deck Protector Sleeves and standard 66-mm x 91-mm with super-crisp artwork and crystal-clear card front.

STORY TIME -
Full storyline over here - 

Upon his return from Zendikar, Sorin found Markov Manor in ruins, twisted into impossible shapes, its inhabitants embedded in the masonry. Nahiri had left this declaration in stone as a warning of her vengeance. Realising his past had come back to haunt him, he hoped to gather the aid of the other vampires to confront the threat to Innistrad. A diificult task, because he was shunned by his own kind. His search brought him to the remote estate of the powerful Olivia Voldaren, to entreat her aid in calling the bloodline.

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Photoset April 18, 2016 225 notes

Magic: The Gathering - Custom Wooden 720 Cube Box
Magic: The Gathering custom designed and fabricated wooden 720 cube box by MTGPayne. Laser engraved guild logos, gold leaf interior, custom mana dividers and sections to hold cards, tokens and dice.


DANG BEAUTIFUL !
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