#garruk vs liliana

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Rancor

Hatred outlives the hateful.

Artist: Kev Walker TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[bace-jeleren]

Romance the Gathering Round 2

[dimestoretajic]

THE MAGIC PLANESWALKER ULTIMATE BRACKET!

"Okay! Let's see how much Kaito is kicking the crap out of Sarkha-... ... ... yeah, @bace-jeleren needs to talk to her followers, good lord..."

Murders. That's what this section was, gang. Every. Single. Fight. Was a landslide. The closest margin was literally 60/40! That is BRUTAL! Poor Kaito lost his match BADLY (although, seriously, Bace, that poll got the most votes of ANY poll I've created EVER, so thanks for the help!) and Wrenn got beaten TWICE in the same bracket. Brutal! Just... just brutal. o_o

... well, here's more blood, gang! Here's this week's bracket!

Ashiok, Dream Render vs. Kiora, The Crashing Wave

Teferi, Who Slows The Sunset vs. Geyadrone Dihada

Nissa, Who Shakes The World vs. Vraska the Unseen

Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner vs. Dack Fayden

Liliana, Dreadhorde General vs. Ugin, the Spirit Dragon

Teferi, Hero of Dominaria vs. Tyvar Kell

Xenagos, the Reveler vs. Garruk, Cursed Huntsman

Saheeli, Sublime Artificer vs Vivien, Monster's Advocate

Appreciate all the love, guys! Keep it coming! Spread this around and be sure to let me know if I need to tweak anything! Thanks!

And don't forget...

Next week... it's whittled down to 32!

[thecornwall]

Cornwall's Random Card of the Day #1031: Ichor Slick

Ichor Slick is a common from Future Sight, shown here in its Duel Decks: Garruk vs Liliana printing.

This is a cool design. Future Sight did a lot of "mix and match" cards with two keywords never before featured on the same card. Here is the intuitively paired Cycling and Madness. Madness lets you play the card if you discard it, Cycling lets you discard it to draw a card. Playing for Cycling and Madness gets you the effect AND cantrip. Which might not be that great at 6 mana, but late in the game, this kind of effect is pretty damn neat!

[filintimus]

Duel Decks Anthology - Part 2 - Garruk vs. Liliana

[fierceawakening]

MaRo is right about the fact that representation for actual groups of people is more important, but like ... the reason I identify strongly with nonhuman characters is because I felt very marginalized *within* my already marginalized demographic group, and even the "good" representation (which I really do appreciate) always felt like it was clearly about someone who wasn't me. And I don't even feel like I can ever articulate this, because everyone has decided it's laughable to feel this way.

I don’t think that’s laughable.

In fact, it’s why a hell of a lot of representation discourse alienates me too. Particularly about villains, about “coding,” and about “bad tropes.” I have a lot of problems with that stuff and always have. I didn’t, for example, like the decision to change that one piece of Garruk vs. Liliana art because it looked too “violent toward women” when 1) Liliana is a jerk, Garruk is not her intimate partner, and Garruk has even better reasons to hate her than most people and 2) it was one half of a diptych, the other of which showed her with the advantage over him.

So no, I don’t think you are saying or doing anything wrong, and I too want more humanoids. I just think that WotC’s decision on that creative element is coherent and defensible, even if it’s not what I’d pick.

Also, my point was that… while some representation discourse is grossly anti-creator and makes me want to bite people, I also think that people who insist on things like “all your fantasy pirates should be men or the universe will implode” should… look at things like M:tG or Mad Max or Black Panther.

None of those things have destroyed anything because there are “too many” women or POC or trans folk or whatever. Not everyone likes them, no, and no one should be pressured into pretending they like something for woke points! 

But… 

…unless I have weirder circles of friends than I think I do, most people get used to them and like them and fit them easily into their personal Geek Canon. They’re all noticeably high quality, and that’s what usually matters most to people once whatever Issue Storm blows over.

(Also: It’s entirely possible to like something and disagree with it politically. See also: me and every Ayn Rand novel.)

[rosencrypt]

Magic Prediction Time!!

So, the next 3 sets after M19 are Ravnica. We know the first two are scene-setting/Guild politics, and that Ravnica Act 3 Act 3 is also Bolas Smackdown Round 2. We also know that there are lots of planeswalkers involved.

My predictions for the planeswalkers and planeswalker decks are:

Guilds: - Jace (bc come on) - Vraska - Ral (these two are both story important, both have history with Jace, and both of their guilds are featured in the set) Planeswalker decks: Ral and Vraska. This mirrors the Izzert vs Golgari duel decks from RtR, and combines the draw of planeswalker decks with the appeal of guilds for a perfect introductory product.

Towards the start of the story, Jace will confront Ugin and let him know about the upcoming battle. Ugin will be mysterious. About 3/4 of the Guilds story will take place simultaneously with the last few chapters of Dominaria. Towards the end of the story, Gideon, Chandra, and Teferi will appear (possibly after having stopped off to check in with Nissa. Depending on whether or not Chandra has gotten in touch with her true feelings yet, Nissa may or may not come with them) and update Jace on Teferi’s oath and Liliana’s capture.

Allegiance: - Gideon (when Kaladesh/Amonkhet rotate out, there will be no Gideon cards in Standard. Gideon is an important enough character that he should be represented on the cards. He also has ties to Ravnica) - Liliana (? quite probably a new character/other agent of Bolas. If someone else takes Ral’s slot for Guilds, he’ll be here instead) - Chandra (Gideon’s here, so why not? Also, it will have been over 2 years since her last non-planeswalker card) Planeswalker decks: Jace (this set includes Azorius cards, so he’s a perfect fit), Liliana (WB. She fits the Orzhov flavour well and she has flavour with Jace. If someone else has a card in the main set, she’ll still get the Planeswalker deck)

During the Allegiances story, the guilds will split into pro-Bolas (Orzhov, Rakdos, Dimir, Golgari) and anti-Bolas (Izzet, Azorius, Selesnya, Boros, Gruul, Simic) factions. Niv-Mizzet will start out heading the anti-Bolas group along with Jace, but over the course of the story he’ll be killed and Ral will become the Izzet Guildmaster, making it a straight 50/50 split. I could also see Simic on the Bolas side - they’re making super soldiers, and anyone doing that is definitely preparing for battle and probably up to no good.

Ravnica III.3: - Bolas (it’s his set. He has to be there) - Ajani (making his appearance just in time for the fight) - Ugin (Bolas is going to lose, but the arc revolving around him can’t end without a confrontation with his old nemesis) Planeswalker decks: Ajani, Bolas (it’s another pair of characters who Have A History! And between them they make up all 5 colours)

I could see Ugin’s card slot being taken by another of Ajani’s recruited allies. Not Tamiyo; she doesn’t like fighting. Narset? Maybe Sarkhan, contacted through Narset? Or Garruk, as a completely random choice?

During Ravnica Episode IX, Teysa will overthrow the Obzedat (like the story has been telling us she’s going to do for...about 13 years at this point) and ally with the anti-Bolas faction. Ral will be defeated and routed, and Mizzix will take his place as Guildmaster. Bolas will be winning, despite Ajani’s help, but Vraska’s remembrance and Ugin’s unexpected appearance will result in his defeat. He’ll be reduced to a formless ghost, as he was before Time Spiral. Tezzeret will flee to New Phyrexia, helping to set up the next arc.

Neither Tezzeret nor Teferi will get cards. None of the Ravnica guilds care about artifacts, so Tezzeret is out of place, and he will have just had a new card in M19 anyway. Teferi has also just had a (very strong) card, so there’s no need for him to compete with all the other blue mages for another one.

...THEN the 2019 October set will be either Theros or New Phyrexia. It’s looking like New Phyrexia, with a new Karn, Koth, and Tezzeret, but personally I’m hoping for Theros first. That way, Elspeth can return from the dead just in time to play a major role in the Phyrexian storyline.

[mtgbracket]

Round of 4096 - Batch 53

You can now vote in Batch 53.

Feature cards: Plenty of awesome woman characters today - Alesha, Jaya, Sidisi, Nahiri, and Liliana are all here.

Currently open batches:

Batch 53 Batch 52 Batch 51 Batch 50 Batch 49 Batch 48 Batch 47

Batch 46 results will be up shortly.

Full list of matchups:

Chromeshell Crab vs Disciple of Deceit Alesha, Who Smiles at Death vs Ezuri, Claw of Progress Vedalken Aethermage vs Eldritch Evolution Jaya Ballard, Task Mage vs Silverglade Elemental Raving Dead vs Lich's Tomb Sidisi, Brood Tyrant vs Wrench Mind Brass Herald vs Oath of Jace Blitz Hellion vs Oblation Nahiri, the Lithomancer vs Bloodsoaked Champion Command Tower vs Essence of the Wild Shared Fate vs Garruk, Apex Predator Illusions of Grandeur vs Contraband Kingpin Collected Company vs Minister of Pain Serum Visions vs Liege of the Tangle Serra Sphinx vs Black Vise Hundred-Handed One vs Tidehollow Strix Mantis Rider vs Demon of Death's Gate Worm Harvest vs Liliana, the Last Hope Dictate of Kruphix vs Mindwrack Demon Moroii vs Divinity of Pride Ichorclaw Myr vs Goblin Glory Chaser Nomad Decoy vs Orim's Chant Fire Covenant vs Kheru Spellsnatcher False Prophet vs Blatant Thievery Heartless Summoning vs Leyline of Anticipation Arcanis the Omnipotent vs AWOL Goblin Rabblemaster vs Vesuvan Shapeshifter Dark Confidant vs Gnarlwood Dryad Martyr's Bond vs Necroplasm Pegasus Stampede vs Sire of Insanity Retract vs Cognivore Quirion Dryad vs Death Wind

[edh-a-to-z]

Product Review - Merfolk vs Goblins

Hi campers!

Wizards puts out a Duel Deck every ~6 months-ish. Sometimes they relate to a cool fight that happened in MTG history (like Garruk v Liliana), or have some traditional animosity thing going on (like Knights vs Dragons), or are made of spare parts WOTC had lying around (Speed vs Cunning, with Zurgo Helmsmasher vs Arcanis the Omnipotent)

Next on the glorious (or ignoble, depending how you like them) list is MERFOLK VS GOBLINS! And here on EDH A to Z we ask the question:

Should the average EDH player pick this up?

First, what reprints are we seeing? And are we seeing any new cards? Do these appeal to EDH players as parts for a new or existing tribal deck?

First, the decks are all reprints, a mono blue merfolk deck pitched against a mono red Goblin deck.

Nix on the second.

And now we go to an in depth analysis to evaluate the third question.

First, financial. Are the reprints valuable on their own, in terms of fiscal/trade value? Somewhat.

The prices are based off of the TCGPlayer market price for the cheapest set of the card, but it’s pretty clear that the MSRP (19.99) is a bit under the estimated value of these deck. And that’s not including the value of having a fistful of average quality merfolk and goblins to start off your deck with. All of the prices will take a hit, so that’s to be expected.

There’s some serious tribal value here, which appeals more to EDH than any format. Have single copies of the valuable cards is fine for us, as we don’t need full playsets to get full value.

If one was a new player to EDH, these decks would go a long way to providing that player with some serious tribal value, and if you’re missing more than half of these cards and have the desire to player with some merfolk and goblins in EDH, this Duel Deck makes a nice option.

My only complaint is regarding the lack of a Merfolk Legendary - something like Kopala, fresh from Ixalan or Talrand, who’s a solid option for EDH - to mirror Krenko as a upgradable commander.

So a final score: A

Great reprints, a good option for a player with less than half of these cards that wants them, good for players looking for trade/sale value, even after a price drop. Sure, the commons and uncommons are bulk, but that’s standard at this point.

The sole peeve I have of there being no merfolk commander is easily addressable in acquiring any monoblue Merfolk legendary, all of whom are rather cheap.

[denfaceup]

[Música épica do @linkinpark aqui] ♧♧♧ Logo... logo... o acerto mais esperado do quê #sorinvsnahiri 😲😲😲 #garruk vs #liliana ... em algum plano pós #eldraine 😈 #mtg #mtgeldraine #mtgeld ♦♦♦ @wizards_magicbr ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦🌱 #magicthegathering @playmagicarena https://www.instagram.com/p/B2EkU7THTMs/?igshid=1htu6i73chdur

[mtg-cards-hourly]

Fleshbag Marauder

Grixis is a world where the only things found in abundance are death and decay. Corpses, whole or in part, are the standard currency among necromancers and demons.

Artist: Pete Venters TCG Player Link Scryfall Link EDHREC Link

[bace-jeleren]

Romance the Gathering Round 1

[vorthosjay]

What are all the Planeswalkers that have a personal beef with each gatewatch member? (For example, Jace vs vraska and Liliana vs garruk)

I would check out this thread and infographic for that kind of info: http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/magic-fundamentals/magic-storyline/756165-a-planeswalker-infographic

[thecornwall]

Cornwall's Random Card of the Day #679: Overrun

Overrun is an uncommon from Tempest, seen here in its Duel Decks Anthology: Garruk vs Liliana printing.

This bad boy is quite the finisher. Fun fact: it was considered overpowered for some time in limited, but never taken out of core sets because it was believed that green needed this card to have a chance to win. Needless to day, quite the sign that green was underpowered back in the day.

[the-foxwolf]

A Quest for Vengeance: “The Dungeon”: A Short Story

Time for another episode of my “A Quest for Vengeance Series”!

In today’s episode @actualborossoldier‘s Marius and @confused-phyrexian‘s Thaclel wake up from their capture at the hands of Snatcher, Taker, and Seeker. Whoever these three are, they’ve been doing this awful work for a long time and plan on doing it for much much longer. Things are looking really bad for our dear friends!

Gather `Round! It’s Story Telling Time!

           Thaclel wakes up in dark, damp, and cold dungeon. A lone window high above lets in a pale yellow light, but offers no view of the outside world. All four of her arms are bound to the smooth stone walls in chains. Across from her, several yards away, is what is undoubtedly Marius. That stupid haircut is recognizable a mile away. He looks unconscious and similarly bound.

           The Phyrexian tries to remember how she came to be here. Vague images of a heavy built shirtless man, a leather clad woman, and a well dressed goblin come to her mind. Slavers. They had to be. Who else would bear the names of Snatcher, Taker, and Seeker?

           She tests her strength against the chains. But even in her Compelated body, these chains hold fast. Whatever they’re made of or enchanted with must be something exceptionally potent.

           Marius awakes with a start. “Hey! Whoa!” He scrambles to his feet. “Where are we? Is this a dungeon? Sweet Sigharda! Did we get captured by slavers!?”

           Thaclel merely rolls her eyes. “Astute observations, Marius of Zelzo.”

           He pauses, staring at her in an intensity that quickly made her uncomfortable. Incredulous, Marius asks, “Did you just…get snarky with me?”

           “We’ve been captured by slavers and imprisoned in a dungeon and what you deem worthy of comment is my level of sarcasm? Really?”

           Marius gives her a huge stupid grin. “Look at you, Thaclel! Ah. You Phyrexians grow up so fast.”

           “Silence, fleshling.” Thaclel hisses, turning away.

           Now it’s his turn to test the strength of the chains. His results are about the same as Thaclel’s. “I can’t even cast spells. This almost seems like… Azormithium! The Azorius use this on Ravnica to cut off all access to mana on their prisoners. But…how?”

(Vedalken Shackles: Masterpiece Series: Kaladesh Inventions) (Art by Svetlin Velinov)

           Thaclel sniffs the air streaming in through the window high up above. “The air seems clean, if a bit dusty. I cannot smell industrial pollutants. We must not be on Ravnica.”

           The human strains against his manacles uselessly. “Probably not. If I’m right about these things, then someone had to bring this Azormithium here. A Planeswalker, no doubt.”

           A door at the far end of the dungeon slams open. Snatcher walks in head held high. “I hope you like your accommodations.” He says with a grin. The broad chested man strides up to Marius, his beard braids and dreadlocks bouncing lightly with every step. “It would benefit you to get used to them.”

           “Let us go, Snatcher!” Marius shouts, pulling on the chains.

           Snatcher chuckles and clasps his hands together. “But of course, master Marius. How could I turn down such a polite request?”

           “You’ll never get away with this!” Marius yells at him.

           Thaclel groans. “Please Marius. Just stop. You’re being cliché. Not even good cliché. Just stop. Please.”

           Snatcher raises his palms to face Marius then spreads his arms out to his sides. The chains holding Marius at suddenly pulled tight against him, slamming him against the wall with a resounding thump! Marius is pressed against the wall so tightly even breathing is a challenge now.

           “You think,” Snatcher begins. “that your life is a story. Perhaps you might fancy yourself the hero.” He takes a couple of steps toward Marius, hands clasped behind him. “You see evil all around you and somehow you believe that you can make the world a better place. Any world. Theros. Ravnica. Innistrad. You’re convinced that maybe if you play your role right, if you set the example, you might just make a difference.”

           Marius struggles against his chains again, this time hoping for even the slightest bit of wiggle room. The cold damp of the dungeon wall pressed all along his back reaches deep to his core. But it’s useless; chains aren’t budging.

(Arrest: Scars of Mirrodin) (Art by Daarken)

           Snatcher goes on, stepping a little closer. “But let me tell you something, Marius… Life’s not one of your ‘feel-good’ stories. The ‘good guys’ don’t always win and the ‘bad guys’ don’t always lose. Sometimes good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people.” He stands now, a hand’s width away from Marius. “Even now I’m certain you think that you’ll make it out of this. Perhaps you dream that when my guard is down you’ll spring free and ‘shut down’ whatever operation it is you think that I’m running. Come now Marius. Tell me I’m wrong.”

           Thaclel speaks up. “Why do you torment the poor-“ but she doesn’t get to finish. Snatcher raises a palm in her direction and presses his fingertips together, without taking his eyes of Marius. The Phyrexian feels her neck and jaw muscles clamp up and speech becomes impossible. Try as she might, she can’t.

           Snatcher goes on. “Go on now, Marius. Spit in my face. Tell me that you’ll ‘get me for this’. Show my your defiance somehow. I’m waiting.” Marius glares at him but remains silent. The slaver grins and says, “You think you’re going to be the hero, Marius? Do you know how many would-be champions and heroes I’ve brought to this dungeon?” Snatcher sets a hand on Marius’ shoulder, his other hand still silencing Thaclel. “You’re not the first, Marius. You won’t be the last. You’re not important. You’re not special. You’re just another sad sap would-be-hero. I’ve seen dozens of your type. I see that flare in your eyes. Every single would-be-hero before you has had that same fire in their eyes too.”

           He steps away and turns his back to Marius. “I’ve watched every single one of those fire die, Marius. One by one. Every single time. They all listen to my speech and think they’re going to be the one to prove me wrong. They all think they’re going to be the one to make a difference. The one to succeed where the others failed.”

(Snuff Out: Garruk vs Liliana) (Art by Steve Argyle)

           Snatcher raises his free hand and the chains on Thaclel’s wrists go taught. He then waves his hand in a circle and the chains magnetize against the wall, pinning her as tightly to it as Marius is. The man waves his hand again and Thaclel starts shaking violently. Her body begins to arch out, away from the wall, while her arms are still pressed flat against the wall. Though her neck and jaw muscles are locked, the screams are muffled but powerful and panicked. She tries to flail against the chains but they remain taught. With one final crack Thaclel goes limp, her chest rising ever so gently. Snatcher lowers his hands and turns to face Marius.

           “I’ve ripped open her back and extended her spine.” He explains. “Phyrexian metal was tricky to learn but rewarding. The chains are pulling her constantly against the wall, but her spine is constantly pushing away. Your friend is going to remain there, suspended off the ground against the wall, in an excruciating game of tug-of-war against the wall. Pretty soon, her metallic-flesh bones will reach their stress point and break.” Snatcher walks up to Marius and grabs him by the chin, forcing them both to lock eyes. “I am going to break her. Mentally. And physically. And there is nothing you can do about it. Hero.”

           The slaver lets go of Marius’ chin and starts to walk away toward the dungeon exit. “You are not the first person to come into this dungeon thinking you’ll be the last. I’ve broken many, many, would-be-heroes before you and there will be many after you are gone.” Snatcher arrives at the door and turns to face Marius one last time. “You are not special, Marius. You’re just another unlucky chump who thinks they’re hot stuff. The sooner you give up your illusions of grandeur the less heartbreak you’ll experience in the long run.”

           With a slam, the door closes behind him, the vibrations shaking pent up tears from behind Marius’ eyes. Pressed up tightly against the cold damp of the dungeon wall, his range of vision is limited to little more than the sight of Thaclel’s distorted, tortured, body. All he can do is shut his eyes and try to tell himself that Snatcher is wrong.

           “Don’t listen to him. Thaclel.” Marius says, pushing back tears. “I will break this cycle. I will stop him. He’s wrong Thaclel. You’ll see.”

           “Marius…” Thaclel wheezes out, apparently somehow still conscious even after her violent distortion. “It’s so cold…”

           “I’ll get us out of here Thaclel!” He shouts. “I swear! I’ll get us out of here!”

           An explosive whirring from the end of the dungeon opposite to door distracts them both. A wide two meter cylinder rises out of the floor. Made of concentric rings around a cylindrical glass wall housing a pale blue light, the machine continues to lightly shake but the whirring stops. Then, slowly, ever so slowly, the machine begins to release small waves of white mist. Almost immediately the temperature of the room drops noticeably.

           On top of the machine is a small box with a fine circular grid across its one opening. “This is a gift from Seeker.” It says, the voice very clearly Snatcher’s. “Our little friend is a technological genius. He calls this an Air Conditioner. Funny name that. Conditioner. At first I wondered why he wanted to call it that. But then I realized… That air isn’t what’s being conditioned. It’s you who is being conditioned, by the air. Quite clever. Anyway. I’ll send some food out sometime. When I remember next.”

           Marius hangs his head, as low as he can that is, and tries to fight off tears. “I’m so sorry, Thaclel.” He mutters. “This is all my fault.”

           “So cold, Marius.” Thaclel wheezes, her voice fading. “So cold… My bones. All of it.”

           “I’m sorry Thaclel! I can’t help you! I’m so sorry!” Marius shouts, tears now flowing and leaving streaks of burning cold in their trail.

@confused-phyrexian @actualborossoldier @foilmountain @vorthosthewillis @nantukohunk @verumlumen @askkrenko @baldore-of-the-boros @animar-smol-of-elephants @inudono @jolly-ob-saint-nixilis @fogothefighter @obi-one-drop @brotwurst-lobby

[mtg-realm]

Magic: the Gathering - The Collection

With today's face card previews of Duel Decks: Mind vs. Might, we should have a look at this glorious collection of essentially ALL the Duel Decks printed to date.  Incredible image collection posted by Anthony Bavan (online as alpha_yankee_bravo), showing his collection of all 38 Duel Decks with the first four checked off with the Anthology edition.

• Elves vs. Goblins (2007) • Jace vs. Chandra (2008) • Divine vs. Demonic (2009) • Garruk vs. Liliana (2009) • Phyrexia vs. The Coalition (2010) • Elspeth vs. Tezzeret (2010) • Knights vs. Dragons (2011) • Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas (2011) • Venser vs. Koth (2012) • Izzet vs. Golgari (2012) • Sorin vs. Tibalt (2013) • Heroes vs. Monsters (2013) • Jace vs. Vraska (2014) • Speed vs. Cunning (2014) • Duel Decks Anthology (2014)* • Elspeth vs. Kiora (2015) • Zendikar vs. Eldrazi (2015) • Blessed vs. Cursed (2016) • Nissa vs. Ob Nixilis (2016)

* Duel Decks Anthology (2014) had the following reprints Elves vs. Goblins, Jace vs. Chandra, Divine vs. Demonic, and Garruk vs. Liliana.