I still hold hope that Marketing is just doing a massive headfake. ("Alright guys, let's show art & flavor texts that imply Phrexia wins, then it'll be even more shocking when they lose.")
It'd be a fun practical joke. Although companies trying to outsmart consumers rarely ends well.
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Check out the thread for my cube if you have the time, and tell me how terrible it is.
Generals meant to be drafted first in a single pack of 6 cards.
And here is the actual cube, meant to be drafted in 4 regular sized packs. (60 card decks)
The line makes it absurdly obvious that the set is "New Phyrexia" (or, if Mirrodin Pure, refers to "Pure" in the phrexian sense of the word, which is far less likely and I believe we've been explicitly told is not the case). However, it is ambiguous as to the current state of Karn.
It might slightly point to Karn being 'back to his senses', but it could also be Karn talking from a corrupted point of view of being surrendered into resignation of a Phyrexian ascension. IE, Karn is father to the plane, and is now working with the phyrexians because the plane is his 'child' and he would rather join with it than disown it.
I mean it very much implies the case of Karn instead being resigned to the (what he feels is undesirable) fate of mirrodin, but it could also still mean that he is resigned to that fate *and* enjoined, grudgingly in a sense, with it. IE the "corrupted karn" scenario. But it pretty darn clearly shows the next set as Phrexia Wins, tyvm.
But yeah its pretty clearly an instant or sorcery that turns something into an artifact. Could be a creature -> artifact creature, could be creature -> nonartifact creature, could be permanent -> either artifact type, could give it defender like aurification. However the big blue particle spray really rules out this being an enchantment, since thats like the difference between a noun and a verb. (guess moonlace is an adverb, eh?)
ofc there always those poorly written "lol 11th hour twist phyrexia wins but then deus ex karnina appears and kills them all", but this actually points against that too.
I still hold hope that Marketing is just doing a massive headfake. ("Alright guys, let's show art & flavor texts that imply Phrexia wins, then it'll be even more shocking when they lose.")
It'd be a fun practical joke. Although companies trying to outsmart consumers rarely ends well.
Wotc never intentionally deceives. They want people on rumor sites to get something out of picking at every released art and piece of information.
Making the set mirrodin pure at this point is just spitting in the face of people who take the time to try to figure this stuff out for themselves.
It will be just like timeshifted cards. Those paying attention get it, people not paying attention will be surprised.
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I was referring to the return of Karn more than the art so far spoiled; however, on further thought, the text does heavily imply New Phyrexia. I was just surprised by Karn's lucidity and Mirran alliance.
Not sure why nobody's pointed this out, but Karn is out of his chair, and doing super neat Mirran stuff. Kinda significant, no, seeing as he is no longer the new father of machines?
And with regards to the quote, the "path" he is describing could well not be Mirrodin to New Phyrexia, but rather Argentum to Mirrodin, as in he is accepting the life on Mirrodin as a feature and not a blemish on his once perfect Argentum.
That definitely appears to be Karn's unblemished hand casting the spell, and the last we saw of him his hands were mangled claws of phyrexian flesh Corrupted Conscience So at the very least it looks like Karn redeems himself, if not his plane.
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Here's a thought though, the creature in the art most resembles a mirrodin Ogre if anything, so if that is Karn's hand he's suddenly become really freaking huge, which isn't suggested by any of the besieged cards upon which he appears.
They really are giving us quotes that can point to either set. His "children" are so far gone because he is now completely evil and views good mirrans as evil, or he knows that the mirrans can't win the war and kills everything.
Though I find it odd that he is in the same forest that the green praetor is probably from and that Milana (spelling?) is from. Maybe she brings him back with help from Thrun?
Here's a thought though, the creature in the art most resembles a mirrodin Ogre if anything, so if that is Karn's hand he's suddenly become really freaking huge, which isn't suggested by any of the besieged cards upon which he appears.
His hand looks bigger because it's closer to the viewer than the creature is.
Then have him eat Nicol Bolas and the Magic universe can be awesome again. He takes over the Infinite Consortium and turns it into a trans-multiverse Izzet League. His agents scour the multiverse in Venser's planeships looking for magic to learn, technology to improve upon, and less intelligent people to condescend to.
I figure, given the art, the quote, and all else that is know so far, the next set can't help but be New Phyrexia, but I think that the Mirrans won't be wiped out - they will be diminished, driven into seclusion by the Phyrexians, like partisans/freedom fighters, etc. Karn seems to kick the Phyrexian influence, but he can't end everything - since he will be a neo-walker in power now, he doesn't have that kind of control. But I think he will lead a band of Mirrans away from the blighted plane, and at some point we will come back.
But that will be many, many blocks away. I would say, possibly 5-6 blocks distant. In the meantime Phyrexia rebuilds in the ruins of Mirrodin, and a new story arc begins. Because, let's be honest - it would be boring as hell for the Mirrans to win after all this build up. Your enemies have to be strong enough to offer a real challenge, and Phyrexia needs a chance to establish itself again, in its new form. Infighting will prevent it from being a boring, monolithic evil, but something with more layers than in the past.
And it inches closer to the potential of an all-☺☺☺☺☺☺☺s block :D. Phyrexians, Eldrazi, Bolas and his servants, etc. That would be wicked. Literally.
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Commander
Ezuri, Renegade Leader (Aggro/Combo - Favorite) Skullbriar, the Walking Grave (Sac and Grave hijinks) Azusa, Lost but Seeking (Landfall hijinks) Kaalia of the Vast (Heavily modded)
I like all this flavor stuff they're doing with Karn .. it all seems so sad .. watching his beloved creation slipping away from his grasp .. and cards like "Distant Memories" ..
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Level 2 Judge
Currently playing:
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Legacy: Nic Fit / Pod
Pauper: Delvar; Tron; Flicker Stuff
Commander: Riku ("Some weird doubple spell thing happened"); Keranos ("I did a Gatherer search for 'random' and 'flip a coin.'"); Superfriends!
I figure, given the art, the quote, and all else that is know so far, the next set can't help but be New Phyrexia, but I think that the Mirrans won't be wiped out - they will be diminished, driven into seclusion by the Phyrexians, like partisans/freedom fighters, etc. Karn seems to kick the Phyrexian influence, but he can't end everything - since he will be a neo-walker in power now, he doesn't have that kind of control. But I think he will lead a band of Mirrans away from the blighted plane, and at some point we will come back.
But that will be many, many blocks away. I would say, possibly 5-6 blocks distant. In the meantime Phyrexia rebuilds in the ruins of Mirrodin, and a new story arc begins. Because, let's be honest - it would be boring as hell for the Mirrans to win after all this build up. Your enemies have to be strong enough to offer a real challenge, and Phyrexia needs a chance to establish itself again, in its new form. Infighting will prevent it from being a boring, monolithic evil, but something with more layers than in the past.
And it inches closer to the potential of an all-☺☺☺☺☺☺☺s block :D. Phyrexians, Eldrazi, Bolas and his servants, etc. That would be wicked. Literally.
Id imagine that since karn isnt a walker anymore he doesnt have neo-walker powers. Id also imagine that the legacy weapon is far more powerful then these puny neowalkers.
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SonofaBith - Wizards was so excited about making the packaging for Modern Masters 2 recyclable, they decided to make most of the rares and all but 1 of the UC's recycle-bin ready too. Convenient!
I saw a few people posting on here about what direction the transformation is happening. Argent, meaning silvery or white metal like... Mutation meaning to change. So from the title I would assume that the creature is being turned into metal from the bottom up.
Who knows, perhaps it's a spell like... Target non-artifact creature becomes an artifact (not in addition), rendering is useless as a creature. Much like Soul Sculptor with enchantments.
Something like that would make sense for the art, as the creature doesn't look to happy about what is happening and it doesn't look like a good guy either.
Funny if you think about it since Karn is the SILVER golem ;P
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SonofaBith - Wizards was so excited about making the packaging for Modern Masters 2 recyclable, they decided to make most of the rares and all but 1 of the UC's recycle-bin ready too. Convenient!
Funny if you think about it since Karn is the SILVER golem ;P
And "argent" is a fancy word for silver.
Hence of the two cards that reference "argent", one is directly talking about karn so far, the other being a silver sphinx (again about artifacts). So its quite likely that given both the name and art, its an instant/sorcery that changes something into an artifact. What that something is, and what kind of artifact, and what bonuses, isn't known
Of course Karn is talking about Argentum as his creation and not anything else. Mirrodins Life was brought by Memnarch and Phyrexian Oil is for sure no creation of Karn either.
Imo this could be the first subtle hint for a Mirran win.
Karn accepted that his once lifeless Plane is now inhabited. And now he is fighting for Argentum.
Keep in mind that a very recent Savor the Flavor article pretty much outright states (or at least heavily implies) that if Karn were to regain his senses, he would be accepting of the mirrans who had made his plane their home. He's not so callous that he would want to purge them from the plane too.
And even if the quote was talking about Argentum, it still means he feels the plane has diverged too far from its original state to be saved. Regardless, Karn doesn't have hope for defeating Phyrexia's influence.
It'd be a fun practical joke. Although companies trying to outsmart consumers rarely ends well.
Generals meant to be drafted first in a single pack of 6 cards.
And here is the actual cube, meant to be drafted in 4 regular sized packs. (60 card decks)
It might slightly point to Karn being 'back to his senses', but it could also be Karn talking from a corrupted point of view of being surrendered into resignation of a Phyrexian ascension. IE, Karn is father to the plane, and is now working with the phyrexians because the plane is his 'child' and he would rather join with it than disown it.
I mean it very much implies the case of Karn instead being resigned to the (what he feels is undesirable) fate of mirrodin, but it could also still mean that he is resigned to that fate *and* enjoined, grudgingly in a sense, with it. IE the "corrupted karn" scenario. But it pretty darn clearly shows the next set as Phrexia Wins, tyvm.
But yeah its pretty clearly an instant or sorcery that turns something into an artifact. Could be a creature -> artifact creature, could be creature -> nonartifact creature, could be permanent -> either artifact type, could give it defender like aurification. However the big blue particle spray really rules out this being an enchantment, since thats like the difference between a noun and a verb. (guess moonlace is an adverb, eh?)
ofc there always those poorly written "lol 11th hour twist phyrexia wins but then deus ex karnina appears and kills them all", but this actually points against that too.
Wotc never intentionally deceives. They want people on rumor sites to get something out of picking at every released art and piece of information.
Making the set mirrodin pure at this point is just spitting in the face of people who take the time to try to figure this stuff out for themselves.
It will be just like timeshifted cards. Those paying attention get it, people not paying attention will be surprised.
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And with regards to the quote, the "path" he is describing could well not be Mirrodin to New Phyrexia, but rather Argentum to Mirrodin, as in he is accepting the life on Mirrodin as a feature and not a blemish on his once perfect Argentum.
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Though I find it odd that he is in the same forest that the green praetor is probably from and that Milana (spelling?) is from. Maybe she brings him back with help from Thrun?
His hand looks bigger because it's closer to the viewer than the creature is.
R Citizen Cane (Feldon of the Third Path)
i come from before the renaissance i dont know what the hell you are talking about
Have some perspective.
(Please don't kill me.)
But that will be many, many blocks away. I would say, possibly 5-6 blocks distant. In the meantime Phyrexia rebuilds in the ruins of Mirrodin, and a new story arc begins. Because, let's be honest - it would be boring as hell for the Mirrans to win after all this build up. Your enemies have to be strong enough to offer a real challenge, and Phyrexia needs a chance to establish itself again, in its new form. Infighting will prevent it from being a boring, monolithic evil, but something with more layers than in the past.
And it inches closer to the potential of an all-☺☺☺☺☺☺☺s block :D. Phyrexians, Eldrazi, Bolas and his servants, etc. That would be wicked. Literally.
Commander
Ezuri, Renegade Leader (Aggro/Combo - Favorite)
Skullbriar, the Walking Grave (Sac and Grave hijinks)
Azusa, Lost but Seeking (Landfall hijinks)
Kaalia of the Vast (Heavily modded)
Standard
Waiting for Innistrad...
Extended
Hah!
Modern
Living End Cascade (RGB)
Legacy
Burn
Vintage
None
Casual
WB Aggro-Control
Green Stompy
Pink Floyd (UWr Wall Control)
Lunch Box (Fatty ramp)
D-Bag (White Control)
Level 13 Task Mage
Currently playing:
Standard: Superfriends!
Legacy: Nic Fit / Pod
Pauper: Delvar; Tron; Flicker Stuff
Commander: Riku ("Some weird doubple spell thing happened"); Keranos ("I did a Gatherer search for 'random' and 'flip a coin.'"); Superfriends!
Alternatively, this is a Red Herring.
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Trinkets and Treasure: An Artificer's Toolbox.
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Phyrexian Karn
Pure Karn
He seems to be struggling with his own sanity and ambition right now. Possibly the only way for him to truly make up his mind is to split it.
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That creature's legs are sunk into some kind of boggy ground.
Id imagine that since karn isnt a walker anymore he doesnt have neo-walker powers. Id also imagine that the legacy weapon is far more powerful then these puny neowalkers.
GW Rhys the Redeemed EDH
RUGAnimar, Soul of Elements EDH
WBRAlesha, Who Smiles at Death EDH
Who knows, perhaps it's a spell like... Target non-artifact creature becomes an artifact (not in addition), rendering is useless as a creature. Much like Soul Sculptor with enchantments.
Something like that would make sense for the art, as the creature doesn't look to happy about what is happening and it doesn't look like a good guy either.
GW Rhys the Redeemed EDH
RUGAnimar, Soul of Elements EDH
WBRAlesha, Who Smiles at Death EDH
And "argent" is a fancy word for silver.
Hence of the two cards that reference "argent", one is directly talking about karn so far, the other being a silver sphinx (again about artifacts). So its quite likely that given both the name and art, its an instant/sorcery that changes something into an artifact. What that something is, and what kind of artifact, and what bonuses, isn't known
Keep in mind that a very recent Savor the Flavor article pretty much outright states (or at least heavily implies) that if Karn were to regain his senses, he would be accepting of the mirrans who had made his plane their home. He's not so callous that he would want to purge them from the plane too.
And even if the quote was talking about Argentum, it still means he feels the plane has diverged too far from its original state to be saved. Regardless, Karn doesn't have hope for defeating Phyrexia's influence.
R Citizen Cane (Feldon of the Third Path)
BUWGRChilds PlayGRWUB
BUWGR Highlander GRWUB
UBSquee's Shapeshifting PetBU
BW Multiplayer Control WB
RG Changeling GR
UR Mana FlareRU
UMerfolkU
B MBMC B