Mtg arena open beta

[me_in_japan]

The bundle is 10 boosters and some land cards along with a promo or two. Boxes usually have 36 boosters if you really want to open lots of packs.

This is true, but I’d add that the bundle comes with a nice box to keep the cards in, and a set-specific life counter/D20. It also comes with a throwaway cardboard filler box that happens to be exactly the right size for a Shadespire warband, which is pretty much what I buy em for

@Kbear - Bundles (with a couple extra packs to make 12) and boxes are actually intended for playing limited format games. That is to say, Sealed or Draft. I dunno if you’re familiar with those game styles or not, but I very much recommend them, both irl and especially on arena, where they are the absolute best way to build your collection.

[Primarch]

Looking over the Ikoria spoilers, I have to say that I am pretty happy with what has been revealed so far. RDW doesn't appear to get anything from the set, nor does Azorius Control. The set seems to have some great mid-range and combo options, plenty of mana-rocks and some awesome big stompy creatures. Simic Flash gets some cool new toys and most colour combos have something to build around.

Also, Lutri, The Spellchaser has already been banned from Commander.

[me_in_japan]

I'm kind of on the fence. I'm a bit bummed because there's nothing there that immediately screams "pick me!" to my own particular preferences, but I suspect that's actually a good thing, as it will push me to try different types of play to what I'm used to, and in different colours, too.

I'm also waiting with bated breath for some wag to alter an entire deck as pokemon. Mutate is just evolve. I'd suggest using Theros lands, but at this point you may as well just use pokemon energy cards...

[Primarch]

I guess you've seen the meme on reddit.

[me_in_japan]

I guess you've seen the meme on reddit.

I hadnt, but I'm feeling it, dude. I'm feeling it.

[kojibear]

@Kbear - Bundles (with a couple extra packs to make 12) and boxes are actually intended for playing limited format games. That is to say, Sealed or Draft. I dunno if you’re familiar with those game styles or not, but I very much recommend them, both irl and especially on arena, where they are the absolute best way to build your collection.

Thanks for the advice. I had a chance to play a draft game with Prim and it was lots of fun. Challenging, but fun. Prim has been really helpful in understanding the different aspects of Arena, too. He, too, let me know that Draft is a good way to expand your collection.

Looking at the meme there, has MtG tried to incorporate mechanics of the Pokemon game?

[Primarch]

Looking at the meme there, has MtG tried to incorporate mechanics of the Pokemon game?

The new Ikoria set features a whole range of wierd and wonderful creatures that you can 'evolve' (the keyword they've used is Mutate) through play. This has led to some comparisons with the Pokemon card game where evolving your creatures is a core feature. Some cards also have cartoonish alternative art versions.
It doesn't help that Ikoria has a licensing tie-in with Godzilla, another Japanese brand of monsters, adding to the feeling online that Wizards of the Coast have jumped the (Pouncing Shore-)shark.

[me_in_japan]

I was looking through the alternate art cards, and actually I really like the comic book style stuff, mostly. The tricycle lands in particular are purty.

https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/a ... 2020-04-06

[me_in_japan]

well, that escalated quickly





(actually, it escalated really slowly, and kudos to my opponent for fighting to the end. It'd been a long game, with potential to win either way, but it had been clear for a few turns that it was all over. He hung around for the any-damage-kills (vraska emblem), all-creatures +23/+23, 40-plus creature* smash fest at the end, though. Even declared blockers one by one, bless 'im )


*there's about 25 zombies off to the left that you cant see...

[kojibear]

You see, in Ikoria, there are people who are bonders. These bonders have a tight relationship with a specific monster. They partner with each other, going forth into battle and supporting one another side by side.

Wait . . .partner with?

Corey wanted to showcase this in the decks—and partner with was the perfect returning mechanic to show this off. These are partners that can only partner with each other. The community had really liked the mechanic when we debuted it in Battlebond. Plus, given that I was the set lead of Battlebond, well, let's just say it wasn't a hard sell.

Pir
Adding a "partner with" pair into every deck let us build some really cool partner combinations that totally give you the feel of two characters who bond up and fight together. Great suggestion, Corey!

This is an extra little bonus and means each deck has four legendary foils instead of just three.

You'll have to wait to see what they are—but each pair tells a story, and there are some really fun combinations in there.

Had a read of this on the MtG website - I think I understand what you mean by a Pokemon influence....