For the benefit of those of you that don't know, Zendikar is the next Magic: The Gathering expansion. We don't know that much about it yet, but I'll try to post what I can find on the internet here.
Other than that, I'd like to speculate wildly about the nature of the set and read way too much into the meager evidence that we have.
Sources so far:
http://www.gatheringmagic.com/?page_id=1523
http://mtg-realm.blogspot.com/2009/08/zendikar-spoiler-3.html
EDIT: If they're not working for you, here's the source for this again: http://mtg-realm.blogspot.com/2009/08/zendikar-spoiler-3.html
How do you like what we're seeing so far, and do you predict any trends or mechanics in the set? Do you think that my guesses are reasonable?
Other than that, I'd like to speculate wildly about the nature of the set and read way too much into the meager evidence that we have.
Sources so far:
http://www.gatheringmagic.com/?page_id=1523
http://mtg-realm.blogspot.com/2009/08/zendikar-spoiler-3.html
The art for these aren't official. Well, at least some of them aren't.
Basic lands to be exact. I'll just post two to get the point across.
There's also this, now:
There's also this, now:
EDIT: If they're not working for you, here's the source for this again: http://mtg-realm.blogspot.com/2009/08/zendikar-spoiler-3.html
I'm seeing a few different patterns here.
There is a good amount of circumstantial evidence that suggests that tribes are making an appearance. There's Nissa Revane, who appears on the pack art, who is an elf, and who is a planeswalker. She appeared in the 360 Magic game with an elf deck.
There's also the fact that the booster box has what appears to be a vampire on it, and they released Vampire Nocturnus (which interacted with other vampires) in Magic 2010 without having many vampires for it to interact with. They also brought Siege Gang Commander, Goblin Chieftain, and Elvish Archdruid in M10, for that matter. Since they're doing core sets on a yearly basis now, it seems reasonable to think that these are designed to have synergy with cards from the new sets. Of course, Siege Gang Commander is awesome even without more goblins than those that it produces.
Chandra seems to be on a pack wrapper, which obviously suggests that she'll make an appearance. I doubt that it will be the same Chandra from Lorwyn and M10. That would be really lame. If there *are* goblins in Zendikar, it's possible that it's a goblin-oriented version of Chandra. They have re-rolled planeswalkers before, like Ajani.
There's also the possibility that it's somewhat land oriented, given the Baloths (with the "Landfall" keyword mechanic) and the text-box-less basic lands, as well as the general aesthetic. They've given the impression that it's a somewhat primordial place. There's also the fact that the second set of the block is called Worldwake.
There is also the possibility that Landfall is an exclusively green mechanic, however. It's a very green thing, and the "Trap" mechanic on Whiplash Trap is also very blue. We might have a cycle of mechanics like this.
I would personally like a land mechanic. It might make domain playable.
I wouldn't be so enthusiastic about tribes. I'm kinda happy that Lorwyn is dying, mainly because I hate elves.
There is a good amount of circumstantial evidence that suggests that tribes are making an appearance. There's Nissa Revane, who appears on the pack art, who is an elf, and who is a planeswalker. She appeared in the 360 Magic game with an elf deck.
There's also the fact that the booster box has what appears to be a vampire on it, and they released Vampire Nocturnus (which interacted with other vampires) in Magic 2010 without having many vampires for it to interact with. They also brought Siege Gang Commander, Goblin Chieftain, and Elvish Archdruid in M10, for that matter. Since they're doing core sets on a yearly basis now, it seems reasonable to think that these are designed to have synergy with cards from the new sets. Of course, Siege Gang Commander is awesome even without more goblins than those that it produces.
Chandra seems to be on a pack wrapper, which obviously suggests that she'll make an appearance. I doubt that it will be the same Chandra from Lorwyn and M10. That would be really lame. If there *are* goblins in Zendikar, it's possible that it's a goblin-oriented version of Chandra. They have re-rolled planeswalkers before, like Ajani.
There's also the possibility that it's somewhat land oriented, given the Baloths (with the "Landfall" keyword mechanic) and the text-box-less basic lands, as well as the general aesthetic. They've given the impression that it's a somewhat primordial place. There's also the fact that the second set of the block is called Worldwake.
There is also the possibility that Landfall is an exclusively green mechanic, however. It's a very green thing, and the "Trap" mechanic on Whiplash Trap is also very blue. We might have a cycle of mechanics like this.
I would personally like a land mechanic. It might make domain playable.
I wouldn't be so enthusiastic about tribes. I'm kinda happy that Lorwyn is dying, mainly because I hate elves.
How do you like what we're seeing so far, and do you predict any trends or mechanics in the set? Do you think that my guesses are reasonable?
