This is awesome, so glad they’re bringing this back. Curious what motivated it now after all these years but it’s a good thing nevertheless.
Sadly though I think the requirements exclude Shahar Shenhar who has long been one of the best players left out. Back to back worlds winner! He doesn’t 2026 requirements which look like they’re intended to backfill players who should’ve made it had the HoF existed in the last 7 years, and he clearly won’t meet the 2028 requirements designed for newer players.
I love Maze of Ith. One other trick that I learned when I started playing Lands is that there’s still an opportunity to untap your own creature after damage has been dealt as it’s still technically “attacking”:
You can activate Maze of Ith's ability targeting an attacking creature you control during the combat damage step or the end of combat step, even though it will already have dealt combat damage. This will untap the creature. The damage it dealt will be unaffected.
I used this to untap my own Marit Lage token so it can block in my opponent’s turn.
Nooo! I had no idea he was even sick 😞 He’s been one of my all time favorites. This is so sad.
True legend and a huge loss. He perfectly captured the late 90s era fantasy feel for me, particularly with his saga block cards. I’ve probably tapped one of his Thran Dynamos 5,000 times!
Awesome thanks for this. Yeah it’s sad how so many of these should just be basic employment protections.
I have no special insight but I guarantee the “crunch” pressure from WOTC has to be exploitative. They undoubtedly leverage the fact that you get to work for an awesome game to take advantage of employee pay and work pressure and it’s way past time that ends, especially given how every new set is “the best selling ever.”
They've really leaned into Ward in their card design and I think it's pretty good to be honest. I realize we're not going back to Shroud and this is their "fixed" version but at least the designs are interesting.
I don't understand the reasoning on Lotus Field, and the complete lack of discussion about Stormchaser's Talent. The later was one I really wanted to see hit, regardless of UR's position in the meta. It just creates really unfun play patterns that I'm super tired of seeing.
Lotus Field getting removed because of worries about Amulet Titan after the Phlage ban seems kind of premature too.
Yeah very good question, my gut says that the UR decks just don’t want her sadly. She doesn’t seem to help the prowess or lessons game plan but maybe out of the sideboard.
If the Jeskai control decks lean into red more with that new artifact I could definitely see her in that deck. That may even get me to play standard again!
While I think Standard's power level is way too high (with no end in sight), I've found I do enjoy watching it again. It just seems like some of the matches quickly get to the point of no return with all these value engines and high power cards.
Splitting UR into 3 archetypes is pretty helpful for WotC getting the UR % down... Adding Izzet Prowess, Spellementals, and Lessons gets a whopping 37% of the field.
Plains - Corona Park Queens
Island - Statue of Liberty
Swamp - Pier 1
Mountains - Midtown Manhattan
Forest - New York Botanical Gardens
Artist proofs in various card frames
This is awesome, so glad they’re bringing this back. Curious what motivated it now after all these years but it’s a good thing nevertheless.
Sadly though I think the requirements exclude Shahar Shenhar who has long been one of the best players left out. Back to back worlds winner! He doesn’t 2026 requirements which look like they’re intended to backfill players who should’ve made it had the HoF existed in the last 7 years, and he clearly won’t meet the 2028 requirements designed for newer players.
I love Maze of Ith. One other trick that I learned when I started playing Lands is that there’s still an opportunity to untap your own creature after damage has been dealt as it’s still technically “attacking”:
I used this to untap my own Marit Lage token so it can block in my opponent’s turn.
Nooo! I had no idea he was even sick 😞 He’s been one of my all time favorites. This is so sad.
True legend and a huge loss. He perfectly captured the late 90s era fantasy feel for me, particularly with his saga block cards. I’ve probably tapped one of his Thran Dynamos 5,000 times!
Awesome thanks for this. Yeah it’s sad how so many of these should just be basic employment protections.
I have no special insight but I guarantee the “crunch” pressure from WOTC has to be exploitative. They undoubtedly leverage the fact that you get to work for an awesome game to take advantage of employee pay and work pressure and it’s way past time that ends, especially given how every new set is “the best selling ever.”
This is great news!
I know generally that the pay is awful there so hopefully this makes an impact on that. Does anyone else know what their other main issues are?
This is awesome! I’ve always loved his art and Magic has never been the same since it stopped using these types of varied styles for the most part.
Absolutely love that 2 player Dandan playmat.
Maybe Wizard's assumes he's always equipped with his shield 😂
One of my all time favorite cards and artworks! This is one of the cards that got me into the game back in the late 90s, love this and DiTerlizzi!
Loving this one:
They've really leaned into Ward in their card design and I think it's pretty good to be honest. I realize we're not going back to Shroud and this is their "fixed" version but at least the designs are interesting.
That’s so cool! Do you know Mark Winters as well?
Love this art and absolutely love Tempest-block era slivers
I don't understand the reasoning on Lotus Field, and the complete lack of discussion about Stormchaser's Talent. The later was one I really wanted to see hit, regardless of UR's position in the meta. It just creates really unfun play patterns that I'm super tired of seeing.
Lotus Field getting removed because of worries about Amulet Titan after the Phlage ban seems kind of premature too.
The mountain makes me think of Batman/Gotham too.
Island is amazing, he nailed that one in particular. Would be so cool if these were actual cards.
Yeah very good question, my gut says that the UR decks just don’t want her sadly. She doesn’t seem to help the prowess or lessons game plan but maybe out of the sideboard.
If the Jeskai control decks lean into red more with that new artifact I could definitely see her in that deck. That may even get me to play standard again!
Love this card, always seemed like a really well balanced planeswalker to me if not a bit on the high powered side.
While I think Standard's power level is way too high (with no end in sight), I've found I do enjoy watching it again. It just seems like some of the matches quickly get to the point of no return with all these value engines and high power cards.
Splitting UR into 3 archetypes is pretty helpful for WotC getting the UR % down... Adding Izzet Prowess, Spellementals, and Lessons gets a whopping 37% of the field.
Plains - Corona Park Queens
Island - Statue of Liberty
Swamp - Pier 1
Mountains - Midtown Manhattan
Forest - New York Botanical Gardens
Artist proofs in various card frames
I guess Prepared is more than just a Strixhaven ability? Ancestral Craving is nuts.
Wow a color-shifted Snapcaster Mage? I wonder if this sees a home in burn decks.
Art is cool but honestly makes it hard to read the card.
Exactly, and add on top the straight up lying that it was print to demand!
Couldn’t even discount the extras instead of destroying them because they need to maintain the high price at all times. Crazy.