Ixalan Blog Posts *Updated (2/8/18)

Brigby
Brigby ADMINISTRATORS Posts: 7,757 Site Admin
edited February 2018 in MtGPQ General Discussion
Hi Everyone,

First off, we want to thank everyone for the patience you've all exhibited. We know Ixalan has been highly anticipated, and we are excited to finally present to everyone the Ixalan blog posts! 

In the first chapter, we dive into the deep lore of Ixalan, explore the complex nature of each Tribe, and expand on how the set's unique mechanics interact with them.

You can read all about it here: Tribes and Mechanics of Ixalan

In the second chapter, we focus on the intricate designs behind Ixalan's Planeswalkers, and what really defines them as key characters in the set.

You can read all about it here: Planeswalking Into Ixalan

In the third chapter, we take a look at the fascinating world of Ixalan and how it's folded into the new and exciting Events coming to Magic: The Gathering - Puzzle Quest

You can read all about it here: Adventures In Ixalan

*New Update*
In the fourth and final chapter, we will be discussing the complex topic of balancing both cards and Planeswalkers, and taking a look at how we tackle Masterpiece cards in the future.

You can read all about it here: Balancing Cards and More!

We hope you've enjoyed our Ixalan blog posts!
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Comments

  • Mainloop25
    Mainloop25 Posts: 1,959 Chairperson of the Boards
    Great! Very excited about the new mechanics, especially Explore. A loyalty gem creator also sounds like fun. 
  • Matthew
    Matthew Posts: 605 Critical Contributor
    Thank you!!
  • khurram
    khurram Posts: 1,090 Chairperson of the Boards
    Exciting stuff.
    Thank you Brigby, and remember. We love you!
  • Rasalghul
    Rasalghul Posts: 162 Tile Toppler
    Congratulations to D3 and Oktagon, it looks great and exciting. And it is just chapter 1 !
  • Corn_Noodles
    Corn_Noodles Posts: 477 Mover and Shaker
    Looking over the cards (and reading the text): Meh.
  • Gilesclone
    Gilesclone Posts: 735 Critical Contributor
    Excellent!  Thank you!
  • Mburn7
    Mburn7 Posts: 3,427 Chairperson of the Boards
    All of this looks pretty cool, I like the way they ported over the abilities (in theory, of course, in practice it may be different).

    One huge omission (in my mind) is the lack of explanation as to how treasure works.  It is referenced a lot, and mentioned in the Pirates section as something that gives mana to you or your opponent (interesting, or terrible, depending on how) however there is no actual explanation as to how it works.  Hopefully this will be cleared up in the future.

    Card balancing seems decent, I like the tribal idea (and hope there are more deckbuilding-specific cards and events to come), vampires seem to be the front runners in easily abusable abilities, with pirates falling toward the back.

    Overall, looks good!
  • wereotter
    wereotter Posts: 2,070 Chairperson of the Boards
    O_O

    Seeing how those treasures work, I foresee even more Abbots of Keral Keep and Volcanic Rumblers slotting into decks.
  • TheExaminer
    TheExaminer Posts: 94 Match Maker
    Looks sweet, looks like you guys nailed it :) 
    Some of the presented cards need some manacost tweaking indeed, though ;) 
  • Thuran
    Thuran Posts: 456 Mover and Shaker
    Nah, getting the power level down to sane levels is better for the game, we don't need them to be pushed :)
  • ElfNeedsFood
    ElfNeedsFood Posts: 944 Critical Contributor
    I just wish that the Vanquisher’s Banner actually added creature types to your other creatures so I could actually make a zombie pirate vehicle appear. 
  • babar3355
    babar3355 Posts: 1,128 Chairperson of the Boards
    Love the communication and many of the translations.  Although I have some serious concerns around explore. It certainly depends on the size of the explore mechanic, but if it is even as high as 5 and with draw engines like Baral and Rashimi we will get a whole lot of looping.

    Other than that it seems like they have descaled power creep.  That's fine.. but with KLD and cycling still in the meta it seems like more of the same decks/cards for a while.  Hopefully, other adjustments in the game will make the cards more relevant without feeling forced (different formats, objectives, other set nerfs, etc).

    Anyway, enjoying the willingness for Oktagon to really put out some solid information early.  Look forward to cracking open some cards.  And even more, hopefully playing some new content.
  • GrizzoMtGPQ
    GrizzoMtGPQ Posts: 776 Critical Contributor
    We need a revision to the 3 creature limit. Just up it to 4 and the whole game would be vastly different.
  • Krishna
    Krishna Posts: 205 Tile Toppler
    I would like to change my in-game name to "MarvenFein"
  • Krishna
    Krishna Posts: 205 Tile Toppler
    Mainloop25 said:
    Great! Very excited about the new mechanics, especially Explore. A loyalty gem creator also sounds like fun. 
    I was hoping to see loyalty-related stuff. And now having gem changers in (potentially) all colors. Im interested if theyll have a card ability add or take away loyalty from a player
  • wereotter
    wereotter Posts: 2,070 Chairperson of the Boards
    babar3355 said:

    Other than that it seems like they have descaled power creep.  That's fine.. but with KLD and cycling still in the meta it seems like more of the same decks/cards for a while.  Hopefully, other adjustments in the game will make the cards more relevant without feeling forced (different formats, objectives, other set nerfs, etc).
    Now that you've pointed that out, I do notice looking at the revealed cards that I can see they may have abandoned the whole "mythic rare creatures need to have 8+ power" thing. (Yes there are creatures already at mythic status that have less than 8 power, but they're the exception)

    I have to say I really hope they're moving toward the method of gating power behind cost rather than rarity.
  • Rhasget
    Rhasget Posts: 412 Mover and Shaker
    First look seems that Greg will be even more at disadvantage with all different combo mechanics.
    But I guess that he gets an upgrade along with the game also
  • speakupaskanswer
    speakupaskanswer Posts: 306 Mover and Shaker
    I really like most of the mechanics, although, as always, we'll have to play them to see how they turn out. But there seems to be a lot of thought put into converting the cards into MTGPQ and I appreciate that. I'm only worried that the Merfolk turn out to be too weak but we'll have to see how real tribal turns out in this game.

    There is something very small that bugs me to no end. It's the inconsistency on card texts. Kinjalli's Caller and Otepec Huntmaster have the same ability but it is worded entirely different. This is something we know from the past but it is disheartening to see this trend continued. 
  • EldrosKandar
    EldrosKandar Posts: 48 Just Dropped In
    Looking forward to Reinforce Matter and explore. I'm not too sure about Buff Matter, we will see.

    There is no information about what the Treasure is, or what would happen if you play a double-sided support when there is already one flipped on the field. Would it reinforce the flipped one? Would it create a separate and the reinforce when it flips (Just like the werewolves)?

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