Me and Reid and Other Cool People Play Magic the Gathering

[Simple Torture]

I'd like to get back into Arena too, although I haven't found much time to sit down and play. I completely missed Lorwyn Eclipsed on there and it seemed like a cool set, and I agree that Strixhaven also has some cool stuff. I feel like I'm probably going to skip Marvel and just wait for some of the Lorwyn stuff to come down in price, then I'll have to make a decision about the other UB sets.

[blueviper]

They need to drop it to 3 sets a year maximum.

[washing machine]

I agree.

Looking back at last year, I can say that I really got into 3 sets and mostly missed the rest. Tarkir was my grand entry point to this game, so it will always have a special place in my heart.

The Final Fantasy set and the Avatar set were the most fun to play with on Arena.

Most of the packs that I bought weren't even from 2025. I went nuts buying Thunder Junction, Ixalan and Lord of the Rings. Not sure if all of those were from the same year. If so, I think it furthers your three sets a year is best narrative.

[washing machine]

By the way, I'm getting smoked on Arena now that I'm back. But it's the best kind of getting smoked where I get to try out my cute little Izzet and Rakdos combos but go out in flames after all the instants flame out. Good times.

As long as I get 4 wins a day for draft coins and do relatively decent in draft events, it's sustainable fun for more arena packs.

[Simple Torture]

MagiCon is this weekend, and there will probably be at least hints about the 2027 slate if not full-on previews. I have heard rumblings that they’re shooting 6 sets next year, 3 in-universe and 3 UB.

The with-a-grain-of-salt rumor making the rounds is that one of the UB sets is going to be Star Wars. It’s true that Star Wars has its own TCG, which I think is the biggest sign that it won’t happen, but they’ve already got a relationship with Disney for the Marvel sets, so it’s not like there’s a 0% chance. Time will tell.

[washing machine]

Hard pass on that, but I'm sure it'll be a sales boon for Wizards of the Coast.

[washing machine]

Early guesses on what a Jar-Jar commander would do?

[Simple Torture]

Jar-Jar, Bombad General (2GB)

Gungan Hero Warrior

Deathtouch

Weesa Gonna Die! - Jar-Jar, Bombad General can only attack your own creatures.

Emergency Powers - When Palpatine enters, an opponent gains control of your hand, your library, your graveyard, and all of your permanents. You lose the game.

2/2

[washing machine]

I knew you'd nail it.

[Ello Sailor]

Weesa Gonna Die!

[washing machine]

I was able to pull this combo off today. Felt amazing.

Cast this

Spoiler: show

To destroy this

Spoiler: show

With luck, the resurrecting cat drew enough black mana to cast this.

Spoiler: show

Happy to report that the cat lived after all was said and done. God bless her.

[blueviper]

Dang that’s nuts.

[Simple Torture]

Hobbit previews have started, they’re on Scryfall if you want to see them all:

[washing machine]

That riddles card sounds fun!

[washing machine]

I see a handful of cards will be printed in dwarvish.

[washing machine]

Funny story -- I had to remove a D20 from a booster box to fit some sorted cards yesterday. This was happening in our master bedroom. I forgot the dice on the bed then left for work.

My wife texted me before she was about to head to bed, freaking out. She had never seen it before and thought it was some sort of bad omen from the universe.

[Simple Torture]

It depends, did she roll a natural one?

[washing machine]

I asked her what number was facing up, and she did not enjoy that question.

[washing machine]

So red/white in Strixhaven is pretty good. This is not a color combo I usually play, but this set feels different. It encourages interaction that feels closer to the weird combo blue/black decks I enjoy. I did a quick draft today and grabbed several creatures that trigger off instants and sorceries.

I went 0-3 in the draft matches, but now that I'm getting used to the deck in standard, it's fun as hell.

[Simple Torture]

Well.