- Home
- Event Coverage
- Comic-Con 2013
- San Diego Comic Con 2013 – What's New In Magic: The Gathering (Part 2)
San Diego Comic Con 2013 – What's New In Magic: The Gathering (Part 2)
- By Douglas Shepard (Editor in Chief, RarityGuide.com)
- Published 07/24/2013
- Comic-Con 2013
- Unrated
San Diego Comic Con 2013 – What's New In Magic: The Gathering (Part 2)
Things look to be very different and interesting for the upcoming set of Theros in a few months on September, 27th 2013. This set has a very heavy Greek focus. The panelist told us that a lot of Magic: The Gathering already had a strong Greek flavor. After the “Innistrad” block, they realized that they could build a set with a Greek focus. “Innistrad” was the first block they they had built using the Top Down approach. While “Innistrad” had a strong Gothic Horror feel to it, “Theros” was made using the same approach to create the world with a Greek theme in mind. Research looked at the myths and saw the common trend: Gods, Heroes, Quests and Monsters. They also set this to be something of an Enchantment Set, something that has not been seen in Magic for a long time. Each of them are to be tied to something the Gods do. It was hinted that within Magic 2014 you saw hints of what is to come. It was also said that the style of play this block encouraged would play into the flavor of the block. It was also said a mechanic from “Future Sight” would be making an appearance. Most of the audience exclaimed “Contraption!”.
“Theros”, of the 3 sets is the largest of the block. The other 2, “Born Of The Gods” and “Journey To Nyx”, are smaller sets that will build and expand on what “Theros” offers. They will be showing older mechanics that have been revamped and redone. The team at Magic admitted that they do not always get something right the first time and that this set offered an old ability a second chance as something new.
For this set to work you need a Pantheon of Gods. The first God revealed was Heliod, the God of the Sun (White). Next was Argos, The God of Death (Black). The third god revealed was Nylia, The God of the Hunt (Green). Finally, Thasa, The God of the Sea (Blue). All these powerful dieties reside in a place called “Nys”, the realm of the stars. It is in these Gods that you would find the Heroes that they touched and the Monsters they would face. Still, the Gods are only a piece of what made Greek Mythology what it is. Throughout the myths and Epics you have not only the Heroes and Monsters, but you have the quests and the growth through the “Hero's Journey”.
The “Hero's Journey” is a pattern found throughout Greek Mythology where the Hero must under go trials. Each of these work for them to grow and embrace the quest that has been given to them by the gods. Not only that but also grow in strength and power. It is in this concept that you will find something that is new to Magic, but not to CCG's. At Pre-Release you will be able to choose the path of your Hero and participate in the first of the events. After that at Launch and Game Day events you will be able to participate in “Quests”. These can be things from poster puzzles to a challenge deck that is set in front of you. These can have you fighting against a Hydra or other mythical creatures. These challenge decks will show traits of the monster themselves. The example of a hydra means you will be facing down something that can attack multiple times. Unfortunately just like a Hydra, this can regenerate its heads making it very challenging to kill.
The break down events works as such: “Choose Your Path:, “Gift Of The Gods” and “Face The Hydra”. This sequence will repeat for each of the sets. It was made clear that you can come in at any point and still have a chance to walk away with something for your efforts into the Set event.
While the monster dial has been turned to 11, it is not as though the Heroes will be alone. A new kind of card, The Hero Card, is being introduced. These act similar tot he Avatar (from MTGO) or the Vanguard cards. You can choose one to aid you in the fight and it tends to greatly impact how things are played out in the game. In addition to that you have the 5 Gods of the pantheon. Each of these have their own set of abilities.
One of the interesting things was the Planewalkers revealed. Elspeth has been revealed to a 'Walker in this set. She is seeking a place to simply live without being called up to take upon the mantle of a leader again. She is 1 of 3 'Walkers for the set. The other 2 'Walkers are completely new to MTG.
As the panel ended there was one more thing that was shown. It was a different bordered care with Argos on it. There was nothing else shown unfortunately. They wanted to show more but had to settled for a Teaser image as that all they were allowed. Still, with the potential for them to be on the battlefield, those Gods can have heavy sway in what you are working with.
Things look to be very different and interesting for the upcoming set of Theros in a few months on September, 27th 2013. This set has a very heavy Greek focus. The panelist told us that a lot of Magic: The Gathering already had a strong Greek flavor. After the “Innistrad” block, they realized that they could build a set with a Greek focus. “Innistrad” was the first block they they had built using the Top Down approach. While “Innistrad” had a strong Gothic Horror feel to it, “Theros” was made using the same approach to create the world with a Greek theme in mind. Research looked at the myths and saw the common trend: Gods, Heroes, Quests and Monsters. They also set this to be something of an Enchantment Set, something that has not been seen in Magic for a long time. Each of them are to be tied to something the Gods do. It was hinted that within Magic 2014 you saw hints of what is to come. It was also said that the style of play this block encouraged would play into the flavor of the block. It was also said a mechanic from “Future Sight” would be making an appearance. Most of the audience exclaimed “Contraption!”.
“Theros”, of the 3 sets is the largest of the block. The other 2, “Born Of The Gods” and “Journey To Nyx”, are smaller sets that will build and expand on what “Theros” offers. They will be showing older mechanics that have been revamped and redone. The team at Magic admitted that they do not always get something right the first time and that this set offered an old ability a second chance as something new.
For this set to work you need a Pantheon of Gods. The first God revealed was Heliod, the God of the Sun (White). Next was Argos, The God of Death (Black). The third god revealed was Nylia, The God of the Hunt (Green). Finally, Thasa, The God of the Sea (Blue). All these powerful dieties reside in a place called “Nys”, the realm of the stars. It is in these Gods that you would find the Heroes that they touched and the Monsters they would face. Still, the Gods are only a piece of what made Greek Mythology what it is. Throughout the myths and Epics you have not only the Heroes and Monsters, but you have the quests and the growth through the “Hero's Journey”.
The “Hero's Journey” is a pattern found throughout Greek Mythology where the Hero must under go trials. Each of these work for them to grow and embrace the quest that has been given to them by the gods. Not only that but also grow in strength and power. It is in this concept that you will find something that is new to Magic, but not to CCG's. At Pre-Release you will be able to choose the path of your Hero and participate in the first of the events. After that at Launch and Game Day events you will be able to participate in “Quests”. These can be things from poster puzzles to a challenge deck that is set in front of you. These can have you fighting against a Hydra or other mythical creatures. These challenge decks will show traits of the monster themselves. The example of a hydra means you will be facing down something that can attack multiple times. Unfortunately just like a Hydra, this can regenerate its heads making it very challenging to kill.
The break down events works as such: “Choose Your Path:, “Gift Of The Gods” and “Face The Hydra”. This sequence will repeat for each of the sets. It was made clear that you can come in at any point and still have a chance to walk away with something for your efforts into the Set event.
While the monster dial has been turned to 11, it is not as though the Heroes will be alone. A new kind of card, The Hero Card, is being introduced. These act similar tot he Avatar (from MTGO) or the Vanguard cards. You can choose one to aid you in the fight and it tends to greatly impact how things are played out in the game. In addition to that you have the 5 Gods of the pantheon. Each of these have their own set of abilities.
One of the interesting things was the Planewalkers revealed. Elspeth has been revealed to a 'Walker in this set. She is seeking a place to simply live without being called up to take upon the mantle of a leader again. She is 1 of 3 'Walkers for the set. The other 2 'Walkers are completely new to MTG.
As the panel ended there was one more thing that was shown. It was a different bordered care with Argos on it. There was nothing else shown unfortunately. They wanted to show more but had to settled for a Teaser image as that all they were allowed. Still, with the potential for them to be on the battlefield, those Gods can have heavy sway in what you are working with.
Spread The Word
Article Series
This article is part 4 of a 5 part series. Other articles in this series are shown below:
-
San Diego Comic Con 2013 – What's New In Magic: The Gathering (Part 2)
Comments 
Comment posting has been disabled on this article