Kern Loest

I can't speak for everyone, but for me, SPM and TMT have really made me realize how much the flavor aspect of the game matters to me. They could be perfectly made sets and I would still have no desire to play or enteract with them because they don't resonate with me - they're just mechanics on cards

While we're at it, they somehow retain 90%? 🤣

One of my favorite Lego sets of all time!

The first syllable

Even with personalities I really care about, I find it really hard to care about/watch videos for UB sets. It sucks because I want to support creators I like, but I really don't care for the cards...

I don't like UB and this art style isn't my favorite - but the talent displayed by the artists is inarguably amazing.

5v5 > 3v3 >>> Shootout

So while I agree that 3v3 is dumb, at least it didn't go to a shootout

Also, only have multiple versions for a couple of characters per set

Since blocks are never coming back, I can understand having multiple versions of a character as they progress through the story (eg EOE). But I'd prefer if they were limited to 2-3 versions max, and had obvious changes (different colors etc)

5x5 > 3x3 >>> Shootout

Each time you post something like this, I find more Stars fans to follow 😁

@seanshapiro.bsky.social is OT in the Olympics a time to get weird?

6 min was way too long to try and park the bus vs an opponent this skilled

Same, man. Same.

This feels the most like "this should have been a Secret Lair (or a few of them)" of any of the UB sets so far...

52 card pickup

Also no Wyatt 😢

Basically, I think yall are threading the needle quite well

I appreciate all the communication about what all yall are looking at, while still saying "but we're standing pat unless we REALLY need to"

I loved seeing that yall recognize that it's been a turbulent year or so with lots of changes, in a format that likes to be relatively slow changing.

If Great Britain wins, does it become the Aluminium Medal?

Pullover, for sure

MTG always had a rules system. But it also used to have a self contained story and connected ecosystem. Now it's just a rules system that you can add whatever paint job you want to, regardless of if it fits with the rest of the whole. I hope that makes sense of my distinction.

I can't deny that it's a very funny visual lol 🤣

I love that feeling! It's part of what I love about MTG is the different worlds. But it feels wrong when things from a different multiverse show up. There is a certain Magic flavor throughline that isn't there. Like I said elsewhere, it's very much a vibe. And as such, it's different for other ppl

That's also fair - I just feel like these are glimpses into new MTG worlds and characters. Ones we could even see in future sets. It's totally an irrational, vibes thing.

I know that FF hit hard for all the people who loved the games, and I can tell from them that it was very well, and lovingly, designed. But for me, I've never had a set that felt more like "green combat spell" and "white limited creature #3".

That's fair - and I have played games with UB cards in them. And they are mechanically interesting. But I guess I have too much Vorthos in me to not bristle a bit when I see non-mtg IP. And the cards just feel soulless when you don't know the characters/tropes that are being designed around.

I mean, that sounds awesome, but not like MTG. At least the version I was sold when I started playing 20+ years ago, and for the next 15 years. MTG is no longer a game but rather a rules system and that makes me sad. I'm genuinely happy that you enjoy it though.

Agreed. Ironically, I'd even say it's more likely to result in Group A being belittled more - if you close yourself off to outsiders, people are more likely to see you as an "other". I've found that the more you include others, the more you are likely to be welcomed by others.