Theros Block Speculation

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

A very interesting post over on the mothersite today - if you've not yet have had a chance to look, click on over.  WotC TJ posted to the Magic Arcana the 'title images' of each of the sets in the current Magic: the Gathering block - Theros, Born of the Gods, and Journey into Nyx.  We have of course seen the Theros art with Elspeth, sun's Champion standing in triumph over a slain hydra and have even seen stylized hints of the other arts on the Hero's Path website but not yet seen them in full - which affords us an opportunity to generate some almost-baseless speculation.  For the Planeswalker Guide to Theros, check out the Magic Creative Team's articles here.  Let's have at it now . . .
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First up - the title art for Theros.

Nothing new - Elspeth, now on Theros is true to form and fights for the humans inhabiting this plane against the many monsters.  A forge with her and Heliod, god of the Sun now emerges.

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Second - the next set 'Born of the Gods' with this title art. 

We can clearly see that the Planeswalker Xenagos from the previous Theros set has a major role to play.  As Xenagos already has received a card, we should expect cards indicating a theme of his (or his 'faction'?) evolution.  This art suggests that Xenagos has supplanted Purphoros and possibly a bleeding through of Nyx (the realm of the gods) in to the corporeal plan.

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Third - the title art for the final set 'Journey into Nyx'

From this image, we see the full extent of the corruption of being that was Xenagos.  Super Xenagos, holding his lyre-spear-staff thingy is about to engage in a confrontation with two well-known Planeswalkers - Elspeth and Ajani.  In the background to the left are battle banners of forces but whether this army is marching against or for Xenagos is unknown. Below this final battle are ruins of temples of which Erebos, god of the Underworld suggests has been, like Purphoros, defeated by super Xenagos.
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Lastly, a heads up about MTG Mint Card (their banner on the left) who are having some pretty amazing deals, so click on over and check that out.
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MTG Wallpaper Round-Up

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Although we've had a few snowflakes here in Barrie, Ontario over the last week or so, it was a rather quick melt, often in a matter of just a few minutes.  Today, however it appears that the white stuff will finally stick and perhaps stay (picture from our backyard to the right).  The current meteorological conditions may even prompt us to leave a few minutes early to get to OMG! Games for Friday Night Magic tonight.  This minor inconvenience is nothing in comparison to the super Typhon which caused massive devastation across the Philippines.  Our thoughts are not only with the Magic: the Gathering players there but also their communities.  The Phillippine Red Cross now takes PayPal.
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Anywhoos - on to today's article here at the MTG Realm blog - MTG Wallpaper.  Here are a few recent wallpapers posted to the mothersite.  We have most of these cards through MTG Mint Card but may not likely get a hold of Nekusar, the Mindrazer from Commander 2013's 'Mind Seize' pre-con which happens to sell out just as quickly as it gets re-stocked.  Righto - Here's the round up of recent wallpapers, available in your choice of size - 2560x1600 / 1920x1080 / 1280x960 / Mobile / Tablet / Facebook - just click the link to land on the page.

Nekusar, the Mindrazer from Commander 2013, illustrated by Mark Winters

Hythonia the Cruel from Theros, illustrated by Chris Rahn

Gift of Immortality from Theros, illustrated by Matt Stewart

Thassa, God of the Sea from Theros, illustrated by Jason Chan

Purphoros, God of the Forge from Theros, illustrated by Eric Deschamps

Nyleas, Gof of the Hunt from Theros, illustrated by Chris Rhan

Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx from Theros, illustrated by Jung Park

Heliod, God of the Sun from Theros, illustrated by Jaime Jones

Vanquish the Foul from Theros, illustrated by Eric Deschamps

Errebos, God of the Dead  from Theros, illustrated by Peter Mohrbacher
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MTG Wallpaper Wednesday

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

We've been rather busy this week ripping apart our standard constructed decks and evaluating what can be saved going forward into the new standard environment.  It's really not until the fall standard rotation that we have a sense of just how many Magic: the Gathering cards we've accumulated in the previous blocks.  This Friday when Theros, the newest set is to officially released, we'll be at our favourite central Ontario gaming store, OMG! Games sporting new untried and untested strategies - perhaps Big Boros, Selesnya mid-range, Orzhov Control, or G/W/? enchantments.  Our (fairly extensive) pre-order from MTG Mint Card will be shipping out on Friday and travel via courier some 12,600 km (~7,800 miles) and likely be at our front door on Monday or Tuesday the latest.  With cards in hand, we suspect we'll have a much more competitive build.  Anywhoos - for today, here's a few very lovely wallpapers featuring some the coolest Theros arts from the mothersite.
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Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx - illustrated by Jung Park2560x1600
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Vanquish the Foul - illustrated by Eric Deschamps2560x1600
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Heliod, God of the Sun - illustrated by Jaime Jones2560x1600
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Erebos, God of the Dead - illustrated by Peter Mohrbacher
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Wallpaper Wednesday

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

We have a bunch of Magic: the Gathering wallpapers from the mothersite to catch up with today.  The theme, as you can see is Modern Masters.  These four cards all received epic new arts which you may now enjoy on your desktop or mobile device.  Speaking of beautiful things, MTG Mint Card now has a lovely selection of Modern Masters foils to pimp out your stack.  Anywhoos - onto the MTG wallpapers. 
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Tarmogoyf, Modern Masters Mythic Rare, illustrated by Ryan Barger

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Sword of Fire and Ice, Modern Masters Rare, illustrated by Chris Rahn

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Dark Confidant, Modern Masters Rare, illustrated by Scott M. Fischer

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City of Brass, Modern Masters Rare, illustrated by Jung Park

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