This is one of the most amazing times of the year. We’ve watched how Theros has unfolded, and then how Born of the Gods fits in with the broader scheme of things. Now, we get to see what the final piece of the puzzle, Journey into Nyx, is going to look like to start to round out the full block. We recently saw the art work get released and felt I needed to take a moment and chronicle my own reaction to what we have seen.
First off, let me start by saying some of the art work is breathtaking. I mean, those are some sweet looking Gods! I’ve seen some reaction on the internet where people are discouraged, but I wanted to take a glass half full approach to things.
The first God is Atheros, God of the Passage. Ok, if this is going to be the art used on his card then I may find myself a new colour combination as my favorite. He looks SOOOOOOO bad ass!! I actually really like the fact that you can’t see his face, leaving the imagination to figure out what is actually hidden behind the veil. And the colours! If there was a God of the Passage in actual Greek or Roman history, we didn’t do him enough justice because this guy looks amazing! I’m in…this guy looks sweet and I can’t wait to see what his abilities will be.
Iroas, God of Victory is standing there and baiting everyone to come get a big ol’ piece of his spear and shield…and I love it. The background of a peaceful hillside is a little underwhelming, but I like to think that they have positioned this guy over top of a giant battlefield down below where Planeswalkers are waging a ferocious battle and he’s just checking out the whole thing. Bring on the full spoiler because I want to take this shiny Red and White Ferrari out for a spin!
Keranos, God of Storms looks pissed! Now, when I envisioned the Red God, I hadn’t really figured he would look like Purphorous. Yeah, I get the whole God of the forge angle, but I was really hoping Red would get a god of lightning, storms, and full on craziness! Well, we got it! This guy looks pissed that he was based up and supplanted by Purphorous in Theros and is going to lay a mad beat down and all those who get in his way. Oh, and the art is sick too…just in case you hadn’t noticed.
Kruphix, God of Horizons. I don’t even know what a God of Horizons is, but let me tell you, his multi-armed silhouette looks AWESOME. The nice part with this one is that we are also left guessing at what this guy looks like and so our imagination takes over. The possibilities are endless and I really hope that this is the art used on the card and not some alternative piece to be used on a playmat or something. He looks amazing and leaves me wanting more.
Pharika, God of Affliction. Ah yes, the Giant Gorgon God. Well, she’s exactly what I had in mind as she looks like many of her minions ranging from Pharika’s Mender to any of the other Gorgons running around the set. I hope this block gets a good dose of G/B type cards to really make her and her minions something formidable because she has some cool art and I can only imagine what the corresponding abilities will be.
Elspeth. Are we seriously going to get a second Elspeth planeswalker in the Block? I doubt it, but what you might see is her ridiculously sweet looking staff making an appearance. The art work doesn’t reveal much , but it does highlight her weapon and by the way it’s glowing, I would suspect that it’s getting ready to do something absolutely BONKERS! I can’t wait!
Hero’s Trial. This one is a bit of a mystery. To date we’ve really had a pretty good idea about what the art work is showing us, but this seems a little less clear. It is also in a much different style compared to the other pieces shown. I like the style as I feel it is very flavourful and in keeping with the Theros Plane, but I want to know more. My only hope is that this is some sweet Rare spell and not some completely underwhelming uncommon. I can’t express how disappointed I was when all the promotional art for Theros started getting spilled and Arena Athlete was a playable, but underwhelming, uncommon. Let’s hope this one is cool.
Ajani Goldmane and Elspeth. So, I have 2 words. SHUT UP! These are two of my favorite planeswalkers and they get to TEAM UP! Please make it so! Wizards, please, please, please listen here…this would be MIND BLOWING! We know that Theros has Leonin and so to see Ajani make an appearance isn’t totally unheard of, but to pair Elspeth and Ajani, even if it is only a spell would be crazy cool. If this also means that there is another White Planeswalker going to get dropped, well, there goes the neighbourhood. Elspeth is an absolute powerhouse in the set and have her get a running buddy, in the same colour, would be like having your ice cream and your cake…and wash it down with your favorite beverage…and then have the restaurant hand you back all your money and tell you that it was on the house…that good.
So, I hope that you are as excited as I am for what looks to be an awesome spoiler season for Journey into Nyx. Lots of new things to come our way shortly, I’m sure, and I can hardly wait. Let me know what you think about the new spoilers and art from Journey into Nyx. Did you Dig it? Did you hate it? What do you hope to see?
So, until next time, keep it fun, keep it safe…keep it casual.
Bruce Gray
@bgray8791
