Lore behind ethereal ambush
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on April 2, 2015, 11:51 a.m. by IndepenentMeta
Whats the story behind all this manifest stuff and is it going to I continue once we hit zendikar again?
When morph/manifest comes back it needs both the right setting and the passing of some time, so that we forget about it and it feels fresh and new.
Last time morph was around was in time spiral block, which was about 8-9 years ago. The wait for morphs between Onslaught and Time Spiral was around 4 years.
Expect a wait time in between 4-8 years for the next batch of morphs.
April 2, 2015 12:03 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #5
Because it is a rather complex mechanic and they don't want to make it an integral part of every set. MTG has 109 keyword abilities, putting every one in every set isn't feasible. Outside of evergreen keywords (flying, vigilance, first strike, etc.) they try to keep it around 10 keywords per block, including new block specific keywords.
As for the lore behind it:
Manifest was Draconic concealment magic in old Tarkir.
In the Khans timeline the clans took it after the fall of the dragons and it changed into Morph.
In the Dragons timeline the dragons perfected it and coming out of the concealment made the creature stronger turning it into Megamorph.
April 2, 2015 12:12 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #6
So basically 4-8 years even thou they already have Kobe's edits and the main Team edits? Is there anyway we could talk to coast bout dropping the time to two years? Or at least one block of ktk and zendikar plus zendikar and some other block slowing introducing some of the shit I missed plus the side shit they had. Cause I know a few years back there was some kinda alien archtype or rumored to be aliens.
April 2, 2015 12:18 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #7
WotC has sets planned out in development with the mechanics finalized 3-4 years in advance so the turn around on any community input is around 3 years.
Not enough people are going to share your love of morph, especially in the newest iteration where 5 mana was the minimum to flip up anything that would kill a 2/2 while not dieing to it.
Dafuq is Kobe? Like Kobe Bryant I didn't know he played MTG. Or are you talking GP Kobe which why would a GP be doing edits.
Wait, what, Aliens? I thought this was a fantasy game, not a scifi game.
April 2, 2015 12:33 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #8
If you think about it, all Planeswalkers visiting a plane that they're not native to could be called aliens.
April 2, 2015 12:36 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #9
Touche good sir.
Now that you mention that and with the whole "you are a Planeswalker" tag line that WotC has been using does that mean that each game is filled with alien abductions and brainwashing to fight for them?
April 2, 2015 12:41 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #10
Possiblely there's a ton of cards where there's flying saucers. And a bunch of stuff hinting alien stuff. It could be possible for us to see some kinda alien archtype in the next few sets.
April 2, 2015 1:49 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #11
Kobe something he's an editor for the game. He does the first drafts to a lot of cards. He even has a rumored card vault that were designed for later sets or his personal use. Idk I've just heard bout the guy dont quote me
April 2, 2015 1:50 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #12
Nerds play this game so it Wouldnt be surprising if they wanted a sifi theme
April 2, 2015 1:51 p.m.
mathimus55 says... #13
Obligatory subscribe bc I want to see the stupid conversations that will follow.
April 2, 2015 1:59 p.m.
Space: The Convergence is the name of the Sci-Fi (<- correct spelling) equivalent of Magic: The Gathering, and it doesn't exist. People from WotC have said that the closest they will get to Sci-Fi is Steampunk like from the Izzet on Ravnica: Izzet Staticaster, Invoke the Firemind, Steam Vents, etc.
Now on topic, Wizards likes to do new mechanics in each block and to separate them reusing mechanics by at least a few years. This way the game feels new and exciting with each new set. Now there are the Evergreen mechanics, but that's how they keep the common trend through all the sets. Just enough is the same as before so we know what's going on, but just enough is different that it's new and exciting.
And I'm 99% sure that this "Kobe" guy you're talking about doesn't exist.
April 2, 2015 2:23 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #16
Yeah I think I've heard that before where that's as far as they go. But sometimes people change their mind bout certain things and then go pursuit it. If WoTC wanted to they would do it and by some of the cards I was talking bout more less prove that there is to some extend "interest" in the project. As to when since as you stated they like to keep years in between sets then that's prolly something we ll never know.
Yeah he prolly does but I think people are always too busy ingnoring the guy. Which from my point of view sucks I mean why would u wanna turn down such talent. Unless! Someone's jealous...
April 2, 2015 3 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #17
This is off the main topic but adds to the derail.
Steampunk hopefuls I think you'll be happy in Fall of 2016. After we finish the Eldrazi centered storyline over the next year we are set to receive the sets Lock, Stock, and Barrel. My gut tells me those sets will focus on technology related to weaponry/magic and tie in nicely with a steampunk motif.
My secondary theory is that we possibly visit Fiora in a story centered around Dack Fayden and some sort of thievery. This assumes the set names are a reference to the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
April 2, 2015 3:05 p.m.
UrbanAnathema says... #18
TCC has hinted at dinosaurs in an upcoming set... =P
April 2, 2015 3:07 p.m.
CrazyLittleGuy says... #19
Nah, there's no Kobe leading design (or likely even working) at Wizards of the Coast. That's not really up for debate. Maybe try to find something to prove he's real before arguing about it; there are no records of a Kobe on the design team.
April 2, 2015 3:12 p.m.
Personally I would like a block about the Slivers again. In an old UR, Yisan and Jaliria find the Sliver Hive and start studying it, and we haven't heard since. Also, my friends want to play slivers but don't buy cards, only packs, even when I tell them cracking M15 to find Nissa iant worth it. So yeah.
April 2, 2015 3:13 p.m.
MaRo answered a question to the effect of "When will we see Space: The Convergence?" and he replied with never because it would probably split their audience. First and foremost, Wizards is a business and Magic is one of their most successful products (if not THE most successful). They wouldn't jeopardize its success by printing their own competitor to it.
And as far as I can tell, no one named Kobe works for Wizards in Magic R&D. All the cards are made in-house and they don't get help from the outside (unless they ask for it e.g. M15 cards like Genesis Hydra). This "Kobe" doesn't exist and you need to stop trying to get at Wizards for "stealing your ideas" because this "Kobe" rumor your spreading sounds awfully close to that.
Rasta_Viking29 - You know that code-names have nothing to do with the setting for a block? Sometimes it's a happy coincidence like Theros-BNG-JOU being Friends-Romans-Countrymen, and others are like KTK-FRF-DTK with Huey-Dewey-Louie. Also the blocks are Lock-Stock and Barrell-Monkeys since we'll be in the 2-block paradigm by then :). Also, I would LOVE a block set in Fiora with a new Dack!
April 2, 2015 3:14 p.m.
HolyFalcon says... #22
Uh, the thing above was posted by me. T/O decided it didn't want to say I posted it though. :/
April 2, 2015 3:15 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #23
As much as I would love to see them come back, Silvers are unlikely to reappear for a long time. They only exist on Dominaria and (somehow) Shandalar. It could be possible we see a small cycle of Slivers again in Magic Origins (Sliver Queen reprint plz), but otherwise we'd need a return to Dominaria or Shandalar in order to see Slivers.
April 2, 2015 3:25 p.m.
CrazyLittleGuy says... #24
Also of note, the theories of a card vault full of designs and personal cards most definitely exists. It's basically a filing cabinet that they use to test all of their card ideas. Thousands of cards haven't seen print, but still have been imagined in R&D. It's not a personal-cards-for-a-fictional-person type thing though.
April 2, 2015 3:25 p.m.
GoldGhost012 - To be fair, MaRo has said we've never seen the Sliver's home plane. The Slivers were brought to Rath by Volrath for "science".
CrazyLittleGuy is correct, WotC has an internal database called Multiverse with every card they've ever made including those that haven't seen print for one reason or another. It's not some guy sitting in a cubicle with a giant safe behind him.
April 2, 2015 3:30 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #26
JWiley129 they are related in someway though. Huey, Dewy, Louie refereed to wedges. I was able to discern that Blood, Sweat, Tears, and Fears was alluding the Eldrazi story line back in August. I feel the dots are there to be connected if you keep an open mind to what the set names are trying to represent. It's certainly speculation though and we don't have enough clues to draw conclusions at this time.
April 2, 2015 3:35 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 - If you relax your standards, then sure you can make the code names fit, but they literally don't have anything to do with the blocks. Let's take the past few blocks' worth of codenames and see:
RTR block - Hook, Line, and Sinker
Innistrad Block - Shake, Rattle, and Roll
Scars of Mirrodin Block - Lights, Camera, Action
Zendikar Block - Live, Long, Prosper
Alara - Rock, Paper, Scissors
Lorwyn/Shadowmoor - Peanut, Butter, Jelly, Donught
Time Spiral - Snap, Crackle, Pop.
I could go on, but you should see by now that the code names by-and-large have nothing to do with a block's themes.
April 2, 2015 3:41 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #29
Theres a block named mma and I saw a couple of funny ones when I was deck building. I think it's funny
April 2, 2015 3:47 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #30
0-0 but what if wizards of the coast really is stealing from kobe?
April 2, 2015 3:48 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #31
0-0 but what if stealing deaigns from a second source and not paying is an actual crime?
April 2, 2015 3:49 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #32
0-0 but what If he's the era reason behind Splinter Twin Birthing Pod Siege Rhino Tarmogoyf and Treasured Find
April 2, 2015 3:53 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #34
0-0 but what if you don't actually know what you're talking about?
April 2, 2015 3:56 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #37
@jandrobard you didn't know Kobe Bryant is working for Wizards now? I thought everyone knew that.
April 2, 2015 3:58 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #38
also @IndepenentMeta I think you meant Treasure Cruise and not Treasured Find.
April 2, 2015 3:59 p.m.
It's actually Kobe beef you guys. Eat Kobe, and you become super creative
April 2, 2015 4:01 p.m.
Gidgetimer says... #43
Dude I was on your side at the beginning of this trying to explain the lore as you asked for and give good reasons behind why its going to be a few years before we see morph again. But you are starting to sound like Alex Jones.
April 2, 2015 4:07 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #44
This is why people don't take you seriously. Just for the record. You've got no right to complain about it anymore.
Post relevant content or don't post.
April 2, 2015 4:09 p.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #46
JWiley129 I wasn't playing during those sets but I can see what you're saying. Those ones are hard to make a connection and seem random.
April 2, 2015 4:12 p.m.
IndepenentMeta says... #47
Yeah that's what I was saying why does it have to be few years until then? but these people have a notorious way of following exactly as they re told. So there goes that out the window and through the woods. As far as Alex Jones I have no idea who that is
April 2, 2015 4:17 p.m.
IndepenentMeta, this is an example of why some of the community thinks you were a troll. In the future could you perhaps post less about people stealing designs or about people like this "Kobe" person? Your spelling has gotten tremendously better though on the whole, so kudos for that.
April 2, 2015 4:21 p.m.
IndependentMeta says... #49
ikr IndepenentMeta! Why does it have to be 5 years for mechanics! I really wanted soulband to come again!
Boza says... #2
Nope, you will not see morph/manifest for at least 5 more years.
April 2, 2015 11:55 a.m.