Welcome back, maggots! [Tekk means that in a loving, 'thanks for reading my article and I like insects' kind of way.  ~Streetz~]

It’s time for another Creature Type Spotlight! Before we get into the juicy details of today’s column, there are some things I’d like to discuss. First off, a certain Syphon back at the forums seems to not see the point of Creature Features. Since I assume that his opinion isn’t alone in the world -they rarely are- I figure I should address this…

First off, when I say “RED WEENIE” what do you think? I’ll give you a hint: It’s not Dwarf, Orc, or Goat. This is what I hate about today’s Magic: Creature types are dominated by a select few. I am absolutely sick of Elves, Zombies, and Spirits. I am infuriated that Townsfolk is now no longer a valid creature type. (Anarchist is NOT a Wizard!) I’m sick of… *begins foaming at the mouth*

…I’m getting off topic, aren’t I? Alright, to wrap this up quickly before I strangle someone, the point of Creature Features are to get you players out there to think outside the box. I want to see interesting Tribal decks! I’m not pointing my finger at you, Mr. “Legions was The Best Expansion”. I’m just trying to give you a fair warning.

…If you actually think Legions was the best Expansion in Magic, you have 10 seconds to run before I "get mean".

Now You See It…

Getting on with the column, Today we’re taking a look at Illusions!

Joy!

First off, what is an illusion? Merriam-Webster says it’s an act of deceiving, a deceiver, a misleading image, or something that intellectually misleads you. It also says it’s a type of thin curtain, but I don’t think that’s the kind we’re talking about. So, an Illusion is a creature that may be there, it may not. You’re messing with the opponent’s head. Is it actually there?

Yeah, it is. Illusions specialize in two things: the art of returning to your hand, changing their creature type, and looking really weird. What? That was three things? Or was it? How do you know?

…Muahahahaha! That’s another thing Illusions can do. Frustrate you to no end. So where do they fit into the Pie of Colors? Let’s recap:

• Illusions are sneaky; illusions can and will trick you.
• Illusions aren’t tethered by paltry things like… physics. You want a floating manta ray with muscular arms? Go for it!
• Illusions are annoying!

All these add up to one thing and one thing alone: Blue mana. Illusions are probably more blue than anything else out there.

Delving a bit more into Illusions.
The following is an addition from Streetz (in yellow)

There are currently 33 illusions in magic, of which one of them is actually every creature type - Mistform Ultimus.  Since there aren't as many Illusions as there are insects - here is a mini-visual spoiler of all the Illusions in the game of magic.  You can also access this list on the Creature Visual Spoiler for Illusions.

Note: The above list does not include cards that generate Illusion tokens or that affect tokens. 

You'll notice that of all thirty-three Illusions in the game of Magic, a third (11) are from the Onslaught block.  Also note that several of these are from Legions - so Legions isn't all that bad (at least while discussing the Illusions of Magic).  Although, I am in no way stating that Legions was a good set.  It had all creatures - yes.  But was it really necessary to print all creatures - no.  I too am a big fan of Tribal Decks and Legions provided that.  However, it was not an elegant set.  Onslaught as a block, on the other hand, was.  To me at least.

Another interesting thought involves the Mirage Block.  Considering Mirage is another term for 'Illusion' you would think that maybe the set would have had a lot of illusion cards in it.  Well, it didn't.  It had two: Ertai's Familiar and Phantom Warrior.  And these cards weren't even in the base set called Mirage. 

While Ertai's Familiar wasn't exactly a top tier card, it offered some combo decks a utility and even appear in some suicidal tournament decks of its time.  That and isn't the picture just cute.

...um...

Phantom Warrior, from Weatherlight (Mirage Block), has become a staple blue card... considering it has been reprinted in Portal, Starter 1999, Sixth Edition, Seventh Edition, Eighth Edition, and finally Ninth Edition. Funny little fact: It was rare in portal and starter 1999! Perhaps an unblockable creatures is a bit too 'wow' for newer players.

Unlike the insects Tekk featured last month, this creature type has a 'lord' or sorts -- Mistform Warchief.  However, this guy isn't just for illusions.  The two abilities on the Warchief have quite a bit of synergy.  All creatures that share a creature type with it cost 1 less to play.  Then there is it's ability, like other Mistform Creatures, to change it's creature type.  This is so you could change it's creature type to Myr or Goat or even, gasp, Vampire and reduce the cost to play that particular creature for a turn.  If you have a blue tribal deck I would encourage you to add this guy to it if some of the creatures have high casting costs.  The Mistform Warchief can only help.

On a last note I have to say I really like all of the Mistform Creatures from the Onslaught block.  I think they are 'cool' and they offer you some cool deckbuilding options.  However, of all of the illusions, the Aura Thief is the 'coolest' Illusion.  It isn't exactly the most practical illusion around but it's effect is amazing in a deck that can abuse it.  But I digress.

Got Mistform Ultimus?

Memoirs of Oboro

It’s horribly ironic to have Illusions’ Poster Boy not be an Illusion at all. I’m talking, of course, of Meloku, The Clouded Mirror.

Personally, I don’t like him. I hate to kill tempo. But he has his good points. Very good points. First off, he’s a 2/4. Most cards that look sweet when you pull them usually end up with a Shock to the face and are prematurely mourned by their friends and neighbors. Not old Melon here, so sir.

Your opponent will have to pump in a decently large bit of mana to take him down via burn, something that will probably keep him alive. Also, he’s crazy to combo with. Sasaya, Orochi Ascendant, Scorched Earth, and Nantuko Cultivator (YAY!) will thank you for those lands-in-hand, and little Jushi Apprentice just may do a back flip or something by your hand size.

Oh yeah, and there are all those 1/1 Flyers you get too. Woohoo!

In fact, Meloku is one of the shining rares from the Kamigawa block and many a control deck have used him as a combo or win condition.  His little combo synergy with the Jushi Apprentice has placed decks well in tournaments around the globe - but this is a casual site so I won't be talking about that now.

BAMF! BAMF! BAMF!

This wasn’t in the Insect article, but I realized something the other day. I should rip off (I like the term 'borrow' or 'evolve' ~Streetz~) ideas from mtg.com writers to add meat to my articles!

I mean…. You never heard me say anything! This is a TOTALLY ORIGINAL IDEA!

Here we’ve got some famous Illusionists and Illusions in pop culture:

Nightcrawler- Everyone’s favorite Russian X-men member! For those of you who aren’t comic book nerds like me, Nightcrawler can teleport in a puff of purple smoke accompanied by his trademark sound affect. (See above!) Not only is this ability a staple of Illusions to ‘bamf’ back to your hand on a whim, but our buddy Kurt also has blue fur. Enough said.

Mysterio- Another Marvel comic character, Mysterio was one of Spiderman’s many nemeses. Using his experience as a Magician, Mysterio did stuff like create holograms, levitate, and other illusionish practices. Unfortunately, Mysterio went crazy and committed suicide. Oh! Sorry if that was a spoiler for you!

Haku (From Naruto)- Role model for transsexual ninjas everywhere, Haku’s got the ability to transform into a reflection and teleport between his “Ice Mirrors”. He also has some other fun stuff, like using syringes as weapons and being able to perform one-handed jutsu (If you’ve never seen Naruto, don’t ask.) but that’s less important than the former ability.

Dr. Malcolm Crowe- Sure, you think he’s just a friendly child psychiatrist caught up in the fight for a little demon-child’s soul. But at the last second you find out he’s a ghost! Not even he knew it! Go see The Sixth Sense.

Calvinosaurus & Comrades- In Calvin and Hobbes, Calvin will often turn into various awesome things during his daydreams. (My personal favorites are the Giant Squid and Calvin, The C-Bomb) Also, I guess Hobbes is an illusion himself, since he’s a talking plush toy.

…MaRo? Who? Get lost, you!

[On a side note - I like it when Wizard employees check out MDV.  So MaRo, if you are here... stick around for a little bit.  *grin*  ~Streetz~]

Were You Expecting Tribal Decks?

In true Illusionary fashion, I’m doing what you never expected! Instead of me showing all you tribal decks, I’m going to present you with a challenge to build one! (If you feel a need to see a cool Illusion deck, check out Streetz’ “Delusions of Mediocrity - Familiar with it?” article from Wednesday. Imaginary Pet ftw!)

Here is your challenge I call out to all you deck-smiths: Build a deck centered around the card Somnophore.

Criteria:
Originality- (Out of 10)
Performance- (Out of 10)
Effective Use of Somnophore- (Out of 10)

Also, you can get bonus points for these two things:
-Make the deck Tribal Legal for Illusions (2 bonus points)
-Effectively Use Aggressive Assault in the deck (5 bonus points)

Decks are due one week from the posting of this article. After that, you’ll hear the results in my next article. The winner earns my respect, something not very easy to do. Alright? Good!

Get to Work! (After you finish reading this article, of course!)

Email your decklists to me at gatlingshuriken@gmail.com.

You Receive Item: Lens of Truth!

There’s plenty more to this article…

Aww, who am I kidding? You get the joke, don’t you? Tune in Christmas Eve when I give you a special treat: A DOUBLE article! We’ll look at not only a ragtag bunch of sleazy warriors, but also a ragtag bunch of sleazy warriors! And that’s not an illusion! Also expect The Results of the Somnophore contest, and no headaches. I might make another obscure Legend of Zelda reference though; I make no promises.

Adieu!

~Tekkactus~

You can discuss this article in the MDV forums here.

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