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MDV Featured Article:
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MDV Featured Article -
Presenting the A-24. -
by death by aggro - posted 9/14/06 - discuss
here
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 Good
day fellow patrons of MDV! I would explain how glad I am to be writing my first
article, but this isn't (ironically enough it's coming up later). To get to the
point, I will be hosting the first ever A-24 Art Pageant! If you couldn't guess,
there are twenty four avatars in the game currently not counting Time Spiral.
Each of these lovely specimens will be going head to head for a chance at being
the "Avatar Divine".
This pageant will judge the art of each avatar on a point
scale. However, this pageant will not be like traditional pageants. The cards
will be judged on how well their art represents the set they belong to, their
flavor text (if any), their ability/abilities, their name, and their
color/colors. There will be three judges, me one of them and the other two to be
revealed in due time. Before all that happens however, I must introduce you to
the most important person in avatar week: you the reader.
You all make this possible, and as such we are giving you a
chance to get first shot at what avatars make the cut. There will be a voting
poll on the MDV forums, and the top ten avatars will move on to the final round
of judgment. Your participation is crucial, so don't be afraid to post your
honest opinions about the avatars you love and hate. Without further ado, here
are our Contestants along with some commentary from yours truly:
Straight out of Alpha, the first avatar: Personal
Incarnation!
 Personal
IncarnationThe first and original, this
card is a beauty. Unfortunately it may not get such a high review. Alpha
had no straight up theme of cards, so it can't really embody Alpha. This
card easily slips into any, all, or no colors, so it can't truly represent
White.
Most importantly, if this card represents you, the
player, actually in the game, Shouldn't you die when it does? And why the
set power/toughness (not all players could be considered 3/6)? It may not
fair well, but you never know.
VOTE NOW!!! |
From Fallen Empires: Ebon Praetor and Hand of Justice!
 Ebon
PraetorThis card has the same "no theme
for set" problem, but it does make up for it. Its ability is most
assuredly black-esque, as is its stats and art (sort of).
What's up with the bunny?
~Streetz~
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Hand
of JusticeThis is the card that set the
tone for many White cards like it. The art is a bit lacking though.
Why would you make such a great and powerful figure
seem to be at ease doing the latest crossword? I'm not sure if he'll make
it.
VOTE NOW!!! |
From Mirage: Ethereal Champion!
 Ethereal
ChampionThis card is a less extreme
version of Personal Incarnation that debuted in a set that much more
appreciated its talent.
The art is odd, yet somehow fitting. I think Ethereal
Champion will do well.
VOTE NOW!!! |
From Prophesy: Avatar of Hope, Avatar of Fury, Avatar of
Might, Avatar of Will, and Avatar of Woe!
 Avatar
of HopeFor this card we will be using the
most recent art (sorry, I know, I liked the old art too, but I have to set
standards), which is a little off.
This thing looks like it will give your kids and
younger siblings nightmares, more or less provide hope. Still, it's good
stats and abilities for a White card. Hopefully that will pick up the
slack.
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Avatar
of FuryAnother card with a questionable
art choice, but great abilities and stats for its color.
Gotta love all of the arms on this
dragon-like thing. ~Streetz~
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Avatar
of MightThis one actually has art that
somewhat fits. Like its brethren, it well represents its color.
This card has always been a favorite of mine, and I
hope it will do well.
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Avatar
of WillEven though it looks more like a
mermaid than a flying avatar, I still love the art on this guy.
I think he stands a chance.
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Avatar
of WoeOut of all the Prophesy avatars,
this is the one I doubt the most. When I think of Woe, I think of some
unimaginably nightmarish horror that once you have seen will never leave
your mind.
This art is just a woman with a staff.
Although, a very creepy looking
woman with a staff and bodies? in the background... ~Streetz~
VOTE NOW!!! |
From Onslaught: Doubtless One, Heedless One, Nameless One,
Reckless One, and Soulless One!
 Doubtless
OneArt is OK, but what makes this card
good is that it fits in very well with the Cleric theme of life gain.
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Heedless
OneThis card sets the bar for what we are
looking for. The art, the abilities, the theme, the name, all compliment
each other greatly on this card.
This card will definitely go far.
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Nameless
OneNot a fantastic card art and flavor
wise. The art is cool, but seeing a face on a water spout doesn't really
scream "avatar of all wizards" to me.
Furthermore, while Morph helps represent the set, it
doesn't represent wizards or avatars as a whole.
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Reckless
OneThis one has the potential to do much
better than the previous avatar. Its art is much more fitting, and lets
face it, goblins will be in style forever.
VOTE NOW!!! |
Soulless One
This art definitely screams "lord of the dead to me".
Deeply connected to Black's love of zombies and the graveyard, this is an
overall good card for this contest.
VOTE NOW!!! |
From Legions: Scion of Darkness!
Scion of Darkness
Probably the most well known (and feared) of all the
avatars, Scion of Darkness is a great card with awesome background art
(not to mention that ominous shadow).
The only thing against this guy is the fact that the
creature could have been slightly scarier, but this is for the most part
offset by the rest of the art. It's a great card, one that I expect
to see in the top ten.
VOTE NOW!!! |
From Ravnica: Excruciator and Scion of the Wild!
 Excruciator
Boring. This card's art is okay, but not great. As for
the rest of the card, it just doesn't have that pizzazz that comes with
the avatar name.
Don't bet on this card getting to the top ten.
VOTE NOW!!! |
 Scion
of the WildIn what little they show of
this avatar, it tells quite a tale. You can see in his face the primal
anger and rage that comes from people destroying his home.
This card goes very deep, and I very much want to see
it make top ten.
VOTE NOW!!! |
From Guildpact: Sanguine Praetor!
Sanguine Praetor
Like Excruciator, OK, but not great.
Psst... unused art from another
block maybe? ~Streetz~
VOTE NOW!!! |
From Dissension: Avatar of Discord!
Avatar of Discard
While I wanted cooler art, it well fits its flavor
text. This card is the perfect headpiece to any Rakdos based event.
This is an example of an OK card (in terms of art)
becoming great because of the location it was put in.
VOTE NOW!!! |
Finally, from Coldsnap, our newest avatar: Herald of
Leshrac!
Herald of Leshrac
This has some great art, but it doesn't give the
impression of it getting bigger as you control more lands. Of
course, how can you do that with card art?
It is dark and the art makes him look big and
powerful so that's a plus. Perhaps this will
go far...
VOTE NOW!!! |
Those with keen eyes might have noticed an odd fact; I only
mentioned 22 avatars! This is because the other two are honorary. The first is
Mistform Ultimus, and you can see why it would be a bit unfair to put him in
this contest. Don't worry Ultimus, we still love ya! Next up is Avatar of Me.
Avatar of Me might actually have done well in this contest, but alas, he is from
Unhinged, and I have to draw the line somewhere. Maybe in future pageants he
will get his chance to shine. Until then, these 22 are what you have to work
with.
"Hold on," you might say, "I was promised 24 avatars and I
want 24 avatars!" Fear not fellow patrons, we do have two more contestants.
Though they are not technically cards, they are avatars. Behold, the
token avatars; Marit Lage and Kaldra.
  Marit
Lage!This token lived up to its name. It
well represents a set based on bringing back the nostalgia of Ice Age
(Marit Lage was a prominent character in the Ice Age saga, and was sported
on multiple cards).
The art is fantastic and very provocative. This card
is great and goes well with the art and setting done for Dark Depths. This
old girl truly is a beauty (not in actuality of course).
VOTE NOW!!! |
Kaldra!
This token well represented (through it's multiple
equipments) the many features of Mirrodin. The art on each of the
equipment, especially the Helm of Kaldra, is fantastic. In this respect, I
was much disappointed by how the art turned out.
When I heard of this card, I expected a huge, armored
looking giant with fire all around him and the look of imminent doom.
Instead I get this translucent, blue specter like thing. What a let down.
Will it do well? I can't say, but I don't think so.
VOTE NOW!!! |
Both of these tokens will be judged alongside the card(s)
that creates them.
So now, without further ado, off to the votes! Remember, you
only get one vote, so be sure to make it count, and discuss with others before
deciding for maximum input. Who will make the top ten? Who will become "Avatar
Divine"?
To be honest, I have no clue, but I'm anxious to find out.
Good luck to all, and keep it beautiful! Remember that you are voting for
the art in relation to all other aspects of the cards. Go on...
VOTE HERE!
You can discuss this article in the MDV forums
here.
Articles
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The Games People Play - Tactical Magic.
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The Beginner’s Guide to Rogue
Druid Week Primer
Opting In: Ravnica
MDV Idol: Finale!
Avatar Week Primer
Delusions of Mediocrity: Getting Stuffy in Here.
Raiding Ravnica: Guildmages and You!
Lands-More than Mana: Part One
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