Jamison Stone's Blog, page 7

August 9, 2021

The Sands of Madness - Your Hopes and Sanity Run Away

In the worlds of Dungeons and Dragons, there are many strange and wondrous magical items that an adventurer can come across. Some are classic, some are bizarre, and some are even cursed. Each can be used by Game Masters to advance their story, or more fun, bamboozle and trip up their players.

With magic items, I like to turn the familiar and shift its use. Paying for something with a coin that takes the item's value, but the coin returns to its owner will be pretty damning on the economy. On a similar axis, something that tells time that takes time away is a particularly fun and terrifying idea.

Sands of Madness

To the untrained eye, this hourglass looks like any other. It is a little over fifteen inches tall and is set in very dense, heavy glass. If dropped or thrown on the ground, the glass will not shatter, behaving more like metal. At any given moment, there may be no sand in it, or the sand is in either of the two chambers, floating suspended in nothing.

Sands of Delirium by Charles Urbach

A creature can attune to the Sands of Madness, thus making them and creatures they choose immune to its effects. For those who spend a period longer than 24 hours within 120 feet of the hourglass must make a DC 10 Saving throw. On a successful save, they're immune to the effects for the 24 hours, and the DC goes up by 1. On a failed save, the sand in the hourglass slowly begins to flow. They're afflicted with a permanent madness: 'I am convinced that my life will end when the sands run out.' The attuned creature can end this effect as an action.

The lustrous past of Sands of Madness features tyrants and heads of thieves' guilds using it to manipulate the viewers to bend to their will, fearing for their lives. An adventurer may arrive in the kingdom of a noble, beloved ruler driven mad with paranoia as their court advisor whispers encouraging words and turning the sands.

Now we want to hear from you. Where would you put Sands of Madness in your game? What other items have you dreamt up for your games? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , they write about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out themselves. On Youtube, they can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where they dwell by climbing their Linktree .

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Published on August 09, 2021 04:09

August 4, 2021

Wall of Limbs - When the Dead Gather in Pieces

The monsters and creatures of Dungeons and Dragons bring us the challenges our heroes crave and the flavour that makes your world feel all the better and more lived in. I talk often that inspiration for what to fill your game with is what keeps your games dynamic and exciting.

While trawling through some of the sources I go to a lot for inspiration, I found something very odd. The beauty of 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons means it's very easy to put that weird idea down into something you can use in your games.

The Wall of Limbs

In my own games, the topic of the undead is a fairly commonly talked about. They're rare but in the knowledge of most humanoid peoples in developed areas. Horror stories of mad mages raising the bodies of the dead to do their bidding will always be a threat for errant heroes. However there are places in my world where the undead spring up naturally.

They creep and Leap, Glide and SLide towards living Flesh - Wall of Limbs by Yeong-Hao Han

They creep and Leap, Glide and SLide towards living Flesh - Wall of Limbs by Yeong-Hao Han

From such undead wellsprings, often found in places of lots of natural decay, festering zombies will spontaneously animate and begin to move again. They do not always come back whole. Humanoid bodies that have gathered together in these fetid places often become more of an amalgam of parts opposed to a whole being.

The Wall of Limbs moves as far as the twisted body parts can convey them. The terror of the bogs moves with an undead desire for the living, as with a whole zombie's lust for death, but the lack of any senses or regard for its self makes the amalgam a particularly dangerous approach. The mixture of races and species' tangled in the wall of limbs can give the creature its texture. The differences in decay between the arms and legs are also give it that added layer of gross factor.

Creatures which live in the swamps and marshes where undead spontaneously appear treat these unliving wall of body parts as particularly bad omens. Some among them see these unnatural creatures as an opportunity to bend a dangerous creature to its servitude. Those with the ability to control the necromantic energy within such a creature can easily bend something this mindless to its will.

The Grab of Hundreds of Dead Hands

A creature like this will easily challenge a party not moving stealthy enough through the marsh land. The more interesting use for a Wall of Limbs is the ones who have it as a pet or servitor. Recoil in fear at a villain who is capable and has the mindset to make one of these its servant.

Wall of Limbs Stats Generated with Homebrewery

Wall of Limbs Stats Generated with Homebrewery

Now we want to hear from you. How would you challenge your players with a wall of limbs? Would the immense, lumbering form make your characters scared, repulsed, or curious? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , they write about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out themselves. On Youtube, they can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where they dwell by climbing their Linktree .

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Published on August 04, 2021 03:56

July 31, 2021

Gold Elementals - Clad in Creation

Elementals are easily among my favourite creatures in Dungeons and Dragons after the titular dragons themselves. I've covered the elemental type a great deal here on the Apotheosis Studios blog, because they continue to fascinate me as a creature type.

The final steps of its latest creation - golem by Svetlin Velinov

The final steps of its latest creation - golem by Svetlin Velinov

In alchemy, the fundamental metals have shaped the world in just an influential way as the pillar elements of air, earth, fire, and water. These metals are rare and valuable for those who use them in their magic. This leaves creative game masters like myself to wonder how best to adapt them to the wild and expansive worlds they weave. Constantly brewing monsters and spells will leave me on gold sooner or later.

Gold Elemental Golems

The true form of the gold elemental more closely resembles an ooze than a solid elemental creature. Gold elementals were aggressively hunted for their valuable bodies at the dawn of civilisation, even more aggressively than silver elementals. Unlike the silver elementals, who became more bestial and violent, gold elementals sought to preserve themselves, and use their combined abilities to craft and invent.

Gold has remarkable abilities in conduction of both heat and electricity. This is a knowledge that the gold elemental has used to their advantage for millennia. Gold elementals will travel far and wide to scavenge parts or trade pieces of itself for resources to build and to construct. As it forages, the gold elemental will seek to build itself a large suit powered by the static electricity in its body. Each gold elemental's suit is unique and different. Engineered from the pieces it was able to beg, barter, or steal.

Gold Elemental Golem Stats generated with homebrewery

Gold Elemental Golem Stats generated with homebrewery

Gold elementals have an immense lifespan. As long as they are able to retain electricity, they can perpetuate themselves. This makes them consistently eager to learn, grow, and gain understanding. Each gold elemental is a master artificer, but some specialise beyond that. Some become experts of history or a knowledgeable topic. While others can become masters of magic or science. The knowledge a gold elemental has is worth more than its own weight.

Build to Learn

The gold elemental has little intent on destruction. That would often lead to repercussions on it. Instead they usually lead sequestered lives of learning and building. They are quick to enlist the aid of adventurers for their ability to fetch it specific books or parts for a creative endeavour, in exchange for its services as a wise figure or a builder.

Now we want to hear from you. What wonders would gold elementals build in your setting? How would your characters react to an ooze piloting a mech? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , they write about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out themselves. On Youtube, they can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where they dwell by climbing their Linktree .

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Published on July 31, 2021 03:30

July 28, 2021

But Lands Have No Power - Review for 'Magic in the Forgotten Realms'

Just when you thought the there was no more One for All, one comes along very all of a sudden. Is it an obvious sponsor video, yes. Does it have the same level of care and immensely polished production value that we've come to expect from Deerstalker Productions? Also yes.

We've covered the immense and highly exciting Dungeons and Dragons themed Magic the Gathering cards at great length. The recent changes and attitudes held by those who produce and develop the cards has lead little old me into playing Magic less and less. This single drop of cards has sparked my love for the game so much. At the same time, the upcoming changes and new, digital cards coming to Magic Arena in a few short weeks.

For now, let's talk about how my new favourite indie film creators handled my old favourite card game. Watch it for yourself right here.

A deadly game of cards - image by Deerstalker Productions

A deadly game of cards - image by Deerstalker Productions

Magic For One

This episode features the ladies and the familiar villain from the Roll to Seduce episode. The battle of wits style of encounter is at play here. We don't get the classic chess or checkers one would have against Death, we instead get the most complicated game in human history.

It's incredibly satisfying to see Magic being played as a plot point in a high fantasy situation. All For One has towed the line between meta jokes and fast pace witty comedy in its storytelling.

It makes total sense that Nixie, a spell caster in the stories is the one that has the best skill in a game based around Magic. There's something incredibly satisfying, while watching or playing, to see an immense chain of plays happen concurrently. It's lead to some of the most memorable times I've had in Magic. I'm known as the monster who played Narset, Parter of Veils in response to a Hydroid Krasis. I do miss that Standard.

Deep in the strategy tank - image by Deerstalker Productions

Deep in the strategy tank - image by Deerstalker Productions

Magic For All

When a creative team this well trusted is sponsored in this way, it's satisfying to know that the big ups support creators like this to bring my two favourite games together just as well as Wizards did. I watch the sponsored content of only one other creator, cos they make their advertisements fun and a little scary. When it's done this well, how can I say no to my two favourite games coming together again in such a satisfying way.

Now we want to hear from you. HHH...? HHH...? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , they write about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out themselves. On Youtube, they can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where they dwell by climbing their Linktree .

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Published on July 28, 2021 03:56

July 24, 2021

Twist the Environment - Scapeshift in 'Dungeons and Dragons'

For Game Masters, inspiration is a key thing, that can sometimes be hard to find. When creating a new feature for your players to use. Finding hooks for their next quest can come from the next logical step, or just something inspired by something you watched or read. When making something new for your players to use, brewing something from the ground up can be a challenge.

Brewing is something I highly encourage all Game Masters to do. Even if you mostly run adventure modules. You get a better understanding of the rules and where they can be twisted to is you make your own stuff of varying power levels. To that end, I looked at one of my favourite things, Magic the Gathering and thought about how one of the most iconic spells in multiple ways of playing could be made in our favourite tabletop roleplaying game.

This is the second time I've done this. Check out the burning necromantic special here.

Shift the Landscape

Scapeshift has been a staple in weird land combo decks for as long as I can remember. The strange Morningtide Rare was reprinted into Standard a few years ago, doing precisely nothing except bringing the price down. Sacrificing land for another effect can be pretty powerful, and that's where it's seen most of its uses. But we're not talking about Magic right now.

Twisting an ocean into a forest - ‘scapeshift‘ by Daniel Ljunggren

Twisting an ocean into a forest - ‘scapeshift‘ by Daniel Ljunggren

The effect of turning any number of your lands into different lands is powerful and quite interesting to visualise. An immensely powerful transmutation could turn the landscape the players are on into something else very easily.

Ultimately when designing a new power, item, or spell, a brewing Game Master needs to think about where it can be useful. There may be advantages to turning a river arid and dry, or making a mountainous area flat to gain visibility over a battlefield. Warping the world so heavily that everything becomes an entirely different landscape will affect the land itself, as well as the weather.

The scapeshift spell generated with homebrewery

The scapeshift spell generated with homebrewery

One key difference between this spell in Magic the Gathering and what I'm imagining the Dungeons and Dragons equivalent will be is a subject of its permanence. The lands are there forever in Magic. My first thought for the D&D version is that the change is temporary. I much prefer the modal version of consequences, like Plant Growth. It's a powerful spell that can lead to many strange things happening.

Greater than Turning Leaves

This has been a fun experiment that I can see certain spellcasters I GM for. It can leave some interesting interactions and powerful stories for your high level nature mages.

Now we want to hear from you. Would you allow a spell like this into your games? What other sources of inspiration when building new materials for your games? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , they write about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out themselves. On Youtube, they can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where they dwell by climbing their Linktree .

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Published on July 24, 2021 06:20

July 21, 2021

The Villain Being Villainous - Review for 'Big Bad Evil Guy'

Endings are sad, but something that happens in every story. In a game of Dungeons and Dragons, stories end when the grand villain is revealed and the final battle takes place. In the hilarious season finale of All For One, we don't fight some final enemy. We fight the Big Bad Evil Guy.

This season closer has arguably some of the finest whiplash verbal comedy, and sudden turns for the hilarious, that I couldn't help but explode with laughter. The series could not have ended in a fitting or stronger way. Watch it for yourself right here.

The final battle has heated up for our heroes - image by deerstalker productions

The final battle has heated up for our heroes - image by deerstalker productions

No Ordinary Boss Battle

We have counted very well on All For One fitting their comedy around the known and loved tropes of our favoruite TTRPG. The episode opens with our heroes finding themselves in the middle of a ritual done by the eponymous BBEG. The trope of a big, but obviously evil guy, is common and beloved. I personally try to avoid these in my games, but they're fun, and sometimes necessary. The show does the wonderful job of subverting us, by playing it in the common way – that they're someone the party should know. Should being the operative word.

The one two punch of consecutive verbal jokes are my absolute favourite, probably in the entire series. I've never heard wizards and coast being worked in so naturally, then followed up by the fact the same actor plays the DM and most of the NPCs. We're treated to some of the finest comedy in the history of the show and I love it.

It's here at the season's end that we have to wonder why this journey feels so fun. It's all incredibly relatable according to each of our experiences playing TTRPGs. As a long term Game Master, I can truly relate to the frustrations and rage our DM character feels. The difference is to never feel such rage. Go along with the hi-jinks your players create. It will always make your games stronger.

End of Session - image by Deerstalker Productions

End of Session - image by Deerstalker Productions

Closing the Show

This marks the momentous end of a great third season. Though the story so far is concluded, the way ahead for them. The assistance of Screen Australia and their upcoming Kickstarter should secure a Season 4 just as soon as they can make it. We eagerly await the next load they seek to bring out, and will cover it very closely, along with retro reviews of their older episodes right here on the Apotheosis Studios blog.

Now we want to hear from you. Did you love the third season of All For One? What other DnD media like it should get this much love? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , they write about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out themselves. On Youtube, they can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where they dwell by climbing their Linktree .

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Published on July 21, 2021 07:30

July 16, 2021

Titles of the Future - The Latest 'Dungeons and Dragons' Releases Revealed

It may have come as a surprise for some to hear that a new title was being announced, but instead we got two! Sure enough, my ear is low to the ground and when a new D&D release is broadcast, I do what I can to find out more. And now you fine people can hear the news for yourself, that not one, but two book titles from Wizards were announced today. The next published adventure from Dungeons and Dragons will be titled The Wild Beyond the Witchlight, hitting shelves on September 21st. In addition, Fizban's Treasury of Dragons will be released October 19th.

I'm going to cover both in a brief but clear way right here, and both titles have me very excited. For more information, the links to Todd Kenreck's videos will be in down below.

A Carnival of Wonders

Now I personally do not subscribe much to published adventures. I love my world and setting dearly, and like to free form my games as much as possible. This supplement, based on the words of pillar of the community Todd Kenreck, offers stuff for players and DMs alike, as well as what appears to be a delightful, unique story for your players.

the witchlight Carnibal map - art by Stacey Allen and Will Doyle

the witchlight Carnibal map - art by Stacey Allen and Will Doyle

In essence, this adventure is set in a carnival in the familiar world of the fey. This part alone excites me immensely. We're bound to get extended rules and explanations on how to run games in this unique part of the D&D universe. The themes of chaos, whimsy, and faerie trickery are all abound in this offer. On top of this, we can expect to see the return of fan favourite characters from the most unlikely places in this adventure. Lead writer Chris Perkins made every effort to bring a true fey adventure real and exciting. Hear Todd’s thoughts on the adventure here and the page on the D&D site here.

Dragon Country

The sentence “a guide just about dragons” has me and my circle of players immensely excited. Fizban's Treasury of Dragons is the dragon sourcebook that all fans of the draconic will crave. We're being treated to a book, that's roughly one third monster blocks, including more breeds of true dragons. Gem dragons, as well as new colours and metals are incoming. On top of this, the new player options features fan favourite subclasses in Monk and Ranger from past Unearthed Arcana.

Even further still! The talk of putting many worlds together is highly sought after, with Elder Dragons and other worlds that predate the prime material all being discussed in this book. Todd has much to say about it on his channel here, and read more information on the D&D site here.

Fizban’s treasury of dragons cover art by Chris Rahn

Fizban’s treasury of dragons cover art by Chris Rahn

Fount of Power

Like a bus, good things come multiple times at once. We here at Apotheosis Studios know and love the mothership at Wizards, and eagerly await what these releases hold in store.

Now we want to hear from you. Will you be taking your players to a faerie carnival? Will the dragons inspire your next character? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , they write about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out themselves. On Youtube, they can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where they dwell by climbing their Linktree .

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Published on July 16, 2021 09:26

July 15, 2021

D&D's Magic Cards - Taking Full Command

In the worlds made by Wizards of the Coast, we can hope for cross overs between their two immense games. Unfortunately, Dungeons and Dragons and Magic the Gathering have been largely distinct and separate for the many decades of their existence. Until now!

Adventures in the Forgotten Realms brought us many classic D&D tropes, classic characters, and settings. I was fully prepared for the set to enter Standard, and it to become a slice of Magic history. But lo, there are always more cards to talk about. The Commander preconstructed decks are themed around the iconic setting for D&D, and bringing our favourite TTRPG to multiplayer Magic.

The preconstructed decks feature obscure but loved characters from that setting to Magic as the flagship commanders of each of the four decks. With too many other new cards to consider, let’s look at those commanders up close.

The Command Zone The wizard and warlock bring eldritch magic to… Magic.

The wizard and warlock bring eldritch magic to… Magic.

White, Blue, and Black in Magic is shorthanded to Esper. This Esper Commander really wants to grind levels and max out dungeons. I can see this being an interesting, alternate way to play reanimator, bringing powerful, immense creatures back from the dead. Cards like Fact or Fiction and Forbidden Alchemy allow you to go dungeon delving on other player’s turns. A very interesting, alternate way to play reanimator.

This Warlock sits in a very unique space. This could be one that draws me in as a Black/Red Control Commander, as he draws you cards with his Mystic Arcanum. The interesting part is the ramp, gaining extra mana from the cards he exiles is just the beginning. You generate Treasure from playing cards from exile, including effects like Suspend, Adventures, Madness, Foretell - the possibilities are endless, and that really excites me.

The Kindler of Hope is also the Kindler of Voltron. The Aura and Equipment deck is a classic in Commander and for those who enjoy Rafiq of the Many will enjoy this. It’s noteable that playing Sigarda’s Aid lets you play cards from the top at Flash speed for unexpected buffs. Sram, and Puresteel Paladin keep you in cards for equipment, while the many Enchantress effects also keep you flush with card advantage. Blue and Green gives you much in the way to defend your suited and booted board.

It’s time to go GRR. The Enrage trigger really makes me think back to Dinosaurs, but in any case, this acts for great flavour. A barbarian who’s rage and pain can call their dragon ancestors. Enabling it is fairly easy. New dice effects like Treasure Chest are an automatic inclusion. Other big Red and Green damage and combat effects are needed, and things that like summoning big creatures like Ogre Battledriver and Warstorm Surge.

Enter a combat encounter with ghost dragons and all your tricks of the trade.

Enter a combat encounter with ghost dragons and all your tricks of the trade.

Gathering Your Table

I love the flavour that four adventurers of different classes, which could make for a fascinating adventuring party take the helm in these Commander decks. The Warlock tempts me the most, with strange and dark Eldritch value. These decks are ready to go out the box, but feel even better when upgraded and tweaked with cards of your own.

Now we want to hear from you. Which commander interests you most? What would your character look like as a Magic card? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , they write about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out themselves. On Youtube, they can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where they dwell by climbing their Linktree .

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Published on July 15, 2021 04:57

July 7, 2021

You Must Repent - A Review for 'Lawful Good Paladin'

Creators have endless tracts of material to inspire their Dungeons and Dragons games. It's essential for game masters to find new beats to challenge their players with and exciting possibilities to explore the strange worlds they create. Even a DM who plays games from world books or written campaigns are encouraged to bring something new and exciting to the established adventure.

With all these stories in your games, it's no wonder that very powerful movie makers can take those stories to another form. We've been covering the YouTube Comedy series All For One by Deerstalker Productions. They turn the best of D&D's memes into comedy gold, and the latest episode is no different. Watch it for yourself right here!

our anti-heroes seem to be in a spot of bother - image by Deerstalker Productions

our anti-heroes seem to be in a spot of bother - image by Deerstalker Productions

The Good, The Bad, and The Lawful

The trope of the squeaky clean, Lawful Good Paladin is on trial here. Rather, she's putting the heroes on trial. It's not a secret that the adventurers in this series walk the path of the hyper destructive murder hobo that fills a lot of the game's discourse. The murder hobo trope is something I actively try to avoid in my games, by making sure the player's bonds are strong, that they're tied to a home base, and that law enforcement in the setting is actually competent.

As for the heroes in this slice of comedy gold, the Lawful Good Paladin is insisting they burn at the stake for their numerous misdeeds. It's not hard to see that they have transgressed greatly. The build up of more and more ridiculous crimes that the heroes are accused of is what adds further and further to the humour. I love this series, as in it's core, it gets down to old fashioned, farce comedy. It's hard to pull that off these days without cringing, but the charm of the production and the quality of the show to make it feel so very TTRPG makes it feel new.

I find it unexpectedly satisfying to see both Avandra and Andrius, the female warrior and the male bard, have their own romantic infatuation towards the dreamy paladin. Effortless and unapologetic queer representation is so important and something that I think the world needs more of. Of course, the rigid and devoted to justice paladin is committed to the cause of justice.

Lusting over the Paladin, Mostly - Image by Deerstalker Productions

Lusting over the Paladin, Mostly - Image by Deerstalker Productions

Awful Good

The tropes that a player can think of are endless, and it can truly lead to immense comedy. I can always count on Deerstalker Productions to do their best with such fond D&D memes. I'm sure that the series is starting to draw to a close, which makes things truly sad, but great things can't stick around forever. It makes it more special while they're here.

Now we want to hear from you. Have you caught the series, or Deerstalker Pics' other works? What other TTRPG live action shows should we turn our eyes to? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , he writes about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out himself. On Youtube, he can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where he dwells by climbing his Linktree .

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Published on July 07, 2021 06:46

July 4, 2021

D&D's Magic Cards - Legends and History Brought to Paper

In the past few days, we've seen an immense number of cards for the immense for the highly anticipated crossover between D&D and Magic. Adventures in the Forgotten Realms has become an ambitious in the history of Magic, bringing new effects into black border for the first time ever, as well as classic Dungeons and Dragons characters and tropes into the grand daddy of all card games.

The first time dice have been used in Magic, and I cannot think of better!

The first time dice have been used in Magic, and I cannot think of better!

There are far too many new cards to look at in one post to them all justice. The cards I'm focusing on are some of my personal favourites from a fancier of both games. Ones that may make splashes in one or more formats of Magic, or are particularly noteworthy for us D&D players.

In the Cards

Treasure Chest was the first card I saw with the dice rolling mechanics. Rolling dice has been something limited to the joke, silver bordered set. Rolling a 20 sided die is done immense numbers of times in your average Dungeons and Dragons game, and now it's here in your Magic. Critical Hit is such a fun card that can be recycled once in every twenty games. I know I am going to lose to it in Draft very soon.

Very dead, but slinging spells from beyond the grave

Very dead, but slinging spells from beyond the grave

Classic villain on a card

Classic villain on a card

In Magic, I absolutely love to play Blue/X spellslinger decks. Demilich is an unexpectedly versatile finisher for that brings repeatable spell value over and over again. I play a lot of Historic on Magic Arena, and I can foresee Demilich being incredibly powerful in decks that play Young Pyromancer, Arclight Phoenix, or Storm cards. I will definitely play this card.

I be-holding some truly classic representations of classic D&D monsters right here. A villain for many adventures set in this historic city, the immense cost (and surprisingly not flying) villain locks your opponent from doing anything on your turn. In Standard, if Blue/Black wants to have some manner of control or combo plays, they'll look to the head of this guild for protection and extra enemy cards.

More blinky goodness in the set printing and amazing promo printing of this card. I'm willing to look past why this iconic monster doesn't have Flying. As a Standard player, it's great to have Creature-Lands back. As a person who has an appreciation for art, the version that resembles a classic supplement book is an enlightened collection choice.

Same card - one is a traditional land, and looks like a classic adventure resource

Same card - one is a traditional land, and looks like a classic adventure resource

The Trick Deck

There have been many new cards coming to Magic, and the most competitive and flavourful cards I have seen from this expansion will be covered at length in the next article. These are a new class of cards, and a whole level ahead of anything else I've seen.

Now we want to hear from you. Which Adventures in the Forgotten Realms cards are you excited for? What other ? Let us know in our discord server or in the comments below.

Adam Ray contributes much for adventurers here on Apotheosis Studios. As co-founder of fantasticuniverses.com , he writes about card gaming and PC gaming to a corner of the internet he carved out himself. On Youtube, he can be found game mastering for No Ordinary Heroes , or editing the antics on The Hostile Atmosphere . Find where he dwells by climbing his Linktree .

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Published on July 04, 2021 04:05