Derek (Mana Critics)
@manacritics.bsky.social
550 followers 1K following 310 posts
Magic the Gathering content creator (1/2 of Mana Critics on YT - Spike in draft, Vorthos everywhere else) musician (Longing for Orpheus [Chill Electronic], O’Malarkey [Irish Traditional]), musical theatre nerd, doomscroller
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At long last, the final volume of our deep dive into Fallen Empires is up!

TL;DR - This set was far better than it's reputation suggests - massive overprinting and a very long gap before the next set dropped unfairly damaged the reputation of an innovative, influential set.

By all means, @ me.
The Decline and Fall of Fallen Empires, Vol. VII - The Legacy
YouTube video by Mana Critics
youtu.be
At a ComicCon panel and someone ask Kristen Schall about potential crossover eps - and she basically said, crossovers suck, they obviate all the hard work creators to do make each setting unique.

My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
I met you briefly at MagicCon Atlanta. I will vouch.
My favorite cosplay at MagicCon Atlanta so far @tymhn.bsky.social
And thank all that’s holy you did
@mtgcritical.bsky.social said it best - I’m so mad that I’m gonna buy a bunch of this
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
I’m kind of a Universes Beyond hater, but this one’s exciting
J/k, Squirrel Girl crushed it
Out of everything shown from the next Marvel set, the preview panel audience was easily most excited about these villians 😅
The novel doesn’t replace the web-published stories, it’s in addition to 😄
Secrets of Strixhaven - theme is “the step right after college”, exploring some of the plane outside of the campus. But, new characters just arriving at the school, so I guess at least *some* of the set is still in Strixhaven. Also, we’re getting a new by *Seanen* ****ing McGuire!!!!1!
Llorwyn First Light - Llorwyn in DnD, coming out in late November, but sounds like it’s digital only? Hopefully this means juicy worldbuilding for us Vorthos’, though.
New “Draft Night” product, containing product for a 4-player pick-2 draft. “Curated for 4 or 8 player draft experience.” They say they’re planning to keep doing these for all sets going forward.
If I’d known this was what Atlanta was about, I would have brought Emrakul
Ozur made this song and let me help and then Ozur and @jettyfox.bsky.social made a video out of it and it’s so exciting and nerdy and I love it so much please watch it kthx
IT IS TIME

Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song

A love letter to my favorite plane of #MagictheGathering, #LorwynEclipsed that I am so excited we are returning to. I couldn't do this without @jettyfox.bsky.social, my kithkin wife, thank you for always being weird with me.

Long live Colfenor!
Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song and fan-film
YouTube video by RedOzur
youtu.be
We have both stared at it for a while, and have no ideas 😅. Pursued Whale got me stuck on Moby Dick, but…that’s not a song
I sang it at Andy when I played the card. He tolerated it.
I don’t often play red…but when I do, I’m absolutely running trash like Goblin Warrens. Bonus Zoyowa.
Doing nerd stuff for which I am underqualified
I really love how my eye is drawn to the big flower in the foreground, then (because it's out of focus) slides right to the sitting figure, and then I follow her gaze to the prone figure, and then I see what she's doing with her hands, and the flowers end up tying the whole thing together.
I've been out of touch - is the Vorthos community liking Through the Omen Paths?

I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
Have I accidentally become the bad guy from the first Care Bears movie?