Godis med posten

Vissa dagar är det lite roligare att få post än andra!

På onsdag speltestar vi lekarna med EDH-gänget. Återkommer med rapport! :)

Pauper i Kalmar behöver DIG!

Pauper i Kalmar har haft lite dålig uppslutning på sistone och med anledning av detta gav jag Martin Volmerson i uppdrag att göra följande fina bild.

Lyssna på Garruk och kom ner och spela Pauper på CSS! Nästa tillfälle är tisdagen 4/11 kl 18.

10 gissningar inför Commander 2014

Det är endast några veckor kvar till släppet av årets emotsedda EDH-produkt Commander 2014. Trots detta har det än så länge varit knapphändigt med information och endast tre kort har spoilats. Innan moderskeppet förstör mitt roliga genom sina preview-artiklar så vill jag utnyttja tillfället att spekulera och önska kring vad som komma skall.
Wizards har hittills varit väldigt träffsäkra när det kommer till att avgöra vilka gamla kort som är populära bland EDH-spelare och därmed är intressanta som reprints. Nu senast i Conspiracy fick vi exempelvis Pernicious Deed, Mana Geyser, Victimize, Dream Fracture och land cycling-killarna (Chartooth Cougar, etc). Detta tycker jag tyder på gott omdöme och därmed är mina förhoppningar ganska höga.

10. Aftershock
Skratta om ni vill, men den här sortens flexibilitet är ovärderlig i en monoröd EDH. Kortet fanns med i Vintage Masters, så nu saknar vi bara ett fysiskt reprint.

9. Fauna Shaman
Varken Survival of the Fittest eller Fauna Shaman har reprintats, och vilken som av dem hade givetvis passat som handen i handsken i en varelsebaserad, monogrön lek. Dock tror jag att Survival är lite för het och tippar därför på att shamanen kommer med istället.

8. Oversold Cemetery
Om spoilade Ghoulcaller Gisa nu är en ledtråd så kan vi förutsätta att den svarta leken är någon form av sacrifice/gravlek. Wizards har redan tagit tillbaka Phyrexian Reclamation i Commander 2013, vilket i stort sett lämnar oss med Oversold Cemetery och Tortured Existence. Jag håller tummarna för Cemetery!

7. Erratic Portal
Denna förbisedda artefakt gör ett hästjobb i EDH. Du kan studsa killar med etb-förmågor, rädda din general och tvinga motståndarna att hålla mana. Tyvärr finns kortet bara i sin originalutgåva i Exodus, och således tycker jag att det är hög tid för reprint. Kan vi få den fina nya illustrationen från Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013?

6. Dawn Charm
Inget skämt - detta är ett av mina absoluta favoritkort i formatet. Dawn Charm är en Fog, den räddar din bästa varelse eller kontrar något otäckt i stil med Cruel Ultimatum. Det är en spell du aldrig är ledsen att dra. Kom igen nu, Wizards, och hjälp nyare spelare att få upp ögonen för detta fantastiska kort!

5. Treachery
Bribery är troligen för dyr, men spelets bästa Control Magic kan vi väl få tillbaka i alla fall? Fler spelare behöver känna tillfredställelsen det innebär att stjäla det största hotet på brädet och i processen untappa några karoo-länder!

4. Cabal Coffers
Att den svarta leken kommer innehålla Coffers är det säkraste tipset inför Commander 2014.

3. Wheel of Fortune
Låt oss vara ärliga, det är bara EDH-spelare som bryr sig om Wheel of Fortune. Kortet spelas inte ens i det enda turneringsformat där det är legalt, men vill man ha en svartkantad finns den bara i Judge Rewards och Beta och kostar därefter. Ett återtryck kommer inte att göra någon ledsen, men förmodligen ganska många personer väldigt glada.

2. Hinder
Formatets mest relevanta kontring har efterapats med Spell Crumple i ursprungliga Commander, men aldrig återtryckts. Med tanke på att Wizards huserat över EDH-formatet sedan 2011 är det egentligen väldigt märkligt att vi ännu inte sett en reprint. Åtgärda detta nu!

1. Medallions
Gamla medallions från Tempest (Pearl Medallion, etc) med nya fina illustrationer av Daniel Ljunggren har figurerat i Duels of the Planeswalkers. Dessa känns verkligen uppenbara att plocka med i en produkt som består av fem enfärgade lekar, och jag både tror och hoppas på att vi får återse dessa kompisar från förr.

10/10 lär det knappast bli, men jag tycker ändå att mina gissningar är så pass välgrundade att jag bör kunna få några rätt. Snart får vi svaret!

Spekulationer kring Commander 2014

Det märks att jag inte riktigt hängt med i Magic-svängen under sommaren. Jag hade exempelvis inte läst Wizards announcement av Commander 2014 förrän idag. Att det skulle bli fem enfärgade lekar och att planeswalkern Teferi, Temporal Archmage även kommer kunna användas som general visste jag, men det var en sak jag hade missat. Det kommer totalt sett fem planeswalkers som kommer kunna användas som generaler, en i varje färg.
Kvar återstår frågan, vilka? Låt oss spekulera. Om jag minns min flavor rätt har Teferi förlorat sin spark, vilket innebär att denna produkt inte tar hänsyn till tidslinjen. Detta öppnar för alla möjliga intressanta möjligheter. Teferi är gammal i gamet - väljer Wizards även att plocka tillbaka gamla godingar som Jaya Ballard, Freyalise och Leshrac? Går de den fega vägen med elfte versionerna av Ajani och Garruk eller plockar de fram en cool doldis som Lord Windgrace?

21/11 får vi svaret. Casualhörnan håller tummarna för pantermannen!

The Pilgrim Challenge

Under sommaren har jag haft fullt upp med familj, arbete, studier och Xbox. Det har inte blivit mycket tid över för Magic, men några Conspiracy-drafter, en prerelease och x antal EDH-kvällar har det åtminstone blivit. Jag har dock varken haft utrymme eller sinnesfrid nog för att skriva på bloggen. I ett försök att kompensera för de senaste månadernas inaktivitet kommer i alla fall här ett inlägg om Pauper. Håll till godo!

Jag och min polare Joakim "Binkabi" Heining hade nyligen en diskussion om M15 i Pauper och vi var överens om att det borde gå att göra något intressant med Heliod's Pilgrim. Dock är det lätt att snacka, så jag utmanade Joakim på att bygga en lek kring kortet och spela den i Pauper-turneringen som skulle hållas 2/9 på CSS i Kalmar. Vi enades om följande kriterier:

• Leken var tvungen att innehålla fyra maindeckade pilgrimer.
• Leken fick inte vara av arketypen GW Hexproof. Detta är det mest uppenbara man kan göra med pilgrimen och ansågs därför som billigt.
• Leken fick maximalt innehålla fyra killar med förmågan hexproof.

Överambitiös som han tenderar att bli testade Joakim hela fyra olika lekar på Magic online innan han slutligen bestämde sig för Boros. Leken han dök upp med 2/9 var riktigt intressant - en rödvit aggro med grindpotential där pilgrimen används som enabler för en toolbox av mysiga auror.

Klassikern Empyrial Armor samsades här med nymodigheter som Inferno Fist och den synnerligen otrevliga klockan Curse of the Pierced Heart. Förutom auror och grindiga killar hade Joakim också valt att inkludera formatets bästa brännspells.

Som förväntat hade Joakim konstruerat en stabil och flexibel lek. Något jag dock tyckte var lite förvånande var förekomsten av gamla reliker som just Empyrial Armor och Mistmoon Griffin. Joakim började spela Magic för drygt tre år sedan och jag hade nog inte förväntat mig att han skulle känna till dessa kort. När jag sedan upptäckte att de finns med i Vintage Masters trillade polletten dock ner...

Joakim gick 3-1 och slutade delad 3-4 efter vinst mot Tron, GW Tokens och GW Heroic och förlust mot ännu en Tron.

Joakim Heining - Boros Pilgrim

Varelser (19)
1 Auramancer
3 Aven Riftwatcher
4 Doomed Traveler
4 Heliod's Pilgrim
3 Mistmoon Griffin
4 Squadron Hawk

Övriga spells (21)
1 Bonds of Faith
1 Celestial Flare
4 Chain Lightning
2 Curse of the Pierced Heart
1 Empyrial Armor
1 Faith's Fetters
2 Inferno Fist
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Renewed Faith
3 Staggershock

Länder (20)
3 Boros Guildgate
7 Mountain
10 Plains

Sideboard
2 Celestial Flare
2 Circle of Protection: Red
2 Electrickery
2 Kor Sanctifiers
3 Molten Rain
3 Pyroblast
1 Serrated Arrows

Till skillnad från Joakim, som hittade på en helt ny lek, tog jag en befintlig lektyp och modifierade den efter pilgrimen. Domain är en lek som jag spelat en del i Pauper och känner mig hyfsat hemna med. Eftersom den normalt sett redan har 8 auror i main var det ganska lätt att bara slamma fyra pilgrimer och sedan anpassa lite.

Armadillo Cloak är en av formatets bästa auror. Tidigare har den fått nöja sig med att ligga i brädan, men med fyra veritabla tutors i leken var den given att maindecka. Urstarka Elephant Guide har nyligen blivit legal via Vintage Masters och letade sig även den in i leken som ett enstaka exemplar.
På varelsesidan passade jag på att lägga in Aura Gnarlids, balanserade jämt mot antalet Matca Rioters för att kunna utvärdera kortens spelbarhet gentemot varandra.

Inför turneringen kände jag mig riktigt nöjd med leken. Domain är en av mina favoritlekar i formatet, men online tycker jag alltid att den präglats av en del ganska slumpmässiga creature-val. Jag tycker att min lista bevarar lekens styrkor samtidigt som den via pilgrimen kan fixa manan, skaffa offensiv edge eller i värsta fall bara hämta en cantrip.

Jag gick 3-1 efter vinst mot GW Heroic, UG Infect och gravkombo, samt förlust mot netdeckad Delver enligt standardformulär 1A i sista omgången.

August Undin - Pilgrim Domain

Varelser (18)
3 Aura Gnarlid
4 Heliod's Pilgrim
2 Kor Skyfisher
3 Matca Rioters
2 Qasali Pridemage
4 Wild Nacatl

Övriga spells (22)
4 Abundant Growth
1 Armadillo Cloak
2 Brainstorm
1 Elephant Guide
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Nylea's Presence
4 Tribal Flames
2 Unearth

Länder (20)
4 Evolving Wilds
8 Forest
1 Island
1 Mountain
1 Plains
1 Swamp
4 Terramorphic Expanse

Sideboard
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Armadillo Cloak
2 Doom Blade
2 Electrickery
2 Gorilla Shaman
3 Pyroblast
1 Ray of Revelation
1 Relic of Progenitus
2 Wandering Stream

Både jag och Joakim lyckades ganska bra resultatmässigt, men vilken lek föredrar ni?

Interview with John Avon

Well guys, here it is, my interview with the great John Avon. Due to John's health condition, he doesn't usually do interviews anymore, so this is truly an exclusive. I really hope you'll enjoy it! :)

The official Swedish version is found on www.svenskamagic.com .

INTERVIEW WITH JOHN AVON

August: Hello, John. On behalf of the Scandinavian Magic the Gathering community I'd like to thank you for this opportunity. Your art is very popular over here and it is indeed an honor!

John Avon: I am honored that my work is popular. :)

Au: We are very familiar with your art and name, but how would you choose to present yourself? Who is John Avon?

JA: I am just a normal person, who happens to do a rather unusual job. I am a 'working' artist, who needs to support a family that includes two teenage sons. For me, my typical day does certainly include trying to produce another painting, to a high standard, but also the need to earn enough to pay for our house and living needs. I think sometimes people have a romantic notion of artists who just live to work. This will be true for some, but in my world, yes the artwork is very important, but I also need to keep another eye on all the other aspects of being a human being. Only in recent years have I been able to earn a decent amount from my art as fees can often be quite low. Also my technique is very detailed, so each painting takes a long time!
For most of my life, I have had the health condition Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (basically I am tired much of the day) and my immune system is not quite as good as it might be! However I have had huge amounts of determination and just keep going! As I accept what I have, it has been my greatest teacher and I have learned so much about health and psychology, simply as I had no choice. So much of my day is also about trying to pace myself and keep an eye on stress.

Au: When I wrote the questions for this interview, I wasn't aware of your health condition. Suddenly I see your career and extensive body of work in a whole new light. I find your story truly inspiring! It's comforting that one could face such challenges and still succeed.

JA: I have recently been very honest about my health problems and moved more from seeing it as 'wrong' to 'acceptance of what is' and trying to work with what I have as opposed to what I have not. We live in a compare and contrast world where men need to be big and strong. I am big and tired, so it's easy for me to be ashamed. BUT, and this is a HUGE 'but', as I have achieved so much in my life, I have noticed over the years that people find me inspiring. I now see that it is because I just 'keep going' and any kind of 'giving up' is not an option. As by 'working' and in my case 'creating' you heal anyway. Though it is great to achieve and I am lucky to have done what I have done, it is the life lessons you learn on the way, that you can share with others- these are the most satisfying. For everyone has some form of suffering in their lives and we all have a choice to grow or sink. I have had times when I can't bare how I physically feel but I have always come back stronger and wiser. Then I can help others even more- as I have been there myself.

Au: I find it very admirable how openly you talk about this. Thank you for sharing that with us.

Let's start at the beginning. Like most other children you drew and painted, but somehow you moved on to become a professional artist. In the biography on your website, you describe the support you had from adults in your life. How important is the support of parents, teachers and the like to the creativity of a child?

JA: My parents always encouraged me to do what was right- for ‘me’, as opposed to naturally assuming I would follow my dad and his building company. I was lucky, as being a very creative child, though this was the early 60s, I was largely left to my own thing. Even when playing in rock bands, my dad would lend me his van and they would come to my gigs (even if it was way too loud for them). Basically my parents always showed interest in my art and have been proud all along the way. Though my dad has been dead for many years, I know he would be very proud at the recent success of my book campaign on Kickstarter “Journeys To Somewhere Else” celebrating 30 years of my artwork. They certainly gave me the wings to fly! I have also had the good fortune of great art teachers, who were very positive and inspiring- helping me through so much early doubt and insecurity.

Au: Your Kickstarter campaign exceeded it's goal by 66 000 pounds. A huge success, wouldn't you say?

JA: The Kickstarter campaign for my book was an amazing and equally exhausting experience. I only could have done this with my incredible friend and agent Guy Coulson. It is every artist's dream to have a collected works book and it will be so incredible to share 30 years of my art. For me it will be the closing of a chapter in my life, as another one opens. I feel the best is still to come and I look forward to the next 30 years. :)

Au: So do I!

Recently, the final chapter in another book ended, as the world saw the passing of H.R. Giger. As a fantasy artist, what's your view of his work?

JA: I love Giger! Got his first art book about the drawings from Alien and a real inspiration. I love his sense of threat and danger, but beauty and classical form. Ok, some of the symbolism is rather odd, but a great man.

Au: Early in your career, you painted book covers for world famous authors such as Terry Pratchett and Stephen King. Can you tell us more about these particular commissions?

JA: When I got the call to illustrate Terry Pratchett, I had not even heard of him! My friends seemed very impressed, but to me it was just another job- I just got paid a tiny bit more. Illustrating for Stephen King and Arthur C. Clarke, was VERY exciting as I was a big fan of both authors. It was also terrifying as suddenly the pressure was even higher to perform ‘even higher’. For me, the more successful I have become, the more expectation has risen, and it’s tough to work in your top 5% of ability. They say, your only as good as your last job, and in many ways it’s true. To this day, I am always afraid of failure and am driven to push even harder- rather a challenge with my health being not ideal. :/

Au: When I started playing Magic back in 1994, the artwork was what caught my attention. Through the last 20 years, Magic has become huge and it now has millions of players across the world. The game mechanics obviously have a great part in this, but do you think the artwork has played an important role in Magic's success?

JA: Yes 100% the artwork for Magic is very very important. Even players who are not interested in the art, will be affected on a sub-concious level. Having attractive exciting imagery on anything, just helps you to feel good. And if you feel good you are happier. For me Magic the Gathering has been “magic” as it’s been steady work for over 18 years (very rare in my world) and made me so many friends. Really amazing!

Au: Since Mirage, you've done about 350 cards. This does not only make you the most productive MtG artist alongside Kev Walker, but also means you've had a long and prosperous collaboration with Wizards of the Coast. Like you said, you've been working with the game for over 18 years. How would you describe your relationship with Magic?

JA: My relationship with MtG has always been based on being professional and doing what is needed of me. I see my role as an illustrator as a ‘problem solver’ to my clients. My skills are ‘used’ and as a commercial artist, I give the clients what they need- with minimum amounts of fuss and always on time. So it's all about being professional and easy to work with. There will be 1000’s of artists who will be technically better than me or more creative, however it is also your ability to ‘deliver on time’ or you just won't be used again.

Au: That's very humble of you. :)

You've done more land cards than any other MtG artist and I think most players associate your name with atmospheric environments, bathing in light. When did you start painting environments? Do you consider environments to be your greatest strength?

JA: When Sue-Anne Harkey (the art director at the time) came to England to recruit some new artists, I had done wall to wall book covers of faces and figures. She simply asked what I would like to do, so I just said ‘errr landscapes?’ and that then set the mould for years to come. Also I can lose myself in a landscape and it’s more involving for me. Regarding lighting- this is the key to get mood. Some artists rely on detail, I rely on lighting and over years just learned more about how to do this!

Au: Some land cards, such as Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth and the Unhinged basic land cards, are very popular among players. Do you have any favorites among the land cards you've done?

JA: I always say “Return to Ravnica Forest” or really any of the Ravnica art. Buildings are very tough to get right- all that perspective is a nightmare, but I trained in architecture, so luckily its an area I understand.

Au: To be honest - up until now, I've never REALLY looked at that Forest. When I think about it though, that tranquil garden and skyline obscured by a green mist pierced by yellow light is quite representative of your work with Magic.

To me, the aforementioned light is a key element in your paintings. How do you consider the function of light in your art?

JA: Well- Light = the sun = life!

Au: Why is Mirrodin your favorite expansion?

JA: Actually Mirrodin was a dream, less hard than Ravnica, but it was just down to the fluid nature of the marks. If you look at my Mirrodin trees for example, the shapes are very fluid and organic. This made it easier for me to draw, meaning easier to invent. I just love getting lost with my pencil and making organic marks!

Au: Question from my wife "Aside from the various worlds of Magic, what fantasy world would you most likely be a resident of?"

JA: Put me on a spaceship like ‘The Enterprise’ in Star Trek, for an evening, and I will be a happy man.

Au: You have described music as your greatest hobby, and apart from being a renowned fantasy artist, you also write music. What kind(s) of music do you play?

JA: I grew up playing rock and blues guitar. My heroes were Gary Moore, Santana and David Gilmore. But I never played covers, always wrote my own music and had a fountain of ideas always zooming through my head. Like all teenage kids, I wanted to be a rock star and though at college I played in a great pro-rock band, I just did not have the energy to do both. I still look back on my days doing gig’s as very exciting and being onstage with you mates was a real buzz! These days I mostly record ambient sound track music and use keyboards, with the odd guitar bit. Just wish I had more damn time!

Au: Don't we all!

To me, all creative disciplines are connected somehow. Do you experience any connection between your art and your music?

JA: Certainly. Art and music all come from the same source. And actually music moves me in ways art never does, as it seems to connect with my emotions in a far deeper way. Yes I love art, but music always goes far far deeper and I always love discovering new bands or composers.

Au: Music is extremely important to me too.
Thank you so much for the interview, John. We'll be looking forward to those next 30 years!

***

I invited a couple of John's colleagues to share their thoughts on John and his work, and they certainly had some great things to say!

Peter Mohrbacher:

John's been a great inspiration over the years. I feel like the attention he's put into his body of work has set the bar for a lot of Magic artists, myself included. The careful balance of elements and colors he's put into his compositions have created something to aspire to. His paintings feel like complete, real worlds and that's something I hope to achieve with my own work someday.

Adam Paquette:

One of the best things about going as a guest to Magic events when you are a ‘land card artist’ is the inevitable comment from a player: “I love this card you did! It’s almost as good as a John Avon!”. No doubt I will continue to hear this for many years into the future, as illustrators like John possess those qualities of consistency and perseverence that elevate their work to notoriety, and enable it to continue evolving and improving indefinitely. When John transitioned from traditional to digital media, and embraced it, he was an inspiration to a generation of younger illustrators yet to feel validated in pursuing such a precocious young painting medium. His work continues to grow and flourish, and his popularity amongst the players is legendary. I’m grateful to follow in the footsteps of such a great artist, and I hope that the paths he paints through mountains and plains, torturous valleys and verdant forests - join up with mine somewhere along the way, and mine to the illustrators that are just beginning their own journey, in a long and unbroken trail of inspiration from horizon to endless horizon. Thanks for blazing the trail, John!

***

Special thanks to Adam and Peter for their contributions, and a very special thanks to Cate Coggins, for being generally awesome. :)

Diffust tema i nästa block

Idag tillkännagav Wizards att höstens nya set blir Khans of Tarkir. Det bär av till planeswalkern Sarkhan Vols hemvärld, en ogästvänlig plats där krigsherrar styr och drakarna är utdöda. Av de två illustrationer som visats upp såhär långt har Tarkir ett mongoliskt tema.

Khans of Tarkir är skapat av samma team som gjorde Innistrad och Theros, och vi kan alltså förvänta oss ett block där flavorn prioriterats. Mongoler är dock ett tema som inte alls har samma populärkulturella anknytning som gotisk skräck eller grekisk mytologi, och jag vet inte riktigt vad jag ska tro. Vi får snällt vänta till setet släpps i slutet av september, och jag lämnar därmed över ordet till Christer Sjögren.