#beanstalk wurm

[almostlookedhuman]

[lovemoroporo]

dnd comm w/ character art, discord banner, and pfps for the sword gworls!! 💚❤️🩵

⭐ kofi | comms | inprnt ⭐

[ttrpg-smash-pass-vs]

INTERMISSION TIME

It's my birthday, and some of y'all have waited too long for the monstrous compendiums, so I've decided we're talking a moment to go through them. The ones that fit in the rules at least, pour one out for the Beanstalk Wurm. Also not touching the Faerie Pest, they are explicitly stated to look like children and I'm not having the 1000 year old loli conversation here. do not do that to me on my birthday.

[markrosewater]

Maro’s Teaser for Wilds of Eldraine

Before previews for Wilds of Eldraine officially begin, I thought it would be fun to do another of my Duelist-style teasers where I give tiny hints of things to come. Note that I’m only giving you partial information. 

 First up, here are some things you can expect: 

 • a new type of token (at least done as a cohesive theme)

• a card that can activate to copy enchantments

• Adventures on a new permanent type

• an artifact that has two different artifact subtypes normally associated with artifact tokens

• a creature type from Alpha gets a draft archetype

• fairy tale Sagas

• multiple legendary Foods

• a new card with a lobotomy effect

• a creature with two triggers, one for artifacts entering the battlefield and one for enchantments

• a new mechanic that batches together three items that have been in the game since Alpha but never batched before

 Next, here are some rules text that will be showing up on cards: 

 • “If a permanent entering the battlefield causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time.”

• “Look at the top twenty cards of your library.”

• “it produces three times as much of that mana instead.”

• “Sacrifice all Reflections you control.”

• “Creatures you control with +1/+1 counters on them have all activated abilities of all creature cards exiled with CARDNAME.”

• “have base power and toughness 4/4 and flying.”

• “exile up to one other non-Fox creature”

• “Land creatures you control”

• “Whenever you tap an untapped creature an opponent controls,”

• “X is 2 plus the number of cards in your graveyard that are instant cards, sorcery cards, and/or have an Adventure.”

 Here are some creature type lines from the set:

 • Creature – Mouse

• Creature – Rabbit Unicorn

• Creature – Faerie Shapeshifter

• Creature – Elf Fox Knight

• Creature – Giant Archer

• Creature – Plant Wurm

• Creature – Elemental Raccoon

• Legendary Creature – Rat Noble

• Legendary Creature – Vedalken Scout

• Legendary Creature – Human Warlock Bard

 Finally, here are some names in the set:

 • Candy Grapple

• Charming Scoundrel

• Food Fight

• Protective Parents

• Scream Puff

• Stroke of Midnight

• A Tale for the Ages

• Three Blind Mice

• Three Bowls of Porridge

• Up the Beanstalk

 Kickoff the preview season for Wilds of Eldraine with the debut on August 15th, at 10:00 AM PT on twitch.tv/Magic and our official YouTube channel. Catch up with our web fiction before the debut August 8th – 14th.

[adarkrainbow]

Some of the concept art for Wilds of Eldraine

Taken from this page.

Will Kenrith, the heir to the throne of Eldraine’s human kingdoms and ex-planeswalker, goes to war for the sake of his people against the witches of the wilds and his twin sister, Rowan. -Concept art by Magali Villeneuve.

“A few weeks after the end of the Eldraine 3 week session, I'm receiving another email from Andrew, asking me to work on Will Kenrith's new appearance for the coming set. The whole point was to design his king outfit. Also, the character lost his right leg facing the Blood Avatar, and that was a big part of the challenge in this design.

We don't go and work on such concepts "just like that". For Will, we received some help from a disability consultant regarding the prosthetics. There was a subtle balance to be found between making the prosthetic look believable, while still from a Fantasy world, but not thoughtlessly "cool" or "cyborg-like". We wanted Will to look strong, and still make his disability clear. So some realism was very necessary. For example, that's why you can see some bandage around his knee, to protect his stump. I imagined he would go and accept it as fully part of himself by doing the same on his other knee, as if his prosthetic was another type of leg armour for him.

As you can see, the general structure of the prosthetic is very real-life like. The fantasy element comes from the ice that Will build around it for extra protection during a fight. I added some delicate engraving, but didn't go too crazy. Again, it is a practical element, not an ornament.

The intent for the rest of the costume is pretty obvious : the "cold" motif was to be everywhere. You can see it as icicles on his shoulder, crown and forearms of course, but also as snowflakes patterns on the fabric parts. I had a lot of fun trying to find the good mix between the King and the Fighter. I grew very attached to Will through this visual development. It happens all the time! ^^I strongly believe a good design also comes from a good connexion with a character's personality and life.”

Edgewall & Human Characters

With humans being driven out of the five kingdoms of the realms in droves by the Phyrexian invasion, humanity finds itself face-to-face with the mysterious and unknown wilds on the edge of their civilization. Simple towns on the outskirts of the Realm already housed adventurous and hardy humans who welcomed the refugees, and some, like the rat-charmer Totentanz, took advantage of the chaos.

Totentanz, the Swarm Piper, a character based off of the real-world folklore of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, - Concept art by Jesper Ejsing

Totentanz charms rats and humans alike - Concept art by Jesper Ejsing

Wayward Knight, who has moss and flowers sprout wherever he steps. The basis of the card “Woodland Acolyte” - Concept art by Steve Prescott

“Herbalist potion maker” - Concept art by Steve Prescott

“Wilds-Enhanced” Robin-Hood type rogue character - Concept art by Steve Prescott

The Kingdom of Storms

An enormous kingdom of storm giants in the skies high above Eldraine’s Wilds, built upon islands of magical clouds. Only reachable by climbing enormous beanstalks known as “Everstalks.” Populated by other giant creatures, such as tempest harts, beanstalk wurms, and the Goose Mother. The capital, Stormkeld, is ruled by the storm giant Beluna.

The Kingdom of Storms, concept art from the Wilds of Eldraine world guide

Storm Giant Tower, concept art by Jehan Choo

Tuinvale, Court of the Fae

Home to Eldraine’s High Fae within the wilds, Tuinvale is a city of shimmering, translucent architecture made of gossomar glamors mixed with hewed stone and the forest itself. The lord of Tuinvale, Talion, presides from a perfumed throne-room in the center of the court, surrounded by twisted trees.

Fae Court, early study, concept art by Jehan Choo

A human adventurer entering Tuinvale, concept by Jose Vega

Studies of how different basic land types could be depicted in Tuinvale. Concept by Jose Vega

Dunbarrow & the Witches of the wilds

A misty land near to edgewall, and home to the powerful witch Agatha as well as other spellcasters and giant spiders, Dunbarrow and the surrounding area is home to all manner of wicked things. It was said the wildlife around Dunbarrow was twisted by Agatha’s magic and even friendly herbivores gained a taste for human flesh due to her influence. Agatha’s sister, the powerful witch Eriette, has left her home in Dunbarrow and now sits on the throne of Ardenvale Castle,

The witch Eriette casting the Wicked Slumber with her enchanted apple as she sits upon the throne of the overrun Ardenvale - Concept art by Magali Villeneuve.

Dunbarrow Witch’s Cottage studies & designs - Concept by Jose Vega

Witches & Warlocks of the Eldraine Wilds - Concept art by Magali Villeneuve.

The noblewoman Neva, an analogue for Sleeping Beauty, is placed within a Glass Casket to preserve her while she succumbs to the Wicked Slumber. Concept art by Magali Villeneuve.

The noblewoman Neva - Concept art by Magali Villeneuve.

Hylda’s Castle, Winter’s Home

The domain of the powerful ice-witch Hylda, her palace of ice known as Winter’s Home. Winter’s Home’s main tower stands on a rocky cliff that overlooks the loch, and glittering ice-towers stand guard around her domain.

“Winter’s Seat”, Hyldra’s Ice Castle. Concept art by Jehan Choo

Tundra Elk, beats of burden for crossing Hylda’s Domain. Art by Jehan Choo

The Rest of the Wilds

With Redtooth elves and were-foxes running around, the depths of Eldraine’s Wilds have an immense amount of lore and depth to discover.

Redtooth Elves/Werewfox Elves - Concept art by Magali Villeneuve.

“Werefoxes were part of the Beauty and the Beast archetype. There was no way I would leave that part of the push unexplored. Turns out my version of these very peculiar elves remained as the official one in the end. They allowed everything I like to do : working on strong silhouettes, mixing organic textures into a coherent ensemble. Look closely : not one piece of fabric involved. Only leaves, flower petals, wood, vegetal braiding, a touch of leather. I wanted them to feel like an autumn forest. The funniest part was definitely to show clearly their inner fox nature. It is especially obvious with the concept on the right, where it takes a second look to make sure whether we're looking at a humanoid's face or not.”

“Into the wilds” - Concept by Jose Vega

Wilds of Eldraine environment - Concept by Jose Vega

Wilds of Eldraine environment - Concept by Jose Vega

“Boundary Land” studies of the different land types in Magic and where they meet in the Wilds of Eldraine - Concepts by Jose Vega

[aflo]

here's two ramp pieces that could show up in the new temur clover deck, but i'm not betting too highly on either of them. Beanstalk Wurm is great until you run out of cards in hand, maybe it can show up if lists hold on to Escape to the Wilds over the new card Beluna. and Bramble Familiar is fine on the front half but Fetch Quest just doesn't seem like an effect that the list is interested in.

[i-am-nickelbolt]

Bronze to Mythic: Wilds of Eldraine, draft #9

Not getting 7 wins with this deck hurt my soul.

Pack 1, pick 1 Specter of Mortality. Always nice to start with a busted rare! Pick 2 Tough Cookie over Faerie Fencing and Utopia Sprawl. Pick 3 slam Agatha's Champion. Pick 4 Brave the Wilds over Cut In. Pick 5 Hatching Plans, we are doing it! Pick 6 Sweettooth Witch over Frolicking Familiar. Pick 7 The Princess Takes Flight. Pick 8 Candy Trail over Quick Study, Edgewall Pack, and Tenacious Tomeseeker. None of these cards are likely to make my deck but I think I should have taken the Tomeseeker because I should eventually have some Candy Grapples to rebuy. Pick 9 Return to the Wilds over Hollow Scavenger, which ended up being kind of a bad pick as I got another Return 13th pick. I am *loving* my deck right now. It's everything I ever want to do!

Pack 2, pick 1 was the saddest Prophetic Prism of all time. Howling Galefang I just don't think is a card you want in your 5 color value decks. Pick 2 Candy Grapple over Hamlet Glutton (why couldn't one of these have been in pack 1??) Pick 3 easy Torch the Tower. Pick 4 The Witch's Vanity over Werefox Bodyguard. I am splashing white but WW is too hard on the mana. Pick 5 Torch the Tower over The Princess Takes Flight. This is where I'm regretting not picking up Tenacious Tomeseeker. Pick 6 The Witch's Vanity over Frolicking Familiar. Pick 7 Return to the Wilds over Cooped Up, which I think was a mistake as I'm unlikely to play a third Return. The rest of the pack was pretty awful for me, but I did get a Johann's Stopgap, Ice Out, Living Lectern, and Aquatic Alchemist which are all potentially playable in a heavier blue build.

Pack 3, pick 1 Candy Grapple. Pick 2 Spellscorn Coven. Pick 3 pretty easy Hamlet Glutton over Up the Beanstalk. I really need good creatures at this point. Pick 4 was just a brick with Beanstalk Wurm, which again, isn't the type of creature you want in a value deck. Pick 5 Tough Cookie, what a gift! And a pick 8 Welcome to Sweettooth! A Royal Treatment on the wheel helped quite a bit, as I don't have very many creatures and the ones I have are really high value. If Tough Cookie doesn't die, it just dominates games.

I really liked this deck, but it really needed some more card draw to pull the room together. Outside of Hatching Plans, I don't really have a good way to reload. That ended up being my downfall in two of the games I lost, I just ran out of gas and my opponents drew more spells than I did.

This was also not the greatest Specter of Mortality deck, and that was my downfall in game 3 (outside of keeping 4 lands and 3 good spells then drawing five land and 1 spell, but if I had any gas for Specter I would have been in it.)

Going 5-0 with none of those games being even remotely close, only to finish out 6-3 kind of hurt. I don't want it to sound like I'm telling you my bad beat stories, I certainly made some bone-headed play mistakes in those games. I'm more saying my deck had a couple of weaknesses despite being obscenely powerful if I drew my cards in the right order.

[thecommandertable]

Wilds of Eldraine - in the 99 of Artisan Decks: Part 2 of 2

Find Part 1 here!

Red

This card screams 'Zada'-- that deck is very good at drawing lots of cards and making lots of creatures, and any card that can draw a bunch of cards while also generating mana has the potential to turn the dial up to 11. The only speedbump here is that the vast majority of creature tokens that Zada decks create only have 1 toughness, so we have to do something to protect them before we can start flicking coins. Kick in the Door and Blazing Crescendo give them some extra toughness, as well as the new cards Monstrous Rage and Witch's Mark. Otherworldly Outburst lets you upgrade your creatures when they die. And once we've got those cards, we might as well run Spawning Breath, too.

A Trumpet Blast with a dual role in aristocrats decks? That seems pretty good.

Hearth Elemental takes some maneuvering to get maximum value from it, but if you do, it's essentially a 3-mana 3/4 that draws you two cards; if you cast Stoke Genius and don't have any cards left in hand, you don't have to discard anything and you draw 2, then, if you have enough of the appropriate cards in your graveyard, you can cast the creature half for a single red mana.

If your red voltron deck can make good use of the adventure half of Two-Headed Hunter, Twice the Rage, adding the option of getting a 5/4 menace creature for 5 mana afterwards is nothing to scoff at. For example, I recently played against a Mr. Orfeo, the Boulder deck that this giant would probably feel at home in.

Unruly Catapult is the latest in a line of creatures that tap to deal 1 damage to each opponent and becomes untapped when you cast a certain type of spell. They are underwhelming on their lonesome, but can enable some very powerful things. In a Malcolm, Keen-Eyed Navigator and/or Breeches, Brazen Plunderer deck, if you change the Catapult from a Construct into a Pirate (with something like Amoeboid Changeling), you get three treasures and/or impulse draw from each of your opponents' libraries. You can also pair it with a Curiosity effect to draw three cards for every activation.

Green

There are a number of big green creatures that can help you ramp early in the game if you need them to, but they're all 6-mana or greater: Krosan Tusker, Shefet Monitor, Greater Tanuki, Beanstalk Giant, etc. Explore-type effects are generally less reliable than Rampant Growth-type effects, but Beanstalk Wurm's unique spot on the curve might get it into some decks. Having reach is another big point in its favor as green ramp decks often have a difficult time defending themselves against fliers.

When I gave my first impression of Greta, Sweettooth Scourge, I wrote that "I expect the deck to be functional, but not especially powerful unless we get some exceptional food payoffs at common/uncommon". Well, this is an exceptional food payoff at uncommon. This will be the card that food decks will want to draw the most; having Night of the Sweets' Revenge on the battlefield will give them access to a lot of additional mana and a win condition.

Just as green decks that care about +1/+1 counters tend to run Snakeskin Veil over Tamiyo's Safekeeping, I expect decks that care about auras or enchantments to run Royal Treatment.

A very functional Naturalize (sorcery speed, but that's ok) stapled to a 6-mana 6/7 with an evasion ability!? Stormkeld Vanguard looks excellent. I expect to be playing with and against this card a lot.

Most of the Artisan 'enchantress' decks out there are aura-centric as it is, so Tanglespan Lookout joins the ranks of Mesa Enchantress, Satyr Enchanter, Gnarlback Rhino, and Season of Growth; we're getting closer to the critical mass of enchantress effects needed for these decks to become truly degenerate. Note that Tanglespan Lookout's ability triggers upon etb of an aura and not on cast, which means it draws when you attach a role token to a creature or flicker an aura with something like Flicker of Fate.

Normally I'd advise caution about cards that trigger off of doing high-mv stuff, since the average deck only has 8-10 cards with 5 mv or greater. But Up the Beanstalk draws a card when it enters the battlefield draws a card when it enters the battlefield, so the floor here is super low. You only need to trigger it one time for it to be good, and obviously a ramp deck or a deck that is otherwise built to cast big spells should be able to trigger it more than once. An excellent card.

This isn't quite the marquee payoff for food decks that Night of the Sweets' Revenge is, but it's still good. The two separate instances of token creation synergizes well with Peregrin Took.

Multicolored

Callous Sell-Sword fits well into Juri for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, Fling effects are a crucial part of eliminating players once you've built up a gigantic Juri, so having that attached to a creature is helpful. Second, Callous Sell-Sword is another way to generate a large creature by sacrificing small creatures, which is good in a pinch if you've drawn an extra fling effect.

Likewise, Frolicking Familiar fills both roles needed in Balmor decks; it's a small, evasive creature that gets pumped by instants/sorceries in addition to being an instant. It's even a wizard, in case you're trying to optimize with Adeliz, the Cinder Wind!

Also, it's adorable.

Colorless

Collector's Vault looks like a serviceable little card selection/ramp piece. It might find a spot in decks that get extra value from treasure tokens like Juri and Thalisse.

To be honest, I don't know where Eriette's Tempting Apple fits into the format. It's entirely possible that no one will use it. I did want to note it, though, because it's the only colorless card with a Threaten effect (ignoring Turn Against). Blue has had Ray of Command, but now green, white, and black have access to the effect.

Whew. That was a ton of cards! This is my first time writing a set review like this, but I suspect that this is a higher density of Artisan-relevant cards than the average Standard-legal set. A lot of the draft archetypes here overlap with existing Artisan deck archetypes, or push themes that weren't quite there before into viability. There's plenty to be excited about!

[gcu-sovereign]

I've...never seen this card in play outside the 99 of a Selvala deck.

Wasn't jamming much for that Limited set and I don't think I saw it off the bonus sheet in MOM.

But I do think that maldhound is wrong about it in some respects. Like, how many other monogreen commanders does his concern (about bounce?!) apply to?

Number 1: You can run a full 9 more creatures in your deck RELATIVE to lands because of Topiary Panther, Elvish Abberation, Orchard Strider, Sojourner's Companion, Krosan Tusker and friends. And that's just for taking land slots!

2: And while you're doing all that you can jam undergrowth cards like Kraul Foragers, Vigorspore Wurm, Hatchery Spider, Gaea's Courser, and Gnarlroot Pallbearer.

3: You also get to play Shefet Monitor, Beanstalk Giant, Beanstalk Wurm, Topiary Stomper, Wayward Swordtooth, and Greater Tanuki as ramp cards that also matter to your commander.

4: And there are plenty of rate-monsters or utility pieces to fill out the list too. Imperiosaur, Yeva Nature's Herald, Myriad Construct, Siege Wurm, Avenging Hunter, Emerald Dragon, Stormkeld Vanguard, Cleanup Crew, Relic Golem, and Tangle Golem.

5: And you get draw engines like Drumhunter, Up the Beanstalk, Paleoloth, and Keeper of Fables.