Hour of Devastation Official Spoilers
The past week has been an embarrassment of riches in terms of Magic: the Gathering announcements. We’ve learned that blocks are no more, Marvel is banned, Magic is getting an MMO and we’re going back to Dominaria.
On top of all that, we’ve gotten an early look at Hour of Devastation, new full art lands and even a peek at Ixalan. Finally, however, we get to check out official spoilers via Twitter, as Wizards of the Coast gears up for the day at GP Vegas.
It’s unclear how much we should expect throughout Friday, but Wizards has promised teases between round. Stay tuned – plenty more is sure to come.
As a warm up, though, we get a first peak at the actual defeat of the Gatewatch. These cards appear to be part of a cycle depicting Nicol Bolas eliminating the Gatewatch, perhaps finally scattering them to various planes. These uncommon cards also feature excellent art by Kieran Yanner.
UPDATE: Scroll down to see the remaining three spoiled – Liliana’s Defeat, Gideon’s Defeat & Chandra’s Defeat.
Jace’s Defeat
Jace’s Defeat – 1U
Instant (Uncommon)
Counter target blue spell. If it was a Jace planeswalker spell, scry 2.
Flavor text: “I had hoped for more from you, Jace. But I expected as much.” – Nicol Bolas
038/199 U – Illus. Kieran Yanner
Nissa’s Defeat
Nissa’s Defeat – 2G
Sorcery (Uncommon)
Destroy target forest, green enchantment or green planeswalker. If it was a Nissa planeswalker, draw a card.
Flavor text: “Nissa, the soul of this world is dead – and I will gladly kill more.” – Nicol Bolas
123/199 U – Illus Kieran Yanner
* Flavor text translation by KoyoyomiAragi on reddit.
Overall, this cycle is not particularly impressive. For spells that are meant to depict the defeat of Magic’s main characters for the last decade, they don’t do a whole lot. If these cards represent massively important moments in Magic’s story – or worse, literal spells cast by Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh – the just feel a bit whimpy.
In a meta heavy on control, I could see Jace’s Defeat maybe seeing some play in sideboards. Even then, though, as long as Negate is around, it’s hard to see this taking too many slots.
Nissa’s Defeat seems even worse. And until we see something major from Hour of Devastation to warrant heavy green hate, I’m not too confident it will see play. At best, perhaps a build arises that can utilize the land destruction; 3-mana land destruction effects have not been around for a while.
Flavor-wise, these cards make sense if we’re looking at the idea that accomplishing Nicol Bolas’ goal with that spell triggers some upside. However, both cards just seem a bit too narrow to be actually useful. If we’re correct that this is a cycle, expect to see more later today.
Hour of Devastation releases July 14th, 2017 with prerelease events July 8th & 9th.
Update 6/16/2017: Remaining Defeat Cycle Spoiled
Liliana’s Defeat
Liliana’s Defeat – B
Sorcery (Uncommon)
Destroy target black creature or black planeswalker. If it was a Liliana planeswalker, it’s controller loses 3 life.
Flavor text: “Liliana, all that power you’ve painstakingly accumulated, I can simply take away.” – Nicol Bolas
049/199 U – Illus. Kieran Yanner
*Flavor text translation by Disney_Prince on reddit.
Gideon’s Defeat
Gideon’s Defeat – W
Instant (Uncommon)
Exile target white creature that’s attacking or blocking. If it was a Gideon planeswalker, you gain 5 life.
Flavor text: “Gideon, how easy it must be to play the protector when you think yourself untouchable. How wrong you are.” – Nicol Bolas
013/199 U – Illus. Kieran Yanner
Chandra’s Defeat
Chandra’s Defeat – R
Instant (Uncommon)
Chandra’s Defeat deals 5 damage to target red creature or red planeswalker. If it was a Chandra planeswalker, you may discard a card. If you do, draw a card.
086/199 U – Illus. Kieran Yanner