I think it's more likely that the art director is, once again, uniforming all the art into one single, generic style, i.e., whatever looks cool and dramatic.
Here's the thing about character design: if it's not immediately obvious who your character is, it's a bad piece of character artwork. The fact that this thread is even necessary at all pretty much rules out this being any known character, let alone Narset.
Here's the thing about character design: if it's not immediately obvious who your character is, it's a bad piece of character artwork. The fact that this thread is even necessary at all pretty much rules out this being any known character, let alone Narset.
Maybe for you, but literally the first person I thought of when I saw the art was Narset. Maro has already stated that they're trying to pull back on how often Gatewatch characters appear as cards, opening the door for other characters like Narset. As to why Narset would even be on Dominaria, the answer would be some combination of Ajani and Tamiyo. It was stated in the story "Release" that Narset has joined Tamiyo's group, and if Ajani is looking for allies that is almost certainly where he would start. Narset has a vested interest in learning about Ugin, so it probably wouldn't take too much convincing to get her to join the fight against Bolas for the chance to meet Ugin in the flesh.
I predict Narset, Jaya, Karn, and one Gatewatch member (presumably Liliana) as Planewalker cards for Dominaria.
I've already said it in the old thread with the first Dominaria's arts.
From the iconographic point of view the call to Narset is, in my opinion, explicit. It is true that the oriental traits are not her exclusive, but, although not the same, the metal collar already shown in the planeswalker card seems to me like a clear indication. It's not even said that the depicted wizard has short hairs, it may very well be a prospective/wind effect. The vortex of white-blue mana and the author of the image (Villeneuve, the same as Narset Transcendent) are not certainly proofs, but further details to be added to the others. I insist in particular on the metal collar, which, if verified, I believe it may constitute from here on one of the character's preminent traits, as Liliana's headgear.
(Just to be clear, it's not mandatory for this artwork to be destined for a planeswalker card, it could very well illustrates a spell or be used for ancillary products; or it could just be cut down on the lower side).
The only thing that separates me from being 100% sure of Narset's presence on Dominaria is, if anything, the eventual color identity. As soon as RIX Azor was confirmed to be just a legend, in fact, it became very clear that DOM would have had its UW walker; this is because we were already aware of Teferi's return (he was always associated with blue and white magic) and the alleged image of Narset had already been released. Now, if Teferi follows the same fate as Azor and doesn't regain his spark, I believe that Narset will cover the UW walker role. In the contrary event the presence of the latter is at risk, unless she returns Jeskai like in Khans or Teferi doesn't remain mono U (but his card in the most recent Commander set seems to reaffirm, and in a certain way anticipate, his "azoriusness").
Plot-wise, the insertion of a character like Narset in DOM makes full sense for the reasons stated above by Impossible.
Has anybody pointed out that the art is in the wrong aspect ratio to be a planeswalker?
I get the funny feeling that this card is going to be a non-legendary uncommon wizard or something.
Correct, but, I repeat, the art can easily be cutted down or used for a non-planeswalker spell/ other product. Look at Jaya's art released at PAX. Now we do know that her planeswalker card will have the picture on the booster, but both pieces represent the same character. So the image size is not an argument against Narset being on Dominaria.
Riku of Two Reflections - Copy, then copy again | Shattergang Brothers - Token Sac&Recur | Gahiji, Honored One - Multiple attack steps | Karametra, God of Harvests - Landfall, Creaturefall, Shroud | Ruhan of the Fomori - Stop hitting yourself | Zurgo Helmsmasher - Equipment&Wraths | Crosis, the Purger - Dragon Tribal Reanimator | Derevi, Empyrial Tactician - No stax, just tap and untap fun | Anafenza, the Foremost - Enduring Ideal Enchantress | Sharuum, the Hegemon - Sphinx Tribal Control | Noyan Dar - Spellslinger | The Mimeoplasm - Counterpalooza
Lists can be found here.
Still convinced the guy on Beseech the Queen is wearing a Mitra-type hat. Wake up sheeple!
Yeah, there are subtle indications of a Tolarian native. The hourglass, too.
Would the same artist give us the same character with different facial shape, hair length and stance (martial stance being a big thing to the character origin)? Even the robes are more incidentally flowing due to the wind rather than purposely as in the earlier art.
I'll say she's probably some kind of time mage. Narset, of course, is tied to a time travel storyline, though she's not the time traveler in question.
Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
It's a random mage. The clothes don't look Tarkirian to me. I think this artwork was chosen for preview purposes because it just screams "guys!!!1 Tolaria is in this set!!".
Don't Planeswalkers tend to change their appearance to blend in on each plane they visit? IF Narset was on Dominaria learning new magic, I doubt she'd want to attract attention.
Good point. Narset actually could have an interest in Tolaria eventually depending on how much of the happenings on Tarkir she becomes aware of - and Dominaria's history in general (which includes overlapping alternate presents as well). Though she probably doesn't have yet.
Entirely possible. I was thinking more that this was just a random Tolarian, myself.
I do think Narset would be interested in Dominaria, just because she does know what happened to the plane (and berated Sarkhan for it).
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Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
I predict Narset, Jaya, Karn, and one Gatewatch member (presumably Liliana) as Planewalker cards for Dominaria.
From the iconographic point of view the call to Narset is, in my opinion, explicit. It is true that the oriental traits are not her exclusive, but, although not the same, the metal collar already shown in the planeswalker card seems to me like a clear indication. It's not even said that the depicted wizard has short hairs, it may very well be a prospective/wind effect. The vortex of white-blue mana and the author of the image (Villeneuve, the same as Narset Transcendent) are not certainly proofs, but further details to be added to the others. I insist in particular on the metal collar, which, if verified, I believe it may constitute from here on one of the character's preminent traits, as Liliana's headgear.
(Just to be clear, it's not mandatory for this artwork to be destined for a planeswalker card, it could very well illustrates a spell or be used for ancillary products; or it could just be cut down on the lower side).
The only thing that separates me from being 100% sure of Narset's presence on Dominaria is, if anything, the eventual color identity. As soon as RIX Azor was confirmed to be just a legend, in fact, it became very clear that DOM would have had its UW walker; this is because we were already aware of Teferi's return (he was always associated with blue and white magic) and the alleged image of Narset had already been released. Now, if Teferi follows the same fate as Azor and doesn't regain his spark, I believe that Narset will cover the UW walker role. In the contrary event the presence of the latter is at risk, unless she returns Jeskai like in Khans or Teferi doesn't remain mono U (but his card in the most recent Commander set seems to reaffirm, and in a certain way anticipate, his "azoriusness").
Plot-wise, the insertion of a character like Narset in DOM makes full sense for the reasons stated above by Impossible.
I get the funny feeling that this card is going to be a non-legendary uncommon wizard or something.
Tamanoa - Welcome to the Jungle
Lists can be found here.
I'll say she's probably some kind of time mage. Narset, of course, is tied to a time travel storyline, though she's not the time traveler in question.
Of course, the students at Tolaria also focus on space-time and it has a time travel storyline of its own.
On phasing:
Don't Planeswalkers tend to change their appearance to blend in on each plane they visit? IF Narset was on Dominaria learning new magic, I doubt she'd want to attract attention.
That said, I think it's a random Tolarian.
Good point. Narset actually could have an interest in Tolaria eventually depending on how much of the happenings on Tarkir she becomes aware of - and Dominaria's history in general (which includes overlapping alternate presents as well). Though she probably doesn't have yet.
Finally a good white villain quote: "So, do I ever re-evaluate my life choices? Never, because I know what I'm doing is a righteous cause."
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I do think Narset would be interested in Dominaria, just because she does know what happened to the plane (and berated Sarkhan for it).
On phasing: