I love, love, love the youthful innocence of your post. No offense meant. Given the current community backlash on the set, unless the print run is much much lower than Iconic Masters, I would not be worried about being able to get a box after the set releases. You'll be fine to get a box whenever, enjoy the drafts!
I also love the positive attitude. Let's face it - there's backlash every set. People who want a $100 rare in every pack, people who are upset some pet card isn't reprinted, and people who threaten set after set that they are leaving Magic. Personally, this set looks like a blast to draft, and I hope the OP has a lot of fun. I agree that the set will likely be available for a while, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The worst is when a set gets bought up and price gouging takes all the fun out of it.
I just outright HATE reprints that not even give existing cards at the very least a new artwork, its the laziest kind of printing and design process that they possible can do and they should always be ASHAMED when they do that.
Because reprinting a card for the 16th time with the 16th different artwork is really good for gameplay. You forget that people want to recognize cards on the opposite side of the table without having to read every single one. Having the same art across multiple printings reduces visual complexity and makes it easier to quickly assess a battlefield with a quick glance.
Yeah, the proposed change would be horrible. If I have a collection of old cards that I use for pauper decks, the last thing I want to do is to look up every common to see if it's "still" a common. And having a deck collapse because crucial cards rotate out would just be a feel-bad. I've played casual pauper for over ten years, and the current way is simple and elegant. If it has ever been printed as a common, it's legal.
My question for the OP is: What do you gain by changing this? What positive does it add to the format? It makes card legality more complicated, it has the potential to cripple or destroy decks or even entire archetypes with a single rarity upshift, and it turns every release into a potential upset for the format - every single release of a set or a supplemental product. That's far worse than even standard, the format defined by the highest rotation frequency. All that negative better be offset by some amazing positive benefit for it to be worth it - so, what do you gain?
I'm going to make another guess - card 71 or 72 could be Rhystic Study. It's probably the most iconic card from Prophesy. Other contenders from that set may be Avatar of Woe and... what? Mageta the Lion?
That is most definitely a Legends symbol, seeing as no new cards were printed in Chronicles.
Nice reprint, but would have liked to see the old art or a tasteful re-work of a contemplative dragon reading a book, rather than just a generic scary dragon.
EDIT: of course, on the other hand, the only other printing with this art is $70!?
Yeah, as someone trying to collect one of every dragon art, I'm thrilled to have an affordable version with this artwork. Crappy reading-a-book version can be had for a couple bucks, while this has been over $75. Should be easy enough to acquire this version.
What are the chances card 209 is Nicol Bolas? Hopefully with the good art - I'd like an affordable version with that art.
And just nine hours later, I get my answer. Awesome. I know a lot of people don't really care about Bolas, but as someone trying to collect one of every dragon art, this makes my day.
I've seen a cool Dance of the Dead alter before that might fit in here. Did a quick google search and found it again:
Honestly, the top right skeleton's hand looks like it should be holding a mic instead of a bendy neck guitar, though.
This works. Just like attacking with Kaalia or Alesha to get Master of Cruelties into play tapped and attacking. His restriction only means he can only be declared an attacker by himself, but if anything else puts him into play already attacking (the aforementioned generals or myriad), you in a way circumvent that restriction.
Also, just a note - you will find a lot of info explaining this and deck examples for older cards with a similar ability, like Faceless Butcher and Fiend Hunter.
I tend to agree that we will likely get several cards that are useless in other formats. They may not be Conspiracies that are only good in draft, but in a product designed for team play, what do you think the cards are going to do? I'll bet the majority are designed around team play - you and your teammate, which means they will be costed appropriately and not be ideal for a single player format.
Combustible Gearhulk is decent - target the guy with the lowest life, and you either burn him for a bunch more or draw three. Plus, you end up with a 6/6 body to swing with.
Angel of Despair may have recently been outclassed, but it will remain my favorite card - awesome art and a powerful ETB ability in colors than allow it to be recurred either by blinking or through reanimation, all stapled to a big flying body. What's not to love?
My question for the OP is: What do you gain by changing this? What positive does it add to the format? It makes card legality more complicated, it has the potential to cripple or destroy decks or even entire archetypes with a single rarity upshift, and it turns every release into a potential upset for the format - every single release of a set or a supplemental product. That's far worse than even standard, the format defined by the highest rotation frequency. All that negative better be offset by some amazing positive benefit for it to be worth it - so, what do you gain?
Honestly, the top right skeleton's hand looks like it should be holding a mic instead of a bendy neck guitar, though.
First, time. Commander games already take long enough. I don't need people spending even longer as they transfer cards in and out of their decks.
Second, aren't 100 slots enough? If it isn't good enough to mainboard, is it really good enough to wish for?