Derek (Mana Critics)
@manacritics.bsky.social
Magic the Gathering content creator (1/2 of Mana Critics on YT - Spike in draft, Vorthos everywhere else) musician (Longing for Orpheus [Chill Electronic], O’Malarkey [Irish Traditional]), musical theatre nerd, doomscroller
Pinned
The Decline and Fall of Fallen Empires, Vol. VII - The Legacy
YouTube video by Mana Critics
youtu.be
At long last, the final volume of our deep dive into Fallen Empires is up!
TL;DR - This set was far better than it's reputation suggests - massive overprinting and a very long gap before the next set dropped unfairly damaged the reputation of an innovative, influential set.
By all means, @ me.
TL;DR - This set was far better than it's reputation suggests - massive overprinting and a very long gap before the next set dropped unfairly damaged the reputation of an innovative, influential set.
By all means, @ me.
At a ComicCon panel and someone ask Kristen Schall about potential crossover eps - and she basically said, crossovers suck, they obviate all the hard work creators to do make each setting unique.
My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
October 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
At a ComicCon panel and someone ask Kristen Schall about potential crossover eps - and she basically said, crossovers suck, they obviate all the hard work creators to do make each setting unique.
My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
My favorite cosplay at MagicCon Atlanta so far @tymhn.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
My favorite cosplay at MagicCon Atlanta so far @tymhn.bsky.social
@mtgcritical.bsky.social said it best - I’m so mad that I’m gonna buy a bunch of this
September 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
@mtgcritical.bsky.social said it best - I’m so mad that I’m gonna buy a bunch of this
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
September 26, 2025 at 6:36 PM
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
September 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
I’m kind of a Universes Beyond hater, but this one’s exciting
September 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I’m kind of a Universes Beyond hater, but this one’s exciting
Out of everything shown from the next Marvel set, the preview panel audience was easily most excited about these villians 😅
September 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Out of everything shown from the next Marvel set, the preview panel audience was easily most excited about these villians 😅
Secrets of Strixhaven - theme is “the step right after college”, exploring some of the plane outside of the campus. But, new characters just arriving at the school, so I guess at least *some* of the set is still in Strixhaven. Also, we’re getting a new by *Seanen* ****ing McGuire!!!!1!
September 26, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Secrets of Strixhaven - theme is “the step right after college”, exploring some of the plane outside of the campus. But, new characters just arriving at the school, so I guess at least *some* of the set is still in Strixhaven. Also, we’re getting a new by *Seanen* ****ing McGuire!!!!1!
Llorwyn First Light - Llorwyn in DnD, coming out in late November, but sounds like it’s digital only? Hopefully this means juicy worldbuilding for us Vorthos’, though.
September 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Llorwyn First Light - Llorwyn in DnD, coming out in late November, but sounds like it’s digital only? Hopefully this means juicy worldbuilding for us Vorthos’, though.
New “Draft Night” product, containing product for a 4-player pick-2 draft. “Curated for 4 or 8 player draft experience.” They say they’re planning to keep doing these for all sets going forward.
September 26, 2025 at 6:12 PM
New “Draft Night” product, containing product for a 4-player pick-2 draft. “Curated for 4 or 8 player draft experience.” They say they’re planning to keep doing these for all sets going forward.
If I’d known this was what Atlanta was about, I would have brought Emrakul
September 25, 2025 at 8:49 PM
If I’d known this was what Atlanta was about, I would have brought Emrakul
Ozur made this song and let me help and then Ozur and @jettyfox.bsky.social made a video out of it and it’s so exciting and nerdy and I love it so much please watch it kthx
IT IS TIME
Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song
A love letter to my favorite plane of #MagictheGathering, #LorwynEclipsed that I am so excited we are returning to. I couldn't do this without @jettyfox.bsky.social, my kithkin wife, thank you for always being weird with me.
Long live Colfenor!
Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song
A love letter to my favorite plane of #MagictheGathering, #LorwynEclipsed that I am so excited we are returning to. I couldn't do this without @jettyfox.bsky.social, my kithkin wife, thank you for always being weird with me.
Long live Colfenor!
Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song and fan-film
YouTube video by RedOzur
youtu.be
September 25, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Ozur made this song and let me help and then Ozur and @jettyfox.bsky.social made a video out of it and it’s so exciting and nerdy and I love it so much please watch it kthx
I don’t often play red…but when I do, I’m absolutely running trash like Goblin Warrens. Bonus Zoyowa.
September 21, 2025 at 2:23 AM
I don’t often play red…but when I do, I’m absolutely running trash like Goblin Warrens. Bonus Zoyowa.
Doing nerd stuff for which I am underqualified
September 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Doing nerd stuff for which I am underqualified
I've been out of touch - is the Vorthos community liking Through the Omen Paths?
I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
September 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I've been out of touch - is the Vorthos community liking Through the Omen Paths?
I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
Have I accidentally become the bad guy from the first Care Bears movie?
July 20, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Have I accidentally become the bad guy from the first Care Bears movie?
Checkmate, Wizards
June 10, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Checkmate, Wizards
2-1 prerelease. Was undefeated until the last match, when I ran up against a rival Bahamut! Of all the ways to lose, that was a pretty silly-fun one.
June 7, 2025 at 4:15 AM
2-1 prerelease. Was undefeated until the last match, when I ran up against a rival Bahamut! Of all the ways to lose, that was a pretty silly-fun one.
Dragon’s Lair Austin has some good security for their prerelease kits. I know I’m not gonna try to steal from a Tonberry
June 7, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Dragon’s Lair Austin has some good security for their prerelease kits. I know I’m not gonna try to steal from a Tonberry
We had a great time - well, I guess I can only speak for myself - *I* had a great time diving way too deep on the flavo(u)r peaks and valleys of Final Fantasy!
I’ve just had a chat with @manacritics.bsky.social grading the mechanics in the FF set based on flavour
A Flavour Grading of MTG's Final Fantasy set - a chat with Mana Critics - Episode 6
youtu.be/imEkktnQPIA
We talk way too much about towns…
A Flavour Grading of MTG's Final Fantasy set - a chat with Mana Critics - Episode 6
youtu.be/imEkktnQPIA
We talk way too much about towns…
A Flavour Grading of MTG's Final Fantasy set - a chat with Mana Critics - Episode 6
YouTube video by MTG Flavoursauce
youtu.be
June 5, 2025 at 12:39 AM
We had a great time - well, I guess I can only speak for myself - *I* had a great time diving way too deep on the flavo(u)r peaks and valleys of Final Fantasy!
I love everything about this. I wanna see Jumblebones carrying Thassa's Bident.
@manacritics.bsky.social released this fan story that might as well have been canon for me, so I got around to making the story deck after @mtgcritical.bsky.social's #StoriedShowdown series kicked off. B1, Based off the story beats in the recording. Decklist included!
moxfield.com/decks/alb6bi...
moxfield.com/decks/alb6bi...
June 3, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I love everything about this. I wanna see Jumblebones carrying Thassa's Bident.
It’s post your favorite *6/3* day!
This card added the world “feral” to my vocabulary (easy, there, I was just 14). I’m surprised at how many of the 25 extant 6/3‘s I’m not only familiar with, but actively like!
This card added the world “feral” to my vocabulary (easy, there, I was just 14). I’m surprised at how many of the 25 extant 6/3‘s I’m not only familiar with, but actively like!
June 3, 2025 at 10:59 AM
It’s post your favorite *6/3* day!
This card added the world “feral” to my vocabulary (easy, there, I was just 14). I’m surprised at how many of the 25 extant 6/3‘s I’m not only familiar with, but actively like!
This card added the world “feral” to my vocabulary (easy, there, I was just 14). I’m surprised at how many of the 25 extant 6/3‘s I’m not only familiar with, but actively like!
@iwriterobots.com Have you played FF IX?!? The FF MtG set has, instead of getting me excited about playing FF in Magic, just playing FF games I've missed, starting with IX. There are so many created being gaining conciousness! It's glorious! And they're so cute!
June 2, 2025 at 10:57 PM
@iwriterobots.com Have you played FF IX?!? The FF MtG set has, instead of getting me excited about playing FF in Magic, just playing FF games I've missed, starting with IX. There are so many created being gaining conciousness! It's glorious! And they're so cute!
Cruel of Wizards to hold this preview til the very end - I was having heartburn about her not being in the set!
This character introduced me to the concept of "summoning", and was my initial concept for who you (the player) *were* in Magic when I first learned the game.
This character introduced me to the concept of "summoning", and was my initial concept for who you (the player) *were* in Magic when I first learned the game.
May 30, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Cruel of Wizards to hold this preview til the very end - I was having heartburn about her not being in the set!
This character introduced me to the concept of "summoning", and was my initial concept for who you (the player) *were* in Magic when I first learned the game.
This character introduced me to the concept of "summoning", and was my initial concept for who you (the player) *were* in Magic when I first learned the game.
Reposted by Derek (Mana Critics)
