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I wanted to draw this fanart for Ajani for a while and finally got it done. I love him so much and tried to put additional afforts into his pic. I hope you enjoy.
Category Artwork (Digital) / Fanart
Species Lion
Size 1062 x 1280px
File Size 167.1 kB
Listed in Folders
"Ajani is one of the characters with the single most hands-on experience against Bolas? Let's have him completely vanish at the start of the Bolas arc, and only have him show up again right at the end to do nothing but fill out the background numbers. It's totally cool for one of our premiere planeswalkers to have essentially the same role as Tibalt!"
"Ajani was doing huge, world-changing things last time we were on Theros? Well when we return to Theros, let's not even mention him, and attribute his major contribution to Elspeth instead! What, we have a green/white planeswalker slot to fill?" -Scribbles on a napkin- "Meet Calix!"
Top-notch work, Wizards.
"Ajani was doing huge, world-changing things last time we were on Theros? Well when we return to Theros, let's not even mention him, and attribute his major contribution to Elspeth instead! What, we have a green/white planeswalker slot to fill?" -Scribbles on a napkin- "Meet Calix!"
Top-notch work, Wizards.
Ugh, it infuriates me sometimes. I don't expect him to ever get the time of day as the human characters, that's just marketing, unfortunately, but they could at least give him a proper story every now and then. Instead we get Chandra going through the same "growth" literally 4 times in a row. And I say that as a Chandra fan! Even when they were pushing the Gatewatch as a thing, Ajani had the smallest role, by far, even smaller than newer members like Teferi and Kaya. Hell, his introduction story on Kaladesh was immediately followed by a story where everyone takes off without him.
I understand that THB was Elspeth's story, and rightfully so, but there was zero mention of Ajani, or any leonin, really. Given where we left off, and I would've at least expected an Oreskos land, or to see Brimaz in the flavor text somewhere. Nope. Not even a single returned leonin, either.
I actually like the idea of Calix, but given where the story left off last time, this felt like a huge slap in the face.
I understand that THB was Elspeth's story, and rightfully so, but there was zero mention of Ajani, or any leonin, really. Given where we left off, and I would've at least expected an Oreskos land, or to see Brimaz in the flavor text somewhere. Nope. Not even a single returned leonin, either.
I actually like the idea of Calix, but given where the story left off last time, this felt like a huge slap in the face.
THB was indeed Elspeth's story, but Ajani still played a huge role when last we left Theros. For him to be completely ignored to the point where his major contribution was handed to Elspeth instead is infuriating.
I guess the bigger issue is that Magic, although a good game, has absolute trash-tier lore and narrative. Characters are one-note stereotypes, plots are shallow and formulaic, consistency is basically non-existent, they seem to be actively avoiding anything that might give the slightest mote of emotional satisfaction. Spending years hyping up Ugin's name before his glorious return, only to have his role amount to doing precisely nothing before he takes himself out again? Bolas doing stupid and pointless shit purely to prove how evil he is, because apparently Wizards thinks he's just too subtle that we wouldn't get it otherwise? Trying to convince us that Liliana is totally redeemed despite having done literal nothing to earn it and having suffered no consequences for all her atrocities? Gideon performing that absolute worst heroic sacrifice I have ever seen in anything ever? Absolutely outrageous levels of plot armour? Having a group of characters who actually have personal stakes in the conflict, but instead focusing on the group who have no reason to care beyond the fact that they just up and declared themselves the heroes of the multiverse? Their mistreatment of Ajani barely scratches the surface. Seriously, imagine being so proud of a story that you build an entire set around showcasing it, and then that story is War of the Spark.
I guess the bigger issue is that Magic, although a good game, has absolute trash-tier lore and narrative. Characters are one-note stereotypes, plots are shallow and formulaic, consistency is basically non-existent, they seem to be actively avoiding anything that might give the slightest mote of emotional satisfaction. Spending years hyping up Ugin's name before his glorious return, only to have his role amount to doing precisely nothing before he takes himself out again? Bolas doing stupid and pointless shit purely to prove how evil he is, because apparently Wizards thinks he's just too subtle that we wouldn't get it otherwise? Trying to convince us that Liliana is totally redeemed despite having done literal nothing to earn it and having suffered no consequences for all her atrocities? Gideon performing that absolute worst heroic sacrifice I have ever seen in anything ever? Absolutely outrageous levels of plot armour? Having a group of characters who actually have personal stakes in the conflict, but instead focusing on the group who have no reason to care beyond the fact that they just up and declared themselves the heroes of the multiverse? Their mistreatment of Ajani barely scratches the surface. Seriously, imagine being so proud of a story that you build an entire set around showcasing it, and then that story is War of the Spark.
Yeah. THB probably should've been more than 1 set, so they could do a better job at showing off the effects of the underworld, rather than just have it be a pit-stop excuse to get Elspeth back. Elspeth, Theros, and even Ashiok, all deserved more time.
It is, but I'm willing to cut it some slack because they rightfully put the Theros story on hold after the abysmal Ravnica story, and because the card medium makes telling stories rather difficult. Characters are one note, but that's by design. They want a consistent cast of characters, but that also locks them into certain colors. The beginning of the gatewatch era was the worst offender, as they would have to consistently have the same characters show up as mono color characters. It's no accident that the characters that have been allowed to shift and change colors have had the most character growth - Teferi, Nissa, Sarkhan and of course Ajani, to name some of the few.
I'll actually defend Liliana, pre-Weisman novels, as I actually liked her characterization during the Dominaria set. But of course, they had to reel her back in, both because of the story they set up, and because they need her to be THE mono black planeswalker. Bolas was pretty on point during the Amonkhet stories. Rushed and condensed they were, I did feel like they at least did a good job of characterizing him, and showing off the different aspects of his personality. Yet that too went out the window during War of the Spark. Gideon's sacrifice was absolutely in character and a fitting end given how he started, but it was done poorly and we all saw it a mile away - although they had originally planned for Ajani to be the one making the sacrifice, so I guess I should at least be glad they didn't kill him off instead.
The thing is, the whole Bolas/Gatewatch arc, while absolutely flawed, at least provided a consistent cast and a decent story pace. Meanwhile, even though anything would be better written than the War of the Spark books, I can't bring myself to care about the Eldraine or Ikoria stories. We're in a bad spot right now, but at least Wizards knows it.
Still, ranting on the internet won't help anything, and since Mark Rosewater does seemingly pass along emails, I've been meaning to write one once I consolidate my thoughts properly - these discussions have greatly helped. And to push for white's characteristic race to be leonin. :-P
It is, but I'm willing to cut it some slack because they rightfully put the Theros story on hold after the abysmal Ravnica story, and because the card medium makes telling stories rather difficult. Characters are one note, but that's by design. They want a consistent cast of characters, but that also locks them into certain colors. The beginning of the gatewatch era was the worst offender, as they would have to consistently have the same characters show up as mono color characters. It's no accident that the characters that have been allowed to shift and change colors have had the most character growth - Teferi, Nissa, Sarkhan and of course Ajani, to name some of the few.
I'll actually defend Liliana, pre-Weisman novels, as I actually liked her characterization during the Dominaria set. But of course, they had to reel her back in, both because of the story they set up, and because they need her to be THE mono black planeswalker. Bolas was pretty on point during the Amonkhet stories. Rushed and condensed they were, I did feel like they at least did a good job of characterizing him, and showing off the different aspects of his personality. Yet that too went out the window during War of the Spark. Gideon's sacrifice was absolutely in character and a fitting end given how he started, but it was done poorly and we all saw it a mile away - although they had originally planned for Ajani to be the one making the sacrifice, so I guess I should at least be glad they didn't kill him off instead.
The thing is, the whole Bolas/Gatewatch arc, while absolutely flawed, at least provided a consistent cast and a decent story pace. Meanwhile, even though anything would be better written than the War of the Spark books, I can't bring myself to care about the Eldraine or Ikoria stories. We're in a bad spot right now, but at least Wizards knows it.
Still, ranting on the internet won't help anything, and since Mark Rosewater does seemingly pass along emails, I've been meaning to write one once I consolidate my thoughts properly - these discussions have greatly helped. And to push for white's characteristic race to be leonin. :-P
"and because the card medium makes telling stories rather difficult"
This, I believe, is the core of the issue - they're pushing for the story to be a big part of the overall experience, but the medium they're using doesn't really allow it. If the story was just an additional "bonus" that was off to the side, like it used to be, that would be one thing. But they want it to be a major aspect of the game, but since the TCG medium makes telling the kind of stories they want to tell difficult, it's all just a sloppy mess.
I honestly believe the Gatewatch era, and specifically the Bolas arc, is one of the lowest points of story in the game's entire history. I won't get too much more into it here in the interest of not derailing things too badly, but I'm always happy to talk elsewhere if you want to continue the convo!
...and in all honesty, I almost would've preferred it if Ajani had done the sacrifice rather than Gideon. At least that way he'd actually have had a chance to be relevant.
This, I believe, is the core of the issue - they're pushing for the story to be a big part of the overall experience, but the medium they're using doesn't really allow it. If the story was just an additional "bonus" that was off to the side, like it used to be, that would be one thing. But they want it to be a major aspect of the game, but since the TCG medium makes telling the kind of stories they want to tell difficult, it's all just a sloppy mess.
I honestly believe the Gatewatch era, and specifically the Bolas arc, is one of the lowest points of story in the game's entire history. I won't get too much more into it here in the interest of not derailing things too badly, but I'm always happy to talk elsewhere if you want to continue the convo!
...and in all honesty, I almost would've preferred it if Ajani had done the sacrifice rather than Gideon. At least that way he'd actually have had a chance to be relevant.
I can't stand that... I get that it will always skew humans, and that's fine, but to not even give proper stories to even the most popular and reoccurring non-human planeswalkers in their roster is just infuriating!! It's boring and it makes the planes filled with so many different races feel hollow and empty. Amokhet was the worst offender IMO - it had minotaurs, naga, aven, and more, and not a single one of them was even a named character. Here's to hoping Zendikar Rising at least gives Nahiri and Nissa some decent screen time. I'd HATE it if it was all about Jace. But even they barely count as non-human IMO.
Sadly I have to agree to that. I was so bloody mad when Samut became the planeswalker of Amonkhet and with the coreset it got even worse, now Amonkhet a world with five races, solely gets planeswalkers to the most generic and boring one of all of them. It's so fucking infurating. Samut being a planeswalker actually made me create my own Jackal walker back then.
I am also not too happy with Jace on Zendikar either tbh. Not that I have anything against him per se, but its rather boring. Although I think for all of the dominant races on Zendikar we already have a walker in one way or another. So I guess on Zendikar of all planes we miss out the least in terms of planeswalker opportunities....
Oh and I wouldnt really count Nissa and Nahiri as non-human, since they are just humans with pointy ears or pale skin for the most part tbh. Tho I think Zendikar would have been a great spot for Ajani coming to talk to Nissa, trying to restore the world and the gatewatch. It would have totally suited his role as mentor and healer. Altho in all fairness, the color palette of planeswalkers on Zenidkar would have been a little lame then, with probably only two/three colors in that case.
I am also not too happy with Jace on Zendikar either tbh. Not that I have anything against him per se, but its rather boring. Although I think for all of the dominant races on Zendikar we already have a walker in one way or another. So I guess on Zendikar of all planes we miss out the least in terms of planeswalker opportunities....
Oh and I wouldnt really count Nissa and Nahiri as non-human, since they are just humans with pointy ears or pale skin for the most part tbh. Tho I think Zendikar would have been a great spot for Ajani coming to talk to Nissa, trying to restore the world and the gatewatch. It would have totally suited his role as mentor and healer. Altho in all fairness, the color palette of planeswalkers on Zenidkar would have been a little lame then, with probably only two/three colors in that case.
Yeah, Amonkhet really pissed me off with that. I don't mind Samut as a character, but it just feels bad that we now have TWO planeswalkers from Amonkhet - Samut and Basri Ket, and they're both human. It seems like a wasted opportunity when Amonkhet is one of few planes that actually shows non-human races on equal footing in terms of representation on the plane. Yet we not only get two human planeswalkers from the plane, but we don't have a single non-human (non-God) character from Amonkhet either.
I remember seeing your Jackal planeswalker card! It's rare to see artists (especially ones that are MTG fans) try to address these glaring gaps. I don't suppose you have a fan card in mind for this version of Ajani you drew?
I actually like Nissa and Nahiri, and yes it makes sense that they're both in Zendikar Rising since they're from the plane, but yeah, they're barely non-human. Jace I just find incredibly boring, and the fact that all their marketing numbers say that Jace is the most popular planeswalker really disappoints me. Here's to hoping next year has more interesting planes, since I'm absolutely done with Ravnica and Zendikar, and I couldn't care less if we never spend a full set there again.
I remember seeing your Jackal planeswalker card! It's rare to see artists (especially ones that are MTG fans) try to address these glaring gaps. I don't suppose you have a fan card in mind for this version of Ajani you drew?
I actually like Nissa and Nahiri, and yes it makes sense that they're both in Zendikar Rising since they're from the plane, but yeah, they're barely non-human. Jace I just find incredibly boring, and the fact that all their marketing numbers say that Jace is the most popular planeswalker really disappoints me. Here's to hoping next year has more interesting planes, since I'm absolutely done with Ravnica and Zendikar, and I couldn't care less if we never spend a full set there again.
Well, there was Neheb, although I assume he's dead now for good after WAR... So yeah we got Samut and Basri.. yay.... creative.
I am actually have been working on the Ajani card recently, I probably will upload it tomorrow. For me, I often make my cards to compensate something the game lacks currently in wane way or the other. Such as Amur's first planeswalker card.
I don't dislike any of the three either, but its also not what I would call interesting. Zendikar and Ravnica used to be planes I rather liked. But Zendikar got eldrazified and kinda ruined for me and there is such an over saturation of Ravnica now that I am not too keen on it either anymore.
I am actually have been working on the Ajani card recently, I probably will upload it tomorrow. For me, I often make my cards to compensate something the game lacks currently in wane way or the other. Such as Amur's first planeswalker card.
I don't dislike any of the three either, but its also not what I would call interesting. Zendikar and Ravnica used to be planes I rather liked. But Zendikar got eldrazified and kinda ruined for me and there is such an over saturation of Ravnica now that I am not too keen on it either anymore.
True! Neheb was there, but I wouldn't exactly count him, as he was already dead before the events of the story, and then he died again during War of the Spark, haha.
Oh great, looking forward to it!
I used to like them both too, but after War of the Spark I'm done with Ravnica forever. Zendikar Rising is the 2nd return, and here I am just waiting for the first return to planes like Alara and Kamigawa. Though as it stands the only plot thread I'm looking forward to is Ajani's. He, with Teferi and Karn will presumably show up when the Phyrexians show up again. I like all 3 of those characters, and I like the Phyrexians as villains, so I'm very much looking forward to whatever happens with them. Every other planeswalker either is currently involved in a storyline that I find boring or is themself a character I find boring.
Oh great, looking forward to it!
I used to like them both too, but after War of the Spark I'm done with Ravnica forever. Zendikar Rising is the 2nd return, and here I am just waiting for the first return to planes like Alara and Kamigawa. Though as it stands the only plot thread I'm looking forward to is Ajani's. He, with Teferi and Karn will presumably show up when the Phyrexians show up again. I like all 3 of those characters, and I like the Phyrexians as villains, so I'm very much looking forward to whatever happens with them. Every other planeswalker either is currently involved in a storyline that I find boring or is themself a character I find boring.
Yeah thats fair, I wouldn't count him anymore either.
Thanks, I uploaded it now. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/37586280/
Well, tbh I think Ajani might not even show up in the next Phyrexia arch since there are so many other planeswalkers tied to it, human walkers they rather would give the sportlight. Like Teferi they seem to be so hot on. Also Karn, Koth, Elspeth, Ashiok, Tezzeret, etc.
Thanks, I uploaded it now. https://www.furaffinity.net/view/37586280/
Well, tbh I think Ajani might not even show up in the next Phyrexia arch since there are so many other planeswalkers tied to it, human walkers they rather would give the sportlight. Like Teferi they seem to be so hot on. Also Karn, Koth, Elspeth, Ashiok, Tezzeret, etc.
Awesome, I just commented!
I'm really hoping Ajani shows up then, as that's what that horrid War of the Spark Forsaken book set up. He, Karn, and Teferi are supposed to be going to destroy New Phyrexia or something. I would hate for yet ANOTHER Ajani plot thread to just be dropped.
I'm really hoping Ajani shows up then, as that's what that horrid War of the Spark Forsaken book set up. He, Karn, and Teferi are supposed to be going to destroy New Phyrexia or something. I would hate for yet ANOTHER Ajani plot thread to just be dropped.
See, what really bugs me about the human-centric focus is the claim that "Our human characters are the most popular, people just prefer humans". I'm sure their human characters are more popular, but it has less to do with people preferring humans and more to do with the fact that Wizards are terrible at handling their nonhumans. Like, they never give their nonhumans the spotlight, never give them real agency in the story, never have them do anything important, never give them their own cool heroic moments, and then attribute their lack of popularity to simply not being human? Pop culture is absolutely littered with examples of nonhuman characters out there that are popular among all sorts of people - I'm not even just talking about the furry fandom, I mean huge, successful, mainstream franchises. If Magic's nonhumans aren't as popular, it's because Magic handles them horribly, not because of anything inherently difficult with them.
Well yes and no. While I definitely feel that their marketing research is incredibly blind to external factors - like them printing the overpowered Jace, The Mind Sculptor then having their takeaway be "Jace is the most popular character", there's more to it.
To their credit, one of their best stories in years featured Ajani, yet he's not as popular as most of the human roster. So there's definitely something I'm missing. Is it his character? His power set? His archetype? The way he's used in the story? His appearance? His current plot threads?
The story in question is "Release". Give it a read if you haven't already.
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articl.....ase-2016-10-05
To their credit, one of their best stories in years featured Ajani, yet he's not as popular as most of the human roster. So there's definitely something I'm missing. Is it his character? His power set? His archetype? The way he's used in the story? His appearance? His current plot threads?
The story in question is "Release". Give it a read if you haven't already.
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articl.....ase-2016-10-05
Well sure, but one good story is never going to stand up against years of exposure. No matter how good a single standalone story may be, it's just never going to have the same impact as literal years of full length set stories where the human cast are given all the importance.
Ajani is also a popular character. He didn't start out as such, but quickly became one after Alara - a story where he had a good portion of the spotlight and was given real agency in the story. That, I feel, is rather telling.
Ajani is also a popular character. He didn't start out as such, but quickly became one after Alara - a story where he had a good portion of the spotlight and was given real agency in the story. That, I feel, is rather telling.
Personally I think what Ajani lacks is a powerful card. If you look at the most popular planeswalkers, like Lili, Jace, Teferi etc. Most of them had a busted card at one point which put them into the spotlight even if you don't care too much about the story and lore. Ajani's card where mostly okay at best, certainly nothing to compare with Jace the Mind Sculptor, Liliana of the Veil or Teferi, Hero fo Dominaria/Time Raveler. This is still a card game and people like powerful cards.
The lack of spotlight in the stories of course also hurts a lot of course, Jace and similar chars certainly earned a large chunk of his popularity to his constant presence.
The lack of spotlight in the stories of course also hurts a lot of course, Jace and similar chars certainly earned a large chunk of his popularity to his constant presence.
Yes, I agree. I think to a large chunk to laziness and their desire to play it safe, as well as them going along with the trends they created in terms of popular chars. They know Jace and stuff are popular because they are human, however they made them popular through other things, even if partly unintentionally. Like powerful cards large story spotlight etc. However if they would have given a non human the same treatment they might be just as popular, but now they assume its because they are humans. Although I not gonna pretend Magic treats humans and non humans equally anyway. Just look at the 'Every plane will have humans' politic they are driving. What is something highly boring and unneccessary.
Also they of course go with political stuff. Like from Innistrad II to the following Coreset, they had a big focus on strong independent women of color (excpet for Arlin who was only strong and independent), but then followed Saheeli, Samut, Huatli, Huatli, Vivien. All of which where rather similar in terms of design and also all in either red and/or green. Now of course having a wide range and women of color is great and should be supported, however this was a very lazy design period because of that. And there will be probably more such things where we get a load of humans for wizards to show 'Hey we care about the current political topic too!'. What naturally pushes more and more humans again in addition to all the other treatment they show towards non humans.
Also they of course go with political stuff. Like from Innistrad II to the following Coreset, they had a big focus on strong independent women of color (excpet for Arlin who was only strong and independent), but then followed Saheeli, Samut, Huatli, Huatli, Vivien. All of which where rather similar in terms of design and also all in either red and/or green. Now of course having a wide range and women of color is great and should be supported, however this was a very lazy design period because of that. And there will be probably more such things where we get a load of humans for wizards to show 'Hey we care about the current political topic too!'. What naturally pushes more and more humans again in addition to all the other treatment they show towards non humans.
I'm fine with them making more planeswalkers, and more human planeswalkers, don't get me wrong. I just hate that we don't have a single non-human planeswalker that's gotten as much attention or depth. The whole thing feels like a playground for human characters, not a multiverse with lived in worlds. It's worse than Star Trek, but at least Star Trek has the framing device of being set on human ships, so that's fine. And now that Nissa's left, the Gatewatch is all humans, except Ajani, who's consistently sidelined and ignored. What's the point of having all these races if they're not going to do anything with them?
Another idea I've seen floated around is the idea that Ajani might not be as popular due to his power set, and after some thought, I'd agree. Healing isn't very visual, or "exciting", and "soul magic" is abstract and hard to show. Meanwhile, Chandra is the 2nd most popular planeswalker - and she's got pyromancy, which is both very visual and popular. Jace has telepathy, which, while not visual, is probably one of the most popular powers in pop culture. Even Gideon's invincibility was very visual, and the idea of an indestructible soldier jumping into the fray is very exciting. I just wish they would show off his soul magic more, or at least show Ajani using his damn axe. I think that would help.
Another idea I've seen floated around is the idea that Ajani might not be as popular due to his power set, and after some thought, I'd agree. Healing isn't very visual, or "exciting", and "soul magic" is abstract and hard to show. Meanwhile, Chandra is the 2nd most popular planeswalker - and she's got pyromancy, which is both very visual and popular. Jace has telepathy, which, while not visual, is probably one of the most popular powers in pop culture. Even Gideon's invincibility was very visual, and the idea of an indestructible soldier jumping into the fray is very exciting. I just wish they would show off his soul magic more, or at least show Ajani using his damn axe. I think that would help.
Yeah thats true. It was back in Alara I think when Ajani's soul magic got some card that properly portraited it. But ever since it was neglected. I would also wish he'd be seen using his twin axe more. It such an important and also recognizable weapon that could really give him more to show.
The fact that Light and Soul magic are rather abstract concepts could be working in his favor, giving him more freedom and design space for his magic, if they's put the effort in it to think about for a moment.
The fact that Light and Soul magic are rather abstract concepts could be working in his favor, giving him more freedom and design space for his magic, if they's put the effort in it to think about for a moment.
That actually gives me an idea for an Ajani card that uses that Soul cycle as its abilities.
Ajani, Igniter of Hope 2RGW
Legendary Planeswalker - Ajani
[+2]: You gain life equal to the greatest power among creatures you control.
[-3]: Ajani deals damage to any target equal to the greatest power among creatures you control.
[-9]: For each creature you control, put +1/+1 counters on that creature equal to its power. Then draw cards equal to the greatest power among creatures you control.
[6]
Ajani, Igniter of Hope 2RGW
Legendary Planeswalker - Ajani
[+2]: You gain life equal to the greatest power among creatures you control.
[-3]: Ajani deals damage to any target equal to the greatest power among creatures you control.
[-9]: For each creature you control, put +1/+1 counters on that creature equal to its power. Then draw cards equal to the greatest power among creatures you control.
[6]
Thats a nice concept to show off his soul magic side. So far I dont think Ajani's card had such pay offs based on creature's powers. I think Garruk, Huatli and maybe Vivien had such abilities so far for the most part.
What I can see being a problem here is the ever recurring problem that most Ajani cards have, which is that they don't do anything without a creature on the board. Which I think is a big issue for Ajani and why I was insisting on giving him an ability to create tokens, since he is so often reliant on a creature. Usually playing a planeswalker on an empty board is the safest for them, eg after a boardwipe, but Ajani often has the awkward issue that especially in these 'ideal' moments for a planeswalker, he doesnt do anything there.
In your case I do like that you show off the soul cycle tho. Thats a really neat idea and something I would love to see Wizards actually exploring again. While abstract, soul magic can have so many aspects that also would fit so well to Ajani's character. I kinda wanna play around with that now too x3
What I can see being a problem here is the ever recurring problem that most Ajani cards have, which is that they don't do anything without a creature on the board. Which I think is a big issue for Ajani and why I was insisting on giving him an ability to create tokens, since he is so often reliant on a creature. Usually playing a planeswalker on an empty board is the safest for them, eg after a boardwipe, but Ajani often has the awkward issue that especially in these 'ideal' moments for a planeswalker, he doesnt do anything there.
In your case I do like that you show off the soul cycle tho. Thats a really neat idea and something I would love to see Wizards actually exploring again. While abstract, soul magic can have so many aspects that also would fit so well to Ajani's character. I kinda wanna play around with that now too x3
I'm always a fan of card designs that pay homage to the Soul cycle, but I think such a card would also need to create a token. I know it's said to death, but a planeswalker card needs to protect itself, and the fact that Ajani is usually a dead card on an empty board, flavorful as that is, it makes him much less powerful than he could be. Another issue affecting his popularity, perhaps.
Indeed, that's why I gave him high numbers to help offset that fact. He might be dead on an empty board, but kicking off with 8 loyalty means he'll usually survive a hit, then you can play a 6 drop and start going to town.
But yeah, I think the ideal Ajani would + to create a token of sorts to fuel some powerful - abilities. I didn't do that in this design since the idea was to pay homage to the Soul cycle, but that would work well. And yeah, it's another issue with Ajani. Doesn't help that life gain is his main mechanical schtick, which is typically looked down upon.
But yeah, I think the ideal Ajani would + to create a token of sorts to fuel some powerful - abilities. I didn't do that in this design since the idea was to pay homage to the Soul cycle, but that would work well. And yeah, it's another issue with Ajani. Doesn't help that life gain is his main mechanical schtick, which is typically looked down upon.
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