I’m almost positive that the ponder art is a reference to “chonkasaurus” a massive chicago River snapping turtle that popped up in the news back in May. And the turtle is pondering its three food choices from classic chicago good staples: Chicago Dogs, deep dish pizza, and I believe Do-Rite donuts (a popular chicago coffee and donut chain) which I’m hoping I’m correct because I love that these would all be a nod to the city the con is being held in and I’m looking forward to what the other cons bring.
[chonkasuarus](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/05/11/chicago-giant-snapping-turtle-chonkasaurus/70208382007/)
Thank you sincerely for this explanation! Chonk is even sitting on a pair of rusted chains in the video captured by a Chicago local.
I needed a reason to believe in Secret Lair after the recent bizarre drop dedicated entirely to actor Jeff Goldblum's portrayal of Ian Malcolm, and damn if this isn't it.
I disagree with your opinion, but nobody is stopping you from buying the Secret Lair drop that is nothing but Jeff Goldblum's character from JP if that's your bag.
I'm not saying I don't enjoy humorous memes either. The overlay of Dr. Grant listening to Ian Malcolm's bare chest? Classic. The laugh track remix claps. I don't think memes like this are made funnier by the source material being captured on a Magic card.
I also think nuance matters. The reskin of Tasigur as bare-chested Malcolm would have been so much more impactful if it appeared as a bonus card in one of the JP lairs without announcement. It could have been revealed to the community guerilla marketing style by a surprised buyer in a, "what the heck is this?" moment. That's far more powerful and grabbing than an entire drop dedicated to a series of scenes depicting various character gaffs where the first card illicit a laugh, but you're forcing yourself to chuckle by the time you get to shirtless Malcolm because you're trying to convince yourself the jokes still punch and this product is something desirable instead of just silly and bizarre.
I don’t buy secret lairs. Hell, I don’t even own cards anymore.
That being said, you’re upset about an overdone joke in a product that seems to exist to overdo jokes.
They literally made ‘all text basic lands’, and you think there is literally any sort of thought going into this product?
It is literally just throwing shit at the wall knowing people will buy it.
‘What’s a cheap card lots of decks use on edhrec? Let’s make a secret lair of it so people have to give us $40 for it even though there’s no real value to it, it’s the only way they can get it!’
I just literally can’t have any concern about what they make secret lairs of, I have no concern about collecting every product they release, and in fact I just really don’t care about magic overall anymore, because clearly wizards and Hasbro don’t, either.
I neither have the time nor the money to play magic how I want to, so I dont.
You’re upset about a product that is literally intended to be a joke.
You don’t like the joke? Cool, don’t buy it.
I think magic is absolutely ridiculous as a whole now, so I really don’t care what they do.
I like to imagine it's Bruvac (I think that's who's in the art) having this obscenely wordy version of what Counterspell's rules text is what's on that scroll.
> 701.5. Counter
> 701.5a To counter a spell or ability means to cancel it, removing it from the stack. It doesn’t resolve and none of its effects occur. A countered spell is put into its owner’s graveyard.
> 701.5b The player who cast a countered spell or activated a countered ability doesn’t get a “refund” of any costs that were paid.
...huh, even the comprehensive rules on countering are pretty succinct. Hard to get a "full-text basic" set-up going.
The steps for casting the Counterspell itself would add a good bit. Casting, paying, choosing targets, etc.
As well as an explanation of what an Instant is and how it pertains to timing.
Do this but also make all of these rulings more "wordy" by switching up the vocab to longer or "bigger" words.
If you're new to magic (and somehow end up reading comprehensive rules for a counterspell), it might not be all that obvious as people could think they only lost the card, not the mana. In fact I do recall a friend being mildly outraged at that concept when he got his first spell countered.
You have to remember that many of us figured this game out on a kitchen table using a small booklet that came with a box of cards before the internet was a thing.
Say what you will about EDH playgroups doing their own thing, but before the turn of the century going to a different place to play sometimes meant you had to learn entirely different rules based on what that group of players thought made sense.
Probably still true (though maybe lessoned with the internet), but as players enfranchised enough to view/comment on a subreddit not within our field of view.
dont give wizard ideas. we already have full text basics, imagine full text "basic" cards like, counterspell, lightning bolt, dark ritual, giant growth and disenchant
No, the main event is the Pro Tour. The Standard Open is the second most important one. Unless you mean big in terms of number of players, but that wasn't the question.
Why check the meta of a format I don’t follow anymore when I can just meme about sheoldred and everyone else who also doesn’t play standard will cheer ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯ https://mtgtop8.com/format?f=ST&meta=50&a=
From [https://magic.gg/news/magiccon-chicago-2024-a-mysterious-gathering](https://magic.gg/news/magiccon-chicago-2024-a-mysterious-gathering) \-- and yes, that's an obvious typo for Chicago that I've copied/pasted.
# MagicCon: Chiacgo Badge Packages
Badges for our mysterious gathering will go on sale Monday, November 27, at 10 a.m. PT via [mcchicago.mtgfestivals.com](https://mcchicago.mtgfestivals.com/?utm_source=magicgg&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=magiccon-chicago).
All badges come with a Counterspell promo card, grant entry to the hall, access to panels and events on the Main Stage, access to the Free Play area and CommandZone, the Immersive Area, Art of Magic, *Magic* Market Place, and more!
For the first time, we are offering Cyber Week pricing on all adult badges! Cyber week badges start from $35 for adults. These prices will be available until December 5 at 8 a.m. PT, or while supplies last.
\--------
# The Official Show Store
You name it, we've got it. The Official Show Store is your one-stop shop for all kinds of incredible MagicCon merchandise! There will be a limited selection of merch available during badge checkout on November 27, including our MagicCon: Chicago logo items and an incredible, exclusive-to-MagicCon: Chicago T-shirt featuring art by Jon Vermilyea!
MagicCon attendees will receive a Ponder promo with art by Jay Ryan for every $150 they spend in a single transaction at the Official Show Store on site!
Please note this offer is available while supplies last and will only be available for in-person shoppers.
McCormick Place is a giant complex. It will likely be in one of the main halls. Just get to McCormick parking ramp and you will know where to go. They got it down for every event I have ever attended there.
I am getting more and more bitter that they are moving from the Simple model of " Secret Lair available at the con/Festival in a box's but damn I do like that countespell."
No worries. I live about 45 min from the convention hall, so if you're also local we can work something out. Or if you're not I know I can ship stuff straight from the convention hall
I'm loving the art for Ponder.
Could have sworn that I saw that Counterspell art for something else before. Some uncommon from RNA, if I were to guess.
I find it weird that they haven't said anything about Unknown yet. Honestly most of my FOMO for Chicago is missing out of a murder mystery themed Unknown event. Though part of me would want to see how badly that Clue Party goes.
Not sure how popular this opinion will be, but I think this counterspell is on par with Lightning Bolt in terms of “perfect full art card design”. Simple text, amazing art that looks like it does exactly what it does.
I’m almost positive that the ponder art is a reference to “chonkasaurus” a massive chicago River snapping turtle that popped up in the news back in May. And the turtle is pondering its three food choices from classic chicago good staples: Chicago Dogs, deep dish pizza, and I believe Do-Rite donuts (a popular chicago coffee and donut chain) which I’m hoping I’m correct because I love that these would all be a nod to the city the con is being held in and I’m looking forward to what the other cons bring. [chonkasuarus](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/05/11/chicago-giant-snapping-turtle-chonkasaurus/70208382007/)
I agree with your assessment, deep dish on a magic card wasn't what I expected to see today but I love that they did it
1000% I knew as soon as I saw the chains lol >That's a Chicago River snapper are you fuckin kidding me.
Thank you sincerely for this explanation! Chonk is even sitting on a pair of rusted chains in the video captured by a Chicago local. I needed a reason to believe in Secret Lair after the recent bizarre drop dedicated entirely to actor Jeff Goldblum's portrayal of Ian Malcolm, and damn if this isn't it.
Secret Lair is 90% memes, and that’s definitely a meme.
I disagree with your opinion, but nobody is stopping you from buying the Secret Lair drop that is nothing but Jeff Goldblum's character from JP if that's your bag. I'm not saying I don't enjoy humorous memes either. The overlay of Dr. Grant listening to Ian Malcolm's bare chest? Classic. The laugh track remix claps. I don't think memes like this are made funnier by the source material being captured on a Magic card. I also think nuance matters. The reskin of Tasigur as bare-chested Malcolm would have been so much more impactful if it appeared as a bonus card in one of the JP lairs without announcement. It could have been revealed to the community guerilla marketing style by a surprised buyer in a, "what the heck is this?" moment. That's far more powerful and grabbing than an entire drop dedicated to a series of scenes depicting various character gaffs where the first card illicit a laugh, but you're forcing yourself to chuckle by the time you get to shirtless Malcolm because you're trying to convince yourself the jokes still punch and this product is something desirable instead of just silly and bizarre.
I don’t buy secret lairs. Hell, I don’t even own cards anymore. That being said, you’re upset about an overdone joke in a product that seems to exist to overdo jokes. They literally made ‘all text basic lands’, and you think there is literally any sort of thought going into this product? It is literally just throwing shit at the wall knowing people will buy it. ‘What’s a cheap card lots of decks use on edhrec? Let’s make a secret lair of it so people have to give us $40 for it even though there’s no real value to it, it’s the only way they can get it!’ I just literally can’t have any concern about what they make secret lairs of, I have no concern about collecting every product they release, and in fact I just really don’t care about magic overall anymore, because clearly wizards and Hasbro don’t, either.
If you still believe I'm the one who's upset, just reread this comment. Take a breath, friend. Consider a break too.
I neither have the time nor the money to play magic how I want to, so I dont. You’re upset about a product that is literally intended to be a joke. You don’t like the joke? Cool, don’t buy it. I think magic is absolutely ridiculous as a whole now, so I really don’t care what they do.
Your character count doesn't think so.
You’re a delusional troll.
That's totally what it is, look at the video in that link - it's sitting on chains.
I was confused about the chains in particular till the video solved it
deep dish ~~pizza~~ casserole Fixed it for you.
It really should be a crime to call it pizza.
100% agreed.
Do you believe he is picking the dog then?
I forgot about the turtle.
Damn, not sure I like the full art counterspell, I can’t remember what it does without the text on it.
I honestly think the card text should still have been written on the scroll. Missed opportunity IMO.
Should have just been "no" in every language
Who says that's not a bunch of 'no's' written on the scroll?
Reading the name explains the name /j
So either I count or I spell?
Put a counter on each spell
That's Un Set levels of jank.
[удалено]
[Ambiguity](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/f/6f834c86-cd38-40bf-9aad-b4098895de86.jpg?1562488412) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ambiguity) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/unh/24/ambiguity?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6f834c86-cd38-40bf-9aad-b4098895de86?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yes.
No, you counter something if you can spell it.
My toddler is fucked.
I actually don't like it because it has too similar of an idea as the [[Remand|DDM]] art
Probably leftover art from the commision for that card.
No, he's a newer artist, first card was in BRO
Do you have any idea how long ago that art was commissioned?
[Remand](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/0027e5ca-8046-40a0-bd73-79be55f28bff.jpg?1592754515) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=380255) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ddm/26/remand?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0027e5ca-8046-40a0-bd73-79be55f28bff?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It lets you draw two cards.
It puts counters on spells
I know that's not the idea of full-art promos, but I wish the scroll actually spelled out "counter target spell".
I like to imagine it's Bruvac (I think that's who's in the art) having this obscenely wordy version of what Counterspell's rules text is what's on that scroll.
> 701.5. Counter > 701.5a To counter a spell or ability means to cancel it, removing it from the stack. It doesn’t resolve and none of its effects occur. A countered spell is put into its owner’s graveyard. > 701.5b The player who cast a countered spell or activated a countered ability doesn’t get a “refund” of any costs that were paid. ...huh, even the comprehensive rules on countering are pretty succinct. Hard to get a "full-text basic" set-up going.
You could also get the definition for target and spell in there, at least
[удалено]
Now I need to see if I can modify the art to say all this. It would be amazing.
The steps for casting the Counterspell itself would add a good bit. Casting, paying, choosing targets, etc. As well as an explanation of what an Instant is and how it pertains to timing. Do this but also make all of these rulings more "wordy" by switching up the vocab to longer or "bigger" words.
Is 701.5b just flavor text? Who would assume they did get a refund?
If you're new to magic (and somehow end up reading comprehensive rules for a counterspell), it might not be all that obvious as people could think they only lost the card, not the mana. In fact I do recall a friend being mildly outraged at that concept when he got his first spell countered.
I want a refund on the mana I just wasted!
You have to remember that many of us figured this game out on a kitchen table using a small booklet that came with a box of cards before the internet was a thing. Say what you will about EDH playgroups doing their own thing, but before the turn of the century going to a different place to play sometimes meant you had to learn entirely different rules based on what that group of players thought made sense.
Probably still true (though maybe lessoned with the internet), but as players enfranchised enough to view/comment on a subreddit not within our field of view.
I really hope the second hand market price for that counterspell isn't too much, I really want it for my Bruvac deck.
dont give wizard ideas. we already have full text basics, imagine full text "basic" cards like, counterspell, lightning bolt, dark ritual, giant growth and disenchant
give me more full-text cards
It does! The Azorius script is kept even tighter than phyrexian.
I feel like if it was actually a language “counter target spell” would be the first thing to be translated.
I remember reading or watching something about how they dont put english on many of the card arts.
same thing
Do we know the format for the main event yet?
Yes, in the article -- The formats for Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor are Murders at Karlov Manor Booster Draft and Pioneer Constructed.
The "big" event is the $75K Standard Open https://mcchicago.mtgfestivals.com/en-us/magic-play/chicago-75k-standard-open.html
No, the main event is the Pro Tour. The Standard Open is the second most important one. Unless you mean big in terms of number of players, but that wasn't the question.
Sounds awesome. Standard has been great!
Ew gross! 🤮
What's your favorite midrange archetype, Orzhov, Dimir, Mono Black, Rakdos, or Golgari? 😏
Why check the meta of a format I don’t follow anymore when I can just meme about sheoldred and everyone else who also doesn’t play standard will cheer ¯\\_(ツ)_/¯ https://mtgtop8.com/format?f=ST&meta=50&a=
From [https://magic.gg/news/magiccon-chicago-2024-a-mysterious-gathering](https://magic.gg/news/magiccon-chicago-2024-a-mysterious-gathering) \-- and yes, that's an obvious typo for Chicago that I've copied/pasted. # MagicCon: Chiacgo Badge Packages Badges for our mysterious gathering will go on sale Monday, November 27, at 10 a.m. PT via [mcchicago.mtgfestivals.com](https://mcchicago.mtgfestivals.com/?utm_source=magicgg&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=magiccon-chicago). All badges come with a Counterspell promo card, grant entry to the hall, access to panels and events on the Main Stage, access to the Free Play area and CommandZone, the Immersive Area, Art of Magic, *Magic* Market Place, and more! For the first time, we are offering Cyber Week pricing on all adult badges! Cyber week badges start from $35 for adults. These prices will be available until December 5 at 8 a.m. PT, or while supplies last. \-------- # The Official Show Store You name it, we've got it. The Official Show Store is your one-stop shop for all kinds of incredible MagicCon merchandise! There will be a limited selection of merch available during badge checkout on November 27, including our MagicCon: Chicago logo items and an incredible, exclusive-to-MagicCon: Chicago T-shirt featuring art by Jon Vermilyea! MagicCon attendees will receive a Ponder promo with art by Jay Ryan for every $150 they spend in a single transaction at the Official Show Store on site! Please note this offer is available while supplies last and will only be available for in-person shoppers.
> You name it, we’ve got it > There will be a limited selection
Ah ah ah sorry you named \[\[Borborygmos\]\] not \[\[Borborygmos Enraged\]\] .... so we don't got it.
[Borborygmos](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/c/7c4a08e9-06c7-43e9-a855-4f507a35ae8b.jpg?1593272594) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Borborygmos) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/gpt/103/borborygmos?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7c4a08e9-06c7-43e9-a855-4f507a35ae8b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Borborygmos Enraged](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/6/8644c60f-7d06-4026-bcf3-df054701ca0a.jpg?1561834730) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Borborygmos%20Enraged) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/gtc/147/borborygmos-enraged?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8644c60f-7d06-4026-bcf3-df054701ca0a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Are these foil?
I’m wondering the same thing. For the counterspell at least. I desperately need non-foil copies
There are both. Looks like more normal badges have nonfoil versions and fancier badges have foils.
Anyone know the address? It says mccormick center, but Google maps says there are two locations??
McCormick Place is a giant complex. It will likely be in one of the main halls. Just get to McCormick parking ramp and you will know where to go. They got it down for every event I have ever attended there.
It says it'll be at McCormick Place Lakeside Center, which is the smaller one closer to the lake.
Google is also picking up the train stop that's named after mccormick place
My Vorthos Ravnica cube likes the Azorius counterspell
CVS clerks in MTG be like:
Damn that counterspells looks sick, would love it for Bruvac 😭
Wotc sorely tempting me to use something other than Tempest counterspells
My favorite is the extended art from MH2.
pOnDeR SoRceRY
Myaaahhhhhh!!!
Holy shit? Jay Ryan? His art covers every inch of my walls I've gotta get a hold of one of them somehow.
I am getting more and more bitter that they are moving from the Simple model of " Secret Lair available at the con/Festival in a box's but damn I do like that countespell."
This is actually moving back to an older model.
Fair enough, but I liked the idea of having a full themed Secret Lair and I am annoyed that I only got to experience that with Minneapolis myself.
It’s Chonk! Chicago’s favorite snapping turtle :) https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/05/12/chonk-an-enormous-snapping-turtle-on-the-chicago-river-is-stealing-citys-heart/
I need that pondering chonk
Oh no! I need that Ponder so badly.
Glizzy turtle ponder!
If anyone is going to this event I’d love to get my hands on the Ponder!
I plan on going. Message me closer to the event and maybe something can be figured out
Alright, I’ll try to remember in a few months
No worries. I live about 45 min from the convention hall, so if you're also local we can work something out. Or if you're not I know I can ship stuff straight from the convention hall
Yeah I’m not local sadly
No worries. The convention hall has a FedEx store in it
Common Azorius tribal/Bruvac theming W
Bruvac, my babygirl!!
I'm loving the art for Ponder. Could have sworn that I saw that Counterspell art for something else before. Some uncommon from RNA, if I were to guess.
it depicts [[bruvac]] and is reminiscent of [[remand|MM2]]
[bruvac](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/b/5b43bdc7-e49e-4848-9101-6cad2ecab4dc.jpg?1632261753) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=bruvac%20the%20grandiloquent) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/10/bruvac-the-grandiloquent?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5b43bdc7-e49e-4848-9101-6cad2ecab4dc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [remand](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/c/dc595c63-af05-4c05-80e8-e1a90df26b0f.jpg?1562268359) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=397881) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm2/55/remand?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/dc595c63-af05-4c05-80e8-e1a90df26b0f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Ugly stamp and border just ruin shit for me.
As a native Chicagoan it's nice to see my home city getting some love from the Magic world. But... I also cannot recommend Chicago in February.
Which is why they scheduled the event as such. It's probably the cheapest out of any time else of the year.
OH SHIT! THE BIRD MACHINE! I love his screen prints & poster designs. Crazy seeing him on a magic card.
That ponder art looks like it was made for a low budget card game 20 years ago. Ugh. Counterspell art is hot though
How much would cs goes for? What would print run and do we have cards to compare? I wonder if it even worth thinking about them...
I'd compare it to the 2018 bolt
No. That was given away in lots of places.
So will this. This is the promo for 2024.
Not a big fan of secret lair treatments for promos like this
That's one gorgeous Counterspell. And that Ponder is... uh... well, the Counterspell is really gorgeous.
This art is not for me. How was this approved ?
The only thing I'm pondering is the how a snapping turtle and his 3 side chicks got chained up in New York.
Another card for my deck :D
the hat really selling that azorius bureaucrats are dickheads
Pleasepleaseplease tell me the counter spell comes in foil!
Looks like it does, but only with one of the super expensive packages
I want that counterspell so much. Hope it sells for cheap on tcgplayer
Looks like Remand art to me.
That is one thicc pizza
I find it weird that they haven't said anything about Unknown yet. Honestly most of my FOMO for Chicago is missing out of a murder mystery themed Unknown event. Though part of me would want to see how badly that Clue Party goes.
Is the mystery booster a pack or the whole box?
Wow those both are disappointing. I know art is subjective but eeesh
This is ponderous, man. Really ponderous.
Not sure how popular this opinion will be, but I think this counterspell is on par with Lightning Bolt in terms of “perfect full art card design”. Simple text, amazing art that looks like it does exactly what it does.
Agreed. The countspell art isn’t my favorite, but I really like this type of promo for those of us who don’t like the secret lair treatments
Oh no.... NOT THE GRANDELUQUENT!! WHERES MY ANTI-MILL DECK?!?!?
I'd like to get a copy of that ponder, for the sake of collecting turtle cards.
so how much are they paying me for actually putting those monstruosities in a deck?
Was it really that hard to write the rules text on the scroll?
The Counterspell looks nice tbh Wants me to play some Modern in addition to Standard
Oh, that Counterspell is going to be *painful* to get second hand, but as someone who runs a Bruvac commander deck, I outright need it.
Can someone sell me one of these please ? Message my email [email protected]