As we aim to build the best possible 'basic lands box', we are doing a retroview of the basics since I came back to Magic. Our goal is to pick one or two from each set and then see if we can build a good draft box of basics (3-4 of each basic land). Previously done:
The Lands
I've never noticed that each clan has one basic land of their own color! For example, the Sultai are rocking these three with their vaguely Angor Wat-ish ruins.
where Jeskai have the following remote monasteries
That's actually pretty slick! Each artist was assigned to a particular clan (Noah Bradley did Mardu etc.) Interesting how each clan got two of its 'emphasis' color. So there are two plains for Abzan, two islands for Jeskai etc. Very cool!
Highlights
There's a lot of good stuff in here but also a lot that's a little too 'khans specific'. I'm glad that the Abzan are desert wanderers but I don't want giant sand dunes in my plains.
I don't really care if Florian de Gesincourt does a bunch of digital work/touchups, that's fan-freaking tastic.
My Wife's Favorite
In what may become a recurring theme, Elisabeth picked the one with the brightest colors and fewest skulls.
If I had to pick a swamp...
Credit where credit is due: this is actually looks like a swamp yet isn't just a pastiche of blacks and grays.
