Beyond the Stage: Unveiling the Legitimacy of John Magic's Performances

There has been a long-standing debate about the legitimacy of magic and whether it can truly exist in the real world. One individual who has been at the center of this discussion is John, a self-proclaimed magician who claims to possess supernatural powers. Many people question the authenticity of John's abilities, while others are intrigued and fascinated by what they have witnessed. Critics argue that John's alleged magic is nothing more than elaborate tricks and illusions. They claim that he uses sleight of hand, misdirection, and psychological manipulation to create the illusion of supernatural abilities. These skeptics believe that there is a logical explanation for everything that John does and that his tricks can be debunked with careful observation and analysis.

These skeptics believe that there is a logical explanation for everything that John does and that his tricks can be debunked with careful observation and analysis. On the other hand, John's supporters argue that there are certain occurrences and phenomena that defy rational explanation. They believe that John possesses a unique and extraordinary skill set that allows him to tap into hidden powers.

Walking Dead magic cards

Post by Sinis » 2 years ago

What say you, Nexus? Do you even care about these cards? Have you encountered them? Have they caused any problems, in-game or out?

Caveat: I'm in a locked down area of Canada; LGSs are not open, and in-person play has not happened.

Over the pandemic, I have played with the same 8-12 people, over and over. None of us wanted to play TWD cards.

I think in a couple of months when more places are open, we'll see.

I do not. I do not want to play against someone's cEDH pubstomp pile while I don't have a competitive deck, even though both decks are "legal". There are lots of reasons to decline playing with someone, and I think not wanting to play against TWD is totally fair (though, I would play against them).

Post by Moonlighter » 2 years ago

I really don't think it's a worry for me. My current group that we've just gotten together in the last month (3-4 other guys) would not play them, and when we get the larger band back together, I think most of those people are like-minded. That said, there are many, many commanders I will never play, for cost or lack of interest, so having a few more on that list doesn't bother me that much. I agree that the idea of TWD commanders is wicked dumb, but I also don't need to punish someone for thinking it was cool.

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Post by Krishnath » 2 years ago

No I have not, nor do I think I ever will.

Here's the thing, I am not against the "Universes Beyond" product line, at all. Indeed I am incredibly excited for the LotR's set they announced during the unveiling. But I think the Walking Dead secret lair was incredibly poorly handled on WotC's part. But the concept of Universes Beyond is good I think, as it will bring in new players to our hobby, which is always a good thing.

Personally, I think it is up to each individual play group to whether or not they want to include the cards from those sets, on a set by set basis if need be. If someone wants to build a deck with cards from it, fine, not a problem. They just have to have a deck with them without said cards in them if the group they want to play with don't allow them. But I don't really see this as a bad thing, I mean, how many of us only have the *one* deck they play? I mean, I currently have two dozen, and a friend of mine has eight active decks at any given time. I see no difference between banning or allowing said cards in your play group, than say, for example banning an unfun commander (and there is a few of those, I had to give up my Sliver Queen deck because of the collective groan whenever I pulled it out. Lol.)

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Post by onering » 2 years ago

Post by hyalopterouslemur » 2 years ago

Expecting another wave, so while I am going put for work and to buy essentials, I'm not going to FNM until I'm proven wrong.

Post by duducrash » 2 years ago

I dont think I am at risk of facing them, WOTC doesnt ship SLairs to my country, thats why Im so upset, its geographical competitive advantage

Post by Dragoon » 2 years ago

Me and my playgroup split that Secret Lair. I took Negan, the Cold-Blooded for Golos since I love this type of "mind game" design. I haven't had the chance to play the deck since COVID so I don't know how good he will be. I don't have any interest for The Walking Dead and I don't know who that guy is (from my understanding based on the comments at the time, he's kind of a big jerk), but I'm not going to pass on it because of the IP or the business model. I kept my old foil copy of Goblin Assassin around so that I can switch those two if it really bothers people but I don't think it will be necessary.

Post by Legend » 2 years ago

I don't mind them except for flavor. TWD just doesn't suit Magic. Cars, cowboy boots, and shotguns ends all immersion for me. I hope Wizards gives them the Godzilla flavor treatment with mechanical reprints.

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Post by Ruiner » 2 years ago

A friend built a deck led by Negan, the Cold-Blooded with Lucille in the deck and it is a perfectly fine deck. It didn't seem overpowered and he is a pretty unique. Conjurer's Closet made him pretty mean but nothing that couldn't be overcome.

My playgroup isn't bent out of shape over Walking Dead cards or other intellectual properties at all so it didn't get any comments at all in that regard.

Post by ISBPathfinder » 2 years ago

I have a Daryl deck (decklist). I did get some grumbling about the walking dead product but I pointed out that he can be bought as a singleton for under $5. When the product released his price was under $1 so that mostly got most people ok with him.

I think I likely would have gotten more flack if I was running Rick, Steadfast Leader or Negan, the Cold-Blooded given price points / controversial characters.

I really like Daryl though as I get to play a somewhat unique controlling gruul build which is very unusual for the colors. I haven't seen anyone else running any of them in person though.

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Post by Hermes_ » 2 years ago

and then at the end like a stab in the heart.

if oyu can't see the tweet it says "Implementing something similar to this with The Walking Dead isn't off the table in the future. We want to use this new Secret Lair drop as a way to gauge feedback, gather responses, listen, and see if that approach makes sense before diving in and making Magic-universe cards." wizards_magic

Post by onering » 2 years ago

Post by Hermes_ » 2 years ago

Post by Wallycaine » 2 years ago

More like =/= exactly the same as. It's worth noting that Aaron Forscythe has gone on to explain that they *will* have some sort of treatment that denotes that they are related, but that they are not ready to give specifics at this time.

Post by JWK » 2 years ago

I have not. Other than playing with my wife and one other couple, all of my playing in the recent past has occurred on PlayEDH/Spelltable. Negan is banned on PlayEDH; the other TWD cards are not banned, but I have never encountered them. I personally want nothing to do with the TWD versions, but would be glad to see them reskinned in MtG format. I have seen some people online promoting a version of the Rick character reskinned as Odric that seemed 100% appropriate for both the established character of Odric and the mechanics of the card.

I have 68 active EDH decks, with more in progress. I don't consider this a problem. Do you?
I am also one of those barbarians who enjoys winning by turning creatures sideways.

Post by LightningHelix » 2 years ago

I have not either, but to be fair I haven't played physical magic since the coof varus. Living in Canada, it might be a little longer until that becomes commonplace again.

I think refusing to play someone who plays these cards is a bit of an overreaction though. I had my fair share of knee-jerk reactions when these first came out, but they aren't so good that they are staples or anything and I *think* wizards got the message that the community frowns on this type of thing, so I don't think exclusive staple cards are going to get printed from these products.

To me its like getting mad at the reserved list existing and refusing to play someone who plays reserved list cards. I don't personally agree with the reserve list making cards exclusive, but I don't pack up the moment I see a Volcanic Island (hypocrite here though, I play those cards.)

Do I like that Wizards makes products in this way? No.
Do any of them actually ruin a game of EDH? I don't think so.
Only one I'd consider running is Negan, the Cold-Blooded because my Mardu aristocrats deck loves to make my opponents sacrifice and makes good use of treasures. I don't think he is by any means obligatory in the archetype though. I guess Rick, Steadfast Leader has a place in human decks if that's your thing.

The fact these are rarely seen and have some unique effects does draw me to them not going to lie. Then again, I've convinced people to let me play Grimlock, Dinobot Leader // Grimlock, Ferocious King as my commander, because its unique and dosen't do anything remotely broken.

Just my hot take, to each their own.

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Expecting another wave, so while I am going put for work and to buy essentials, I'm not going to FNM until I'm proven wrong.

These supporters claim to have witnessed an array of inexplicable events, from objects levitating to mind reading, that they attribute to John's magic. The debate surrounding John's legitimacy ultimately boils down to one's personal beliefs and experiences. Those who are more inclined to trust their senses and adhere to scientific principles are likely to dismiss John's magic as mere trickery. On the other hand, individuals who are more open-minded and willing to entertain the possibility of the supernatural may be more willing to accept the legitimacy of John's abilities. Whether or not John's magic is legitimate ultimately remains a subjective question. It is up to each individual to decide for themselves what they believe based on their own observations and experiences. While skeptics will continue to demand empirical evidence and logical explanations, John's supporters will continue to marvel at the wonders that he seemingly brings to life..

Reviews for "The Art of Wonder: Examining the Legitimacy of John Magic's Astonishing Feats"

1. Jane - 1 star - I was disappointed with "Is John Magic Legitimate". The book is filled with questionable claims and unrealistic promises. It feels like a cheap attempt to lure gullible individuals into purchasing some sort of magic trick or scam. I expected a legitimate guide to magic, but instead, I got a bunch of nonsense. Save your money and look for more reputable resources if you're truly interested in learning magic.

2. Mike - 2 stars - I found "Is John Magic Legitimate" to be quite underwhelming. The book lacks any substantial information or instructional content. It is mostly filled with personal anecdotes and vague explanations. Moreover, the author's writing style is convoluted and difficult to follow, making it hard to grasp any useful techniques or knowledge. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone serious about learning magic. It's better to invest in other well-established resources with proven credibility.

3. Sarah - 1 star - "Is John Magic Legitimate" is a complete waste of time and money. The author claims to possess extraordinary magical abilities but fails to provide any substantial proof or evidence. The book is riddled with unconvincing stories and pseudoscience, making it seem more like a work of fiction than a genuine guide to magic. I regret purchasing this book and would advise others against making the same mistake. There are far better resources available for those interested in learning about magic.

4. Jason - 2 stars - While "Is John Magic Legitimate" initially caught my attention with its intriguing title, it quickly left me unimpressed. The book is filled with vague explanations and lacks depth in its teachings. The author fails to provide clear instructions or practical examples, making it difficult for readers to apply the concepts discussed. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide on magic.

The Legend of John Magic: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction in his Legitimacy