Friendship is Card Games: Vinson Visions, Pt. 2 · 11:40am June 1st
This week, I’m looking at the other longer-form animations of Vinson Visions, approached from the other chronological direction. There are others, but each clocks in at under two minutes, and in some cases, under thirty seconds. Not much to work with there. In any case, let’s begin.
I do like this Manehattan skyline, though I’m not sure what’s been impaled on the Chrysler Building (Clydesdale Building?)
On the one hand, Manehattan having a flat-out Chinatown is a terrible failure of horse puns. On the other, many options would require far too much explanation for an establishing shot. Still could’ve gone for something like Kirintown.
On a Doylist level, I know the vending machine of Dr. Breen’s Private Reserve is there because it’s a handy Half-Life asset. On the Watsonian level, the implications are fascinating. Likewise the public phone.
Not sure why Twilight’s the one who has to be flying in this stunt show. I can understand building up flight experience, especially since this came out partway through Season 5, but if she’s this uneasy, she’s probably not ready for competitions. (Also, not the best character voice for Dash. “With my supervision, we’ll be certain to win first place” is far more verbose than how I’d have her put it.)
Very considerate of the emergency announcement to specify what the airship was carrying.
Silly Twilight, everyone knows you can pilot anything if you’re strong enough. That’s how it works in the card game, anyway. 
Dash’s takeoff could use a bit more flourish to make it feel more natural, but this is Vinson’s first longer-form animation. It’s uphill from here.
So the airship was 38 miles southeast of the Manehattan Bridge… and we cut to 18 miles northwest of Manehattan. I can only assume that “position” in the radio announcement was meant to be “velocity.” That or Dash is about to intercept the wrong ship.
The twist is spoiled by the title, but it is an interesting premise. Though there is still the question of how Fluttershy got where she is, both in terms of position and body condition. And Vinson’s skill wasn’t quite up to gripping aerial combat choreography quite yet.
I was not prepared for the original-series Star Trek communicator noise. Incredible touch. 
“Dash! What’s up?”
“Well, I now know who’s responsible for the crew being incapacitated.”
Seriously, diction matters.
The timecards could definitely use an “X minutes until impact” to indicate how dire the situation is getting.
Twilight flying directly towards the airship’s propellers isn’t the best positioning.
Why is Fluttershy so hostile to invaders rather than seeking out the cargo that presumably got her to the ship in the first place?
Yeah, calling for help is definitely a reasonable course of action.
This was posted the day before Halloween. Fluttershy spending the evening prepping for Nightmare Night makes sense. Her having an inexplicable vampiric doppleganger… Well, arguably, Vinson predicted “The Mean Six.”
Despite my critiques, I did enjoy this one. It just has room for improvement, much of which Vinson has since grown into.
The Misadventures of Applejack the Vampire Slayer
Well, this seems conceptually on-theme… he said before seeing the Looney Tunes homage.
The use of the cross as a holy symbol by ponies also raises some questions.
Front-facing, sitting 3D ponies. A rather awkward start.
Rarity focusing on costume design over plot does make sense.
There’s something very funny in seeing the closest possible approximation to Ponyville using available GMod assets. Also, apparently Starlight’s post-reform mane wasn’t available.
“I find all the vampire stuff hard to believe.”
“Actually, it’s based off o’ real magic.”
Again, character voicing matters. This feels more like a conversation between Dash and Twilight.
… Okay, Twilight being the source of Applejack’s exposition does help address that. 
I recognize this TF2 map. It’s not a bad fit for Sweet Apple Acres, but it’s a bit like watching classic Doctor Who after visiting that one quarry in person.
That is a good cartoonish shock reaction from Applejack.
“Rarity, do you know what this means?” “That Miley Cyrus destroyed your trees?”
“No, she destroyed the Zap Apple orchards yesterday. We got it covered.”
I have several questions.
Upon hearing “I must look the part,” Rarity did not immediately drag Applejack to the Boutique for a new outfit. 0/10, unwatchable garbage.
It is a nice outfit. Black goes with everything, after all. Though I still have questions about the cross.
I do like how Celestia’s just there in the background. It’s nice to see her get a chance to be among her subjects.
Oh dear. Somehow I don’t trust Trixie to offer the highest quality enchanted weapons.
Heh. Vinson definitely (if accidentally) predicting Applejack’s main gag in Pony Life.
I have several questions about this testing facility. Not least where and how Applejack got her license.
Oh no. I recognize that hammer. That’s for hunting hedgehogs, not vampires.
Note: Always read all of the instructions for a magical item before beginning any rituals described therein.
“Can my tail really hold that much?”
Don’t act like you’re surprised, Pinkie.
I was not expecting the cell phone.
Ah. A bat migration overseen by Fluttershy. Not hard to see how that could’ve gone wrong.
I can only assume Vinyl and Octavia are in Mexicolt City for a tour. I’m just not sure who the star is.
I hear Twilight won’t be going to next year’s Calculus Convention. She’s really approaching her limits there.
Ah, Coyote’s Law of Gravitational Ignorance. You don’t fall until you realize you should.
Fluttershy did help. I can believe her wanting to post proper signage.
Ah, enchanted dynamite. Now there’s a product where I trust Trixie’s involvement.
Heh. Love it when my jokes turn out to be more right than I know.
I’d say “just put out the fuse,” but that might be enchanted too.
I’m reminded of Red Mage’s use of Ice-9 in 8-Bit Theater. If the area of effect is an entire universe, target a different universe.
Well, the opening certainly set the tone for this one. Some of the jokes were trying a bit too hard, but overall it was quite entertaining.
History with Pinkie Pie - Amelia Marehart
I’m very curious to see how what appears to be a moon colony gets involved in this one.
I do love the juxtaposition of “Equestria’s lovely history” and the memorial poster.
You’d think aviation wouldn’t be history so much as evolutionary biology for pegasi, but transoceanic flight is still a consideration. (Though I personally prefer “Saddlantic Ocean” for that particular horsepun.) And it’s not like ponies don’t have heavier-than-air aircraft.
Fashion takes a backseat to practicality when you’re breaking new frontiers in aviation, Pinkie.
Ah, Best Pony as mechanic. Surely nothing can go wrong.
Sunset as the cautious skeptic doesn’t feel right, but that’s dubious casting rather than characterization.
Ah yes, that readily available compound in the early days of aviation, literal rocket fuel.
Good reuse of the previous short’s Ponyville set. And I have to imagine this isn’t the project Celestia most regrets funding.
Ah, we’re going by classic RTS logic. Any wooden structure hit hard enough will burst into flames.
So was that excavation site funded by the Crystal Empire or looking for it?
Ooh, Relax-o-Vision. There’s a throwback.
Again, delightful shenanigans, which makes shorts like “Revenge of the Flutterbat” and “The Mob & The Singer” stand out all the more. These have all been quite fun to look at. I have another animator planned for the next time I turn to YouTube, for now, let’s see what I can make of these shorts:
Rough Landing W
Instant
Whenever target creature deals combat damage this turn, it deals that much damage to itself.
Some opposite reactions are more equal than others.
Applied Aerobatics 1W
Enchantment — Aura
Enchant creature
Whenever enchanted creature attacks, if it doesn’t have flying, put a flying counter on it at end of combat. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on it at end of combat.
“Fastest way to learn is getting up there.”
—Rainbow Dash, Bearer of Loyalty
Slayer’s Armaments 2W
Artifact — Equipment
Job select (When this Equipment enters, create a 1/1 colorless Hero creature token, then attach this to it.)
Equipped creature gets +2/+1, is a Soldier in addition to its other types, and has “If a permanent dealt damage by this creature this turn would die, exile it instead.”
Equip 3
Maretropolis Veteran 2WW
Creature — Pony Soldier
Flash
When this creature enters, put a +1/+1 counter on each creature you control that attacked or blocked this turn.
“I’ve been through worse. I’ll get you through this.”
3/3
Don’t Look Down 1U
Sorcery
Each creature you control without flying gains flying until end of turn or until it becomes the target of a spell or ability, whichever comes first.
What you can plausibly deny can’t hurt you.
The Blue Streak 2U
Legendary Artifact — Vehicle
Flying
Whenever The Blue Streak attacks, scry X, where X is the number of attacking Vehicles you control.
Crew 2 (Tap any number of creatures you control with total power 2 or more: This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)
3/3
Amelia Marehart 3U
Legendary Creature — Pegasus Pilot
Flying
Whenever a Vehicle crewed by Amelia this turn attacks, Amelia and that Vehicle each explore. (Reveal the top card of your library. Put that card into your hand if it’s a land. Otherwise, put a +1/+1 counter on the exploring creature, then put the card back or put it into your graveyard.)
2/2
Transoceanic Tragedy 3UU
Instant
Put target nonland permanent into its owner’s library just beneath the top X cards of that library, where X is the number of Islands you control.
There was a reason nopony had dared fly across an ocean before Amelia Marehart.
Cavern of Accomplices 1B
Enchantment
Whenever you commit a crime, create a 1/1 black Bat creature token with flying and “This creature can’t block.” This ability triggers only once each turn. (Targeting opponents, anything they control, and/or cards in their graveyards is a crime.)
Glowing Traces 1B
Enchantment
When this enchantment enters, investigate. (Create a Clue token. It’s an artifact with “2, Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.”)
Whenever you sacrifice a permanent, any number of target players each get a rad counter.
Obvious evidence is the most dangerous.
Orchard Ravagers 2B
Creature — Bat Mutant
Flying, deathtouch
Toxic 1 (Players dealt combat damage by this creature also get a poison counter.)
Given all the ways the Apples had tried to get rid of the fruit bats, nopony was entirely sure what had caused the horrific mutation.
2/1
Inaccurate Forecast 2BB
Sorcery
Choose X nonland card names, where X is the number of cards in target opponent’s hand. That player reveals their hand and discards each card with one of the chosen names revealed this way. If no cards were discarded this way, draw a card.
Expectations shift like the wind.
Ensorcelled Explosives 1R
Artifact
Whenever this artifact or another artifact you control enters, put a fuse counter on this artifact.
2RR, T, Sacrifice this artifact: It deals damage equal to the number of fuse counters on it to each creature, player, and planeswalker.
Enchanted Arms Dealer 2R
Creature — Unicorn Wizard
You may pay 0 rather than pay the cost of the first equip or reconfigure ability you activate each turn.
“You there! You look like you could use the latest in magically augmented self-defense! Sign this waiver and see what’s in stock!”
2/2
Gray Wings, Mechanic 2RR
Legendary Creature — Pegasus Artificer
Flying
At the beginning of combat on your turn, return up to one target artifact creature or Vehicle card from your graveyard to the battlefield with a finality counter on it. That artifact gains haste and “At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice this artifact.”
3/2
Aberrant Hominid 3R
Creature — Human
Whenever this creature attacks, if defending player controls no Humans, this creature gains menace until end of turn.
“Ain’t no sasquatch I ever seen. I ain’t going back in there without backup.”
—Applejack, Bearer of Honesty
4/3
Invasion Wreckage 2G
Artifact
When this artifact enters, incubate 3. (Create an Incubator token with three +1/+1 counters on it and “2: Transform this artifact.” It transforms into a 0/0 Phyrexian artifact creature.)
G, Sacrifice an artifact: Destroy target artifact.
Ensouled Sledge 3G
Artifact Creature — Equipment Construct
This creature can’t be blocked by more than one creature.
Equipped creature gets +3/+3 and can’t be blocked by more than one creature.
Reconfigure 4G (4G: Attach to target creature you control; or unattach from a creature. Reconfigure only as a sorcery. While attached, this isn’t a creature.)
3/3
Ambiguous End 3GG
Sorcery
Destroy all artifacts and enchantments. Draw a card for each Clue you controlled that was destroyed this way.
“Forget it, Dash. It’s Kirintown.”
—Princess Twilight Sparkle
Season of Harvests 3GG
Sorcery
Choose up to five Ω worth of modes. You may choose the same mode more than once.
Ω — You may put a land card from your hand onto the battlefield tapped. If you don’t, draw a card.
ΩΩ — Choose a creature you control. Until end of turn, it gets +1/+1 for each land you control and gains trample.
ΩΩΩ — Untap all lands you control.
Dr. Breen’s Private Reserve 2
Artifact — Food
Whenever a player sacrifices a permanent, that player mills two cards.
2, T, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.
“Don’t drink the water. They put something in it to make you forget.”
—City 17 resident
Airfield Fence 3
Artifact Creature — Wall
Defender, indestructible
Whenever this creature blocks a creature, the blocked creature’s controller may pay 3. If they do, that creature gains trample until end of turn.
Though every plank’s been replaced, the fence has stood since the first crash.
0/3
Freight Airship 4
Artifact — Vehicle
Flying
Whenever this Vehicle deals combat damage to a player, create a Food token. (It’s an artifact with “2, T, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.”)
Crew 2
4/3
Bloodthirsty Imitator 3UB
Creature — Vampire Shapeshifter
You may have this creature enter as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except it has flying and lifelink and is a Vampire in addition to its other types.
Fangs are more easily hidden behind a trusted face.
0/0
Calculus Convention XGU
Sorcery
Convoke (Your creatures can help cast this spell. Each creature you tap while casting this spell pays for 1 or one mana of that creature’s color.)
Create a 0/0 green and blue Fractal creature token. Put X +1/+1 counters on it.
Anything but derivative.
Condemned Mine
Land
This land enters tapped.
T: Add R.
2BBR, T, Sacrifice this land: It deals 2 damage to each player and planeswalker. All creatures get -2/-2 until end of turn.
The shaft will collapse any day now. The only question is who will be there when it does.
Yeah, she's more of a high explosives mare.
See? You get me.
Play Design Alert: Five cards for five mana would be too much even in blue without caveats. This is in green, so it's a Maro Get Your Gun Alert too.