Friendship is Card Games: Frenemies · 3:54pm May 21st, 2019
A bit late given EFNW, but I can now cover the latest check-in with the Equestrian chapter of the Legion of Doom.
Ah, the bell. An iconic object for Grogar, though what it does in this generation… Well, we’ll find out in time.
Cozy Glow would be the sort of person who complains to management the moment her coworkers annoy her.
I like how this evil lair comes with an employee lounge.
Nice touch with Tirek using a picture of himself towering over the Everfree as his fitness goal… though seeing a centaur on his back is weird.
Also, “absorbed the life force of all those ponies”? Interesting way of putting it.
Chrysalis kept the Twilight log. That’s… I honestly can’t tell if that’s more adorable or sad.
I do appreciate how neither other member of the team lets Cozy get away with saying she’s in charge.
Cupcakes are apparently an acceptable substitute for love… though I do wonder where Cozy got the ingredients.
You can’t drain a drainer, Tirek. Though vomiting magic on a cupcake… That’s simultaneously hilarious and disgusting.
I was actually spoiled on the existence of this song by Daniel Ingram himself. As far as spoilers go, that’s pretty neat. (Note: He informed the entire panel; I don’t mean to imply this was a personal conversation or something.)
I have to think the only reason Chrysalis fell off the tightrope rather than fly was for the sake of the song choreography.
Ah yes, classic marketing. It’s not enough to have an effective product. You need to reach your audience.
Ooh, nice way to give a sense of scope for Grogar. That goat is not messing around.
Five-leaf cutie mark. That’s Gusty alright.
Ooh, Mount Everhoof. That’s only been mentioned in the comics until now. As has the highly unusual weather of the region.
I do like how even Cozy abandons teamwork when it’s clear that the others have no interest in it. She never had friends; she had pawns. And a lord and a queen do not pawns make.
Huh. You’d think Chrysalis’s holes would reduce her air resistance. Same principle as a Wiffle ball.
Yeaaaah, you’re not going to intimidate Chrysalis. Also, credit to her for using the right pronoun. (“As if anything on this mountain is scarier than I (am).”)
Very nice character design on the Everhoof soldier. I especially like the bucket helmet.
… and his name is literally Rusty Bucket. Wow. 
And Twilight thwarts Cozy from hundreds of miles away. Magnificent. (Also, somepony’s actually using the Journal as intended. A shame she may never know.)
Hmm. Depending on how cragadile biology works, they may enjoy cold waters.
Chrysalis’s other transformation in this scene does raise an amusing point: These three have been ordered to climb a mountain on behalf of a goat.
Interesting approach with Tirek. He and Scorpan did wander the wilderness for who knows how long. It makes sense that he’d have some survival skills.
Cozy’s fury makes quite a bit of sense. She’s a chessmistress by mark. Nopony reacts well to their special talent not getting the job done. It’s an echo of Fluttershy at that first Gala… only in an avalanche zone.
Clever approach by Chrysalis in climbing up a different mountain. No good, but clever.
Ah, roommate drama.
Darn it, now I want to know about Tirek’s relationship with his grandmother. Probably the only active counterpoint to his father.
The ophiotaurus is an obscure entry in the ancient Greek bestiary. Nice use of it.
Huh. Well, that explains where Chrysalis has been getting love in her exile.
“Sow” may be the harshest language we’ve gotten on this show.
Ugh. We’re getting back to precisely what Cozy’s spell did, and all the inconsistencies thereof.
Heh. Changelings are convenient hoofholds.
The fastball special was nice, but Tirek climbing across that chasm just looks wrong.
Interesting limitation on Tirek. Makes sense, but it’s good to know.
It’s so bizarre, this pony disease called friendship.
In all seriousness, it’s not often you see the seductive power of the light side like this. I personally love it. Especially that Chrysalis was the first to notice how close they were coming. After all, she’s the one who has a biological reaction to this sort of attitude shift.
I can’t tell if plotting to backstab someone who has shown the ability to scry on anywhere in the world is daring or just stupid. Though from Grogar’s perspective, the answer is probably “expected.”
You just know Grogar is the kind of person who not only smashes a hole in a building to enter it, he smashes a second hole to leave rather than using the one he already made.
Brilliant plan, guys. Leave the bell where Grogar could pick it up at any time. I’m sure that won’t backfire in any way, shape, or form.
Great song, great character interaction, great reminder that the villains still exist. What’s not to like about this episode?
Now for my latest cunning stratagem:
Icy Peril 1W
Snow Instant
Icy Peril deals 3 damage to target attacking or blocking creature. If S was spent to cast Icy Peril, it deals 5 damage to that creature instead. (S can be paid with one mana from a snow source.)
Some of Mount Everhoof’s slopes may be gradual, but none are gentle.
Everhoof Guardian 2W
Creature — Pony Soldier
Triggered abilities of lands can’t be triggered.
“Somepony has to be here to tell everypony else it’s a bad idea to stay.”
1/4
Cliffdiver Roc 3W
Creature — Bird
Flying
Whenever Cliffdiver Roc attacks, it gets +1/+0 until end of turn for each Mountain defending player controls.
Only the greatest birds can navigate the greatest winds.
2/3
Memetic Contagion 1U
Enchantment
At the beginning of each player’s upkeep, that player puts the top three cards of their library into their graveyard and creates a 1/1 blue Unicorn creature token.
“One need only look at Discord to see how friendship rots your brain.”
—Lord Tirek
Changeling Mockery 3U
Instant
Target creature becomes a copy of another target creature until end of turn.
The only way Chrysalis’s satire could be more biting would be if she left her fangs undisguised.
“Better Way to be Bad” 1B
Enchantment — Song
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a verse counter on “Better Way to be Bad”.
1B, Sacrifice “Better Way to be Bad”: Creatures you control gain frenzy X until end of turn, where X is the number of verse counters on “Better Way to be Bad”. (Whenever a creature with frenzy X attacks and isn’t blocked, it gets +X/+0 until end of turn.)
Psychopathic Glee 1B
Instant
Target creature gains deathtouch, lifelink, and indestructible until end of turn.
Cozy Glow is at her most honest when grinding another pony’s face into the dirt.
Lifedrinker Centaur 3B
Creature — Centaur Vampire
Lifelink
Whenever another creature dies, put a +1/+1 counter on Lifedrinker Centuar and each player loses 1 life.
“Others studied magic draining. I perfected it.”
—Lord Tirek
2/2
Avalanche Zone 1R
Enchantment
When a player casts a spell with converted mana cost 4 or greater, sacrifice Avalanche Zone. If you do, it deals 4 damage to that player.
Nature abhors a loudmouth.
Burning Rage 2R
Instant
Target creature gets +2/+0 and gains trample until end of turn. Burning Rage deals 2 damage to each creature blocking or blocked by that creature.
Much of pegasus magic boils down to heat exchange. Angry pegasi make this especially clear.
Alpine Cragadile 3RR
Snow Creature — Elemental Crocodile
1S: Alpine Cragadile gains menace until end of turn.
They may imitate cold-blooded creatures, but cragadiles can make do in any climate.
4/4
Stalking Ophiotaurus 3GG
Creature — Ox Snake
Stalking Ophiotaurus can’t be blocked by more than one creature.
4GG: Monstrosity 2. (If this creature isn’t monstrous, put two +1/+1 counters on it and it becomes monstrous.)
“My chimera phase wasn’t all winners.”
—Discord
4/3
Loaned Might 5G
Instant
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.)
Target creature gets +5/+5 until end of turn.
Chrysalis couldn’t believe she gave him her power. Tirek couldn’t believe he gave it back.
Inspirational Banner 3
Artifact
(2w)(2w): Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
“It’s so cute, like me! How could anyone not love it?”
—Cozy Glow
Twilit Totem 3
Artifact
T: Add U.
3UU: Twilit Totem becomes an X/X blue Wizard artifact creature with alicorn and flying until end of turn, where X is the number of cards in your hand. (It’s a Pony Pegasus Unicorn in addition to its other types.)
Whenever Twilit Totem deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
Equine Effigy 5
Artifact Creature — Pony Construct
Indestructible
Whenever Equine Effigy enters the battlefield or becomes the target of a spell you control, choose another target creature.
Whenever Equine Effigy is dealt damage, you may have it deal that much damage to the last chosen creature.
0/1
Tirek’s Hunger 1BR
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, Tirek’s Hunger deals 1 damage to each opponent and you gain 1 life.
1BR, Sacrifice Tirek’s Hunger: Add X mana in any combination of colors, where X is your life total minus the life total of an opponent with the most life.
“I too believe in the power of unity.”
Wave of Malice 2BR
Sorcery
Creatures your opponents control get -1/-1 until end of turn. Those creatures can’t block this turn.
The mere touch of Grogar’s power was enough to bring the others into line.
Seductive Duplicate 2GU
Creature — Shapeshifter
You may have Seductive Duplicate enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature an opponent controls, except it has “Creatures with the same name as this creature able to block it do so.”
“A filly’s got to eat.”
—Chrysalis, deposed changeling queen
0/0
Gusty’s Wards 3WU
Enchantment
Creatures can’t attack you or a planeswalker you control unless their controller pays 2 for each of those creatures.
Whenever a creature deals combat damage to you or a planeswalker you control, return that creature to its owner’s hand unless that player pays 2.
No Greater Horror
Scheme
When you set this scheme in motion, each opponent sacrifices a creature with the greatest power among creatures that player controls.
“Your efforts to intimidate me are… quaint.”
The Pieces Are in Place
Scheme
When you set this scheme in motion, choose one —
• Search your library for an artifact or enchantment card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.
• You may put an artifact or enchantment card from your hand onto the battlefield.
“Your doom is nigh. Do try to look surprised.”
More bickering villains, please. And more villain songs!
I loved every moment of this episode and I listened to the song like ten times the first day.
Heh, beautiful FiCG edition. i really enjoy these.
That one is really, really good.
“I . . . have a cunning plan.”
Nice cards... also
Methinks you left an early name in... which it is is up for debate (for us, at any rate) but they both sound good.
Cozy's gag with her anger literally melting the snow is something I could see fitting right in in an old Looney Tunes cartoon.
I wouldn't be surprised if these three end up reforming and if their reformation ends up being chiefly internally motivated -- which I'm pretty sure would be a first for the show.
One visual detail I liked about Chrysalis's transformations was how most kept her eye color -- nowhere as obvious a tell as Ocellus' retaining of her entire color scheme, but still there. Even the ursa had several stars which shone the same color as Chrysalis' eyes.
I admit it. I loved this episode, mainly because A) it had more Chrysalis in it than all her other appearances combined and B) She seemingly was the most capable out in the wilderness with her abilities C) It was her idea to convince the others to join up with her instead of Grogar. In a fairly smart assessment "Grogar is already so powerful. Lets not give him even MORE power." As cute as cuckoo sally dally dingdong Chryssi is, it's nice to see her show SOME planning and degree of competence. I know I am biased over OG changeling queens.
I did wonder about that. I think she avoided the skittles since it was Tirek sucking it out of her and not her 'giving' it per se.
Also her Nnnnooooooo! was hilarious. And her conversation reminded me of Garak and Quark talking about root beer and the federation. "It's vile!
I'll give them a pass on this, because I'm hoping it was just a visual device for the viewer's benefit to let us know they didn't just put the bell back. If you want to show it without exposition or a scene change you do the slow pan.
Otherwise the next time Grogar blasts a new hole in the wall and walks by the rocks he is going to have one
hellTartarus of a "What the buck?!"Snow source?! Ice Age expansion in MY FICG? What's next, Mirage? If they give us another zebra?
Oooh. Mean Twilight was one of my favorite things about that episode. Your card makes me wonder if they are not setting her up for a brief return.
I’m surprised you haven’t made a location card based on Mt. Everhoof or Grogar’s lair.
Nice to see some snow cards in play. That was my favorite mechanic from Coldsnap.
Fantastic cards as always. Seeing a snow card
reminded me how long it’s been since my high school Magic crew made like a Blastoderm after too many turnsbrought back some memories!The “sow” line was an attention-getter. I had to rewind and verify that I heard what I thought I heard. But it was definitely the right place for the show to give us its equivalent of a Precision F-Strike—Chrysalis outright hates Starlight, which feels on point.
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Saw that too. Had to lol a bit; after all, it’s not like FoME makes very many mistakes!
Sadorable?
Option a: Grogar doesn't mind using a bit of magic to help out his minions and keep them supplied.
Option b: She was at the School long enough to learn a few secrets from The Pink One.
What the hell is that vine made out of!?
No no no. He's the type that arranges for someone else to have already smashed the holes where he wants to enter and leave.
And yes, this ep was glorious!
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I could see them not so much 'reforming' as coming to accept trying to fuck with Ponies is just not worth it and come to a truce with them.
I was taking a drink when Cozy hooked a hoof through one of Chrysalis' leg holes. Had to pause and wipe off the monitor.
What's funny is how biceps-kissing Tirek is still arguably the smartest out of the three. He acted as the brains, Chrysalis was the muscle, and Cozy is the soul: Small, volatile, and petty.
Also, the siren call of Spontaneous Musical Numbers strikes again. No wonder Griffonstone banned singing. The more pony there is, the more song magic you get, and Grogar's lair contains about... five thirds of pony.
Huh. And here I thought it was this show's "no human parts" version of a naga. I learned something today.
Anyway, this was a fun episode, and now I really want to read a fanfic about Tirek and his gram-gram.
Actually that was part of the official Equestria map.
Still, it is a happy coincidence that the comic said it had bad weather and the show also did.
Yay, this was a delightful episode. Watching it with my daughters, one of them asked "What did they do with the bell?" and I answered "I guess they hid it somewhere", just before the screen showed they'd hidden it inside Grogar's fortress. Yeah, I really doubt that's going to avoid detection, even if Grogar wasn't scrying on their mission the whole time.
I obviously agree with everyone else that Chrysalis struggling to avoid friendship and only partly succeeding is wonderful and adorable and wonderful.
And I'm expecting the Twilight log to get turned back into Mean Twilight at some point this season (just for one episode). Mean Twilight was by far the most interesting of the Mean Six and it'd be great to see her again.
To the cards!
Hm. Does Icy Peril's wording work? I mean, if I tap a snow Plains and a regular Mountain to cast it, did I pay {S}? I don't think the answer to that question is well-defined.
If your opponent has a Legend and another creature, Changeling Mockery destroys one of them (of their choice). That's why Mirrorweave and Cytoshape said "nonlegendary". Deliberate omission on your part?
Yow. Lifedrinker Centaur is quite the reward for a sac engine... and yet it's probably safe at 4 mana, since that's where Poison-Tip Archer, Falkenrath Noble, Algae Gharial and so on are.
I think Gusty's Wards is probably not broken, but it's pretty miserable. Paying 4 mana to keep an attacker on the battlefield is just going to make games unpleasant.
I love the Archenemy Schemes. I can't help reading them in Grogar's voice, which is awesome.