Friendship is Card Games: Founding Day and Ponies & Parapets · 1:35pm Feb 2nd, 2020
This week, we return to the main comics for a post-Cosmos breather.
Founding Day
It’s always pleasantly surreal to see Pencils draw an issue of the official comic. This generation may have begun with a fan running the asylum, but seeing similar elevations is still a bizarre treat.
I quite like the scrollwork on the mayor’s desk… though the telephone is a bit off-putting. Yes, we’ve seen them on the show, but only once, and only in a Manehattan skyscraper. Ponyville having a network is more than a little unexpected. That kind of communication technology has massive ramifications, especially if it’s spread far enough that Sugarcube Corner has a phone.
Of course, Pinkie may have just tapped into the phone lines from the party cave.
Future princesses can’t resist those eyes. A mayor stands no chance.
Wait, Pinkie was outside of city hall? Did Twilight turn her castle into a cell tower?
Huh. Best Pony’s in a shot and somepony else is in the middle of a mishap. That doesn’t happen often.
… And in the very next panel, she’s sheepishly disentangling him. 
Silly pony.
Ah, Cranky. It’s like if Statler and Waldorf were rolled into a single donkey.
Ooh, ominous cloaked figure watching from the distance. Always fun.
Lovely sentiment from the mayor. There are few things more precious than growing young minds.
Hang on. I wasn’t sure before, but it does seem that Mayor Mare wasn’t supposed to notice the stage being built ten feet to her left. I… There are no words.
Ooh, more Guitarity. Though maybe Cranky would prefer something with more energy. Someone get Applejack to criticize the fashion industry!
I’m not sure what Spike’s supposed to doing, but I have to agree with Cranky.
You’d think that trenchcoats would only make ponies stand out more. No nudity taboo means any clothing will draw attention.
Also, two-way fetlock communicators. Not sure if there’s a material component or if they’re entirely magical, but that’s as intriguing and implication-laden as the mayor’s phone.
Science ponies! Ponies are always cute, but there’s something about lab coats and safety goggles that make them more so.
More two-way communicators! And going by the different glow colors, each is powered by the wearer’s magic. Which is proof of earth pony magic, which is always nice to see, given how some episode writers seemed convinced that that wasn’t a thing. (“Life force” my eye…)
I have to love the details in that office. The clock appears to have a cupcake, an ice cream cone, a piece of candy, and a bottle of wine at twelve, three, six, and nine o’ clock respectively, and judging by the bottle under the desk, this pony takes all of those times very seriously.
Lyra with a foam finger. Pencils, you wonderfully shameless cad.
Wait, how does the mayor know Sunset Shimmer? Hmm. I suspect this relates to “Spring Breakdown.” That many duplicates moving through town will attract all kinds of attention, and Sunset probably had to assure the mayor that they weren’t some kind of rogue changeling cell making its move.
Also, I have to wonder who her keyboardist and drummer are. Clearly not human Rarity and Pinkie. Other friends from the human world or associates from Equestria?
Ye gods, that's cute.
Ha! I knew Rarity going metal would do the trick. Though “enchorse…” That’s just shameless.
“Next time, maybe you’ll remember to invite me to your parties.”
Wow. That is next level passive-aggression. Also, Sunset’s apparently been learning disappearing acts from her Trixie.
Ah, it wasn’t the acoustics, just Fluttershy wearing an overpowered wireless microphone.
… I’m just going to assume that that’s magical for the sake of my sanity.
Some wonderful details in that last panel. That pegasus stallion got tied up again, Berry’s getting first dibs on the punch, Diamond Tiara’s playing with Scootaloo… and Sunset’s nowhere to be seen. Seriously, how’d she even get to this side of the portal?
A fun but lightweight issue. It doesn’t feel like a lot happened.
Ponies & Parapets
Great cover. I suppose when Pinkie’s DMing, Rarity picks up bard duties.
Ooh, very nice ambience. I wonder how long Pinkie’s been planning this. I imagine she got the idea when she literally jumped into the Guys’ Night session.
“Any further delay would place us all in gravy danger.”
Normally, I’d think that was a typo, but this is Pinkie we’re talking about.
Oh goodness, it’s a LARP. She definitely got this idea from Discord’s session. Applejack in an unimpressed stock pose somehow adds to the hilarity. Doesn’t ask me how, but she does.
I do like the transition between the two-page spreads, from reality to imagination. Also, some interesting changes from the cover. Fluttershy does work well as a rogue, Rarity’s actually played a cleric on the show (as far as I can tell,) and Applejack arguably works better as a ranger than a barbarian. Twilight, meanwhile, doesn’t seem to have the beard she included in her LARPing outfit. (Applejack isn’t even wearing anything. How gauche.)
Bulk Biceps does work well as a Hubert in hardship. (Credit to Daedelus Aegle for the term.) Also, very interesting case of making the players compete with one another without explicitly requiring PvP.
Rarity may have played a cleric in “Dragon Dropped,” but when she’s not trying to hoard Spike’s attention, she could apparently care less.
I do love seeing Pinkie’s engineering prowess on display. Those are some impressive tomato cannons.
Yeah, all the divinations in the world won’t help when you need decent Dexterity to avoid the traps you can see. (Also, ow, thorny vines.)
I see Applejack’s found the power of summoning spells. Unfortunately, rangers don’t exactly get a lot of spells per day.
Also, nature-themed hero insisting she’s got this. Next time, don’t base your character on Gloriosa Daisy.
Credit to Fluttershy, she’s the best roleplayer out of the lot of them… but natural 1s care not for the story you weave.
Yeah, that’s the thing. Working together may mean you have to divide the loot, but you get a much better chance of actually getting said loot in the first place. And goodness knows there’s enough cake for everypony.
This makes no sense given pony limbs, but it is adorable.
I’m not entirely sure what Twilight’s spell is meant to do. The spike’s already in the ceiling.
Nice work by the tanks. Soak the damage so the cleric can get rid of it later.
… Oh. Well then. At least they got XP out of it. And even Rarity’s engaged. Still, Pinkie, jerk move.
Here’s the interesting thing: Twilight never takes off her wizard robe, and she chooses to walk up the trapped stairs rather than follow Dash’s example. She might just be staying true to her character… or this could have taken place before “Magical Mystery Cure.” The only thing that would suggest otherwise would be that Pinkie didn’t recognize the LARPing in “Dungeons & discords” as such, and it’s been clear for years that the comics take place in a different timeline.
As I said, this was some good, lighthearted fun to unwind after the calamity of Cosmos. Now to see what I can offer for future adventures:
Devout Herbalist 1W
Creature — Unicorn Cleric Ally
Cohort —T, Tap an untapped Ally you control: Target creature you control gains protection from colorless or from the color of your choice until end of turn.
She’s a miri-kale worker.
1/1
Hard Ass 2W
Creature — Donkey Citizen
Spells your opponents cast cost 1/2 more to cast.
“I’m not impossible to please. You’re just not good at this.”
1/3
Interplanar Performers 2W
Creature — Unicorn Band
Whenever Interplanar Performers enters the battlefield or you roll chaos, return target Song card from your graveyard to your hand.
Every portal marks another chance to expand their repertoire.
2/2
Canterlot Spellscribe 1U
Creature — Unicorn Wizard Ally
Cohort — T, Tap an untapped Ally you control: Draw a card, then discard a card.
“It’s good to get out of my tower once in a while. You know, assuming I don’t get eaten.”
1/3
Owlwing Infiltrator 1U
Creature — Pegasus Rogue Ally
Rally — Whenever Owlwing Infiltrator or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, target creature can’t be blocked this turn.
“Flying is too obvious. You have to get in in a way they won’t expect.”
2/1
Critical Fail 1UU
Instant
Counter target spell. That spell’s controller rolls a d20 (a twenty-sided die). If they roll a 1, return Critical Fail to its owner’s hand.
If anything can go wrong, there’s a five percent chance it will.
Tap the Lines 3U
Instant
Whenever another player draws a card this turn, you may draw a card.
Pinkie has convinced her cutie mark that it should let her detect and decode any transmission, just in case it’s party-related.
Touch Base 3UU
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.)
Draw three cards.
“Agent Snare reporting. All clear.”
From the Shadows 2B
Enchantment
Each creature card you own that isn’t on the battlefield has prowl. The prowl cost is equal to its mana cost reduced by up to 2. (You may cast a card for its prowl cost if you dealt combat damage to a player this turn with a creature that shares a creature type with that card.)
Shadowy Figure 2B
Creature — Unicorn Rogue
Menace
Whenever Shadowy Figure deals combat damage to a player, you draw a card and lose 1 life.
Sometimes trying to act unsuspicious just isn’t worth it.
3/1
Portal Scouts 1R
Creature — Human Scout
Whenever you activate a loyalty ability of a planeswalker, target creature can’t block this turn.
“Area’s secure, boss. Come on over.”
2/2
Phoenix-Plume Charger 3R
Creature — Pegasus Knight Ally
Flying, haste
Whenever an Ally enters the battlefield under your control, return Phoenix-Plume Charger from your graveyard to your hand.
Not even death can split the party.
2/2
Tower Dragon 4R
Creature — Dragon
Flying
(wu): Tower Dragon gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
It coils around the parapets like a creeper vine, keeping watch over hoard and captives both.
4/2
Flamecannon Trap 4RR
Instant — Trap
If an opponent gained life this turn, you may pay R rather than pay this spell’s mana cost.
Flamecannon Trap deals 5 damage to each opponent.
Dragons make predictable defensive choices.
Adorable Decoy 2G
Creature — Pony Child
Hexproof
All creatures able to block Adorable Decoy do so.
You know she’s trying to con you. You just can’t bring yourself to care.
0/1
Whitetail Menagerist 3G
Creature — Pony Warrior Ally
Rally —Whenever Whitetail Menagerist or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay 1. If you do, populate. (Create a token that’s a copy of a creature token you control.)
Her connections have connections.
3/3
Hulking Performer 4G
Creature — Pegasus Warrior
When Hulking Performer enters the battlefield, if you control another creature with power 4 or greater, draw a card.
Even when on stage, you should always lift with a spotter.
4/4
Infinishades 4
Artifact
If a player would lose unspent mana, that mana becomes colorless instead.
“I can see forever, but forever is really washed out.”
—Spike
Mayor’s Desk 4
Artifact
As Mayor’s Desk enters the battlefield, choose a creature type.
Creatures you control of the chosen type get +1/+1.
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library. If it’s the chosen type, put it into your hand. Otherwise, you may put it into your graveyard.
Parting Shot UR
Instant
As an additional cost to cast this spell, return a creature you control to its owner’s hand.
Parting Shot deals damage equal to the returned creature’s power to any target.
“Sometimes the journal’s not enough.”
—Sunset Shimmer
Ponyville Chemist 1(ur)(ur)
Creature — Pony Scientist
Flash
When Ponyville Chemist enters the battlefield, you may switch target creature’s power and toughness until end of turn.
“Their mastery’s faint. I find it quaint.”
—Zecora, zebra shaman
2/2
Pinkie, Game Master WUBRG
Legendary Planeswalker — Pinkie
+1: Create a 2/2 Pony Ally creature token with haste that’s all colors.
-2: Search your library for an Ally card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
-8: You get an emblem with “You may cast Ally cards from your graveyard” and “You may cast Ally spells as though they had flash.”
5
Derpi appears to be down at the moment. That'll probably fix itself eventually and I'll be able to read this as intended. Fortunately, that's not relevant to why you're here:
Inside Baseball Alert: Hard Ass is based on the Donkeyfolk from Unhinged, although those also had halves somewhere in their P/T.
Inside Baseball Alert: The Allies from Zendikar were basically supposed to be D&D parties, and used the same mechanics as the Allies here.
Stupid Complicated Game Alert: From the Shadows only reduces generic mana costs (the one that's either an actual number or an X) but nice try. Funnier fact: this is not true of the reverse (explicit reductions to colored mana) but everything that reduces colored mana special-cases it to work that way anyway except one that doesn't normally have a generic cost to reduce. If it gains it (not impossible), then yes you can still potentially get the thing down to zero due to a rule that applies literally nowhere else but unlike certain others isn't polite enough to tell you that.
I concede that it is indeed, cute.
I see what they're going for. Just as the fetlocks of these ponies' forelegs are incredibly flexible (as seen in the picture and in numerous episodes of the series), Rarity is bending her right rear fetlock to help get purchase on the rope. It looks weird because in the series, I don't think the rear fetlocks on the Flash characters are articulated, but there's an anatomical justification for it.
Typo: Missing opening parenthesis on Touch Base.
also wait Pencils draws for the official comic? I didn't know that
I want to get into reading the comics, but I don't know if I can afford that at the moment. Anyway, my main reaction to all of this is surprise that Hard Ass isn't already a card, though it'd probably be typed as "Donkey Townsfolk" or something like that.
5196302
Thorn of Amethyst wouldn't increase Khalni Hydra's cost, though, what withit being a creature spell. Did you mean to link something like Lodestone Golem?
Haven't kept up with new stuff in years, but parting shot seems like it would be crazy useful. Returning one of your creatures to hand, as a cost, at instant speed. Unless my grasp on the rules isn't what I had thought it was, that's basically saying 'save my creature from bad stuff in a way that might as well have split second, and I get to deal damage afterward' for two mana. I mean yeah, the real value varies with what's around to bounce, but whether it's setting up a double dip on a CiP or saving a bruiser for later while launching a decent face smash, you can't go wrong at that price. Heck, pair it with something that works like a ball lightning and really tear things down.
Entertaining stuff as usual, FOME.
5196302
Counterpoint: From the Shadows may not touch colored mana costs, but it still lets a Hovermyr airdrop Superions like there's no tomorrow. The Codex Mirrodes calls this maneuver "Steel Rain."
5196330
She's just so happy and huggable. And now everyone can appreciate her. Glad to see you were so charmed.
5196484
Theoretically, yes. It depends on how much grip and upper body strength you're willing to give ponies. Especially Rarity. I don't mean to call her a weakling, but I don't see her doing chin-ups on a daily basis.
5196606
This isn't even his first issue! That was FiM #69, wherein Pinkie Pie gains unlimited reality-warping wishes.
Needless to say, she nearly destroys Ponyville.
5196714
Hard Ass is the surly counterpart to Cheap Ass, who honestly works well as Matilda.
5196733
The thing with Parting Shot is that you may not always want to bounce something. Sometimes you just want to get rid of a blocker. Plus, there's the issue of having blue mana available. It's almost always better than Fling, but you can't just stick it in monored burn.
5196761
It's such a perfect counterpart I was surprised Wizards hadn't printed it.
5196714
I can't link Gatherer searches because they have square brackets in their URLs, so I grabbed the first thing I could remember off the top of my head with little regard for specific applicability. The point is, things exist that can add a generic mana cost to Khalni Hydra and if that weren't the case Morophon would be able to have fewer words on it.
I think it is possible to link Gatherer searches using [the alternate multi-line syntax][1].
I always like seeing references to roleplaying in official content. Do I gather that Pencils started out as a fan artist?
[1]: https://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Search/Default.aspx?action=advanced&text=+[Cost]+[More]+[to]+[cast]+[Creature]+![Noncreature]+![Strive]
Edit: Whoa, I'm wrong! I didn't expect to find a place where my Markdown parser works but Fimfic's doesn't.
5197232
Started and continues to be one! His best known pony work is Anon's Pie Adventures. Naturally, his output on personal projects has lessened as he's taken on professional work (and has told horror stories of the higher-ups at IDW dumping assignments in his lap with ludicrously imminent deadlines) but he's still putting out some great stuff on his own.