Understanding Sagas | How Magic Art Depicts In-World Histories

[@RhysticStudies]

the complete interview featuring Jay Annelli is now available on my Patreon page. thanks for watching! patreon.com/rhysticstudies

[@ThotSkate]

Hey, @Rhystic Studies, are you the guy in the Audiotree session from Delta Sleep?

[@azriel8290]

@@ThotSkate q1

[@RhysticStudies]

@@ThotSkate yep, that was me. I got to see them live again a couple weeks ago and they're better than ever. one of my all-time favorite bands.

[@CharlesGouraudgaming]

Another note on the akroan war art: the unfinished tapestry is a potential reference to Odysseus's wife unraveling the tapestry she weaved at night in order to delay her betrothal to one of the other suitors.

[@Anodyne_Akôn]

It can also be an allusion to the fact that Homer's Iliad, the "real-life" equivalent of the akroan war, does not actually tels the conclusion of the Trojan war itself.

[@U.Inferno]

@@Anodyne_Akôn True. Our recollection of the full narrative is incomplete as the other poems of the cycle have been lost to history. We know the relative plot of the narrative as a whole but we don't have specific scenes like Achilles' death or the abduction of Helen in writing. Only the summary

[@AydenWoltei]

Might also be a reference to the twining of the thread(s) of fate...

[@Anodyne_Akôn]

​@@U.Inferno It only gets beter : there was also a tradition of "sequels" and re-telling of the poems of the Trojan cycle, going all the way to the XIIIe century AD (to my knowledge). And i won't even mention the moderns re-interpretations ; we have here, in another sense, a story that's never finished being told.

[@richheart7990]

All these comments and conjectures are themselves in the mood of the saga (or the myth): it is the result of the different interpretations that people make during the centuries, adding each time new contents, because a myth is something in development. In my opinion the unfinished tapestry is not a direct reference to the specific Odissey myth, but a stylistic choice of the illustrator that makes the artwork directly related to the card mechanics; infact, it is an enchantment that makes you progress in the story by adding a lore counter. Basically the artwork gives you the illusion that you are inweaving the story every turn.

[@c001357]

I always get a kick out of every art history lesson intro leading into "so in Magic: the Gathering..." sagas being a kind of meta art really makes them stand out. its a representation of a representation when most of the cards are objective

[@vmrenadi]

I didn't even realize what video was autoplaying and I thought, "weird, why does KZbin think this is for me" but I kept watching so... Maybe an analysis of Saint Dennis might be something I'm interested in? Lol

[@phyrexian_dude4645]

I really liked Sagas when they were released. Sure at that time were a bit nostalgia bait but it was cool to see that those old MTG stories were actually acknowledged by the inhabitants of the plane as part of their history and culture even thousands of years after they happened. And now seeing them as a good example of show dont tell as an in universe art pieces its quite nice.

[@syntaxerror2409]

All will be one.

[@keatonbolin]

The “rhystic studies has uploaded” notification is the best notification

[@CUATROMORCE]

factssss

[@docauch5938]

Agreed I click so fast

[@apolinarhowell7783]

💯💯💯

[@HMK-nh4ft]

Agreed

[@RodRombauer]

Though I am fully a 'function over form' guy, I'm always floored by the amount of storytelling Magic artists can cram into a single illustration and of Sams ability to unpack it all and explain it cleanly. These videos always take me from 'cool art' to 'dang, thats got serious depth.'

[@missingdev0948]

And as always, form informs function for new players

[@Fligyn]

@@missingdev0948 and experienced players tbh

[@mrd1703]

same

[@wizkida981015]

the idea of a sage being tattooed on someone's arm on a magic card is genius

[@RLKC8]

saga?

[@woodybutler]

"But I've noticed that the sagas maybe more than any other design in the game's history invite players to engage... in the game's lore". Totally agree! In the same way that sorceries are often the Verbs of magic, sagas themselves tend to chronicle or explain an event within the lore. A sorcery might show an izzet mage creating a magic spark-filled explosion, telling us what izzet mages do (present tense), while sagas show us what happened.

[@wavesofbabies]

Sagas are fantastic designs. Loved them since their introduction.

[@ANTREU96]

Usual way to start a video about mtg: "Here are my opinions on this mtg related topic" Rhystic Studies' way: "Let me tell you about a late medieval painting about St Denis"

[@James11111]

"I call myself a 'continuity editor' when I want to be taken more seriously" I can guarantee with 100% certainty that I would take someone with the title of "Lore Master" way more serious.

[@kylegonewild]

The Raven's Warning remains one of my favorite sagas so far. It's just a beautiful piece of art.

[@lauravturner]

I am so glad you are talking about the Saga cards. They are underrated both in game and lore-wise.

[@michaelbutta4764]

@Rhystic Studies, You are amazing sir. Thank you so much for your efforts and insight. Your videos are thoroughly engaging, enjoyable and elucidating. Top shelf, cannot praise you highly enough.

[@cerealamog]

I cant believe you cited scott mccloud. Ive never seen him mentioned anywhere so that was super cool and an awesome insight

[@EdwardLCheeverII]

Sagas are just the best. One of my favorite things about recent Magic.

[@paulanson5392]

My gf is working on a saga tribal edh deck

[@Khyrberos]

Sagas were such a powerful addition to MtG. Huge fan; great video

[@MagusFlorren]

I’m really blown away at how GENUINE and AUTHENTIC your videos are. It comes from a place of passion and you’re amazing at what you do. Thank you for making videos for us to enjoy.

[@O1NKery]

sagas are my favorite cards. ever since NEO came out, I started loving them even more

[@TimmytheSorcerer]

Amazing how much story is being told in Time of Ice. I know all these cards, because I played at the time, but had no idea that they were depicted in this fabulous piece of art. Thank you once again for making me enjoy magic art even more.

[@macfryling8421]

Sagas are probably my most favorite of all the new types of cards, and the ones in kamigawa are beautiful. Not only that but the memories of the first time we went to the plane and legendary cards in that set brings back so much good memories.

[@marcdedecker3400]

This is the only KZbin channel I am a patreon supporter for and I haven’t played MTG in over 6 years. Such is the quality, thought provoking and entertainment factor of Sam’s videos

[@graemebloodworth8991]

this was an absolute delight Sam, thanks so much for sharing it. The history major in me is just in love with the different versions of ancient art on display with sagas

[@artemi7]

I think the design of the gameplay of Sagas themselves invites you to consider what's going on in the story. You're staring at this thing for 3+ turns, slowly watching it tick away, and you get drawn into thinking about how the effects are connected to each other. You're naturally trying to subconsciously tie it into a single coherent story that gets weaved into the gameplay itself.

[@Indriman]

Shoutout to Understanding Comics. Love the thoughtfulness and research you put into these videos dude!

[@TheWorstWurst]

I don't exactly know why, but ever so often i come back to your videos and rewatch them. You are one of the greatest on this platform. Keep up the good work.

[@danielbetts5208]

One of the most beautifully-written, engaging, and fascinating youtube videos I've ever seen. Thank you so much for this- I will now proceed to binge all of your content

[@mars___sumner]

Since you said you’re on a comic book kick at the moment, allow me to make some recommendations: Daredevil: Born Again, Valerian from Cinebook, Sojourn from Crossgen Comics, Silver Surfer: Parable, All Star Superman, The Shadow: In the Coils of Leviathan from Dark Horse, and Conan: The Tower of The Elephant also from Dark Horse Edit: I should mention that if you do get The Shadow: In the Coils of Leviathan, purchase the individual issues in lieu of the graphic novel as the gn lacks a poem at the beginning of the story that adds much to the story

[@jakesierra8720]

Getting over a breakup, and seeing "Closure" defined in that way at 6:38 absolutely floored me because it felt so real to the "closure" I'm searching for.

[@timzoat]

Oh yeah! Scott McCloud! His work truly is the greatest informative literature I've ever read! In my older playing group we even tried the 24h comic challenge, one of his ideas.

[@JoachimSauer1]

It took me until almost the 3:00-mark to realize where the traditional initial art lesson connects to Magic, but I'm still proud of realizing it before it was spelled out ;-)

[@noobtuber10]

Art is magick, just takes a mind to see its uses

[@mrd1703]

I had a decent appreciation of the story telling in sagas and have enjoyed them, but this helped me dive so much deeper and get an even richer experience with them. Thank you!

[@andrewhendrix3475]

This is still the smartest MtG channel on KZbin. Another awesome video!

[@PiquantPan]

Excellent video! Sagas are one of my favorite card types, and do a great job of providing world-building and imaginative fuel even for sets where the official narrative support from WOTC is rather thin (Kaldheim being a key example). One quick note that stood out to me: the Achaean king Menelaus' name is pronounced in English with 4 syllables, Men-uh-lay-us -- the "-au-" is not a diphthong. In Greek the name declines with the stem Μενέλα-

[@RhysticStudies]

ah, thank you for the correction. I appreciate it.

[@PiquantPan]

@@RhysticStudies of course of course, thanks for making this video, i think that all the experimentation with frames and artstyles has been a major win for how the game communicates flavor. idk if there are enough examples to make a full length video, but i'd love to hear your thoughts on the Mystical Archive, and how it reinforces the metanarrative that we, the players, are planeswalkers of our own casting spells from tomes

[@yankosuper3758]

As a comic book artist and a Magic player who is also fan of comic book theory : This video is now my favourite thing in youtube!!! Thank you so much for uniting my 2 favourite things in the world

[@jzoobs]

Sagas have been a really neat addition to the game, both mechanically and flavorfully. Excited to see where the push the design jext

[@Jerorawr_XD]

Been loving this recent theme of art history. Reminds me of my favorite class from college. Excellent job as usual!

[@BurdyTCG]

Sam, your ability to break down art design and how it relates back to clasical art and art history is absolutely stunning, and while I no longer care for the game of magic, I'm still eager any and every time I see you post a new art video. Thank you for everything you do

[@someguy4405]

You always manage to contextualise whatever you talk about with history and depth that should impress anyone who has ever written a persuasive essay. I’d really appreciate it if you did a video on Nicol Bolas and villains in fiction.

[@markfisk7124]

I just built a saga-themed commander deck with Go-Shintai of Life's Origin as my commander. I love the art of sagas and how they function in the game. Thanks for this amazing video!

[@dobby092]

I always enjoyed watchin people explaining sagas this way. It is an awesome vid, hope it gets the love it deserves! Can't tell you how much I liked it! Thanks for the work!

[@Lang638]

What a fantastic video. Thank you Rhystic Studies for creating content like this. It's a real pleasure to listen to your thought-provoking ideas. Really a job well done!

[@Arcrobes]

Never stop making videos please! These are terrific!

[@zeez145]

Dr. Garfield and everyone that worked in dominaria were such geniuses, for me sagas are the best piece of technology to come into magic in a long time, everything is so elegantly designed, the artworks come in a myriad of formats, and their new twist in Neon Dynasty says to me that magic still has a lot of incredible design space to be explored. Great video Sam 😸

[@AIPBAYBEE]

Perfection as always. I get your notifications of a new vid and I wait til I can actually absorb it before watching it. Top of the class as always. There is no MTG content creator like you. Thank you for everything.

[@villegassn]

I just established that one of my biggest goals is for Sam to chose to make a video about my art after I become an artist for MTG

[@toctheyounger]

This was yet again a fantastic vid. It gave me a whole lot more appreciation for these cards as a story vehicle and deep diving the works, some of these artists really have gone all in. Also, its great to see Jay anywhere, his content is always great. Been a fan since his time on MTGSalvation and will continue to be one moving forward.

[@Eramiserasmus]

The best notifications are when Rhystic Studies uploads. Love the discussion of purely visual storytelling with Sagas and similar art in the world.

[@timstalam]

The quality of this video essay is so top notch

[@clairesmith4988]

Watching this as someone who knows nothing about Magic, and enjoying it thoroughly

[@RLKC8]

It’s truly incredible that you can fully appreciate rhystic studies videos when you know nothing about Magic

[@Weckacore]

I used to live next to the St Hyacinth Basilica and spent so long looking at its large, hewn metal doors with no idea what characters were depicted. The x axis appeared to be time as the soldiers slowly got better armor/weapons, with biblival characters out n about around them. Very cool

[@nathanl8622]

The funny thing is I have little interest in early Magic lore, but I absolutely love Sagas. Perfect blend of flavor and function.

[@chester1882]

DAAAAAAMN I NEED more Dominaria saga break down from Jay!

[@chrismegusta]

Sagas are awesome, both mechanically and in terms of artwork. The Eldest Reborn is still one of my favourite cards and a sick looking one at that.

[@spaincrack4934]

This channel is impecable. I am thankful to finally have stumbled upon it

[@Hinaguy749]

Have loved the addition of sagas since they premiered. Such and interesting design space for art and play design.

[@esrohm6460]

its really under appreciated how these artworks are. in our own history everything happened and thats it but in fictional world you have to think about how a culture would depict something like how tattoos are often something you are proud of or don't want to forget due to their nature of being something that will never leave you so seeing a sage depicted as tattoo immediately gives it meaning without even looking at the art.

[@javierpatag3609]

Holy guacamole, what a deep and complex analysis! THANK YOU.

[@gavcanflip]

The Bloodsky Massacre is, to this day, my favourite saga art. I love the way the card type stirred up so many interesting techniques that haven't been possible in art before, but the use of realism and the tattoo art feels like such a perfect and natural exploration of the newness

[@beanozsface8428]

New Rhystic Studies LETS GOOOOOOOOOO

[@MTGCubeTuber]

I know I’m not the only one to say it but, when a new Rhystic Studies video is up I stop what I’m doing. Thank you sir!!!

[@Spiethstar]

Boy do I enjoy tales and stories. Thanks for making!

[@Padm2415]

Lettttssss gooooooooooooo I loved dominaria and all it’s history, immediately after the first sagas got all of them foil and relearned what each card was representing Great great video :)

[@SlowUnpacking]

Agreed, longer pauses when looking at a card is necessary. 😂

[@diSTUD013]

Heck yeah!!! I love the Amory Wars!!!!! Coheed fans unite!

[@DanielRiveroPadilla]

I refuse to believe this was 25 minutes! I was so into the explanations and art analysis that I'm sure only 5 minutes passed.

[@spkoftdvl]

This channel is pure gold.

[@swansonchrismonster]

My god, every time I see another video I am always so impressed. Even though I know its going to be good! Its always better than I expect!

[@swansonchrismonster]

Also, shout out to the shout out to Scott McCloud! I love it when interests collide like that.

[@warpdrivefueledbyinsomnia8165]

Art-wise, I am all in on sagas. There is something about that style of storytelling with MtG that feels so right.

[@owenvandevelde1439]

Great video, I always love when someone reference Marshall Mcluhan's work on media and a format's potential when used to communicate information.

[@hitchhikersguidetomagic6857]

Your videos are so well put together! I am really inspired by you and learned to look at magic through a new lense because of you, thanks!

[@voratheexplorer6442]

I love sagas because they handle so many design space issues at once. Putting suspend on the battlefield where it can be interacted with in multiple ways opens up the floodgates for gameplay

[@Duskstone89]

I actually never really thought about how sagas are depictions of artwork of history by various cultures in-universe, even though it's really obvious lmao. But now that I've realized it, that's so cool, and I kinda wanna analyze and study more sagas myself now

[@danielwomer]

This video, per your superlative usual, is a deep work of art unto itself. I'm a professional musician, and deeply enfranchised and educated as to these similar fields. I'm blown away by your depth of knowledge as equally as I am with your sincere passion for your subject matter.

[@jgtmtg]

I love all your videos, but New Phyrexia is my favorite set. I would be over the moon to see your take on the art/flavor of Mirrodin/Phyrexia

[@BibboTheFirst]

Love the video! I think Sagas work best as nostalgia vehicles rather than world building. But really those two things work together

[@zenithquasar9623]

Artifacts are my favourites, but Sagas have become one of my favourites for sure!

[@gbrookes7827]

Im definitely gonna look at sagas with more intent now, thank you!

[@gabrielbrennan4149]

That we get art like this in a card game is just phenomenal

[@StackedEDH]

Excellent work framing Magic's new frame.

[@F3A5T]

I am always overflowing with joy when I get to watch another video by you Sam. I would love to play a game against you the next time you are down in San Antonio.

[@joe.5103]

Initially, I was skeptical of sagas, worried they might be un-magic-like but they’ve grown into one of my favorite newer card types. The art is some of the best in the game.

[@charleslynn7420]

God damn Rhystic Studies does not miss

[@noahpearson2190]

mtg is such a deep game, art, technical machinery within the game, a story to surround the game etc.

[@DimT670]

Man magic lore and its connection to the visual medium is so fucking cool. I love multimedia projects 😍

[@int0th3v01d]

I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this many RS videos recently but I’m gonna keep doing it

[@obadijahparks]

Sagas are great. The very structure opens the mind to build up. I still want more of them. I want a saga commander! It does more for every time it has been cast from the command zone.

[@williamguillemette29]

Another amazing video. Your insights are just so amazing.

[@ginatruiolo]

I absolutely love this video. So beautiful and informative ❤️

[@dumbbar]

was not expecting to see the amory wars in a rhystic studies video lol. such a cool series from such a talented group of people

[@HonorableZealot]

Had to search through the comments and make sure someone else was hype to see Coheed comics.

[@MB-uu3mu]

Very well presented and highly enjoyable! Keep up the superb content!

[@Cryonicity]

Another great one Sam. Hit it out of the park

[@sertaki]

Once again, your videos are masterpieces of analysis.

[@mr.mammuthusafricanavus8299]

I love the art on Sagas but have rarely used any but these new Kamigawa sagas that turn into a creature are super cool :P

[@RiskyBiscuit]

Wonderful, informative video! Well read and written.

[@Dorion37]

Wow I was genuinely surprised to see the Amory Wars among the comics you piled up!

[@Aligariusful]

Yes! Always down for another RS video! Also, new logo????

[@RhysticStudies]

yep, new logo!

[@pinoarias8601]

Really cool idea to apply Panofsky's methods of anslysis to Magic's sagas.

[@thomasrogers9160]

As soon as you mentioned that you have been into comics lately, I immediately focused in and waited to see something from Coheed! COTF!

[@Bluecho4]

One thing about the Sagas from Dominaria is that, while an existing Magic player from the 90s would get more from them, they're still a means of getting new players interested in this very old setting. A person who has never heard of the Dominaria Ice Age may look at the card Age of Ice, and want to do their own research. Same with the Antiquities War or the Fall of Thran or The Eldest Reborn.