Tibalt, The Worst Planeswalker - A Magic: The Gathering Lore Analysis

[@ruttokyrpa3472]

Tibalt: *Tortures and brutally kills people* Prof: "He is funny"

[@a_lethe_ion]

well, I mean he could learn? His spark hurt him a lot, idk maybe he finds a partner who explains to him how science works and hits him a bit

[@briancooley8777]

He’s like Freddy Krueger (the original). Evil but absurd lol

[@markusclark3870]

Well considering his response to being caught was to cast a spell that not only accidentally combined him with devils, but also awoke his spark and sent him flying through the multiverse, it's easy to see him as the accidentally succeeding villain, or the blundering bad guy who still can somehow come out on top. That kind of interpretation can make him both funny, and relatable.

[@Eclipse8502]

Tibalt is the guy who mulliganed to zero.

[@Kalenz1234]

hey.. at least he got to scry 1

[@zvieoercane7093]

Tibalt would totally cast one with nothing on turn one.

[@crossenward2519]

Hi

[@osiris8680]

and still won?

[@coriandyr]

Tibalt one with nothinged

[@johnathonmerrow3803]

I have never lost a single game with my tibalt deck!...... (i've never played it, but it's also never lost!)

[@1337-Nathaniel]

Still a 0% win rate my dude.

[@fdsa1001]

@@1337-Nathaniel well let's find the average 0 wins plus zero losses okay so now to find the average you divided by the total number so 0/0 oh my God it's Infinity it must be the ultimate deck😂😂🤷😯

[@miguelrodrigues2705]

@@fdsa1001 and also the worst deck ever since infinite alsp equals zero, this decks a paradox

[@SuperZ04]

I won with tibalt once, best game of my life

[@maileesaeya3614]

I once managed to turn Tibalt into the scariest card in my deck, to the extent that people were trading multiple cards just to get rid of him. I was playing Tiny Leaders with Alesha as my commander, where chucking cards in my graveyard was a net plus and I cared more about discarding period than the draw component. :P

[@CouchDrake]

See I always interpreted his card differently, I saw the card as bad because he didn’t want to help you that much; that he just didn’t like you or want to put in effort on your behalf.

[@captainbanjaxavalanche4313]

Sounds like a pretty solid theory, most of the other planeswalkers are a bit on the "heroic" side, so calling upon the help of an individual who is only interested in seeing how many bones he can break before his victim stops screaming, it would make sense that he wouldn't be that motivated for someone else's cause. Kind of surprised that there isn't some kind of middle finger to the player once he leaves battle, like the Treacherous Werewolf card. (Its controller loses 4 life upon its defeat.) But then again, that would probably make him completely unplayable, I suppose.

[@jonothanthrace1530]

I enjoy when there is a severe disconnect between the lore of something and its mechanics. In this case, I think Tibalt's lore is a story he made up to try to get people to take him seriously.

[@char6547]

I love this, he just uses the backstory as an excuse instead of admitting his spell backfired horribly and that he lucked into igniting his spark from it.

[@theturtwig50]

This is awesome

[@vynashe4442]

"I used to turture people for fun and demons came to my house to watch and a inquisitor burst in and I fused with the demons and plains walked away. It is an true story how do you think I became part demon!"

[@LopsidedMoz]

You're totally right, there is no mention of him in the other cards

[@outerzevin1366]

I like the idea that Tibalt's story is partially true but embellished to make him sound way cooler, with the original context of how everything went down being way more embarrassing and also now he's ascended to an arena where he's totally out of his depth.

[@grisselbrandthegreat5567]

I have almost 400 tibalts in a binder because I love him.

[@Treglar_Shadowleaf_XJ9]

I too collect Tibalt. I don't have that many but I have quite a few. Now, thanks to Brian the price will probably go up and ruin my collecting him … just because. :)

[@makkrowmazztikk7003]

Enjoy your $$$$ down the road

[@homebrewhorus7110]

Grisselbrand The Great send me one

[@andrewchen4872]

I collect Tibalts too, about a few dozen of them. However, I only take in ones that people don't want in their collections instead of buying them. They're all in my red binder I labeled "Tibalt Orphanage."

[@grisselbrandthegreat5567]

Andrew Chen That is very close to what I have done with dovan baan. People were just giving him away at my lgs. I have 7 copies in non foil and 2 promos.

[@HigherMammal]

I hope he's the only one who survives War of the Spark lmao

[@cdlp6793]

He does

[@Sniperdragon11]

Because the Chandra comic is post War we know him and Chandra both survive

[@wickpagano4417]

He will. *war ends, tibalt appears* hey guys! I'm here. Finally figured out how to control my spark to travle... did I miss everything?

[@chocolatetheeevee]

I’m pretty sure he was, I’ve got the card from pre-release and he is surprising a good card making sure they can’t gain life and his -2 ability makes a 1/1 devil that when it dies it deals one damage to any target, so yeah, I like it :/

[@mikefox1257]

@@chocolatetheeevee I thought that card was really good when I seen it too but my bro showed me why it was trash for the prerelease anyway youll only get the worth out of it specifically fighting life gain decks so sideboard for lifegain other than that it wont be used for anything i dont think anyway

[@pksneeze6007]

In my eyes, he’s the most evil of the entire mtg universe, no one sees a point in stoping him, but he’s made it farther into our world, making us suffer when we see him in a booster pack, are 4 bucks down the drain, he’s doing exactly what his character does, torture humans.

[@BlueTemplar15]

ANd even stepped up his efforts so that WotC had to put a stop to its rampage !

[@matthewbutler6557]

Underrated comment

[@GoatMortician]

Urza is still more evil

[@lvendahl6776]

Imagine the terribleness of Tibalt being a hoax, and he secretly controls Nicol Bolas

[@kuru9157]

Yes please

[@vinnythewebsurfer]

The jar jar Binks the sithlord theory is strong with this one

[@PathoRossainz]

And pull a Tobi/Obito on ya'

[@_somerandomguyontheinternet_]

Guys I think we found the MTG equivalent of Darth Jar Jar...

[@luckyduck4084]

@@_somerandomguyontheinternet_ I mean yeah kinda now, he went from being bullied on innistrad to working with vorinclex

[@joepfenn]

Would love to see an update on tibalt lore with his most recent incarnation in kaldheim.

[@RockNRollSpock]

He's working for Niv Mizzett in the MTG comic series from Boom Studios. Not sure what Niv Mizzett's plan is, but...yeah.

[@KingBobXVI]

Tibalt is the Waluigi of Magic.

[@xF3arl]

Yeah, but Tibalt would still be in Smash before Waluigi.

[@maximoose9953]

You can't compare a god like Waluigi to Tibalt in his current state

[@YourPalRowan]

Beat me to it

[@LizardKing1470]

Everyone is here *Except Tibalt*

[@aratherdrunkmedic8470]

KingBobXIV so he's not in smash?

[@pizza87760]

Tibalt, that One Guy R 1 Loyalty +1 Discard a card from your hand at random. -2 Discard your hand. -5 Draw the remaining cards of your deck and then discard your hand.

[@brittanynguyen3794]

Great for a Jace deck!

[@axeldeboer9072]

seems good in madness. although im giving him excuses lmao

[@MyCommentsRMaturelol]

Oooh works well with the insta win when you draw your deck. Lost to a birgi and song of creation like that

[@_somerandomguyontheinternet_]

Anyone else find it ironic that the character who tortures people for fun ended up being the card that pains you to open in a pack?

[@oooblyjooblies7022]

With that purple suede and long hair, you look like you could be an incarnation of The Doctor.

[@FRAAANKYSUUUPER]

Nah man... "The dude abides."

[@dudeist_priest]

Bring him back in Rakdos for Return 2 Ravnica: The Reravnicking

[@victorvaldez8869]

Well here we are back in Ravnica. I can see him as Tibalt Jester Of Rakdos he'd really slay them. I can even see an spell for him in that role: Tibalt's Punchline (R/B) - Instant - Sacrifice any number of creatures: All opponents also sacrifice that many creatures and you lose life equal to the total number of creatures sacrificed this way.

[@samuraiwarrior87]

Sorry no tibalt in rakdos. Unless rakdos the showstopper. Is letting him control the guild

[@charlotte-hanson]

Tibalt kills Bolas in War of the Spark

[@filippodardi2180]

He appears in the new teaser. Just goddamnit.

[@sdfkjgh]

I know the Official Rakdos Joke: "What are the last words you'll ever say?"{Whatever they answer, you stab them in the jugular.} At the RTR prere, I got some pretty funny answers, but the best one was "Hopefully not these."

[@alexanderfortier5488]

I love the way you weave your expertise as an English major into whatever analysis you do. It allows for a more thorough and appealing critique, and the form and structure of your videos is always impeccable. There are always members of a KZbin community (any community) that command and deserve respect for their credibility and character. You are without a doubt, one of those.The way you seem to stay grounded is so very important when one grows such a community, as we see it often get to the heads of many who grow under the influence of their greatness (or perceived greatness).Thank you for the incredible work and content you provide for our viewing pleasure.

[@sasukekuniski1959]

lmfao ..trying so hard

[@DMSFister]

couldnt have said it better myself

[@alexanderfortier5488]

Sasuke, not really. This is a pretty simple comment. Took about 2 minutes to write. My goal was to write a comment appreciating the Prof's skill. I achieved that. If you think that comment was "trying hard" than I think your standards must be pretty low.

[@alexanderfortier5488]

DrMrSisterFister, thank you.

[@CasevacDevilDoc]

Well said, but maybe use some knee pads next time to really show you care

[@neanderthal1989]

Maybe Tibalt should show up in an Un- set?

[@DerpyLaron]

Reverse Tibalt. So angel stuff and he would hr totally broken.

[@Thatevilmellon]

Tibalt should HOST an Un-set

[@Neo_Way]

Well, Tibalt is showing up alright... In a standard set, no less

[@Explosive371]

Tibalt, the Friend Blooded

[@jacksonstein809]

Un-war-of-the-spark?

[@Ucada]

Congrats to him now. He will be the only permanent in the upcoming War of the spark that can make your opponent unable to gain life. He will be useful for sure this time.

[@luistamayo2906]

I used to run Tibalt in an all red deck when I was new to the game. I saw the discard ability as a minor setback at that time. I don't hate Tibalt, but I certainly think he deserves better. He was my first Planeswalker, hell my first legendary.

[@ethanwilliams4559]

I run a red/black/blue cycling/discard deck... that discards myself. there isn't too many but there are cards that affect opponents when you discard. in the ahmonket series I believe was a uncommon black card that has effect "whenever you cycle or discard a card, deals one damage to each opponent." it's also got many elixers of immortality style cards to make it an endless deck. Tibalt is great with that card in a mix deck. it's a +1 ability after all. meaning he gets harder to kill with each turn making it harder to get rid of.

[@garrettsmith7626]

Professor: make Tibalt a joker card Wotc in War of the Spark: let's make him a good card for once

[@konstantinmtg]

Good sideboard card

[@randomgamer4332]

Wotc in kaldhien Literal god

[@jacobcain9008]

@@randomgamer4332 Ive been looking for a comment like this.

[@ColorfulCrusade]

*Valki, God of Lies has entered the chat*

[@schumerus6786]

@@ColorfulCrusade Tibalt has no “decent” either it’s pain for you to play him or pain for your opponent, either way, one player suffers. Perfect flavor

[@WallsEryx]

Tibalt is MTG's Waluigi.

[@boezou]

Playable Tibalt for Smash Ultimate DLC

[@wavingatfat9650]

WallsEryx nah, people like Waluigi

[@voraito]

But does Tibalt do crotch chops? No? Too bad. Try again next time.

[@kappaross6124]

Explains why I like Tibalt.

[@bluelotus2979]

How dare you

[@ChristiantrospectiveGamer]

Realistically, if Tibalt was coming back in another set, he can easily have grown stronger in the time he's been gone, and if you make him start with 4 health, name him "Tibalt, Archfiend" his abilities could be +1 - create a 1/1 devil token with "Sacrifice to gain R mana" +1 - deal 1 damage to all creatures -1 - until end of turn, Tibalt, Archfiend becomes a 4/4 devil with flying, haste, and hexproof. -3 - discard your hand then draw that many cards plus 1. Take 1 damage for each card discarded this way.

[@NinjaMoose234]

That would be hilariously busted unless it costed 5+ mana. I'd reword the +1 Deal 1 damage to all players, planeswalkers, and creatures, then the -3 to simply discard your hand then draw that many.

[@bongsesh]

have him "ult" immediately (quotes because that ult is... ehh)? that would be hilarious, like his ult is so underwhelming that he can just let it off right away and survive

[@rodimalrodimus]

I think one of the new tibalt abilities should say something like "Until your next turn whenever a spell or ability says at random you may choose instead." It needs better formatting for the ability though. It will also make the old tibalt usable maybe.

[@bongsesh]

@@rodimalrodimus and call him Tibalt, the Redeemed

[@KSE828]

So you can immediately ultimate him upon casting? Yeah, that’s never happen.

[@thiagodeoliveirafarias6083]

Tibalt will kill Nicol Bolas and become the next great vilain

[@azuwolf4900]

Magic R&D has no more ideas, "Okay guys, it's time to walk the dark path"

[@sethchapman1425]

LOLOLOLOL Never happen. but if it did, I doubt Bolas would stay dead.

[@jozzyalthefool9273]

Seth Chapman he would instead lay dead.

[@Starcraftgamer97]

Thiago de Oliveira Farias And it would all be because he tried to assist him. Making one bumbling mistake after another, he'd somehow kill Nicol Bolas' non dragony face. Confused as the Gatewatch looms over him, he will exclaim' "I meant to do that!" and transport to another plane. All his plans that succeed do so in unintentional ways that he must improv his way afterwards and his failures happen when his plan goes 100% through with it. A bumbling genius who, if written well, we'd love to hate, hate to love, and would be excited for his next plot.

[@pmf98]

Bolas would probably feel pity for him and fake his own death.

[@joaomatoso6939]

If tibalt actually got a good card and maybe some articles about him he could be a scary villain, i really don't think a guy that caused enough pain with his experiments to make devils flock around him like stray cats should be just comic relief

[@doublee343]

Revisiting this video in February 2021 when tibalt is back and wrecking pretty much every format right now. What a glow up! :)

[@soarel325]

As someone who unironically likes Tibalt, while I obviously don't really agree that he should remain an incompetent comedy villain, I'm fine with that. The real issue I take is this idea that even if he remains as such, that he shouldn't have a playable card. Even the silliest character deserves a card that's at least decent. Why assert that he doesn't deserve to have a good card? The only bad Tibalt I'd like would be some sort of casual card oriented around random chaos effects that's great in an EDH Red chaos deck, but bad in competitive Magic.

[@Interrobang212]

Soarel to support this post I'd like to remind everyone of Squee.

[@zacharylindahl]

If he gets another card I'd like to see one that looks bad at first glance but would enable a degenerate combo or something along those lines

[@Fish-vs6jf]

Maybe in an un set?

[@maddeeps5520]

I don't think Tolarian was implying every future Tibalt card should be intentionally made to be terrible I think he meant that every future Tibalt card, much like the original Tibalt, The Fiend-Blooded should be "janky" and something that requires a lot of thought behind building around him. Something that on paper looks terrible, but when played with the right cards becomes hilariously good

[@deathpyre42]

Tibalt is a 2 mana planeswalker in monored. He sort of has to suck otherwise the modern format and whatever standard format has him will get incredibly warped.

[@oom-3262]

the first case of magic the gathering bullying

[@nsiev7043]

cspranklerun was the first major one though :/

[@jonothanthrace1530]

Oh, you poor innocent child.

[@Stinky1337]

Besides my elementary school experience, yeah. First case.

[@jamesevans6332]

honestly, as both an illustrator and a yu-gi-oh player only just starting to get into magic, i really enjoy a lot of the artwork on magic's cards, (terese nielsen's artwork in particular is really amazing) but it's really disappointing to see people sweep really good and awesome looking artwork under the rug just because the effect isn't good. i love yu-gi-oh a lot, but it really hurts to see the way konami treats their artists by not even crediting them on the card as the illustrator, and it's incredibly rare that we ever see the full art of a card outside of playmats, and magic and wotc has earned my respect purely for doing this and giving their artists actual freedom

[@juanduarte9923]

James Evans yugioh blows now man, like the game isnt even the same anymore the only time I actually somewhat enjoyed it was when Nekroz was meta, but even then there was a whole of shenanigans going on, in my personal opinion Magic is just overall better and more skillful, there is very rarely any ftks or Otks

[@jamesevans6332]

Juan Duarte I suppose that's a pretty fair statement to make but I do enjoy the speed of YGO a lot (I play a BA deck lmao), and i feel like the last two formats have actually been pretty good overall, the overall diversity of decks that have been topping YCSes over the last few months have actually been pretty diverse and a lot less homogeneous than usual. I will say that Konami absolutely fucking sucks at managing the game compared to WoTC's handling of MtG, and the meta has had its really bad spots during the time I've played (i.e. Zoodiac format), but I think both games have their merits even if YGO is kinda narrow in scope compared to Magic

[@karuzo4116]

James Evans yugioh art is not comparable with mtgs art tbh.

[@andrester88]

It's kinda funny seeing this comment, because Magic itself has a lot of drama about balances, and how cards aren't powerful enough. I mean just look at some forum threads and people complaining about the balance of magic and how one change "spells the end of magic". Then you see YuGiOH with OTKs being the norm and the norm of gameplay is how fast you can make the other person scoop. Like Magic will be around for a while because WoTC actually cares about their game. If you want to see a game that isn't taken care of, no offense, but take a look at YuGiOh.

[@jamesevans6332]

@Andre honestly, you're not even wrong for the most part, Konami is inept as hell when it comes to card design and ensuring the longevity of decks, especially since they don't communicate with the playerbase at all, nobody knows who actually designs the cards, and power creep + unexpected banlists makes whatever deck is doing the best at nationals every 3 months cycle out without warning. Like I said earlier, I do love YGO despite its flaws but I would kill for another company besides Konami to take over it, it's really fun if you want something more combo based than Magic and just play casual/semi-competitively, but I loathe the card design behind stuff at the forefront of the meta that actively discourages interaction with your opponent

[@gaia9020]

my favorite 'antagonist' in mtg is garruk. he was the one who Show me the world of mtg in 2015. a few months later, when i realy began to play mtg with my first experience with commander, my first commander was oloro, but it changed to abzahn and finally i play jund. and in every of my green decks there is garruk, the wildspeaker an he never disappointed with his + ability. even in my (nearly) mono creature gruul deck i never drew more creatures than i could play, my hand was full at every time (ok, i must discard lands but it was gruul so, who cares). he also never seemed to be a big threat to my opponents. he shows me the world of mtg, he has a great lore and he is one of my favorite cards to play in green. (i m german so please forgive me when my english isnt the best)

[@skeet23z59]

i still remember getting tricked in 5th grade by a more experienced mtg player to trade my Ajani Steadfast for tibalt when I had just started playing.

[@Ryzeler]

skeet23z And you never regretted it because he is the best card in the entirety of magic.

[@nighthaunter8]

I had a similar experience, I got duped into trading a Karn Liberated for a Vorinclex and two foil Acidic Slimes. I was so new to Magic I thought that cards of the same rarity were of equivalent equity.

[@mrbaglione]

Tibalt comes back in Return to Return to Ravnica as a member of the Rakdos (BR coloring) and comes back as a more powerful planeswalker. That would be cool.

[@Rol4nnd]

Yeah, that was my idea too.

[@nathanMangion_Elyden]

I was thinking of that too. Would he cool

[@NebulousSpacePotato]

Baggz "Tibalt, Jester of Riots"

[@jozzyalthefool9273]

That's genious!

[@anthonydelfino6171]

Bolas needs a red/black walker working for him to round out the cast..... let him be a part of that on Ravnica haha

[@liemsolow3697]

Here's my interpretation of Tibalt: Tibalt, the.... (2) (B) (R) Loyalty: 3 +2: Put a -1/-1 counter on target creature you don't control, then put a -1/-1 counter on target creature you control. -1: Draw a card. Then discard a card unless you have Tibalt, the.... deal 2 damage to you -7: You get an Emblem with "At the beginning of your end step, put 2 -2/-2 counters on up to 2 different creatures." Trying to embrace Tibalt's whole, long and drawn out torture fetish. -x/-x counters exemplify this.

[@takiherosquires1372]

Liem Solow na, I think that his -6 should be something along the lines of : target player discards X cards from their hand equal to the number of counters on the battlefield. If that player can't discard any cards, they sacrifice X remaining nonland permanents.

[@dissolution9843]

Think he should have a passive ability that says "Enemy players cannot lose the game while Tibalt is in play" and then all his abilities deal face damage in addition to their effects. Which of course, is very powerful but there's also the stipulation that you want to get rid of Tibalt so you can actually beat the opponent. The flavor is that Tibalt is keeping the opponent alive to torture them, which helps you at first, but later becomes a nuisance as he gets carried away and won't let you win. His first ability could be something like " +1: Draw a card and then discard a card. Deal 2 damage to target player and 1 damage to yourself." His second could be something to help with creatures. " -1: All creatures and players are dealt 1 damage, if any creatures die this way do it again." His ultimate could be something really indicative of his association with devils, and also something that'll let you finally win if you can get rid of Tibalt. " -5: Put 4 3/1 devil tokens into play with Haste and 'When this creature dies deal 3 damage divided as you choose between any number of target creatures or players.'" I was thinking for CMC something rakdos like (r)(r)(b). With 2 starting loyalty, indicating he's a fickle servant and making him an easy target for enemy burn for balance reasons. Thoughts?

[@phillipehehn6573]

AceofBlades, if the card would have an ability to keep its opponent alive while it's on the field, then it should probably not have any major negative loyalty effects, as that would make him easy to get rid of. Other than that, I think the idea could be interesting.

[@dissolution9843]

Very good point. We could revise all the abilities to be more mild, with no real "ultimate" ability to speak of, just a bunch of red-black utility.

[@Ranchor489]

I think I'd rather utilize his devil flavor more than anything else about his character: Tibalt, Devil's Advocate (R)(R)(R) Loyalty: 3 +1: Draw two cards, then discard a card at random. If it was a nonland card, Tibalt, Devil's Advocate deals 2 damage to any target. Otherwise, Tibalt, Devil's Advocate deals 2 damage to each player. -3: Until your next turn, target creature becomes a red Devil in addition to its other types and colors and has "Whenever this creature dies, it deals 3 damage to any target" -6: Deal 6 damage to each player, create 3 6/1 red Devil tokens with trample and haste into the battlefield. At the beginning of the end step, sacrifice them.

[@Shenaldrac]

I likeTibalt the Incompetent. And I would agree with you that bringing him back with a decent card and doubling down on his srs bsns original personality would be a worse move than never making another card with him again. I want Tibalt. I want him to have a chief minion. I want him to make over the top, grandiose speeches to the Gatewatch. I want him to honestly, genuinely plot against Nicole Bola. I want to see his plans back fire. I want to see them do more than that, I want to see his horribly evil plans somehow end up making things *better* through sheer idiocy. I want a feature length movie, twelve novels and four twenty-four episode seasons of an animated television series of this.

[@oniongolem8157]

I'd honestly kind of love to see Tibalt be the main villain of a set in the way you described him

[@jeffgangaware5070]

Have you watched "A Series of Unfortunate Events"?

[@GMixlis13]

He is the Veigar of MtG.. He has a very terrifying lore, is really powerfull, but everyone mocks 'em. Poor thing...

[@robertdicke7249]

Nah he is more like thresh... the torture history, a spell makes him turn into demonic monster... so much bad ass only to be a support with some of the least efficient damage scaling's I the game.

[@bennini7758]

Both of you don't play league much. Both those characters wreck shop

[@robertdicke7249]

@@bennini7758 No don't get me wrong, thresh is my main... I just often feel sad I cant take him out of support into top or the jungle to a consistent success.

[@aaronconlin]

Robert Dicke I’ve had moderate success with Thresh top depending on build. It’s fun, which is the most important thing

[@robertdicke7249]

@@aaronconlin It is doable but not worth the inevitable failures that will amount to 25 minutes of suffering a pop in my opinion.

[@johnkesl7307]

My favorite video of yours yet. Awesome. "Thirty year old human wizard failure" vs. "Millennia old vampire oldwalker who produced what's her face from his essence" Priceless.

[@WayneAnonymous]

I would like to see a second try on Tibalt. Would be cool to have him as another planeswalker from Innistrad. I like his visual and character design. Imo he deserves another chance.

[@sdfkjgh]

They should focus more on his lore shtick of sadomasochism. I've designed multiple different planeswalker cards of Tibalt that did just that. For instance, one has a +3 ability that also deals 2 damage to either you or itself.

[@malemoogle]

He was one of the more requested characters to return, surprised Wizards didn't really do much with him during the Innistrad-Eldrazi block.

[@ch0asu472]

While I agree that a comedic villain is amazing Tibalt is the scariest planeswalker with endless potential. A planeswalker who should not exist, but rather absorbed demonic entities to become a planeswalker. This leads Tybalt to be the scariest planeswalker due to its nature and evolution. There is a chance that tybalt becomes stronger by absorbing demons and even demonlord. The longer we do not see tybalt in the story line the longer he is driving planes inty madness, laughing and those measly humans and using the so called devils to empower itself to the point where he can out power sorin and even bolas. Tybalis weak but he can become stronger the more time he is not in sight, becoming a real threat to all beings in the multiverse

[@lasterman94100]

I'd argue that sorin is a match to bolas in terms of pure strength, maybe not as smart cuz he didnt see what was coming on innistrad with Nahiri and got fooled by Olivia, but to be able to create an angel which is able to kill two planeswalkers in one blow tells you he is no joke... or at least he wouldnt be if he wasn't stuck in a rock...

[@casparclothier3768]

lasterman tbh you would have to look at how powerful sorin and bolas were at the peaks of their power. In that respect bolas would be considered much more powerful. There was a point when he was so powerful that he could fully form on dominaria without causing it to collapse due to how powerful his essence was.

[@JadedTaste]

Tibalt didnt gain a spark by absorbing the devils. He had a spark like any normal Planeswalker

[@kuru9157]

Wotc, please listen to our new lore-prophet

[@CrazyNerdMonkey]

@@JadedTaste it might have been one of the devils sparks.

[@OnEiNsAnEmOtHeRfUcKa]

So what you're saying... is that Tibalt accidentally became the MtG equivilent of Waluigi? 🤔

[@thingonometry-1460]

Don't insult our Lord Waluigi

[@vynashe4442]

Waluigi is king

[@rgbchroma]

Handsome Jack from Borderlands is one of my favorite villains. He is so driven to "Bring Peace to Pandora" but has hopped through a gymnnasium of mental hoops to justify his tyrannical insanity. He is comedic and twisted. And overall a great character.

[@The_Nerd_King]

Tibalt looks likes a human version of vexing devil. And if he does come back, make him useful but challenging

[@jimpachi98]

Make him rakdos with a +1 One with Nothing on a stick, but a powerful ultimate that rewards you for somehow staying alive a couple turns after discarding your entire hand

[@madhatten00]

he would be amazing if he only had 2 abilities +1, draw a card, discard a card randomly -6 return all creatures in the graveyard to your field then you can add some useless but even more op ability - -10 cast any and all spells in the graveyard for no cost

[@AVAL2775]

Yeah no he's a devil, sorry but making him black goes against lore

[@RoastedGravy]

MaRo has gone on record several times that if Tibalt returned as a planeswalker card he would be Rakdos.

[@AVAL2775]

RoastedGravy Yeah I don't give a shit lore speaking he should only be red

[@GodwynDi]

I was thinking more along the lines of +1 search for any card in your library, then discard your hand.

[@brianwise5850]

My favorite villain who is dressed up as a clown and isn't taken as super serious but is actually one of the most successful villains is Kefka from Final Fantasy 6. He has that maniacal laugh similar to the Joker, and is a down right villain through and through. But what makes him so good is he actually won, he took over the world and became a God. Yes, he is defeated in the end but the fact he wins and then your left playing the game going around collecting yourself and friends to make another go at him, made for one of the best stories i ever played. Made him very memorable. If Wizards of the coast did something in line with this i could see Tibalt being shown in a better life. Still memeable and thought of as the trickster. But never again thought of as the worst planeswalker.

[@FenrirEX]

I love this general idea.

[@poluicionador]

Unpopular opinion here: I couldn't take Kefka seriously during the second half of the game. After being stablished as a clumsy sidekick, I had a hard time believing that he was a serious treat.

[@brianwise5850]

he really wasn't a clumsy sidekick, he was a manipulative bastard. he played the clown so he could manipulate people into a false sense of security. the man poisoned an entire town/castle in the first half. he laughed about it. that is a true villain. you think he is a joke because your lead to think that way, maybe that's why Tibalt is actually something we should be afraid of rearing his head.

[@magussephiroth]

poluicionador you had a hard time taking him as a threat after he destroyed the world and kept messing people up with the light of judgement? I can understand feeling underwhelmed because he wasn't popping up all over the place like the first half of the game but still... I felt the urgent need to stop him immediately after he became a god

[@poluicionador]

Imagine if Dastardly does the same thing. I don't know you, but to me it would be ridiculous.

[@sanaru02]

I remember at an Avacyn restored event having a guy trade a Tibalt for a cookie. He thought twice about it, but ended up deciding a bakery item was worth more than this guy.

[@metroplexgrimlock7089]

I like how 2 years ago people were laughing at Tibalt, now he's laughing at you

[@Nemonowoa739]

his war of the spark card is actually low key good

[@FlameX13]

I agree, his -2 is OK but his static ability is great, it's similar to a sulphuric vortex

[@osiris8680]

I am still not impressed

[@thatonepersonyouknowtheone7781]

@@osiris8680 I'm not impressed with your attitude.

[@osiris8680]

Well then just like Tibalt Against Sorin I have failed

[@infernoheaven4644]

I have a deck that constantly gives the new tibalt 3 loyalty counters per turn plus i use mask of immolation

[@daniellawhorne181]

My favorite villain has always been Moriarty from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. I love that he doesn't have any sort of superpowers. I love that he doesn't have some kind of crazy unbeatable machine. He's just an ordinary man who is incredibly intelligent. I also love his personality. He doesn't really do anything because he has something to gain from it. He does it because it's fun.

[@docterfantazmo]

*Rakdos:* I don't see why you have to belittle me like that! *Tibalt:* Aaaaaaa, relaaax guuuy! *Rakdos:* Well sometimes I don't think you have any respect for me... *Tibalt:* Whose my cream puff?

[@charlesyun7803]

docterfantazmo [in Saddams voice]: I love you, Rakdos.

[@GreenGearStudio]

I always saw Tibalt as more of a Joker like character. A character that seems like an idiot without a plan, but is one of the most dangerous.

[@hash-tag-aecg7087]

Gideon: we have to stop nicole bolas! Tibalt: who? Gideon: that guy. Tibalt: the f-ing dragon with the zombie gods. I'm out.

[@kmaru80]

I love hearing your take on things. Some of the best Magic content on the Tube

[@alicemoore2036]

Maybe Tibalt could be part Nicol Bolas’ gang. He can inadvertently bring about the Elder Dragon’s downfall.

[@juanduarte9923]

Alice Moore as cool as that sounds and as much as I am on board with that, they have to make it reasonable that would be like festering nute beating on It That Betrays

[@danpearman270]

OK - how's about this: There's an essential object that Bolas needs for his great plan, but someone (probably Ugin) locked it away from him eons ago in a location that can only be accessed by devils (flat out destroys anyone else short of a pre-mending planeswalker). But no devil will ever willingly work with Bolas (because of what he did at Aunt Petunia's wedding - or, preferably, a better reason ;) ), so he can't retrieve this essential piece of his plan. Enter Tibalt, a devil who doesn't care, and might willingly do a deal to retrieve Bolas' crystal heart (which I've just decided is the important item - it contains some essential aspect of Bolas' pre-mending original power). Bolas sends Tibalt to fetch it, warning him of its importance and promising immense rewards and an eternity in which to torture endless victims. Tibalt undergoes a full heroes journey, facing and overcoming serious and deadly obstacles on his quest; learning about himself along the way and the lengths he will go to for the opportunity to indulge his sadistic whims. Finally, battered but renewed, his mind filled with Bolas' promises, Tybalt retrieves the crystal heart. Bolas, engaged in final battle with the Gatewatch, senses the crystal heart approaching and knows his plan is finally coming to fruition, his former power will once more be his, in a multiverse where he will have no rivals. With one hand he continues to hold off the attacks of Ajani and Gideon, while with the other he prepares to grasp the heart and reabsorb its power. The doors to the chamber burst open. "I'm here! I've got it! It's right...erk..." Tibalt stumbles over Jace's unconscious form, dropping the crystal heart, which shatters into a thousand fragments. Gideon stabs Bolas in the back of the head with the Blackblade Reforged while he's still trying to understand the enormity of the cock-up Tybalt has just achieved.

[@IdiotinGlans]

I'd rather see him as bumbling sidekick to Ob Nixilis.

[@TimPoultney]

Tibalt could be the Starscream to another character's Megatron. Imagine if/when Sorin comes back, still weakened from his stone tomb, now a marble-fleshed, vengeful revenant seeking revenge upon Nahiri and running afoul of the Superfri- I mean, The Gatewatch. In his shadow is the very figure whom audaciously tried to best him and the only one who dared to follow his instructions and free him from his ruinous tomb, the conniving and cackling man-devil, Tibalt -- All done in exchange for giving Tibalt a taste of true power (and justifying a THREE mana casting cost and a splash of much needed black) In the end, Tibalt's machinations and own lofty schemes cause the downfall of Sorin, leading to his curing of his stony state/defeat and imprisonment and Tibalt fleeing in a puff of sulfurous mist to some new plane, his mind bubbling with thoughts of revenge and the next magnum doofus. LOYALTY 3 +1 Create a 1/1 devil token with "When this creature dies, deal 1 damage to target" +1 Draw two, discard one, lose one life -6 Target player loses life equal to the number of cards in your hand Tibalt MUST be your commander

[@TURKAGEDON]

Return to return to Tibalt let's go

[@Wyattbw09]

Seems like you’re going to get your wish. War of the Spark, and apparently he also appears in a comic/story that takes place post War of the Spark.

[@gameprose4293]

www.mythicspoiler.com/war/cards/tibaltrakishinstigator1.jpg His card

[@andresarancio6696]

This is funny in retrospective, with Tibalt's Trickery in mind

[@carsonheschle642]

Seriously hahaha. And Cosmic Imposter! I freaking love that card.

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

Tibalt, the Joker to Sorin's Batman. Sadly it did not work out. He could have been a great twisted evil to have roaming the planes. Out there not with any greater plan, but just with the hope of hurting others. A Tibalt Vs. Ashiok battle/contest (who causes the greater pain) could have made for a chilling inter-planar battle of ideologies.

[@justharry2190]

Someone played this plank in our edh group he ulted cause no one was paying attention to him.

[@joecooper8527]

Just Harry How did it go ?

[@VanHornJosh]

Lit

[@Pkgymmtr]

No one expects the Tybalt ultimate

[@tomootjers9130]

Kel'Thuzad that's Politics for you ;)

[@alicemoore2036]

He is a failed Joker.

[@cantrip7]

Alice Moore Truly the Jared Leto of MtG.

[@WayneAnonymous]

The Joker though is somewhat terrifying. Because he is absolutely batshit crazy and unpredictable. Not exactly what I would count as a "failed/looser villain".

[@sethchapman1425]

Think as stated up a bit that he could be that Joker in the planes.

[@jasonjames9836]

He is like the Joker in the Adam West campy version of Batman in the darker and grittier Gotham of Ben Affleck or Christian Bale

[@dr.lemonade242]

He's nothing like the Joker: that's an oversimplification.

[@Ritokure]

Going by MtG's Arena's deciption of Tibalt - posh, flamboyant and standoffish - I'd say Wizards embraced Tibalt's community-created persona well.

[@n.m5253]

I really love his backstory. I hope there will be a good Tibalt planeswalker one day.

[@ty_sylicus]

A Rakdos one.

[@dredgentruth3455]

Cosmic imposter has entered the chat

[@oom-3262]

my fav villain ever gotta be GlaDOS, from the portal games. It is so charismatic, crazy and intelligent at the same time, you actually miss her in some parts when she is not present.

[@photospectrum3726]

Wheatley is kind of the Tibalt of Portal.

[@Larry.R]

PORTAL 2 SPOILERS AHEAD!!!! And...she gets turned into a potato.

[@2MeatyOwlLegs]

glados is a great choice

[@ilmu011]

Larry R Whoever hasn't played Portal yet is a fucking troglodyte to me.

[@masondeitrick]

Anyone who plays Portal is a troglodyte

[@GalaticCyrus]

Amazing video prof! Glad i got to meet you at GP Sao Paulo! Cheers from Brazil!

[@Goblintom]

The new Tibalt is decent. Not groundbreaking but usable. I like the character itself.

[@nighthaunter8]

This was my first video on this channel, which got me totally sucked into it. Tolarian Community College is now my favorite KZbin channel and this video remains one of my favorites. The Professor takes such an analytical, careful, and complete study of a phenomenon so unique within Magic: the Gathering that I instantly knew I had to subscribe.

[@C0365086]

Never played MTG in my life BUT huge dnd need, and with Ravnica coming out I feel compelled to do a little diving. This is the first channel I’ve found that kicks ass. Great stuff, love that style!

[@alexandercarrier9516]

hear after tibalt has finally got what prov asked for in the viking set

[@thewonderdoc2999]

Since the 3rd Ravnica set will be the final Gatewatch vs Bolas Club showdown maybe Bolas recruited most black aligned walkers we know into his ranks. He allready has Tezzeret,Liliana and Vraska(kinda) as well as Ral Zarek. So maybe Ashiok,Garruk and Tibalt could show up at his side in the final clash. Not Sorin though he has wall duty.

[@joecooper8527]

That would be cool

[@Insane-Howl-Cowl]

I'm hoping for Tibalt, Ashiok and Ob-Nixilis showing up first in the grand reveal on Ravnica. The three complete tasks that summon Bolas (maybe each impacting a guild riot/explosion). This would be a call back to Bolas's upkeep cost in the old days. Tibalt - Rakdos riots Ashiok - Izzet Ob-Nixilis - Dimir?

[@balfanghellfire]

Sorin would never join Bolas anyway because he is aligned with his enemy, Ugin. I would like to see a bit where Tibalt returns to Innistrad to taunt Sorin only to stumble and releases the dark knight and retreats in a comedic fashion.

[@jo0sh-000]

TheWonderdoc is Sorin still a rock, or do we not know

[@igormarques3992]

Ral-Zarek? How?

[@WexMajor82]

I remember a clown villain. His name was Kefka Palazzo. And boy, was he terrifying. A lot scarier than Tibalt.

[@anonymousplayer4823]

Kafka also won didn't he?

[@goodiesohhi]

@@anonymousplayer4823 Initially yes. He basically destroys the world and becomes god at the point of no return.

[@JarlDM]

I don't tend to comment on your vids, but I watch a lot of them. This one was really great. Good insight on the story of MTG, and how this accident became a living breathing part of the lore.

[@GhostGK21]

Now he’s one of the chase card of Kaldheim.

[@ErnieSimp90]

anyone coming back to this after kaldheim?

[@lasterman94100]

And meanwhile, ma boi Sorin is still stuck in a rock...

[@danzansandeev6033]

lasterman well till we return to innistrad plane he will stay imprisoned. Which won't happen in near future it seems I actually can see him placed in Olivia's reception room like Han Solo in jabba's palace

[@drazi3356]

Right sorin is the best.

[@NickK1291]

How long was Emrakul gonna take a nap for? I'm sure someone will come let Sorin out just before she wakes up...

[@GlitchLich589]

There will be news for you soon.

[@RiseInAfterlife]

He's out and extremely pissed at Nahiri.

[@Rukalin]

Next Tibalt as a common? Maybe he'll find SOME play in pauper.

[@yutsumon]

Rukalin jund delver might play him

[@MrGiaretti]

I think even if he was printed as common he would be mediocre at best. I love that kid, but he's just very very bad

[@CasevacDevilDoc]

Always loved this card and even more so, his art. glad you dedicated time and effort to him, +1, I think it is a good representation as self hurt, and power at the end.

[@MultiNaruto900]

*"It's about sending a message - everything burns."*

[@michaelbecker1093]

I love tibolt. I hate with a passion his +1 ability but I love his -6. My brother kicked my butt with it In a multi player game with like 6 players because nobody paid attention to it we were all too busy trying to kill each other and then he just levels him up and takes us all out of nowhere. 😈🔥

[@captainbarbossa289]

Davvol from Urza’s Destiny doesn’t count as a comedic villain?

[@musicman6555]

There is nothing more evilly satisfying than beating someone with a tibalt deck

[@charleslegreatthegarbagemo7202]

His War of the Spark premiere makes him a nice card to have since there are food tokens and life gain emphasis.

[@antwan1357]

I'm glad their are some people who appreciated the art . I love collecting beautiful land art cards.

[@sinisteroglop]

If you haven't watched Rhystic Studies' "The Magic Art Of:" series, you should!

[@antwan1357]

Thank you I took your advice , and really enjoyed it.

[@paxtonjk]

If he's is in return to ravinica again... And he Is a lot more powerful since the last time we saw him that be awesome.

[@ByloBand]

I like the concept, but to bring him back and stick to the heel theme, he'd be better served as an uncommon, to really showcase just how sad he is.

[@RiseInAfterlife]

Well now he is an uncommon, sees zero play and is just a very sad red guy.

[@RiseInAfterlife]

@Cosmic Fool He was only a candidate for monored as sideboard to stop lifegain which is comletely redundand. 1st because Monored does not play Bo3 2nd because Monored is so hyper aggressive that it can kill a Lifegain Deck before they start gaining any significant amount of life and when we look at Historic with Soul sisters and such: They just play Ferocodon over Tibalt.

[@RiseInAfterlife]

@Cosmic Fool Multicolor decks have straight up no use for Tibalt, that's why I didn't bother mentioning it. He still sees Zero play and his absolute peak was Standard Monored sideboard which he was kicked out of shortly after. He is too weak, like other Uncommon PWs from WotS, to see any play. The point rmains that he still has not gotten a useful card someone would play.

[@levisanders6711]

It would make my year to see Tibald in Ravnica and he had secretly worked his way up the Rakdos hierarchy (if there is one) and we see him as Rakdos' left-hand man and head torturer that advises Rakdos with the worst possible plots that always ends up with him feeding his obsession of torture. Though every now and again he comes up with a brilliant idea that could propel the Rackdos guild forward in terms of overall power among the 10 clans. (Maybe he could even loose his spark and become a playable legendary creature for commander (i need a fun commander for my fiend circus deck)). Or maybe we can see him as an Azoriuos prisoner wrongfully accused of being a Rakdos spy and he fills the role of the villain that somehow always needs the hero's help too escape for something they need. Any of these ideas would be fun simply becuase i love Tibald and the amount of potential he has as a supplemental character.

[@yesyes1470]

You know rakdos the demon is dead right.

[@ninety9960]

I don't really play magic but you did a wonderful job documenting this card that I had no trouble understanding all the nuances. Excellent video!

[@monkeibusiness]

Thanks for this video. I found Tibalt really interesting lore wise, and I wondered since Inn why we didn't get any new iterations. Pretty sad about the status quo tbh. Tibalt isn't a joke. He's a psychopath reveling in his own sadistic deeds. You can not make a joke character out of that backstory. He's become a joke because players, let's be real here, don't look at the lore mostly. They look at what the card does (shitty effects), and how "tiny" (RR - 2 loyalty) it is. The card is a failure, the character isn't. Don't make him into one by embracing the meme.

[@wadinatorthevile2805]

No! Wha- why would he be comedic?! He *_TOURTURES_* people for a living! And having him come back as a bad planeswalker, just to embrace some kind of nostalgia?! I don’t know about you, but if I opened up a planeswalker in a limited pool, who was *_INTENTIONALLY_* made unplayable, I’m pretty sure I’d feel the same pain unholy pain of whatever that devil spell was.

[@akselevensen2763]

Wadinator, The Vile Exatly! He tortures YOU by being absolute crap!

[@Tortferngatr]

I feel like making him more of a “lethal joke character” that takes Johnny/Jenny-style shenanigans to make work, but terrifyingly effective when he does might be a better direction for the character.

[@michaelwintermantel9127]

I would love to know your thoughts on this now that Tybalt is back and has two more cards in play. Also a more important spot for planeswalker cards in the game.

[@lengthao7652]

So tibalt should be the squee for planeswalkers. Honestly I really like how tibalt looks.

[@andrewhoward6946]

Tibalt the Terror 1RR 3 Loyalty +1: Create a 1/1 Devil creature token that has "When this creature attacks, devils you control get +1/-1 until end of turn" -1: Draw two cards, then reveal your hand. Target opponent chooses a card for you to discard. -6: Sacrifice all creatures you control, Tibalt deals 1 damage to each opponent for each creature sacrificed this way.

[@tangerineGamer]

With the newest Tibalt card and interactions i feel hes becoming less of a joke, which is fine because the REAL joke walker here is Davriel, who gets walked into an invaded ravnika and spends his weekend hanging out crashing parties and flirting with ob nixilis while everyone else is fighting for their lives, love that guy

[@crimson90]

Prof called it. Tibalt is back in War of the Spark as a more playable mediocrity but a less epic super villain.

[@TheRedGauntlet]

Tibalt is atleast more memorable then alot of other walkers. Forgetable characters like samut, Saheli and Huatli are so boring and forgetable..

[@11epicnoob]

Saheeli's a staple in my Grixis Artifact Commander deck

[@proto303]

i loved huatli's ending, i find it quite funny that she is helping saheli build robo dinos on kaladesh, also angrath was amazing, although i do agree with you on samut

[@RobinGreatfellow]

Dovan Baan

[@proto303]

the fact he's a planeswalker is forgetable, other than that i know he exists

[@OnEiNsAnEmOtHeRfUcKa]

11epicnoob Good card =/= good/memorable character.

[@Solid_Doom]

So, obviously Prof hates Tibalt. Most of the mtg playerbase hate Tibalt. But I actually have had great experiences with the card. One of my playgroup's most legendary stories include Tibalt, in a 6 man commander match I managed to murder a player with it. Dude played primespeaker twice and drew 40 with infinite hand size and no one was afraid of a 4 loyalty Tibalt. The look of that man's face after my turn was priceless. I didn't build around him, I just decided to throw him in one day because why not? Grixis loves all.

[@layer2023]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand he's making the comeback this May 3rd let us all embrace the new version of this lovely planeswalker of ours Tibalt's return And he said he's comin in rough

[@LuDogg805]

I can understand if Wizards Of The Coast makes Tibalt bad again but I DO think he deserves better. I do like the Black/Red idea and him still only a 2 drop. Maybe it can be... Black + Red +1 Each Player discards a card, then draws a card. - 2 Destroy target creature. It can't be regenerated. - 5 Gain control of up to 2 target creatures. Untap those creatures. They gain hate until end of turn. Sacrifice those creatures at the beginning of the next end step. 2 Loyalty Counters

[@llamacandy9894]

Feels reminiscent of rhystic studies ey?

[@chrisjacob1446]

We NEED a common Tibalt so he can wreak havoc on pauper - like the lovable weakling he is! I love 'em!

[@chrisjacob1446]

Even bring 'em back as a clown who scares us a little like the joker! Wauligi is the perfect comparison though...

[@shade01977]

I can live with a comedic villain in mtg, but that shouldn't be Tibalt. His back story is waaaay to dark. Torturing/raping serial killers are the worst horrors reality has to offer. Tibalt should be a very scary villain.

[@shade01977]

Scott Covert - I agree completely. But he himself having a dark and morbid sense of humor is very different from him being comical or pathetic.

[@saidin0142]

shade01977 yeah but as the prof said, the istant he goes against even just one of the main walkers he's dead, expectially when it comes to battle beasts like sorin or gideon

[@shade01977]

Sam il dracofono - Fantastic point. All the more reason to have him as a forward thinking, scheming mastermind. He can only win through planning and machinations. That and a powerful "base if operations" ; a defensible stronghold for both his safety from enemies and for his twisted, sadistic pastimes.

[@danielcox7629]

shade01977 or he could be like the joker in the DC universe can he fight Superman no is he absolutely terrifying yes

[@doesntmatter2467]

so basically his back stories to horrifying to be funny but community perception of him is to low for him to be scary if you ask me his better off as a shriviled husk.

[@garretth.251]

Despite being primarily a green player, Tibalt is my favorite planeswalker. I love his backstory so much! I would be very disappointed if he retunred as a joke. I would love to see cards in upcoming sets that showcase terrible pain and anguish. Over a few years, we then finally discover that he had been visiting those same planes the heroes have and has been unleashing his foul pain magic on unsuspecting victims. I like to believe that somewhere in the multiverse is a plane that is completely under Tibalt's control. A plane with no hero to stand up for it. A plane where pain is a way of life. A plane where Tibalt returns after hunting victims across the multiverse. A plane where Tibalt has become the Sorin of that world.

[@ToXiC_RaPtOr]

I'm just getting into MTG, I play other games but this one has so many amaizng stories(Lore). Great content, keep it up!