Friendship is Card Games: Wings Over Yakyakistan · 1:08pm Nov 18th, 2018
This week, it’s Surr-yak Dragonclaw* against a rather svelte daughter of Atarka. Let’s see how this clash pans out.
* Yes, his shoulder pads are a bear’s face. One he punched to death. Surrak is basically a testosterone crystal that walks like a man.
Before we start, I’d like to highlight one of the covers of the first part of the storyline, particularly the look on Rutherford’s face. That yak has seen some serious crap. It doesn’t help that it looks like a pony-dragon alliance is coming down on Yakyakistan like a ton of flying bricks.
Oh hey, Dash’s parents. Interacting with Pinkie. 
It’s a good thing they’re in Yakyakistan. The cold keeps the enthusiasm from forming a runaway chain reaction that would level the town.
Nice touch with each Wonderbolt having a different contrail. Neat as the thundercloud trails are, it’s t’s nice to see them fly their personal colors once in a while
Heh. Pinkie’s experience with Maud meant that the yaks’ excitement was plain to see for her.
Whoa. I may have drawn some Tarkir parallels, but I wasn’t expecting a full-on Frontier Siege.
Very interesting to see Dash giving Spitfire orders. Is she the de facto captain during Bearer-scale threats—and an army of dragons likely qualifies as such—or was it just a matter of enforcing the proper chain of command being low on the immediate list of priorities?
Good to see Rutherford has grown concerned about the safety of his people since “Not Asking for Trouble.” At least, when they’re threatened by something more smashable than snow.
Hmm. Sacred stones that just happen to make for excellent dragon shelters. Very interesting…
Ah. Looks like my “immediate mortal peril outweighs the chain of command” hypothesis was the case. When fire isn’t literally raining from the heavens, Spitfire expects some degree of obedience from her subordinates.
“But the Wonderbolts are just great flyers. Not warriors.” Huh. I get the feeling this is less official military position and more Spitfire not wanting to repeat the farce of “Secret of My Excess,” especially given how she was, you know, pulling military rank just a few moments earlier. Don’t worry, Spits; yaks don’t even have water towers.
Employing Bow and Windy’s powers of parental embarrassment to support Dash’s argument. That’s… actually kind of brilliant. And the performance anxiety certainly makes sense. Remember the Best Young Fliers Competition?
80’s Windy Whistles is arguably even better than 80’s Cheerilee… even if that does raise some questions about relative ages.
Two curiosities I can show with one image: Dash’s contrail in the second panel seems to lose its cyan ink under the text box, which is especially bizarre on the digital version. Also, turns out the earth ponies in Cloudsdale weren’t just an animation flub.
Soarin’s apparently just happy to be here.
One of Dash’s first times seeing the Wonderbolts, if not the first time, and the day she learned the meaning of bravery. I know this isn’t the primary focus of the narrative, but it’s still some great background for her, showing just how much her parents taught her and did for her.
Mind you, even with the potential post-draconic stress disorder, I’m not sure I buy Spitfire needing this much of a pep talk to go out and face the dragons. It’s certainly not going to look good if her superiors hear about this.
Ha! Yeah, these are Rainbow Dash’s parents we’re talking about. They’re no more willing to stay out of the thick of it than their daughter.
Fluttershy once again showing that she’s capable of much higher speeds than she realizes, assuming Fleetfoot was setting the pace.
And then Ember was Trogdor.
Spitfire and Dash have no right looking that adorable given the circumstances. That said, nice touch with Pinkie offering moral support for Prince Rutherford.
“This kind of aggression may just be a genetic factor in the inferior races.” Okay, those weren’t Twilight’s exact words, but still, wow. Good on Spike calling her out.
Okay, the dragon ragging does feel a bit manufactured when everyone gets in on it, though at least they're all judging dragons for an apparently unprovoked invasion and not for, you know, being dragons. Still, after Twilight’s comment, it's no wonder Spike’s sensitive to such language.
Also, Soarin’, maybe don’t look so happy when discussing your CO’s concussion.
Very nice to see Spike lean on Ember with the whole “You literally owe your title to me” deal.
Ah. Ember’s caught in an uncomfortable Catch-22. Try to reach out to the other species and they’re suspicious. Lash out and you only confirm those suspicions. And she’s not exactly the most patient person in the world.
The yak prince Ulysses, who wandered the world… I wonder how long it took him to get back to Yakyakistan.
And it turns out the whole thing is Pinkie’s fault. Well, her and Rutherford. Who’d have thought?
Oh boy, we’re dealing with that particular form of honor that’s more a codeword for “narratively convenient irrationality.”
Poor Spike the half-orc. Trapped between two cultures and not really fitting into either… but on the other hand, that means he can offer an outside perspective to both.
It is shocking to see Spike walking with Ember during the “final attempt at diplomacy” scene. It is amazing to have him shout some sense into all involved parties. The fact that it actually worked makes me think that while Ember may hold the Bloodstone Scepter, true lordship lies with another.
In all… Huh. Looking back, this really did boil down to a poor communication plot with a lot of fight scenes and not a lot of substance, with left turns into lessons about bravery and stereotypes that never quite connect with the core narrative. (And speaking of odd choices that don’t connect with the rest of the story, Starlight’s there, but she literally never says a word.) Yet, all in all, I still enjoyed the spectacle. Not sure if that makes this a good storyline despite the flaws in the premise or if I’m just starved for good pony action.
… I’m going to lean towards the latter. Still, interesting lore, interesting character development, interesting use of both Dash’s parents and the true Dragonlord… All told, while the story doesn’t hold up well if you look at it too closely, there’s still a lot to like.
Now, time to maintain my own honor:
Cloudtrotter 1W
Creature — Pony Citizen
Cloudtrotter has flying as long as you control a Pegasus.
By definition, Cloudsdale has the lowest earth pony and unicorn populations among all Equestrian cities, but it still has a smattering of each.
2/2
Reconstruction Efforts 1W
Sorcery
Each player puts an artifact or enchantment card from their graveyard to the battlefield.
As the dragons rebuilt the village, they also restored their honor.
Turbulent Contrails 1W
Enchantment
Whenever you attack with one or more Pegasi, put that many velocity counters on Turbulent Contrails.
W, Remove a velocity counter from Turbulent Contrails: Target creature can’t attack or block this turn unless its controller pays 2.
Quicksmith Glamorizer 2W
Creature — Unicorn Artificer
When Quicksmith Glamorizer enters the battlefield, target artifact you control gains “T: Tap target creature” for as long as you control Quicksmith Glamorizer.
She considers her modifications’ blinding capabilities a side benefit.
2/2
Aerial Partillery 3WW
Creature — Pony Soldier
Flying, lifelink
Whenever a creature attacks you or a planeswalker you control, Aerial Partillery deals 1 damage to that creature.
Equestrian air superiority does not end at winged legions.
3/3
Diplomatic Whelp 2U
Creature — Dragon Advisor
Whenever another Dragon enters the battlefield, you may draw a card. If you do, discard a card.
His experience with other species has taught him important lessons about dealing with his own.
2/2
Price of Dishonor 4BB
Sorcery
Destroy target creature. That creature’s controller sacrifices another creature.
Violating a sacred bond with dragons ends exactly as well as you would expect it to.
Forward Focus 2R
Enchantment
R, Exile two cards from your graveyard: Exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn.
”We’re going to look forward, not back. I’m dragging my people into the future whether they like it or not.”
—Dragonlord Ember
Draconic Bombardment 3RR
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may reveal a Dragon card from your hand.
Draconic Bombardment deals 3 damage to each creature. If you revealed a Dragon card or controlled a Dragon as you cast this spell, Draconic Bombardment deals 3 damage to each creature you don’t control instead.
Remote Smashing Corps 3RR
Creature — Ox Warrior
Raid — At the beginning of your end step, if you attacked with a creature this turn, Remote Smashing Corps deals 2 damage to any target.
”Yaks still perfecting live ammunition. Need better helmets.”
—Prince Rutherford
2/3
Conquering Dragon 4RR
Creature — Dragon
Flying
Whenever Conquering Dragon deals combat damage to a player, untap up to two target lands that player controls. Gain control of them until end of turn. You can’t sacrifice those lands this turn.
Dragons claim their conquests by landing on them.
4/4
Tundra Siege 3G
Enchantment
As Tundra Siege enters the battlefield, choose Yaks or Dragons.
• Yaks — Creatures you control have reach and “Whenever this creature blocks, put a +1/+1 counter on it.”
• Dragons — Whenever a creature you control attacks, add G at the beginning of your next main phase.
Stoic Audience 4G
Creature — Ox Citizen
Hexproof, vigilance
”Yaks cheer on the inside.”
—Pinkie Pie, Bearer of Laughter
2/5
Scintilla Monument 3
Artifact
T: Add W or B.
4WB: Scintilla Monument becomes a 4/4 white and black Dragon artifact creature with flying until end of turn.
Dragons rarely build much of anything, but they still memorialized the Dragonlord who led them to their homeland.
Ancient Scrolls of Yakyakistan 4
Artifact
Ancient Scrolls of Yakyakistan doesn’t untap during your untap step.
T: Draw a card.
Whenever you cast a historic spell, untap Ancient Scrolls of Yakyakistan. (Artifacts, legendaries, and Sagas are historic.)
To decipher the wisdom of the scrolls, one must already possess it.
Sacred Megaliths 5
Artifact
If a source would deal damage to you, prevent 1 of that damage. If that source is a Dragon, prevent 2 of that damage instead.
Some say the weathered statues are great yak heroes from the past. Some say they are half-forgotten gods. Whatever the case, the stone is thick and sturdy.
Shy Flier RW
Creature — Pegasus Child
Flying
Shy Flier can’t attack or block alone.
Rainbow Dash bonded with Fluttershy on more levels than one ever knew and the other would ever admit.
3/2
Call for Reason GU
Instant
Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt this turn. Each player draws a card.
”Is it so much to ask that you people think once in a while?”
—Spike
The Cavalry Arrives 2(gu)W
Instant
Choose two. You may choose the same mode more than once.
• Create a 2/2 green Pony creature token.
• Create a 1/1 white Pegasus creature token with flying.
• Create two 1/1 blue Unicorn creature tokens.
Battle Yak 2RG
Creature — Ox Warrior
Menace
Other Ox creatures you control get +1/+1 and have trample.
Every yak is trained for combat, but only a few truly live for it.
3/3
Dragonlord Scintilla 4WB
Legendary Creature — Elder Dragon
Flying, first strike
Whenever one or more creatures attack, attacking player loses 1 life for each of those creatures attacking you or planeswalkers you control and gains 1 life for each other attacking creature.
5/5
I've been meaning to say this for a while now, but... is it bad that your made-up cards look infinitely more interesting and flavourful than anything I've seen out of Hearthstone or Magic for the past few years?
Keep up the good work
I love Forward Focus, but Reconstruction Efforts can suck a lemon.
Separately, to quote Schlock Mercenary, "A sergeant in motion outranks a lieutenant who doesn't know what's going on."
Clearly Starlight wanted to get out of the trip and made a simulacra of herself. It doesn't talk. Twilight will be having words with her later.
Learning "It's not that they're dragons" will be important to Twilight in the future though.
Spike the Dragonlord, Ember is secretly just the regent until spike grows a few feet taller. Noone wants to admit this because it's inconvenient and embarassing for everyone involved.
4969909
Beat me to it. Also, “An ordinance tech at a dead run outranks EVERYONE.”
Forward Focus? “Speak when spoken to Uvenk. I’ll drag your people to glory whether you want it or not.”
Given that I think the intention there was to make the reader agree with Spike, I feel that that segment would have worked a lot better for its intended purpose if the ponies' comments hadn't been aimed towards an armed force that attacked another nation unprovoked, attacked them as well and consistently refused to explain what they were doing.
Applejack comments that they'll need their strength in the likely fight tomorrow; Pinkie calls the dragons "meanie heads", which given the aforementioned invasion is hardly that unfair; the Wonderbolts make some smarmy comments about the dragon army; Rarity says the hostile invaders were "nasty" earlier that day. Spike's offense would have been a lot more justified if the comic hadn't spent so much time clearly and unambiguously portraying the dragons as the hostile aggressors in that situation -- essentially, it's trying to portray the ponies as being the ones unfair to dragonkind by using their reactions to a hostile invasion force as examples of unfair behavior.
This is something I see a lot of in fiction -- a work tries to represent prejudice or racism using one or more fictional factions, but then depicts the faction against whom the prejudice is leveled as having attacked, or as still attacking, the other faction to explain where the prejudice comes form. This is fairly obviously not a good way to represent this sort of thing, if only because if Group A doesn't like Group B because Group B keeps attacking them, then Group B isn't exactly going to map very well over the mold of an oppressed and maligned minority, is it?
Moreover, this works even less well when the ill feelings are leveled against specific individuals, as here -- the ponies' complaints, sans Twilight's, are fairly consistently aimed at the specific individual dragons that attacked them unprovoked, not at the dragon species as a whole. When a group attacks another, and then gets offended when called out on it... that sounds to me a lot more like an oppressor than an oppressed.
Yeah, I wasn't a fan of this arc, for all the reasons you already outlined (and all the reasons 4969992 outlined too). But at least it gave us this Derpiboorui image:
derpicdn.net/img/2017/7/12/1484432/large.png
The reason for the conflict was petty as hell, but I guess it makes sense that a dragon - symbols of avarice - would jealously cling to "their" possessions?
Either way there was enough individual and character moments that still made it a fun romp.
Psst... Broken Bond is a card in Dominaria.
4969902
It helps that almost all of my designs are top-down, which is to say that I begin with the flavor concept of the card and derive the mechanics from it. Still, thank you very much.
4969909
I mean, it won't always get back a discarded Omniscience...
4969956
Especially since its magic seems as powerful as that of the original, which raises some deeply concerning questions. Extra-especially since this may explain how Starlight knew about the Mirror Pool in "Uncommon Bond."
True; this lesson would serve her well when conceiving of the School of Friendship.
The main differences between Equestrian dragons and Krogans appear to be wings, maximum size, and shotgun availability. (Though I suppose that might make Spike Grunt.) The good news is that dragons might not nuke each other because they keep eating all the fissile material.
4969992
I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Luna-Spike Friends Forever issue actually did a better job of portraying senseless discrimination. (Even if that means acknowledging the civilized dragons of Fillydelphia. Yecch.)
4970257
Dang it, Nissa.
The card is now Price of Dishonor.
4970319
Yeah, I hadn't thought so before but now I can't unsee it.
The bad news is that, with the right magic, they might not NEED fissile material. Good thing they've got Spike and Ember to keep a lid on things for the next few millennia.