Lingering a moment on the card art for Triskaidekaphobia, if you look closely, you'll notice the number 13 occurs multiple times in the image: 13 rivulets of blood, 13 kitchen utensils, 13 logs in the fireplace. I find it to be a really neat detail :)
Thirteen stones on the rim of the fireplace, thirteen rivets in the barrel, thirteen shards of glass, thirteen planks in the ceiling. they missed nothing in the insane attention to detail given to this card
One other card from Shadows Over Innistrad that was always a favorite, keeping with the truly Gothic within the setting was Avacynian Missionaries/Lunarch Inquisitors. It really works, especially considering the fact that nothing physically changes about those on the card, just that their emotions are twisted by their own fear and zealotry, turning from peaceful clerics, to violent crusaders.
@@sdfkjgh Yeah, it's clear from the art, they go from robes and censers to armor and maces, easy way to explain the Stat change. But what I mean when I say nothing physically changes is that they don't undergo a metamorphosis in the same way as other creatures in the sets.
“I imagine what it must have been like to sit down with a warm meal with death incarnate; and I smile.” Holy shit, man. What an amazing line. Keep it up
Sam, I get so excited when a new Rhystic Studies video drops. The insight, attention to detail, and depth provided is always mind blowing. Don't stop being great.
One thing about 10:02 this crops up in a lot of gothic and romantic literature because the writers lived through it - the Tambora Eruption changed the weather and the color of the skies in many parts of the world.
Another incredible upload! Though, I was hoping for the whole video for you to mention my favorite gimmick of Innistrad's, that being pairs of separate cards that tell a story between them, like Make a Wish and Grapple with the Past. I find them wonderfully eerie and tragic.
I feel like I must be as crazy as the cultists at the Drownyard Temple, because Eldritch Moon is my favorite set of all time. The influence of Emrakul on the living leading to the reliance on the dead is a great twist to the previous relations and power dynamics of the plane, and I love basically every twisted monstrosity of an Eldrazi either bathed in shadow or eerie moonlight.
The concept of the Eldrazi was very interesting, it's just that the way it was handled left a lot to be desired, especially by the people who really liked what Innistrad was already doing.
@@BigBoi237 Yeah Emrakul should intervened in Battle for Zendikar, but that would have meant the Gatewatch lost, and they cant have their heros lose. They'd sell less cards.
@@AFailedTuringTest Except most of the gatewatch arc was mostly defeats or hollow victories? BfZ was their only "clean" victory. SOI/EMN technically was a victory, but one that leaves an ominous sense of dread and mystery. KLD/AER was an intentional sacrifice to cover up the theft of the planar bridge and lure the gatewatch to Amonkhet. AKH/HOU was an unmitigated disaster. XLN/RIX resulted in Bolas acquiring the immortal sun and a social/romantic manipulation point against Jace. DOM led to death of Belzenlok and Liliana's contract defaulting to Bolas, giving him a general for his undead horde. The GRN/RNA/WAR psuedo-block was a victory in the end, but one that came at the death of Gideon, Dack, and many other potential allies for the gatewatch, plus widespread destruction on Ravnica and the limiting of Ugin's ability to be involved with future crises as he is now occupied with being Bolas' jailer.
The only real problem with Shadows was that it really should have come before Battle for Zendikar. As it was, the twist of Emrakul was incredibly poorly telegraphed. But if it had been before? Holy heck would that have been a twist!
One of my favorite cards from Innistrad isn't one of the spooky ones, but its honestly one of the most heart warming cards I've ever seen. Its Beloved Beggar which flips to Generous Soul, as Beloved Beggar it has disturb and has flavor text that says "Charity is rare on Innistrad, but kindness is always repaid", when it flips to Generous Soul the flavor text reads, "As long as evil threatens this town, the Blessed Sleep can wait". In a world were geists roam the world, causing pain and fear, its always nice to see that even death can't stop good people from fighting for the betterment of the world, whether it be an illegitimate son or a lonely beggar of the town, paying back its kindness with his ghostly blade
One of my favorites is the Malevolent Hermit, who after death becomes the Benevolent Geist- he eschews the Blessed Sleep to give, to laugh, and perhaps, to live- ironic that it required his death to show him how to live.
Not only is this my favorite plane in MTG every time this channel uploads on a weekend I get some cocoa and a blanket and sit through the whole thing. What a treat Rhystic Studies is. Never stop.
I would love to see Rhystic Studies talk about the how the differences between Gothic Horror/Eldritch Horror in this block and something like Bloodborne, which also captures both of those themes.
Eldritch was what it was meant to be, the invasion of the alien. The thematic clash of the two horrors, of the classic and the modern. I utterly love it.
I have to admit, Shadows over Innistrad and Eldrtich moon were probably one of my favorite sets, if not the favorites in terms of worldbuilding and lore. I LOVED the articles around the time. The stories about the people in innistrad and how they responded to the eldritch horrors was amazing. Sorin having to kill Avacyn, her beloved daughter, and a fan favorite character was something that I'll probably never forget, I teared while reading that story. And the ending. I loved the ending in ways I cant describe. I love how Emrakul manifested in Jace's crumbling mind, how Lilliana's veil and inner demons were scared shitless of her, how they couldnt overpower it, unlike they did with the other titans. I LOVE the idea that Emrakul knew the plane wasnt ready for her, and how she was summed against the will of the plane. How she tells Jace "the plane should be blooming welcoming me, not rotting". Her whole flavor of representing the end, metaphorically and literally speaking. And how she seals herself in the moon, because of course she does. No one can defeat Emrakul, but no one can bend her to their will either, and she was not going to destroy a plane that wasnt meant to end yet. I also love the promo art for Through the Breach showing Nahiri summoning Emrakul. Its one of those momments where game mechanics represent exactly whats happening in the lore and LOVE they made that art.
I always thought the monuments ressembled a heron's head, pointing to the downfall of the other angels and sigarda becoming the sole protector of humanity
I think a better analogy for Shadows Over Innistrad than turning the lights on in the haunted house would be that it's like the moment in the horror movie where the monster steps out of the shadows. It can be done well and be amazing, but if the revealed monster's design doesn't cut it it can deflate any suspense that's been built up.
I think part of why horror is so rewarding is because it shows us what we value. The best way to know about what you care about is to realize you are too afraid to lose it.
Thank you for putting into words my feelings on Return to Innistrad! I'm overjoyed the new sets have fixed what they broke! Cosmic Horror is a tricky genre to nail down, and it is also very very popular and easy to ride on. Any lazy hack can name drop Lovecraft and the Elder Gods, but few can actually make the genre scary! Gothic Horror is much easier to nail down and express because it's so personal! Cosmic Horror asks: What scares you about the universe, while Gothic Horror asks: What scares you about the world.
It's more that Gothic Horror is something that scares you within the world, while Cosmic horror is something that scares you about the universe. Gothic Horror is the werewolf trying to kill you. Cosmic Horror is a revelation that leaves your entire perception of reality shattered. There's no monster trying to kill you, the monster just needs to exist and that's enough.
@@Tacklepig the best part is the monster neither knows nor cares you even exist. We are bacteria to these entities. Not even ants. You go back in time 100 years, humans didn't even know bacteria exists. That's the level of irrelevance we are to them.
@@MerlinTheCommenter This is not an attack on your broader point, which I think nails the essence of cosmic horror, but just a pedantic correction- we've had microscopes powerful enough to observe bacteria since at least the 1670's, and the germ theory of disease has been around since the 1020's. (Though it didn't really gain mainstream acceptance until the late 19th century) You might be thinking of viruses, as those weren't discovered until the 1890's, putting the final nail in the coffin of the miasma theory.
My favorite magic card of all time, Kruin Outlaw, and its backside, Terror of Kruin Pass, taught me how deceptively powerful Menace can be as a form of evasion, and a massive Double Striker, pumped by the many lords and anthems of Gruul, all coalesce neatly on what I believe is the werewolf best represented in art of them all. The proportions of the beast, the perspective of the piece, and the frame it all resides in, come together to display a monster that commands attention and leads the pack. Here's hoping for a reprint and another great halloween.
Im actually studying Gothic literature in my AP lit class, and this is actually gonna help me so much to show off some cool gothic knowledge in my class, you are such an incredible teacher and you have the most entrancing video editing ive ever seen. Happy Halloween!!!
Cosmic Horror and regular horror do mix. For instance, in jeremias gotthelf's Black spider the titular spider is the devil's punishment for the townsfolk as they neglected the deal they let one of them make. The horror does come a bit from the spider, but mostly from the townsfolk willing to sacrifice their own when it's convenient to them. "In their silence they were in agreement", in effect the spider only reveals what was already in the hearts of people by putting them under duress.
Cosmic and gothic clash in Innistrad, but there is one game that made it work: Bloodborne. The connective tissue between the unnatural and the supernatural is, as always, the human mind, transfigured by knowledge forbidden and untamed desire: madness. Painridden eldtrich gods lend their blood for the hunters and insane churches.
You make an art out of analyzing art. This was so great - always look forward to your videos. I never really knew how deep looking into a art piece could be until I found your videos a few years ago.
As an italian viewer of yours I find very precious your love for Italy and italian culture and poetry... It really shows (in the attention for correct pronunciation and in the wealth of examples) that you really love my country's culture, can I ask you how it came to be for you? It's not usually found around youtube, such dedication and interest. Not only in this video, many of yours, Colours of Ravnica comes to mind.
Dude As niche as this video is, for the quality it deserves a lot of views. Such a thorough essay. It's very inspiring to know more (with such depth) about the exciting lore and history of the card game i've been playing for years. I am excited to see you make videos like this on all of the planes of the multiverse!
It really speaks volumes about your competence and quality content that you can drag my most favorite sets, EM and SoI like that and *still* keep me hooked for the entire video. Kudos. And also how dare you.
American living in Germany here. I first got into Magic during Shadows Over Innistrad. In retrospect, seeing these cards again (and those in Shadows) is amazing because I physically see these buildings in my neighborhood every single day. This was a great video and I've been waiting for a while to sit down and watch it. I loved it through and through--thank you for putting this together.
The twisting of the human horrors of Innistrad into something unknowable but vaguely reminiscent of something we’ve seen makes it one of my favorite sets on an aesthetic level
what is amazing, Is that I have watched this like 5 times in the last year and STILL learn things from it and think about it often as I am crafting decks. This single video is responsible for getting me back into magic along with the Fallout UB. Innistrad is such a great plane!
Absolutely one of THE best videos on youtube, you guys are amazing. My love for Innistrad rekindled, and my passion for art restored. Thank you so much for your hard work on making this video, top quality editing and effects. Vivid imagery really brings even the meager cards to life, reminding me of what made me like these cards when they came out. Again, thank you and keep up the fantastic job your doing. You have gained my upmost respect.
35:55 Minor nitpick, but as shown in Unruly Mob's third flavor text, the event(s) name is "the tr*a*vails" Other then that, the classic, phenomenal quality with which you produce everything is ever-present. Thanks again.
I can identify with so much of that later discourse on the allure of horror. It’s hard to articulate why it’s so…fascinating and sometimes beautiful. Thank you! :)
Back in high school when I started playing I would spend hours upon hours browsing the art of Innistrad even though theros was the current block. There was something so appealing about this world that few others have. Thanks for the video, it brought back great memories.
As usual, just phenomenal. Will definitely be returning for inspiration on a gothic horror DnD campaign, and whenever I need a feel-good documentary on my all-time favourite plane
This video is so great from the very start, I want to watch it again on a bigger screen with lights off, cup of coffee while laying comfortably under a blanket.
I've always had the greatest appreciation for scientists who can take complex ideas and convey them to people in a way that they can understand them. I feel its even rarer to be able to communicate an appreciation for art and you have that gift. So once again, thank you for sharing it with us.
Your videos have always had lashings of the Romantic and watching them always brings me back to my university art history classes. This one is as poignant as ever but it pays special homage to one of my favourite artistic lineages. This was an absolutely delightful love-letter to the horror genre, thank-you.
I've been looking forward to this video since first finding your videos years ago. You never fail to re-ignite my love of this game while also teaching me so much about the world of art. Please never stop doing what you love :)
Such a great analysis of the melding of so many varieties of horror and fantasy that we all love so much about Innistrad. Thanks for a great piece as always dood!
Fellow academic here (I teach English at a university in Boston). Not only do I love your careful and thoughtful video essays on my favorite TCG, but this particular piece has inspired me to talk about horror as part of my introductory lecture to Dalton Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun. The novel (which was, it might be noted, the inspiration for Metallica's "One") was written by the eventually blacklisted novelist and script writer Dalton Trumbo and stands as a powerful statement against war through its protagonist (Joe, not Johnny, incidentally)'s suffering. The "horror" of Trumbo's novel some combination of gothic horror (the main character is dismembered, so there is something of body horror here) but, as machines are used to keep him alive (and to prolong his torment), there's some "machine horror" (Giger-esque at times) here as well. Anyway, I'll mention you and your work in class as inspiration for my putting a horror spin on my lecture next week. Keep up the excellent work!
Your content is my purest form of escapism. Your undying love for MTG is an inspiration for me, the art has always been what has drawn me to this TCG. Your homages are always such a treat for me. Thank you so much. I do not know you, nor could I ever hope to, but you seemingly have so much of the qualities I look for in my friends, I can't help but think how grateful I'd be to count you as one. Keep up the amazing work!
39:20 Take a good look at those pauldrons. If nothing else, Coppola's take on Dracula will forever be remembered for that iconic skinned jackal armor. The ironic thing about this illustration is that it looks more like -Reanu Keeves- Keanu Reeves than Gary Oldman.
Its not a rhystic study video unless you spend the first 15 minutes not knowing if its a Magic: The Gathering video or an art documentary. Love your videos! They are really interesting and inspiring
Bro, I just want you to know, I don't even play MTG and even I really enjoy your videos. I do play other card games and I can really relate to the immense amount of passion that radiates from these videos. It's also a handy way for me to dabble myself into the intricacies of MTG; the father of all CCGs, from time to time. And the production quality is always really high! Keep up the good work! :)
great video, you've been knocking it out of the park. heads up that your title card 35:52 is incorrect: the time of horror is "the Travails," which isn't a made-up word for the setting, it just means "the difficult times"
Amazing video as always. Top notch editing, tons of research and passion really makes this great. Soon as I saw the notification that you uploaded I dropped everything to watch.
Rhystic studies always takes priority on my stack
They've got split second in my notifications, that's for sure.
That sounds like a really bad pick up line.
Even though this has nothing to do with sex... it sounds like a sex thing
that sounds… odd
Kinky
Lingering a moment on the card art for Triskaidekaphobia, if you look closely, you'll notice the number 13 occurs multiple times in the image: 13 rivulets of blood, 13 kitchen utensils, 13 logs in the fireplace. I find it to be a really neat detail :)
I think I counted thirteen planks of wood on the ceiling
Thirteen stones on the rim of the fireplace, thirteen rivets in the barrel, thirteen shards of glass, thirteen planks in the ceiling. they missed nothing in the insane attention to detail given to this card
Innistrad has always been my favorite MTG plane
Ayy you’re here too? Love your content man
Nice
The objective fact of Innistrad stated so boldly, I respect that.
It’s a great one, for sure
Same
One other card from Shadows Over Innistrad that was always a favorite, keeping with the truly Gothic within the setting was Avacynian Missionaries/Lunarch Inquisitors. It really works, especially considering the fact that nothing physically changes about those on the card, just that their emotions are twisted by their own fear and zealotry, turning from peaceful clerics, to violent crusaders.
And Wayne Reynolds' art is absolutely fantastic. One of my favorite works from the set!
@Mr Catastr0phe: Well, not quite nothing physically changes. They go from 3/3 to 4/4, but that could just be down to getting better weaponry.
@@sdfkjgh Yeah, it's clear from the art, they go from robes and censers to armor and maces, easy way to explain the Stat change. But what I mean when I say nothing physically changes is that they don't undergo a metamorphosis in the same way as other creatures in the sets.
@@Mr_Catastr0phe: I know, I was just joshing you.
Absurd radiation-nuclear myths and the most typical historical revisionism on the crusades in the Middle Ages.
We checked it all with this video.
“I imagine what it must have been like to sit down with a warm meal with death incarnate; and I smile.” Holy shit, man. What an amazing line. Keep it up
Sam, I get so excited when a new Rhystic Studies video drops. The insight, attention to detail, and depth provided is always mind blowing. Don't stop being great.
YEAH
Agreed.
it's tepid at best. long-winded parallels, pretentious and blathering.
Why is it that every Rhystic Studies video leaves me speechless? And that intro with Chopin’s nocturn was practically orgasmic.
One thing about 10:02 this crops up in a lot of gothic and romantic literature because the writers lived through it - the Tambora Eruption changed the weather and the color of the skies in many parts of the world.
When I first saw Tragic Slip way back then I knew I was going to like this plane, but I was wrong.
I loved it.
Another incredible upload! Though, I was hoping for the whole video for you to mention my favorite gimmick of Innistrad's, that being pairs of separate cards that tell a story between them, like Make a Wish and Grapple with the Past. I find them wonderfully eerie and tragic.
they're a bit silly tbh.
@@gordonlekfors2708 Why is it silly?
Also why is it considered a gimmick, seems pretty cool.
I feel like I must be as crazy as the cultists at the Drownyard Temple, because Eldritch Moon is my favorite set of all time. The influence of Emrakul on the living leading to the reliance on the dead is a great twist to the previous relations and power dynamics of the plane, and I love basically every twisted monstrosity of an Eldrazi either bathed in shadow or eerie moonlight.
The concept of the Eldrazi was very interesting, it's just that the way it was handled left a lot to be desired, especially by the people who really liked what Innistrad was already doing.
@@BigBoi237 Yeah Emrakul should intervened in Battle for Zendikar, but that would have meant the Gatewatch lost, and they cant have their heros lose. They'd sell less cards.
@@AFailedTuringTest Except most of the gatewatch arc was mostly defeats or hollow victories? BfZ was their only "clean" victory. SOI/EMN technically was a victory, but one that leaves an ominous sense of dread and mystery. KLD/AER was an intentional sacrifice to cover up the theft of the planar bridge and lure the gatewatch to Amonkhet. AKH/HOU was an unmitigated disaster. XLN/RIX resulted in Bolas acquiring the immortal sun and a social/romantic manipulation point against Jace. DOM led to death of Belzenlok and Liliana's contract defaulting to Bolas, giving him a general for his undead horde. The GRN/RNA/WAR psuedo-block was a victory in the end, but one that came at the death of Gideon, Dack, and many other potential allies for the gatewatch, plus widespread destruction on Ravnica and the limiting of Ugin's ability to be involved with future crises as he is now occupied with being Bolas' jailer.
@@mrrodgers0 When you put it that way, the Gatewatch seems to really have had a tough go of it, huh.
The only real problem with Shadows was that it really should have come before Battle for Zendikar. As it was, the twist of Emrakul was incredibly poorly telegraphed. But if it had been before? Holy heck would that have been a twist!
One of my favorite cards from Innistrad isn't one of the spooky ones, but its honestly one of the most heart warming cards I've ever seen. Its Beloved Beggar which flips to Generous Soul, as Beloved Beggar it has disturb and has flavor text that says
"Charity is rare on Innistrad, but kindness is always repaid", when it flips to Generous Soul the flavor text reads, "As long as evil threatens this town, the Blessed Sleep can wait". In a world were geists roam the world, causing pain and fear, its always nice to see that even death can't stop good people from fighting for the betterment of the world, whether it be an illegitimate son or a lonely beggar of the town, paying back its kindness with his ghostly blade
One of my favorites is the Malevolent Hermit, who after death becomes the Benevolent Geist- he eschews the Blessed Sleep to give, to laugh, and perhaps, to live- ironic that it required his death to show him how to live.
Not only is this my favorite plane in MTG every time this channel uploads on a weekend I get some cocoa and a blanket and sit through the whole thing. What a treat Rhystic Studies is. Never stop.
I would love to see Rhystic Studies talk about the how the differences between Gothic Horror/Eldritch Horror in this block and something like Bloodborne, which also captures both of those themes.
Eldritch was what it was meant to be, the invasion of the alien. The thematic clash of the two horrors, of the classic and the modern. I utterly love it.
I have to admit, Shadows over Innistrad and Eldrtich moon were probably one of my favorite sets, if not the favorites in terms of worldbuilding and lore. I LOVED the articles around the time. The stories about the people in innistrad and how they responded to the eldritch horrors was amazing. Sorin having to kill Avacyn, her beloved daughter, and a fan favorite character was something that I'll probably never forget, I teared while reading that story.
And the ending. I loved the ending in ways I cant describe. I love how Emrakul manifested in Jace's crumbling mind, how Lilliana's veil and inner demons were scared shitless of her, how they couldnt overpower it, unlike they did with the other titans. I LOVE the idea that Emrakul knew the plane wasnt ready for her, and how she was summed against the will of the plane. How she tells Jace "the plane should be blooming welcoming me, not rotting". Her whole flavor of representing the end, metaphorically and literally speaking. And how she seals herself in the moon, because of course she does. No one can defeat Emrakul, but no one can bend her to their will either, and she was not going to destroy a plane that wasnt meant to end yet.
I also love the promo art for Through the Breach showing Nahiri summoning Emrakul. Its one of those momments where game mechanics represent exactly whats happening in the lore and LOVE they made that art.
The beautiful art of innistard is the reason why I love the sets that take place on the plain.
I always thought the monuments ressembled a heron's head, pointing to the downfall of the other angels and sigarda becoming the sole protector of humanity
I think a better analogy for Shadows Over Innistrad than turning the lights on in the haunted house would be that it's like the moment in the horror movie where the monster steps out of the shadows. It can be done well and be amazing, but if the revealed monster's design doesn't cut it it can deflate any suspense that's been built up.
I think part of why horror is so rewarding is because it shows us what we value. The best way to know about what you care about is to realize you are too afraid to lose it.
Thank you for putting into words my feelings on Return to Innistrad! I'm overjoyed the new sets have fixed what they broke! Cosmic Horror is a tricky genre to nail down, and it is also very very popular and easy to ride on. Any lazy hack can name drop Lovecraft and the Elder Gods, but few can actually make the genre scary! Gothic Horror is much easier to nail down and express because it's so personal! Cosmic Horror asks: What scares you about the universe, while Gothic Horror asks: What scares you about the world.
It's more that Gothic Horror is something that scares you within the world, while Cosmic horror is something that scares you about the universe.
Gothic Horror is the werewolf trying to kill you.
Cosmic Horror is a revelation that leaves your entire perception of reality shattered. There's no monster trying to kill you, the monster just needs to exist and that's enough.
@@Tacklepig the best part is the monster neither knows nor cares you even exist. We are bacteria to these entities. Not even ants. You go back in time 100 years, humans didn't even know bacteria exists. That's the level of irrelevance we are to them.
@@MerlinTheCommenter This is not an attack on your broader point, which I think nails the essence of cosmic horror, but just a pedantic correction- we've had microscopes powerful enough to observe bacteria since at least the 1670's, and the germ theory of disease has been around since the 1020's. (Though it didn't really gain mainstream acceptance until the late 19th century) You might be thinking of viruses, as those weren't discovered until the 1890's, putting the final nail in the coffin of the miasma theory.
What a wonderful Halloween treat! Thanks, Sam.
"These aren't signs of paranoia. They are the tactics of the wise "
My favorite magic card of all time, Kruin Outlaw, and its backside, Terror of Kruin Pass, taught me how deceptively powerful Menace can be as a form of evasion, and a massive Double Striker, pumped by the many lords and anthems of Gruul, all coalesce neatly on what I believe is the werewolf best represented in art of them all. The proportions of the beast, the perspective of the piece, and the frame it all resides in, come together to display a monster that commands attention and leads the pack.
Here's hoping for a reprint and another great halloween.
Im actually studying Gothic literature in my AP lit class, and this is actually gonna help me so much to show off some cool gothic knowledge in my class, you are such an incredible teacher and you have the most entrancing video editing ive ever seen.
Happy Halloween!!!
Cosmic Horror and regular horror do mix. For instance, in jeremias gotthelf's Black spider the titular spider is the devil's punishment for the townsfolk as they neglected the deal they let one of them make. The horror does come a bit from the spider, but mostly from the townsfolk willing to sacrifice their own when it's convenient to them. "In their silence they were in agreement", in effect the spider only reveals what was already in the hearts of people by putting them under duress.
Cosmic and gothic clash in Innistrad, but there is one game that made it work: Bloodborne. The connective tissue between the unnatural and the supernatural is, as always, the human mind, transfigured by knowledge forbidden and untamed desire: madness. Painridden eldtrich gods lend their blood for the hunters and insane churches.
You make an art out of analyzing art. This was so great - always look forward to your videos. I never really knew how deep looking into a art piece could be until I found your videos a few years ago.
Jesus this is so good, it’s art commenting on art. Appreciate the work you put into these.
Woke up, 40 minute Rhystic Study video. Today is going to be a good day.
As an italian viewer of yours I find very precious your love for Italy and italian culture and poetry... It really shows (in the attention for correct pronunciation and in the wealth of examples) that you really love my country's culture, can I ask you how it came to be for you? It's not usually found around youtube, such dedication and interest. Not only in this video, many of yours, Colours of Ravnica comes to mind.
Dude
As niche as this video is, for the quality it deserves a lot of views. Such a thorough essay. It's very inspiring to know more (with such depth) about the exciting lore and history of the card game i've been playing for years. I am excited to see you make videos like this on all of the planes of the multiverse!
It really speaks volumes about your competence and quality content that you can drag my most favorite sets, EM and SoI like that and *still* keep me hooked for the entire video.
Kudos.
And also how dare you.
I love when things open with my favorite classical composer, even more so with one of my favorite nocturnes
This is one of the best videos I’ve ever seen
It's always a good day when Rhystic Studies upload, it's even a better day when it's Halloween and the video is on theme
YES
American living in Germany here. I first got into Magic during Shadows Over Innistrad. In retrospect, seeing these cards again (and those in Shadows) is amazing because I physically see these buildings in my neighborhood every single day.
This was a great video and I've been waiting for a while to sit down and watch it. I loved it through and through--thank you for putting this together.
The eldritch horror of eldritch moon was truly an amazing spin on lovecraftian horror
This is one of my favorite channels, it’s amazing how I began playing MtG again a few days ago and this video dropped right along the same time.
Sam, this is a breathtakingly beautiful video. Your deft touch cannot be overstated. Well done.
I actually really enjoyed shadows and eldritch moon. It felt like playing bloodborne in card form
Eldritch moon is also like.. the coolest name ever. Expansions set on innistrad always have the best names. Avacyn restored is great too.
Except Bloodborne is good.
@@maximonamitzhian9064 lol different time.
15 minutes in this is one of the best videos ive ever seen
This particular plane is what got me back into collecting again. Loved playing in school lol
The twisting of the human horrors of Innistrad into something unknowable but vaguely reminiscent of something we’ve seen makes it one of my favorite sets on an aesthetic level
This is the best block in all of mtg this is again when I started to play magic
40 minutes? Rhystic, you spoil us!
I don’t have the slightest shred of love for horror. But I have immeasurable love for Rhystic Studies videos.
Well, I'm never gonna unsee the woman hanging upside down in the Blood Artist artwork now. Thanks for the eternal shivers!
what is amazing, Is that I have watched this like 5 times in the last year and STILL learn things from it and think about it often as I am crafting decks. This single video is responsible for getting me back into magic along with the Fallout UB. Innistrad is such a great plane!
I don't know how many times I've watched this, it's just so soothing to hear in the background at work, or when the room is too silent.
Your videos have inspired me to spend more time learning about art and culture. Thank you!
Absolutely one of THE best videos on youtube, you guys are amazing. My love for Innistrad rekindled, and my passion for art restored. Thank you so much for your hard work on making this video, top quality editing and effects. Vivid imagery really brings even the meager cards to life, reminding me of what made me like these cards when they came out. Again, thank you and keep up the fantastic job your doing. You have gained my upmost respect.
I don't think I've ever subscribed to a channel so fast. You're doing what nobody else is doing man, keep it up.
thank you, and welcome. I appreciate it.
This was truly masterful. I didn't realist MTG lore was so deep, and the way you tied it into the horror genre was, again, masterful.
Innistrad is what got me to start playing magic. The art was so good for its setting
You it's a good day when Rhystic Studies releases a new video.
I love to revisit videos like these, theres just nothing quite like the moments just after finishing a video, relishing in the aftertaste
Finally Rhystic Studies the movie
35:55 Minor nitpick, but as shown in Unruly Mob's third flavor text, the event(s) name is "the tr*a*vails"
Other then that, the classic, phenomenal quality with which you produce everything is ever-present. Thanks again.
This channel is not only one of the most interesting Mtg channels, it's also one of the most well done channels for art analysis.
This was the plane that got me. It has such promise for a world full of horror and an atmosphere that you can smell through the artwork.
I can identify with so much of that later discourse on the allure of horror. It’s hard to articulate why it’s so…fascinating and sometimes beautiful. Thank you! :)
This is one of my favorite films ever. I return to it so often. It's so well stated, so rich in thought and so well built. Thank you for this.
Back in high school when I started playing I would spend hours upon hours browsing the art of Innistrad even though theros was the current block. There was something so appealing about this world that few others have.
Thanks for the video, it brought back great memories.
The way you timed your words during Chopin's Nucturnes was fantastic. You always get my views, and this just reminded me of what makes you special!
As usual, just phenomenal. Will definitely be returning for inspiration on a gothic horror DnD campaign, and whenever I need a feel-good documentary on my all-time favourite plane
whenever I watch your videos I always forget they're abt mtg bc there's always these little tangents that just make you feel good and wise
Your video quality is on a whole nother level.
This video is so great from the very start, I want to watch it again on a bigger screen with lights off, cup of coffee while laying comfortably under a blanket.
That intro was easily better than any entire video ive ever watched before in my life
I've always had the greatest appreciation for scientists who can take complex ideas and convey them to people in a way that they can understand them.
I feel its even rarer to be able to communicate an appreciation for art and you have that gift. So once again, thank you for sharing it with us.
Your videos have always had lashings of the Romantic and watching them always brings me back to my university art history classes. This one is as poignant as ever but it pays special homage to one of my favourite artistic lineages. This was an absolutely delightful love-letter to the horror genre, thank-you.
I've been looking forward to this video since first finding your videos years ago. You never fail to re-ignite my love of this game while also teaching me so much about the world of art. Please never stop doing what you love :)
Such a great analysis of the melding of so many varieties of horror and fantasy that we all love so much about Innistrad. Thanks for a great piece as always dood!
Fellow academic here (I teach English at a university in Boston). Not only do I love your careful and thoughtful video essays on my favorite TCG, but this particular piece has inspired me to talk about horror as part of my introductory lecture to Dalton Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun. The novel (which was, it might be noted, the inspiration for Metallica's "One") was written by the eventually blacklisted novelist and script writer Dalton Trumbo and stands as a powerful statement against war through its protagonist (Joe, not Johnny, incidentally)'s suffering. The "horror" of Trumbo's novel some combination of gothic horror (the main character is dismembered, so there is something of body horror here) but, as machines are used to keep him alive (and to prolong his torment), there's some "machine horror" (Giger-esque at times) here as well.
Anyway, I'll mention you and your work in class as inspiration for my putting a horror spin on my lecture next week.
Keep up the excellent work!
Your content is my purest form of escapism. Your undying love for MTG is an inspiration for me, the art has always been what has drawn me to this TCG. Your homages are always such a treat for me. Thank you so much. I do not know you, nor could I ever hope to, but you seemingly have so much of the qualities I look for in my friends, I can't help but think how grateful I'd be to count you as one. Keep up the amazing work!
39:20 Take a good look at those pauldrons. If nothing else, Coppola's take on Dracula will forever be remembered for that iconic skinned jackal armor. The ironic thing about this illustration is that it looks more like -Reanu Keeves- Keanu Reeves than Gary Oldman.
great shout out. Coppola´s version of Dracula is still one of my favourites.
reminding me yet again why you are my favorite TH-camr. keep being awesome
Its not a rhystic study video unless you spend the first 15 minutes not knowing if its a Magic: The Gathering video or an art documentary.
Love your videos! They are really interesting and inspiring
Bro, I just want you to know, I don't even play MTG and even I really enjoy your videos.
I do play other card games and I can really relate to the immense amount of passion that radiates from these videos.
It's also a handy way for me to dabble myself into the intricacies of MTG; the father of all CCGs, from time to time.
And the production quality is always really high!
Keep up the good work! :)
Honestly, the wait for your videos is more than worth it. You always impress. Well done!
Your videos are consistently works of art. One day I'll watch them all. I apologize about being to busy to prioritize your older works.
Also Wanted to point out another reference to art that midnight hunt made that being rotten reunion and american gothics art
This channel got me back into collecting MTG cards. Prior to discovering this channel i hadnt bought any since Ice Age.
im so excited every time Rhystic drops a new video, every video you make is a treat. I cant wait for your next vid.
Your work is simply haunting, a shiver runs down my spine at the sight of your videos popping up on my recommended.
Innistrad is the plane I would feel most at home within
I could listen to Sam narrate paint drying and would eat that shit up, man
This guy blood artists
great video, you've been knocking it out of the park. heads up that your title card 35:52 is incorrect: the time of horror is "the Travails," which isn't a made-up word for the setting, it just means "the difficult times"
shoot, thanks for the heads up. I try to be as thorough as possible in editing and reviewing but this one slipped. I appreciate it.
Amazing video as always. Top notch editing, tons of research and passion really makes this great. Soon as I saw the notification that you uploaded I dropped everything to watch.
bro, i am always amazed at how great these videos are. the writing and delivery are top notch and i always love it. Thank you
You seriously have the best videos to date. On point every single time. Bravo.
This is one well put together video. Don't know how long it took to put this together but hats off to you.
I've been playing Magic for just over a year. i LOVEEEE this set, it feels like the natural space for magic to exist.
Great upload, my recent studies in history have given a greater appreciation for the art and detail of this plane!
Fantastic and timely to watch again in October! Thank you
As always, beautifullly and eloquently put. It brings me such joy to see your production value.
You did a fantastic job for this video. I love how you highlight the art of each set you talk about. Thanks!
Thank you. As usual, the work is simply magnificent. Sublime videos are very much your specialty.