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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 1d

But that's just my view of the characters and the color philosophies. If my opinions serve to help you better understand the variety of ways Black can manifest, that's great! If not, well...you know what to do.

Any questions?

Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 1d

As a counterpoint, Shredder is completely externally focused. He exerts control over others, sacrifices his subordinates, and all in the name of his own ambition.

This is the major difference between the two characters. They are two sides of the same Black-aligned coin.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 1d

I think this is where Splinter lives, as well. He lives a simple life, teaches his sons self-discipline, and when trouble shows up he is brutally efficient in dealing with it.

His focus being internal has allowed him to master himself. Splinter is a Black-aligned ideal.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 1d

It's a bonsai tree approach to the self. Envision what you want to create, prune back what doesn't fit, and nurture what does. It isn't easy and it takes time, but it works for me.

Fear holding me back? Get rid of it.
Anger? Banked and redirected.
Pride? Kept to useful levels

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 1d

I'm primarily Black-aligned. (Shocking, I know.)

I have ambition. I will any tool at my disposal. I'm not afraid to make necessary sacrifices with brutal efficiency.

But, for me, it's all introspective. It's that self-centeredness through a different lens. Self-focus.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 1d

-Self-centeredness
-Ambition
-Amorality
-Control
-Manipulation
-Sacrifice
-Brutal efficiency

I'm starting to see why Black-aligned mages might have an easy time walking an evil path.

But here's the trick: Not every Black-aligned mage has all these qualities or expresses them in the same ways.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 1d

Let's talk about Color Philosophy in Magic. Each color has its own ideals and ways of doing things. They have their focuses and blind spots. Importantly, no color is inherently good or evil, though I do believe some offer an easier path one way or the other.

So, what does Black bring to the table?

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 1d

I want to offer my thoughts on why I think Splinter is Black-aligned, but I want to be clear that I don't particularly disagree with Shivam's take here. I actually think his suggestions are totally viable, and I can see a world where those are the choices WotC would make.

Now...

Shivam Bhatt @shivambhatt.bsky.social · 2d

This is the one miss for me so far. I get mechanically why? And I get you need all five colors, but this is why in my take I had Mikey red and Raphael black so that Splinter could be green.

Jason Fanelli 🔜 NYCC @jasonfanelli.com · 2d

Splinter takes black, because he’s a Rat Ninja, and rats and ninjas in Magic have traditionally been in black. Good choice.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 2d

Gotta go with my favorite project of all time.

A space marine figure in red armor holding a giant spoon. He says "My spoon is too big..."

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 9d

Hmm... I think I can make this happen.

Now, where did I leave the box with my theatre training in it? I think my set design skills are in there, and I'm gonna need those.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 9d

Gorgeous work. Getting some real "one of us always lies, one of us always tells the truth" vibes off of these figures, which I really dig.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 9d

Just finished up two weeks on a jury for a medical negligence civil trial. I'm very tired. Gonna go take a nap for a few days

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · 23d

Hell yeah

Space Marine Captain with Bi Pride Flag color scheme - Front view

Space Marine Captain with Bi Pride Flag color scheme - Side view

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Sep 4

What am I supposed to do while I wait for Steam to work long enough for me to buy Silksong? I've already Bargled as hard as I know how.

Shoutout to @amytheamazonian.bsky.social for the Charbelcher list I used to Eat the World.

MTG Arena screenshot showing all 5 Yargle Day achievements completed.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 27

I love a deck that broadcasts its game plan on turn 1.

The MTG card "The Rack". A 1-cost artifact that punishes your opponent for not having a lot of cards in-hand

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 20

This is the fun part about this: double meanings

Perfectionism is one thing this covers, for sure. Sometimes you just have to get it done and fix it in post.

The other side is the lack of motivation and energy that comes from depression or exhaustion. Just do what you can until you can do more.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 19

"If it's worth doing, it's worth half-assing."

This covers wants (making art) and needs (eating, bathing, exercising). If you can't do it to the level you'd like to, for whatever reason, even doing a poor job is better than doing nothing.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 18

Hard Mode Quiz!

If you were a NON-LEGENDARY creature, which would you be?

The Magic card Bone Miser, a Creature that rewards you for making your opponent discard.

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 18

Time Splitters 2 is an underrated gem. Gotta go with that

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 15

Battlestar Galactica Galactica GIF

Alt: GIF of a Cylon from the original Battlestar Galactica. It says "Those are not the sounds I am seeking."

media.tenor.com

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 8

As someone who is also in their late 30s, 285 lbs, and 0 training, I'm proud of you. You knocked it out!

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 6

Hell yeah

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 1

I'm grateful the seeds I've been planting at my day job for the last half-decade are starting to bear fruit. People are starting to realize how valuable my contributions are, and how much more I could do if given the chance

I had to push some boundaries to get results, so I'm glad it worked out

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 1

When I commissioned my logo, the prompt was "Give me some Gen 1 Ghost-type Pokemon energy". I love the whole Ghastly line, but Haunter is my favorite. It's the disembodied hands that put them over the top.

a pixel art drawing of a purple monster

Alt: Haunter, a Ghost-type Pokemon

media.tenor.com

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Bad Moon @badmoonmtg.com · Aug 1

When I figured out that I have ADHD at the ripe old age of 35, it changed so much. I'm a big believer in the idea that names have power, so being able to name it let me start fighting back. I've made a lot of changes in the last 4 years that have greatly improved my quality of life.

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