Derek (Mana Critics)
@manacritics.bsky.social
Magic the Gathering content creator (1/2 of Mana Critics on YT - Spike in draft, Vorthos everywhere else) musician (Longing for Orpheus [Chill Electronic], O’Malarkey [Irish Traditional]), musical theatre nerd, doomscroller
Pinned
The Decline and Fall of Fallen Empires, Vol. VII - The Legacy
YouTube video by Mana Critics
youtu.be
At long last, the final volume of our deep dive into Fallen Empires is up!
TL;DR - This set was far better than it's reputation suggests - massive overprinting and a very long gap before the next set dropped unfairly damaged the reputation of an innovative, influential set.
By all means, @ me.
TL;DR - This set was far better than it's reputation suggests - massive overprinting and a very long gap before the next set dropped unfairly damaged the reputation of an innovative, influential set.
By all means, @ me.
Before the inexorable tide of Wizards’ marketing sweeps us along past Lorwyn, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to appreciate @oz-edgewalker.bsky.social ‘s love for this setting made manifest (1/2):
www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2026/01/root...
www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2026/01/root...
Roots You Leave Behind- A Story of a Tree
Andrew reflects on the journey of Doran the treefolk, noticing connection between the Lorwyn legend and those of his own life.
www.hipstersofthecoast.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:14 AM
Before the inexorable tide of Wizards’ marketing sweeps us along past Lorwyn, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to appreciate @oz-edgewalker.bsky.social ‘s love for this setting made manifest (1/2):
www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2026/01/root...
www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2026/01/root...
Today, I had band practice cancelled on account of baby goats.
February 1, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Today, I had band practice cancelled on account of baby goats.
Reposted by Derek (Mana Critics)
Fan song about the original Lorwyn story from me and @manacritics.bsky.social!
Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song and fan-film
YouTube video by RedOzur
m.youtube.com
December 25, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Fan song about the original Lorwyn story from me and @manacritics.bsky.social!
Tireless Tracker goes to Renn Faire. Lets see if anyone correctly identifies the cosplay 😅
December 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Tireless Tracker goes to Renn Faire. Lets see if anyone correctly identifies the cosplay 😅
Wooo! Getting pentagonal with our TCGs
Hecatomb is a beautiful card and a favorite I've been waiting to get for a while. @manacritics.bsky.social has a lovely video on the actual card game Hecatomb. Thanks Nils Hamm! www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPG7...
Dead Card Game Resurrection! Hecatomb, and how Nils Hamm led us to it...
YouTube video by Mana Critics
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Wooo! Getting pentagonal with our TCGs
Reposted by Derek (Mana Critics)
Hecatomb is a beautiful card and a favorite I've been waiting to get for a while. @manacritics.bsky.social has a lovely video on the actual card game Hecatomb. Thanks Nils Hamm! www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPG7...
Dead Card Game Resurrection! Hecatomb, and how Nils Hamm led us to it...
YouTube video by Mana Critics
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Hecatomb is a beautiful card and a favorite I've been waiting to get for a while. @manacritics.bsky.social has a lovely video on the actual card game Hecatomb. Thanks Nils Hamm! www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPG7...
At a ComicCon panel and someone ask Kristen Schall about potential crossover eps - and she basically said, crossovers suck, they obviate all the hard work creators to do make each setting unique.
My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
October 18, 2025 at 5:48 PM
At a ComicCon panel and someone ask Kristen Schall about potential crossover eps - and she basically said, crossovers suck, they obviate all the hard work creators to do make each setting unique.
My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
My conclusion: Kristen Schaal is anti-Universes Beyond
My favorite cosplay at MagicCon Atlanta so far @tymhn.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
My favorite cosplay at MagicCon Atlanta so far @tymhn.bsky.social
@mtgcritical.bsky.social said it best - I’m so mad that I’m gonna buy a bunch of this
September 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
@mtgcritical.bsky.social said it best - I’m so mad that I’m gonna buy a bunch of this
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
September 26, 2025 at 6:36 PM
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
September 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
October set. Made a huge production about not being able to tell us anything, but Maro assures there’s a huge innovation they weren’t sure they could pull off.
I’m kind of a Universes Beyond hater, but this one’s exciting
September 26, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I’m kind of a Universes Beyond hater, but this one’s exciting
Out of everything shown from the next Marvel set, the preview panel audience was easily most excited about these villians 😅
September 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Out of everything shown from the next Marvel set, the preview panel audience was easily most excited about these villians 😅
Secrets of Strixhaven - theme is “the step right after college”, exploring some of the plane outside of the campus. But, new characters just arriving at the school, so I guess at least *some* of the set is still in Strixhaven. Also, we’re getting a new by *Seanen* ****ing McGuire!!!!1!
September 26, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Secrets of Strixhaven - theme is “the step right after college”, exploring some of the plane outside of the campus. But, new characters just arriving at the school, so I guess at least *some* of the set is still in Strixhaven. Also, we’re getting a new by *Seanen* ****ing McGuire!!!!1!
Llorwyn First Light - Llorwyn in DnD, coming out in late November, but sounds like it’s digital only? Hopefully this means juicy worldbuilding for us Vorthos’, though.
September 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Llorwyn First Light - Llorwyn in DnD, coming out in late November, but sounds like it’s digital only? Hopefully this means juicy worldbuilding for us Vorthos’, though.
New “Draft Night” product, containing product for a 4-player pick-2 draft. “Curated for 4 or 8 player draft experience.” They say they’re planning to keep doing these for all sets going forward.
September 26, 2025 at 6:12 PM
New “Draft Night” product, containing product for a 4-player pick-2 draft. “Curated for 4 or 8 player draft experience.” They say they’re planning to keep doing these for all sets going forward.
If I’d known this was what Atlanta was about, I would have brought Emrakul
September 25, 2025 at 8:49 PM
If I’d known this was what Atlanta was about, I would have brought Emrakul
Ozur made this song and let me help and then Ozur and @jettyfox.bsky.social made a video out of it and it’s so exciting and nerdy and I love it so much please watch it kthx
IT IS TIME
Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song
A love letter to my favorite plane of #MagictheGathering, #LorwynEclipsed that I am so excited we are returning to. I couldn't do this without @jettyfox.bsky.social, my kithkin wife, thank you for always being weird with me.
Long live Colfenor!
Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song
A love letter to my favorite plane of #MagictheGathering, #LorwynEclipsed that I am so excited we are returning to. I couldn't do this without @jettyfox.bsky.social, my kithkin wife, thank you for always being weird with me.
Long live Colfenor!
Auld Colfenor - a #Lorwyn song and fan-film
YouTube video by RedOzur
youtu.be
September 25, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Ozur made this song and let me help and then Ozur and @jettyfox.bsky.social made a video out of it and it’s so exciting and nerdy and I love it so much please watch it kthx
I don’t often play red…but when I do, I’m absolutely running trash like Goblin Warrens. Bonus Zoyowa.
September 21, 2025 at 2:23 AM
I don’t often play red…but when I do, I’m absolutely running trash like Goblin Warrens. Bonus Zoyowa.
Doing nerd stuff for which I am underqualified
September 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Doing nerd stuff for which I am underqualified
I've been out of touch - is the Vorthos community liking Through the Omen Paths?
I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
September 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I've been out of touch - is the Vorthos community liking Through the Omen Paths?
I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
I love this one in particular (enough to immediately buy something from the artist's online store) - I realize non-combative art stands out largely because it's in a game about conflict, but it still stands out.
Have I accidentally become the bad guy from the first Care Bears movie?
July 20, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Have I accidentally become the bad guy from the first Care Bears movie?
Checkmate, Wizards
June 10, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Checkmate, Wizards
2-1 prerelease. Was undefeated until the last match, when I ran up against a rival Bahamut! Of all the ways to lose, that was a pretty silly-fun one.
June 7, 2025 at 4:15 AM
2-1 prerelease. Was undefeated until the last match, when I ran up against a rival Bahamut! Of all the ways to lose, that was a pretty silly-fun one.
Dragon’s Lair Austin has some good security for their prerelease kits. I know I’m not gonna try to steal from a Tonberry
June 7, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Dragon’s Lair Austin has some good security for their prerelease kits. I know I’m not gonna try to steal from a Tonberry