Daleks

Critique of Flavor Words

Hey, Mark, I'm not to make another UB-related request. This isn't coming from an anti-UB place, and it's just one Goose's opinion, but I'm sure there are others who feel this way.Can we get rid of flavor words, please? I haven't seen a single upside to them presented, just downsides:

For decades, one of MtG's biggest strengths was capturing the ludonarrative. Having to spell it out makes it seem like you all have lost confidence in your ability to make card design that makes sense with the captured flavor.
If a design is intended to be funny (the Street Fighter cards come to mind), it feels like you're pointing at the "joke" and saying "See? Please laugh." As a person who has a comedy background, I'm sure you understand why killing the frog is bad.
Death of the epithet: The most minor of the criticisms, but I really think "Ian Chester, Science Teacher" reads better than "Ian Chester" and then calling his ability "science teacher." (I may be mixing up the WHO teachers, but this applies to both, luckily.) Epithets also make it easier to depict multiple "moments" of a character without giving a card up as the "definitive" version of that character.
It feels like you don't trust players to get why the card text is what it is. Telling your audience you don't expect them to be smart (or rather, literate) enough to "get" it doesn't really help. I've seen people say they add flavor to the cards, but the flavor isn't diminished by removing the flavor words (flavor is when things are fleshed out and living, not when things are spelled out). If it's for fans of the IP, then they already get it (Oh, the activated ability that grants flying is referencing this character's rocket propulsion). Non-fans of the IP aren't benefited either, as they will sus out said character has rocket propulsion or be left completely in the dark (see Cult of Skaro: These words do nothing to tell me about the ability. If you were to leave them out, I'd still be able to sus out that each ability corresponds to one of the four Daleks depicted).
Lastly, they make cards harder to read. When trying to grok a card, there should be as few words as possible I'm supposed to ignore.

I understand some people will go "I recognize the thing" and a bulb in their brain will light up, but something being easy like this doesn't mean it's better or that we actually like it more.I guess there's the potential upside that you could slot in numerals to power up my Baron von Count deck, but I don't see any real tangible upside to them. Obviously I'm missing something. Can you say what it is?
(Also, even if you don't answer it,thank you for taking the time to answer this book of an ask. These are feelings I've been sitting on since AFR and keeping an open mind on in case I changed how I felt from my initial reaction.)

Flavor words can do some things that we can’t replicate elsewhere. I agree they can be overused, and are not always used optimally, but I don’t think we want to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Appreciation Baron Von Count Cult of Skaro Daleks Epithets Epithets Flavor Flavor Words Flying Frogs Humor Replicate

Doctor Who Color Identities

Not sure if you might be able to answer this, given the UB crossover next year, but I thought I'd ask anyway - could you give your take on the colour identities of some major Doctor Who antagonists? The Daleks, the Cybermen, the Master/Missy, the Sontarans, etc. Much obliged. Very much looking forward to the BRO panel.

I’m going to leave that for next year’s decks. I do know a lot of thought went into them.

Colors Daleks Doctor Missy The Brothers' War

MAROBOT 5400 Preference

MAROBOT 5400, Which of these words do you prefer: Delete or Exterminate?

MAROBOT 5400: DELETE. THE DALEKS HAVE RUINED “EXTERMINATE” FOR ALL ROBOTS. AND YES, I AM AWARE THAT ARE NOT ACTUALLY ROBOTS.

Daleks Robot

Marobot and Daleks

I have to ask. Is your robot related to the Daleks?

The Dalek’s aren’t robots, but if you want to imagine Marobot 5400’s voice as the Dalek’s feel free.

Daleks Robot

Doctor Who Thoughts

Not to distract from the Ravnica ravings going on, seen the latest Doctor Who? any thoughts?

I don’t want to spoil anything. I enjoyed it. I thought it introduced some new things to the Daleks which could be used interestingly.

Daleks Doctor Doctor Who

Daleks in Magic

If the Daleks came to Magic, would they be black? Also, would they be artifact creatures or not?

I think I would make them blue/black artifact creatures (basically Esper without the white). The reason I think blue is important is because the value their lack of emotion so highly. Note that I have only watched since the relaunch so I’m going on how the Daleks have been portrayed there.

Artifacts Black Blue Creatures Daleks Dimir (U/B) Esper Esper (W/U/B) White

Doctor Who Comparison

I understand you are a fan of the new Doctor Who series. Is it just a coincidence, then, that Avacyn Restored is an Angel-heavy set that features a good bit of blinking?

I love how I keep getting different messages comparing Avacyn Restored to a different part of Dr. Who. Okay, whose the daleks?

Angel Avacyn Restored Daleks Doctor Doctor Who

Phyrexians vs. Bolas

So would you say that the Phyrexians and Nicol Bolas are sort of like the Daleks and the Cybermen? If we keep going with the Dr. Who metaphor, season seven took some time off from the Daleks. How long of a break do you want the Phyrexians to take? I can't wait to see the "weeping angels" you guys have planned...

Note that we had a long gap between the Phyrexians in Invasion block and their return in Scars of Mirrodin. I don’t believe we’re overusing them. We’re having a lot of fun building up our rogue’s gallery both bringing villains back from the past and creating new ones. Daleks and Weeping Angels all have their place.

Angel Bend / Break Daleks Nicol Bolas Phyrexian Rogue Scars of Mirrodin

Venser's Appearance

Have you ever noticed that Venser, the Sojourner looks an awful lot like David Tennant as the 10th Doctor (Dr Who)? On a related note, how did Venser die?

Daleks.

Daleks Doctor Venser, the Sojourner