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FAQs

Last Updated: 8/11/05

What is this? Who are you anyway?

This is a fan-created full-fledged 315-card Magic expansion that was designed in 2004 by myself with design and testing help from my good friend Michael Marshall (all of the cool lands are his, for instance).

While this is amateur by nature, I do have game design experience, in CCGs no less. I am currently the Community Manager for Star Chamber (www.starchamber.net) and also assist in the set creation and balancing of that excellent strategy/CCG game. If you love Magic, you'll definitely dig Star Chamber.

Lastly, this was basically a design exercise for myself. It came out better than expected, so I put in the effort to create this site and make it available to more than just my close friends.

How long did Fires of Heaven take to design?

This is a difficult question to answer. The set originally took about 3-4 months worth of work from start to finish. Then the art, the website and the promotions were another month or so. After that the set was updated via "Versions". We're currently on version 1.5, released in August 2005.

Version 1.0 of Fires of Heaven was released sometime in June 2004.

I recognize this artwork from somewhere...

That's probably because you do recognize it from somewhere. Being as I certainly don't have the money, time or resources for artwork, and I wanted to get this set out to the public, I saw it as incredibly amateurish to not have images available with the cards. The cards really don't "Come Alive" as it were until you add the artwork. Create a few cards yourself and you'll see. When you add artwork things suddenly begin to feel good, real, and more interesting. You begin to associate the effects with the pictures, and that is more powerful than you realize.

Also, I'd like to add that if an artist doesn't want me using their artwork for this free and hobby-based endeavor, I'll remove it immediately and replace it with something else. I don't meant to step on any toes, but I also free admit I didn't even bother trying to get permission.

What if I want to create a set?

You certainly can! And I encourage you to. This task gave me a hearty appreciation for what CCG designers do on a day-to-day basis. Sure I'd designed a few cards, but 315 was the number I ended up with and let me tell you there were times when I was sure this was impossible.

Go download MTG Editor, an excellent java-based program that I used throughout my entire development period. I think you'll dig it. Beware there are a few bugs and glitches, but a restart always cured those.

Are you planning on any expansions?

Yes!

The next expansion in the Fires of Heaven block is Broken Borders. This set is due to be released sometime in August or September of 2005.

The third and final expansion is still unnamed. Currently its called Twilight. But I'll be releasing more details when the time is right.

How do I find someone else to play with?

Magic Workstation has an excellent player-finder built in to its network client. When creating a game, simply put something like (FOH) before your game description, or ask the opponent to go download it. You can also contact others through the Discussion Forum links here on the site, and setup a dialogue through either email or an IM program.

This set sucks! (or) This set is awesome!

Well, by all means, share those opinions in the Discussion Forum threads! How can I improve the set or future creations if I don't know what's wrong?

OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: These fantasy cards are NOT produced or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Wizards of the Coast® and Magic: The Gathering® are registered trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc.