The difference is pull rates
The combination of limited-edition direct-sales product line and non-fantasy outside IP touched a lot of nerves, but the really big precedent was the decision to print these as mechanically unique, tournament-legal cards ensuring that Rick, Steadfast Leader would soon go down in history as an unlikely staple of tournament Magic
It has a United Thunder attack that deals 10 damage per United Wings user in your discard to an opponents benched creature
Sometimes you dont have to pay the additional mana for Trinisphere
Iroas, God of Victory (Commander Catchup, Journey into Nyx Edition) Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient (Ghost in the Machines) Jalira, Master Polymorphist (JaliraPOW!) Mishra, Artificer Prodigy (Possibility Storm Shenanigans) Yisan, the Wanderer Bard (All-in Yisan) Selvala, Explorer Returned (Everyone Draws Lots!) Grenzo, Dungeon Warden (Cleaning Out the Cellar) Karona, False God (God Pack) Doran, the Siege Tower (All My Faves in One Deck!) Karador, Ghost Chieftain (my Magic Online deck) Karador, Ghost Chieftain (Shadowborn Apostles & Demons) King Macar, the Gold-Cursed (GREED!) Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind ( Chucks somewhat vicious deck) Roon of the Hidden Realm (Mean Roon) Skeleton Ship (Fun with -1/-1 counters) Vorel of the Hull Clade (Never Trust the Simic) Anax and Cymede (Heroic Co-Commanders) Aurelia, the Warleader ( plus Hellkite Tyrant shenanigans) Borborygmos Enraged (69 land deck) Bruna, Light of Alabaster (Aura-centric Voltron) Damia, Sage of Stone ( Ice Cauldron shenanigans) Derevi, Empyrial Tactician (Tribal Birds) Emmara Tandris (No Damage Tokens) Gahiji, Honored One (Enchantment Ga-hijinks) Geist of Saint Traft (Voltron-ish) Ghave, Guru of Spores ( Melira Combo) Glissa Sunseeker (death to artifacts!) Glissa, the Traitor ( undying artifacts!) Grimgrin, Corpse-Born (Necrotic Ooze Combo) Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord (drain you big time) Jeleva, Nephalias Scourge ( Suspension of Disbelief) Johan (Cat Breath of the Infinite) Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer (replacing Brion Stoutarm in Mo Myrs) Karona, False God (Vows of the False God) Konda, Lord of Eiganjo ( The Indestructibles) Lord of Tresserhorn (ZOMBIES!) Marath, Will of the Wild ( Wild About +1/+1 Counters) Melira, Sylvok Outcast ( combo killa) Mirko Vosk, Mind Drinker ( Outside My Comfort Zone with Milling ) Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis (evil and Spike-ish) Nicol Bolas (Kicking it Old School) Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius ( new player-friendly) Nylea, God of the Hunt ( Devoted to Green) Oloro, Ageless Ascetic (Life Gain) Oona, Queen of the Fae (by reader request) Phage the Untouchable ( actually casting Phage from Command Zone!) Polukranos, World Eater (Monstrous!) Progenitus ( Fist of Suns and Bringers ) Reaper King (Taking Advantage of the new Legend Rules) Riku of Two Reflections ( steal all permanents with Deadeye Navigator + Zealous Conscripts ) Roon of the Hidden Realm ( Strolling Through Value Town) Ruhan of the Fomori (lots of equipment and infinite attack steps) Savra, Queen of the Golgari ( Demons) Shattergang Brothers (Breaking Boards) Sigarda, Host of Herons ( Equipment-centric Voltron) Skullbriar, the Walking Grave ( how big can it get?) Sliver Overlord (Featuring the new M14 Slivers!) Thelon of Havenwood ( Campfire Spores) Trostani, Selesnyas Voice ( new player-friendly) Uril, the Miststalker (my more competitive deck) Varolz, the Scar-Striped (scavenging goodness) Vorosh, the Hunter ( proliferaTION)
Even among other holographics, Charizard felt more aggressive and more powerful, which mattered in an era when most collectors were discovering the game visually, not statistically
