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{{SubTabs
{{SubTabs
|sub1 = Variant cards
|sub1 = Variant cards
|sub2 = Trivia
}}
}}
{{Infobox set
{{Infobox set
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   |release = December 8, 2017
   |release = December 8, 2017
   |plane = [[Bablovia]]
   |plane = [[Bablovia]]
   |mechanics = [[Contraption]]s, [[Watermark]] matters, [[Flavor text]] matters, [[Dice rolling]], [[Wish|Outside the game]] assistance
   |mechanics = [[Contraption]]s, [[Watermark]] matters, [[Flavor text]] matters, [[Dice rolling]], [[Outside assistance]] assistance
   |keywords = [[Assemble]], [[Augment]], [[Crank]], [[Combine]], [[Switch]] and others
   |keywords = [[Assemble]], [[Augment]], [[Crank]], [[Combine]], [[Switch]] and others
   |size = 216-ish cards
   |size = 216-ish cards
   |code_expansion = UST  
   |code_expansion = UST  
   |code_expansion_ref=<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163779974563/wait-so-the-unstable-set-code-is-ust-i-thought|title=Wait, so the Unstable set code is UST? I thought it was UN3.|August 04, 2017}}</ref>
   |code_expansion_ref={{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163779974563/wait-so-the-unstable-set-code-is-ust-i-thought|title=Wait, so the Unstable set code is UST? I thought it was UN3.|August 04, 2017}}
   |code_development = Quicksilver <ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/169855908518/what-was-unstables-design-codename|title=What was Unstable's design codename?|January 18, 2018}}</ref>
   |code_development = Quicksilver <ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/169855908518/what-was-unstables-design-codename|title=What was Unstable's design codename?|January 18, 2018}}</ref>
   |series = [[Un-set]]s
   |series = [[Un-set]]s
   |first = [[Unhinged]]
   |first = Unhinged
   |second = '''Unstable'''
   |second = Unstable
   |third = [[Unsanctioned]]
   |third = Unsanctioned
   |previous = [[From the Vault: Transform]]
   |previous = From the Vault: Transform
   |next = [[Rivals of Ixalan]]
   |next = Rivals of Ixalan
}}
}}
[[File:Order of the Widget.png|thumb|right|Order of the Widget]]
[[File:Order of the Widget.png|thumb|right|Order of the Widget]]
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[[File:Crossbreed Labs.png|thumb|right|Crossbreed Labs]]
[[File:Crossbreed Labs.png|thumb|right|Crossbreed Labs]]


'''''Unstable''''' is a [[booster]]-based card [[set]] for ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' that can not be used in [[legal]] ''Magic'' tournaments. It was released on December 8, 2017 as a [[standalone]] set.<ref name="Annoucement">{{DailyRef|news/25th-anniversary-announcement-day-2017-06-14|25th Anniversary Announcement Day|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Saga 1">{{DailyRef|making-magic/un-ending-saga-part-1-2017-11-06|The Un-Ending Saga, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 6, 2017}}</ref> This is the third of the [[silver-bordered]] [[Un-set]]s and is designed to be [[draft]]ed.
'''''Unstable''''' is a [[booster]]-based card [[set]] for ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' that can not be used in [[legal]] ''Magic'' tournaments. It was released on December 8, 2017 as a [[standalone]] set.<ref name="Announcement">{{DailyRef|news/25th-anniversary-announcement-day-2017-06-14|25th Anniversary Announcement Day|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Saga 1">{{DailyRef|making-magic/un-ending-saga-part-1-2017-11-06|The Un-Ending Saga, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 6, 2017}}</ref> This is the third of the [[silver-bordered]] [[Un-set]]s and is designed to be [[draft]]ed.


==Set details==
==Set details==
''Unstable'' contains "216-ish" cards (5 basic land, 75 common, 75 uncommon, 46 rare, and 15 mythic rare) and 20 foil tokens, and includes randomly inserted [[premium]] versions of all cards.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/165203957983/will-unstable-have-foil-landssteamflogger-boss|title=Will Unstable have foil lands/Steamflogger Boss?|September 10, 2017}}</ref> The set explores new areas of ''Magic'' game [[design]] and continues the tradition of bending the conventional rules of the game in a fun and whimsical way. ''Unstable'' was designed to both be drafted alone and be mixed with other sets: according to [[Mark Rosewater]], however, the best experience is probably when it's drafted alone.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/161839502693/is-unstable-designed-to-be-drafted-with-previous-2|title=Is Unstable designed to be drafted with previous 2 Un sets?|June 15, 2017}}</ref> The [[expansion symbol]] is a wrench with an acorn-shaped hole.
''Unstable'' contains "216-ish" cards (5 basic lands, 75 common, 75 uncommon, 46 rare, and 15 mythic rare) and 20 foil tokens, and includes randomly inserted [[premium]] versions of all cards.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/165203957983/will-unstable-have-foil-landssteamflogger-boss|title=Will Unstable have foil lands/Steamflogger Boss?|September 10, 2017}}</ref> The set explores new areas of ''Magic'' game [[design]] and continues the tradition of bending the conventional rules of the game in a fun and whimsical way. ''Unstable'' was designed to both be drafted alone and be mixed with other sets: according to [[Mark Rosewater]], however, the best experience is probably when it's drafted alone.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/161839502693/is-unstable-designed-to-be-drafted-with-previous-2|title=Is Unstable designed to be drafted with previous 2 Un sets?|June 15, 2017}}</ref> The [[expansion symbol]] is a wrench with an acorn-shaped hole.


The big difference between ''[[Unglued]]'' and ''[[Unhinged]]'' on one hand, and ''Unstable'' on the other, is that the first two were meant to be mixed in with normal ''Magic'', whereas ''Unstable'' was built as a stand alone limited experience.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/168704040723/unstable-seems-to-be-a-great-example-of-how-you|title=Un-sets have always pushed the envelope, but Unstable seemed much more experimental in this regard?|December 18, 2017}}</ref>  
The big difference between ''[[Unglued]]'' and ''[[Unhinged]]'' on one hand, and ''Unstable'' on the other, is that the first two were meant to be mixed in with normal ''Magic'', whereas ''Unstable'' was built as a stand-alone limited experience.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/168704040723/unstable-seems-to-be-a-great-example-of-how-you|title=Un-sets have always pushed the envelope, but Unstable seemed much more experimental in this regard?|December 18, 2017}}</ref>  


The set features 'modern design sensibilities' and is built around a 'cohesive creative vision'.<ref name="Annoucement"/> It includes fun legendary creatures that can be utilized in the [[Commander (format)|Commander format]] and some cards designed for [[Cube]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/162168470708/will-unstable-include-enough-legendary-creatures|title=Will Unstable include enough Legendary creatures to support a playgroup of silver-bordered commander?|June 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163474112168/hey-mark-am-i-going-to-get-any-sweet-cube-cards-in|title=Am I going to get any sweet cube cards in Unstable?|June 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163532604493/can-we-expect-some-legendary-creatures-in-unstable|title=Can we expect some legendary creatures in Unstable?|July 28, 2017}}</ref> Like its predecessors, ''Unstable'' features 5 [[full-art]] [[basic land]]s,<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163328228118/for-unstable-will-there-be-more-than-one-art-per|title=Will there be more than one art per colour for the lands?|July 23, 2017}}</ref> but borderless instead of black-bordered.<ref>[https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/906268663015145474 Magic Twitter]</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/165140523918/the-unset-basic-lands-seem-to-have-a-very-serious|title=I feel like you missed an opportunity to do something silly with the unset lands.|September 09, 2017}}</ref> Every pack contains one of the five lands unless it is replaced by a <c>Steamflogger Boss</c>, which replaces 1 in every 121 basic lands. The set also features [[foil]] [[token]]s, both for tokens produced by cards in the set and for popular tribes outside the set.  
The set features 'modern design sensibilities' and is built around a 'cohesive creative vision'.<ref name="Announcement"/> It includes fun legendary creatures that can be utilized in the [[Commander (format)|Commander format]] and some cards designed for [[Cube]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/162168470708/will-unstable-include-enough-legendary-creatures|title=Will Unstable include enough Legendary creatures to support a playgroup of silver-bordered commander?|June 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163474112168/hey-mark-am-i-going-to-get-any-sweet-cube-cards-in|title=Am I going to get any sweet cube cards in Unstable?|June 27, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163532604493/can-we-expect-some-legendary-creatures-in-unstable|title=Can we expect some legendary creatures in Unstable?|July 28, 2017}}</ref> Like its predecessors, ''Unstable'' features 5 [[full-art]] [[basic land]]s,<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163328228118/for-unstable-will-there-be-more-than-one-art-per|title=Will there be more than one art per colour for the lands?|July 23, 2017}}</ref> but borderless instead of black-bordered.<ref>[https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/906268663015145474 Magic Twitter]</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/165140523918/the-unset-basic-lands-seem-to-have-a-very-serious|title=I feel like you missed an opportunity to do something silly with the unset lands.|September 09, 2017}}</ref> Every pack contains one of the five lands unless it is replaced by a <c>Steamflogger Boss</c>, which replaces 1 in every 121 basic lands. The set also features [[foil]] [[token]]s, both for tokens produced by cards in the set and for popular tribes outside the set.  


The set contains some cards at [[common]] which are functionally identical to existing [[black border]]ed cards or possibly "blackborderable". These had be included for [[limited]] gameplay purposes.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167568269423/amateur-auteur-seems-not-very-silver-bordered-is|title=Amateur Auteur seems not-very-silver-bordered.|November 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167568311308/im-kind-of-disappointed-to-see-cards-like-amateur|title=I'm kind of disappointed to see cards like Amateur Auteur and Curious Killbot in Unstable|November 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167578488953/hi-mark-some-of-the-unstable-previews-are|title= I thought the rule for un-cards was that they had to do something you couldn't do in black border?|August 31, 2012}}</ref>
The set contains some cards at [[common]] which are functionally identical to existing [[black border]]ed cards or possibly "blackborderable". These had been included for [[limited]] gameplay purposes.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167568269423/amateur-auteur-seems-not-very-silver-bordered-is|title=Amateur Auteur seems not-very-silver-bordered.|November 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167568311308/im-kind-of-disappointed-to-see-cards-like-amateur|title=I'm kind of disappointed to see cards like Amateur Auteur and Curious Killbot in Unstable|November 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167578488953/hi-mark-some-of-the-unstable-previews-are|title= I thought the rule for un-cards was that they had to do something you couldn't do in black border?|August 31, 2012}}</ref>


''Unstable'' is only published in the English language.
''Unstable'' is only published in the English language.
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=== History ===
=== History ===
Mark Rosewater had to wait 13 years after ''[[Unhinged]]'' before ''Unstable'' could be printed, as ''[[Unhinged]]'' had been considered a commercial failure. However, Rosewater and senior brand director [[Mark Purvis]] argue this wasn't because of poor sales, but because of overprinting. At the time, Wizards of the Coast didn't regularly create [[supplement|supplemental sets]], so ''Unhinged'' was treated as a [[small expansion]]. Actual work on the set took six years.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163007447738/unstable-has-been-a-long-time-coming-are-there|title=Are there any cards you had to cut because they contained references that were just too dated?|July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Magic Panel Info"/> When design started, one of the goals, as proposed by director of [[product design]] [[Mark Globus]], was to explore what new printing technology might allow: however, none of these proposed ideas were feasible at the time the set was printed.<ref name="Saga 1"/>
Mark Rosewater had to wait 13 years after ''[[Unhinged]]'' before ''Unstable'' could be printed, as ''[[Unhinged]]'' had been considered a commercial failure. However, Rosewater and senior brand director [[Mark Purvis]] argue this wasn't because of poor sales, but because of overprinting. At the time, Wizards of the Coast didn't regularly create [[supplement|supplemental sets]], so ''Unhinged'' was treated as a [[small expansion]]. Actual work on the set took six years.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163007447738/unstable-has-been-a-long-time-coming-are-there|title=Are there any cards you had to cut because they contained references that were just too dated?|July 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Magic Panel Info"/> When design started, one of the goals, as proposed by the director of [[product design]] [[Mark Globus]], was to explore what new printing technology might allow: however, none of these proposed ideas were feasible at the time the set was printed.<ref name="Saga 1"/>


The design of the set was finished in 2014.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167315015613/because-unstable-has-been-inside-rd-for-so-long|title=Because Unstable has been inside R&D for so long, how recent are its references and jokes?|November 09, 2017}}</ref> It was originally scheduled for summer of 2015, but was pushed back a year to make room for ''[[Modern Masters 2015]]''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167340272513/the-product-was-on-the-schedule-and-pushed-back|title=The product was on the schedule and pushed back three different times, each for a different reason.|November 10, 2017}}</ref> It was then scheduled for summer of 2016, but the concern that its steampunk influence made it too similar to ''[[Kaladesh]]'', pushed it back yet another a year. It was then scheduled for summer 2017: however, after ''[[Conspiracy: Take the Crown]]'' was added last-minute, its release was pushed back to December.
The design of the set was finished in 2014.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167315015613/because-unstable-has-been-inside-rd-for-so-long|title=Because Unstable has been inside R&D for so long, how recent are its references and jokes?|November 09, 2017}}</ref> It was originally scheduled for summer of 2015, but was pushed back a year to make room for ''[[Modern Masters 2015]]''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167340272513/the-product-was-on-the-schedule-and-pushed-back|title=The product was on the schedule and pushed back three different times, each for a different reason.|November 10, 2017}}</ref> It was then scheduled for the summer of 2016, but the concern that its steampunk influence made it too similar to ''[[Kaladesh]]'', pushed it back yet another year. It was then scheduled for summer 2017: however, after ''[[Conspiracy: Take the Crown]]'' was added last-minute, its release was pushed back to December.


===Marketing===
===Marketing===
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A booster contains 16 cards: 1 rare, 3 uncommons, 8 commons, 2 [[contraption]]s, 1 basic land and 1 [[foil]] token. A randomly inserted premium version may replace any one of these cards. The boosters feature art from <c>Willing Test Subject</c>, <c>Three-Headed Goblin</c> and <c>X</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/unstable-packaging-2017-11-13|''Unstable'' Packaging|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|November 13, 2017}}</ref>
A booster contains 16 cards: 1 rare, 3 uncommons, 8 commons, 2 [[contraption]]s, 1 basic land and 1 [[foil]] token. A randomly inserted premium version may replace any one of these cards. The boosters feature art from <c>Willing Test Subject</c>, <c>Three-Headed Goblin</c> and <c>X</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/unstable-packaging-2017-11-13|''Unstable'' Packaging|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|November 13, 2017}}</ref>


[[Draft Weekend]] was held on the 9–10 December 2017, the first time which a non-[[Standard]] set was used in such event, and first time the event is held in casual level (Only 1 lifetime [[Planeswalker Points|PwP]] will be awarded in those events).
[[Draft Weekend]] was held on the 9–10 December 2017, the first time which a non-[[Standard]] set was used in such an event, and also the first time the event is held on a casual level (Only 1 lifetime [[Planeswalker Points|PwP]] were awarded in those events).  


====Promotional cards====
====Promotional cards====
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====Tokens====
====Tokens====
''Unstable'' features 20 [[foil]] [[token]]s, one per pack. Half of them are tokens from ''Unstable'', with humorous fake ads on the back of each.<ref name="Tokens">{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167395537473/the-tokens-though-are-only-in-foil-no-none-foil|title=So all tokens are foil?|November 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|news/tokens-unstable-2017-11-21|The Tokens of ''Unstable''|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|November 21, 2017}}</ref> Only the front side is foil, the back side isn't.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/168169904413/the-black-border-tokens-in-unstable-are-they|title=The black border tokens in Unstable.|December 03, 2017}}</ref> For the first time, some of these tokens have watermarks, which interacts with the "watermark matters" mechanic that appears on a number of cards in the set.
''Unstable'' features 20 [[foil]] [[token]]s, one per pack. Half of them are tokens from ''Unstable'', with humorous fake ads on the back of each.<ref name="Tokens">{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167395537473/the-tokens-though-are-only-in-foil-no-none-foil|title=So all tokens are foil?|November 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|news/tokens-unstable-2017-11-21|The Tokens of ''Unstable''|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|November 21, 2017}}</ref> Only the front side is foil, the back side isn't.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/168169904413/the-black-border-tokens-in-unstable-are-they|title=The black border tokens in Unstable.|December 03, 2017}}</ref> For the first time, some of these tokens have watermarks, which interacts with the "watermark matters" mechanic that appears on a number of cards in the set.
* {{W}} 0/1 [[Goat]] creature, for <c>Everythingamajig</c>.
* {{W}} 0/1 [[Goat]] creature, for {{card|Everythingamajig||UST|#=147f}}.
* {{U}} 1/2 [[Bird]] creature with flying called <c>Storm Crow</c>, for <c>Crow Storm</c>.
* {{U}} 1/2 [[Bird]] creature with flying called <c>Storm Crow</c>, for <c>Crow Storm</c>.
* {{U}} 1/1 [[Faerie]] [[Spy]] creature with the '''S.N.E.A.K.''' watermark and with flying, haste, and "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to an opponent, draw a card.", for <c>Faerie Aerie</c>.
* {{U}} 1/1 [[Faerie]] [[Spy]] creature with the '''S.N.E.A.K.''' watermark and with flying, haste, and "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to an opponent, draw a card.", for <c>Faerie Aerie</c>.
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* {{R}} 1/1 [[Goblin]] creature, for <c>Box of Free-Range Goblins</c>, <c>Garbage Elemental</c>, and <c>Gift Horse</c>.
* {{R}} 1/1 [[Goblin]] creature, for <c>Box of Free-Range Goblins</c>, <c>Garbage Elemental</c>, and <c>Gift Horse</c>.
* {{G}} 1/1 [[Squirrel]] creature, for <c>Chittering Doom</c>, <c>Earl of Squirrel</c>, and <c>Squirrel Dealer</c>.
* {{G}} 1/1 [[Squirrel]] creature, for <c>Chittering Doom</c>, <c>Earl of Squirrel</c>, and <c>Squirrel Dealer</c>.
* {{C}} */* [[Construct]] artifact creature, for <c>Rapid Prototyper</c>.
* {{C}} */* [[Construct]] artifact creature, for <c>Rapid Prototyper</c> and {{card|Everythingamajig||UST|#=147c}}.
* {{C}} 1/1 [[Gnome]] artifact creature, for <c>By Gnome Means</c>, <c>Gnome-Made Engine</c>, <c>Gnomeball Machine</c>, and <c>Very Cryptic Command</c>.
* {{C}} 1/1 [[Gnome]] artifact creature, for <c>By Gnome Means</c>, <c>Gnome-Made Engine</c>, <c>Gnomeball Machine</c>, and <c>Very Cryptic Command</c>.
* [[Gold]] 4/4 [[Dragon]] creature with flying, for <c>Sword of Dungeons & Dragons</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/165566865838/is-the-same-dragon-token-from-the-hascon-promos|title=Is the same dragon token from the Hascon promos going to be in ''Unstable''?|September 20, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Gold]] 4/4 [[Dragon]] creature with flying, for <c>Sword of Dungeons & Dragons</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/165566865838/is-the-same-dragon-token-from-the-hascon-promos|title=Is the same dragon token from the Hascon promos going to be in ''Unstable''?|September 20, 2017}}</ref>
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== Flavor ==
== Flavor ==
''Unstable'' is set on [[Bablovia]], a [[wikipedia:steampunk|steampunk]] 'mad scientist world' with 5 factions:<ref name="Saga 1"/><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163328509733/if-innistrad-is-gothic-horror-world-kaladesh-is|title=What is Unstable, gadget world?|July 23, 2017}}</ref>
''Unstable'' is set on [[Bablovia]], a [[wikipedia:steampunk|steampunk]] 'mad scientist world' with 5 factions:<ref name="Saga 1"/><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163328509733/if-innistrad-is-gothic-horror-world-kaladesh-is|title=What is Unstable, gadget world?|July 23, 2017}}</ref>
* The '''[[Order of the Widget]]''' faction ({{W/U}}) are [[cyborg]]s that use technology to constantly improve themselves.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163762868073/the-first-faction-is-the-order-of-the-widget-its|title=Order of the Widget.|August 03, 2017}}</ref> They have no self control.  
* The '''[[Order of the Widget]]''' faction ({{W/U}}) are [[cyborg]]s that use technology to constantly improve themselves.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163762868073/the-first-faction-is-the-order-of-the-widget-its|title=Order of the Widget.|August 03, 2017}}</ref> They have no self control.  
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** Two cards may '''[[reassemble]]''' a Contraption, which means that player takes control of the Contraption and puts it on a sprocket of their choice.
** Two cards may '''[[reassemble]]''' a Contraption, which means that player takes control of the Contraption and puts it on a sprocket of their choice.
* '''[[Host]] creatures and [[augment]]''' {{-}} The other flagship mechanic of the set.<ref name="Saga 3">{{DailyRef|making-magic/un-ending-saga-part-3-2017-11-20|The Un-Ending Saga, Part 3|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 20, 2017}}</ref>  
* '''[[Host]] creatures and [[augment]]''' {{-}} The other flagship mechanic of the set.<ref name="Saga 3">{{DailyRef|making-magic/un-ending-saga-part-3-2017-11-20|The Un-Ending Saga, Part 3|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 20, 2017}}</ref>  
** Host creatures all have abilities that trigger on their entering the battlefield, as well as art and name divided by a vertical line. Creatures with augment have no mana cost (but have a color indicator), have plus or minus symbols in their power and toughness (ex. +2/+2 or -1/-0), and each have the first half of a triggered ability.  
** Host creatures all have abilities that trigger on their entering the battlefield, as well as art and name divided by a vertical line. Creatures with an augment ability have no mana cost (but have a color indicator), have plus or minus symbols in both their power and toughness (ex. +2/+2 or -1/-0), and each have the first half of some triggered ability.  
** Augment appears on creatures without casting cost. When a host creature is on the battlefield, its controller can augment it with a creature from their hand: those two creatures are then '''[[combine]]d''' into one until they leave the battlefield. The augment creature overlaps the left side of the host creature, such that the arts align.
** Augment appears on creatures without casting cost. When a host creature is on the battlefield, its controller can augment it with a creature from their hand: those two creatures are then '''[[combine]]d''' into one until they leave the battlefield. The augment creature overlaps the left side of the host creature, such that the arts align.
** If an augment creature is on the battlefield not combined with a host, it goes to the graveyard as a [[state-based action]].<ref name="Mechanics">{{DailyRef|card-preview/unstable-mechanics-2017-11-13|Unstable Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|November 16, 2017}}</ref>
** If an augment creature is on the battlefield not combined with a host, it goes to the graveyard as a [[state-based action]].<ref name="Mechanics">{{DailyRef|card-preview/unstable-mechanics-2017-11-13|Unstable Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|November 16, 2017}}</ref>
* '''"[[Watermark]] matters"''' {{-}} To emphasize the individual factions, there are a number of cards (ex. <c>Stamp of Approval</c>) that care about the watermark printed on a card.<ref name="Saga 3"/><ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/happy-un-birthday-2017-11-13|Happy Un-Birthday!|[[Maria Bartholdi]]|November 13, 2017}}</ref>  
* '''"[[Watermark]] matters"''' {{-}} To emphasize the individual factions, there are a number of cards (ex. <c>Stamp of Approval</c>) that care about the watermark printed on a card.<ref name="Saga 3"/><ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/happy-un-birthday-2017-11-13|Happy Un-Birthday!|[[Maria Bartholdi]]|November 13, 2017}}</ref>  
* "'''[[Outside assistance]]'''" {{-}} Cards that require you to find a person not playing in your current game and ask them to do something, usually making a choice or choices about something that will impact your game.<ref name="Saga 3"/><ref name="FAQ"/>
* "'''[[Outside assistance]]'''" {{-}} Cards that require you to find a person not playing in your current game and ask them to do something, usually making a choice or choices about something that will impact your game.<ref name="Saga 3"/><ref name="FAQ"/>
* Other "things that matter" include [[collector number]], border color, [[rarity]], artist's name and number of words in a card's name.
* Other "things that matter" include [[collector number]], border color, [[rarity]], artist's name, and the number of words in a card's name.
''Unstable'' also has a number of one-off mechanics that play on other black-bordered mechanics:
''Unstable'' also has a number of one-off mechanics that play on other black-bordered mechanics:
* '''[[Art menace]]''' {{-}} Creatures with art menace can only be blocked by creatures "with two or more visible figures in their art."
* '''[[Art menace]]''' {{-}} Creatures with art menace can only be blocked by creatures "with two or more visible figures in their art."
* '''[[Blurry]]''' {{-}} A play on [[Evasion ability|evasion abilities]], creatures with blurry can't be blocked except by players who were wearing glasses as the creature was cast.
* '''[[Blurry]]''' {{-}} A play on [[Evasion ability|evasion abilities]], creatures with blurry can't be blocked except by players who were wearing glasses as the creature was cast.
* '''[[Just a second]]''' {{-}} A riff on [[split second]],<ref name="Just a Second">{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167508241923/unstable-design-question-just-a-second-on|title=Unstable design question!|November 14, 2017}}</ref> spells with just a second prevent players from moving cards on the battlefield while they're on the stack.  
* '''[[Just a second]]''' {{-}} A riff on [[split second]],<ref name="Just a Second">{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167508241923/unstable-design-question-just-a-second-on|title=Unstable design question!|November 14, 2017}}</ref> spells with just a second prevent players from moving cards on the battlefield while they're on the stack.  
* '''[[Last strike]] and [[triple strike]]''' {{-}} A riff on [[first strike]] and [[double strike]], creatures with last strike deal damage after creatures without last strike. Creatures with triple strike deal both first-strike, regular and last-strike combat damage.
* '''[[Last strike]] and [[triple strike]]''' {{-}} A riff on [[first strike]] and [[double strike]], creatures with last strike deal damage after creatures without last strike. Creatures with triple strike deal both first-strike, regular, and last-strike combat damage.
* '''[[Loose lips]]''' {{-}} A source is considered to have loose lips if an open mouth is depicted in its artwork. This only appears in the context of <c>Knight of the Kitchen Sink</c>, a variant of which has "protection from loose lips."
* '''[[Loose lips]]''' {{-}} A source is considered to have loose lips if an open mouth is depicted in its artwork. This only appears in the context of <c>Knight of the Kitchen Sink</c>, a variant of which has "protection from loose lips."
* '''[[Squirrellink]]''' {{-}} Similar to [[lifelink]], creatures with squirrellink create that many [[Squirrel]] creature tokens whenever they deal damage.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163763185528/do-you-like-squirrels-the-set-might-have|title=Do you like squirrels?|August 03, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Scraps 2">{{DailyRef|making-magic/unstable-scraps-part-2-2017-12-04|Unstable Scraps, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 4, 2017}}</ref>  
* '''[[Squirrellink]]''' {{-}} Similar to [[lifelink]], creatures with squirrellink create that many [[Squirrel]] creature tokens whenever they deal damage.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163763185528/do-you-like-squirrels-the-set-might-have|title=Do you like squirrels?|August 03, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Scraps 2">{{DailyRef|making-magic/unstable-scraps-part-2-2017-12-04|Unstable Scraps, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 4, 2017}}</ref>  
Line 141: Line 141:
===Creature types===
===Creature types===
* New card types are:
* New card types are:
**'''Beaver''' (<c>Eager Beaver</c>)
**'''[[Beaver]]''' (<c>Eager Beaver</c>)
** '''[[Brainiac]]'''
** '''[[Brainiac]]'''
** '''Deer''' (<c>Druid of the Sacred Beaker</c>)
** '''[[Cyborg]]'''
** '''[[Cyborg]]'''
** '''Hatificer''' (<c>Goblin Haberdasher</c>)
** '''[[Deer]]''' (<c>Druid of the Sacred Beaker</c>)
** '''[[Hatificer]]''' (<c>Goblin Haberdasher</c>)
** '''[[Head]]''' (<c>Skull Saucer</c>) (previously seen in the ''[[Face the Hydra]] '' [[Challenge Deck]])
** '''[[Head]]''' (<c>Skull Saucer</c>) (previously seen in the ''[[Face the Hydra]] '' [[Challenge Deck]])
** '''Kangaroo''' (<c>Mother Kangaroo</c>)
** '''[[Kangaroo]]''' (<c>Mother Kangaroo</c>)
** '''[[Killbot]]''' (<c>Curious Killbot</c>)
** '''[[Killbot]]''' (<c>Curious Killbot</c>)
** '''Raccoon''' (<c>Squirrel Dealer</c>)
** '''[[Raccoon]]''' (<c>Squirrel Dealer</c>, later officially introduced on non-[[acorn]] cards in ''[[Streets of New Capenna]]'').
** '''Scientist''' (<c>Willing Test Subject</c>)
** '''[[Scientist]]''' (<c>Willing Test Subject</c>)
** '''Vampyre''' (<c>Old-Fashioned Vampire</c>)
** '''[[Vampyre]]''' (<c>Old-Fashioned Vampire</c>)
** '''Wrestler''' (<c>Slaying Mantis</c>)
** '''[[Wrestler]]''' (<c>Slaying Mantis</c>)
* Reintroduced creature types are:
* Reintroduced creature types are:
** [[Spy]] (previously existed on <c>Stromgald Spy</c>, before receiving [[errata]])
** '''[[Spy]]''' (previously existed on <c>Stromgald Spy</c>, before receiving [[errata]])
** [[Villain]] (previously existed on <c>Spinal Villain</c>, before receiving errata)
** '''[[Villain]]''' (previously existed on <c>Spinal Villain</c>, before receiving errata)
* A number of creature types were also revisited after a long absence from black-border Magic:
* A number of creature types were also revisited after a long absence from black-border Magic:
** [[Ninja]]s appear for the first time since ''[[Betrayers of Kamigawa]]'' and the [[Night of the Ninja]] deck of ''[[Planechase 2012]]''.
** [[Ninja]]s appear for the first time since ''[[Betrayers of Kamigawa]]'' and the [[Night of the Ninja]] deck of ''[[Planechase 2012]]''.
** [[Beeble]]s and [[Gamer]]s are featured for the first time since ''[[Unhinged]]''.<ref name="Get it 1">{{DailyRef|making-magic/get-it-unhinged-edition-part-1-2017-08-14|Get It? ''Unhinged'' Edition, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 14, 2017}}</ref>
** [[Beeble]]s and [[Gamer]]s are featured for the first time since ''[[Unhinged]]''.<ref name="Get it 1">{{DailyRef|making-magic/get-it-unhinged-edition-part-1-2017-08-14|Get It? ''Unhinged'' Edition, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 14, 2017}}</ref>
** [[Rigger]]s, first featured in ''[[Future Sight]]'', are now expanded upon and given a mechanical identity.
** [[Rigger]]s, first featured in ''[[Future Sight]]'', are expanded upon and given a mechanical identity.
** [[Squirrel]]s form a minor flavor theme.
** [[Squirrel]]s form a minor flavor theme.


Line 167: Line 167:


===Colors===
===Colors===
[[Gold]] joins brown, hazel, and [[pink]] as exclusive silver-bordered color.<ref name="FAQ">{{DailyRef|news/unstable-faqawaslfaqpaftidawabiajtbt-2017-11-22|Unstable FAQAWASLFAQPAFTIDAWABIAJTBT|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 22, 2017}}</ref>  
[[Gold (disambiguation)|Gold]] joins brown, hazel, and [[pink]] as exclusive silver-bordered color.<ref name="FAQ">{{DailyRef|news/unstable-faqawaslfaqpaftidawabiajtbt-2017-11-22|Unstable FAQAWASLFAQPAFTIDAWABIAJTBT|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 22, 2017}}</ref>
 
===And/or===
“And/or” (<c>Shellephant</c>) isn’t a creature type.


==Cycles==
==Cycles==
{| class="wikitable wrapped-table"  
{| class="wikitable"  
|-
|-
! Cycle name  
! Cycle name  
Line 186: Line 189:
|<c>Druid of the Sacred Beaker</c>
|<c>Druid of the Sacred Beaker</c>
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Five [[uncommon]] spells, one for each faction, that care about watermarks of the respective faction.
|colspan="5"|Five [[uncommon]] spells, one for each faction, that care about watermarks of the respective faction.
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Dice hosts'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Dice hosts'''
Line 195: Line 198:
|<c>Mother Kangaroo</c>
|<c>Mother Kangaroo</c>
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Five [[common]] [[host]] creatures, each with an enters-the-battlefield effect that rolls a die and gets an effect based on the result.
|colspan="5"|Five [[common]] [[host]] creatures, each with an enters-the-battlefield effect that rolls a die and gets an effect based on the result.
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Outside assistance spells'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Outside assistance spells'''
Line 204: Line 207:
|<c>Squirrel Dealer</c>
|<c>Squirrel Dealer</c>
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Five common spells that require the casting player to consult a person outside of the game.
|colspan="5"|Five common spells that require the casting player to consult a person outside of the game.
|-
|-
! Cycle name  
! Cycle name  
Line 220: Line 223:
|<c>Dr. Julius Jumblemorph</c>
|<c>Dr. Julius Jumblemorph</c>
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Several [[mythic]] multicolor permanents that each represent a leader of a faction.
|colspan="5"|Several [[mythic]] multicolor permanents that each represent a leader of a faction.
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Mythic contraptions'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Mythic contraptions'''
Line 229: Line 232:
|<c>Bee-Bee Gun</c>
|<c>Bee-Bee Gun</c>
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Five mythic [[Contraption]]s, one for each faction.
|colspan="5"|Five mythic [[Contraption]]s, one for each faction.
|}
|}


Line 236: Line 239:
Thirteen cards in ''Unstable'' were printed with multiple variants.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/unstable-variants-2017-12-06|Unstable Variants|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|December 6, 2017}}</ref>  These variants can differ on [[rules text]], stats, [[flavor text]], [[art]], [[watermark]], and even [[card name]]. The rarity of all the variations of a particular card add up to the regular listed rarity.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/168280434743/do-the-variations-on-cards-all-add-up-to-the-same|title=Do the variations on cards all add up to the same as a normal rarity?|December 07, 2017}}</ref>
Thirteen cards in ''Unstable'' were printed with multiple variants.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/unstable-variants-2017-12-06|Unstable Variants|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|December 6, 2017}}</ref>  These variants can differ on [[rules text]], stats, [[flavor text]], [[art]], [[watermark]], and even [[card name]]. The rarity of all the variations of a particular card add up to the regular listed rarity.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/168280434743/do-the-variations-on-cards-all-add-up-to-the-same|title=Do the variations on cards all add up to the same as a normal rarity?|December 07, 2017}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable wrapped-table"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! Cycle name  
! Cycle name  
! {{W}}
! {{W}}
Line 253: Line 256:
|[[Killbot]] series
|[[Killbot]] series
|-
|-
|colspan="7"|Six common creatures, each with four variations in art and flavor text (and in one case, name), but unchanging rules text.
|colspan="6"|Six common creatures, each with four variations in art and flavor text (and in one case, name), but unchanging rules text.
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Higher rarity'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Higher rarity'''
Line 263: Line 266:
|<c>Everythingamajig</c>
|<c>Everythingamajig</c>
|-
|-
|colspan="7"|Six uncommon or rare cards, each with six variations in rules text but the same card name across them.
|colspan="6"|Six uncommon or rare cards, each with six variations in rules text but the same card name across them.
|}
|}


===Vertical cycles===
===Vertical cycles===


{| class="wikitable wrapped-table"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! Cycle name
! Cycle name
! {{keyrune|UST}}
! {{keyrune|UST}}
! {{keyrune|UST|rarity=u}}
! {{keyrune|UST|rarity=u}}
! {{keyrune|UST|rarity=r}}
! {{keyrune|UST|rarity=r}}
! {{keyrune|UST|rarity=m}}
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Dice-rolling contraptions'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Dice-rolling contraptions'''
|<c>Boomflinger</c>
|<c>Boomflinger</c>
|<c>Thud-for-Duds</c>
|<c>Thud-for-Duds</c>
|<c>Gift Horse</c> <hr/> <c>Hard Hat Area</c>
|<c>Gift Horse</c>
|<c>Hard Hat Area</c>
|-
|-
|colspan="4"|A [[vertical cycle]] of [[Goblin Explosioneers]]-watermarked Contraptions, that when cranked roll a pair of six-sided dice and produce an effect based on the difference of the results.
|colspan="4"|A [[vertical cycle]] of [[Goblin Explosioneers]]-watermarked Contraptions, that when cranked roll a pair of six-sided dice and produce an effect based on the difference of the results.
|}
|}


==Trivia==
==Functional reprints==
===General===
* Mark Rosewater joked that his toaster did most of the design.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/164801284888/hi-mark-today-is-my-birthday-may-i-request-some|title=Hi Mark. Today is my birthday, may I request some... |August 30, 2017}}</ref>
* Originally, there were supposed to be 50 Contraptions (10 for each faction), but Dawn Murin, the art director for Unstable, decided to connect the art of all the Contraptions in each faction, leading there to be 9 Contraptions for each faction, with each piece of artwork on each Contraption card making up a single section of a 3x3 grid.<ref name="Saga 2"/>
 
===Cards===
* <c>Amateur Auteur</c>'s possible flavor texts references the plots of ''[[Dragon's Maze]]'', ''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'', ''[[Avacyn Restored]]'' and ''[[Theros]]''.
* <c>Animate Library</c> is the first [[Aura]] to enchant a [[library]].
* <c>Better Than One</c> allows players to add a [[teammate]] to existing games, the first card of its type to do so. This effect has previously been templated by the Richard Garfield Celebration Cards <c>Splendid Genesis</c> and <c>Fraternal Exaltation</c>, made to celebrate the birth of each of his children.
* <c>Baron Von Count</c> uses the template "Destroy target player" that [[Mark Rosewater]] earlier had wanted to use for <c>Door to Nothingness</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/159595903658/birthday-guy-here-can-i-get-a-trivia-on-my|title=Can I get a trivia on my favourite card: Door to nothingness?|November 22, 2017}}</ref>
* <c>Crow Storm</c> and its [[token]] are a play on the meme that <c>Storm Crow</c> is the best card ever printed, due to its ability to be exiled to pay the cost for <c>Force of Will</c>.
* <c>Entirely Normal Armchair</c> is a refined design of <c>Cheatyface</c>, whose ability was not as clear as Mark Rosewater would like and is a common source of judge rulings on his blog.
*<c>Gimme Five</c> and <c>Hot Fix</c> were originally cards with a mechanic called Stopwatch that forced you to do certain actions in a set amount of time.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/170065090518/my-birthday-is-coming-up-can-i-have-some-un-set|title=Can I have some un-set trivia?|January 24, 2018}}</ref>
* <c>GO TO JAIL</c> is a direct reference to [[Wikipedia:Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]], a [[Hasbro]] brand.<ref name="Scraps 2"/>
* The mechanics and art of <c>Hazmat Suit (Used)</c> both refer to <c>Vile Bile</c>, a card from ''[[Unhinged]]''.
* <c>Half-Orc, Half-</c> references the [[Wikipedia:Half-orc|half-orc]], a creature born to mixed orc and human parentage in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. Half-orcs also appear in ''The Lord of the Rings'' by J. R. R. Tolkien.
*<c>Incite Insight</c>‘s art and flavor text are direct references to <c>Stroke of Genius</c>.
* <c>Infinity Elemental</c> is the [[mythic]] [[vanilla]] creature that Mark Rosewater had been teasing for several years.<ref name="Scraps 2"/>
* <c>Just Desserts</c> is a play on the often misunderstood phrase "Just Deserts".<ref>[http://grammarist.com/spelling/just-deserts-just-desserts/ Just deserts vs. just desserts]</ref> It also plays on π and pie, and deals a non-integer amount of damage (indeed, an irrational and transcendental amount).
* <c>Kindslaver</c> refers to <c>Mindslaver</c>.
* <c>Krark's Other Thumb</c> refers to <c>Krark's Thumb</c>.
* <c>Novellamental</c>'s art and flavor text reference Charlotte Brontë's novel [[Wikipedia:Jane Eyre|Jane Eyre]].
* <c>Ordinary Pony</c> received emergency [[errata]] to prevent it going infinite with <c>Half-Squirrel, Half-</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167773274608/you-always-remember-your-first-power-level-errata|title=You Always Remember Your First Power Level Errata|November 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167783397553/i-feel-like-the-emergency-errata-on-ordinary-pony|title=I feel like the emergency errata on Ordinary Pony is the most anti spirit of the format you can be.|November 22, 2017}}</ref>
* <c>Party Crasher</c>'s flavor text is a direct reference to <c>Akroma, Angel of Wrath</c>.
* <c>Really Epic Punch</c>'s art and mechanics are direct references to <c>Savage Punch</c> and <c>Epic Confrontation</c>. The card is missing "until end of turn", referencing <c>Riding The Dilu Horse</c>'s typo, and functions similarly.
* <c>Rules Lawyer</c> holds the record for the longest reminder text on a given single card, and is also the first card to refer to a specific Magic rule (in this case, [[State-based action|rule 704]]) anywhere in its text.
* <c>Spike, Tournament Grinder</c> completes the mini-cycle started with <c>Timmy, Power Gamer</c> (''[[Unglued]]'') and <c>Johnny, Combo Player</c> (''Unhinged'').
** In an effort to promote diversity and representation, Spike is portrayed as female.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167547562988/greetings-mr-rosewater-may-i-ask-why-spike-is|title=Why is Spike portrayed as a female|November 16, 2017}}</ref>
* <c>Teacher's Pet</c>'s art refers to <c>Natural Selection</c>.
* <c>Shellephant</c> is the first card to use "and/or" in the [[type line]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167560138858/normally-i-just-get-one-social-media-preview|title=This card started life in a black bordered set as Elephurtle.|November 16, 2017}}</ref>
* <c>Steamflogger Boss</c> is [[reprint]]ed from ''[[Future Sight]]'', and is the only creature card printed on the land [[print sheet|sheet]].<ref name="Saga 1" /> This makes it the only black-bordered card in the set.
* <c>Super-Duper Death Ray</c> is the first card to combine [[direct damage]] with [[trample]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167568331168/thank-you-for-super-duper-death-ray-it-makes-me|title=Thank you for Super Duper Death Ray. |November 16, 2017}}</ref>
* <c>Sword of Dungeons & Dragons</c> references [[Wikipedia:Dungeons & Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]], another Hasbro brand.
** Although ''D&D'' has heavily influenced the creation of ''Magic'' (e.g. ''[[Legends]]''), this is the first time the brand itself is referenced.
** This mash-up card was previewed with a different graphical design as a [[HASCON]]-[[promo]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163266804468/will-the-sword-of-dungeons-dragons-available-at|title=Will the Sword of Dungeons & Dragons available at Hascon be different from the one in Unstable?|July 21, 2017}}</ref>
** The card also references the Sword of... mega-cycle from the [[Mirrodin]] and [[Scars of Mirrodin]] blocks
* <c>The Grand Calcutron</c> is influenced by Richard Garfield’s earlier creation of the board game of RoboRally. It simulates the programming sequence from that game.
** The Grand Calcutron was supposed to have "This artifact can be your commander" as rules text, but there was not enough room.<ref name="The Grand Calcutron">{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167538207748/will-every-faction-get-at-least-one-legendary|title=Will every faction get...|November 15, 2017}}</ref> Mark Rosewater stated in his blog that he officially [[errata]]ed The Grand Calcutron to be legal as commander in silver-bordered [[EDH]] games.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/167578120318/is-anything-preventing-you-from-issuing-a|title= Is anything preventing you from issuing a statement?|November 16, 2017}}</ref> As an exception (as it is a functional change), this was later officially implemented in [[Oracle]].<ref>{{DailyRef|news/oracle-changes-2019-09-27|''Throne of Eldraine'' Oracle Changes|[[Eli Shiffrin]]|September 27, 2019}}</ref>
* <c>Urza, Academy Headmaster</c> is the first Un-Planeswalker, the first 5 color Planeswalker, and the first card to refer to an outside source ([https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/unstable/askurza AskUrza.com]) for a (changable) [[rules text]]. Each ability has 20 possible effects, all of which derive from Planeswalker cards in the past, with occasional minor changes.<ref>{{WebRef|title=All available options for Urza, Academy Headmaster|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/7i7swq/all_available_options_for_urza_academy_headmaster/|publisher=Reddit|date=2017-12-07}}</ref>
* <c>Very Cryptic Command</c> and its variants is a reference to the criticised [[textless]] promo <c>Cryptic Command</c>; its detractors believed the complexity of the spell, being a bimodal spell released only recently, was largely inappropriate to be expected to be remembered verbatim. The variants play off this by having a total of 24 abilities, some of which vary in minor nuances.
** One version of this card features an unfinished sketch by artist [[Wayne England]], who died before he could finish it. He had also created the art of the original card.
 
===Functional reprints===
* <c>Amateur Auteur</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Felidar Cub</c>, <c>Kami of Ancient Law</c> and <c>Keening Apparition</c>, save for creature type and border color.
* <c>Amateur Auteur</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Felidar Cub</c>, <c>Kami of Ancient Law</c> and <c>Keening Apparition</c>, save for creature type and border color.
* <c>Novellamental</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Vaporkin</c> and <c>Welkin Tern</c>, save for creature type and border color.
* <c>Novellamental</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Vaporkin</c> and <c>Welkin Tern</c>, save for creature type and border color.
Line 344: Line 307:
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/unstable-scraps-part-1-2017-11-27|''Unstable'' Scraps, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 27, 2017}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/unstable-scraps-part-1-2017-11-27|''Unstable'' Scraps, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 27, 2017}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/unstable-scraps-part-3-2017-12-11|''Unstable'' Scraps, Part 3|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 11, 2017}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/unstable-scraps-part-3-2017-12-11|''Unstable'' Scraps, Part 3|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 11, 2017}}
*{{DailyRef|feature/unstable-art-descriptions-2017-12-13|''Unstable'' Art Descriptions|Chris Gleeson|December 13, 2017}}
*{{DailyRef|feature/unstable-art-descriptions-2017-12-13|''Unstable'' Art Descriptions|[[Chris Gleeson]]|December 13, 2017}}
 
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/lessons-learned-part-5|Lessons Learned, Part 5|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 7, 2023}}
{{sets|special}}
{{sets|special|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Silver-bordered]]
{{Acorn|sets}}

Latest revision as of 09:54, 9 August 2023

Unstable
 
Variant cards
 
Trivia
 
Unstable
[[File:{{#setmainimage:UST logo.png}}|250px]]
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description Wrench with acorn shaped hole
Design Mark Rosewater (lead)
Dan Emmons
Billy Moreno
Monty Ashley
Ian Duke
Development Billy Moreno (co-lead)
Dave Humpherys (co-lead)
Ben Hayes (co-lead)
Mark Purvis
Mark Rosewater
Art direction Dawn Murin[1]
Release date December 8, 2017
Plane Bablovia
Themes and mechanics Contraptions, Watermark matters, Flavor text matters, Dice rolling, Outside assistance assistance
Keywords/​ability words Assemble, Augment, Crank, Combine, Switch and others
Set size 216-ish cards
Expansion code UST[2]
Development codename Quicksilver [3]
Un-sets
Unhinged Unstable Unsanctioned
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
From the Vault: Transform Unstable Rivals of Ixalan
Order of the Widget
Agents of S.N.E.A.K.
League of Dastardly Doom
Goblin Explosioneers
Crossbreed Labs

Unstable is a booster-based card set for Magic: The Gathering that can not be used in legal Magic tournaments. It was released on December 8, 2017 as a standalone set.[4][5] This is the third of the silver-bordered Un-sets and is designed to be drafted.

Set details

Unstable contains "216-ish" cards (5 basic lands, 75 common, 75 uncommon, 46 rare, and 15 mythic rare) and 20 foil tokens, and includes randomly inserted premium versions of all cards.[6] The set explores new areas of Magic game design and continues the tradition of bending the conventional rules of the game in a fun and whimsical way. Unstable was designed to both be drafted alone and be mixed with other sets: according to Mark Rosewater, however, the best experience is probably when it's drafted alone.[7] The expansion symbol is a wrench with an acorn-shaped hole.

The big difference between Unglued and Unhinged on one hand, and Unstable on the other, is that the first two were meant to be mixed in with normal Magic, whereas Unstable was built as a stand-alone limited experience.[8]

The set features 'modern design sensibilities' and is built around a 'cohesive creative vision'.[4] It includes fun legendary creatures that can be utilized in the Commander format and some cards designed for Cube.[9][10][11] Like its predecessors, Unstable features 5 full-art basic lands,[12] but borderless instead of black-bordered.[13][14] Every pack contains one of the five lands unless it is replaced by a Steamflogger Boss, which replaces 1 in every 121 basic lands. The set also features foil tokens, both for tokens produced by cards in the set and for popular tribes outside the set.

The set contains some cards at common which are functionally identical to existing black bordered cards or possibly "blackborderable". These had been included for limited gameplay purposes.[15][16][17]

Unstable is only published in the English language.

Magic Story

Main article: Magic Story
Title Author Release Date Setting (plane) Featuring
World Class Mark Rosewater 2017-11-29 Bablovia

History

Mark Rosewater had to wait 13 years after Unhinged before Unstable could be printed, as Unhinged had been considered a commercial failure. However, Rosewater and senior brand director Mark Purvis argue this wasn't because of poor sales, but because of overprinting. At the time, Wizards of the Coast didn't regularly create supplemental sets, so Unhinged was treated as a small expansion. Actual work on the set took six years.[18][19] When design started, one of the goals, as proposed by the director of product design Mark Globus, was to explore what new printing technology might allow: however, none of these proposed ideas were feasible at the time the set was printed.[5]

The design of the set was finished in 2014.[20] It was originally scheduled for summer of 2015, but was pushed back a year to make room for Modern Masters 2015.[21] It was then scheduled for the summer of 2016, but the concern that its steampunk influence made it too similar to Kaladesh, pushed it back yet another year. It was then scheduled for summer 2017: however, after Conspiracy: Take the Crown was added last-minute, its release was pushed back to December.

Marketing

Unstable is sold in boosters and Draft Packs. The first details of Unstable were revealed by Rosewater at San Diego Comic-Con 2017,[19] who also heavily promoted the set on Blogatog.

A booster contains 16 cards: 1 rare, 3 uncommons, 8 commons, 2 contraptions, 1 basic land and 1 foil token. A randomly inserted premium version may replace any one of these cards. The boosters feature art from Willing Test Subject, Three-Headed Goblin and X.[22]

Draft Weekend was held on the 9–10 December 2017, the first time which a non-Standard set was used in such an event, and also the first time the event is held on a casual level (Only 1 lifetime PwP were awarded in those events).

Promotional cards

Tokens

Unstable features 20 foil tokens, one per pack. Half of them are tokens from Unstable, with humorous fake ads on the back of each.[23][24] Only the front side is foil, the back side isn't.[25] For the first time, some of these tokens have watermarks, which interacts with the "watermark matters" mechanic that appears on a number of cards in the set.

The other half of the tokens are for non-Unstable cards, and has full borderless art of the same token on the back faces instead of advertisements.[23]

  • {W} 4/4 Angel creature with flying
  • {W} 1/1 Spirit creature with flying
  • {U} 1/1 Thopter artifact creature with flying
  • {B} 2/2 Vampire creature with flying
  • {B} 2/2 Zombie creature
  • {R} 1/1 Elemental creature
  • {G} 3/3 Beast creature
  • {G} 1/1 Saproling creature
  • {G/W} */* Elemental creature with "This creature's power and toughness are each equal to the number of creatures you control."
  • {C} Clue artifact

Reception

Wizards of the Coast reported that Unstable was one of the smash hits of the year, and was beloved by players.[27]

Flavor

Unstable is set on Bablovia, a steampunk 'mad scientist world' with 5 factions:[5][28]

Themes and mechanics

  • Contraptions and assemble — One of two flagship mechanics of the set.[35]
    • There are 45 different Contraptions (nine with each faction's watermark), or roughly one-fifth of the set.
    • Contraptions are artifacts that start the game shuffled into a separate "contraption deck." When an effect assembles a Contraption, that player takes the top card of their contraption deck and puts it into their first, second or third sprocket slot. (Any number of Contraptions can exist in a single sprocket.)
    • During each of your upkeeps, if you control a Contraption, you move the CRANK! counter onto the next sequential sprocket of your Contraption deck (sprocket 3 looping back to 1), then crank all Contraptions in that sprocket. Each Contraption has a different ability that triggers upon being cranked.
    • All creatures that can assemble a Contraption are Riggers.[19]
    • Each pack of Unstable contains two Contraption cards.[35]
    • Two cards may reassemble a Contraption, which means that player takes control of the Contraption and puts it on a sprocket of their choice.
  • Host creatures and augment — The other flagship mechanic of the set.[36]
    • Host creatures all have abilities that trigger on their entering the battlefield, as well as art and name divided by a vertical line. Creatures with an augment ability have no mana cost (but have a color indicator), have plus or minus symbols in both their power and toughness (ex. +2/+2 or -1/-0), and each have the first half of some triggered ability.
    • Augment appears on creatures without casting cost. When a host creature is on the battlefield, its controller can augment it with a creature from their hand: those two creatures are then combined into one until they leave the battlefield. The augment creature overlaps the left side of the host creature, such that the arts align.
    • If an augment creature is on the battlefield not combined with a host, it goes to the graveyard as a state-based action.[37]
  • "Watermark matters" — To emphasize the individual factions, there are a number of cards (ex. Stamp of Approval) that care about the watermark printed on a card.[36][38]
  • "Outside assistance" — Cards that require you to find a person not playing in your current game and ask them to do something, usually making a choice or choices about something that will impact your game.[36][39]
  • Other "things that matter" include collector number, border color, rarity, artist's name, and the number of words in a card's name.

Unstable also has a number of one-off mechanics that play on other black-bordered mechanics:

  • Art menace — Creatures with art menace can only be blocked by creatures "with two or more visible figures in their art."
  • Blurry — A play on evasion abilities, creatures with blurry can't be blocked except by players who were wearing glasses as the creature was cast.
  • Just a second — A riff on split second,[40] spells with just a second prevent players from moving cards on the battlefield while they're on the stack.
  • Last strike and triple strike — A riff on first strike and double strike, creatures with last strike deal damage after creatures without last strike. Creatures with triple strike deal both first-strike, regular, and last-strike combat damage.
  • Loose lips — A source is considered to have loose lips if an open mouth is depicted in its artwork. This only appears in the context of Knight of the Kitchen Sink, a variant of which has "protection from loose lips."
  • Squirrellink — Similar to lifelink, creatures with squirrellink create that many Squirrel creature tokens whenever they deal damage.[41][42]
  • Switch — To switch two cards means to exchange their respective game states. Cards that switch do not trigger other abilities, as they do not transition between states.[43]
  • Undeathtouch — Creatures with undeathtouch specifically exile a creature card if they would otherwise deal damage to it, including cards in a graveyard.

Unstable also features a number of returning mechanics.

New types and colors

Unstable continues the trend of introducing humorous card types to the game.

Supertypes

Creature types

Other subtypes

Colors

Gold joins brown, hazel, and pink as exclusive silver-bordered color.[39]

And/or

“And/or” (Shellephant) isn’t a creature type.

Cycles

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Watermarks matter Knight of the Widget S.N.E.A.K. Dispatcher "Rumors of My Death..." Hammerfest Boomtacular Druid of the Sacred Beaker
Five uncommon spells, one for each faction, that care about watermarks of the respective faction.
Dice hosts Adorable Kitten Numbing Jellyfish Big Boa Constrictor Feisty Stegosaurus Mother Kangaroo
Five common host creatures, each with an enters-the-battlefield effect that rolls a die and gets an effect based on the result.
Outside assistance spells Sacrifice Play Defective Detective Subcontract It That Gets Left Hanging Squirrel Dealer
Five common spells that require the casting player to consult a person outside of the game.
Cycle name {W}{U}
Order of the Widget 		{U}{B}
Agents of S.N.E.A.K. 		{B}{R}
League of Dastardly Doom 		{R}{G}
Goblin Explosioneers 		{G}{W}
Crossbreed Labs
Faction leaders The Grand Calcutron Phoebe, Head of S.N.E.A.K. Baron von Count
Mary O'Kill
Grusilda, Monster Masher
The Big idea 		Ol' Buzzbark Dr. Julius Jumblemorph
Several mythic multicolor permanents that each represent a leader of a faction.
Mythic contraptions Rapid Prototyper Faerie Aerie Pet Project Hard Hat Area Bee-Bee Gun
Five mythic Contraptions, one for each faction.

Variant cards

Main article: Unstable/Variant cards

Thirteen cards in Unstable were printed with multiple variants.[45] These variants can differ on rules text, stats, flavor text, art, watermark, and even card name. The rarity of all the variations of a particular card add up to the regular listed rarity.[46]

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G} {C}
Common rarity Amateur Auteur Novellamental Extremely Slow Zombie Target Minotaur Beast In Show Killbot series
Six common creatures, each with four variations in art and flavor text (and in one case, name), but unchanging rules text.
Higher rarity Knight of the Kitchen Sink Very Cryptic Command Sly Spy Garbage Elemental Ineffable Blessing Everythingamajig
Six uncommon or rare cards, each with six variations in rules text but the same card name across them.

Vertical cycles

Cycle name
Dice-rolling contraptions Boomflinger Thud-for-Duds Gift Horse Hard Hat Area
A vertical cycle of Goblin Explosioneers-watermarked Contraptions, that when cranked roll a pair of six-sided dice and produce an effect based on the difference of the results.

Functional reprints

Gallery

  • Borderless Plains

    Borderless Plains

  • Borderless Island

    Borderless Island

  • Borderless Swamp

    Borderless Swamp

  • Borderless Mountain

    Borderless Mountain

  • Borderless Forest

    Borderless Forest

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 23, 2017). "The art direction for Unstable seems quite not-Magic-like.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 04, 2017). "Wait, so the Unstable set code is UST? I thought it was UN3.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  3. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 18, 2018). "What was Unstable's design codename?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. ↑ a b Wizards of the Coast (June 14, 2017). "25th Anniversary Announcement Day". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ a b c Mark Rosewater (November 6, 2017). "The Un-Ending Saga, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 10, 2017). "Will Unstable have foil lands/Steamflogger Boss?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 15, 2017). "Is Unstable designed to be drafted with previous 2 Un sets?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 18, 2017). "Un-sets have always pushed the envelope, but Unstable seemed much more experimental in this regard?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 23, 2017). "Will Unstable include enough Legendary creatures to support a playgroup of silver-bordered commander?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  10. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 27, 2017). "Am I going to get any sweet cube cards in Unstable?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  11. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 28, 2017). "Can we expect some legendary creatures in Unstable?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  12. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 23, 2017). "Will there be more than one art per colour for the lands?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  13. ↑ Magic Twitter
  14. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 09, 2017). "I feel like you missed an opportunity to do something silly with the unset lands.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  15. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 16, 2017). "Amateur Auteur seems not-very-silver-bordered.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  16. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 16, 2017). "I'm kind of disappointed to see cards like Amateur Auteur and Curious Killbot in Unstable". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  17. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 31, 2012). "I thought the rule for un-cards was that they had to do something you couldn't do in black border?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  18. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 15, 2017). "Are there any cards you had to cut because they contained references that were just too dated?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  19. ↑ a b c Mark Rosewater (July 23, 2017). "Magic Panel Info". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  20. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 09, 2017). "Because Unstable has been inside R&D for so long, how recent are its references and jokes?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  21. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 10, 2017). "The product was on the schedule and pushed back three different times, each for a different reason.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  22. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (November 13, 2017). "Unstable Packaging". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  23. ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (November 11, 2017). "So all tokens are foil?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  24. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (November 21, 2017). "The Tokens of Unstable". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  25. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 03, 2017). "The black border tokens in Unstable.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  26. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 20, 2017). "Is the same dragon token from the Hascon promos going to be in Unstable?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  27. ↑ Gavin Verhey (January 18, 2018). "Know Your Audience". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  28. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 23, 2017). "What is Unstable, gadget world?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  29. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2017). "Order of the Widget.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  30. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2017). "Agents of S.N.E.A.K.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  31. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2017). "League of Dastardly Doom.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  32. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2017). "Goblin Explosioneers.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  33. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2017). "Crossbreed Labs.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  34. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 25, 2017). "The G/W faction in Unstable seems a lot like Simic from Ravnica.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  35. ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (November 13, 2017). "The Un-Ending Saga, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  36. ↑ a b c d Mark Rosewater (November 20, 2017). "The Un-Ending Saga, Part 3". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  37. ↑ Matt Tabak (November 16, 2017). "Unstable Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  38. ↑ Maria Bartholdi (November 13, 2017). "Happy Un-Birthday!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  39. ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (November 22, 2017). "Unstable FAQAWASLFAQPAFTIDAWABIAJTBT". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  40. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 14, 2017). "Unstable design question!". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  41. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2017). "Do you like squirrels?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  42. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 4, 2017). "Unstable Scraps, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  43. ↑ Quinn Murphy (November 15, 2017). "Mary O'Kill and the Killbots". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  44. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 14, 2017). "Get It? Unhinged Edition, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  45. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (December 6, 2017). "Unstable Variants". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  46. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 07, 2017). "Do the variations on cards all add up to the same as a normal rarity?". Blogatog. Tumblr.

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