Mystery Booster/Test cards: Difference between revisions
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{{SubTabs | {{SubTabs | ||
|sub1 = Test cards | |sub1 = Test cards | ||
|sub2 = Retail Edition | |||
}}[[File:Mirrored Lotus Test card.png|right|thumb|Test card]] | }}[[File:Mirrored Lotus Test card.png|right|thumb|Test card]] | ||
The Convention Edition packs of the ''[[Mystery Booster]]'' contain a pretend "[[playtest card]]". They are referred to as '''[[test card]]s''' on the cards themselves. | The Convention Edition packs of the ''[[Mystery Booster]]'' contain a pretend "[[playtest card]]". They are referred to as '''[[test card]]s''' on the cards themselves. | ||
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* Playtest cards aren't legal for play in any tournament format other than Mystery Booster Limited formats. | * Playtest cards aren't legal for play in any tournament format other than Mystery Booster Limited formats. | ||
* Playtest cards use a modified version of game symbols, such as {T} and {W}. These modified symbols should be treated as the standard symbols during play. | * Playtest cards use a modified version of game symbols, such as {T} and {W}. These modified symbols should be treated as the standard symbols during play. | ||
* Playtest cards often use "CARDNAME" in place of the card's | * Playtest cards often use "CARDNAME" in place of the card's name. This follows the same rules as an object referring to itself by name. | ||
* For many playtest cards, you'll need to make a generous assumption that basic game rules will be updated to allow them to work. | * For many playtest cards, you'll need to make a generous assumption that basic game rules will be updated to allow them to work. | ||
===Themes and mechanics=== | |||
The test cards explore various themes and mechanics. This is similar to how ''[[Future Sight]]'' tested out new mechanics that later appeared in regular sets. Some were nods to things already coming to print ({{Card|Enchantmentize}} reprinted three months later as {{Card|One with the Stars}}), while some are more nebulous in their influence ({{Card|Graveyard Dig}} seems to have inspired [[Cleave]], two years later). | |||
Examples of new or revisited themes are [[turn]] matters, [[game]]s matter, [[hand size]] matters, [[double#Trivia|quadrupling]], card tokens ([[land token]]s, [[enchantment token]]s, [[sorcery token]]s), the [[plot booster]] and the [[Whammy deck]]. | |||
New mechanics are: [[Aggressive]], [[Bank]], [[Challenge]], [[Enchantment land]], [[Firstest strike]], [[Four-faced]], [[Interplanar]], [[Keyword counter]]s, [[Kinfall]], [[Landship]], [[Legacy (keyword)|Legacy]], [[manabond counter]]s, [[Megalegendary]], [[Motivate]], [[Ransom]], [[Reflect]], [[Requirement (Vanguard)|Requirement]], [[Reverse miracle]], [[Scrycast]], [[Spark (keyword action)|Spark]], [[Spellmorph]], [[Tasty]], [[Token card]]s, [[Underdog]] and [[Upgrade]]. | |||
====Returning==== | |||
Returning mechanics (some with new twists) are [[Annihilator]], [[Arcane]], [[Buyback]], [[Wish|cards from outside of the game]], [[Flagbearer]], [[Haunt]], [[Land creature]]s, [[Planeswalk]], [[Poison]], [[Storm]], [[Banding]] and [[Vanguard (card type)|Vanguard]]. | |||
====Named==== | |||
[[Mill]] and [[Fizzle]] are used as terms on cards for the first time. | |||
====Card types==== | |||
[[Cloud]] is a new Basic land type. [[Abian]] and [[Duck]] are new [[planeswalker type]]s. [[Locus (creature type)|Locus]] is used as a creature type, instead of as a [[land type]]. [[Alien]], [[Aven]], [[Beholder]], [[Half]] and [[Phyrexian]] are new creature types. [[Lobster]] is used for the first time as a [[creature type]] on a printed card. [[Dog]], [[Gorilla]] and [[Mammoth]] are reintroduced. [[Key]] is a new [[artifact type]]. [[Elemental (card type)|Elemental]] is a new type (not to be confused with the Elemental creature subtype). | |||
Two cards feature an [[Instant Creature]], one of which also can turn other creatures into Instant Creatures as well. | |||
===Card list=== | ===Card list=== | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" | {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" | ||
! width="15.0%"|Card name | ! width="15.0%"|Card name | ||
! Color | ! Color | ||
! width="10.0%"|Stickered on | |||
! Notes | ! Notes | ||
! width="10.0%"|Artist | ! width="10.0%"|Artist | ||
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| <c>Banding Sliver</c> | | <c>Banding Sliver</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| Makes fun of the complicated rules for [[Banding]], by filling the card's [[text box]] | |{{card|Ajani's Pridemate||M19}}<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/e67mv8/mystery_booster_playtest_cards_cmb1/|title=Mystery Booster Playtest Cards (CMB1)|author=Ajoost|date=December 4, 2019|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> | ||
| Makes fun of the complicated rules for [[Banding]], by filling the card's [[text box]] with [[reminder text]]. | |||
| Alicia Mickes | | Alicia Mickes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Baneslayer Aspirant</c> | | <c>Baneslayer Aspirant</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| First non-planeswalker to interact with [[emblem]]s. | |{{card|Ajani's Pridemate||M19}} | ||
| Taylor Ingvarsson | | First non-planeswalker to interact with [[emblem]]s. Abilities refer to <c>Baneslayer Angel</c> | ||
| [[Taylor Ingvarsson]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Enroll in the Coalition</c> | | <c>Enroll in the Coalition</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
|{{card|Hieromancer's Cage||M19}}? | |||
| Designates a [[player]] as a [[Flagbearer]]. Flavored after the [[Invasion block]]'s [[Coalition]]. | | Designates a [[player]] as a [[Flagbearer]]. Flavored after the [[Invasion block]]'s [[Coalition]]. | ||
| [[Chris Mooney]] | | [[Chris Mooney]] | ||
Line 39: | Line 62: | ||
| <c>Five Kids in a Trenchcoat</c> | | <c>Five Kids in a Trenchcoat</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| A pop culture cliche in which some children attempt to fool others into believing they're one adult. | |{{card|Ajani's Pridemate||M19}} | ||
| A pop-culture cliche in which some children attempt to fool others into believing they're one adult. The first card to use the [[Citizen]] [[creature type]], and the first card to count as multiple copies of itself. | |||
| Emily Teng | | Emily Teng | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Frontier Explorer</c> | | <c>Frontier Explorer</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
|{{card|Ajani's Pridemate||M19}} | |||
| A [[Wish]] for [[Plains]]. A design alternative for a [[basic land]] [[token]]. | | A [[Wish]] for [[Plains]]. A design alternative for a [[basic land]] [[token]]. | ||
| Mary Josberger | | Mary Josberger | ||
Line 49: | Line 74: | ||
| <c>Imaginary Friends</c> | | <c>Imaginary Friends</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
|{{card|Aegis of the Heavens||M19}}? | |||
| Only playable in very specific [[combo deck]]s, like [[Modern#Combo|Aristocrats]] or [[Go wide|wide]] decks that have [[List of Magic slang#Anthem effect|anthems]]. Hence the return of [[Arcane]]. | | Only playable in very specific [[combo deck]]s, like [[Modern#Combo|Aristocrats]] or [[Go wide|wide]] decks that have [[List of Magic slang#Anthem effect|anthems]]. Hence the return of [[Arcane]]. | ||
| Daniel Holt | | [[Daniel Holt]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Metagamer</c> | | <c>Metagamer</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| Highlighting a | |{{card|Ajani's Pridemate||M19}} | ||
| Highlighting a Spike [[player type]] subset, that chooses their cards to counter [[deck]]s that are popular in the [[metagame]]. | |||
| Fransico O. Martin | | Fransico O. Martin | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Priority Avenger</c> | | <c>Priority Avenger</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| | |{{card|Ajani's Pridemate||M19}} | ||
| Protects the active [[player]]'s [[priority]] on their turn by limiting [[instants]]. | |||
| Chris Haukap | | Chris Haukap | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Ruff, Underdog Champ</c> | | <c>Ruff, Underdog Champ</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| References [[R&D]]'s [[Dog]] versus [[Hound]] debate. Introduces the [[Underdog]] mechanic, which effects overstep the boundary between [[game]]s in a [[match]]. | |{{card|Lena, Selfless Champion||M19}} | ||
| References [[R&D]]'s [[Dog]] versus [[Hound]] debate, foreshadowing the creature type update in ''[[Core Set 2021]]''.<ref name="Sneaky"/> Introduces the [[Underdog]] mechanic, which effects overstep the boundary between [[game]]s in a [[match]]. | |||
| Seth Conley | | Seth Conley | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Sarah's Wings</c> | | <c>Sarah's Wings</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| A play <c>On Serra's | |{{card|Revitalize||M19}} | ||
| A play <c>On Serra's Wings</c>. Grants [[Flying]] to a [[player]], like <c>Form of the Dragon</c>'s <c>Moat</c> clause. | |||
| Sarah Keortge | | Sarah Keortge | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Scaled Destruction</c> | | <c>Scaled Destruction</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| Defines small, medium and large [[creature]]s. | |{{card|Cleansing Nova||M19}} | ||
| Daniel Ketchum | | Defines small, medium and large [[creature]]s. | ||
| [[Daniel Ketchum]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Stack of Paperwork</c> | | <c>Stack of Paperwork</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
|{{card|Hieromancer's Cage||M19}} | |||
| Revives the pre-''[[Magic 2010]]'' rule that [[combat damage]] uses the [[stack]]. | | Revives the pre-''[[Magic 2010]]'' rule that [[combat damage]] uses the [[stack]]. | ||
| Hanspeter Ziegler | | [[Hanspeter Ziegler]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Wizened Arbiter</c> | | <c>Wizened Arbiter</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
| [[Wish]]es for [[white]] cards. First concepted by Scott Wilson during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-scott-wilson-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Scott Wilson|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref> | |{{card|Ajani's Pridemate||M19}} | ||
| [[Wish]]es for [[white]] cards. First concepted by Scott Wilson during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-scott-wilson-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Scott Wilson|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sneaky"/> First card to [[Outside the game|remove a card entirely from the game]]. | |||
| Kelly Hamilton | | Kelly Hamilton | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>You're in Command</c> | | <c>You're in Command</c> | ||
| {{W}} | | {{W}} | ||
|{{card|Cleansing Nova||M19}} | |||
| Enables a player to change any of their creatures into their [[Commander (designation)|Commander]] (even if it is non-[[Legendary]]). First card to reference [[Commander tax]]. | | Enables a player to change any of their creatures into their [[Commander (designation)|Commander]] (even if it is non-[[Legendary]]). First card to reference [[Commander tax]]. | ||
| Cody Culp | | Cody Culp | ||
Line 94: | Line 128: | ||
| <c>Animate Spell</c> | | <c>Animate Spell</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| An [[Animate|animating]] [[Aura]] that | |{{card|Psychic Corrosion||M19}} | ||
| An [[Animate|animating]] [[Aura]] that specifically targets [[Sorcery|sorceries]] and [[Instant]] spells on the [[stack]]. Effectively a [[counter]]spell that grants the countered spell's controller a creature. Not written on the card is the <c>Animate Dead</c> clause where the enchanted ability changes post-resolution. | |||
| [[Alli Medwin|Allison Medwin]] | | [[Alli Medwin|Allison Medwin]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Biting Remark</c> | | <c>Biting Remark</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| First card with [[Scrycast]], meaning it can be cast | |{{card|Supreme Phantom||M19}} | ||
| First card with [[Scrycast]], meaning it can be cast through a special cost (in this case, for free) if you [[Scry]] it. A ‘biting remark' is usually intended to hurt the person at whom the words are directed. | |||
| Josh Thomas | | Josh Thomas | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Command the Chaff</c> | | <c>Command the Chaff</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
|{{card|Totally Lost||M19}} | |||
| A [[Stealing|steal]] effect that reaches into the opponent's [[sideboard]]. Sideboard cards are mostly [[List of Magic slang#Chaff|chaff]]. | | A [[Stealing|steal]] effect that reaches into the opponent's [[sideboard]]. Sideboard cards are mostly [[List of Magic slang#Chaff|chaff]]. | ||
| [[George Fan]] | | [[George Fan]] | ||
Line 109: | Line 146: | ||
| <c>Control Win Condition</c> | | <c>Control Win Condition</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| A [[whale]] that grows bigger according to the number of [[turn]]s its controller has played | |{{card|Supreme Phantom||M19}} | ||
| A [[whale]] that grows bigger according to the number of [[turn]]s its controller has played - as befitting a [[control]] [[win condition]]. The turn-counting mechanic would later be seen in official [[designed-for-digital]] cards, like {{Card|Sarkhan's Scorn}}. | |||
| Sean Mayovsky | | Sean Mayovsky | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Do-over</c> | | <c>Do-over</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| Restarts a [[turn]], especially useful on an opponents turn. | |{{card|Totally Lost||M19}} | ||
| Restarts a [[turn]], especially useful on an opponents turn - the reminder text concedes that hidden zones are to be "reconstruct[ed] as best you can". | |||
| Madison Mosley | | Madison Mosley | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Enchantmentize</c> | | <c>Enchantmentize</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| An [[Aura]] that can turn a creature into an enchantment, but allowing it to keep all its abilities. Essentially a reversal of the [[Theros]] [[God | |{{card|Psychic Corrosion||M19}} | ||
| An [[Aura]] that can turn a creature into an enchantment, but allowing it to keep all its abilities. Essentially a reversal of the [[Theros]] [[God]]s. Later printed in black-border as <c>One With The Stars</c>.<ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Rebecca On | | Rebecca On | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Form of the Mulldrifter</c> | | <c>Form of the Mulldrifter</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| A [[ | |{{card|Mulldrifter||C18}}<ref name="Sneaky"/> | ||
| A [[Kindred]] [[Enchantment]] that pokes fun on the other "Form of" cards, like <c>Form of the Dragon</c>, that can change all summoned creatures into a <c>Mulldrifter</c>. Notice that it doesn't describe the [[characteristic]]s of Mulldrifter. | |||
| [[George Fan]] | | [[George Fan]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Innocuous Insect</c> | | <c>Innocuous Insect</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| First creature with [[Buyback]] | |{{card|Supreme Phantom||M19}} | ||
| First creature with [[Buyback]] - normally useless, but has a cast trigger associated with Eldrazi. It is an annoying [[Eldrazi]] [[Insect]]. | |||
| Jehan Choo | | Jehan Choo | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Khod, Etlan Shiis Envoy</c> | | <c>Khod, Etlan Shiis Envoy</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| A [[Lord]] for several underwater creature types including | |{{card|Sai, Master Thopterist||M19}} | ||
| A [[Lord]] for several underwater creature types including [[Homarid]]s, [[Camarid]]s (none exist), [[Cephalid]]s and [[Nautilus|Nautilids]] and [[Merfolk]], that can also change all lands into Islands. Notice that in the current [[timeline]], there is no room for Homarids in [[Etlan Shiis]]. | |||
| [[Dave Humpherys]] | | [[Dave Humpherys]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Learned Learner</c> | | <c>Learned Learner</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| A creature that can tap | |{{card|Supreme Phantom||M19}} | ||
| A creature that can tap to draw a card, as long as the player has a maximum [[hand size]] different than 7. | |||
| Nick Southam | | Nick Southam | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Loopy Lobster</c> | | <c>Loopy Lobster</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
|{{card|Supreme Phantom||M19}} | |||
| First [[four-faced]] card (a [[Level up]] variant. First card to feature the [[Lobster]] [[creature type]] (the ''[[Unglued]]'' <c>Rock Lobster</c> only featured the type in [[Oracle]]). | | First [[four-faced]] card (a [[Level up]] variant. First card to feature the [[Lobster]] [[creature type]] (the ''[[Unglued]]'' <c>Rock Lobster</c> only featured the type in [[Oracle]]). | ||
| [[Mike Turian|The Turians]] | | [[Mike Turian|The Turians]] | ||
Line 149: | Line 194: | ||
| <c>Memory Bank</c> | | <c>Memory Bank</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| Introduction of the [[Bank]] mechanic. This is a [[ | |{{card|Divination||M19}} | ||
| Introduction of the [[Bank]] mechanic. This is a [[draw]] Spell that gets exiled after been cast, but can be cast from exile during different [[game]]s in the same [[match]]. | |||
| Pete White | | Pete White | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Recycla-bird</c> | | <c>Recycla-bird</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| Introduction of [[flying counter]]s. A permanent with a keyword counter on it gains that keyword. | |{{card|Supreme Phantom||M19}} | ||
| Introduction of [[flying counter]]s that later were implemented in ''[[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]''.<ref name="Sneaky"/> A permanent with a keyword counter on it gains that keyword. | |||
| Kevin Yee | | Kevin Yee | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Squidnapper</c> | | <c>Squidnapper</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
|{{card|Supreme Phantom||M19}} | |||
| Together with <C>Frogkin Kidnapper</C>, introduces the [[Ransom]] mechanic. An opponent's creature is taken under control by the kidnapper until a ransom cost has been paid. | | Together with <C>Frogkin Kidnapper</C>, introduces the [[Ransom]] mechanic. An opponent's creature is taken under control by the kidnapper until a ransom cost has been paid. | ||
| Jeff Carpenter | | Jeff Carpenter | ||
Line 164: | Line 212: | ||
| <c>The Grand Tour</c> | | <c>The Grand Tour</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| This card makes fun of mechanics like [[transform]], where creatures are exiled and then immediately return to the battlefield. Pictured is [[Fblthp]] getting lost on [[Amonkhet (plane)|Amonkhet]], on [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] ([[the Helvault]]), Tarkir (<c>Tomb of the Spirit Dragon</c>), [[Rabiah]] ([[City of Brass]]) and on [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] (<c>Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</c>). | |{{card|Totally Lost||M19}} | ||
| This card makes fun of mechanics like [[transform]] and [[flicker]], where creatures are exiled and then immediately return to the battlefield. Pictured is [[Fblthp]] getting lost on [[Amonkhet (plane)|Amonkhet]], on [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] ([[the Helvault]]), Tarkir (<c>Tomb of the Spirit Dragon</c>), [[Rabiah]] ([[City of Brass]]) and on [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] (<c>Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</c>). | |||
| [[Ethan Fleischer]] | | [[Ethan Fleischer]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Time Sidewalk</c> | | <c>Time Sidewalk</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| A <c>Time Walk</c> spell that, if is in your opening hand, creates four Time Walk tokens and | |{{card|Divination||M19}} | ||
| Steve Sunu | | A <c>Time Walk</c> spell that, if it is in your opening hand, creates four Time Walk tokens and shuffles them into your deck. The cost of the card is four times that of the original card. The use of [[sorcery token]]s bypasses the [[Reserved List]] restrictions. | ||
| [[Steve Sunu]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Truth or Dare</c> | | <c>Truth or Dare</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| A [[modal spell]] with [[Anchor word]]s that [[keyword]]s the [[Mill]] mechanic. | |{{card|Divination||M19}} | ||
| Mollie Harms | | A [[modal spell]] with [[Anchor word]]s that [[keyword]]s the [[Mill]] mechanic. Foreshadowing the implementation in ''[[Core Set 2021]]''. | ||
| Mollie Harms | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Visitor from Planet Q</c> | | <c>Visitor from Planet Q</c> | ||
| {{U}} | | {{U}} | ||
| First creature with the [[Alien]] type and first [[Instant Creature]], also turning all creatures with [[Flash]] into Instants. [[Looting|Loots]] anytime a card with multiple [[card type]]s are played. | |{{card|Supreme Phantom||M19}} | ||
| First creature with the [[Alien]] type and first [[Instant Creature]], also turning all creatures with [[Flash]] into Instants, a hypothetical rules change that is considered too disruptive. [[Looting|Loots]] anytime a card with multiple [[card type]]s are played. | |||
| The Meadens | | The Meadens | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Blood Poet</c> | | <c>Blood Poet</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
|{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}}? | |||
| First creature with the [[Spark (keyword action)|Spark]] mechanic. | | First creature with the [[Spark (keyword action)|Spark]] mechanic. | ||
| Marsha Rivera | | Marsha Rivera | ||
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| <c>Bone Rattler</c> | | <c>Bone Rattler</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| A [[token]] creating creature that places the tokens in the [[graveyard]] instead of on the battlefield. First time a creature token can actually go to the graveyard. The tokens are <c>Reassembling Skeleton</c>s. | |{{card|Reassembling Skeleton||M19}} | ||
| A [[token]] creating creature that places the tokens in the [[graveyard]] instead of on the battlefield. First time a creature token can actually go to the graveyard. The tokens are <c>Reassembling Skeleton</c>s. Later revisited as <c>Boneyard Aberration</c> with the [[Conjure]] keyword.<ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Ira Humphrey | | Ira Humphrey | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Buried Ogre</c> | | <c>Buried Ogre</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| Poking fun at [[Reanimator]] decks, this card may start the game in the [[graveyard]]. | |{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}} | ||
| Poking fun at [[Reanimator]] decks, this card may start the game in the [[graveyard]] - as though it was <c>Buried Alive</c>. | |||
| Dave Geyer | | Dave Geyer | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Celestine Cave Witch</c> | | <c>Celestine Cave Witch</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| [[Sacrifice]]s [[insect]]s to create [[curse]] [[enchantment token]]s. | |{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}} | ||
| [[Sacrifice]]s [[insect]]s to create [[curse]] [[enchantment token]]s, and turns the type "curse" into a keyword ability. May be a predecessor to [[Role]]s, as predefined [[aura]] tokens | |||
| Bonnie Gabriel | | Bonnie Gabriel | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Chimney Goyf</c> | | <c>Chimney Goyf</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| A [[Goyf]] that can make a target opponent [[topdeck]] a card from his hand. A fusion of <c>Tarmogoyf</c> and <c>Chimney Imp</c> with Tarmogoyf's power/toughness and the Imp's mana cost and both creature types. | |{{card|Banehound||WAR}} | ||
| A [[Goyf]] that can make a target opponent [[topdeck]] a card from his hand. A fusion of <c>Tarmogoyf</c> (one of the best creatures) and <c>Chimney Imp</c> (cited as one of the worst) with Tarmogoyf's power/toughness and the Imp's mana cost and abilities with both creature types. | |||
| [[Glenn Jones]] | | [[Glenn Jones]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Corrupted Key</c> | | <c>Corrupted Key</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| An artifact with | |{{card|Wishclaw Talisman||ELD}} | ||
| An artifact with an ability that is active when tapped, but no way of tapping itself. Introduces the [[Key]]-subtype. | |||
| [[Tom Wänerstrand]] | | [[Tom Wänerstrand]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Cyclopean Titan</c> | | <c>Cyclopean Titan</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| A creature that turns other lands into [[Swamp]]s, and that can return to its owner's hand. Twice as big as <c>Cyclopean Giant</c> from ''[[Time Spiral]]'' | |{{card|Cyclopean Giant||TSP}} | ||
| A creature that turns other lands into [[Swamp]]s, and that can return to its owner's hand. Twice as big as <c>Cyclopean Giant</c> from ''[[Time Spiral]]'' (which in itself was twice as big as <c>Cyclopean Mummy</c>), and also references <c>Cyclopean Snare</c>.<ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1231681424073216000|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=More than or anything else, the deepest cut is Cyclopean Titan.|date=February 23, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Matt Smith | | Matt Smith | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Everlasting Lich</c> | | <c>Everlasting Lich</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
|{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}}? | |||
| A 4/0 creature that is [[indestructible]], can't be [[sacrifice]]d and doesn't go to the [[graveyard]] for having zero toughness. The quintessential [[Lich]]. | | A 4/0 creature that is [[indestructible]], can't be [[sacrifice]]d and doesn't go to the [[graveyard]] for having zero toughness. The quintessential [[Lich]]. | ||
| [[Aaron Forsythe]] | | [[Aaron Forsythe]] | ||
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| <c>Frogkin Kidnapper</c> | | <c>Frogkin Kidnapper</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
|{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}} | |||
| Together with <C>Squidnapper</C>, introduces the [[Ransom]] mechanic. A card from the opponent's hand is exiled until the Ransom cost is paid. | | Together with <C>Squidnapper</C>, introduces the [[Ransom]] mechanic. A card from the opponent's hand is exiled until the Ransom cost is paid. | ||
| [[Mark Heggen]] | | [[Mark Heggen]] | ||
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| <c>Gunk Slug</c> | | <c>Gunk Slug</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
|{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}} | |||
| A creature that, when entering the battlefield, creates three useless Gunk [[sorcery token]]s with expensive [[Cycling]] costs and shuffles them into the opponent's deck, clogging it. The [[gunk]] mechanic was originally designed by [[Richard Garfield]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/33576346613/purely-out-of-curiosity-what-is-richard|title=purely out of curiosity, what is richard garfield's "Gunk" mechanic?|October 14, 2012}}</ref> | | A creature that, when entering the battlefield, creates three useless Gunk [[sorcery token]]s with expensive [[Cycling]] costs and shuffles them into the opponent's deck, clogging it. The [[gunk]] mechanic was originally designed by [[Richard Garfield]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/33576346613/purely-out-of-curiosity-what-is-richard|title=purely out of curiosity, what is richard garfield's "Gunk" mechanic?|October 14, 2012}}</ref> | ||
| Casey Gustafson | | Casey Gustafson | ||
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| <c>Largepox</c> | | <c>Largepox</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
|{{card|Mind Rot||M19}} | |||
| A play on both <c>Pox</c> and <C>Smallpox</C>, that does one of every negative effect existent in the game. | | A play on both <c>Pox</c> and <C>Smallpox</C>, that does one of every negative effect existent in the game. | ||
| Maxx Marshall | | Maxx Marshall | ||
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| <c>One with Death</c> | | <c>One with Death</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| Poking fun at < | |{{card|One with Nothing||SOK}}<ref name="Sneaky"/> | ||
| Poking fun at <c>One with Nothing</c>, this card causes the player to immediately [[Ending the game|lose the game]]. A challenge for all [[Johnny|Johnnies]] out there. | |||
| [[Robert Schuster]] | | [[Robert Schuster]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Spellmorph Raise Dead</c> | | <c>Spellmorph Raise Dead</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| First card with [[spellmorph]], a variation of Morph that | |{{card|Murder||M19}} | ||
| First card with [[spellmorph]], a variation of Morph that appears on [[Instant]]s and [[Sorcery|sorceries]] instead of creatures. A strictly better <c>Raise Dead</c>. | |||
| Nelson Brown | | Nelson Brown | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Sunimret</c> | | <c>Sunimret</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| An exact mirror of <c>Terminus</C> (including | |{{card|Entreat the Dead||C18}} | ||
| An exact mirror of <c>Terminus</C> (including the name), first card with [[Reverse miracle]], that can be cast for an special cost if it is in the bottom of the library when you begin searching.<ref name="Sneaky">{{YouTubeRef|vIMXAnlFf4M|10 Sneaky Easter Eggs on Mystery Booster Playtest Cards!|channel=[[Good Morning Magic]]|date=August 20, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| Kelly McBride | | Kelly McBride | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Swarm of Locus</c> | | <c>Swarm of Locus</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| A play on <c>Locust Swarm</C>, this creature gains a bonus for each [[Locus]] you control. | |{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}} | ||
| A play on <c>Locust Swarm</C> and <c>Cloudpost</c>, this creature gains a bonus for each [[Locus]] you control. | |||
| Emily Maltby | | Emily Maltby | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Underdark Beholder</c> | | <c>Underdark Beholder</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| A [[Wikipedia:Dungeons & Dragons|D&D]] crossover that was blocked by [[Hasbro]] before<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/177874125463/hey-mark-how-come-we-never-got-a-beholder-as-a|title=Hey Mark how come we never got a Beholder as a creature?|September 08, 2018}}</ref> | |{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}} | ||
| A [[Wikipedia:Dungeons & Dragons|D&D]] crossover that was blocked by [[Hasbro]] before,<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/177874125463/hey-mark-how-come-we-never-got-a-beholder-as-a|title=Hey Mark how come we never got a Beholder as a creature?|September 08, 2018}}</ref> this creature has [[eyestalk counter]]s that are removed instead of being dealt damage, and can cast a spell for free whenever it attacks. Beholders themselves appear later in Magic with ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]''. | |||
| [[Chris Tulach]] | | [[Chris Tulach]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Witty Demon</c> | | <c>Witty Demon</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| A creature that gives you a bonus if your deck has 13 cards above the minimum required by the format, and punishes you otherwise, essentially punishing deck | |{{card|Walking Corpse||M19}} | ||
| A creature that gives you a bonus if your deck has 13 cards above the minimum required by the format, and punishes you otherwise, essentially punishing deck optimization. | |||
| Brittany Austin | | Brittany Austin | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Xyru Specter</c> | | <c>Xyru Specter</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| Introduces the bluffing mechanic of [[Challenge]]. The card uses the "[[Summon]] [[Creature]]"-template, which is a specter of the past. The tombstone is dedicated to "Fluffy the very <c>hypnotic specter</c>". The card was designed by [[Richard Garfield]] for ''[[Dominaria]]''.<ref name="Unraveling"/> | |{{card|Perish||TMP}} | ||
| Introduces the bluffing mechanic of [[Challenge]]. The card uses the "[[Summon]] [[Creature]]"-template, which is a specter of the past. The tombstone is dedicated to "Fluffy the very <c>hypnotic specter</c>". The card was designed by [[Richard Garfield]] for ''[[Dominaria]]''.<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Jeff Steward | | Jeff Steward | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Yawgmoth's Testament</c> | | <c>Yawgmoth's Testament</c> | ||
| {{B}} | | {{B}} | ||
| A play on <C>Yawgmoth's Will</C>, that allows you to play cards from [[exile]], but places all cards that would go to the [[Graveyard]] or into exile on the bottom of your deck. The testament is written the [[Phyrexian (language)|Phyrexian language]] and features roughly the same text as the [[text box]].<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/dtwmj4/a_partial_translation_of_yawgmoths_testament/|title=A partial translation of Yawgmoth's Testament|author=Citrus Inferno|date=November 9, 2019|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> | |{{card|Mind Rot||M19}} | ||
| A play on <C>Yawgmoth's Will</C>, that allows you to play cards from [[exile]], but places all cards that would go to the [[Graveyard]] or into exile on the bottom of your deck. The testament is written the [[Phyrexian (language)|Phyrexian language]] and features roughly the same text as the [[text box]].<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/dtwmj4/a_partial_translation_of_yawgmoths_testament/|title=A partial translation of Yawgmoth's Testament|author=Citrus Inferno|date=November 9, 2019|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> The Phyrexian text was updated in the August 2021 reprint, but not changed in content.<ref name="2021 reprint"/><ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/o4wkh3/mystery_booster_convention_edition_will_be/|title=Mystery Booster: Convention Edition will be available in some WPN stores starting August 20th|date=June 21, 2021|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> | |||
| [[Eli Shiffrin]] | | [[Eli Shiffrin]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Bombardment</c> | | <c>Bombardment</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| Turns every card | |{{card|Act of Treason||M19}} | ||
| Turns every card off the battlefield into a Red [[Sorcery]] named ''Missile'' that are essentially <c>Firebolt</c>s without [[flashback]]. First concepted by Ryan Siegel-Stechler during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-ryan-siegel-stechler-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Ryan Siegel-Stechler|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| James Arnold | | James Arnold | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Geometric Weird</c> | | <c>Geometric Weird</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
|{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | |||
| A [[Weird]] whose power and toughness can become equal to the amount of effects on the [[stack]]. | | A [[Weird]] whose power and toughness can become equal to the amount of effects on the [[stack]]. | ||
| Matthew Gregory | | Matthew Gregory | ||
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| <c>High Troller</c> | | <c>High Troller</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
|{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | |||
| A [[Troll]] in both meanings of the word, that makes spells and abilities cheaper, but [[random]]. | | A [[Troll]] in both meanings of the word, that makes spells and abilities cheaper, but [[random]]. | ||
| [[Graeme Hopkins]] | | [[Graeme Hopkins]] | ||
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| <c>Impatient Iguana</c> | | <c>Impatient Iguana</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
|{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | |||
| A creature with [[Haste]] that is in such a hurry that, if it is on your starting hand, you may become the starting player. | | A creature with [[Haste]] that is in such a hurry that, if it is on your starting hand, you may become the starting player. | ||
| Brandi Reece | | Brandi Reece | ||
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| <c>Lazier Goblin</c> | | <c>Lazier Goblin</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| Introduces the [[Motivate]] keyword ability. A throwback to "Lazy Goblin" (2/1 and can't block) that was considered too good for [[Standard]] back in [[2003]].<ref>{{DailyRef|responses-vapor-ops-2003-04-25|Responses to Vapor Ops|[[Randy Buehler]]|April 25, 2003}}</ref> | |{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | ||
| Introduces the [[Motivate]] keyword ability. A throwback to "Lazy Goblin" (2/1 and can't block) that was considered too good for [[Standard]] back in [[2003]].<ref>{{DailyRef|responses-vapor-ops-2003-04-25|Responses to Vapor Ops|[[Randy Buehler]]|April 25, 2003}}</ref><ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Mark Price | | Mark Price | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Lightning Colt</c> | | <c>Lightning Colt</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
|{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | |||
| A colt (i.e. a young [[horse]]) that deals <C>Lightning Bolt</C> damage to any target when entering the battlefield. Second [[Instant Creature]]. | | A colt (i.e. a young [[horse]]) that deals <C>Lightning Bolt</C> damage to any target when entering the battlefield. Second [[Instant Creature]]. | ||
| Christine Lee Risinger | | Christine Lee Risinger | ||
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| <c>Mana Abundance</c> | | <c>Mana Abundance</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| A version of <C>Mana Flare</C> that gives mana to everyone on the table whenever any player | |{{card|Sarkhan's Unsealing||M19}} | ||
| A version of <C>Mana Flare</C> that gives mana to everyone on the table whenever any player adds mana to their pool. The first [[World]] [[Enchantment]] since the release of ''[[Visions]]''. | |||
| [[Ken Nagle]] | | [[Ken Nagle]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Planequake</c> | | <c>Planequake</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| An X Damage card that introduces the concept of [[plot booster]]s. Plot Boosters are very common with [[Wikipedia: | |{{card|Jaya's Greeting||WAR}} | ||
| An X Damage card that introduces the concept of [[plot booster]]s. Plot Boosters are very common with [[Wikipedia:Legacy game|Legacy-style board games]]. Though the plot booster "Uncovered Cavern" is mentioned on the card, that product is non-existent. | |||
| [[Chris Kiritz]] | | [[Chris Kiritz]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Problematic Volcano</c> | | <c>Problematic Volcano</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| Forces every player to separate their creatures in two different groups, and the creatures can only face creatures in the same group. This is a throw back to <c>Raging River</c>. [[Gavin Verhey]] illustrated his infamous fall down a real volcano.<ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1194653104089600001|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=4 years ago, I infamously fell down a volcano.|date=November 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{WebRef|url=https://gavinverhey.tumblr.com/post/111287496771/the-time-i-fell-down-a-volcano|title=The Time I Fell Down a Volcano|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|date=2015|publisher=Gavinsight.tumblr.com}}</ref> | |{{card|Sarkhan's Unsealing||M19}} | ||
| Forces every player to separate their creatures in two different groups, and the creatures can only face creatures in the same group. This is a throw back to <c>Raging River</c>. [[Gavin Verhey]] illustrated his infamous fall down a real volcano.<ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1194653104089600001|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=4 years ago, I infamously fell down a volcano.|date=November 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{WebRef|url=https://gavinverhey.tumblr.com/post/111287496771/the-time-i-fell-down-a-volcano|title=The Time I Fell Down a Volcano|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|date=2015|publisher=Gavinsight.tumblr.com}}</ref> The card was inspired by the [[List of unreleased mechanics|unreleased Stygian mechanic]] that was designed for ''[[Theros Beyond Death]]''.<ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1215297440519032832|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=Fun fact: the Mystery Booster playtest card Problematic Volcano was inspired by the Stygian mechanic|date=January 9, 2020}}</ref> A similar effect would later appear on {{Card|Space Beleren}} in ''[[Unfinity]]'', in which creatures are separated into three "sectors." | |||
| [[Gavin Verhey]] | | [[Gavin Verhey]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Queue of Beetles</c> | | <c>Queue of Beetles</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| These creatures invert the order of the [[Stack]], to "first in, first out". It basically turns off counterspells | |{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | ||
| These creatures invert the order of the [[Stack]], to "first in, first out". It basically turns off counterspells and gives all spells [[split second]]. | |||
| Brendan Sell | | Brendan Sell | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | {{card|Red Herring||CMB1}} | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| Can be cast from the hand, replacing a spell on the [[Stack]] or creature, and changing the target of any effect to itself. A [[Wikipedia:Red herring|red herring]] is a false lead or a distraction. | |{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | ||
| Can be cast from the hand, replacing a spell on the [[Stack]] or creature, and changing the target of any effect to itself. A [[Wikipedia:Red herring|red herring]] is a false lead or a distraction. The name was reused in ''[[Murders at Karlov Manor]]''. | |||
| [[Chris Mooney]] | | [[Chris Mooney]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Seasoned Weaponsmith</c> | | <c>Seasoned Weaponsmith</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| First creature with [[Tasty]] (it can be attacked directly). The bird is tasty because it is well [[Wikipedia:Seasoning|seasoned]]. | |{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | ||
| First creature with [[Tasty]] (it can be attacked directly). The bird is tasty because it is well [[Wikipedia:Seasoning|seasoned]], as well as being "experienced". | |||
| [[Mark Gottlieb]] | | [[Mark Gottlieb]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Siege Elemental</c> | | <c>Siege Elemental</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| Inverts what creatures can or can't block during combat. | |{{card|Guttersnipe||M19}} | ||
| Inverts what creatures can or can't block during combat. Previously explored in <c>Masako the Humorless</c>. | |||
| Levi Parker | | Levi Parker | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Throat Wolf</c> | | <c>Throat Wolf</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| The famous [[Throat Wolf]] finally printed, even with [[firstest strike]]. | |{{card|Viashino Sandstalker||VIS}} | ||
| The famous [[Throat Wolf]] finally printed, even with [[firstest strike]].<ref name="Sneaky"/> Uses the original [[Summon]] [[type line]]. | |||
| [[Sam Stoddard]] | | [[Sam Stoddard]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Tibalt the Chaotic</c> | | <c>Tibalt the Chaotic</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| This version of [[Tibalt]] can cast one spell at random for a list of three for each [[Loyalty ability]]. The wording of the spells has to be looked up in [[Oracle]]. | |{{card|Tibalt, Rakish Instigator||WAR}} | ||
| This version of [[Tibalt]] can cast one spell at random for a list of three for each [[Loyalty ability]]. The wording of the spells has to be looked up in [[Oracle]]. Foreshadows [[spellbook]] in Arena Digital Magic. | |||
| Zach Francks | | Zach Francks | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Transcantation</c> | | <c>Transcantation</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| Can transform any [[Instant]] or [[Sorcery]] in the stack into a <C>Lightning Bolt</C>. Essentially a new form of red [[ | |{{card|Lightning Strike||M19}} | ||
| Can transform any [[Instant]] or [[Sorcery]] in the stack into a <C>Lightning Bolt</C>. Essentially a new form of red [[counter]]spell. | |||
| Ryan Printz | | Ryan Printz | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Trial and Error</c> | | <c>Trial and Error</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
|{{card|Lightning Strike||M19}} | |||
| A <C>Lightning bolt</C>-like spell that, if countered or fizzled, creates a copy of itself. First time that the [[fizzle]] concept is named on a card. | | A <C>Lightning bolt</C>-like spell that, if countered or fizzled, creates a copy of itself. First time that the [[fizzle]] concept is named on a card. | ||
| Chris Clay | | [[Chris Clay]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Whammy Burn</c> | | <c>Whammy Burn</c> | ||
| {{R}} | | {{R}} | ||
| First use of the [[whammy deck]]. | |{{card|Lightning Strike||M19}} | ||
| First use of the [[whammy deck]], inspired by the series Press Your Luck and the Whammy space on the wheel. | |||
| [[Melissa DeTora]] | | [[Melissa DeTora]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Bear with Set's Mechanic</c> | | <c>Bear with Set's Mechanic</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| A pun on the fact that each new set | |{{card|Gigantosaurus||M19}}? | ||
| Annie Sardelis | | A pun on the fact that each new set tends to feature a [[prototype creature/Bears|prototype bear]] with a new mechanic. In this case, it is [[Aggressive]] | ||
| [[Annie Sardelis]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Domesticated Mammoth</c> | | <c>Domesticated Mammoth</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| A [[fatty]] that arrives on the battlefield with an [[enchantment token]] of <c>Pacifism</c> on it. Only effective if that [[aura]] can be removed. Revives the [[Mammoth]] [[creature type]]. | |{{card|Gigantosaurus||M19}}? | ||
| A [[fatty]] that arrives on the battlefield with an [[enchantment token]] of <c>Pacifism</c> on it. Only effective if that [[aura]] can be removed. Revives the [[Mammoth]] [[creature type]]. May have inspired the [[Role]] mechanic, specifically the Cursed Role and <c>Cursed Courtier</c>. | |||
| Jade Granger | | Jade Granger | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Experiment Five</c> | | <c>Experiment Five</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| A further development of <c>Experiment One</c>. Reintroduces {{Z}} as a [[mana cost]] (previously seen on <c>The Ultimate Nightmare of Wizards of the Coast® Customer Service</c>). {{Z}} is now redefined as | |{{card|Gigantosaurus||M19}} | ||
| A further development of <c>Experiment One</c>. Reintroduces {{Z}} as a [[mana cost]] (previously seen on <c>The Ultimate Nightmare of Wizards of the Coast® Customer Service</c>). {{Z}} is now redefined as a cost that can be paid with one mana from any source that could produce two or more colors of mana. The pictured bearsnake was inspired by Verhey's childhood Halloween costume.<ref>{{TwitterRef|GavinVerhey|1210376818529841152|author=[[Gavin Verhey]]|title=When I was 5, Mom asked what I wanted to be for Halloween. I said: a Bearsnake.|date=December 27, 2019}}</ref> | |||
| [[Gavin Verhey]] | | [[Gavin Verhey]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Frenemy of the Guildpact</c> | | <c>Frenemy of the Guildpact</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
|The [[Wikipedia:Frenemy|Frenemy]] is the first creature with [[Protection]] from enemy-colored multicolored. It depicts the enemy colored planeswalkers [[Ral Zarek]] and [[Kaya]], and the former [[Living Guildpact]] [[Jace Beleren]]. | |{{card|Gigantosaurus||M19}} | ||
|The [[Wikipedia:Frenemy|Frenemy]] is the first creature with [[Protection]] from enemy-colored multicolored, a concept well-known outside the game but difficult to refer to with actual game rules text. It depicts the enemy-colored Ravnican planeswalkers [[Ral Zarek]] and [[Kaya]], and the former [[Living Guildpact]] [[Jace Beleren]]. | |||
| Jacob Nourigat | | Jacob Nourigat | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Generated Horizons</c> | | <c>Generated Horizons</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
|{{card|Blanchwood Armor||M19}} | |||
| First card to create [[land token]]s. It's similar to <c>Endless Horizons</c>, but with a distinct green flair of actually [[ramp]]ing. Land tokens have earlier been considered to be a failed experiment.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/171979730158/have-you-guys-ever-considered-basic-land-tokens|title=Have you guys ever considered basic land tokens?|March 17, 2018}}</ref> | | First card to create [[land token]]s. It's similar to <c>Endless Horizons</c>, but with a distinct green flair of actually [[ramp]]ing. Land tokens have earlier been considered to be a failed experiment.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/171979730158/have-you-guys-ever-considered-basic-land-tokens|title=Have you guys ever considered basic land tokens?|March 17, 2018}}</ref> | ||
| Daniel Holt | | Daniel Holt | ||
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| <c>Gorilla Tactics</c> | | <c>Gorilla Tactics</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| A play on [[Wikipedia:Guerrilla warfare|Guerrilla tactics]], and a callback to ''[[Alliances]]'', which during playtesting had every single card named with the word "Gorilla".<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/know-your-gorillas-2012-12-28|Know Your Gorillas|[[Monty Ashley]]|September 18, 2002}}</ref> Reintroduces the [[Gorilla]] type. | |{{card|Finale of Devastation||WAR}} | ||
| A play on [[Wikipedia:Guerrilla warfare|Guerrilla tactics]], <c>Guerrilla Tactics</c>, and a callback to ''[[Alliances]]'', which during playtesting had every single card named with the word "Gorilla".<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/know-your-gorillas-2012-12-28|Know Your Gorillas|[[Monty Ashley]]|September 18, 2002}}</ref> Reintroduces the [[Gorilla]] type. | |||
| [[Jiachen Tao]] | | [[Jiachen Tao]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Growth Charm</c> | | <c>Growth Charm</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| Combines three other cards from the ''Mystery Booster'' set into a [[charm]]: <c>Rampant Growth</c>, <c>Giant Growth</c> and <c>Regrowth</c>. The wording of the spells has to be looked up in [[Oracle]]. | |{{card|Naturalize||M19}} | ||
| Combines three other cards from the ''Mystery Booster'' set into a [[charm]]: <c>Rampant Growth</c>, <c>Giant Growth</c> and <c>Regrowth</c>. The wording of the spells has to be looked up in [[Oracle]]. The card foreshadowed the release of <c>Garth One-Eye</c> which also can copy Regrowth, and other card besides.<ref name="MH2 Card Preview">{{DailyRef|card-preview/garth-one-eye-2021-05-25|Garth One-Eye|[[Ethan Fleischer]]|May 25, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| Chris Bellach | | Chris Bellach | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Inspirational Antelope</c> | | <c>Inspirational Antelope</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
|The [[Legacy (keyword)|Legacy]] keyword, another nod to [[Wikipedia: | |{{card|Gigantosaurus||M19}}? | ||
|The [[Legacy (keyword)|Legacy]] keyword, another nod to [[Wikipedia:Legacy game|Legacy-style board games]], allows you to permanently change the rules connected to this card. | |||
| Mike Demaine | | Mike Demaine | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Interplanar Brushwagg</c> | | <c>Interplanar Brushwagg</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| Only the second ever [[Brushwagg]] ever printed. Introduces [[Interplanar]], as a keyword and as an [[Zone|extra battlefield]]. | |{{card|Gigantosaurus||M19}} | ||
| Only the second ever [[Brushwagg]] ever printed. Introduces [[Interplanar]], as a keyword and as an [[Zone|extra battlefield]], and the concept of a creature controllable only by proxy. | |||
| John Penick | | John Penick | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Krosan Adaptation</c> | | <c>Krosan Adaptation</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| The first [[Enchantment]] ([[Aura]]) to feature the [[Storm]] mechanic. Flavored in line with the ''[[Scourge]]'' set. | |{{card|Blanchwood Armor||M19}} | ||
| Zach | | The first [[Enchantment]] ([[Aura]]) and permanent to feature the [[Storm]] mechanic. Flavored in line with the ''[[Scourge]]'' set. Revisited with <c>Aeve, Progenitor Ooze</c>. | ||
| Zach Francks | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Maro's Gone Nuts</c> | | <c>Maro's Gone Nuts</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| References [[Mark Rosewater]] by [[Maro|name]], by his illustration which is a callback to his art of <c>Look at Me, I'm the DCI</c><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/188890337988/here-is-the-mystery-booster-card-i-illustrated|title=Here is the Mystery Booster card I illustrated (and one of several I designed)|November 07, 2019}}</ref> | |{{card|Doubling Season||BBD}}<ref name="Sneaky"/> | ||
| References [[Mark Rosewater]] by [[Maro|name]], by his illustration which is a callback to his art of <c>Look at Me, I'm the DCI</c>,<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/188890337988/here-is-the-mystery-booster-card-i-illustrated|title=Here is the Mystery Booster card I illustrated (and one of several I designed)|November 07, 2019}}</ref> his love for [[squirrel]]s and his preference for [[double|doubling]] mechanics. | |||
| [[Mark Rosewater]] | | [[Mark Rosewater]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Patient Turtle</c> | | <c>Patient Turtle</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| Favors players who don't play first in the [[game]]. | |{{card|Gigantosaurus||M19}} | ||
| Favors players who don't play first in the [[game]]. Revisited in [[Alchemy]] with {{Card|Forsaken Crossroads}}. | |||
| [[Katie Allison]] | | [[Katie Allison]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Plane-Merge Elf</c> | | <c>Plane-Merge Elf</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
|{{card|Gigantosaurus||M19}} | |||
|Introduces the [[Landship]] and [[Kinfall]] mechanics, mixups of [[Kinship]] and [[Landfall]]. | |Introduces the [[Landship]] and [[Kinfall]] mechanics, mixups of [[Kinship]] and [[Landfall]]. | ||
| Nataly Scheidt | | Nataly Scheidt | ||
Line 434: | Line 536: | ||
| <c>Soulmates</c> | | <c>Soulmates</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| An [[Aura]] that enchants two creatures and connects their fates. | |{{card|Blanchwood Armor||M19}} | ||
| An [[Aura]] that enchants two creatures and connects their fates. The art was updated in the August 2021 reprint, possibly due to copyright infringment ([[Wikipedia:Pusheen|Pusheen the Cat]]).<ref name="2021 reprint">{{DailyRef|news/mystery-booster-convention-edition-returns-store-events-2021-06-21|Mystery Booster Convention Edition Returns With In-Store Events|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 21, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| Victoria Cana | | Victoria Cana | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Vazal, the Compleat</c> | | <c>Vazal, the Compleat</c> | ||
| {{G}} | | {{G}} | ||
| The first [[megalegendary]] creature, making fun of the ill-named [[megamorph]] ability. Introduces the [[Phyrexian]] [[creature type]], which often has been requested on [[Blogatog]] | |{{card|Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma||M19}} | ||
| The first [[megalegendary]] creature, making fun of the ill-named [[megamorph]] ability. Introduces the [[Phyrexian]] [[creature type]], which often has been requested on [[Blogatog]]<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/169049821833/if-you-cant-tell-if-a-creature-is-phyrexian-then|title=Frankly it seems like a huge missed opportunity to leave no way to mechanically reference one of magics big villains.|NDecember 28, 2017}}</ref>, and was codified with Kaldheim and {{Card|Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider}}. His name indicates that Vazal has been [[Compleation|compleated]]. | |||
| Damian Tedrow | | Damian Tedrow | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>A Good Thing</c> | | <c>A Good Thing</c> | ||
| {{W}}{{B}} | | {{W}}{{B}} | ||
| Turns bad in about seven turns, because of [https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pt/dicionario/ingles/too-much-of-a-good-thing too much of a good thing]. | |{{card|Ethereal Absolution||RNA}} | ||
| Turns bad in about seven turns, because of [https://dictionary.cambridge.org/pt/dicionario/ingles/too-much-of-a-good-thing too much of a good thing]. The art notes this; two "dead" faces out of nine, each box suggesting one upkeep. | |||
|[[Yoni Skolnik]] | |[[Yoni Skolnik]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Abian, Luvion Usurper</c> | | <c>Abian, Luvion Usurper</c> | ||
| {{R}}{{G}} | | {{R}}{{G}} | ||
| [[Abian]] is another non-humanoid planeswalker. [[Luvion]] is a known plane. Mechanically this card messes with [[life total]] and [[loyalty]]. In a way similar to <c>Garruk the Slayer</c>, Abian | |{{card|Domri, Chaos Bringer||RNA}} | ||
| [[Abian]] is another non-humanoid planeswalker. [[Luvion]] is a known plane. Mechanically this card messes with [[life total]] and [[loyalty]]. In a way similar to <c>Garruk the Slayer</c>, Abian represents the player, spending their life total as loyalty. | |||
| James Kooi | | James Kooi | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | <c>Bind // Liberate</c> | ||
| {{G}}{{W}} | | {{G}}{{W}} | ||
| A [[split card]] that combines the existing cards {{card|Bind||INV}} and {{card|Liberate||INV}}. | |{{card|Assure // Assemble||GRN}} | ||
| A [[split card]] that combines the existing cards {{card|Bind||INV}} and {{card|Liberate||INV}}.<ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Talia Armato-Helle | | Talia Armato-Helle | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Bucket List</c> | | <c>Bucket List</c> | ||
| {{U}}{{R}} | | {{U}}{{R}} | ||
|This [[Wikipedia:Kick the bucket|Bucket list]] uses [[Counter (marker)|counters]] to tick the boxes, instead of a [[Legacy (keyword)|Legacy style]] pen. The card was designed by Jay Treat during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling">{{DailyRef|feature/unraveling-mystery-booster-2019-11-14|Unraveling the Mystery Booster|[[Gavin Verhey]]|November 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-jay-treat-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Jay Treat|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref> | |{{card|Firemind's Research||GRN}} | ||
|This [[Wikipedia:Kick the bucket|Bucket list]] uses [[Counter (marker)|counters]] to tick the boxes, instead of a [[Legacy (keyword)|Legacy style]] pen. The card was designed by Jay Treat during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling">{{DailyRef|feature/unraveling-mystery-booster-2019-11-14|Unraveling the Mystery Booster|[[Gavin Verhey]]|November 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-jay-treat-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Jay Treat|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Nathan Ian Greene | | Nathan Ian Greene | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Evil Boros Charm</c> | | <c>Evil Boros Charm</c> | ||
| {{W}}{{B}}{{R}} | | {{W}}{{B}}{{R}} | ||
| An alternate <c>Boros Charm</c>. [[Eli Shiffrin]] designed this, because in his opinion black is basically just red plus white.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/dt5cam/myb_growth_charm_scaled_destruction_youre_in/|title=Evil Boros Charm|author=[[Eli Shiffrin]]|date=November 8, 2019|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> | |{{card|Boros Charm||A25}} | ||
| An alternate <c>Boros Charm</c>. [[Eli Shiffrin]] designed this, because in his opinion black is basically just red plus white.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/dt5cam/myb_growth_charm_scaled_destruction_youre_in/|title=Evil Boros Charm|author=[[Eli Shiffrin]]|date=November 8, 2019|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> The first card to feature [[hybrid mana]] costs in two different color pairs, which would be revisited in ''[[Streets of New Capenna]]''. | |||
| [[Mark Purvis]] | | [[Mark Purvis]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Golgari Death Swarm</c> | | <c>Golgari Death Swarm</c> | ||
| {{B}}{{G}} | | {{B}}{{G}} | ||
|Abbreviated name and cost refer to [[GDS3]]. In that search, a question asked which [[multicolor]] combination a creature with the keywords and stats of <c>Serra Angel</c> would most likely be.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/make-choice-part-1-2018-02-12|Make a Choice, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 12, 2018}}</ref> | |{{card|Sphinx of New Prahv||RNA}} | ||
| Ovidio Cartagena | |Abbreviated name and cost refer to [[GDS3]]. In that search, a question asked which [[multicolor]] combination a creature with the keywords and stats of <c>Serra Angel</c> would most likely be.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/make-choice-part-1-2018-02-12|Make a Choice, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 12, 2018}}</ref> Given the premise that a multicolor card should not remove a color and still be in pie, the only choice over the ten pairs was {{B}}{{G}}, as seen, despite black being secondary in flying and green being secondary in vigilance. The playtest card is stickered over a white/blue multicolored card that also has flying and vigilance.<ref name="Sneaky"/> | ||
| [[Ovidio Cartagena]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Graveyard Dig</c> | | <c>Graveyard Dig</c> | ||
| {{B}}{{G}} | | {{B}}{{G}} | ||
| A card for [[Graveyard]] decks that | |{{card|Drain the Well||EVE}}? | ||
| A card for [[Graveyard]] decks that favor [[green]] and [[black]] creatures, but can be used with other colors at an increased cost. First concepted by Linus Ulyssus Hamilton during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-linus-ulysses-hamilton-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Linus Ulyssus Hamilton|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sneaky"/> An evolution of [[overload]] by deleting text rather than overwriting it. Later perfected as a mechanic in [[Cleave]]. | |||
| [[Sandra Everingham]] | | [[Sandra Everingham]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>How to Keep an Izzet Mage Busy</c> | | <c>How to Keep an Izzet Mage Busy</c> | ||
| {{U}}{{R}} | | {{U}}{{R}} | ||
| A challenge for [[combo]] players. | |{{card|Call the Skybreaker||EVE}} | ||
| A challenge for [[combo]] players. Between {{U}}{{R}} draft archetypes and the [[storm]] mechanic, {{U}}{{R}} has the highest odds of running a spell that does nothing but trigger effects when casting a sorcery. The artwork also poses the question of "can we make it [[Arcane]]?" presumably to theoretically synergize with the [[Mechanic#Parasitic|parasitic]] [[Splice#Splice onto Arcane|splice onto Arcane]] mechanic. | |||
| [[Scott Van Essen]] | | [[Scott Van Essen]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Kaya, Ghost Haunter</c> | | <c>Kaya, Ghost Haunter</c> | ||
| {{W}}{{B}} | | {{W}}{{B}} | ||
| Revives the | |{{card|Kaya, Bane of the Dead||WAR}} | ||
| Sydney Adams | | Revives the [[haunt]] mechanic by referencing haunted creatures. Second [[Kaya]] planeswalker that can recover [[Loyalty counter|Loyalty]] by [[Exile|exiling]] itself. | ||
| [[Sydney Adams]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Louvaq, the Aberrant</c> | | <c>Louvaq, the Aberrant</c> | ||
| {{G}}{{U}} | | {{G}}{{U}} | ||
| First creature with [[Protection]] from modified creatures. Defines [[modified]]. | |{{card|Roalesk, Apex Hybrid||WAR}} | ||
| First creature with [[Protection]] from modified creatures. Defines [[modified]], which would later be used in ''[[Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty]]''. | |||
| [[Cynthia Sheppard]] | | [[Cynthia Sheppard]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Personal Decoy</c> | | <c>Personal Decoy</c> | ||
| {{W}}{{U}} | | {{W}}{{U}} | ||
| An answer to the call for non-[[humanoid]] planeswalkers | |{{card|Dovin, Grand Arbiter||RNA}} | ||
| An answer to the call for non-[[humanoid]] planeswalkers often heard on [[Blogatog]]. [[Duck]] throws shade on the fate of [[Dack]] in the [[War of the Spark (event)|War of the Spark]]. First Planeswalker to be non- [[Legendary]] on purpose. Plays off the normal response to Planeswalkers by immediately attacking them by forcing the opponent to attack it. You can have as many of them on the table as you want.<ref name="Release Notes"/> | |||
| [[Alison Luhrs]] | | [[Alison Luhrs]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | {{card|Pick Your Poison||CMB1}} | ||
| {{G}}{{B}} | | {{G}}{{B}} | ||
| [[Modal spell]], first concepted by [[Jeremy Geist]] during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-jeremy-geist-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Jeremy Geist|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref> | |{{card|Maelstrom Pulse||UMA}} | ||
| A unique [[Modal spell]] that scales up "cheaper" effects by repeating them, first concepted by [[Jeremy Geist]] during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-jeremy-geist-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Jeremy Geist|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sneaky"/> The name was reused in ''[[Murders at Karlov Manor]]'', and may have had an influence on [[Spree]] | |||
| [[Corey Bowen]] | | [[Corey Bowen]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Seek Bolas's Counsel</c> | | <c>Seek Bolas's Counsel</c> | ||
| {{U}}{{B}}{{R}} | | {{U}}{{B}}{{R}} | ||
| A [[Planechase (format)|Planechase]] inspired card, making use of the [[planeswalk]] keyword action and the [[plane card]] <c>Pools of Becoming</c>. | |{{card|Cruel Ultimatum||MM3}}<ref name="Sneaky"/> | ||
| A [[Planechase (format)|Planechase]] inspired card, making use of the [[planeswalk]] keyword action and the [[plane card]] <c>Pools of Becoming</c>. Also references <c>Nicol Bolas</c>, <c>Wit's End</c>, <c>Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh</c>, <c>Hour of Devastation</c>, and <c>Mastermind's Acquisition</c>; all Bolas-related cards. | |||
| Matt Warren | | Matt Warren | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Sliv-Mizzet, Hivemind</c> | | <c>Sliv-Mizzet, Hivemind</c> | ||
| {{U}}{{R}} | | {{U}}{{R}} | ||
| Rotate the first symbols of the [[flavor text]] 180 degrees, then rotate the last ones 90 degrees: ^17S becomes SLIv, Z-> becomes NIv. Sliv = Niv. | |{{card|Niv-Mizzet, Parun||GRN}} | ||
| Grants Slivers the text box of <c>Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind</c>. Rotate the first symbols of the [[flavor text]] 180 degrees, then rotate the last ones 90 degrees: ^17S becomes SLIv, Z-> becomes NIv. Sliv = Niv. | |||
| Jeff Stewart | | Jeff Stewart | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | <c>Smelt // Herd // Saw</c> | ||
| {{R}}{{B}}{{G}} | | {{R}}{{B}}{{G}} | ||
| A three [[split card]]. <c>Smelt</c> was first printed as a standalone card in ''[[Magic 2013]]''. <c>Saw</c> creates 1/2 [[Half]] creature tokens. | |{{card|Collision // Colossus||RNA}} | ||
| [[Alli Medwin|Allison Medwin]] | | A three [[split card]]. <c>Smelt</c> was first printed as a standalone card in ''[[Magic 2013]]''. <c>Saw</c> creates 1/2 [[Half]] creature tokens. A similar effect to Saw would appear in ''[[Unfinity]]'' on {{Card|Saw in Half}}, which creates two half-sized copies of the destroyed creature. | ||
| [[Alli Medwin|Allison Medwin]] | |||
|- | |- | ||
| | | <c>Start // Fire</c> | ||
| {{W}}{{R}} | | {{W}}{{R}} | ||
| A [[split card]] that recombines Start from {{card|Start // Finish|Amonkhet|AKH}} with Fire from {{card|Fire // Ice|Apocalypse|APC}}. | |{{card|Order // Chaos||C16}} | ||
| A [[split card]] that recombines Start from {{card|Start // Finish|Amonkhet|AKH}} with Fire from {{card|Fire // Ice|Apocalypse|APC}}.<ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Nelson Brown | | Nelson Brown | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Slivdrazi Monstrosity</c> | | <c>Slivdrazi Monstrosity</c> | ||
| {{C}}{{W}}{{U}}{{B}}{{R}}{{G}} | | {{C}}{{W}}{{U}}{{B}}{{R}}{{G}} | ||
| When [[Sliver]]s meet [[Eldrazi]]. Uses [[Annihilator]]. | |{{card|Mindmelter||OGW}} | ||
| Justin Cornell | | When [[Sliver]]s meet [[Eldrazi]]. Uses [[Annihilator]] - combines <c>Sliver Queen</c> and <c>Spawnsire of Ulamog</c>. | ||
| Justin Cornell | |||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Wrath of Sod</c> | | <c>Wrath of Sod</c> | ||
| {{G}}{{W}} | | {{G}}{{W}} | ||
| A play on <c>Wrath of God</c>. Introduces [[manabond counter]]s, which turn any card into a [[land]] which can be [[tap]]ped for [[mana]]. | |{{card|Camaraderie||GRN}} | ||
| A play on <c>Wrath of God</c>. Introduces [[manabond counter]]s, which turn any card into a [[land]] which can be [[tap]]ped for [[mana]]. The combination resembles <c>Settle the Wreckage</c>. | |||
| Chad Kanotz | | Chad Kanotz | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Zyym, Mesmeric Lord</c> | | <c>Zyym, Mesmeric Lord</c> | ||
| {{U}}{{B}} | | {{U}}{{B}} | ||
| First concepted by Alex Werner during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-alex-werner-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Alex Werner|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref> | |{{card|Lazav, the Multifarious||GRN}} | ||
| First concepted by Alex Werner during [[the Great Designer Search 3]].<ref name="Unraveling"/><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/great-designer-search-3-finalist-alex-werner-2018-03-09|Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Alex Werner|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sneaky"/> | |||
| Nick Bartoletti | | Nick Bartoletti | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Chronobot</c> | | <c>Chronobot</c> | ||
| {{type|artifact}} | | {{type|artifact}} | ||
|{{card|Skyscanner||M19}} | |||
| A thief of [[time]]. Switches [[upkeep step]]s. | | A thief of [[time]]. Switches [[upkeep step]]s. | ||
| Stephanie Mitchell | | Stephanie Mitchell | ||
Line 544: | Line 668: | ||
| <c>Lantern of Undersight</c> | | <c>Lantern of Undersight</c> | ||
| {{type|artifact}} | | {{type|artifact}} | ||
| A play on <c>Lantern of Insight</c>. | |{{card|Millstone||M19}} | ||
| A play on <c>Lantern of Insight</c>. The easiest way to do this would be to flip the deck upside down, but that reveals each card you play - like the original lantern. Without it, doing so would be revealing hidden information. | |||
| [[Trick Jarrett]] | | [[Trick Jarrett]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Mirrored Lotus</c> | | <c>Mirrored Lotus</c> | ||
| {{type|artifact}} | | {{type|artifact}} | ||
|{{card|Millstone||M19}} | |||
| Introduces [[Reflect]]. A <c>Black Lotus</c> for everyone! | | Introduces [[Reflect]]. A <c>Black Lotus</c> for everyone! | ||
| Meris Mullaley | | [[Meris Mullaley]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Pithing Spyglass</c> | | <c>Pithing Spyglass</c> | ||
| {{type|artifact}} | | {{type|artifact}} | ||
| Similar to <c>Pithing Needle</c>, but chooses a [[keyword ability ]] or [[ability word]] instead of a [[card name]]. | |{{card|Millstone||M19}} | ||
| Similar to <c>Pithing Needle</c> and <c>Sorcerous Spyglass</c>, but chooses a [[keyword ability]] or [[ability word]] instead of a [[card name]]. | |||
| [[Melissa DeTora]] | | [[Melissa DeTora]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Puresteel Angel</c> | | <c>Puresteel Angel</c> | ||
| {{type|artifact}} | | {{type|artifact}} | ||
| A beefed up version of <c>Platinum Angel</c>. Puresteel is the ''[[Mirrodin Pure]]'' version of [[Darksteel]]. The | |{{card|Skyscanner||M19}} | ||
| A beefed up version of <c>Platinum Angel</c>. Puresteel is the ''[[Mirrodin Pure]]'' version of [[Darksteel]]. The third ability is removing [[colored artifact]]s from play, associated with [[New Phyrexia]]. Second card after <c>Leeches</c> able to remove [[Poison counter]]s. Refers to how <c>Lich's Mirror</c> and <c>Exquisite Archangel</c> may not save a player from losing to secondary loss conditions. | |||
| Lukas Litzsinger | | Lukas Litzsinger | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Unicycle</c> | | <c>Unicycle</c> | ||
| {{type|artifact}} | | {{type|artifact}} | ||
| Making fun of the Great | |{{card|Smuggler's Copter||KLD}} | ||
| Making fun of the Great Unicycle Debate on [[Blogatog]]. Is a unicycle an [[equipment]] or a [[vehicle]]?<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/174168317003/i-think-there-is-a-certain-subjective-line-for|title=I think there is a certain subjective line for vehicle.|May 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/175392621413/per-the-unicycle-debate-would-it-be-possible-in|title=Per the unicycle debate. Would it be possible in black border to have an artifact that is both Equipment and Vehicle?|June 29, 2018}}</ref> Answer: it is both. | |||
| [[Ari Nieh]] | | [[Ari Nieh]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Weaponized Scrap</c> | | <c>Weaponized Scrap</c> | ||
| {{type|artifact}} | | {{type|artifact}} | ||
| Introduces the [[Upgrade]] mechanic. | |{{card|Skyscanner||M19}} | ||
| Introduces the [[Upgrade]] mechanic. Has some elements of [[Mutate]]. | |||
| Tyler Wright | | Tyler Wright | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Aggressive Crag</c> | | <c>Aggressive Crag</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| A new [[dual land]] that taps before each [[combat phase]], spoofing certain | |{{card|Stone Quarry||M19}} | ||
| A new [[dual land]] that taps before each [[combat phase]], spoofing certain online players who play everything pre-combat so that they can click "attack all" and pass the turn. | |||
| Demitrios Feredinos | | Demitrios Feredinos | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Barry's Land</c> | | <c>Barry's Land</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| [[Barry's Land]] finally printed.<ref name="Unraveling"/> | |{{card|Reliquary Tower||M19}}? | ||
| [[Barry's Land]] finally printed.<ref name="Unraveling"/> The fact that Cloud is a new basic land type is only obliquely referred to on the art (where is says [[Domain]]+1). | |||
| [[Matt Tabak]] | | [[Matt Tabak]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Domesticated Watercourse</c> | | <c>Domesticated Watercourse</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| A [[Dimir]] [[dual land]]. First land with [[Equip]] | |{{card|Submerged Boneyard||M19}} | ||
| A [[Dimir]] [[dual land]]. First land with [[Equip]]. | |||
| Joe Torra | | Joe Torra | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Enchanted Prairie</c> | | <c>Enchanted Prairie</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| First [[enchantment land]], an often requested feature for a [[Theros (plane)|Theros]] set, but considered to be too dangerous by [[R&D]] because their experience with [[artifact land]]s | |{{card|Meandering River||M19}} | ||
| First [[enchantment land]], an often requested feature for a [[Theros (plane)|Theros]] set, but considered to be too dangerous by [[R&D]] because their experience with [[artifact land]]s. Urza's Saga was later printed as the first real enchantment land. | |||
| James Arnold | | James Arnold | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Gold Mine</c> | | <c>Gold Mine</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| Another card with [[Legacy (keyword)|Legacy]]. A finite source of colored mana. It can only be used 5 times for that purpose. | |{{card|Reliquary Tower||M19}} | ||
| Another card with [[Legacy (keyword)|Legacy]]. A finite source of colored mana. It can only be used 5 times for that purpose. ''[[Double Masters 2022]]'' would later include <c>Cryptic Spires</c>, which you also marked to indicate what mana you could tap for. | |||
| [[Max McCall]] | | [[Max McCall]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Jasconian Isle</c> | | <c>Jasconian Isle</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| A [[Land creature]] that, like many giant blue creatures, do not untap unless you pay Mana. A jab at <c>Island Fish Jasconius</c> from ''[[Arabian Nights]]'' which was also printed | |{{card|Island||M19|#=268}} | ||
| A [[Land creature]] that, like many giant blue creatures, do not untap unless you pay Mana. A jab at <c>Island Fish Jasconius</c> from ''[[Arabian Nights]]'' which was also printed with Summon [[Island]] [[Fish]], suggesting a creature could be typed Island. | |||
| Aaron Reed | | Aaron Reed | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Noxious Bayou</c> | | <c>Noxious Bayou</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
|{{card|Foul Orchard||M19}} | |||
| A [[Poison]] land, as first designed for ''[[Unglued 2: The Obligatory Sequel]]''. Also considered for ''[[Future Sight]]''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/189250891278/a-few-of-the-playtest-cards-work-within-the-rules|title=In theory, if Wizards decided to print these cards in an actual set, could they be printed exactly as-is text-wise?|November 23, 2019}}</ref> | | A [[Poison]] land, as first designed for ''[[Unglued 2: The Obligatory Sequel]]''. Also considered for ''[[Future Sight]]''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/189250891278/a-few-of-the-playtest-cards-work-within-the-rules|title=In theory, if Wizards decided to print these cards in an actual set, could they be printed exactly as-is text-wise?|November 23, 2019}}</ref> | ||
| [[James Rose]] | | [[James Rose]] | ||
Line 609: | Line 746: | ||
| <c>Rift</c> | | <c>Rift</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| Allows you to just start with this land in your [[opening hand]] | |{{card|Reliquary Tower||M19}}? | ||
| Allows you to just start with this land in your [[opening hand]] before [[Mulligan]]s, at the cost of drawing a smaller hand. A novel way to limit mana screw, guaranteeing a (very bad) land in hand every game. | |||
| Zach Francks | | Zach Francks | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Taiga Stadium</c> | | <c>Taiga Stadium</c> | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| A [[Gruul Clans|Gruul]] [[Check land]] that checks for permanents from the three other colors. | |{{card|Timber Gorge||M19}} | ||
| A [[Gruul Clans|Gruul]] [[Check land]] that checks for permanents from the three other colors. Encourages multicolor play. | |||
| Tara Rueping | | Tara Rueping | ||
|- | |- | ||
| {{card|Waste Land|| | | {{card|Waste Land||CMB1}} | ||
| {{type|land}} | | {{type|land}} | ||
| Can transform any [[nonbasic land]] into [[Wastes]] [[token]]s. | |{{card|Reliquary Tower||M19}} | ||
| Can transform any [[nonbasic land]] into [[Wastes]] [[token]]s. Riffs off <c>Ghost Quarter</c>. | |||
| Patrick Kuhlman | | Patrick Kuhlman | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <c>Ral's Vanguard </c> | | <c>Ral's Vanguard </c> | ||
| | | | ||
| A new [[Vanguard (card type)|Vanguard]] card with the [[requirement (Vanguard)|requirement]] that a deck only contains [[Instant]]s, [[Sorcery|Sorceries]] and [[Land]]s. | |{{card|Reliquary Tower||M19}} | ||
| A new [[Vanguard (card type)|Vanguard]] card with the [[requirement (Vanguard)|requirement]] that a deck only contains [[Instant]]s, [[Sorcery|Sorceries]] and [[Land]]s. Has shades of [[Companion]], introduced later in [[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]]. | |||
| [[David McDarby]] | | [[David McDarby]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Reused names== | |||
Test card names may be reused.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/739905333823258624|title=So I take it that the Mystery Booster 'test' card names are not considered 'taken' or... was that a red herring?|January 18, 2024}}</ref> | |||
*{{card|Red Herring||MKM}} was reused in ''[[Murders at Karlov Manor]]''. | |||
*{{card|Pick Your Poison||MKM}} was reused in ''[[Murders at Karlov Manor]]''. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Test cards]][[Category: | [[Category:Test cards]][[Category:Magic set trivia]] |
Latest revision as of 21:02, 16 March 2024
The Convention Edition packs of the Mystery Booster contain a pretend "playtest card". They are referred to as test cards on the cards themselves.
Description
The test cards feature black and white card faces that look like they have been stickered on cards with a regular card frame of the appropriate color. The card names are pretended funny placeholders, and the cards lack Collector numbers and artist credits (the "temporary" illustrations are created by various R&D members[1] ). Test cards are not meant for Constructed play, but may be used in Chaos Draft. There is a total of 121 test cards (one print sheet[2]).
Test cards are not considered to be “real” cards, not even considered silver-bordered. They were more meant as entertainment than as game pieces.[3][4] The test cards haven't undergone rules scrutiny, and Play Design hasn't tested them rigorously for balance.[5]
Rulings
- Playtest cards aren't legal for play in any tournament format other than Mystery Booster Limited formats.
- Playtest cards use a modified version of game symbols, such as {T} and {W}. These modified symbols should be treated as the standard symbols during play.
- Playtest cards often use "CARDNAME" in place of the card's name. This follows the same rules as an object referring to itself by name.
- For many playtest cards, you'll need to make a generous assumption that basic game rules will be updated to allow them to work.
Themes and mechanics
The test cards explore various themes and mechanics. This is similar to how Future Sight tested out new mechanics that later appeared in regular sets. Some were nods to things already coming to print (Enchantmentize reprinted three months later as One with the Stars), while some are more nebulous in their influence (Graveyard Dig seems to have inspired Cleave, two years later).
Examples of new or revisited themes are turn matters, games matter, hand size matters, quadrupling, card tokens (land tokens, enchantment tokens, sorcery tokens), the plot booster and the Whammy deck.
New mechanics are: Aggressive, Bank, Challenge, Enchantment land, Firstest strike, Four-faced, Interplanar, Keyword counters, Kinfall, Landship, Legacy, manabond counters, Megalegendary, Motivate, Ransom, Reflect, Requirement, Reverse miracle, Scrycast, Spark, Spellmorph, Tasty, Token cards, Underdog and Upgrade.
Returning
Returning mechanics (some with new twists) are Annihilator, Arcane, Buyback, cards from outside of the game, Flagbearer, Haunt, Land creatures, Planeswalk, Poison, Storm, Banding and Vanguard.
Named
Mill and Fizzle are used as terms on cards for the first time.
Card types
Cloud is a new Basic land type. Abian and Duck are new planeswalker types. Locus is used as a creature type, instead of as a land type. Alien, Aven, Beholder, Half and Phyrexian are new creature types. Lobster is used for the first time as a creature type on a printed card. Dog, Gorilla and Mammoth are reintroduced. Key is a new artifact type. Elemental is a new type (not to be confused with the Elemental creature subtype).
Two cards feature an Instant Creature, one of which also can turn other creatures into Instant Creatures as well.
Card list
Card name | Color | Stickered on | Notes | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|
Banding Sliver | Ajani's Pridemate[6] | Makes fun of the complicated rules for Banding, by filling the card's text box with reminder text. | Alicia Mickes | |
Baneslayer Aspirant | Ajani's Pridemate | First non-planeswalker to interact with emblems. Abilities refer to Baneslayer Angel | Taylor Ingvarsson | |
Enroll in the Coalition | Hieromancer's Cage? | Designates a player as a Flagbearer. Flavored after the Invasion block's Coalition. | Chris Mooney | |
Five Kids in a Trenchcoat | Ajani's Pridemate | A pop-culture cliche in which some children attempt to fool others into believing they're one adult. The first card to use the Citizen creature type, and the first card to count as multiple copies of itself. | Emily Teng | |
Frontier Explorer | Ajani's Pridemate | A Wish for Plains. A design alternative for a basic land token. | Mary Josberger | |
Imaginary Friends | Aegis of the Heavens? | Only playable in very specific combo decks, like Aristocrats or wide decks that have anthems. Hence the return of Arcane. | Daniel Holt | |
Metagamer | Ajani's Pridemate | Highlighting a Spike player type subset, that chooses their cards to counter decks that are popular in the metagame. | Fransico O. Martin | |
Priority Avenger | Ajani's Pridemate | Protects the active player's priority on their turn by limiting instants. | Chris Haukap | |
Ruff, Underdog Champ | Lena, Selfless Champion | References R&D's Dog versus Hound debate, foreshadowing the creature type update in Core Set 2021.[7] Introduces the Underdog mechanic, which effects overstep the boundary between games in a match. | Seth Conley | |
Sarah's Wings | Revitalize | A play On Serra's Wings. Grants Flying to a player, like Form of the Dragon's Moat clause. | Sarah Keortge | |
Scaled Destruction | Cleansing Nova | Defines small, medium and large creatures. | Daniel Ketchum | |
Stack of Paperwork | Hieromancer's Cage | Revives the pre-Magic 2010 rule that combat damage uses the stack. | Hanspeter Ziegler | |
Wizened Arbiter | Ajani's Pridemate | Wishes for white cards. First concepted by Scott Wilson during the Great Designer Search 3.[8][9][7] First card to remove a card entirely from the game. | Kelly Hamilton | |
You're in Command | Cleansing Nova | Enables a player to change any of their creatures into their Commander (even if it is non-Legendary). First card to reference Commander tax. | Cody Culp | |
Animate Spell | Psychic Corrosion | An animating Aura that specifically targets sorceries and Instant spells on the stack. Effectively a counterspell that grants the countered spell's controller a creature. Not written on the card is the Animate Dead clause where the enchanted ability changes post-resolution. | Allison Medwin | |
Biting Remark | Supreme Phantom | First card with Scrycast, meaning it can be cast through a special cost (in this case, for free) if you Scry it. A ‘biting remark' is usually intended to hurt the person at whom the words are directed. | Josh Thomas | |
Command the Chaff | Totally Lost | A steal effect that reaches into the opponent's sideboard. Sideboard cards are mostly chaff. | George Fan | |
Control Win Condition | Supreme Phantom | A whale that grows bigger according to the number of turns its controller has played - as befitting a control win condition. The turn-counting mechanic would later be seen in official designed-for-digital cards, like Sarkhan's Scorn. | Sean Mayovsky | |
Do-over | Totally Lost | Restarts a turn, especially useful on an opponents turn - the reminder text concedes that hidden zones are to be "reconstruct[ed] as best you can". | Madison Mosley | |
Enchantmentize | Psychic Corrosion | An Aura that can turn a creature into an enchantment, but allowing it to keep all its abilities. Essentially a reversal of the Theros Gods. Later printed in black-border as One With The Stars.[7] | Rebecca On | |
Form of the Mulldrifter | Mulldrifter[7] | A Kindred Enchantment that pokes fun on the other "Form of" cards, like Form of the Dragon, that can change all summoned creatures into a Mulldrifter. Notice that it doesn't describe the characteristics of Mulldrifter. | George Fan | |
Innocuous Insect | Supreme Phantom | First creature with Buyback - normally useless, but has a cast trigger associated with Eldrazi. It is an annoying Eldrazi Insect. | Jehan Choo | |
Khod, Etlan Shiis Envoy | Sai, Master Thopterist | A Lord for several underwater creature types including Homarids, Camarids (none exist), Cephalids and Nautilids and Merfolk, that can also change all lands into Islands. Notice that in the current timeline, there is no room for Homarids in Etlan Shiis. | Dave Humpherys | |
Learned Learner | Supreme Phantom | A creature that can tap to draw a card, as long as the player has a maximum hand size different than 7. | Nick Southam | |
Loopy Lobster | Supreme Phantom | First four-faced card (a Level up variant. First card to feature the Lobster creature type (the Unglued Rock Lobster only featured the type in Oracle). | The Turians | |
Memory Bank | Divination | Introduction of the Bank mechanic. This is a draw Spell that gets exiled after been cast, but can be cast from exile during different games in the same match. | Pete White | |
Recycla-bird | Supreme Phantom | Introduction of flying counters that later were implemented in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths.[7] A permanent with a keyword counter on it gains that keyword. | Kevin Yee | |
Squidnapper | Supreme Phantom | Together with Frogkin Kidnapper, introduces the Ransom mechanic. An opponent's creature is taken under control by the kidnapper until a ransom cost has been paid. | Jeff Carpenter | |
The Grand Tour | Totally Lost | This card makes fun of mechanics like transform and flicker, where creatures are exiled and then immediately return to the battlefield. Pictured is Fblthp getting lost on Amonkhet, on Innistrad (the Helvault), Tarkir (Tomb of the Spirit Dragon), Rabiah (City of Brass) and on Dominaria (Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth). | Ethan Fleischer | |
Time Sidewalk | Divination | A Time Walk spell that, if it is in your opening hand, creates four Time Walk tokens and shuffles them into your deck. The cost of the card is four times that of the original card. The use of sorcery tokens bypasses the Reserved List restrictions. | Steve Sunu | |
Truth or Dare | Divination | A modal spell with Anchor words that keywords the Mill mechanic. Foreshadowing the implementation in Core Set 2021. | Mollie Harms | |
Visitor from Planet Q | Supreme Phantom | First creature with the Alien type and first Instant Creature, also turning all creatures with Flash into Instants, a hypothetical rules change that is considered too disruptive. Loots anytime a card with multiple card types are played. | The Meadens | |
Blood Poet | Walking Corpse? | First creature with the Spark mechanic. | Marsha Rivera | |
Bone Rattler | Reassembling Skeleton | A token creating creature that places the tokens in the graveyard instead of on the battlefield. First time a creature token can actually go to the graveyard. The tokens are Reassembling Skeletons. Later revisited as Boneyard Aberration with the Conjure keyword.[7] | Ira Humphrey | |
Buried Ogre | Walking Corpse | Poking fun at Reanimator decks, this card may start the game in the graveyard - as though it was Buried Alive. | Dave Geyer | |
Celestine Cave Witch | Walking Corpse | Sacrifices insects to create curse enchantment tokens, and turns the type "curse" into a keyword ability. May be a predecessor to Roles, as predefined aura tokens | Bonnie Gabriel | |
Chimney Goyf | Banehound | A Goyf that can make a target opponent topdeck a card from his hand. A fusion of Tarmogoyf (one of the best creatures) and Chimney Imp (cited as one of the worst) with Tarmogoyf's power/toughness and the Imp's mana cost and abilities with both creature types. | Glenn Jones | |
Corrupted Key | Wishclaw Talisman | An artifact with an ability that is active when tapped, but no way of tapping itself. Introduces the Key-subtype. | Tom Wänerstrand | |
Cyclopean Titan | Cyclopean Giant | A creature that turns other lands into Swamps, and that can return to its owner's hand. Twice as big as Cyclopean Giant from Time Spiral (which in itself was twice as big as Cyclopean Mummy), and also references Cyclopean Snare.[10][7] | Matt Smith | |
Everlasting Lich | Walking Corpse? | A 4/0 creature that is indestructible, can't be sacrificed and doesn't go to the graveyard for having zero toughness. The quintessential Lich. | Aaron Forsythe | |
Frogkin Kidnapper | Walking Corpse | Together with Squidnapper, introduces the Ransom mechanic. A card from the opponent's hand is exiled until the Ransom cost is paid. | Mark Heggen | |
Gunk Slug | Walking Corpse | A creature that, when entering the battlefield, creates three useless Gunk sorcery tokens with expensive Cycling costs and shuffles them into the opponent's deck, clogging it. The gunk mechanic was originally designed by Richard Garfield.[11] | Casey Gustafson | |
Largepox | Mind Rot | A play on both Pox and Smallpox, that does one of every negative effect existent in the game. | Maxx Marshall | |
One with Death | One with Nothing[7] | Poking fun at One with Nothing, this card causes the player to immediately lose the game. A challenge for all Johnnies out there. | Robert Schuster | |
Spellmorph Raise Dead | Murder | First card with spellmorph, a variation of Morph that appears on Instants and sorceries instead of creatures. A strictly better Raise Dead. | Nelson Brown | |
Sunimret | Entreat the Dead | An exact mirror of Terminus (including the name), first card with Reverse miracle, that can be cast for an special cost if it is in the bottom of the library when you begin searching.[7] | Kelly McBride | |
Swarm of Locus | Walking Corpse | A play on Locust Swarm and Cloudpost, this creature gains a bonus for each Locus you control. | Emily Maltby | |
Underdark Beholder | Walking Corpse | A D&D crossover that was blocked by Hasbro before,[12] this creature has eyestalk counters that are removed instead of being dealt damage, and can cast a spell for free whenever it attacks. Beholders themselves appear later in Magic with Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms. | Chris Tulach | |
Witty Demon | Walking Corpse | A creature that gives you a bonus if your deck has 13 cards above the minimum required by the format, and punishes you otherwise, essentially punishing deck optimization. | Brittany Austin | |
Xyru Specter | Perish | Introduces the bluffing mechanic of Challenge. The card uses the "Summon Creature"-template, which is a specter of the past. The tombstone is dedicated to "Fluffy the very hypnotic specter". The card was designed by Richard Garfield for Dominaria.[8][7] | Jeff Steward | |
Yawgmoth's Testament | Mind Rot | A play on Yawgmoth's Will, that allows you to play cards from exile, but places all cards that would go to the Graveyard or into exile on the bottom of your deck. The testament is written the Phyrexian language and features roughly the same text as the text box.[13] The Phyrexian text was updated in the August 2021 reprint, but not changed in content.[14][15] | Eli Shiffrin | |
Bombardment | Act of Treason | Turns every card off the battlefield into a Red Sorcery named Missile that are essentially Firebolts without flashback. First concepted by Ryan Siegel-Stechler during the Great Designer Search 3.[8][16][7] | James Arnold | |
Geometric Weird | Guttersnipe | A Weird whose power and toughness can become equal to the amount of effects on the stack. | Matthew Gregory | |
High Troller | Guttersnipe | A Troll in both meanings of the word, that makes spells and abilities cheaper, but random. | Graeme Hopkins | |
Impatient Iguana | Guttersnipe | A creature with Haste that is in such a hurry that, if it is on your starting hand, you may become the starting player. | Brandi Reece | |
Lazier Goblin | Guttersnipe | Introduces the Motivate keyword ability. A throwback to "Lazy Goblin" (2/1 and can't block) that was considered too good for Standard back in 2003.[17][7] | Mark Price | |
Lightning Colt | Guttersnipe | A colt (i.e. a young horse) that deals Lightning Bolt damage to any target when entering the battlefield. Second Instant Creature. | Christine Lee Risinger | |
Mana Abundance | Sarkhan's Unsealing | A version of Mana Flare that gives mana to everyone on the table whenever any player adds mana to their pool. The first World Enchantment since the release of Visions. | Ken Nagle | |
Planequake | Jaya's Greeting | An X Damage card that introduces the concept of plot boosters. Plot Boosters are very common with Legacy-style board games. Though the plot booster "Uncovered Cavern" is mentioned on the card, that product is non-existent. | Chris Kiritz | |
Problematic Volcano | Sarkhan's Unsealing | Forces every player to separate their creatures in two different groups, and the creatures can only face creatures in the same group. This is a throw back to Raging River. Gavin Verhey illustrated his infamous fall down a real volcano.[18][19] The card was inspired by the unreleased Stygian mechanic that was designed for Theros Beyond Death.[20] A similar effect would later appear on Space Beleren in Unfinity, in which creatures are separated into three "sectors." | Gavin Verhey | |
Queue of Beetles | Guttersnipe | These creatures invert the order of the Stack, to "first in, first out". It basically turns off counterspells and gives all spells split second. | Brendan Sell | |
Red Herring | Guttersnipe | Can be cast from the hand, replacing a spell on the Stack or creature, and changing the target of any effect to itself. A red herring is a false lead or a distraction. The name was reused in Murders at Karlov Manor. | Chris Mooney | |
Seasoned Weaponsmith | Guttersnipe | First creature with Tasty (it can be attacked directly). The bird is tasty because it is well seasoned, as well as being "experienced". | Mark Gottlieb | |
Siege Elemental | Guttersnipe | Inverts what creatures can or can't block during combat. Previously explored in Masako the Humorless. | Levi Parker | |
Throat Wolf | Viashino Sandstalker | The famous Throat Wolf finally printed, even with firstest strike.[7] Uses the original Summon type line. | Sam Stoddard | |
Tibalt the Chaotic | Tibalt, Rakish Instigator | This version of Tibalt can cast one spell at random for a list of three for each Loyalty ability. The wording of the spells has to be looked up in Oracle. Foreshadows spellbook in Arena Digital Magic. | Zach Francks | |
Transcantation | Lightning Strike | Can transform any Instant or Sorcery in the stack into a Lightning Bolt. Essentially a new form of red counterspell. | Ryan Printz | |
Trial and Error | Lightning Strike | A Lightning bolt-like spell that, if countered or fizzled, creates a copy of itself. First time that the fizzle concept is named on a card. | Chris Clay | |
Whammy Burn | Lightning Strike | First use of the whammy deck, inspired by the series Press Your Luck and the Whammy space on the wheel. | Melissa DeTora | |
Bear with Set's Mechanic | Gigantosaurus? | A pun on the fact that each new set tends to feature a prototype bear with a new mechanic. In this case, it is Aggressive | Annie Sardelis | |
Domesticated Mammoth | Gigantosaurus? | A fatty that arrives on the battlefield with an enchantment token of Pacifism on it. Only effective if that aura can be removed. Revives the Mammoth creature type. May have inspired the Role mechanic, specifically the Cursed Role and Cursed Courtier. | Jade Granger | |
Experiment Five | Gigantosaurus | A further development of Experiment One. Reintroduces as a mana cost (previously seen on The Ultimate Nightmare of Wizards of the Coast® Customer Service). is now redefined as a cost that can be paid with one mana from any source that could produce two or more colors of mana. The pictured bearsnake was inspired by Verhey's childhood Halloween costume.[21] | Gavin Verhey | |
Frenemy of the Guildpact | Gigantosaurus | The Frenemy is the first creature with Protection from enemy-colored multicolored, a concept well-known outside the game but difficult to refer to with actual game rules text. It depicts the enemy-colored Ravnican planeswalkers Ral Zarek and Kaya, and the former Living Guildpact Jace Beleren. | Jacob Nourigat | |
Generated Horizons | Blanchwood Armor | First card to create land tokens. It's similar to Endless Horizons, but with a distinct green flair of actually ramping. Land tokens have earlier been considered to be a failed experiment.[22] | Daniel Holt | |
Gorilla Tactics | Finale of Devastation | A play on Guerrilla tactics, Guerrilla Tactics, and a callback to Alliances, which during playtesting had every single card named with the word "Gorilla".[23] Reintroduces the Gorilla type. | Jiachen Tao | |
Growth Charm | Naturalize | Combines three other cards from the Mystery Booster set into a charm: Rampant Growth, Giant Growth and Regrowth. The wording of the spells has to be looked up in Oracle. The card foreshadowed the release of Garth One-Eye which also can copy Regrowth, and other card besides.[24] | Chris Bellach | |
Inspirational Antelope | Gigantosaurus? | The Legacy keyword, another nod to Legacy-style board games, allows you to permanently change the rules connected to this card. | Mike Demaine | |
Interplanar Brushwagg | Gigantosaurus | Only the second ever Brushwagg ever printed. Introduces Interplanar, as a keyword and as an extra battlefield, and the concept of a creature controllable only by proxy. | John Penick | |
Krosan Adaptation | Blanchwood Armor | The first Enchantment (Aura) and permanent to feature the Storm mechanic. Flavored in line with the Scourge set. Revisited with Aeve, Progenitor Ooze. | Zach Francks | |
Maro's Gone Nuts | Doubling Season[7] | References Mark Rosewater by name, by his illustration which is a callback to his art of Look at Me, I'm the DCI,[25] his love for squirrels and his preference for doubling mechanics. | Mark Rosewater | |
Patient Turtle | Gigantosaurus | Favors players who don't play first in the game. Revisited in Alchemy with Forsaken Crossroads. | Katie Allison | |
Plane-Merge Elf | Gigantosaurus | Introduces the Landship and Kinfall mechanics, mixups of Kinship and Landfall. | Nataly Scheidt | |
Soulmates | Blanchwood Armor | An Aura that enchants two creatures and connects their fates. The art was updated in the August 2021 reprint, possibly due to copyright infringment (Pusheen the Cat).[14] | Victoria Cana | |
Vazal, the Compleat | Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma | The first megalegendary creature, making fun of the ill-named megamorph ability. Introduces the Phyrexian creature type, which often has been requested on Blogatog[26], and was codified with Kaldheim and Vorinclex, Monstrous Raider. His name indicates that Vazal has been compleated. | Damian Tedrow | |
A Good Thing | Ethereal Absolution | Turns bad in about seven turns, because of too much of a good thing. The art notes this; two "dead" faces out of nine, each box suggesting one upkeep. | Yoni Skolnik | |
Abian, Luvion Usurper | Domri, Chaos Bringer | Abian is another non-humanoid planeswalker. Luvion is a known plane. Mechanically this card messes with life total and loyalty. In a way similar to Garruk the Slayer, Abian represents the player, spending their life total as loyalty. | James Kooi | |
Bind // Liberate | Assure // Assemble | A split card that combines the existing cards Bind and Liberate.[7] | Talia Armato-Helle | |
Bucket List | Firemind's Research | This Bucket list uses counters to tick the boxes, instead of a Legacy style pen. The card was designed by Jay Treat during the Great Designer Search 3.[8][27][7] | Nathan Ian Greene | |
Evil Boros Charm | Boros Charm | An alternate Boros Charm. Eli Shiffrin designed this, because in his opinion black is basically just red plus white.[28] The first card to feature hybrid mana costs in two different color pairs, which would be revisited in Streets of New Capenna. | Mark Purvis | |
Golgari Death Swarm | Sphinx of New Prahv | Abbreviated name and cost refer to GDS3. In that search, a question asked which multicolor combination a creature with the keywords and stats of Serra Angel would most likely be.[29] Given the premise that a multicolor card should not remove a color and still be in pie, the only choice over the ten pairs was , as seen, despite black being secondary in flying and green being secondary in vigilance. The playtest card is stickered over a white/blue multicolored card that also has flying and vigilance.[7] | Ovidio Cartagena | |
Graveyard Dig | Drain the Well? | A card for Graveyard decks that favor green and black creatures, but can be used with other colors at an increased cost. First concepted by Linus Ulyssus Hamilton during the Great Designer Search 3.[8][30][7] An evolution of overload by deleting text rather than overwriting it. Later perfected as a mechanic in Cleave. | Sandra Everingham | |
How to Keep an Izzet Mage Busy | Call the Skybreaker | A challenge for combo players. Between draft archetypes and the storm mechanic, has the highest odds of running a spell that does nothing but trigger effects when casting a sorcery. The artwork also poses the question of "can we make it Arcane?" presumably to theoretically synergize with the parasitic splice onto Arcane mechanic. | Scott Van Essen | |
Kaya, Ghost Haunter | Kaya, Bane of the Dead | Revives the haunt mechanic by referencing haunted creatures. Second Kaya planeswalker that can recover Loyalty by exiling itself. | Sydney Adams | |
Louvaq, the Aberrant | Roalesk, Apex Hybrid | First creature with Protection from modified creatures. Defines modified, which would later be used in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. | Cynthia Sheppard | |
Personal Decoy | Dovin, Grand Arbiter | An answer to the call for non-humanoid planeswalkers often heard on Blogatog. Duck throws shade on the fate of Dack in the War of the Spark. First Planeswalker to be non- Legendary on purpose. Plays off the normal response to Planeswalkers by immediately attacking them by forcing the opponent to attack it. You can have as many of them on the table as you want.[5] | Alison Luhrs | |
Pick Your Poison | Maelstrom Pulse | A unique Modal spell that scales up "cheaper" effects by repeating them, first concepted by Jeremy Geist during the Great Designer Search 3.[8][31][7] The name was reused in Murders at Karlov Manor, and may have had an influence on Spree | Corey Bowen | |
Seek Bolas's Counsel | Cruel Ultimatum[7] | A Planechase inspired card, making use of the planeswalk keyword action and the plane card Pools of Becoming. Also references Nicol Bolas, Wit's End, Nicol Bolas, God-Pharaoh, Hour of Devastation, and Mastermind's Acquisition; all Bolas-related cards. | Matt Warren | |
Sliv-Mizzet, Hivemind | Niv-Mizzet, Parun | Grants Slivers the text box of Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind. Rotate the first symbols of the flavor text 180 degrees, then rotate the last ones 90 degrees: ^17S becomes SLIv, Z-> becomes NIv. Sliv = Niv. | Jeff Stewart | |
Smelt // Herd // Saw | Collision // Colossus | A three split card. Smelt was first printed as a standalone card in Magic 2013. Saw creates 1/2 Half creature tokens. A similar effect to Saw would appear in Unfinity on Saw in Half, which creates two half-sized copies of the destroyed creature. | Allison Medwin | |
Start // Fire | Order // Chaos | A split card that recombines Start from Start // Finish (Amonkhet) with Fire from Fire // Ice (Apocalypse).[7] | Nelson Brown | |
Slivdrazi Monstrosity | Mindmelter | When Slivers meet Eldrazi. Uses Annihilator - combines Sliver Queen and Spawnsire of Ulamog. | Justin Cornell | |
Wrath of Sod | Camaraderie | A play on Wrath of God. Introduces manabond counters, which turn any card into a land which can be tapped for mana. The combination resembles Settle the Wreckage. | Chad Kanotz | |
Zyym, Mesmeric Lord | Lazav, the Multifarious | First concepted by Alex Werner during the Great Designer Search 3.[8][32][7] | Nick Bartoletti | |
Chronobot | Skyscanner | A thief of time. Switches upkeep steps. | Stephanie Mitchell | |
Lantern of Undersight | Millstone | A play on Lantern of Insight. The easiest way to do this would be to flip the deck upside down, but that reveals each card you play - like the original lantern. Without it, doing so would be revealing hidden information. | Trick Jarrett | |
Mirrored Lotus | Millstone | Introduces Reflect. A Black Lotus for everyone! | Meris Mullaley | |
Pithing Spyglass | Millstone | Similar to Pithing Needle and Sorcerous Spyglass, but chooses a keyword ability or ability word instead of a card name. | Melissa DeTora | |
Puresteel Angel | Skyscanner | A beefed up version of Platinum Angel. Puresteel is the Mirrodin Pure version of Darksteel. The third ability is removing colored artifacts from play, associated with New Phyrexia. Second card after Leeches able to remove Poison counters. Refers to how Lich's Mirror and Exquisite Archangel may not save a player from losing to secondary loss conditions. | Lukas Litzsinger | |
Unicycle | Smuggler's Copter | Making fun of the Great Unicycle Debate on Blogatog. Is a unicycle an equipment or a vehicle?[33][34] Answer: it is both. | Ari Nieh | |
Weaponized Scrap | Skyscanner | Introduces the Upgrade mechanic. Has some elements of Mutate. | Tyler Wright | |
Aggressive Crag | Stone Quarry | A new dual land that taps before each combat phase, spoofing certain online players who play everything pre-combat so that they can click "attack all" and pass the turn. | Demitrios Feredinos | |
Barry's Land | Reliquary Tower? | Barry's Land finally printed.[8] The fact that Cloud is a new basic land type is only obliquely referred to on the art (where is says Domain+1). | Matt Tabak | |
Domesticated Watercourse | Submerged Boneyard | A Dimir dual land. First land with Equip. | Joe Torra | |
Enchanted Prairie | Meandering River | First enchantment land, an often requested feature for a Theros set, but considered to be too dangerous by R&D because their experience with artifact lands. Urza's Saga was later printed as the first real enchantment land. | James Arnold | |
Gold Mine | Reliquary Tower | Another card with Legacy. A finite source of colored mana. It can only be used 5 times for that purpose. Double Masters 2022 would later include Cryptic Spires, which you also marked to indicate what mana you could tap for. | Max McCall | |
Jasconian Isle | Island | A Land creature that, like many giant blue creatures, do not untap unless you pay Mana. A jab at Island Fish Jasconius from Arabian Nights which was also printed with Summon Island Fish, suggesting a creature could be typed Island. | Aaron Reed | |
Noxious Bayou | Foul Orchard | A Poison land, as first designed for Unglued 2: The Obligatory Sequel. Also considered for Future Sight.[35] | James Rose | |
Rift | Reliquary Tower? | Allows you to just start with this land in your opening hand before Mulligans, at the cost of drawing a smaller hand. A novel way to limit mana screw, guaranteeing a (very bad) land in hand every game. | Zach Francks | |
Taiga Stadium | Timber Gorge | A Gruul Check land that checks for permanents from the three other colors. Encourages multicolor play. | Tara Rueping | |
Waste Land | Reliquary Tower | Can transform any nonbasic land into Wastes tokens. Riffs off Ghost Quarter. | Patrick Kuhlman | |
Ral's Vanguard | Reliquary Tower | A new Vanguard card with the requirement that a deck only contains Instants, Sorceries and Lands. Has shades of Companion, introduced later in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths. | David McDarby |
Reused names
Test card names may be reused.[36]
- Red Herring was reused in Murders at Karlov Manor.
- Pick Your Poison was reused in Murders at Karlov Manor.
References
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (November 11, 2019). "Mystery Booster Playtest Card Artists". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ ChannelFireball (November 8, 2019). "Uncut sheets of the Test cards have been added to the Prize Wall.". Twitter.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 12, 2019). "Are the mystery booster playtest cards legal in silver border constructed?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 12, 2019). "May I ask what the reason was to only have the play test cards be available at cons and not in the store release?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ a b Eli Shiffrin (November 11, 2019). "Mystery Booster Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Ajoost (December 4, 2019). "Mystery Booster Playtest Cards (CMB1)". Reddit.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v 10 Sneaky Easter Eggs on Mystery Booster Playtest Cards! (Video). Good Morning Magic. YouTube (August 20, 2021).
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Gavin Verhey (November 14, 2019). "Unraveling the Mystery Booster". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 9, 2018). "Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Scott Wilson". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (February 23, 2020). "More than or anything else, the deepest cut is Cyclopean Titan.". Twitter.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 14, 2012). "purely out of curiosity, what is richard garfield's "Gunk" mechanic?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 08, 2018). "Hey Mark how come we never got a Beholder as a creature?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Citrus Inferno (November 9, 2019). "A partial translation of Yawgmoth's Testament". Reddit.
- ↑ a b Wizards of the Coast (June 21, 2021). "Mystery Booster Convention Edition Returns With In-Store Events". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mystery Booster: Convention Edition will be available in some WPN stores starting August 20th. Reddit (June 21, 2021).
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 9, 2018). "Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Ryan Siegel-Stechler". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Randy Buehler (April 25, 2003). "Responses to Vapor Ops". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (November 13, 2019). "4 years ago, I infamously fell down a volcano.". Twitter.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (2015). "The Time I Fell Down a Volcano". Gavinsight.tumblr.com.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (January 9, 2020). "Fun fact: the Mystery Booster playtest card Problematic Volcano was inspired by the Stygian mechanic". Twitter.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (December 27, 2019). "When I was 5, Mom asked what I wanted to be for Halloween. I said: a Bearsnake.". Twitter.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 17, 2018). "Have you guys ever considered basic land tokens?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Monty Ashley (September 18, 2002). "Know Your Gorillas". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Ethan Fleischer (May 25, 2021). "Garth One-Eye". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 07, 2019). "Here is the Mystery Booster card I illustrated (and one of several I designed)". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (NDecember 28, 2017). "Frankly it seems like a huge missed opportunity to leave no way to mechanically reference one of magics big villains.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 9, 2018). "Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Jay Treat". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Eli Shiffrin (November 8, 2019). "Evil Boros Charm". Reddit.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 12, 2018). "Make a Choice, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 9, 2018). "Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Linus Ulyssus Hamilton". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 9, 2018). "Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Jeremy Geist". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 9, 2018). "Great Designer Search 3 Finalist – Alex Werner". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 23, 2018). "I think there is a certain subjective line for vehicle.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 29, 2018). "Per the unicycle debate. Would it be possible in black border to have an artifact that is both Equipment and Vehicle?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 23, 2019). "In theory, if Wizards decided to print these cards in an actual set, could they be printed exactly as-is text-wise?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 18, 2024). "So I take it that the Mystery Booster 'test' card names are not considered 'taken' or... was that a red herring?". Blogatog. Tumblr.