Vanilla: Difference between revisions
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"'''Virtual french vanilla'''" refers to creatures that are essentially French vanilla after the first turn they enter the battlefield (e.g. <c>Armada Wurm</c>).<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/66530551834/wait-i-thought-vanilla-was-no-rules-text-virtual|title=Wait, I thought Vanilla was (...)|November 09, 2013}}</ref> | "'''Virtual french vanilla'''" refers to creatures that are essentially French vanilla after the first turn they enter the battlefield (e.g. <c>Armada Wurm</c>).<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/66530551834/wait-i-thought-vanilla-was-no-rules-text-virtual|title=Wait, I thought Vanilla was (...)|November 09, 2013}}</ref> | ||
== Vanilla Test == | |||
A basic heuristic that judges the playability of a creature by consider the total stats in comparison to its cost. From there, abilities either cost a premium, or if the cost is not any higher, can be assessed as to be a minor effect for the format. The test is more relevant in Limited than in Constructed, as rarely are vanilla creatures above the cost of two ever playable regardless of size, while occasional vanilla five or six mana creatures are playable in Limited. It is also a measure of power level over time, as the math below has been calibrated for the last five years and creatures prior were usually worse. | |||
The Limited math typically follows that a creature needs double the stats of the mana value (i.e. 1/3 or 2/2 for 2, 3/3 or 2/4 for 3), but the scaling become less linear at higher costs. Only green can get a common 4-mana 4/4, with red getting them with downsides, which means that 4-drops are measured against seven points and 5-drops against against nine points. Good evergreen abilities can usually be rated at one mana each, though power scaling makes these evaluations more difficult. Furthermore, toughness comes at a lower premium after a certain number, as a 1/7 does not compare to a 7/1, but both are generally worse than a 4/3. | |||
In Constructed, a 3-mana 4/3 is already considered inconsequential, and {{Card|Woolly Thoctar}} is close to the lower edge of acceptability; even {{Card|Baneslayer Angel}}, a card that passes vanilla and has about four mana in abilities, was relegated to "powerful sideboard option". This is due to removal choices being capped at three mana or less to be considered good, and so any creature lacking in protection or entry value suffers at mana over three. | |||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
Revision as of 02:41, 19 November 2021
"Vanilla" is a slang term that refers to creatures with no rules text (e.g. Scathe Zombies).[1][2][3]
Variants
"Vanilla flyer" is a creature with nothing but flying.[1]
"French vanilla" refers to creatures that only have keyword abilities (e.g. Akrasan Squire).[4][5]
"Virtual vanilla" refers to creatures that are essentially vanilla after the first turn they enter the battlefield (e.g. Augur of Bolas).[5]
"Virtual french vanilla" refers to creatures that are essentially French vanilla after the first turn they enter the battlefield (e.g. Armada Wurm).[6]
Vanilla Test
A basic heuristic that judges the playability of a creature by consider the total stats in comparison to its cost. From there, abilities either cost a premium, or if the cost is not any higher, can be assessed as to be a minor effect for the format. The test is more relevant in Limited than in Constructed, as rarely are vanilla creatures above the cost of two ever playable regardless of size, while occasional vanilla five or six mana creatures are playable in Limited. It is also a measure of power level over time, as the math below has been calibrated for the last five years and creatures prior were usually worse.
The Limited math typically follows that a creature needs double the stats of the mana value (i.e. 1/3 or 2/2 for 2, 3/3 or 2/4 for 3), but the scaling become less linear at higher costs. Only green can get a common 4-mana 4/4, with red getting them with downsides, which means that 4-drops are measured against seven points and 5-drops against against nine points. Good evergreen abilities can usually be rated at one mana each, though power scaling makes these evaluations more difficult. Furthermore, toughness comes at a lower premium after a certain number, as a 1/7 does not compare to a 7/1, but both are generally worse than a 4/3.
In Constructed, a 3-mana 4/3 is already considered inconsequential, and Woolly Thoctar is close to the lower edge of acceptability; even Baneslayer Angel, a card that passes vanilla and has about four mana in abilities, was relegated to "powerful sideboard option". This is due to removal choices being capped at three mana or less to be considered good, and so any creature lacking in protection or entry value suffers at mana over three.
Trivia
- Muraganda Petroglyphs and Ruxa, Patient Professor are the only cards that rewards vanilla creatures for having no abilities.
References
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (January 24, 2005). "A Few Words From R&D". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Sam Stoddard (November 11, 2016). "The Ingredients for Great Vanillas". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Magic Arcana (April 30, 2007). ""Vanilla" Doesn't Do Them Justice". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 19, 2014). "What does French vanilla mean in the context of MtG?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (November 7, 2016). "A Few More Words from R&D". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 09, 2013). "Wait, I thought Vanilla was (...)". Blogatog. Tumblr.