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An '''energy counter''' is a [[Counter (marker)|counter]] that, unlike most other counters, is placed on [[player]]s rather than [[object]]s. Energy counters are used to pay the | An '''energy counter''' is a [[Counter (marker)|counter]] that, unlike most other counters, is placed on [[player]]s rather than [[object]]s. Energy counters are used to pay the costs of [[activated ability|activated]] and [[triggered ability|triggered]] [[ability|abilities]]. This '''energy''' [[mechanic]] was introduced in ''[[Kaladesh]]''<ref>{{NewRef|feature/kaladesh-mechanics-2016-09-02|''Kaladesh'' Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|September 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|latest-developments/putting-some-energy-kaladesh-2016-09-16|Putting Some Energy Into ''Kaladesh''|[[Sam Stoddard]]|September 15, 2016}}</ref> and expanded on in ''[[Aether Revolt]]''.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/revolting-development-and-design-part-1-2017-01-02|A Revolting Development (and Design), Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/aether-revolt-mechanics-2017-01-02|''Aether Revolt'' Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|January 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/leading-aether-revolt-2017-01-03|Leading ''Aether Revolt''|[[Ben Hayes]]| January 3, 2017}}</ref> | ||
Most [[cards]] that grant energy counters also provide a way to spend them. However, because they are placed on the player rather than a specific [[object]], energy counters from one card can be saved up and spent on abilities of other cards. Energy counters don't go away as [[phase]]s or [[step]]s end, or as the [[turn]] ends, and no cards remove energy counters from other players. They can only be removed when the player chooses to spend them. | |||
== | == Flavor == | ||
Energy counters represent [[aether]], a magical energy that is found throughout the [[Multiverse]]. While it is present throughout the [[Blind Eternities]] and touches all planes to some extent, on [[Kaladesh (plane)|Kaladesh]], it is an integral part of the ecosystem. | |||
== Development == | |||
[[File:KLD Energy Reserve.png|right|thumb]] | [[File:KLD Energy Reserve.png|right|thumb]] | ||
Energy was originally designed for ''[[Mirrodin]]'', but was not printed in that set.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/kaladesh-ingredients-part-1-2016-09-05|''Kaladesh'' Ingredients, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 5, 2016}}</ref> [[R&D]] tried it again for the [[Esper]] mechanic in ''[[Shards of Alara]]'', but it was cut there as well. For many years, it was known only as "Mechanic E", after being mentioned as such by [[Mark Rosewater]].<ref name="xfile">{{NewRef|making-magic/x-files-2007-07-23|The X Files|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 23, 2007}}</ref> | Energy was originally designed for ''[[Mirrodin]]'', but was not printed in that set.<ref name="Ingredients Part 1">{{NewRef|making-magic/kaladesh-ingredients-part-1-2016-09-05|''Kaladesh'' Ingredients, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 5, 2016}}</ref> [[R&D]] tried it again for the [[Esper]] mechanic in ''[[Shards of Alara]]'', but it was cut there as well. For many years, it was known only as "Mechanic E", after being mentioned as such by [[Mark Rosewater]].<ref name="xfile">{{NewRef|making-magic/x-files-2007-07-23|The X Files|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 23, 2007}}</ref> Following that mention, many mechanics were speculated to be "Mechanic E", notably including the [[colorless]] mana symbol {{C}}. This occasionally led Mark Rosewater to specifically refute those claims.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/135022282313/is-c-the-old-e-mechanic-that-didnt-make-it|title=Is {C} the old "E" mechanic that didn't make it into Mirrodin?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=December 11, 2015}}</ref> | ||
Mark Rosewater finally confirmed that "Mechanic E" would be in ''[[Kaladesh]]'' a few days before the mechanic was officially revealed.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/149711805163/hang-on-a-sec-did-you-ever-even-say-that-the|title=Hang on a sec, did you ever even say...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=August 30 2016}}</ref> It was first previewed on the card <c>Aetherworks Marvel</c> at [[PAX|PAX West]] 2016.<ref>[https://www.twitch.tv/magic/profile Magic Twitch channel] (September 2 2016). [https://www.twitch.tv/magic/v/87178950 Magic at PAX: Kaladesh Debut].</ref> | |||
For Kaladesh, [[Development]] built an energy economy to help ensure that any energy expenditure has roughly equal value. In order to create sufficient variety in that economy, both costs and production of energy were doubled relative to the mechanic as produced by the [[design]] team.<ref name="Ingredients Part 1" /> The mechanic has been openly acknowledged as [[parasitic]]. However, [[R&D]] argues that this is less problematic that some previous mechanics, because most energy-using cards serve as both sources and outlets for energy.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/149939543828/i-think-the-reason-energy-feels-parasitic-is|title=Is Energy parasitic?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=September 04, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/149984384163/energy-spell-having-a-use-outside-of-energy-either|title=Energy spell having a use outside of energy doesn't make this non-Parasitic. |tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=September 5, 2016}}</ref> | |||
==Energy symbol== | ==Energy symbol== | ||
The energy symbol {{E}} was introduced in ''[[Kaladesh]]'' to represent a cost for energy counters.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/kaladesh-release-notes-2016-09-16|''Kaladesh'' Release Notes|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|September 16, 2016}}</ref> | The energy symbol {{E}} was introduced in ''[[Kaladesh]]'' to represent a cost for energy counters.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/kaladesh-release-notes-2016-09-16|''Kaladesh'' Release Notes|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|September 16, 2016}}</ref> A common player complaint concerns the typesetting of those symbols, which are printed in a single line with even spacing throughout the line. On cards that use many energy counters within a single ability, this makes reading the correct number of symbols difficult. Future printings of the mechanic might use small variations in spacing to alleviate the issue.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/150927333903/i-have-one-minor-complaint-about-kaladesh-its|title=I have one minor complaint about kaladesh...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=September 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/160879365148/re-energy-costs-template-could-high-mana|title=Re: Energy costs template.|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=May 20, 2017}}</ref> | ||
{{CR|107.14}} | {{CR|107.14}} | ||
Revision as of 05:33, 4 June 2017
| Energy | |
|---|---|
| Counter | |
| Use | Resource |
| Placed on | Players |
| Introduced | Kaladesh |
| Last used | Aether Revolt |
| Scryfall search | |
| oracle:"Energy" | |
An energy counter is a counter that, unlike most other counters, is placed on players rather than objects. Energy counters are used to pay the costs of activated and triggered abilities. This energy mechanic was introduced in Kaladesh[1][2] and expanded on in Aether Revolt.[3][4][5]
Most cards that grant energy counters also provide a way to spend them. However, because they are placed on the player rather than a specific object, energy counters from one card can be saved up and spent on abilities of other cards. Energy counters don't go away as phases or steps end, or as the turn ends, and no cards remove energy counters from other players. They can only be removed when the player chooses to spend them.
Flavor
Energy counters represent aether, a magical energy that is found throughout the Multiverse. While it is present throughout the Blind Eternities and touches all planes to some extent, on Kaladesh, it is an integral part of the ecosystem.
Development
Energy was originally designed for Mirrodin, but was not printed in that set.[6] R&D tried it again for the Esper mechanic in Shards of Alara, but it was cut there as well. For many years, it was known only as "Mechanic E", after being mentioned as such by Mark Rosewater.[7] Following that mention, many mechanics were speculated to be "Mechanic E", notably including the colorless mana symbol 
. This occasionally led Mark Rosewater to specifically refute those claims.[8]
Mark Rosewater finally confirmed that "Mechanic E" would be in Kaladesh a few days before the mechanic was officially revealed.[9] It was first previewed on the card Aetherworks Marvel at PAX West 2016.[10]
For Kaladesh, Development built an energy economy to help ensure that any energy expenditure has roughly equal value. In order to create sufficient variety in that economy, both costs and production of energy were doubled relative to the mechanic as produced by the design team.[6] The mechanic has been openly acknowledged as parasitic. However, R&D argues that this is less problematic that some previous mechanics, because most energy-using cards serve as both sources and outlets for energy.[11][12]
Energy symbol
The energy symbol 
was introduced in Kaladesh to represent a cost for energy counters.[13] A common player complaint concerns the typesetting of those symbols, which are printed in a single line with even spacing throughout the line. On cards that use many energy counters within a single ability, this makes reading the correct number of symbols difficult. Future printings of the mechanic might use small variations in spacing to alleviate the issue.[14][15]
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 107.14. The energy symbol is {E}. It represents one energy counter. To pay {E}, a player removes one energy counter from themselves.
From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- Energy Symbol
- The energy symbol {E} represents one energy counter. To pay {E}, a player removes one energy counter from themselves.
References
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ a b Template:NewRef
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (December 11, 2015). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (August 30 2016). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Magic Twitch channel (September 2 2016). Magic at PAX: Kaladesh Debut.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (September 04, 2016). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (September 5, 2016). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Template:NewRef
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (September 5, 2016). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (May 20, 2017). "". Tumblr.