Mechanic: Difference between revisions
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A '''mechanic''' is a [[card]] [[ability]] that can be used on multiple cards. The word ''mechanic'' has no meaning in the [[Comprehensive Rules]], it's merely a design concept. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr4|Finding a Good Mechanic|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 21, 2002}}</ref> | A '''mechanic''' is a [[card]] [[ability]] that can be used on multiple cards. The word ''mechanic'' has no meaning in the [[Comprehensive Rules]], it's merely a design concept. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr4|Finding a Good Mechanic|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 21, 2002}}</ref> | ||
==Categories== | |||
Mechanics can be categorized as: | Mechanics can be categorized as: | ||
* [[Keywords]] or "keyword abilities": words attached to rules text, that represent an ability that is constant. They come with [[reminder text]], except if they are [[evergreen]]. | * [[Keywords]] or "keyword abilities": words attached to rules text, that represent an ability that is constant. They come with [[reminder text]], except if they are [[evergreen]]. | ||
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* [[:Category:Miscellaneous mechanics|Mechanics that are not clearly classified]] | * [[:Category:Miscellaneous mechanics|Mechanics that are not clearly classified]] | ||
* [[:Category:Unreleased mechanics|Mechanics that were considered, but never officially released]] | * [[:Category:Unreleased mechanics|Mechanics that were considered, but never officially released]] | ||
===Parasitic=== | |||
A mechanic is considered parasitic when it only interacts with other things in a particular set rather than the rest of ''[[Magic]]''. Examples are [[horsemanship]] and [[splice]] <ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/71496618699/where-is-horsemanship-on-the-storm-scale-i-know=Where is Horsemanship on the Storm scale?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=December 29, 2013}}</ref> <ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/135068776683/i-am-worried-that-c-as-a-mana-cost-will-end-up=I am worried that C as a mana cost will end up being a parasitic thing|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=December 12, 2015}}</ref> | |||
===Linear=== | |||
[[R&D]] talks about things being “linear” in that they dictate other cards mechanically. [[Colorless|Colorless matters]] is very linear in that it dictates having cards to provide the [[mana|colorless mana]].<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/135071350843/ok-so-parasitic-is-a-definition-that-works-for=How do you define something that is "parasitic" in its own set?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=December 12, 2015}}</ref> | |||
===modular=== | |||
Modular design elements are not dependent on other design elements. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 09:12, 13 December 2015
A mechanic is a card ability that can be used on multiple cards. The word mechanic has no meaning in the Comprehensive Rules, it's merely a design concept. [1]
Categories
Mechanics can be categorized as:
- Keywords or "keyword abilities": words attached to rules text, that represent an ability that is constant. They come with reminder text, except if they are evergreen.
- Keyword actions: verbs that have a special rules meaning. Sometimes reminder text summarizes their meanings.
- Ability words are words that group cards that have a common functionality and do not imply any particular rules.
- Mechanics that are not clearly classified
- Mechanics that were considered, but never officially released
Parasitic
A mechanic is considered parasitic when it only interacts with other things in a particular set rather than the rest of Magic. Examples are horsemanship and splice [2] [3]
Linear
R&D talks about things being “linear” in that they dictate other cards mechanically. Colorless matters is very linear in that it dictates having cards to provide the colorless mana.[4]
modular
Modular design elements are not dependent on other design elements.
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 21, 2002). "Finding a Good Mechanic". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (December 29, 2013). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (December 12, 2015). "". Tumblr.
- ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (December 12, 2015). "". Tumblr.
External links
- Randy Buehler (March 29, 2002). "The "Almost" Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (June 18, 2007). "Keyword Play". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Brady Dommermuth (June 01, 2009). "Mechanically Inclined". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (February 7, 2011). "Fight Club, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (February 14, 2011). "Fight Club, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.