Mirrodin Besieged: Difference between revisions

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==Set details==
==Set details==
[[File:MBS watermarks.jpg|thumb|right|Watermarks]]
[[File:MBS watermarks.jpg|thumb|right|Watermarks]]
''Mirrodin Besieged'' contains 155 cards (60 Common, 40 Uncommon, 35 Rare, 10 Mythic, 10 Basic Lands), including randomly inserted [[premium]] versions of all cards in the set. The 10 basic lands, unusual for a small set, were a added for [[flavor]] reasons. [[WotC]] asked the same [[artist]]s who created the four-land panoramas for ''Scars of Mirridon'' to extend these by two additional pieces to show how Mirrodin's lands have changed as Phyrexia's influence has spread. <ref>{{NewRef|savor-flavor/six-secrets-behind-sets-2011-03-15|Six Secrets Behind the Sets|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 16, 2011}}</ref> The [[expansion symbol]] of the set is an overlap of the [[Mirran]] and [[Phyrexian]] symbols. Nearly every card in the set has [[watermark|a symbol of its allegiance]] in its [[text box]]. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/under-besiege-part-1-2011-01-17|Under Besiege, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 17, 2011}}</ref> The set features several cards that are Phyrexian versions of previous cards. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/under-besiege-part-2-2011-01-24|Under Besiege, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 24, 2011}}</ref>
''Mirrodin Besieged'' contains 155 cards (60 Common, 40 Uncommon, 35 Rare, 10 Mythic, 10 Basic Lands), including randomly inserted [[premium]] versions of all cards in the set. The 10 basic lands, unusual for a small set, were a added for [[flavor]] reasons. [[WotC]] asked the same [[artist]]s who created the four-land panoramas for ''Scars of Mirridon'' to extend these by two additional pieces to show how Mirrodin's lands have changed as Phyrexia's influence has spread. <ref name="Six Secrets">{{NewRef|savor-flavor/six-secrets-behind-sets-2011-03-15|Six Secrets Behind the Sets|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 16, 2011}}</ref> The [[expansion symbol]] of the set is an overlap of the [[Mirran]] and [[Phyrexian]] symbols. Nearly every card in the set has [[watermark|a symbol of its allegiance]] in its [[text box]]. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/under-besiege-part-1-2011-01-17|Under Besiege, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 17, 2011}}</ref> The set features several cards that are Phyrexian versions of previous cards. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/under-besiege-part-2-2011-01-24|Under Besiege, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 24, 2011}}</ref>


Like all Mirrodin sets, ''Mirrodin Besieged'' contains many [[artifact]]s. <ref>{{NewRef|latest-developments/development-under-siege-2011-01-20|Development Under Siege|[[Tom LaPille]]|January 21, 2011}}</ref> The set continues the story of ''[[Scars of Mirrodin]]'' as the [[Phyrexia|Phyrexian Invasion]] lays waste to the [[Mirrodin (plane)|Mirran]] countryside and its people. The set itself is split strongly between the two camps. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/developing-battle-plan-2011-02-07|Developing a Battle Plan|[[Zac Hill]]|February 07, 2011}}</ref> For example, the prerelease and release parties featured a special type of [[Booster pack|booster]] that contained only cards from one faction or the other, requiring the players to choose between them for their deck-building. [[Theme deck (preconstructed)|Intro packs]] were also separated between the factions.
Like all Mirrodin sets, ''Mirrodin Besieged'' contains many [[artifact]]s. <ref>{{NewRef|latest-developments/development-under-siege-2011-01-20|Development Under Siege|[[Tom LaPille]]|January 21, 2011}}</ref> The set continues the story of ''[[Scars of Mirrodin]]'' as the [[Phyrexia|Phyrexian Invasion]] lays waste to the [[Mirrodin (plane)|Mirran]] countryside and its people. The set itself is split strongly between the two camps. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/developing-battle-plan-2011-02-07|Developing a Battle Plan|[[Zac Hill]]|February 07, 2011}}</ref> For example, the prerelease and release parties featured a special type of [[Booster pack|booster]] that contained only cards from one faction or the other, requiring the players to choose between them for their deck-building. [[Theme deck (preconstructed)|Intro packs]] were also separated between the factions.
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===Marketing===
===Marketing===
[[File:Factionpacks.jpg|thumb|right|''Mirrodin Besieged'' faction packs]]
[[File:Factionpacks.jpg|thumb|right|''Mirrodin Besieged'' faction packs]]
''Mirrodin Besieged'' was sold in 16-card [[boosters]], 6-card boosters, four [[intro pack]]s <ref>{{NewRef|mirrodin-besieged-intro-packs-2011-01-27|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Intro Packs|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 27, 2011}}</ref> and a [[fat pack]]. The fat pack's content was changed removing the brief introduction of the expansion's respective novel. The amount of boosters increased from 8 to 9 and the land pack contained 80 lands, 40 from ''Scars of Mirrodin'' and 40 from ''Mirrodin Besieged''. Two [[deck box]]es were added. The 16-card boosters featured artwork from  <c>Mirran Crusader</c>, <c>Phyrexian Crusader</c> and <c>Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas</c>. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/mirrodin-besieged-boosters-2011-01-11|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Boosters|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 11, 2011}}</ref> The small booster featured artwork from <c>Glissa, the Traitor</c>.
''Mirrodin Besieged'' was sold in 16-card [[boosters]], 6-card boosters, four [[intro pack]]s <ref name="Intro Packs">{{NewRef|mirrodin-besieged-intro-packs-2011-01-27|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Intro Packs|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 27, 2011}}</ref> and a [[fat pack]]. The fat pack's content was changed removing the brief introduction of the expansion's respective novel. The amount of boosters increased from 8 to 9 and the land pack contained 80 lands, 40 from ''Scars of Mirrodin'' and 40 from ''Mirrodin Besieged''. Two [[deck box]]es were added. The 16-card boosters featured artwork from  <c>Mirran Crusader</c>, <c>Phyrexian Crusader</c> and <c>Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas</c>. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/mirrodin-besieged-boosters-2011-01-11|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Boosters|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 11, 2011}}</ref> The small booster featured artwork from <c>Glissa, the Traitor</c>.


The set also introduced a new sort of [[Theme deck (preconstructed)|theme deck]] called an ''[[event deck]]''. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/521|Grab-and-Go Event Decks|[[Matt Tabak]]|August 23, 2010}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/582|Event Decks: More Info|[[Monty Ashley]]|November 16, 2010}}</ref> These decks feature a 60 card main deck and 15 card [[sideboard]], including 7 [[Rare|rares]] but no [[Mythic rare|mythic rares]]. ''Mirrodin Besieged'' features two event decks: a Mono-red event deck for the Mirran side of the conflict, and a blue-black deck for the Phyrexians. These decks were released three weeks after the release of the set.
The set also introduced a new sort of [[Theme deck (preconstructed)|theme deck]] called an ''[[event deck]]''. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/grab-and-go-event-decks-2010-08-23|Grab-and-Go Event Decks|[[Matt Tabak]]|August 23, 2010}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/event-decks-more-info-2010-11-16|Event Decks: More Info|[[Monty Ashley]]|November 16, 2010}}</ref> These decks feature a 60 card main deck and 15 card [[sideboard]], including 7 [[Rare|rares]] but no [[Mythic rare|mythic rares]]. ''Mirrodin Besieged'' features two event decks: a Mono-red event deck for the Mirran side of the conflict, and a blue-black deck for the Phyrexians. These decks were released three weeks after the release of the set.


The [[prerelease]] was January 29–30, 2011, the [[launch party]] on February 4-7, 2011, the [[Magic Online]] release on February 21, 2011. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/other/03032011e|War Comes to Magic Online!|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 04, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/other/02152011d|Magic Online ''Mirrodin Besieged'' Release Events!|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|February 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/other/02152011e|Magic Online ''Mirrodin Besieged'' Prerelease News|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|February 8, 2011}}</ref>. The [[Game Day]] was held on March 5–6, 2011.
The [[prerelease]] was January 29–30, 2011, the [[launch party]] on February 4-7, 2011, the [[Magic Online]] release on February 21, 2011. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/war-comes-magic-online-2011-03-04|War Comes to Magic Online!|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 04, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|feature/magic-online-mirrodin-besieged-release-events-2011-02-15|Magic Online ''Mirrodin Besieged'' Release Events!|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|February 15, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/magic-online-mirrodin-besieged-prerelease-news-2011-02-08|Magic Online ''Mirrodin Besieged'' Prerelease News|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|February 8, 2011}}</ref>. The [[Game Day]] was held on March 5–6, 2011.
Starting with ''Mirrodin Besieged'' [[prerelease]]s featured gimmicks. This one was to "Pick a Side" and introduced "[[prerelease pack]]s"', which are are boosters that are especially composed and packaged for prerelease events. In ''Mirrodin Besieged'' they were called "faction packs". Cards with Mirran [[watermark]]s appeared only in Mirran boosters, and cards with [[Phyrexian]] watermarks appeared only in Phyrexian boosters. There was also one [[basic land]] in each booster. [[Foil]] cards would show up at about the same frequency as they did in regular boosters and didn't follow the rules about what booster they could show up in (both Mirran and Phyrexian foils could show up in either booster). <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/557|Faction Packs|[[Monty Ashley]]|October 12, 2010}}</ref>
Starting with ''Mirrodin Besieged'' [[prerelease]]s featured gimmicks. This one was to "Pick a Side" and introduced "[[prerelease pack]]s"', which are are boosters that are especially composed and packaged for prerelease events. In ''Mirrodin Besieged'' they were called "faction packs". Cards with Mirran [[watermark]]s appeared only in Mirran boosters, and cards with [[Phyrexian]] watermarks appeared only in Phyrexian boosters. There was also one [[basic land]] in each booster. [[Foil]] cards would show up at about the same frequency as they did in regular boosters and didn't follow the rules about what booster they could show up in (both Mirran and Phyrexian foils could show up in either booster). <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/faction-packs-2010-10-12|Faction Packs|[[Monty Ashley]]|October 12, 2010}}</ref>


Two cards were previewed at the ''Scars of Mirrodin'' Game Day and given away as prizes: <c>Peace Strider</c> and <c>Pierce Strider</c>. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/553|Game Day Excitement|[[Monty Ashley]]|October 06, 2010}}</ref> <c>Mirran Crusader</c> and <c>Phyrexian Crusader</c> were previewed at [[Worlds]] 2010. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/601|Sights From Worlds|[[Monty Ashley]]|December 13, 2010}}</ref> Two [[prerelease card]]s were available at the [[Prerelease tournaments]]: <c>Glissa, the Traitor</c> for the Phyrexian faction, and <c>Hero of Bladehold</c> for the Mirran faction.  The [[Release card]] was <c>Thopter Assembly</c> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/617|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Promo Cards|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 04, 2011}}</ref>.  The promotional card at the [[Game Day]] event was a full-art <c>Treasure Mage</c>, while a full-art [[foil]] <c>Black Sun's Zenith</c> was given to the top-8 participants. The [[Booster box promo cards|Buy-a-Box]] was <c>Mirran Crusader</c>. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/events/mbsbuyaboxpromo|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Buy a Box Promotion|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|January 24, 2011}}</ref>
Two cards were previewed at the ''Scars of Mirrodin'' Game Day and given away as prizes: <c>Peace Strider</c> and <c>Pierce Strider</c>. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/game-day-excitement-2010-10-06|Game Day Excitement|[[Monty Ashley]]|October 06, 2010}}</ref> <c>Mirran Crusader</c> and <c>Phyrexian Crusader</c> were previewed at [[Worlds]] 2010. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/sights-worlds-2010-12-13|Sights From Worlds|[[Monty Ashley]]|December 13, 2010}}</ref> Two [[prerelease card]]s were available at the [[Prerelease tournaments]]: <c>Glissa, the Traitor</c> for the Phyrexian faction, and <c>Hero of Bladehold</c> for the Mirran faction.  The [[Release card]] was <c>Thopter Assembly</c> <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/mirrodin-besieged-promo-cards-2011-01-04|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Promo Cards|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 04, 2011}}</ref>.  The promotional card at the [[Game Day]] event was a full-art <c>Treasure Mage</c>, while a full-art [[foil]] <c>Black Sun's Zenith</c> was given to the top-8 participants. The [[Booster box promo cards|Buy-a-Box]] was <c>Mirran Crusader</c>.  


Regular boosters of ''Mirrodin Besieged'' come with a bonus sixteenth card that is either a "[[rules card|tips & tricks card]]", a creature [[token]] from ''Mirrodin Besieged'', or a poison counter. These bonus cards display on their reverse side one of 14 advertisements for organized play programs, other Magic products such as [[fat pack|fat packs]] and [[intro packs]], the [http://www.wizards.com/MagicNovels Magic books library], [[Magic Online]], [[UltraPro]] products, or various Wizards-run, Magic-related websites (such as [http://community.wizards.com community.wizards.com]).
Regular boosters of ''Mirrodin Besieged'' come with a bonus sixteenth card that is either a "[[rules card|tips & tricks card]]", a creature [[token]] from ''Mirrodin Besieged'', or a poison counter. These bonus cards display on their reverse side one of 14 advertisements for organized play programs, other Magic products such as [[fat pack|fat packs]] and [[intro packs]], the [http://www.wizards.com/MagicNovels Magic books library], [[Magic Online]], [[UltraPro]] products, or various Wizards-run, Magic-related websites (such as [http://community.wizards.com community.wizards.com]).
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==== Tokens ====
==== Tokens ====


The ''Mirrodin Besieged'' [[tokens]] in numerical order are:<ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/628|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Tokens|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 19, 2011}}</ref>
The ''Mirrodin Besieged'' [[tokens]] in numerical order are:<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/mirrodin-besieged-tokens-2011-01-19|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Tokens|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 19, 2011}}</ref>


# {{B}} 0/0 [[Germ]] brought into play with any [[Equipment]] that is also a [[Living weapon|Living Weapon]].
# {{B}} 0/0 [[Germ]] brought into play with any [[Equipment]] that is also a [[Living weapon|Living Weapon]].
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''Mirrodin Besieged'' has a theme of [[Mirrored pair|Mirrored Pairs]], with cards from the Phyrexian and Mirran factions mirroring each other. Such a mirror is showcased with cards such as <c>Peace Strider</c> and <c>Pierce Strider</c> or <c>Mirran Crusader</c> and <c>Phyrexian Crusader</c>. There are also cards that mimic cards from the previous ''Mirrodin block'', but with Phyrexian influence, e.g. <c>Viridian Corrupter</c> mimics <c>Viridian Shaman</c>, <c>Blightsteel Colossus</c> mimics <c>Darksteel Colossus</c> and <c>Inkmoth Nexus</c> mimics <c>Blinkmoth Nexus</c>, thus representing Phyrexia spreading its influence over the plane and co-opting its inhabitants.
''Mirrodin Besieged'' has a theme of [[Mirrored pair|Mirrored Pairs]], with cards from the Phyrexian and Mirran factions mirroring each other. Such a mirror is showcased with cards such as <c>Peace Strider</c> and <c>Pierce Strider</c> or <c>Mirran Crusader</c> and <c>Phyrexian Crusader</c>. There are also cards that mimic cards from the previous ''Mirrodin block'', but with Phyrexian influence, e.g. <c>Viridian Corrupter</c> mimics <c>Viridian Shaman</c>, <c>Blightsteel Colossus</c> mimics <c>Darksteel Colossus</c> and <c>Inkmoth Nexus</c> mimics <c>Blinkmoth Nexus</c>, thus representing Phyrexia spreading its influence over the plane and co-opting its inhabitants.


The mechanics [[Metalcraft]], [[Imprint]], [[Proliferate]] and [[Infect]] return from the previous set. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/tcg/mirrodinbesieged/mechanics|''Mirrodin Besieged'' mechanics|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|January 2011}}</ref> Two new [[keyword]] mechanics are featured, one for each faction. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/633|''Mirrodin Besiegd'' Videos|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 26, 2011}}</ref> The Mirran keyword is [[Battle cry|Battle Cry]], which gives every other creature that attacks when the creature with Battle Cry attacks a +1/+0 bonus. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/127|What is it Good For?|[[Tom LaPille]]|January 28, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/129|The Heroes Who Cried Battle|[[Tom LaPille]]|February 11, 2011}}</ref> The Phyrexian mechanic is [[Living weapon|Living Weapon]], a new keyword for [[Equipment]]. All equipment with Living Weapon give a [[Power/Toughness|power/toughness]] bonus, but upon entering play they put a 0/0 black [[Germ]] creature token into play and attaches the equipment to it. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/mm/133|What Do You Do for a Living Weapon?|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 7, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/stf/133|Germ Warfare: The Flavor of Living Weapon|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 09, 2011}}</ref>
The mechanics [[Metalcraft]], [[Imprint]], [[Proliferate]] and [[Infect]] return from the previous set. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/mirrodin-besieged-mechanics-2011-01-10|''Mirrodin Besieged'' mechanics|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|January 2011}}</ref> Two new [[keyword]] mechanics are featured, one for each faction. <ref>{{NewRef|mirrodin-besieged-videos-2011-01-26|''Mirrodin Besiegd'' Videos|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 26, 2011}}</ref> The Mirran keyword is [[Battle cry|Battle Cry]], which gives every other creature that attacks when the creature with Battle Cry attacks a +1/+0 bonus. <ref>{{NewRef|latest-developments/what-it-good-2011-01-27|What is it Good For?|[[Tom LaPille]]|January 28, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|latest-developments/heroes-who-cried-battle-2011-02-11|The Heroes Who Cried Battle|[[Tom LaPille]]|February 11, 2011}}</ref> The Phyrexian mechanic is [[Living weapon|Living Weapon]], a new keyword for [[Equipment]]. All equipment with Living Weapon give a [[Power/Toughness|power/toughness]] bonus, but upon entering play they put a 0/0 black [[Germ]] creature token into play and attaches the equipment to it. <ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/what-do-you-do-living-weapon-2011-03-07|What Do You Do for a Living Weapon?|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 7, 2011}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|savor-flavor/germ-warfare-flavor-living-weapon-2011-03-08|Germ Warfare: The Flavor of Living Weapon|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 09, 2011}}</ref>


A new rules term is "[[poisoned]]". A player is poisoned if they have any [[poison counter]]s.
A new rules term is "[[poisoned]]". A player is poisoned if they have any [[poison counter]]s.
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==Cycles==
==Cycles==
''Mirrodin Besieged'' has 3 cycles:
''Mirrodin Besieged'' has 3 cycles:
* '''Zeniths''': A cycle of [[rare]] spells with X in their costs named for the colored suns of [[Mirrodin (plane)|Mirrodin]]. They shuffle themselves back into the library after being used and thus strongly resemble the cycle of Beacons from ''[[Fifth Dawn]]''. The cycle spans both factions. The art of each card features the corresponding artifact land from [[Mirrodin]]. — <c>White Sun's Zenith</c>, <c>Blue Sun's Zenith</c>, <c>Black Sun's Zenith</c>, <c>Red Sun's Zenith</c> and <c>Green Sun's Zenith</c>. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/stf/134|Six Secrets Behind the Sets|[[Doug Beyer]]|March 16, 2011}}</ref>
* '''Zeniths''': A cycle of [[rare]] spells with X in their costs named for the colored suns of [[Mirrodin (plane)|Mirrodin]]. They shuffle themselves back into the library after being used and thus strongly resemble the cycle of Beacons from ''[[Fifth Dawn]]''. The cycle spans both factions. The art of each card features the corresponding artifact land from [[Mirrodin]]. — <c>White Sun's Zenith</c>, <c>Blue Sun's Zenith</c>, <c>Black Sun's Zenith</c>, <c>Red Sun's Zenith</c> and <c>Green Sun's Zenith</c>. <ref name="Six Secrets"/>
* '''Color-aligned Artifact creatures''': Like ''Scars of Mirrodin'' before it, ''Mirrodin Besieged'' contains a cycle of [[common]] artifact creatures with an activated ability including a colored cost. The activation cost varies, unlike the previous cycle. — <c>Bladed Sentinel</c>, <c>Gust-Skimmer</c>, <c>Dross Ripper</c>, <c>Spin Engine</c>, and <c>Tangle Hulk</c>.
* '''Color-aligned Artifact creatures''': Like ''Scars of Mirrodin'' before it, ''Mirrodin Besieged'' contains a cycle of [[common]] artifact creatures with an activated ability including a colored cost. The activation cost varies, unlike the previous cycle. — <c>Bladed Sentinel</c>, <c>Gust-Skimmer</c>, <c>Dross Ripper</c>, <c>Spin Engine</c>, and <c>Tangle Hulk</c>.
* The set also contains a set of [[Basic lands]], two of each color, which is uncharacteristic for a small set in a block. Their purpose lays in flavor, showing the growing Phyrexian corruption of the Mirran landscape.
* The set also contains a set of [[Basic lands]], two of each color, which is uncharacteristic for a small set in a block. Their purpose lays in flavor, showing the growing Phyrexian corruption of the Mirran landscape.
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{{Main|Mirrodin Besieged/Intro packs}}
{{Main|Mirrodin Besieged/Intro packs}}


''Mirrodin Besieged'' has four bicolored intro packs.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/629|''Mirrodin Beseiged'' Intro Packs|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 20, 2011}}</ref>
''Mirrodin Besieged'' has four bicolored intro packs.<ref name="Intro Packs"/>


{{Decks|intro
{{Decks|intro
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{{Main|Mirrodin Besieged/Event decks}}
{{Main|Mirrodin Besieged/Event decks}}


[[Event deck]]s were introduced in ''Mirrodin Besieged''; ''Mirrodin Besieged'' has two [[event deck]]s.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/648|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Event Deck Decklists|[[Monty Ashley]]|February 16, 2011}}</ref>
[[Event deck]]s were introduced in ''Mirrodin Besieged''; ''Mirrodin Besieged'' has two [[event deck]]s.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/mirrodin-besieged-event-decks-deck-lists-2011-02-16|''Mirrodin Besieged'' Event Deck Decklists|[[Monty Ashley]]|February 16, 2011}}</ref>


{{Decks|event
{{Decks|event

Revision as of 04:13, 14 July 2017

Mirrodin Besieged
Set Information
Set symbol
Themes and mechanics Infect,
Proliferate,
Imprint,
Metalcraft
Keywords/​ability words Battle cry,
Living weapon,
Metalcraft,
Imprint,
Infect,
Proliferate
Set size 155
(10 basic lands, 60 commons, 40 uncommons, 35 rares, 10 mythic rares)
Expansion code MBS[2]
Development codename Camera [3]

Mirrodin Besieged is the second set in the Scars of Mirrodin block. It is the 54th Magic expansion and was released on February 4, 2011. [4]

Set details

Watermarks

Mirrodin Besieged contains 155 cards (60 Common, 40 Uncommon, 35 Rare, 10 Mythic, 10 Basic Lands), including randomly inserted premium versions of all cards in the set. The 10 basic lands, unusual for a small set, were a added for flavor reasons. WotC asked the same artists who created the four-land panoramas for Scars of Mirridon to extend these by two additional pieces to show how Mirrodin's lands have changed as Phyrexia's influence has spread. [5] The expansion symbol of the set is an overlap of the Mirran and Phyrexian symbols. Nearly every card in the set has a symbol of its allegiance in its text box. [6] The set features several cards that are Phyrexian versions of previous cards. [7]

Like all Mirrodin sets, Mirrodin Besieged contains many artifacts. [8] The set continues the story of Scars of Mirrodin as the Phyrexian Invasion lays waste to the Mirran countryside and its people. The set itself is split strongly between the two camps. [9] For example, the prerelease and release parties featured a special type of booster that contained only cards from one faction or the other, requiring the players to choose between them for their deck-building. Intro packs were also separated between the factions.

Further, although in Scars of Mirrodin the Phyrexian faction was limited to the colors blue, black and green, the faction also has red and white cards in this set. The number of cards per faction is evenly distributed, with 72 cards each.

Mirrodin Besieged slowed the limited format down. [10] The expansion also made a change to the draft format. In all previous draft formats the group of players started with the first set in a block, but starting with Mirrodin Besieged, the first pack to be opened is of the most recently released set. [11] The number of packs does not change however, so the the draft format for Mirrodin Besieged was one booster of Mirrodin Besieged followed by two packs of Scars of Mirrodin.

Flavor

“  A world divided  ”

The Phyrexian assault on the metallic plane of Mirrodin intensifies. [12] The Mirran resistance rallies to survive and overcome. Both sides bring the full might of their arsenals to bear. [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] The silver golem Karn has retreated to Mirrodin's Core, being worshipped as the new Father of Machines. When Phyrexia grows upon Mirrodin, Karn is trapped in his own mind, battling between himself and the role the Phyrexians are trying to force upon him. [19]

Marketing

Mirrodin Besieged faction packs

Mirrodin Besieged was sold in 16-card boosters, 6-card boosters, four intro packs [20] and a fat pack. The fat pack's content was changed removing the brief introduction of the expansion's respective novel. The amount of boosters increased from 8 to 9 and the land pack contained 80 lands, 40 from Scars of Mirrodin and 40 from Mirrodin Besieged. Two deck boxes were added. The 16-card boosters featured artwork from Mirran Crusader, Phyrexian Crusader and Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas. [21] The small booster featured artwork from Glissa, the Traitor.

The set also introduced a new sort of theme deck called an event deck. [22] [23] These decks feature a 60 card main deck and 15 card sideboard, including 7 rares but no mythic rares. Mirrodin Besieged features two event decks: a Mono-red event deck for the Mirran side of the conflict, and a blue-black deck for the Phyrexians. These decks were released three weeks after the release of the set.

The prerelease was January 29–30, 2011, the launch party on February 4-7, 2011, the Magic Online release on February 21, 2011. [24] [25][26]. The Game Day was held on March 5–6, 2011. Starting with Mirrodin Besieged prereleases featured gimmicks. This one was to "Pick a Side" and introduced "prerelease packs"', which are are boosters that are especially composed and packaged for prerelease events. In Mirrodin Besieged they were called "faction packs". Cards with Mirran watermarks appeared only in Mirran boosters, and cards with Phyrexian watermarks appeared only in Phyrexian boosters. There was also one basic land in each booster. Foil cards would show up at about the same frequency as they did in regular boosters and didn't follow the rules about what booster they could show up in (both Mirran and Phyrexian foils could show up in either booster). [27]

Two cards were previewed at the Scars of Mirrodin Game Day and given away as prizes: Peace Strider and Pierce Strider. [28] Mirran Crusader and Phyrexian Crusader were previewed at Worlds 2010. [29] Two prerelease cards were available at the Prerelease tournaments: Glissa, the Traitor for the Phyrexian faction, and Hero of Bladehold for the Mirran faction. The Release card was Thopter Assembly [30]. The promotional card at the Game Day event was a full-art Treasure Mage, while a full-art foil Black Sun's Zenith was given to the top-8 participants. The Buy-a-Box was Mirran Crusader.

Regular boosters of Mirrodin Besieged come with a bonus sixteenth card that is either a "tips & tricks card", a creature token from Mirrodin Besieged, or a poison counter. These bonus cards display on their reverse side one of 14 advertisements for organized play programs, other Magic products such as fat packs and intro packs, the Magic books library, Magic Online, UltraPro products, or various Wizards-run, Magic-related websites (such as community.wizards.com).

Tips & Tricks

The tips & tricks cards are

Tokens

The Mirrodin Besieged tokens in numerical order are:[31]

  1. {B} 0/0 Germ brought into play with any Equipment that is also a Living Weapon.
  2. {B} 2/2 Zombie produced by Nested Ghoul.
  3. {C} 9/9 Golem Artifact produced by Titan Forge.
  4. {C} */* Horror Artifact produced by Phyrexian Rebirth.
  5. {C} 1/1 Thopter Artifact with flying produced by Thopter Assembly.

Themes and mechanics

Mirrodin Besieged has a theme of Mirrored Pairs, with cards from the Phyrexian and Mirran factions mirroring each other. Such a mirror is showcased with cards such as Peace Strider and Pierce Strider or Mirran Crusader and Phyrexian Crusader. There are also cards that mimic cards from the previous Mirrodin block, but with Phyrexian influence, e.g. Viridian Corrupter mimics Viridian Shaman, Blightsteel Colossus mimics Darksteel Colossus and Inkmoth Nexus mimics Blinkmoth Nexus, thus representing Phyrexia spreading its influence over the plane and co-opting its inhabitants.

The mechanics Metalcraft, Imprint, Proliferate and Infect return from the previous set. [32] Two new keyword mechanics are featured, one for each faction. [33] The Mirran keyword is Battle Cry, which gives every other creature that attacks when the creature with Battle Cry attacks a +1/+0 bonus. [34] [35] The Phyrexian mechanic is Living Weapon, a new keyword for Equipment. All equipment with Living Weapon give a power/toughness bonus, but upon entering play they put a 0/0 black Germ creature token into play and attaches the equipment to it. [36] [37]

A new rules term is "poisoned". A player is poisoned if they have any poison counters.

Cycles

Mirrodin Besieged has 3 cycles:

Pairs

Mirrodin Besieged has 4 mirrored pairs:

Reprinted cards

Functional reprint

Notable cards

  • Green Sun's Zenith - A popular tutor for creatures, was banned in Modern due to being too versatile. The card could function as an early mana-ramp spell by searching out Dryad Arbor, would relatively cheaply tutor for almost any creature if the deck was configured correctly, and finally finish the opponent off by searching out a large, game-ending creature. It was joked that Green Sun's Zenith was every card in the deck, four times.
  • Consecrated Sphinx - A large flying creature which promised even larger card-advantage. 6 points of toughness also meant that the card was immune to Dismember which was printed in the next set.
  • Go for the Throat - An inversion of Doom Blade with respect to Terror, which saw widespread application in Standard due to the large range of targets it could hit.
  • Phyrexian Revoker - A reprint of Pithing Needle with a relatively efficient body. However, being a creature proved to be a liability for this card as it was easier to get rid off for the opponent.
  • Inkmoth Nexus - The backbone of almost every Poison based strategy since its printing. It's a threatening creature which can be deadly quickly if pumped in power. It also dodges a large amount of removal due to being a land during the opponents turn and can attack as early as turn 2.

Preconstructed decks

Intro packs

Mirrodin Besieged has four bicolored intro packs.[20]

Intro pack name Colors Included Foil rare
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Path of Blight W G Phyrexian Hydra
Doom Inevitable U B Psychosis Crawler
Mirromancy U R Galvanoth
Battle Cries W R Victory's Herald

Event decks

Event decks were introduced in Mirrodin Besieged; Mirrodin Besieged has two event decks.[38]

Event
deck name
Colors Included
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Infect and Defile U B
Into the Breach R

References

External links