Tombstone icon
The tombstone icon, or tombstone symbol, is a graphic in the upper-left-hand corner of a number of Odyssey block cards with graveyard-active or -relevant abilities.
Description
Due to the mechanical and thematic focus on the graveyard in Odyssey block, the tombstone icon was designed to be featured on cards from the block's sets — Odyssey, Torment, and Judgment — so as to "make players' lives easier".[1] The practice of placing a tombstone icon was not carried over to future expansions or blocks, but the tombstone icon has since been seen on the Time Spiral "timeshifted" reprints of Valor and Call of the Herd.
History
Introduced in Odyssey, the tombstone icon was featured on cards with the Flashback ability. In Torment and Judgment, the tombstone icon was used indicator of cards with graveyard-active abilities,[2] as in the case of Ichorid[3] and the Incarnations of Judgment (e.g., Anger).[4]
Comprehensive Rules
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 107.9. A tombstone icon appears to the left of the name of many Odyssey™ block cards with abilities that are relevant in a player’s graveyard. The purpose of the icon is to make those cards stand out when they’re in a graveyard. This icon has no effect on game play.
List of cards featuring the tombstone icon
- Odyssey block cards with flashback
- Ichorid
- Judgment Incarnations
- Riftstone Portal
- Blast from the Past
See also
References
- ↑ Randy Buehler (October 3, 2002). "Ask Wizards - October 3, 2002". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Ben Bleiweiss (January 2, 2002). "From the Grave Risen". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mike Donais (August 15, 2002). "Ask Wizards - August 15, 2002". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Devin Low (February 15, 2005). "Ask Wizards - February 15, 2005". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.