Rhystic
| Rhystic | |
|---|---|
| Mechanic | |
| Introduced | Prophecy |
| Last used | Prophecy |
| Text | … unless (someone) pays (cost). |
| Storm Scale | 9[1] |
| Scryfall Search | |
| fulloracle:"unless its controller pays" | |
Rhystic is the unofficial name of a mechanic utilized on cards from the Prophecy expansion that have some effect unless a player pays to keep the effect from happening.
Decription
For example Withdraw is an instant that reads, "Return target creature to its owner's hand. Then return another target creature to its owner's hand unless its controller pays 
." When Withdraw resolves, the targeted creature's controller may pay to stop the second part of Withdraw's effect from happening.
As with all spells and abilities, most choices (other than targets) are made on resolution, not when the spell or ability is played. For rhystic spells and abilities, this includes the choice of whether to pay the cost to stop the "unless" part of the effect.
While the mechanic looks and plays badly nowadays, the Limited format of Prophecy revolved around sacrificing lands and being penalized for having untapped lands, which meant that the average game had much fewer spare lands than normal and maneuvering into a spot where opponents couldn't pay the Rhystic tax was a realistic option.
Flavor
Flavorwise, rhystic spells are fast, cheap, reckless spells that can be easily disrupted if there is too much mana around. They were invented by Alexi, Zephyr Mage and other Jamuraan spellshapers. Alexi aided the forces of Barrin and Teferi in the Kipamu League against the invading Keldons.
The expansion symbol of Prophecy depicts crystals. These are meant to evoke the rhystic magic.[2]
Stormscale
Mark Rosewater has stated that it is not likely that rhystic will be coming back anytime soon, if ever.[3] It is considered a 9 on the Storm Scale.[4]
Cardlist
The following cards have the Rhystic mechanic:
- Associated cards
- Similar effects (pre-/post-Prophecy)
- Aether Barrier
- Amulet of Safekeeping
- Archangel of Tithes
- Archon of Absolution
- Baird, Steward of Argive
- Brainwash
- Collective Restraint
- Cowed by Wisdom
- Crystal Shard
- Elephant Grass
- Energy Vortex
- Erratic Portal
- Fade Away
- Forbidding Spirit
- Ghostly Prison
- Giant Albatross
- Glass Asp
- Heroism
- Isolation Cell
- Koskun Falls
- Lim-Dul's Hex
- Nafs Asp
- Nils, Discipline Enforcer
- Norn's Annex
- Oppressive Rays
- Power Taint
- Propaganda
- Rishadan Brigand
- Rishadan Cutpurse
- Rishadan Footpad
- Sabertooth Cobra
- Slow Motion
- Smothering Tithe
- Soul Barrier
- Soul Tithe
- Spelltithe Enforcer
- Sphere of Safety
- Stench of Evil
- Tariff
- War Cadence
- War Tax
- Whipgrass Entangler
- Windborn Muse
- Counterspells (pre-/post-Prophecy)
- All cards with Ward for mana
- Abstruse Interference
- Anticognition
- Brine Seer
- Broken Ambitions
- Calculated Dismissal
- Censor
- Circular Logic
- Clash of Wills
- Complivate
- Concerted Defense
- Condescend
- Convolute
- Countervailing Winds
- Crush Dissent
- Cursecatcher
- Daze
- Decisive Denial
- Diffusion Sliver
- Disciple of the Ring
- Disrupt
- Disruptive Pitmage
- Disruptive Student
- Evasive Action
- Flaccify
- Flip the Switch
- Flusterstorm
- Force Spike
- Force Void
- Frightful Delusion
- Frontline Medic
- Frost Titan
- Geistlight Snare
- Ghost-Lit Warder
- Hindering Touch
- Ixidor's Will
- Izzet Charm
- Jaraku the Interloper
- Judge's Familiar
- Jwari Disruption
- Lilting Remains
- Lofty Denial
- Logic Knot
- Lookout's Dispersal
- Lose Focus
- Malevolent Hermit
- Mana Leak
- Mana Tithe
- Martyr of Frost
- Mausoleum Wanderer
- Metallic Rebuke
- Mindstatic
- Mindswipe
- Mirrorshell Crab
- Miscalculation
- Miscast
- Mundungu
- Mystical Dispute
- Mystic Confluence
- Offering to Asha
- Oppressive Will
- Override
- Overrule
- Patron Wizard
- Power Sink
- Quench
- Rakshasa's Disdain
- Reduce
- Reject
- Revolutionary Rebuff
- Rites of Refusal
- Runebogggle
- Rune Snag
- Sage's Dousing
- Scent of Brine
- Silumgar Spell-Eater
- Silumgar's Scorn
- Soratami Savant
- Spell Contortion
- Spell Pierce
- Spell Rupture
- Spell Shrival
- Spell Snip
- Spell Syphon
- Spiketail Drake
- Spiketail Drakeling
- Spiketail Hatchling
- Strict Proctor
- Stubborn Denial
- Stymied Hopes
- Sunken Field
- Supreme Will
- Syncopate
- Temur Charm
- Thassa's Intervention
- Thassa's Rebuff
- Unsettled Mariner
- Valkmira, Protector's Shield
- Vodalian Mage
- Whirlwind Denial
- Wizard Replica
References
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (2016-04-30). "How was the 'Rhystic' mechanic received? Storm scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Brady Dommermuth (October 31, 2006). "Ask Wizards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 14, 2012). "Thoughts on the rhystic mechanic?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 30, 2016). "How was the 'Rhystic' mechanic received? Storm scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.