Masques block

The Masques block is the fifth block, consisting of the large expansion Mercadian Masques (File:Masques.gif) and the two small expansions Nemesis (File:Nemesis.gif) and Prophecy (File:Prophecy.gif). The block came out in 1999-2000.

This block incuded the searchable Rebels and Mercenaries, Spellshapers, new cards with alternative costs, and new abilities playable by any player (i.e. Squallmonger).

Keywords introduced in this block: Fading.

Mechanics included "Rhystic magic" — Discounted spells and abilities that work properly unless a specified player pays a set amount of mana.

Development codes

On the development codenames for the Masques block, MTG.com columnist Mark Rosewater writes:

“

The Masques block was the beginning of codenames themed for an entire block. Why Greek names? While R&D was coming up with silly names, my girlfriend (now my wife) Lora (Rosewater) suggested the word Archimedes. Because we knew we needed a theme, we chose to follow up with two other Greek names. The reason that Greek names won out over another theme was that R&D thought it funny not only to have odd-sounding names that were themed, but also to choose words that the rest of the company would have trouble spelling.

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