Creature type/History

From MTG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Creature type
 
History
 

Originally, in Alpha, creature types were largely used for flavor-related reasons.[1] This was continued until Fallen Empires, when creatures types had in-game mechanical implications. The first block in which creature types mattered was Tempest, particularly via the Licids and Slivers, both of which creature types shared a mechanical identity among its creature cards.

Before the Grand Creature Type Update, creature types were only changed when a card was reprinted.[2] This policy was straightforward when only core sets and regular expansions were considered. However, it became quite complicated when digital sets on Magic Online (such as the release of the Mirage block or Masters Edition) were considered "reprints". Offbeat reprints found in Coldsnap theme decks and the timeshifted cards in Time Spiral added to the confusion.

Updates before the Grand Update

Until Battle Royale summons like Ali from Cairo or Mold Demon that consisted of multiple words have always been meant to represent one creature type only. Futhermore, types like Elder Dragon Legend do not count as Dragon, they do however share the rules baggage of the Legend type as was stated in an errata.[3]

Limited Edition

Introduction of the Angel, Assassin, Avatar, Basilisk, Bear, Cleric, Cockatrice, Demon, Djinn, Dragon, Dwarf, Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Gargoyle, Giant, Goblin, Hero, Hydra, Imp, Knight, Merfolk, Minotaur, Nightmare, Nymph, Ogre, Orc, Pegasus, Rat, Serpent, Shade, Skeleton, Specter, Spider, Treefolk, Troll, Unicorn, Vampire, Wall, Wizard, Wolf, Wraith, Wurm, and Zombie types.

Introduction of the now acorn Ship type.

Introduction of the now test card Mammoth type.

Introduction of the now obsolete Bodyguard, Clone, Doppelganger, Enchantress, Force, Fungusaur, Gaea's Liege, Ghoul, Giant Wasp, Goblin King, Lion, Lord, Lord of Atlantis, Mana Bird, Paladin, Phantasm, Roc, Shadow, and Will-O'-The-Wisp types.

Revised Edition

Arabian Nights

Introduction of Ape, Camel, Devil, Efreet, Egg, Elephant, Jackal, and Nomad types.

Introduction of the now obsolete Aladdin, Ali Baba , Ali from Cairo, Asp, Bird Maiden, Cavalry, Dandân, El-Hajjâj, Flying Men, Guardian, Island Fish, King, Leper, Marid, Raider, Sindbad, Singing Tree, Smith, Sorceress, Tortoise, and Witch types.

Antiquities

Introduction of Atog, Druid, and Gremlin types.

Introduction of the now obsolete Archaeologist, Gaea's Avenger, Poltergeist, and Sage types.

Legends

Introduction of Archer, Bat, Beast, Berserker, Boar, Drake, Gnome, Hag, Horror, Kithkin, Kobold, Leviathan, Manticore, Nightstalker (originally printed as Night Stalker), Ooze, Phoenix, Satyr, Scorpion, Slug, Spawn, Sphinx, Spirit, Turtle, Villain, Wombat, and Yeti types.

Introduction of the now acorn Mummy type.

Introduction of the now test card Spuzzem type.

Introduction of the now obsolete Abomination, Ant, Avenger, Bee, Being, Bull, Cat Warrior, Cobra, Dervish, Devouring Deep, Dragonfly, Drill Sergeant, Effigy, Elder Dragon Legend, Entity, Evil Eye, Falcon, Ghost, Gypsy, Hell's Caretaker, Horseman, Keeper, Legionnaire, Lost Soul, Legend, Lycanthrope, Master, Minor Demon, Medusa, Monster, Mold Demon, Pixie Queen, Poison Snake, Priest, Rider, Stangg Twin, Taskmaster, Vulture, Walking Dead, Wolverine Pack, and Wretched types.

The Dark

Introduction of the Leech and Shark types.

Introduction of the now obsolete Ball Lightning, Bandit, Banshee, Brother, Cave People, Eater, Eel, Exorcist, Fallen, General, Hunter, Lurker, Miracle Worker, Mob, Murk Dweller, Nameless Race, Niall Silvain, People of the Woods, Pikemen, Preacher, Rag Man, Robber, Rock Sled, Scavenger Folk, Sister, Squire, Tracker, Uncle Istvan, Viper, and Whippoorwill types.

Fallen Empires

Introduction of the Camarid, Citizen, Fungus, Homarid, Orgg, Saproling, Soldier, and Thrull types.

Introduction of the now acorn Townsfolk type.

Fourth Edition

Ice Age

Introduction of the Aurochs, Barbarian, Centaur, Dryad, Fox, Goat, Illusion, Insect, Kraken, Lhurgoyf, Mercenary, Ouphe, Wolverine, Worm, and Yeti types.

Introduction of the Dinosaur, Dog, and Ranger types which were later made obsolete but then re-added as types.

Introduction of the now obsolete Blinking Spirit, Brownie, Dead, Erne, Fiend, Frostbeast, Gorilla Pack, Hipparion, Infernal Denizen, Lemure, Mage, Mistfolk, Phantasm, Pyknite, Shyft, Strider, Tarpan, Tiger, Titan, Toad, Wiitigo, and Wight types.

Homelands

Introduction of the Badger, Ferret, Lizard, and Oyster types.

Introduction of the Inquisitor and Noble types which were later made obsolete but then re-added as types.

Introduction of the now acorn Bureaucrat and Pony types.

Introduction of the now obsolete Albatross, Alchemist, Ambush Party, Autocrat, Caravan, Carriage, Constable, Crusader, Folk of An-Havva, Hound, Kelp, Mist, Narwhal, and Speaker types.

Alliances

Introduction of the Bird, Splinter, Starfish, and Swarm types.

Introduction of the now acorn Spy type.

Introduction of the now test card Gorilla type.

Introduction of the now obsolete Aesthir, Harlequin, Heretic, Mosquito, Pigeon, Tactician, and War-Rider types.

Mirage

Introduction of the Brushwagg, Cyclops, Griffin, Hyena, Minion, Pirate, Rhino, and Scout types.

Introduction of the now obsolete Ancestor, Essence, Mantis, Martyr, Meerkat, Nature Spirit, Wave, Wildcat, Viashino, and Wyvern types.

Visions

Introduction of the Chimera and Jellyfish types.

Introduction of the now obsolete Butterfly, Caterpillar, Hippopotamus, Lichenthrope, Necrosavant, Nekrataal, Python, Sorcerer, Warthog, and Wildebeest types.

Fifth Edition

Around Fifth Edition creature types containing multiple words sometimes were written with a hyphen in the oracle text, e.g. Cave People became Cave-People. This would however not necessarily extend to the card printings Cave People was printed without hyphen. Also in later printings cards like Feral Shadow (Sixth Edition) would still render their type as Night Stalker.[4]

Weatherlight

Introduction of the now obsolete Aboroth, Avizoa, Barishi, Behemoth, Gatekeeper, Peacekeeper, Thundermare, and Undead types. Thundermare was printed previously in Portal, but without any subtypes as the type line in Portal always states "Summon Creature".

Tempest

Introduction of the Cat, Carnivore, Crab, Licid, Sliver, and Spike types.

Stronghold

Introduction of the now obsolete Hornet type.

Exodus

Introduction of the now obsolete Alligator type.

Portal Second Age

Introduction of the now obsolete Merchant type.

Introduction of the Monkey type which was later made obsolete but then re-added as type.

Unglued Acorn counter

Introduction of the Chicken, Clamfolk, Cow, Elves, Gus, Gamer, Lady of Proper Etiquette, and The Biggest, Baddest, Nastiest, Scariest Creature You'll Ever See types.

Sixth Edition

All creature types could be printed in plural and/or singular form until now. On the type line all creature types became singular, e.g. Elves became Elf. The pluralized forms are still used in text boxes however. For some reason Pikemen stayed pluralized.

Furthermore, the Legend creature type became special as it could be added to another creature types. Therefore, Elder Dragon Legend could now be read as Elder Dragon and Legend.[5][3]

Portal Three Kingdoms

Introduction of the Horse and Rabbit types.

Introduction of the now obsolete Farmer and Rooster types.

Introduction of the now acorn Pig type.

Mercadian Masques

Starter 1999

Introduction of the now obsolete Thief type. Ingenious Thief was printed previously in Portal, but without any subtypes as the type line in Portal always states "Summon Creature".

Battle Royale

With Battle Royale the comprehensive rules stated for the first time: "If more than one word is listed after the '—,' the card has each of those subtypes" meaning cards with multiple worded types were essentially split, if they were not hyphenated.[7]

This update combined with the oracle updates lead to some inconsistencies. Minor Demon became Minor and Demon, while Mold Demon was hyphenated in an oracle update and therefore was not a Demon but a Mold-Demon.

Beatdown

Seventh Edition

Eighth Edition

Mirrodin

Mirrodin was the first set to implement the race/class model and along with it most notably the Human subtype was introduced. At that time it was an open question whether creature types on existing cards should be changed.[1][8] In the end, the decision was made in favor of having consistent creature types in the core set (Ninth Edition).

Mirrodin also gave a complete list of creature types in its comprehensive rules. The comprehensive rules therefore cleared up which types had to be understood as one types and which became multiple types.[9]

Prelude to the Grand Creature Type Update

While a mass errata was ruled out in the beginning,[10] a couple of years later Aaron Forsythe hinted at an Oracle update.[11] Since Lorwyn block had a tribal theme, it was the perfect opportunity to realize those "sweeping changes."

Darksteel

Introduction of the Blinkmoth type.

Introduction of the now obsolete Twin and Wirefly types.

Champions of Kamigawa

The Legend creature type became obsolete, and creatures would now also use the supertype "Legendary".

Unhinged Acorn counter

Introduction of the Child, Designer, Donkey, Expansion-Symbol, Mime, Paratrooper, Penguin, Teddy, and Waiter types.

Ninth Edition

Mirage digital release

Introduction of the Dreadnought type, which was added to Phyrexian Dreadnought.

Ravnica: City of Guilds

Introduction of the Archon and Lammasu types.

Guildpact

Introduction of the Weird type.

Coldsnap themedecks

Visions digital release

Time Spiral "Timeshifted"

Introduction of the Kor, Soltari and Dauthi types, which were added to Looter il-Kor, Soltari Priest and Dauthi Slayer respectively.[14]

Introduction of the Eye type (as a reintroduction of Evil Eye) for Evil Eye of Urborg. Accordingly, Evil Eye of Orms-by-Gore was changed again.

Tenth Edition

Introduction of the Metathran type (Sky Weaver)

Masters Edition

Weatherlight digital release

Grand Creature Type Update

The Grand Creature Type Update was a mass update of creature types, as part of the regular Oracle update for Lorwyn in October 2007. With 1197 affected cards, it represented the bulk of the changes.[15] The update ranks as one of the biggest changes to the Oracle (the update for Ninth Edition has been comparable in scope, changing hundreds of local enchantments to Auras).

A major objective was bringing older creatures into conformity with the modern race-class model (e.g. Human Soldier). Many creatures were given the Human subtype, while others were assigned races like Dryad, Dauthi, Kor, or Merfolk. Creatures that lacked an obvious class were given one. Additionally, 146 creature types were removed and became obsolete, most of them being one-offs such as "Ali-from-Cairo" or "People-of-the-Woods". Types that only appeared in Un-set were also dropped from the official list. Eight new types were added. Assembly-Worker was hyphenated.

A few types that were removed in the Update have since been reintroduced to the game, such as Dog, Dinosaur, Inquisitor, Noble, and Ranger.

Before this update, several creatures had no creature subtypes. Before Champions of Kamigawa, the legendary supertype did not exist, and legendary creatures were instead printed with the Legend creature type, and no other types (as "Summon Legend" or "Creature — Legend"). Many artifact creatures did not have subtypes and some cards that animated did not list any creature types gained in the process. All such cards acquired types in the Update. However, for flavor reasons, Nameless Race was retained as the only creature without a creature type.

The changes were controversial, as seen on the Magic the Gathering forums. Players either disagreed with the necessity of the update or whether the individual changes were right.[16] For many years, R&D considered the Grand Creature Type Update to have been a mistake, because many cards no longer behaved as they were written.[17][18][19][20] More recently, such errata has become acceptable again, as seen in the updates adding the Phyrexian type to older cards, because turnover within the staff shifted the majority opinion.[21]

Dropped creature types

Abomination, Aladdin, Albatross, Alchemist, Ali-Baba, Ali-from-Cairo, Alligator, Ambush-Party, Ant, Asp, Bandit, Banshee, Bee, Being, Bodyguard, Brownie, Bull, Bureaucrat, Caravan, Carnivore, Carriage, Cave-People, Cheetah, Chicken, Child, Clamfolk, Cobra, Constable, Cow, Crusader, Designer, Devouring-Deep, Dinosaur, Dog, Donkey, Dragonfly, Drill-Sergeant, Eel, Effigy, El-Hajjâj, Enchantress, Entity, Erne, Essence, Exorcist, Expansion-Symbol, Farmer, Fiend, Frostbeast, Fungusaur, Gaea's-Avenger, Gamer, General, Ghost, Ghoul, Guardian, Gus, Gypsy, Harlequin, Heretic, Hero, Hipparion, Hornet, Horseman, Hyena, Infernal-Denizen, Inquisitor, Island-Fish, Jackal, Keeper, Kelp, King, Lady-of-Proper-Etiquette, Legend, Legionnaire, Leper, Lord, Lurker, Lycanthrope, Mage, Maiden, Mammoth, Marid, Master, Medusa, Merchant, Mime, Minor, Miracle-Worker, Mold-Demon, Monster, Mummy, Murk-Dweller, Nameless-Race, Narwhal, Niall-Silvain, Noble, Paladin, Paratrooper, Penguin, People-of-the-Woods, Phantasm, Pig, Pikemen, Pixie-Queen, Poltergeist, Pony, Priest, Pyknite, Ranger, Robber, Roc, Rock-Sled, Sage, Scavenger, Shark, Ship, Shyft, Sister, Smith, Sorceress, Spuzzem, Spy, Stangg-Twin, Tactician, Tarpan, Teddy, Thief, The-Biggest-Baddest-Nastiest-Scariest-Creature-You'll-Ever-See, Titan, Townsfolk, Tracker, Twin, Viper, Vulture, Waiter, Walking-Dead, Wasp, Whippoorwill, Wight, Wiitigo, Wirefly, Wolverine-Pack, Wolves-of-the-Hunt, Wretched.

Added creature types

Anemone, Anteater, Elk, Harpy, Nautilus, Scarecrow, Squid, Thalakos.

Reinstated

Cyclops.

The "Grand Creature Type Update" Update

As expected, mistakes were made in the first update. Subsequently, 90 cards were updated when Morningtide was released.[22]

After the "Grand Creature Type Update" Update

Eventide

Introduction of the Noggle type.

Magic 2010

Introduction of the Siren type.

Zendikar

Introduction of the Ally and Surrakar types.

Rise of the Eldrazi

Introduction of the Eldrazi type

Reintroduction of the Spawn type for tokens created by several cards from Rise of the Eldrazi. Elder Spawn wasn't changed back to its original type but remained an Elemental, until the release of Innistrad.

Magic 2011

  • Egg became Bird. When the M11 card Roc Egg was printed, the creature type "Egg" was decommissioned and Rukh Egg was changed accordingly.

Scars of Mirrodin

Introduction of the Hippogriff type.

Mirrodin Besieged

With the reintroduction of the Gremlin creature type in Mirrodin Besieged (Flensermite), Phyrexian Gremlins changed back from Ouphe to Gremlin.

Introduction of the Germ type.

New Phyrexia

Introduction of the Praetor type.

Innistrad

Introduction of the Werewolf type.

Theros

Introduction of the types God and Sable.

Reintroduction of the type Nymph.

For Challenge Decks the card type Hero, the subtype Head and supertype Elite were used, but not added to the comprehensive rules.

Journey into Nyx

Introduction of the Lamia type.

For Challenge Decks the Reveler type was used, but again not added to the comprehensive rules.

Khans of Tarkir

Introduction of the Naga type.

Fate Reforged

Removal of the Anteater type.[23]

Battle for Zendikar

Introduction of the Scion and Processor types.

Shadows over Innistrad

Introduction of the Mole type.

Kaladesh

Introduction of the Aetherborn, Pilot, and Servo creature types.

Reintroduction of the Monkey creature type.

Aether Revolt

R&D no longer feels that every supported creature type mentioned in the card name must also be among that card's types. Therefore, Quicksmith Rebel and others don't have the Rebel type.[24]

Amonkhet

Reintroduction of the Jackal type.

Ixalan

Introduction of the Trilobite type.

Reintroduction of the Dinosaur type.

Unstable Acorn counter

Unstable (re)introduces many types, but these are not legal and don't appear in the comprehensive rules. New are Beaver, Brainiac, Cyborg, Deer, Hatificer, Head (previously seen in the Face the Hydra Challenge Deck), Kangaroo, Killbot, Raccoon, Scientist, Vampyre and Wrestler. Spy and Villain are reintroduced.

Battlebond

Introduction of the Azra type.

Global Series: Jiang Yanggu & Mu Yanling

Introduction of the Pangolin type.

Core Set 2019

Reintroduction of the Egg type.

War of the Spark

Introduction of the Army type.

Commander 2019

Introduction of the Sculpture type.

Throne of Eldraine

Introduction of the Mouse, Peasant and Warlock types.[25]

Reintroduction of the Noble type.

Ponies: The Galloping

Introduction of the unofficial, silver-bordered Alicorn type.

Reintroduction of the Pony type as silver-bordered.

Theros: Beyond Death

Introduction of the Demigod and Tentacle types.

Unsanctioned Acorn counter

Introduction of the acorn types Art, Chameleon, Die, Grandchild, and Lobster.

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths

Introduction of the Otter type.

Reintroduction of the Shark type.

Core Set 2021

Reintroduction of the Dog type. Removal of Hound.[26]

Kaldheim

Introduction of the Phyrexian type.

Strixhaven: School of Mages

Introduction of the Inkling and Fractal types.

Modern Horizons 2

Reintroduction of the Ranger type.

Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms

Introduction of the Bard, Beholder, Gnoll, Halfling, Hamster, and Tiefling types.

Streets of New Capenna

Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate

Introduction of the Gith and Walrus types.

Unfinity Acorn counter

Introduction of the acorn Porcupine and Sketch types.

Introduction of the eternal Alien, Balloon, Child, Clown, Employee, Gamer, Guest, Performer, and Robot types.

Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks

Introduction of the Astartes, C'tan, Custodes, Necron, Primarch, and Tyranid types for Universes Beyond.

Reintroduction of the Inquisitor type.

Phyrexia: All Will Be One

Introduction of the Mite type.

Doctor Who

Introduction of the Cyberman, Dalek, and Time Lord types for Universes Beyond.

Introduction of the Detective and Doctor types.

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan

Introduction of the Capybara, Llama and Snail types.

Fallout

Introduction of the Sloth and Synth types.

Outlaws of Thunder Junction

Introduction of the Armadillo, Coyote, Mount, Possum and Varmint types.

Modern Horizons 3

Bloomburrow

Introduction of the Skunk and Weasel types.

Duskmourn: House of Horror

Introduction of the Glimmer and Toy types.

Marvel Superdrop

Reintroduction of the Hero type for Universes Beyond.

Aetherdrift

Introduction of the Seal type.

Final Fantasy

Introduction of the Moogle and Qu types.

Sonic Superdrop

Introduction of the Echidna and Hedgehog types for Universes Beyond.

Edge of Eternities

Marvel's Spider-Man

Reintroduction of the Villain type for Universes Beyond.

References

  1. ↑ a b Magic Arcana (November 24, 2003). "When name = creature type". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022.
  2. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 18, 2002). "Beast of Show". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ a b The Duelist #11, Page 57 (The Duelist)
  4. ↑ a b Classic(tm) (Sixth Edition) Oracle. Wizards of the Coast (October 5, 1999). Archived from the original on March 1, 2012.
  5. ↑ Sixth Edition Comprehensive Rule section 215
  6. ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 04, 2004). "Change For the Better". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Battle Royale Comprehensive Rules section 212
  8. ↑ Aaron Forsythe (July 16, 2004). "Classifying Samite Healers". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022.
  9. ↑ Mirrodin Comprehensive Rules
  10. ↑ Randy Buehler (November 29, 2002). "Human Nature". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022.
  11. ↑ Aaron Forsythe (August 24, 2007). "Looking Back to the Future". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022.
  12. ↑ John Carter (June 30, 2005). "Ninth Edition Frequently Asked Questions". magicthegathering.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013.
  13. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 31, 2006). "Mistform Ultimus Watch: Coldsnap Edition". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022.
  14. ↑ Magic Arcana (October 03, 2006). "Mistform Ultimus Watch – Time Spiral". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022.
  15. ↑ Mark Gottlieb (September 26, 2007). "Lorwyn Update Bulletin". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022.
  16. ↑ charlequin (September 26, 2007). "The Grand Creature Type Update (and other Rules Updates)". MTG Salvation Forums.
  17. ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 16, 2014). "Is the number of cards that would have to be rewritten more than the Grand Creature Type Update?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  18. ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 17, 2014). "The Grand Creature Update was a mistake? Why?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  19. ↑ Mark Rosewater (May 15, 2013). "Is retroactively applying creature types considered "functional errata"?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  20. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 01, 2017). "Why is it that creature types get a pass, given that they do have gameplay repercussions?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  21. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 9, 2021). "What made you guys finally decide to pull the trigger on the phyrexian errata?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  22. ↑ Mark Gottlieb (January 16, 2008). "Morningtide Update Bulletin". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022.
  23. ↑ Matt Tabak (January 15, 2015). "Fate Reforged Update Bulletin — Oracle Text". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021.
  24. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 28, 2017). "Is Rebel no longer a supported creature type?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  25. ↑ Eli Shiffrin (September 27, 2019). "Throne of Eldraine Oracle Changes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022.
  26. ↑ Eli Shiffrin (June 20, 2020). "Core Set 2021 and Jumpstart Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  27. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 11, 2024). "If Efreets are going to be Djinn moving forward, will old Efreets be errata'd into Djinns?". Blogatog. Tumblr.

External links

 
Majority
Multicolored
G/W
U/R
R/G
B/G
White mana
Blue mana
Black mana
Red mana
Green mana
Colorless mana
Crossover
 
Multicolored
White mana
Blue mana
Black mana
Red mana
Green mana
Colorless mana
Retrieved from "https://mtg.wiki/index.php?title=Creature_type/History&oldid=546083"