Plus icon
The plus icon, or plus indicator, is a graphic element that modifies the right-hand side of the title bar on several Outlaws of Thunder Junction cards.[1] It represents the card having one or more mandatory additional costs that must be paid to play the spell.
Description
The icon consists of a white plus ("+") on a black, downwards-facing triangle. The icon is positioned in the title bar after the card's mana cost and modifies the right-hand frame edge from a traditional curve to a sharp angle.
The plus icon was designed to be featured on cards where the mana cost was not the only cost that needed to be paid. It acts as a mental aid for players — to help quickly identify cards with spree when fanned in the hand and to remind them that the cost of the card was not just the mana cost.[2]
History
Introduced in Outlaws of Thunder Junction, the plus icon was featured exclusively on cards with the Spree mechanic. Due to the abnormally large number of modal spells with additional costs in Outlaws of Thunder Junction, R&D was looking for a way to combat play issues with additional costs.[2] Players often have a hard time remembering to factor in the additional costs of a card when playing them. Their flexibility also meant players had to do mental calculations for each option depending on the state of the game. As a general principle, R&D have shifted to using primarily mechanics where the costs are all-inclusive alternative costs to minimize those issues. In Outlaws of Thunder Junction, that format wouldn't work for modal spells as each combination of effects would have to be written out. The plus icon was added to cards as a way of indicating to players that the spell was distinct from regular spells in hand and required some math to utilize.
Rules
From the Comprehensive Rules (June 7, 2024—Modern Horizons 3)
- 702.172. Spree
- 702.172a Spree is a static ability found on some modal spells (see rule 700.2) that applies while the spell on the stack. Spree means “Choose one or more modes. As an additional cost to cast this spell, pay the costs associated with those modes.”
- 702.172b Cards with the spree ability have a plus sign icon in the upper right corner of the card. This symbol is a visual reminder that this card requires an additional cost to be cast. This icon has no rules meaning.
Rulings
- Spells with spree have a plus sign ("+") indicator in the upper right corner of the card frame. This has no rules meaning and serves only to remind players that at least one additional cost is required to cast the spell.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Matt Tabak (March 26, 2024). "Outlaws of Thunder Junction Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Gavin Verhey (April 3, 2024). "The Problem with Kicker (And How We Fixed It) (Video)". Good Morning Magic. YouTube.
- ↑ Eric Levine (April 5, 2024). "Outlaws of Thunder Junction Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.