Part 1: A Journey Through Past and Present
Exploring the rich legacy of Magic: The Gathering often involves revisiting previous sets and their mechanics. The forthcoming Lorwyn Eclipsed set brings back the innovative design themes established in prior blocks while also introducing new mechanics and synergies. This article will delve into key elements of Lorwyn Eclipsed, including the Champion mechanic and the newly introduced “behold” ability.
A Journey Through Past and Present in Magic: The Gathering
One hallmark of Magic’s design philosophy is the use of typal themes. These themes originated as early as the Limited Edition (Alpha) set, focusing mainly on creatures supporting their specific types. Richard Garfield, the game’s creator, pioneered these concepts, which have evolved over time. In Lorwyn, typal themes were expanded to include non-creature cards that impact gameplay in novel ways.
Champion Mechanic and Its Evolution
The Champion mechanic was designed to add complexity and a sense of evolution to gameplay. Initially, it allowed creatures of specific types to be transformed into more powerful versions. For Lorwyn Eclipsed, designers aimed to revisit Champion but enhance its usability. Although the mechanic offered potential, it proved challenging in practice. To address this, the design team introduced the “behold” mechanic, enabling players to reveal cards from their hands to reap various benefits.
- Important Cycles:
- Champion Cycle: Focused on connecting creatures directly to their types.
- Behold Integration: Allowed players to reveal creatures in hand for tactical advantages.
- New Synonyms: Cards were crafted with “Champion” in their titles, tying them back to the original mechanic while showcasing new abilities.
Introduction of Commands
The Lorwyn Eclipsed set also reintroduces Commands, designed to maximize modal effects in gameplay. Previously featured in earlier sets, these cards provide more strategic flexibility by allowing players multiple options. The design team made the decision to shift the focus of Commands to specific typal synergies, creating powerful cards tailored for Kithkin, Merfolk, Goblins, Elementals, and Elves.
- Key Attributes:
- Each Command card now emphasizes a typal effect relevant to its creature type.
- Two-color pairs were utilized to enhance synergy while maintaining strategic gameplay.
The Kindred Card Type
Alongside Commands, the kindred card type made a return, expanding typal themes to non-creature cards. This approach aimed to increase card diversity within decks specializing in specific creature types. Thirteen kindred cards were incorporated in Lorwyn Eclipsed, including rare multicolor Command cycles designed to create creature tokens of the relevant type.
Encumbered Reejerey and Other Notable Cards
Several cards within Lorwyn Eclipsed were designed to bridge multiple themes. Notable examples include Encumbered Reejerey and Reluctant Dounguard, which integrate mechanics appealing to players interested in aggressive and creature-centric strategies. Other cards, like Moonshadow, find utility in graveyard manipulation, aligning with black’s strengths.
Overall, the design of Lorwyn Eclipsed demonstrates a thoughtful look back at Magic: The Gathering’s history while pushing forward with innovative mechanics and themes. The combination of traditional elements such as Champion and new additions like behold and Commands creates a rich gaming experience, offering players diverse strategies in their decks. Join us in the next installment as we further explore the unique aspects of this exciting set.
