Options in a game are always good, and entwine is one of those mechanics where the more options you have, the merrier. Cards that are flexible in their mana cost and their use are always good in my book.
Read moreWhile haunt is a keyword ability that’s often seen on creatures, it can be placed on any type of card. When a permanent or a resolved spell with haunt goes to the graveyard, you exile it, targeting a creature. When this creature dies, the ability...
Read moreReturn to Ravnica introduced five new mechanics to Magic: The Gathering, one for each of the ally-colored guilds featured in the set. Designers were determined to get Azorius () right this time after the huge air-ball of a mechanic that was...
Read moreHello planeswalkers! I know you’re always on the prowl for great information. I needed to get out one terrible joke, and I promise it won’t happen again. Today we take a look at the uncommon mechanic, prowl. With a total of ten cards with the...
Read moreMagic has a string of cards and mechanics that allow you to durably alter a creature after it’s already been cast. Cipher is one of those experiments that seems to have exhausted its narrow design space between under- and overpowered.
Read moreIn Magic you’ll find yourself mana-flooded a fair amount, and buyback gives you a way to sink that extra mana into spells that can bury your opponent. There are also other means of paying buyback besides just extra mana, so let’s delve into this...
Read moreFor Magic players in the know, the very word “layers” conjures all sorts of horror stories of weird rules interactions that don’t look like they should work. For aspiring judges, layers can be among the more difficult rules to...
Read moreEvery time we return to Ravnica, it seems like one of the guilds gets the short end of the stick, as far as effective and thematic mechanics go. Forecast isn’t bad, per se. It just lacks a certain splashy-ness that other mechanics have, and...
Read moreSoulbond is a keyword that caused a bit too much confusion, taking its place alongside abilities like flanking or banding. What is soulbond, how does it work, and are any of the cards worth playing still? Let’s take a look at the mechanic, its...
Read moreOffering lets you cast big bad creatures at flash speed… but, as it turned out, it wasn’t exactly a smash-hit of a mechanic, and there are only about half a dozen cards with offering. It’s a cool keyword ability, so let’s find...
Read moreOver the years, Magic has accrued quite the collection of keyword abilities. Some of these like flying or trample have stuck around and probably won’t be going anywhere. However, some keyword mechanics fall off as quickly as they pop up. A prime...
Read moreEvery once in a while you’ll be looking through cards and discover some niche mechanic you really like. Maybe you like how it works, or maybe it fits well with other things you like playing.
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