2004 31 Mar

Hoverguard Observer

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Darksteel uncommon.
Although it’s almost an exact reprint of Nemesis’s Stronghold Zeppelin, Hoverguard Observer’s creature type was made Drone (instead of Ship) to line up with the flavor of the Mirrodin block.

2004 30 Mar

Dismantling Blow

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Invasion common.
There was some discussion during Invasion development to simply make Dismantling Blow a cantrip Disenchant. But since cantrips are found in many blocks and kicker is found only (so far) in Invasion block, it was created with the more unique kicker effect.

2004 26 Mar

Swat

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Urza’s Legacy and Onslaught common.
During Urza’s Legacy development, there was concern that Swat was able to target black creatures, when many black removal spells can’t. After some debate it was decided that it made Swat interesting enough to leave it that way.

2004 25 Mar

Wild Dogs

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Urza’s Saga common.
As designed, Wild Dogs was a 2/1 for Green Mana with the life-total drawback. Cycling was added to it later, during development.

2004 24 Mar

Decree of Pain

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Scourge rare.
Part of the cycle of “supercyclers” (the Decrees that generate a huge effect when either cast or cycled), Decree of Pain had its cycling cost reduced from 5 ManaBlack ManaBlack Mana to 3 ManaBlack ManaBlack Mana to make it competitive in constructed play.

2004 23 Mar

Break Asunder

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Scourge common.
As designed, this card (and a few other non-creature spells in Scourge) had landcycling. During development, it was decided that landcycling should only appear on large creatures and Break Asunder’s ability changed to regular cycling.

2004 22 Mar

Shimmering Barrier

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Urza’s Saga uncommon.
This is the only wall in Magic with the cycling ability.

2004 19 Mar

Fangren Firstborn

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Darksteel rare.
This aggressive green attacker is the only card in Magic with a mana cost of 1 ManaGreen ManaGreen ManaGreen Mana.

2004 18 Mar

Hallow

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Darksteel common.
The flavor of this Awe Strikelike instant: it’s a protective spell used by Leonin cleric elders to turn fire or death magic into healing light.

2004 16 Mar

Dwell on the Past

Author: slookin Categories: Card of Day


Torment uncommon.
This card was going to cost 2 ManaGreen Mana and be a cantrip, but it was changed to its current form to distance it from Gaea’s Blessing.