So with the release of the art or Etched Champion, everyone thought that the returning mechanic would be Sunburst.
The we go the information that Sunburst would NOT be the returning mechanic.
So what does this mean for Etched Champion? Well first off no one can argue that Etched Champion's art is definitely "Sunburst friendly". Furthermore its number would indicate it to be in the Phyrexian section. There was also a comment made a while back about the Phyrexians caring about -1/-1 counters. Therefore I purpose this ability-
Moonburst (This card enters the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it for each color of mana spent to cast it)
Do you want me to elaborate my posts, so that those without basic intuition skills can understand what I am saying by guiding them step by step through it?
Etched Oracle is a card in Fifth Dawn
Etched Oracle used a mechanic "Sunburst", having a 5x color theme on its art.
Scars of Mirrodin has a card named "Etched Champion"
"Etched Champion" has 5x colors in its art.
"Etched Champion" will not use sunburst.
Another mechanic is returning from Mirrodin.
This mechanic has been heavily guessed at as "imprint"
One way "Etched Champion" could interact with a 5x color 'pseudo-sunburst' theme would be to have an imprint that counts the colors of the imprinted card. This is neither confirmed as what it will be, nor official in any way- it is speculative
This thread asks for possible "Sunburst Friendly" mechanics that could explain how "Etched Champion" will work- in terms of flavor, art and abilities.
I speculate that one possibility is the above "Imprint colors" possibility.
Hence I speculate that one possible card design for "Etched Champion" could be:
Etched Champion3
Artifact Creature - Construct
Imprint - When Etched Champion enters the battlefield, you may exile a card from your hand, then put a +1/+1 counter on Etched Champion for each color in the exiled card's mana cost. 1, remove four +1/+1 counters from Etched Champion: Target player draws three cards
0/0
This is not a spoiler, but simple speculation that the already spoiled cardname and art could be something similar to what is above. At the same time, I speculate that such a card would likely have both a +1/+1 counter theme as well as a "remove-counters-to-draw-cards" theme, as these were the mechanics featured on its predecessor.
Clan Iraq, rock on, rock on. Not to pull the "speculation" part out of this thread, but rock on. The new rule to "remove" "card-creation" from the speculation thread is a joke. As long as the idea of what a card can be is mentioned, especially when based on hit should not only be tolerated, but encouraged. When another creates a simular thread, the threads should be combined, as they have in the past. Just because a mod says it's a rule, doesn't mean it is the most concrete, solid idea. Mods are human also & make mistakes.
But back to your idea:
There can also be other effects regarding color-subtheme, like:
For each color of mana used to cast the creature, it gets protection from that color. Or, for each color spent, gain 1 colorless, or gain 2 life, of get a 1/1 Myr token, etc...
Design space is not limited to +1/+1 counters, aka sunburst.
Couldn't they give the card sunburst, just not as a keyword, by typing the reminder text out as game text? That way it works as throwback to sunburst and 5th dawn, without adding another keyword.
I'm pretty sure thats been done before with a different keyword, but I can't think of an example.
Even if sunburst itself doesnt return, we might still see a nonkeyworded version on Etched Champion, given that it's an intentional reference to Etched Oracle. It safe to assume this will be the only card we see it on though.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Cyme we inne frið, fram the grip of deaþ to lif inne ðis smylte land.
Do you want me to elaborate my posts, so that those without basic intuition skills can understand what I am saying by guiding them step by step through it?
Etched Oracle is a card in Fifth Dawn
Etched Oracle used a mechanic "Sunburst", having a 5x color theme on its art.
Scars of Mirrodin has a card named "Etched Champion"
"Etched Champion" has 5x colors in its art.
"Etched Champion" will not use sunburst.
Another mechanic is returning from Mirrodin.
This mechanic has been heavily guessed at as "imprint"
One way "Etched Champion" could interact with a 5x color 'pseudo-sunburst' theme would be to have an imprint that counts the colors of the imprinted card. This is neither confirmed as what it will be, nor official in any way- it is speculative
This thread asks for possible "Sunburst Friendly" mechanics that could explain how "Etched Champion" will work- in terms of flavor, art and abilities.
I speculate that one possibility is the above "Imprint colors" possibility.
Hence I speculate that one possible card design for "Etched Champion" could be:
Etched Champion3
Artifact Creature - Construct
Imprint - When Etched Champion enters the battlefield, you may exile a card from your hand, then put a +1/+1 counter on Etched Champion for each color in the exiled card's mana cost. 1, remove four +1/+1 counters from Etched Champion: Target player draws three cards
0/0
This is not a spoiler, but simple speculation that the already spoiled cardname and art could be something similar to what is above. At the same time, I speculate that such a card would likely have both a +1/+1 counter theme as well as a "remove-counters-to-draw-cards" theme, as these were the mechanics featured on its predecessor.
Is that better?
I think that's highly unlikely, as you'd have to have multicolored cards to reasobaly imprint and scars doesn't look like it'll have a lot of those.
What I think it may be, though is something similar to the (presumably) fake FAQs "Eclipse" ability. Since Suburst isn't returning we do not have confirmation that Mirrans will actually use +1/+1 counters, so it could be an inverse sunburst. Basically the same as etched oracle, but instead of being small and getting big through counters, being small because of counters and removing them with pseudo-sunburst.
just a thought that i haven't really seen anyone make as of yet:
most speculation on this card assumes that since it is named "Etched X" that is will have the same "remove x counters: draw 3 cards" type ability that its predecessor had.
however, i'd like to suggest, or speculate, that the ability might be something completely different, because:
the card draw fits the name "Oracle" flavorwise. but "Champion"? not so much, imo. Champion sounds more to me like combat-related. the thing they have in common is "Etched" (perhaps having to do with colors of mana, as etching is typically done via a process involving light/lasers or chemicals). in my mind, the part of "Etched Oracle" that says "draw some cards" is the word Oracle. if this card was Something Else Oracle, then i could see it possessing a card drawing ability. but i think Champion suggests a different ability than people are expecting. something like a protection ability as Stoogeslap mentioned above seems more likely to me than the same old card-drawing-for-counters-removed ability it's daddy had.
It's quite possible it'll be similar to cards we saw during invasion.
Perhaps something like "If White mana was used to play this, it gains blah. If black mana was used to play this it gains blar. If Blue bleh, if green bluh, if red something else" or somesuch. Feels like Sunburst, but isnt.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Cyme we inne frið, fram the grip of deaþ to lif inne ðis smylte land.
SonofaBith - Wizards was so excited about making the packaging for Modern Masters 2 recyclable, they decided to make most of the rares and all but 1 of the UC's recycle-bin ready too. Convenient!
It would be lazy but it could use the -1/-1 counters it get's to produce colored mana.. Or it could be a creature that uses them to draw cards and starts off with one and begs for proliferation, also becomes a creature that your opponent wouldn't want to be blocked by as it gives you a free draw...
Modular - Sunburst (reminder text here). 1, remove four +1/+1 counters from Etched Champion: Creatures you control gain Double-strike until end of turn.
0/0
EDIT: Just because Sunburst won't be a proper keyword, does not mean that it won't appear on any cards - just that it isn't going to be on a large number of cards.
This.... won't happen. At this point you're just trying to squeeze sunburst in anywhere without thinking about design. Why would they do this? Fifth dawn had a "Play five colors" subtheme so it had the cards to support Sunburst. If Sunburst isn't a major theme in Scars then brining back Sunburst on Modular is going to be lame.
+1/+1 countres aren't going to comingle with -1/-1 counters, this is the policy and i don't see it changing as long as Magic is paper based.
Finally, why would you reintorduce a complex keyword within a complex keyword? Want to know what Sunburst does? extract the meaning from Modular.
"Modular - Sunburst" is the end of an evolution of both Modular and Sunburst, not the beginning. They'll start with simple keywords in Scars and work thier way up.
The we go the information that Sunburst would NOT be the returning mechanic.
So what does this mean for Etched Champion? Well first off no one can argue that Etched Champion's art is definitely "Sunburst friendly". Furthermore its number would indicate it to be in the Phyrexian section. There was also a comment made a while back about the Phyrexians caring about -1/-1 counters. Therefore I purpose this ability-
Moonburst (This card enters the battlefield with a -1/-1 counter on it for each color of mana spent to cast it)
What do you guys think?
Most likely Etched champion will be a mirror of Etched Oracle just like Grim Poppet was a mirror of Triskelion. Similar, but different.
Right now we don't know enough.
Etched Oracle is a card in Fifth Dawn
Etched Oracle used a mechanic "Sunburst", having a 5x color theme on its art.
Scars of Mirrodin has a card named "Etched Champion"
"Etched Champion" has 5x colors in its art.
"Etched Champion" will not use sunburst.
Another mechanic is returning from Mirrodin.
This mechanic has been heavily guessed at as "imprint"
One way "Etched Champion" could interact with a 5x color 'pseudo-sunburst' theme would be to have an imprint that counts the colors of the imprinted card. This is neither confirmed as what it will be, nor official in any way- it is speculative
This thread asks for possible "Sunburst Friendly" mechanics that could explain how "Etched Champion" will work- in terms of flavor, art and abilities.
I speculate that one possibility is the above "Imprint colors" possibility.
Hence I speculate that one possible card design for "Etched Champion" could be:
Etched Champion 3
Artifact Creature - Construct
Imprint - When Etched Champion enters the battlefield, you may exile a card from your hand, then put a +1/+1 counter on Etched Champion for each color in the exiled card's mana cost.
1, remove four +1/+1 counters from Etched Champion: Target player draws three cards
0/0
This is not a spoiler, but simple speculation that the already spoiled cardname and art could be something similar to what is above. At the same time, I speculate that such a card would likely have both a +1/+1 counter theme as well as a "remove-counters-to-draw-cards" theme, as these were the mechanics featured on its predecessor.
Is that better?
But back to your idea:
There can also be other effects regarding color-subtheme, like:
For each color of mana used to cast the creature, it gets protection from that color. Or, for each color spent, gain 1 colorless, or gain 2 life, of get a 1/1 Myr token, etc...
Design space is not limited to +1/+1 counters, aka sunburst.
I'm pretty sure thats been done before with a different keyword, but I can't think of an example.
I think that's highly unlikely, as you'd have to have multicolored cards to reasobaly imprint and scars doesn't look like it'll have a lot of those.
What I think it may be, though is something similar to the (presumably) fake FAQs "Eclipse" ability. Since Suburst isn't returning we do not have confirmation that Mirrans will actually use +1/+1 counters, so it could be an inverse sunburst. Basically the same as etched oracle, but instead of being small and getting big through counters, being small because of counters and removing them with pseudo-sunburst.
most speculation on this card assumes that since it is named "Etched X" that is will have the same "remove x counters: draw 3 cards" type ability that its predecessor had.
however, i'd like to suggest, or speculate, that the ability might be something completely different, because:
the card draw fits the name "Oracle" flavorwise. but "Champion"? not so much, imo. Champion sounds more to me like combat-related. the thing they have in common is "Etched" (perhaps having to do with colors of mana, as etching is typically done via a process involving light/lasers or chemicals). in my mind, the part of "Etched Oracle" that says "draw some cards" is the word Oracle. if this card was Something Else Oracle, then i could see it possessing a card drawing ability. but i think Champion suggests a different ability than people are expecting. something like a protection ability as Stoogeslap mentioned above seems more likely to me than the same old card-drawing-for-counters-removed ability it's daddy had.
just a thought.
Perhaps something like "If White mana was used to play this, it gains blah. If black mana was used to play this it gains blar. If Blue bleh, if green bluh, if red something else" or somesuch. Feels like Sunburst, but isnt.
GW Rhys the Redeemed EDH
RUGAnimar, Soul of Elements EDH
WBRAlesha, Who Smiles at Death EDH
This.... won't happen. At this point you're just trying to squeeze sunburst in anywhere without thinking about design. Why would they do this? Fifth dawn had a "Play five colors" subtheme so it had the cards to support Sunburst. If Sunburst isn't a major theme in Scars then brining back Sunburst on Modular is going to be lame.
+1/+1 countres aren't going to comingle with -1/-1 counters, this is the policy and i don't see it changing as long as Magic is paper based.
Finally, why would you reintorduce a complex keyword within a complex keyword? Want to know what Sunburst does? extract the meaning from Modular.
"Modular - Sunburst" is the end of an evolution of both Modular and Sunburst, not the beginning. They'll start with simple keywords in Scars and work thier way up.
Custom Card / Set Reviewer
When reviewing custom cards / sets, I look for (a) flavour, (b) function, and (c) cohesiveness, generally through a risk focus.