We know there will be 337 total cards printed with the set symbol, including 61 new cards, 15 in each deck. That leaves room for 276 reprints. My estimates:
Did anyone else notice in the "A look inside" article at http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/look-inside-vault-annihilation-2014-08-11 he says about Decree of Annihilation "...until the flurry of coincidences continued and another card had to be dropped from this set at the last minute. I had a hole to fill, and thought back to everyone's reactions about the name Annihilation. After talking with a few people to confirm that sounded good, I gave Decree of Annihilation the go ahead."
Any thoughts on what the other card that was dropped was?
There's a distinct possibility it was Damnation, which was a major expected reprint in this set. Knowing that Upheaval was eschewed from last year's From the Vault: Twenty specifically to be included in this year's Annihilation, we can surmise that the reason Damnation was left out of Annihilation is that it's going to see print elsewhere soon. There's a couple places that come to mind:
Khans of Tarkir has the black-centric Sultai Brood, identified with ruthlessness and known to have made deals with Rakshasa demon cats. If any faction in Khans were to get a black wrath effect, it would probably be Sultai.
But another even more compelling option exists. This year, we're getting five monocolored commander decks, one of which is obviously black. Now, we saw Wrath of God printed in Commander 2013, so that means...?
We won't be seeing Phyrexia vs. the Coalition getting reprinted as long as the Reserved List is around thanks to Phyrexian Negator. Which means, if and when they get around to a second Anthology, we'll be seeing Elspeth vs. Tezzeret, Knights vs. Dragons, Ajani vs. Nicol Bolas, and Venser vs. Koth.
Worth noting that two of those are strongly implied to happen after the related block. My guess is they'll go for Ajani, Mentor of Heroes vs. Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver. Ashiok's trying to create their own god and Ajani's basically declared war on gods, so he's certainly not going to let some nightmare mage add to the list of deities he has to un-deify. But Elspeth vs. Xenagos is definitely a contender. They made Jace vs. Vraska different from Izzet vs. Golgari, so surely they can do the same here in regards to Heroes vs. Monsters.
Back to Speed vs. Cunning, I have a feeling they'll make use of the Morph mechanic in both decks, primarily of that deck's central color (so red Morph for Speed and blue Morph for Cunning), since it's returning in KTK. But finding Morph cards for each is difficult as the only sets to feature Morph up to now are the Onslaught and Time Spiral blocks.
I've been designing a mechanic with the same name and a very similar effect for RWU, which in my opinion could make a good artifact wedge. In order to help separate it from proliferate, the general idea was to put a +1/+1 counter on each artifact creature you control and a charge counter on each noncreature artifact you control. I pictured energize being an action word as opposed to a keyword, like "When this ETB, energize" or "Sacrifice this: Energize."
To reduce complexity and provide a scale, I've also considered a second version that uses a number variable to define a specific number of charge and/or +1/+1 counters to be distributed among up to that many artifacts you control. For example, "energize 3" would mean you distribute three charge counters among up to three target artifacts you control, and for each charge counter that would be placed on a creature this way, you put a +1/+1 counter on that creature instead. This would give Energize some synergy with mechanics like Modular and Sunburst.
Recently, I was inspired by a question on Blogatog that stated a Planeswalkers matter block would be impossible under the printing standards. While a block designed around Planeswalkers mechanically might not be feasible, I see potential for a supplementary set that is designed around Planeswalkers thematically; that is, most of the cards in the set are associated with at least one of the featured Planeswalkers, including many that are named after them such as Ajani's Sunstriker, Jace's Phantasm, Sorin's Thirst, and Chandra's Fury. To that end, all fifteen Mythic Rare cards in the set consist of Planeswalkers.
Why a supplement? Because Standard would get terribly warped by having fifteen Planeswalkers in one set. By keeping the Planeswalker party limited to a supplement, you grant access to cards that are still legal in whichever formats already have access to them while providing a unique drafting environment at the same time. You see, each Planeswalker encourages certain strategies; Ajani likes lifegain, while Chandra likes burning stuff. These strategies can be carried down to limited and draft themes can be crafted around them. Here's the rough outline so far:
Right now, I'm listing cards by rarity, then color in order to keep track of how many cards are in each color at each rarity. Once the set's complete, I'll compact it all down to just the colors like a normal set. I welcome input regarding the selection of Planeswalkers and suggestions for cards that follow their themes.
4/4 white Angel with flying
*/* white Avatar with "This creature's power and toughness are each requal to your life total."
2/2 white Cat
0/1 white Goat
1/1 white Soldier
9/9 blue Kraken
1/1 blue Thopter with flying
2/2 black Zombie
4/4 red Dragon with flying
3/1 red Elemental
3/3 green Beast
3/3 colorless Golem
You ignored the design rules for Phyrexian/Mirran cards that is active in Scars of Mirrodin. I think it can be helped by having Razordross Convert trigger on dying rather than entering, but either way you violate the color restriction of the Phyrexian faction - actually a major point of the sets design.
You mean these?
The card's rules text mentions poison.
The card's rules text mentions proliferate.
The card's rules text mentions -1/-1 counters.
The card was a creature with a "put into a graveyard from the battlefield" effect.
The card involved sacrificing creatures.
The card used life as a payment.
I suppose I could add life payment onto the ability. White and black are the top colors for life payments since they're also good at acquiring additional life. However, Disentombing effects are also meant to be Phyrexian if Morbid Plunder from Mirrodin Besieged is any indication. Scars omitted any form of common or even uncommon disentombing spell, making it difficult to determine whether that effect counted as Mirran or Phyrexian. Since the Phyrexians are said to use death as a resource, though, I think it's safe to say the latter. I'll ask MaRo about this on Blogatog and see if he answers.
As for colors, it is true that Phyrexia did not yet move into red or white in Scars. I suppose I could find alternatives to make the WB and BR cards still technically Mirran and maybe save the current ideas for later. BR in particular wants something lifeloss-centered while WB can be life drain-oriented.
I assume you're referring to the GW Golem token card. I had a feeling when I put that design up that comparisons to the Splicers would be inevitable. I'd like to point out that the Splicers had a second effect, the Golem tribal, whereas this card simply produces a token. I will admit though that it may not be quite "build around" enough. GW had pushed life gain in Scars, so maybe something centering around that would be preferable?
You also restricted yourself to creatures. Maybe considering noncreatures for some of the slots would be a good idea?
I'd be interested in hearing suggestions. The topic is meant for others to contribute their own anchor cycle ideas as well. But the anchors should encourage players to build around a particular strategy supported by their two colors.
Seachrome Raptor - three mana 2/2 with flying, first strike, hexproof with three artifacts out. This would be very annoying to deal with. It avoids removal and hits pretty nicely in combat. Very solid, could be too good.
I did consider bumping the cost up by :1mana:, but we're already talking a less-splashable Wind Drake. I'm not completely satisfied with it however as I feel blue metalcraft isn't represented well enough. You see, white metalcraft was focused on combat (+2/+2, flying, double strike) but blue metalcraft was focused on utility (bouncing, milling, tapping). Hexproof is obviously meant to be this, but I wonder if it's adequate.
Smokestack Shaman - Sac a permanent, shock each opponent? Amazing! This might be a bit too much.
BR had a distinct artifact/creature sacrificing theme, though now that you mention it it should probably be reduced to 1, possibly as simple life loss. I also like how it responds to Annihilator in Zendikar, which is one reason why I used "permanent" and not "artifact or creature".
Copperline Carnivore - I like this idea a lot. either use artifact destruciton or have an artifact to sacrifice to make this guy a 5/3 trample haste. This is sort of similar to, and not as great as Molder Beast.
This proved one of the trickier cards to design. Red had artifact sacrifice, green had artifact-to-graveyard triggers, and both had artifact removal, so obviously the RG card wanted to focus on artifact destruction. I also considered a card that checked for the number of artifact cards in graveyards, though it felt too similar to either a Lhurgoyf or the Slag Fiend. Rather than involve saccing an artifact or checking for whenever one is destroyed, I opted for artifact Morbid, something no other card in the block does to my recollection.
Golemshaper - This guy is pretty cool, 3 mana get a dude and a 3/3. Seems about right. Could do something else though, it's close to being one of the Splicers.
Yeah, that occurred to me. GW had pushed lifegain to account for poison but I wasn't entirely sure how to encourage building around that. A previous idea was a :2mana::symg::symw: Elephant Warrior with lifelink and trample named Warhammer Warden, a nod to the famous Loxodon Warhammer. I also considered a version that was basically Call of the Conclave with a Golem instead of a Centaur, and a 2/2 that generated a 1/1 Myr and a 3/3 Golem.
Razordross Convert - This could be better. A white black Gravedigger that only gets artifact creatures.
Actually, it retrieves an artifact or a creature, which yes allows it to retrieve artifact creatures as well. WB had a distinct sacrifice theme but was also the color pair of retriever cards such as Salvage Scout and, though not in Scars, Morbid Plunder. I did consider building it around Myr seeing as white and black were the two colors to most interact with Myr in the block, but most likely that would have involved tokens and the GW card already produces a token.
I haven't gotten around to writing flavor text since the cards are a WIP, but it's meant to be a mutant created by Lumengrid experimentation, a green Elemental captured from the Tangle and infused with quicksilver. This left it a bizarre relationship with artifacts while also enhancing its abilities.
For flavor reasons all the black cards in the megacycle are Phyrexian, representing the spread of Phyrexia's influence. That was the abo****e most I felt I could include without disrupting the ratio of Mirran/Phyrexian cards, which is meant to start out in the Mirrans' favor. As I design cards for the later two sets you'll see more Phyrexian influence.
It is recommended that you first look at your chosen set and study the cards that occur within a given color pair and look for areas where that color pair overlaps. Not each color pair will necessarily focus on one of the set's new mechanics but may instead focus on a theme or that set's particular take on a strategy common to the color pair. BR in Theros for example focused on Minotaur tribal while RW focused on aggro like usual but with Therosian flair.
You are allowed to design for more than one set but try to stick with one at a time.
We can provide input on each other's anchors but we must remain civil and helpful; constructive criticism only please.
I'll start by designing a megacycle of anchors for my first chosen set, Scars of Mirrodin.
Seachrome Raptor1WU (Mirran) Creature - Bird
Flying Metalcraft - ~ has first strike and hexproof as long as you control three or more artifacts.
2/2
Darkslick DefilerUB (Phyrexian) Creature - Horror
When ~ enters the battlefield, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
When ~ dies, proliferate.
1/1
Smokestack ShamanBR (Mirran) Creature - Goblin Shaman
Whenever you sacrifice a permanent, ~ deals 1 damage to each opponent.
1/1
Copperline CarnivoreRG (Mirran) Creature - Beast
Trample
When ~ enters the battlefield, if an artifact was put into a graveyard from the battlefield this turn, ~ gets +3/+0 and gains haste until end of turn.
3/3
Golemshaper1GW (Mirran) Creature - Human Artificer
When ~ enters the battlefield, put a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token onto the battlefield.
1/1
Razordross Opportunist2WB (Mirran) Creature - Human Cleric
When ~ enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact, creature, or enchantment. Then
2/2
Charge CrafterUR (Mirran) Creature - Human Artificer
:t:: Put a charge counter on target artifact.
:t:, Sacrifice an artifact: ~ deals damage equal to the number of charge counters on the sacrificed artifact to target creature or player.
1/2
Phyrexian DroverBG (Phyrexian) Creature - Elf Shaman
Infect
Creature spells with infect you cast cost :1m: less to cast.
1/1
War Forger1RW (Mirran) Creature - Human Soldier
Equipped creatures you control get +1/+1 and have vigilance and haste.
2/2
Tanglesilver Elemental1GU (Mirran) Creature - Elemental Mutant
Protection from artifacts
Whenever ~ deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
2/2
This is easily my favorite card from the set, hands down. Turn 3 Garruk, Caller of Beasts is a Good Thing. And I happened to draw one in my prerelease pool! Naturally, it has huge potential for Commander, especially monocolor. Praetors, anyone? High-cost legends like Borborygmos Enraged also like it.
New Cards:
5 Mythic Planeswalker Commanders
5 Mythic Legends
40 Rares
10 Uncommons
1 Common
Reprints:
10 Mythics
45 Rares
80 Uncommons
101 Commons
20 Basic Lands
WIP speculation lists:
There's a distinct possibility it was Damnation, which was a major expected reprint in this set. Knowing that Upheaval was eschewed from last year's From the Vault: Twenty specifically to be included in this year's Annihilation, we can surmise that the reason Damnation was left out of Annihilation is that it's going to see print elsewhere soon. There's a couple places that come to mind:
Khans of Tarkir has the black-centric Sultai Brood, identified with ruthlessness and known to have made deals with Rakshasa demon cats. If any faction in Khans were to get a black wrath effect, it would probably be Sultai.
But another even more compelling option exists. This year, we're getting five monocolored commander decks, one of which is obviously black. Now, we saw Wrath of God printed in Commander 2013, so that means...?
Back to Speed vs. Cunning, I have a feeling they'll make use of the Morph mechanic in both decks, primarily of that deck's central color (so red Morph for Speed and blue Morph for Cunning), since it's returning in KTK. But finding Morph cards for each is difficult as the only sets to feature Morph up to now are the Onslaught and Time Spiral blocks.
2 Preview Cards
1 Boros Elite
1 Boros Recruit
1 Boros Swiftblade
1 Carnage Gladiator
1 Crimson Mage
1 Gathan Raiders
1 Goblin Deathraiders
1 Keldon Champion
1 Keldon Marauders
1 Minotaur Skullcleaver
1 Ogre Battledriver
1 Rakdos Shred-Freak
1 Skirk Marauder
1 Spark Trooper
1 Splatter Thug
1 Vicious Kavu
1 Warbreak Trumpeter
1 Blightning
1 Boros Charm
1 Fervent Charge
1 Lightning Helix
1 Messenger's Speed
1 Pain Magnification
1 Reckless Charge
1 Swiftfoot Boots
2 Akoum Refuge
2 Boros Guildgate
1 Ghitu Encampment
6 Mountain
7 Plains
7 Swamp
3 Preview Cards
1 Æther Adept
1 Aphetto Runecaster
1 Azorius Æthermage
1 Cunning Sparkmage
1 Daru Sanctifier
1 Echo Tracer
1 Fathom Seer
1 Hussar Patrol
1 Kor Skyfisher
1 Stormfront Riders
1 Vesuvan Shapeshifter
1 Voidmage Apprentice
1 Wingbeat Warrior
1 Æthermage's Touch
1 Æthertow
1 Æther Tradewinds
1 Azorius Charm
1 Blustersquall
1 Dragonshift
1 Electrolyze
1 Frost Breath
1 Schismotivate
1 Turn the Tide
1 Twisted Image
2 Izzet Guildgate
7 Mountain
7 Plains
2 Sejiri Refuge
To reduce complexity and provide a scale, I've also considered a second version that uses a number variable to define a specific number of charge and/or +1/+1 counters to be distributed among up to that many artifacts you control. For example, "energize 3" would mean you distribute three charge counters among up to three target artifacts you control, and for each charge counter that would be placed on a creature this way, you put a +1/+1 counter on that creature instead. This would give Energize some synergy with mechanics like Modular and Sunburst.
Why a supplement? Because Standard would get terribly warped by having fifteen Planeswalkers in one set. By keeping the Planeswalker party limited to a supplement, you grant access to cards that are still legal in whichever formats already have access to them while providing a unique drafting environment at the same time. You see, each Planeswalker encourages certain strategies; Ajani likes lifegain, while Chandra likes burning stuff. These strategies can be carried down to limited and draft themes can be crafted around them. Here's the rough outline so far:
Ajani - lifegain, cats
Elspeth - soldiers, creature tokens
Jace - card drawing, milling, illusions
Tezzeret - artifacts
Liliana - discard, reanimation, zombies
Sorin - life drain, vampires
Chandra - fire-based burn
Koth - mountains, ramp, earth-based burn
Garruk - beasts, ramp, pump
Nissa - elves, lifegain
Kiora - sea creatures, ramp
Nicol Bolas - big, splashy UBR effects
Ral - tempo, lightning-based burn
Sarkhan - ramp, dragons
Venser - flickering, combat damage
Right now, I'm listing cards by rarity, then color in order to keep track of how many cards are in each color at each rarity. Once the set's complete, I'll compact it all down to just the colors like a normal set. I welcome input regarding the selection of Planeswalkers and suggestions for cards that follow their themes.
Total 206/229
Blue 16/18
Black 13/18
Red 15/18
Green 14/18
Artifact 10/10
Land 1/1
Glimmerpost
Blue 09/12
Black 10/12
Red 11/12
Green 10/12
Multicolor 9/9
Artifact 7/9
Land 1/1
Buried Ruin
Blue 7/8
Black 7/8
Red 7/8
Green 6/8
Multicolor 1/1
Cruel Ultimatum
Artifact 7/11
Land 1/1
Mana Confluence
4/4 white Angel with flying
*/* white Avatar with "This creature's power and toughness are each requal to your life total."
2/2 white Cat
0/1 white Goat
1/1 white Soldier
9/9 blue Kraken
1/1 blue Thopter with flying
2/2 black Zombie
4/4 red Dragon with flying
3/1 red Elemental
3/3 green Beast
3/3 colorless Golem
You mean these?
I suppose I could add life payment onto the ability. White and black are the top colors for life payments since they're also good at acquiring additional life. However, Disentombing effects are also meant to be Phyrexian if Morbid Plunder from Mirrodin Besieged is any indication. Scars omitted any form of common or even uncommon disentombing spell, making it difficult to determine whether that effect counted as Mirran or Phyrexian. Since the Phyrexians are said to use death as a resource, though, I think it's safe to say the latter. I'll ask MaRo about this on Blogatog and see if he answers.
As for colors, it is true that Phyrexia did not yet move into red or white in Scars. I suppose I could find alternatives to make the WB and BR cards still technically Mirran and maybe save the current ideas for later. BR in particular wants something lifeloss-centered while WB can be life drain-oriented.
I researched the definition, and you are correct. I shall refrain from improper usage of the term in the future.
I was thinking about reducing the damage and creature size to 1.
I assume you're referring to the GW Golem token card. I had a feeling when I put that design up that comparisons to the Splicers would be inevitable. I'd like to point out that the Splicers had a second effect, the Golem tribal, whereas this card simply produces a token. I will admit though that it may not be quite "build around" enough. GW had pushed life gain in Scars, so maybe something centering around that would be preferable?
I'd be interested in hearing suggestions. The topic is meant for others to contribute their own anchor cycle ideas as well. But the anchors should encourage players to build around a particular strategy supported by their two colors.
I did consider bumping the cost up by :1mana:, but we're already talking a less-splashable Wind Drake. I'm not completely satisfied with it however as I feel blue metalcraft isn't represented well enough. You see, white metalcraft was focused on combat (+2/+2, flying, double strike) but blue metalcraft was focused on utility (bouncing, milling, tapping). Hexproof is obviously meant to be this, but I wonder if it's adequate.
BR had a distinct artifact/creature sacrificing theme, though now that you mention it it should probably be reduced to 1, possibly as simple life loss. I also like how it responds to Annihilator in Zendikar, which is one reason why I used "permanent" and not "artifact or creature".
This proved one of the trickier cards to design. Red had artifact sacrifice, green had artifact-to-graveyard triggers, and both had artifact removal, so obviously the RG card wanted to focus on artifact destruction. I also considered a card that checked for the number of artifact cards in graveyards, though it felt too similar to either a Lhurgoyf or the Slag Fiend. Rather than involve saccing an artifact or checking for whenever one is destroyed, I opted for artifact Morbid, something no other card in the block does to my recollection.
Yeah, that occurred to me. GW had pushed lifegain to account for poison but I wasn't entirely sure how to encourage building around that. A previous idea was a :2mana::symg::symw: Elephant Warrior with lifelink and trample named Warhammer Warden, a nod to the famous Loxodon Warhammer. I also considered a version that was basically Call of the Conclave with a Golem instead of a Centaur, and a 2/2 that generated a 1/1 Myr and a 3/3 Golem.
Actually, it retrieves an artifact or a creature, which yes allows it to retrieve artifact creatures as well. WB had a distinct sacrifice theme but was also the color pair of retriever cards such as Salvage Scout and, though not in Scars, Morbid Plunder. I did consider building it around Myr seeing as white and black were the two colors to most interact with Myr in the block, but most likely that would have involved tokens and the GW card already produces a token.
I haven't gotten around to writing flavor text since the cards are a WIP, but it's meant to be a mutant created by Lumengrid experimentation, a green Elemental captured from the Tangle and infused with quicksilver. This left it a bizarre relationship with artifacts while also enhancing its abilities.
For flavor reasons all the black cards in the megacycle are Phyrexian, representing the spread of Phyrexia's influence. That was the abo****e most I felt I could include without disrupting the ratio of Mirran/Phyrexian cards, which is meant to start out in the Mirrans' favor. As I design cards for the later two sets you'll see more Phyrexian influence.
megacycle of gold uncommons; this topic was inspired by this philosophy. For those who would like to participate, the challenge is: Choose a past set that didn't feature such an anchormegacycle and design one for it.I'll start by designing a
megacycle of anchors for my first chosen set, Scars of Mirrodin.Seachrome Raptor 1WU (Mirran)
Creature - Bird
Flying
Metalcraft - ~ has first strike and hexproof as long as you control three or more artifacts.
2/2
Darkslick Defiler UB (Phyrexian)
Creature - Horror
When ~ enters the battlefield, put a -1/-1 counter on target creature.
When ~ dies, proliferate.
1/1
Smokestack Shaman BR (Mirran)
Creature - Goblin Shaman
Whenever you sacrifice a permanent, ~ deals 1 damage to each opponent.
1/1
Copperline Carnivore RG (Mirran)
Creature - Beast
Trample
When ~ enters the battlefield, if an artifact was put into a graveyard from the battlefield this turn, ~ gets +3/+0 and gains haste until end of turn.
3/3
Golemshaper 1GW (Mirran)
Creature - Human Artificer
When ~ enters the battlefield, put a 3/3 colorless Golem artifact creature token onto the battlefield.
1/1
Razordross Opportunist 2WB (Mirran)
Creature - Human Cleric
When ~ enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact, creature, or enchantment. Then
2/2
Charge Crafter UR (Mirran)
Creature - Human Artificer
:t:: Put a charge counter on target artifact.
:t:, Sacrifice an artifact: ~ deals damage equal to the number of charge counters on the sacrificed artifact to target creature or player.
1/2
Phyrexian Drover BG (Phyrexian)
Creature - Elf Shaman
Infect
Creature spells with infect you cast cost :1m: less to cast.
1/1
War Forger 1RW (Mirran)
Creature - Human Soldier
Equipped creatures you control get +1/+1 and have vigilance and haste.
2/2
Tanglesilver Elemental 1GU (Mirran)
Creature - Elemental Mutant
Protection from artifacts
Whenever ~ deals combat damage to a player, draw a card.
2/2
If they're copy tokens, like those produced by Rite of Replication or Followed Footsteps, they do count.
This is easily my favorite card from the set, hands down. Turn 3 Garruk, Caller of Beasts is a Good Thing. And I happened to draw one in my prerelease pool! Naturally, it has huge potential for Commander, especially monocolor. Praetors, anyone? High-cost legends like Borborygmos Enraged also like it.