Blogatog

Where Question Mark meets Explanation Point. If you're new, start by checking out my FAQ: markrosewater.tumblr.com/faq

[markrosewater]

Something I’ve Been Dying to Say for 28 Years

Mood Swings - on sale now!

https://secretlair.wizards.com/us/en

[markrosewater]

hey mark! today is my birthday, and for my birthday party im running a cube with friends. anything you can tell me about my favorite card in the cube, colossification?

Colossification came about because we liked the idea that the “giant monster” themed set had the largest aura in history.

Happy Birthday!

[markrosewater]

How do people feel about cards like stark industries executive? It is a non legendary card that clearly depicts pepper Potts. She would not have gotten a card if not for the common but you can’t use her as a commander and the flavor text only implies it is her so people may feel let down? What do you and other think about depicting legendary creatures in the way of they would otherwise not get a card. Could you just put her in the art of another card like an enchantment or instant?

The legendary rule makes it hard to make a lot of common legendary creatures, so we have to find work arounds. In properties with lots and lots of named characters, we’d rather picture characters you know than random people, so we name the card as a larger archetype that the character is a good example of.

With the current parameters, we think this is the best options. How do you all feel?

[markrosewater]

Double Masters famously had 10 three-color archetypes. Would something like that work in a premier set? Or would such a structure work in a supplemental set only?

It’s a bit too complicated for a premier set.

[markrosewater]

King T’Challa has flash on both his faces, but his transform is sorcery speed. Is there any reason behind this? Is it to make him more consistent with the other flip legends in MSH?

Yes.

[markrosewater]

Unrules question: When I draw something one a card, am I the artist of it?

You are. Note you can do this with tokens, you can’t just draw on a card with an illustration and call yourself the artist.

[markrosewater]

Who handles the act of contacting and commissioning artists en masse? Are there any columns about the job?

The art directors.

[markrosewater]

Dueling Grounds MTG made two Mood Swings videos.

One a best of three play through:

And one a review (and rules explanation):

[markrosewater]

Is it true that writers on Roseanne were only referred to as a number printed on your shirts?

That was after my time. It did happen.

[markrosewater]

Is your next State of Design article coming out this year as usual? Or will it be moved to next year to match the new set rotation?

I’m planning to have it match “year” rotation as it always has.

[markrosewater]

There are a handful of helper cards that use a "T" rather than "H" for their "rarity" code. (On an Adventure, Acorn Stash, Companion, Undercity//The Initiative, and Cyberman) Usually, a T would be a token. Is this something to do with how the cards are printed and sorted during manufacture?

My guess is T means “token slot”, which means it’s used for sorting when printing.

[markrosewater]

How often do you get frustrated after designing a card and thinking of a perfect name only to find it was used 20 years ago?

All the time, although usually I know I can’t use the name right away.

[markrosewater]

What are the chances of ever seeing a set like Future Sight again, even if it's not Standard legal?

It depends what part you mean. Modern Horizon does a lot of the decadent mixing and matching old mechanics. If you mean giving nods to what we might do in the future, that’s a trickier ask. I’d be game though in the tight product.

[markrosewater]

Hey Mark,

do you think you have to feign ignorance about upcoming cards on this blog more often than when you actually don't know?

I both feign ignorance and am ignorant. : )

[markrosewater]

Does Vorthos, Steward of Myth work across IPs? There's now 3 different Universes Beyond with a "Loki" (all based on the same Norse Mythology one)

Yes.

[markrosewater]

How many Mood Swings cards have clear analogues to MtG cards? Are there any that are, game specific details aside, direct translations?

There are a few with the same name and an ability that’s close. There are others mimicking common effects in Magic.

[markrosewater]

First of congrats on launching Mood Swings! Is there anything you'd approach differently with it or is it too early to tell?

A Mood Swings discord has started, and through discussion there, I’ve learned the Power Duel deck construction rules need to be tweaked, so my design team is working on that.