Renton, WA -- Wizards of the Coast, faced with the cumbersome, self-mandated challenge of creating yet another 1-set ability, struck gold when it decided to limit an existing ability to simply searching for land cards in its upcoming expansion.

Scourge, which debuts at pre-releases next month, will contain a new ability called "plainscycling," according to a spoiler list report at mtgnews.com. The website speculates other land types, such as "islandcycling" or "mountaincycling" may also appear. Wizards of the Coast developers praised the new ability as "clever."

"It really took the pressure off," said R&D member Mark Rosewater. "We had several ideas floating for Scourge, but they just seemed too creative and complex for the current Standard environment."

"We're looking at incorporating this new idea into other expansions," Rosewater continued. "In fact, we hope to bring back old mechanics that newer players aren't familiar with, and combine them with this new, innovative approach. Rosewater said mechanics like "plainsecho," "plainsflanking," and "plainsshadow" are all being tossed around.

"The idea is, 'plainshadow' would allow a creature to gain shadow if you control a plains, and plainsecho means the creature to have (you guessed it) echo if you control a plains. Plainsflanking would work in a similar fashion."

There's even talk that Magic may finally get a set of "plainswalk" creatures. "Imagine the possibilities," said Wizards R&D member Randy Buehler. "We could create an entire cycle of landabilities. Perhaps in the future, we can even expand these combined mechanics to things like "echoshadow," or kickerflanking."

Game creator Richard Garfield could not be reached for comment, though a spokesman said he was "pleased with the way game development is going."

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!

Renton, WA -- Wizards of the Coast, faced with the cumbersome, self-mandated challenge of creating yet another 1-set ability, struck gold when it decided to limit an existing ability to simply searching for land cards in its upcoming expansion.

Scourge, which debuts at pre-releases next month, will contain a new ability called "plainscycling," according to a spoiler list report at mtgnews.com. The website speculates other land types, such as "islandcycling" or "mountaincycling" may also appear. Wizards of the Coast developers praised the new ability as "clever."

"It really took the pressure off," said R&D member Mark Rosewater. "We had several ideas floating for Scourge, but they just seemed too creative and complex for the current Standard environment."

"We're looking at incorporating this new idea into other expansions," Rosewater continued. "In fact, we hope to bring back old mechanics that newer players aren't familiar with, and combine them with this new, innovative approach. Rosewater said mechanics like "plainsecho," "plainsflanking," and "plainsshadow" are all being tossed around.

"The idea is, 'plainshadow' would allow a creature to gain shadow if you control a plains, and plainsecho means the creature to have (you guessed it) echo if you control a plains. Plainsflanking would work in a similar fashion."

There's even talk that Magic may finally get a set of "plainswalk" creatures. "Imagine the possibilities," said Wizards R&D member Randy Buehler. "We could create an entire cycle of landabilities. Perhaps in the future, we can even expand these combined mechanics to things like "echoshadow," or kickerflanking."

Game creator Richard Garfield could not be reached for comment, though a spokesman said he was "pleased with the way game development is going."

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!