Renton, WA -- Wizards of the Coast announced in a press conference today that it will be adding metal plated ‘Heavy Metal’ cards to follow the theme of the highly anticipated release of the set Mirrodin, which takes place in a metallic and mechanical plane. The cards will be slightly heavier than their non-metallic counterparts. They weigh in at a healthy 4 ounces. Wizards has decided to place them one per box in a marked pack in order to counterbalance the fact that you can’t hide a quarter pound chunk of steel too well in a plastic wrapper.

A peak at the A & A Sheet Metal facilities.

Due to some difficult in imprinting the metal cards none of the metal cards will be treated with the art from their cardboard equivalent. Instead Wizards hired the A & A Sheet Metal Company of Rockaway, New Jersey, to create these mineral masterpieces. The molten metal was then pressed in a custom mold designed by industrial design majors from Stanford Center for Design Research. Student and Designer, Oorjit Singh, is very proud to have worked on the design team. He says that being able to supplicate many hours in the design of the card Triskelion was “like prostrating himself before a gamers’ version of the many arms of Kali.”

When Wizards’ Design Team was asked what inspired them in coming up with metal cards, well known designer and MTG.com game guru, Mark Rosewater responded, “Foils have become increasingly popular and valuable to Magic collectors and we’ve decided to add another collectible layer for the more intense. I remembered that a while back someone made an all metal Fork (Video Footage of Metal Fork). So, I ran with the idea and it’s turned out well in the ‘Heavy Metal’ design. The ‘Heavy Metal’ cards are heavy. They are very unique and not to mention shiny. We found out that 9 out of 10 gamers will attempt to steal, buy, or pick up anything that is shiny.”

On the tournament level the tournament level there are many misgivings about the new chase cards. Rune Horvik, Level 4 judge and MTG.com ‘Saturday School’ columnist, is quoted as screaming in a harsh tone, “What the [expletive deleted]? You can’t even shuffle these damn things. They are obviously marked cards and they look really stupid.” Rosewater, who was watching Horvik’s little tantrum, clicked his tongue in disgust and continued to pet and sooth his Ancient Mew card reassuring it that mean old Rune wouldn’t stop their plan.

I, for one, am patiently awaiting the release of Mirrodin and its ‘Heavy Metal’ cards. I’ve been lifting weights and bought a bowling bag to carry my all metal deck. I hope that Ultra Pro will respond to me about the full metal jacket deck protectors that I suggested for the new cards. Until then mise well and ting a plenty!

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!

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Renton, WA -- Wizards of the Coast announced in a press conference today that it will be adding metal plated ‘Heavy Metal’ cards to follow the theme of the highly anticipated release of the set Mirrodin, which takes place in a metallic and mechanical plane. The cards will be slightly heavier than their non-metallic counterparts. They weigh in at a healthy 4 ounces. Wizards has decided to place them one per box in a marked pack in order to counterbalance the fact that you can’t hide a quarter pound chunk of steel too well in a plastic wrapper.

A peak at the A & A Sheet Metal facilities.

Due to some difficult in imprinting the metal cards none of the metal cards will be treated with the art from their cardboard equivalent. Instead Wizards hired the A & A Sheet Metal Company of Rockaway, New Jersey, to create these mineral masterpieces. The molten metal was then pressed in a custom mold designed by industrial design majors from Stanford Center for Design Research. Student and Designer, Oorjit Singh, is very proud to have worked on the design team. He says that being able to supplicate many hours in the design of the card Triskelion was “like prostrating himself before a gamers’ version of the many arms of Kali.”

When Wizards’ Design Team was asked what inspired them in coming up with metal cards, well known designer and MTG.com game guru, Mark Rosewater responded, “Foils have become increasingly popular and valuable to Magic collectors and we’ve decided to add another collectible layer for the more intense. I remembered that a while back someone made an all metal Fork (Video Footage of Metal Fork). So, I ran with the idea and it’s turned out well in the ‘Heavy Metal’ design. The ‘Heavy Metal’ cards are heavy. They are very unique and not to mention shiny. We found out that 9 out of 10 gamers will attempt to steal, buy, or pick up anything that is shiny.”

On the tournament level the tournament level there are many misgivings about the new chase cards. Rune Horvik, Level 4 judge and MTG.com ‘Saturday School’ columnist, is quoted as screaming in a harsh tone, “What the [expletive deleted]? You can’t even shuffle these damn things. They are obviously marked cards and they look really stupid.” Rosewater, who was watching Horvik’s little tantrum, clicked his tongue in disgust and continued to pet and sooth his Ancient Mew card reassuring it that mean old Rune wouldn’t stop their plan.

I, for one, am patiently awaiting the release of Mirrodin and its ‘Heavy Metal’ cards. I’ve been lifting weights and bought a bowling bag to carry my all metal deck. I hope that Ultra Pro will respond to me about the full metal jacket deck protectors that I suggested for the new cards. Until then mise well and ting a plenty!

Discuss this article in the Magic: the Gathering Forums!

Related Stories

• My Side Of The Story: What Really Happened At GP: Boston, by Trey van Cleave