tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post398515031992755926..comments2024-03-11T02:32:15.295-04:00Comments on Goblin Artisans: M13 Designer Diary VIUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post-80381308859613216982012-07-17T07:33:42.899-04:002012-07-17T07:33:42.899-04:00I thought the idea was to use it as a 2-card kill ...I thought the idea was to use it as a 2-card kill combo...AlexChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05674122775216494431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post-58070669123262543892012-07-16T09:57:49.272-04:002012-07-16T09:57:49.272-04:00While the core set design cycle isn't as lengt...While the core set design cycle isn't as lengthy as the expert one, it remains that the official MTGM13 file was finished before we began. There is no chance that anything printed in the actual set was influenced by the designs and discussions we had about our version.<br /><br />Ben hits on the crux of the matter. The reason there are so many similarities between our sets, beyond the standard convergence that always occurs, is that both teams were working under surprisingly similar parameters. <br /><br />Stuff we couldn't screw up: Replace M12, continue the modern core set legacy, follow Innistrad. The big thing that could have gone any direction but didn't was leading into Return to Ravnica as the next fall set. <br /><br />Hinting at and supporting the upcoming block is a major responsibility of the core set and the fact that we were able to guess what that set would be was an enormous leg up in terms of matching parameters for our design.<br /><br />With the needs and goals of the set in place, how similar the two sets ended up was purely a question of execution. The biggest point of divergence there was that, after examining the list of options for the returning mechanic, Wizards went with the best option that strictly fulfilled the requirement, Exalted, where we went with the (arguably) better option that bent the rules of "choose an existing keyword and bring it back," Bond.<br /><br />Wizards will often isolate such decisions. There are 11 white and black cards with Exalted in the set and, unlike Bloodthirst which required a visible shift in the card set to support and counter aggressive decks, there are very few card choices in M13 that were made specifically because of the presence of Exalted or that couldn't have been made without it.<br /><br />In contrast, our entire set became focused on "lands matter" because of the inclusion of bond. Most cards that would have keyed off color were replaced with cards that care about land-type. We looked for other ways to make lands relevant including the landfall cycle, land auras, invoker lands, land destruction and higher rarity cards like Vedalken Plotter, Moonlight Druid and Quirion Exarch.<br /><br />It's arguable that our method was too focused or over-themed for a core set. I was nervous whether these choices would prevent M13 from feeling really core. Having shared and played with it, I'm ecstatic to say that it does. Not just because we didn't fail, but because our success offers a new and exciting model for future core sets. They don't have to be 100% athematic and lacking in story as they have. It's entirely possible to make a core set that feels enough like generic Fantasy to remain a perfect entry point for new players, while still exploring mechanical themes and telling a story in a way that makes them more engaging to the established players. <br /><br />That's kind of a huge revelation and if R&D learns anything from our work at all, this is the takeaway that I'm sure will benefit everyone the most.Jay Treathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09428861685923241850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post-12179286704775778622012-07-15T22:50:44.780-04:002012-07-15T22:50:44.780-04:00I think that has more to do with the possibility o...I think that has more to do with the possibility of shockland reprints in RTR than Artisans. There are lots of M13 hint at nonbasics: New Liliana and her Shade, Gem of Becoming, Farseek, Ranger's Path, plus the cycle you're talking about. Also keep in mind that Wizard's M13 has been worked on for 2 years.Ben Nnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post-72363905928257243582012-07-15T22:20:34.353-04:002012-07-15T22:20:34.353-04:00Any comment on whether you think official M13'...Any comment on whether you think official M13's "domain cycle" creatures had anything to do with your project?Tigthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11018253211543720641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post-82585530518049550222012-07-15T16:22:55.107-04:002012-07-15T16:22:55.107-04:00I couldn't agree more with what an incredible ...I couldn't agree more with what an incredible and informative project this has been. I'm honored to have been on the design team, and if I can make time I'd love to try running something similar. You've left some pretty big shoes to fill, but I guess that's just another reason I'll have to corral you onto the team.Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13784920130399590671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post-31450465288953802422012-07-15T15:01:13.679-04:002012-07-15T15:01:13.679-04:00An oversight. Fixed. Thanks.An oversight. Fixed. Thanks.Jay Treathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09428861685923241850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post-82813708934872972932012-07-15T13:29:15.167-04:002012-07-15T13:29:15.167-04:00New flavor text for Great Axe:
"There is alwa...New flavor text for Great Axe:<br />"There is always a greater power".<br /><br />It might be helpful to link one of the Molten Roost cycle, just in case someone doesn't realize they can look at the full spoilerPasteurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02058331124653341978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5479847193762153273.post-16541374853347686852012-07-15T05:05:14.541-04:002012-07-15T05:05:14.541-04:00How is Memory Maker way too good? You're spend...How is Memory Maker way too good? You're spending 11 mana and two cards to die next turn if you don't win right now. It's exciting and terrible, exactly what combos should be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com