Mechanics in MTG aren’t set in stone. They used to be, sure, but in recent days, there have been plenty of changes made that affect either recently introduced mechanics like the companions, but there have also been changes to things that have been around far longer, such as cascade.
It’s had us wondering what kind of other things could change, and whether or not they should. Sure, it’s basically just a thought experiment, but isn’t it fun wondering how things could change in the future if something happens that breaks them all open?
Flickering and double-faced cards
As it stands, if you flicker a double-faced card it’ll come back into play as the front side, which would be the side facing the same way in a pack as you open it, basically, or the one displayed on most spoiler sites. It means that you can turn
Tibalt, Cosmic Impostor
Tibalt, Cosmic Impostor
When Valki enters, each opponent reveals their hand. For each opponent, exile a creature card they revealed this way until Valki leaves the battlefield.
{X}: Choose a creature card exiled with Valki with mana value X. Valki becomes a copy of that card.
back into
Valki, God of Lies
Valki, God of Lies
When Valki enters, each opponent reveals their hand. For each opponent, exile a creature card they revealed this way until Valki leaves the battlefield.
{X}: Choose a creature card exiled with Valki with mana value X. Valki becomes a copy of that card.
if you can flicker it, and it’s an interesting way to interact with a card, especially given the rise of MDFC in recent sets.
However, just because this is how something does work, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how it should work. In fact, given the effort it takes to transform some cards, we’re not sure it’s fair, and that means it’s worth revisiting and possibly altering, at least according to how Wizards has been changing rules in recent days.
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Too much effort and oh so fragile
Let’s take a look at
Jerren, Corrupted Bishop
Jerren, Corrupted Bishop
Whenever Jerren enters or another nontoken Human you control dies, you lose 1 life and create a 1/1 white Human creature token.
{2}: Target Human you control gains lifelink until end of turn.
At the beginning of your end step, if you have exactly 13 life, you may pay {4}{B}{B}. If you do, transform Jerren.
as our prime example here. Jerren, Corrupted Bishop is a new legendary creature from Innistrad: Midnight Hunt. They cost three mana, and they’re a 2/3. They read, “Whenever Jerren, Corrupted Bishop enters the battlefield or another nontoken Human you control dies, you lose 1 life and create a 1/1 white Human creature token.”
Being able to replace chump blocking Humans you control for the measly cost of one life is undoubtedly great, but they’ve got a lot more text on them. You can also pay two mana to give another Human you control lifelink, which is nice, but the main thing is that you can transform them. If you have exactly 13 life in your end step you can pay six mana to change Jerren into
Ormendahl, the Corrupter
Ormendahl, the Corrupter
Whenever Jerren enters or another nontoken Human you control dies, you lose 1 life and create a 1/1 white Human creature token.
{2}: Target Human you control gains lifelink until end of turn.
At the beginning of your end step, if you have exactly 13 life, you may pay {4}{B}{B}. If you do, transform Jerren.
.
This version of Ormendahl is a 6/6 with flying, trample, lifelink, and the ability to sacrifice another creature to draw a card. That’s all good stuff, sure, but they’re not indestructible, and they don’t have ward or hexproof or anything, so they’re actually pretty easy to kill. Better yet, you can literally just flicker them and they’re back to being Jerren again. So, you can spend your life and mana trying to get Ormendahl out, only to have all of that work undone in an instant by an
Eldrazi Displacer
Eldrazi Displacer
Devoid (This card has no color.)
{2}{C}: Exile another target creature, then return it to the battlefield tapped under its owner's control. ({C} represents colorless mana.)
.
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Should things change?
While some might think this is all fair game, we’d argue that these cards are designed in a way that doesn’t seem to account for how simple it can be to revert the transformation. It’s less of an issue with Werewolves, but when a card takes as much effort as Jerren does to transform, being able to undo that with
Ephemerate
Ephemerate
Exile target creature you control, then return it to the battlefield under its owner's control.
Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)
or something leaves a bad taste in our mouths.
If we’re going to be changing things here and there to make sure everything stays fair and fun, then we’d argue that this is a prime candidate for the next big change to classic MTG rules. Balance is important, and as it stands, this just doesn’t feel balanced.
You don’t have to agree with us, but we’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Also, are there any other mechanics that you think need to be updated?
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