In the ever-evolving world of Magic: The Gathering, a simple four-letter word and a new ability had a profound impact on the game's mechanics and player experience. Today, we delve into the story behind these changes and explore their lasting influence on the beloved card game.
The Power of Language
Imagine sifting through a stack of old Magic cards, encountering clunky phrases like "Anurid Swarmsnapper may block as though it has flying." It's a reminder of how the game's vocabulary has evolved over its 33-year history. Enter Magic 2012, a set that streamlined the language with the introduction of the keyword "dies."
"Dies" became the official term for a creature's journey to the graveyard, a much-needed simplification. But it's not just about efficiency; it's about understanding the natural language of the players. As designer Doug Beyer puts it, "If something happened in a Core Set, that was our signal that told players, 'This is what the Magic rules do now.'"
Hexproof: A Step Towards Intuitive Gameplay
Magic 2012 also brought "hexproof" into the spotlight, an ability that had previously been described in full sentences. Hexproof addressed a fundamental issue: players wanted their creatures to be protected, but not at the cost of their own abilities to interact with them. It was a step towards a more natural and enjoyable gameplay experience.
"We knew that a lot of players were either unaware or sad that shroud didn’t let them use combat tricks, equipment, Auras, etc. on their own creature," Beyer explains. "Keywording hexproof was a step towards letting players play the more natural-feeling version of the ability."
The Rise of Commander Staples
Magic 2012 introduced more than just new keywords; it birthed one of the most iconic Commander staples: Swiftfoot Boots. This two-cost equipment with hexproof and haste became an essential tool for protecting Commanders, even if it wasn't initially designed with that purpose in mind.
"You can tell M12 was still developed with just 1-v-1 play in mind," Magic's vice president Aaron Forsythe notes. "Even the big splashy-looking cards don’t even all work in Commander."
From Hexproof to Ward: Finding the Right Balance
While hexproof offered a more intuitive form of protection, it also led to games that hinged on untargetability, which could be less enjoyable. The solution? Ward, a form of protection that allows opponents to target a permanent if they pay an additional cost. This softer, more opt-in protection has been found to lead to more overall fun, according to Beyer.
"It makes both players feel like they get something while moving the game forward," he adds.
The Legacy of Magic 2012
Magic 2012's impact extends beyond its keywords and abilities. It introduced a philosophy that continues to guide the game's development: pay attention to how players naturally understand and describe the game. It's a reminder that the game's evolution is deeply connected to its community.
As Forsythe reflects, "These sets [Core Sets] were great places to put setting-agnostic cool individual Magic cards. Those cards have provided a lot of joy over the years!"
So, the next time you play Magic, take a moment to appreciate the simplicity of "dies" and the intuitive protection offered by ward. These small changes have had a big impact on the game we know and love today.
