Is Cyber Conversion a break, a bend, or in pie? Flickering the creature removes the effect, as does turning it face-up if it has morph or disguise, but it's otherwise a much more permanent effect than an aura.

It’s a bend, but I could see is doing it in a set with morph/disguise.

Would a black spell or effect that lets you take control of a permanent be an acceptable bend? I know taking control is usually blue or red, but it doesn't feel like a break because black can already cast other players' spells.

We let black mess with other people’s stuff, but more often from the graveyard or their library.

Is a "pretty decent bend" decent in the "good" sense because it's almost in pie, or decent in the "very" sense because it's almost a break?

It’s the kind of thing we allow to happen, but very infrequently.

Hey Mark! I'm wondering, why do you allow yourself to reprint color-breaking cards? It gives players, especially newer players, the wrong idea about the color pie. Instead of reprinting Chaos Warp, why not either (A) print a different, non-breaking card that achieves whatever it is Chaos Warp achieves for red, or (B) change the color pie so Chaos Warp isn't a break?

The problem is players want access to the cards. The compromise was to not add them to formats that they aren’t legal in. That’s why color pie breaks won’t get reprinted in premier sets (not counting bonus sheets that don’t change card legality).

"The rate is probably too good, but that’s not a color pie issue" Is this a change from your prior philosophy about the colour pie? You used to consider Swords to Plowshares a break simply due to its rate.

Extreme rate can cause color pie breaks, but only in areas where multiple colors do the same thing and one color is supposed to be weaker at it.

Would syphon mind be considered a break since it’s black card draw with no downside?

I consider it a break.

Color Pie Question. Can a card’s base rate (mana value, power, toughness, etc.) cause color Pie bends or breaks? I say yes, but others have said no since card balance and the color pie are different topics according to them. For instance, targeted creature removal is generally more restrictive/less efficient in White compared to Black. If you take the card Quicksand Whirlpool and reduce the Mana cost from 5W to 1W, would this be 1. only a card balance issue, 2. a bend, or 3. a break?

There are places where rate matters in the color pie, but usually it’s does this color do this effect or not?

Modern Horizons includes a 4U common creature with reach. I understand blue doesn't have problems blocking flyers but it's so weird to see reach on a blue card.

Reach is an aesthetic bend (aka the color doesn’t usually do this to help the colors feel distinct) not a mechanical one. That is why it feels weird.

Can a blue battle with U in it's mana cost transform into a card that's not U color identity and do an effect not in blue?

Not something that’s a break in blue. If the back is another color, we treat it like a hybrid design.

Hey, Mark-Fists of Flame feels like a severe bend or a break to me. Caring about drawn cards does not feel remotely red.I'm curious what your thoughts are?Thanks- E3

Red is allowed to care about cards drawn. It’s not undermining red’s weakness in any way.