Changeling

Changeling in Bloomburrow

Hey Mark, can I get a maybe on Changeling (the mechanic) in Bloomburrow?

Maybe. : )

Bloomburrow Changeling Humor Mechanics

Changeling Role in Typal Sets

Does Bloomburrow prove that a typal-themed set doesn’t need changeling to work? Or will Changeling stick around for typal sets with heavier creature type emphasis?

The as-fan of typal themes is a lot lower than sets like Lorwyn or Ixalan. “Here’s a snippet from my article today that touches upon this:To give you a sense of what I mean by a sprinkling, here are the typal rewards for Frogs:
A common that costs less if you have a Frog
An uncommon sorcery with a rider if you have a Frog
An uncommon land with an effect that helps Frogs
An uncommon land and a rare creature that cares if a Frog entered the battlefield this turn
An uncommon creature and a rare creature that grant Frogs an ability
A rare creature that cares about casting Frogs
The number of typal cards can vary slightly, but that will give you a rough idea of the as-fan I’m talking about.”Here’s a link to the whole article:
The Bloom of the Burrow, Part 1

As-fan Bloomburrow Changeling Creatures Exploratory Design Frog Ixalan Kindred / Typal Lands Lorwyn Rares Sorceries Spoilers Story / Lore Uncommons

Non-token Subtypes on Cards

If/when: nontoken card with usually-token subtypes (such as Army, Blood, or Role)

We’ve made artifact cards that are Clue and Food, so Blood could happen. Army wants to stay only on tokens made by Amass as it causes balance issues if we start making Army cards. (I realize Changeling exists.) Roles probably want to stay on tokens as it conveys token-ness.

Amass Army Artifacts Blood Changeling Food If/When Subtype Tokens

Changeling in Kaldheim Reception

Hey Mark, How well received was Changeling in Kaldheim? Would seeing more Changelings in future Standard legal set be considered an if or a when?

It was received well. I expect to see changeling again in a premier set.

Changeling Kaldheim Premier Sets Standard

Changeling Search Mechanic

Talk on Kindred cards started my mind back to an old question I had. Was the intention for Kindred Shapeshifter cards with Changeling that any search your deck type card with any creature type search parameter could retrieve them?

Yes.

Changeling Creatures Kindred / Typal Mechanics Search Shapeshifter Shapeshifter

Planar Nexus Keyword

Any reason that Planar Nexus’s ability couldn’t be keyworded as non-basic Rangeling?

The same reason we don’t make non-Elf changeling. Also, rangeling was meant to be a funny name for a funny set.

Changeling Humor Keywords

Rangeling Keyword Viability

Is it an option to just errata Rangeling to be nonbasic types only so it can be used as a keyword?

Rangeling is a good name partially because it works exactly like changeling. Making it work almost like changeling, but not exactly isn’t ideal. Also, the name was on the silly side, but that’s okay in an Un-set. So, no I don’t think it’s a particularly viable option.

Changeling Errata Keywords Un-Magic / Silver Border / Acorn Un-sets

Changelings and Mutate Mechanic

If/when ”creatures with changeling can mutate as through they where not human”

If. Changelings come with the pluses and the minuses of being every creature type.

Changeling Creatures Human If/When Mechanics Mutate

Changeling Art Criticism

Hi Mark, is it true there was a time when you thought that the goopy Lorwyn changelings were too goofy-looking?Thank-you

I don’t think that match the intended feel of the cards. And I still believe that.

Art Changeling Lorwyn

Changeling Inspiration Error

Hi Mark! In your two-part article Looking Back (and I think on a recent podcast too) you mentioned Mistform Ultimus as the inspiration for Changeling, but it's not a legendary creatures from Champions of Kamigawa, it's from Legions (I noticed because I started playing MTG on the Onslaught block).

It was a mistake.

Champions of Kamigawa Changeling Creatures Drive to Work Legendary Creatures Legions Mistform Ultimus Onslaught Onslaught

Devoid Keyword Opposite

"Also, changeling is additive, you gain things. Devoid is subtractive, you lose something. Players prefer the former." How likely is it then that we'll get the opposite of Devoid, i.e. a keyword meaning "this object is all colors"?

I could see it one day, although we do a little less “color matters” cards than we used to.

Changeling Colors Devoid Keywords

Marker Mechanics Perception

Hi Mark. I humbly request some birthday trivia! Or perhaps more accurately, discussion.You've said before that players hate 'marker mechanics' in reference to Devoid's reception. How would you explain the difference in perception between Devoid and the similar 'marker mechanic' Changeling? The former is a 'pointless marker' in a set where colourless doesn't matter; the latter in a set where typal doesn't matter.Hope you're having a good weekend.

Typal is just a more common theme, meaning it’s easier to grok why being every creature type would matter. Also, changeling is additive, you gain things. Devoid is subtractive, you lose something. Players prefer the former.Happy Birthday!

Birthday Changeling Colorless Creatures Devoid Kindred / Typal Mechanics

Ixalan Crossover Missed

With the experience of Onslaught and Lorwyn, why didn’t Ixalan have “crossover” cards between the different factions? Even without changeling, I was surprised there weren’t a few cards like a Vampire Pirate creature or a Dinosaur that made some Merfolk tokens.

The creative team asked us not to do it. With 20/20 hindsight, the set needed more glue, so I do wish we’d either push back harder or found another solution.

Changeling Creatures Dinosaur Factions Ixalan Lorwyn Merfolk Onslaught Onslaught Pirate Tokens Vampire

Changeling Creature Types

Do changeling have all possible creature types or only ones that actually exist?

Only ones that exist.

Changeling Creatures

Changeling Mechanic Query

If when a card with changeling that doesn’t have the type “Shapeshifter” physically printed on it.

If. It would require a new flavor for changeling.

Card Printing Changeling Flavor Mechanics Shapeshifter Shapeshifter

Confusing Card Traits

If/when a card that wouldn’t be a shapeshifter if it didn’t have changeling (as in it isn’t listed in the type line)

I don’t understand what it is you’re asking for.

Changeling If/When Shapeshifter

Changeling Types in Games

Judge! Which types do creatures with Changeling get in acorn games that they don't in non-acorn games?

In acorn games, they get all creature types that appear on acorn/silver bordered cards.

Changeling Creatures Un-Magic / Silver Border / Acorn Un-sets

Morophon As Doctor

Would Morophon be a doctor due to changeling?

Yep.EDIT: Note that Companions need exactly a Time Lord Doctor with nothing extra, so changeling won’t work for that purpose.

Changeling Doctor Time Lord

Changeling Ability Cards

If/when - cards that grant the changeling ability?

When. Note we’ve already made some.

Changeling If/When

Devoid Mechanic Reception

Seeing as someone brought up Devoid, I'll ask - do you think Devoid being a Supertype, like Legendary or Snow, rather than a marker mechanic like Changeling would have changed much or improved its reception?

Yes. I think devoid being a supertype would have helped a lot. Supertypes have far less expectations than named keyword mechanics.

Changeling Devoid Keywords Mechanics Supertype