Checks and Balances

Unfinity Collector Requests

Hey Mark,

I want to thank you for giving Unfinity Collector Boosters a "list" slot. This is going to help me in my dream of making a fully foiled all un-card Commander deck (to get the best use of Super Secret Tech). I would like to request foil printings of: Timmy, Power Gamer; Strategy, Schmategy; Bronze Calendar; Jack-in-the-Mox; Checks and Balances; Common Courtesy; Free-for-All; Cheatyface; and Underdome.

In addition the following are really hard to get a hold of in foil and could use a reprint: Johnny, Combo Player; Who/What/When/Where/Why; Gleemax; Mox Lotus; City of Ass; Super Secret Tech.Thank you for all you've done for silly magic!

You’re welcome. I wish you the best of luck in your mission.

Appreciation Boosters Bronze Calendar Card Printing Cheatyface Checks and Balances City of Ass Collector Boosters Commander Decks Common Courtesy Foils Free-for-All Gamer Gleemax Jack-in-the-Mox Johnny / Jenny Johnny, Combo Player Mox Lotus Reprints Strategy, Schmategy Super Secret Tech Timmy / Tammy Timmy, Power Gamer Underdome

Checks and Balances

Un-rules question! The enchantment Checks and Balances says "Cast this spell only if there are three or more players in the game. Whenever a player casts a spell, each of that player's opponents may discard a card. If they do, counter that spell." What happens if I have cast this spell in a 4-player game, but then two players are eliminated. It seems to me that the card would stay on the battlefiled and I would be able to counter my opponent's spells by discarding a card.

The restriction is just on the casting. As long as there are three are more players when you cast it, you’re good. It sticks around even if the game whittles down to just two players.

Cast Checks and Balances Discard Enchantments Rules Spells Un-sets

Un-Card Rules

My friends and I would sometimes play un-cards in commander. We had a dispute on what Checks and Balances should do and there is no oracle or rulings. One friend wanted to play it more like it was worded. "agrees to choose and discard a card" meaning you could agree while empty handed and still counter the card. This made the game virtually unwinnable because you'd always be able to counter anything that won the game. I'd like your official input on how the card works.

As the Un-Rules Manager, let me give you the official ruling. All opponents have to actually discard a card to counter the spell.

Checks and Balances Commander Discard Rules Un-sets

Checks and Balances Mechanics

Could Checks and Balances be printed in a black border set? That is, is there anything about it that couldn't work in the rules?

Imperial Mask, a future shifted card uses the term “teammate” and Surge from Oath of the Gatewatch references “teammate” in its reminder text, so my guess is yes, you could probably do a functional identical card in black border, but more likely a Commander set.

Black Black Border Card Printing Checks and Balances Commander Futureshifted Futureshifted Gates Imperial Mask Oath of the Gatewatch Rules Surge

Checks and Balances Rule

Un-Question: With Checks and Balances, can a player agree to discard a card if they have no cards in hand?

No.

Checks and Balances Discard Un-questions Your Hand

Non-Joke Multiplayer Cards

Could an enchantment like Checks and Balances conceivably be printed in a non-joke, multiplayer-focused set?

A reprint couldn’t be black bordered, but yes a similar card could be.

Black Black Border Card Printing Checks and Balances Commander Enchantments Humor Reprints

Black Border Potential

I was sorting through my old cards and came across Checks And Balances from Unglued, and now I'm wondering if you think something like that could be printed in black border in a supplemental set designed with multiplayer in mind, like Commander or Conspiracy. Do you think it could, and if so, what color would best fit that effect?

We made a cycle of multiplayer cards in Unglued because at the time that was something black border just didn’t do. That has changed as products like Conspiracy and Commander demonstrate.

Black Black Border Card Printing Checks and Balances Colors Commander Commander Conspiracy Cycles Demonstrate Unglued

UN Rules Insight

UN rules question: I played Checks and Balances with 4 players in the game. Do I have to sacrifice it whem there are only 2 players left?

No. The line about being played is whether or not it is legal in your deck. As long as the game start off with three or more players, you are fine.

Checks and Balances Format Legality Rules Sacrifice Un-sets

Unglued Cycle Query

Which is the red card in the Unglued cycle? There are four cards having to do with teammates; is it Burning Cinder Fury etc.?

The cycle is Get a Life, Checks and Balances, Organ Harvest, Richochet and Team Spirit.

Checks and Balances Cycles Get a Life Organ Harvest Red Spirit Team Spirit Unglued