Energy Cards

Energy Mechanic Turnaround

When Energy debuted, I didn’t see any cards that interested me and I didn’t get the appeal of the mechanic. Now in Modern Horizons 3, I’m coming around to it. I think MH3 just had more of the designs I’m familiar with and enjoy, so thanks for changing my mind. (It was the white green energy cards oddly enough #aluren)

I’m glad energy finally won you over.

Aluren Energy Cards Green Mechanics Modern Horizons 3 White

Energy Mechanic Revisited

I was under the impression that the Energy mechanic was widely considered to be problematic, given how it creates a fundamentally un-interactable resource. I am curious why Energy was chosen as a MH3 mechanic to "gate" reserved list cards, when it only contributes to the non-interactivity of powerful cards? If/when ways to interact with your opponent's Energy supply?

The problem with energy was simply we didn’t quite get the energy economy correct, making many of the cards overpowered. That is a fixable thing.

Energy Cards Gates If/When Mechanics Modern Horizons 3 The Reserved List

MH3 Energy Cards

Good afternoon Mark, my question is regarding the new MH3 Energy cards. I noticed that the energy cards of MH3 seem to have divested themselves of the flavor from previous sets. Was this an intentional change to allow for more flexibility and design space? If so, does this increase the likelihood that we'll see energy return in a non-kaladesh set?

The energy cards aren’t all tied to Kaladesh. Energy, as a concept, is much broader than that.

Design Space Energy Cards Flavor Kaladesh Modern Horizons 3

Energy Mechanic Flavor

I notice that MH3 has Energy cards that don't match the technological fluff used for the mechanic in Kaladesh (and the Fallout set). How much does broadening the flavor like this help the mechanic on the Storm Scale?

The more exposure and advancement of the design of a mechanic, the better for its future.

Energy Cards Flavor Kaladesh Mechanics Modern Horizons 3 Storm Scale

Pioneer Energy Designs

There are some cool energy cards in MH3 that I wish they were Pioneer-Legal. Do you think it would be viable to bring some os those designs to a Premier Set?

I believe we’ll do more premier sets with energy. I’m not sure the power level of all the MH3 energy cards are appropriate for Standard though.

Energy Cards Modern Horizons 3 Pioneer Power Level Premier Sets Premier Sets Standard

Energy in Jeskai

Is there a reason why MH3 seems to focus Energy in Jeskai when it was more Temur in Kaladesh? It's cool, but I was hoping to see more Green Energy cards.

I recorded a podcast with Erik Lauer on the vision design of Modern Horizons III and we touch upon that exact issue.

Drive to Work Energy Cards Erik Lauer Green Jeskai (U/R/W) Kaladesh Modern Horizons Modern Horizons 3 Temur (R/U/G) Vision Design

Energy Mechanic Complexity

Was Energy tied to a specific color ever imagined? ie a card requiring Red Energy? Or is that just too similar to regular mana

It’s both too close to mana and adds a lot of unnecessary complexity in tracking.

Colors Energy Cards Mana Mechanics Red

Energy Mechanic's Future

Third time's the charm!!! Hi Mark asking again for a maybe if we are closing in to a premiere set which includes the energy mechanic! With recent commander decks and the ones coming soon with energy in them my appetite for more energy has grown!!!

Usually a mechanic showing up in supplemental products, increases its chances of showing up in a premier set.

Commander Decks Energy Cards Mechanics Premier Sets

Energy Mechanic Feedback

With the release of the Fallout and MH3 set upcoming, I was excited to show my dad the Science! Deck, as it features Energy, which was introduced with Kaledesh, the set that my dad introduced me to the game with!My dad, however, was a little underwhelmed. He said the problem in his eyes with mechanics like Energy is that they don't offer strong enough payoffs or a more rewarding experience over regular gameplay mechanics.Do you think that with the Fallout and MH3 sets, you might be able to address that problem? Or do you think that energy does have those payoffs already?

We had to ban energy cards in various formats because the outputs were too strong, so I think there are good outputs.

Bannings Energy Cards Eye Game Play Mechanics Modern Horizons 3 Power Level

Linear vs Parasitic

Sometimes a mechanic is for more than limited play. Energy was a whole mechanic that seemed highly pushed for competitive tournament play so much so that several of the strongest energy cards were banned and energy was still a decent choice in standard. I think the more parasitic a set mechanic is the more it is for constructed. Infect was like this too. Mechanics like blitz do not care how many you play in a deck. You do not get rewards for playing only blitz cards in your deck.

The word you mean is “linear” not “parasitic”. Parasitic only plays with cards from the set it is in. Linear means the cards pushes you play cards of a similar theme/mechanic. Linear cards more push you towards play mechanic themes in constructed. “Modular” cards, the opposite of linear, allow you to play them easier as one-ofs.

Bannings Blitz Competitive Play Constructed Energy Cards Format Legality Infect Limited Linear Mechanics Modular Parasitic Standard

Energy Deck Color Choice

Hello Mark! After reviewing the Modern Horizons III Commander Precons, I was curious how the energy deck ended up in Jeskai instead of say Temur, cutting green, a color with twice as many energy cards as white. Thanks for any insight you might have!

I assume it has to do with themes in Modern Horizons 3.

Colors Commander Energy Cards Green Jeskai (U/R/W) Modern Horizons Modern Horizons 3 Temur (R/U/G) White

Prospects for Blitz

Hi Mark, It's me, the guy who asks about blitz! If there's three things I love it's hitting people, dying and drawing a card. So where is blitz on the storm scale? Can I expect more in modern horizons 3? Also please hifive each and every person sneaking more energy cards into the game :)

I’d call blitz a 5. My guess is we’ll do it again one day. I share your love of energy and high fives shall be applied.

Blitz Card Draw Energy Cards High Fives Modern Horizons 3 Storm Scale

Fallback of Energy Mechanic

after getting my dream product in the doctor who decks, I thought I’d be safe to tap out for the fallout decks. but then I find out that this where you decide to bring back energy, MY FAVORITE MECHANIC, for the first time in almost EIGHT YEARS!!! have you no shame???

: )

Doctor Energy Cards Humor Mechanics Tap / Untap

Energy Mechanic Return

If or when: the return of energy, or the introduction of a new resource similar to energy?

My gut is when.

Energy Cards If/When Mechanics

Energy Mechanic Return

"You're 'optimistic' about seeing energy again."

I'm pleased to hear that; we don't want Magic to be low energy.

I’m seldom accused of being low energy. : )

Energy Cards Humor Mechanics

Optimism for Energy Mechanic

How likely are we to see Energy again?

I’m optimistic.

Energy Cards Mechanics

Energy Counters Mechanic

Hi Mark!Are energy counters a parasitic mechanic?

A little in that they get stronger if you play more in the same deck, but the vast majority of energy cards work if they’re the only one in your deck.

Energy Cards Mechanics Parasitic

Oil vs. Energy Mechanic

Is Oil viewed as a fixed Energy due to inbuilt interaction?

Oil and energy function differently in numerous ways.

Energy Cards Mechanics

Unfinity vs. Energy Mechanic

Has R&D solved the parasitism inherent to the energy mechanic in Kaladesh in Tickets’ implementation within Unfinity?

Energy’s main problem was a balance issue. New resources are normally parasitic. That just comes with doing new things.

Energy Cards Game Design Kaladesh Mechanics Parasitic Solved

Possibility of Energy Cost Spells

Non-un question for a change! Is it possible within the rules for a spell to have an energy cost instead of/in addition to a mana cost? And was this ever a consideration during the design of Kaladesh?

I think the rules can support it. We talked about it briefly, but never seriously considered it.

Energy Cards Kaladesh Mana Rules Spells