Fateseal

Future of Fateseal Mechanic

I know it's unlikely, but will the Fateseal keyword ever come back? I thought it was an interesting mechanic, even if it's limited to one sliver card for now.

We tried it in a set years ago. It is a pretty unfun mechanic.

Fateseal Keywords Limited Mechanics Slivers

Fateseal Cards

Now that we have Scry and Surveil everywhere, can we get a few cards with Fateseal?

It’s just so mean.

Fateseal Scry Surveil

Counterspells vs Fateseal

Counterspells aren’t much fun to play against (for most people). It seems like a poor argument against Fateseal.

Counterspells play a more foundational role in the game than fateseal.

Fateseal

Fateseal Mechanic Opinion

What are your thoughts on fateseal? It feels like a relatively simple mechanic so I'm surprised we still haven't seen it pop back up in the 14 years since it appeared in future sight.

It’s just not much fun to have played against you.

Fateseal Future Sight Mechanics

Fateseal's Return Likelihood

Hello Mark, wheres Fateseal on the scale of returning on a set?

Pretty low. It’s an unfun mechanic, especially in volume.

Fateseal Mechanics

Surveil vs. Fateseal

With the new surveil usage, any changes on where Fateseal is on the storm scale?

No. Making surveil evergreen doesn’t make Fateseal any less unfun.

Evergreen Fateseal Storm Scale Surveil

Fateseal Mechanic's Future

Will we ever see Fateseal as an ability again? It feels like it would have fit great on Theros

It’s not a particularly fun mechanic, and doesn’t lead to dynamic gameplay.

Fateseal Game Play Mechanics Theros

Split Second's Storm Scale

Split second has an EIGHT on the storm scale! WHY IS IT AN EIGHT?!? Is it a power level issue? Surely not! Things that high on the scale for power concerns are mechanics like DELVE AND AFFINITY!! Does it lead to unfun gameplay? Maybe for the blue player, but either way, it’s not close to as bad as fateseal or buyback, which are ALSO both eights! Is it too convoluted? Opalescence effects are famously confusing even for entrenched players, AND ANIMATING ENCHANTMENTS IS ONLY AT SEVEN!!!! Is it too bland or niche? Maybe it’s rather unassuming, but is it really as boring as ABSORB? Is it really as useless as FATEFUL HOUR?!? Honestly there’s a lot of storm scale ratings that seem strange to me, but split second holds a special place in my heart, which is why I’m asking about this mechanic specifically.

The mechanic has baggage that might not be apparent to you. For example, it confused a lot of players and had some play design issues. I do think we’ll see split second again, but more likely in a supplemental set than a premier set (and that’s what the Storm Scale measures).

Absorb Absorb Affinity Blue Buyback Delve Enchantments Fateful hour Fateseal Game Play Mechanics Opalescence Play Design Power Level Premier Sets Split Second Storm Scale

Disfavors Fateseal

I thought fateseal would have been a perfect mechanic (in terms of flavor) for THB. Medomais prophecy’s 4th stage is one example of where it would’ve been perfect mechanically. Was it ever considered?

No, fateseal is just an unfun mechanic.

Fateseal Flavor Mechanics Theros Beyond Death

Verdict on Fateseal

Do you think Fateseal will ever become a standard mechanic or is it too strong for regular use?

It’s too annoying.

Fateseal Mechanics Power Level Standard

Keyword Scry for Opponent's Library

When: keyword for scry an opponents library?

It (kind of) already exists - fatesealIt was on a futureshifted card in Future Sight.

Fateseal Future Sight Futureshifted Keywords Scry The Library

Favorite Mechanics or Cards

I feel like a lot of people who say you’ve only done bad for the game don’t realize you’re probably behind some of their favorite mechanics or cards too. For a change of pace, can you list some beloved mechanics or cards you’re responsible for?

Here are the Magic mechanics I’ve had a hand in creating: Absorb, Addendum, Affinity, Aftermath, Aura Swap, Battle Cry, Bolster, Champion, Changeling, Cipher, Companion, Contraptions, Crew (Vehicles), Dash, Deathtouch, Delve, Dredge, Embalm, Energy, Entwine, Evoke, Exert, Exploit, Fabricate, Fateful Hour, Fateseal, Ferocious, Flashback, Flip, Forecast, Fortify, Frenzy, Gotcha, Graft, Gravestorm, Heroic, Hexproof, Host/Augment, Hybrid Mana, Imprint, Infect, Intimidate, Kicker, Landfall, Lifelink, Living Weapon, Madness, Manifest, Mentor, Modular, Monstrosity, Morbid, Morph, Multikicker, Mutate, Ninjitsu, Phyrexian Mana, Poisonous, Populate, Proliferate, Prowl, Raid, Rally, Reach, Recover, Reinforce, Retrace, Ripple, Shroud, Soulbond, Splice, Split Cards, Split Second, Suspend, Transfigure, Transform, Typecycling, Undying, Unearth, Vanishing and Wither.

Absorb Absorb Addendum Affinity Aftermath Aura Swap Battle Cry Battle Cry Bolster Champion Changeling Cipher Companion Contraptions Crew Dash Deathtouch Delve Dredge Dredge Embalm Entwine Evoke Exert Exploit Fabricate Fabricate Fateful hour Fateseal Ferocious Flashback Forecast Fortify Fortify Frenzy Graft Gravestorm Gravestorm Heroic Hexproof Hybrid Imprint Infect Intimidate Kicker Landfall Lifelink Lifelink Living Weapon Madness Mana Manifest Mechanics Mentor Modular Monstrosity Morbid Morph Morph Mutate Ninjitsu Phyrexian Poisonous Populate Proliferate Prowl Raid Rally Rally Recover Reinforce Retrace Ripple Shroud Soulbond Splice Split Cards Split Second Suspend Suspend Transfigure Transform Undying Unearth Unearth Vanishing Vanishing Vehicles Wither Your Hand

Garfield's Gunk Mechanic

How much fun is Garfield's Gunk mechanic? Seems like it would be kind of like fateseal since it has potential to kill the opponent's draws. It's just mitigated by being random.

It’s was more interesting than fun.

Fateseal Gates Mechanics Richard Garfield

Fateseal's Future and White

Fateseal most recently has a 8 on the storm scale. What is the reason for this? Outside of that, could white theoretically Fateseal?

It’s just not very fun and no.

Fateseal Keyword Abilities Storm Scale White

Fateseal's Unlikely Return

What are the chances of Fateseal coming back from Future Sight?

Very low. It’s a very unfun mechanic.

Fateseal Future Sight Mechanics

Fateseal Mechanic Odds

What are the chances of seeing Fateseal again?

Not great. It’s a pretty unfun mechanic.

Fateseal Mechanics

No Fateseal in Theros

Why was fateseal not in Theros, I was really hoping to spin into myth a fabled hero :p

Because it’s a very unfun mechanic.

Fabled Hero Fateseal Mechanics Spin into Myth Theros

Fateseal Mechanic Likelihood

What do the odds of fateseal appearing again look like?

Low. It’s not a very fun mechanic for the opponent.

Fateseal Mechanics

Fateseal's Future

Have we seen the last of fateseal?

No… easy way to say this. Probably.

Fateseal

Waiting on Specific Mechanics

With the pendulum of the game focus always swinging I am impatiently biding my time waiting for the winter orb/fateseal/manaless alternate casting cost block to come around. How many more years do you think I'll have to wait?

You have a while. I’m not planning on retiring any time soon.

Casting Cost Fateseal Orb Winter Orb