Hexproof

Snow Mechanic Limitations

Hi Mark, would you consider designing a hexproof land to add the ‘Snow Supertype’ to all lands you control so utility lands can then be used in ‘Snow’ decks without detracting from the Snow mechanics please?

The whole point of the snow mechanic is you have to limit yourself to snow cards.

Hexproof Lands Mechanics

Hexproof and Un-Games

CR 702.1c states that "the same is true for" effects apply to each of a keyword's variants separately. 702.11g states that "hexproof from each " is shorthand for one variant of hexproof per possible quality of that characteristic. This means in non-Un games, discarding Breaker of Creation (which has hexproof from each color) to Indominus Rex, Alpha gives five counters and thus draws five cards. How many cards do you draw in an Un game? (In particular, does every eye color count?)

In Un-games, when counting colors, you count the five normal colors plus any color of permanents you have. You have the gold Dragon token from Sword of Dungeons & Dragons, you’re now at six. You also have a brown Avatar of Me, you’re now at seven. You have a pink Teddy bear counter from Gift Shop, you’re now at eight.

Avatar Avatar of Me Bear Breaker of Creation Colors Dragon Dungeons Eye Gift Shop Hexproof Indominus Rex, Alpha Permanents Teddy Tokens Un-sets

Ward vs Protection

How is a colored or hybrid ward cost all that different from “protection from [color]” or “hexproof from [color]”? I would argue it’s even a better design space, since other colors can still interact if they have something uncounterable.

Protection from [color} is only unanswerable from a monocolor deck, and even then it could have colorless artifacts that might have answers. Ward: [color cost] is unanswerable to every deck not playing that color.

Artifacts Colorless Colors Design Space Hexproof Hybrid Monocolor Protection Ward

Ward Costs Exploration

I know you want to keep Ward costs payable, but for something like Thrun, would a green Ward cost be a possible replacement for hexproof from nongreen?

We have no current plans to do colored ward costs.

Green Green Ward Hexproof Ward

Ward and Life Cost

Black and red can get ward for life payment, but giving ward with an instant doesn't work in the same way giving hexproof with an instant works. Given that, can black or red get "counter target spell that targets a permanent you control unless that spell's controller pays X life"?

Maybe in the form of a punisher spell? We wouldn’t do it at a strong rate.

Black Hexproof Instants Red Ward

Planeswalker Pronouns

Are there templating rules for when rules text referring to CARDNAME uses "he/she/they" vs "it"? Oko, the Ringleader says "he has hexproof" and Chandra Fire Artisan from WAR says "she deals that much damage," but Rose Tyler from WHO gets "+1/+1 for each time counter in it."Thanks again for all that you do here~~!

Currently we just use “he” or “she” on planeswalkers.EDIT: Other pronouns such as “they” are allowed on planeswalkers. I was trying to say “he” and “she” are restricted to planeswalkers, not that planeswalkers are restricted to “he” and “she”.

Hexproof Oko, the Ringleader Planeswalkers Rose Tyler Rules Templating

Player Ward Mechanic

I don't understand the desire to have players have actual ward. Yea it's cool and mirrors how we can have hexproof, but you can do almost the same thing just by writing it out.

It is much easier to write it out.

Hexproof Mechanics Ward

Ward Mechanics Complications

The rule for ward is "702.21a ... Whenever this permanent becomes the target ..." All you would need to do is change it to "permanent or player". Why is this any harder than giving players hexproof?

Because, unlike hexproof, it’s a triggered ability.

Hexproof Mechanics Rules Triggered Abilities Ward

Hexproof vs. Indestructible

What tends to e more problematic: Hexproof or Indestructible?

Hexproof.

Hexproof Indestructible

Insights on Ward

I'm surprised Ward wasn't among your top 20 mechanics. It's been the best version of hexproof/shroud and is very adaptable.

Ward is evergreen and is in my top 20 evergreen mechanics list (podcast coming).

Drive to Work Evergreen Hexproof Mechanics Shroud Ward

Interpreting Crimes Mechanic

I think one of the easiest ways to think of crimes is "hexproof stops crimes" ie: if what you're trying to do would be stopped the thing having hexproof you were trying to commit a crime.

A cool way to think of it. Be aware that targeting cards in an opponent’s graveyard are crimes and I don’t think hexproof can stop that.

Hexproof Mechanics The Graveyard

Protection Keywords Podcast

It might be too early, but would you consider doing a podcast on protection/shroud/hexproof/ward as a bundle to talk about R&D’s evolving uses of “you can’t target this” mechanics and what you feel like you’ve learned from them?

I can add it to the list.

Bundles Drive to Work Hexproof Keywords Mechanics Protection Shroud Ward

Color-Specific Hexproof

Is hexpeoof from color still a thing?

It’s still a thing. The question is do we have plans to use it any more?

Colors Hexproof

Lotus Field Design

If designed today, do you think Lotus Field would have had a ward ability instead of hexproof?

Probably.

Hexproof Lotus Field Ward

Red Hexproof Issue

There was a question about Expose the Culprit not feeling Red as it can grant instant-speed hexproof. But granting Ward won't counter a spell that's already on the stack.

True.

Expose the Culprit Hexproof Red The Stack Ward

Red Card Design

The second mode on Expose the Culprit doesn't seem red to me. I previously designed a similar card, but my version had U in the mana cost (as it's effectively granting instant speed hexproof.) Seems like a break!

It’s not an effect we do often. The chaos nature of it feels pretty red.

Bend / Break Expose the Culprit Hexproof Instants Mana Red

Bounce Protection

Hi Mark! Hope you’re well. How likely is it to eventually see cards that can’t be returned to the hand from the battlefield; like bounce protection?

We have hexproof, and to a lesser extent ward, to prevent pinpoint bouncing. Untargeted bouncing doesn’t happen a lot.

Hexproof Protection Ward Your Hand

Ashnod's Coupon Interactions

on the ashnod's coupon/hexproof sticker ruling, that seems like it actually should work since players outside the game aren't "your opponents". I would think the drink would need shroud, not hexproof, in order to be protected.

Fair.

Ashnod's Coupon Hexproof Shroud Stickers

Hexproof Drink Fetching

If Chandra and Nissa are playing one game and jace and Karn are playing another and. If Jace plays animate object on a glass of wine and then places a hexproof sticker on it, can Nissa have Chandra fetch it with ashnods coupon (ye I know this isn’t a situation that would happen in the lore it’s just an example.)

As Ashnod’s Coupon fetches target drink, no. : )

Animate Object Ashnod's Coupon Hexproof Humor Stickers Story / Lore

Flicker vs Phasing

A brief run down of the differences between flicker and phasing. Flicker protects against all targeted removal and delayed flicker from all removal. It nombos with Voltron strategies and tokens but has bonus synergy with leave/ETB triggers plus resets cards (say an undying creature). Phasing meanwhile offers no synergies positive or negative but AFAIK all phasing is long term so will protect against anything. When coupled with hexproof and Indes I enjoy the range of protection options we have.

Each has its positives and negatives, and we want access to both.

Creatures Enter The Battlefield Hexproof Phasing Protection Tokens Triggered Abilities Undying