Laboratory Maniac

Scientist Subtype Introduction

I'm so excited about all the stuff revealed in the MagicCon Las Vegas 2023 panel! A specific question with Ian Malcolm being revealed, is Scientist going to be an official creature subtype? And if so should we expect errata for other cards (like say Laboratory Maniac)?

We are using by it going forward, but I don’t know if we’re using errata on anything. Note it’s used in more modern settings. More high fantasy settings will still use things like Wizard.

Conventions Creatures Errata Laboratory Maniac Modern Scientist Subtype

Naming the 'Lab Man Effect'

Now that you know what “Lab Man” effect is, what does R&D call this ability? 😊

We don’t nickname every ability, especially one used so infrequently. I guess we call it laboratory maniac.

Game Design Laboratory Maniac

Scope of 'Lab Man Effect'

"What exactly is a “lab man effect”?" - Laboratory Maniac. "If you draw from an empty library you win."

It’s such a narrow effect. I don’t think we need it in more than one color.

Colors Laboratory Maniac The Library

Card Cloning with Laboratory Maniac

Laboratory Maniac says "If you would draw a card while your library has no cards in it"Does this mean if I clone an Animated Library and draw a card while Laboratory Maniac is out, I win the game?

No.

Card Draw Clone Laboratory Maniac The Library

Alternative Win Conditions

Hey Mark. Can there be twisted win cons were a card allows everyone to win the game with the alternated win con. like a Darksteel Reactor that looks who has the most life. Or a Laboratory Maniac that effects each player?

The problem is you have the deck built to do it and no one else does.

Conflux Darksteel Darksteel Reactor Laboratory Maniac

Regarding card draw mechanics

I have Yet Another Aether Vortex on the field. I have one card in my library. It's Laboratory Maniac. An effect causes me to draw two cards. What happens?

You draw the card above it, revealing Laboratory Maniac. Thanks to Yet Another Aether Vortex it’s now on the battlefield. Now you have an effect that makes you draw two cards. You draw Laboratory Maniac. You then attempt to draw another card, but you can’t as your library is empty. Unfortunately, Laboratory Maniac is in your hand and not on the battlefield, so it can’t save you from losing to being unable to draw a card.

Card Draw Laboratory Maniac Mechanics The Library Yet Another Aether Vortex Your Hand

Laboratory Maniac Trivia

Hey mark it’s my birthday and I love magic the gathering favorite is blue. I play a self mill deck with friends. Can you give me trivia on the card I use to win called Laboratory maniac? So I’m 30 now.

We like to have alt-win cards from time to time. I don’t remember who made this one, but it went right in the file. Happy 30th Birthday!

Birthday Blue Laboratory Maniac Mill

Laboratory Maniac Facts

I've been wanting to ask for some fun facts about my favorite card ever, Laboratory Maniac (I love it so much, form and function, everything works together on it). And seeing as it's now finally my birthday, I figured I could finally ask for them. Thanks, big fan!

We like alternate win control conditions and Innistrad had a self milling theme in blue so it seemed like a good fit.Happy Birthday!

Birthday Blue Innistrad Laboratory Maniac Mill

Laboratory Maniac Praise

I'd just like to profess my adoration for the card 'Laboratory Maniac' in the Innistrad set. I feel like that card really opened up doors in my gameplay: It took an established mechanism and turn it on its side. My self-mill deck, while not nearly competitive enough, is consistently one of the most fun to play with, and to play against. Kudos to that card's designer: I'll be sad to see it leave standard next fall. Any chance we'll be seeing more love for self-mill in the coming sets?

In Ravnica, Dimir did have a thing for milling.

Appreciation Competitive Play Dimir (U/B) Game Play Innistrad Laboratory Maniac Mill Standard

Laboratory Maniac Origin

Hey Maro, I thought you would like to hear that I have now made 3 successful Laboratory Maniac decks (2 for multi-player, 1 for duels), including Wizard Control (Azami and Riptide Director are ridiculous), and Dredge (from the recent duel decks). I guess what I am trying to say is: thank you for making him! Could you tell me who designed him?

My best guess is that it was designed by Graeme Hopkins as it seems like the kind of card he’d design. If not him, it was someone else on the design team (Jenna Helland, Zak Hill or Tom LaPille). I was the last member of the team and I know I didn’t make it.

Appreciation Dredge Duel Decks Laboratory Maniac Mark Rosewater Riptide Tom LaPille

Alternative Win Conditions

Do you try to implement a new win condition (e.g. Laboratory Maniac) with every block? I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

It’s not a guideline we feel we have to meet but there are many players who enjoy alternative win conditions so we try to do them every once in a while. About one a block is probably the right amount, maybe slightly more in a block like Scars of Mirrodin where that alt victory means something more.

Laboratory Maniac Scars of Mirrodin

Laboratory Maniac Choice

Why wasn't Laboratory Maniac an enchantment like most of the other "You Win the Game" cards? It could have even been Laboratory Mania.

Because we like to shake things up. Magic is the game it is because we don’;t always do everything the same way.

Enchantments Laboratory Maniac