Scout

Ranger vs Scout

Hey Mark. What's the difference between Ranger and Scout creature types?

Scouts are more about going ahead and getting intel on what’s upcoming. Rangers have an affinity with nature and are skilled craftspeople.

Affinity Creatures Ranger Scout

Scout Lord Potentials

Are we ever getting a Scout lord? I think it's the most populous type without a lord.

I assume one day.

Scout

Detective Subtypes Future

Previously, sleuths, investigators, and other detective-esque creatures were given creature types like Scout, Advisor, Rogue, or Soldier. Now that UB has given us Detective and Inquisitor, can we expect to see those subtypes in non-UB products?

Maybe. : )

Advisor Creatures Detective Humor Inquisitor Rogue Scout Soldier Subtype

Design Process Explanation

Hi Mark,I'm quite ignorant on the theme. When you talk about "vision design", what does it mean exactly, with respect to game design and set design (and Exploratory I guess)? The flavor of a world? Something else?

I’ll use my favorite metaphor for discussing the different parts of design - building a house.Exploratory design - scouting locations, types of houses, new building technology (this is the design team that scouts out what is possible) Vision design - creates the blueprints for the house (this is the design team that creates the larger themes and structure, and dies the first pass on the mechanics)Set design - builds the house (this is the design team that actually makes most of the cards in the set, and brings the vision to life)Play design - this is the team responsible for stress testing the house and pays attention to all the fine details (this design team makes sure that everything is balanced and fair, in addition to determining what elements of the set up push, usually whatever is the most fun) The flavor/world building is done by the creative team. The designers work in conjunction with them to make sure the mechanics match the flavor.

Card Printing Exploratory Design Flavor Game Design Mechanics Play Design Scout Set Design Vision Design

Ward vs Hexproof

Wouldn't *every* instance of Hexproof be more fun as a semi-impossible Ward cost? "Ward - Sacrifice a Scout" is Hexproof with both flavor and a mini-game attached for 3 words, and even removes the 'feel-bad' of Hexproof. Why ever use Hexproof again?

Sometimes you don’t want an exception. Also, “hexproof - sacrifice a scout” can be more feel bad in some situations as it implies you could do something about it, but didn’t.

Flavor Hexproof Sacrifice Scout Ward

X-Men in Magic

How many Magic creature types can you name that are also the names of past or current members of the X-Men? (There are at least eight.)

X-men that are creature types: AngelBeastPhoenixCyclopsWolverineRogueJuggernautWarlock SageScoutX-men that are mechanics: Storm ChangelingArmorCypher (mechanic spelled Cipher)FrenzyX-men that are expansions:MirageLegion (expansion is Legions)

Angel Beast Changeling Cipher Creatures Cyclops Frenzy Juggernaut Legions Mechanics Mirage Phoenix Rogue Scout Warlock Wolverine

Similarities between Hydra Cards

An interesting thing I noticed today: Hydradoodle from Unstable and Neverwinter Hydra from AFR are almost the exact same card (Neverwinter just has Ward 4 instead of reach). I thought it was an interesting example at how the rules have changed over time to allow cards that are silver-border work within the rules now.

Un-sets are the scouts of design space.

Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Design Space Hydra Hydradoodle Neverwinter Hydra Rules Scout Un-sets Ward

Flash in White

Mark, I know nothing from Time Spiral block is indicative of true possibilities for the color pie, but as White is likely to get more Flash could Scout's Warning become a bend or even something in pie for the color (not very frequent, I guess)?

White has more flash now, so it’s possible.

Bend / Break Color Pie Colors Flash Scout's Warning Time Spiral White

Single Phyrexian Set Purpose

Hi Mark. I don't know if anyone already asked this but why is there only one Phyrexian in the set? What is the purpose of it? Is it a scout?

That’s a good question.

Phyrexian Scout

5th Party Member Consideration

Was Scout ever considered for a 5th party member for a green-centric party class?

No. We considered Druid.

Druid Scout

Consideration of Additional Party Classes

You've discussed considering Druid as a fifth, Green-leaning Party class. Did you consider Scout or Archer at all? When I think of Green-leaning members of a D&D party, I think of the Ranger. Rangers could have been represented as Scouts or Archers...

Druid was the only one we explored and even that wasn’t for more than a playtest.

Archer Druid Dungeons & Dragons Playtesting Ranger Scout

Trivia on Omnath, Locus of Rage

I'm 36 today and have been playing Magic since I was in Boy Scouts. Could I please get some trivia about my favorite Commander: Omnath, Locus of Rage?

I believe that every incarnation of Omnath has been designed by Ken Nagle. With each printing, it’s gained one new color. Happy Birthday!

Birthday Colors Commander Incarnation Ken Nagle Omnath, Locus of Rage Scout

Unexpected Artwork Changes

There seem to be quite a few stories of old cards where a card had to be changed because the art that was turned in had something unexpected (Waiting in the Weeds, Goblin Scouts). Does this still happen sometimes, or is that a thing of the past and why?

No, a couple things have changed over the years. First, our art directors have become much more knowledgeable about what matters mechanically. Second, we’ve fine tuned the system to catch issues along the path.

Art Goblin Goblin Scouts Scout Waiting in the Weeds

Praise for Women's Day Lair

Could you send a high-five to whomever came up with the idea of doing an International Womens' Day secret lair? Great idea, and I love that it is supporting the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Scouting is pretty important to me.

Will do!

Scout Secret Lairs

Seton's Scout Types

Seton's Scout has four creature types - it's a Centaur Druid Scout Archer!

FYI

Archer Centaur Creatures Druid Scout Seton's Scout

Magic at Boy Scout Camp

I spend a week every Summer at Boy Scout camp with my 2 sons and the rest of my Troop. Magic is a huge part of the evening activities. There's a learner night and a tournament night. I just wanted to say thanks again for keeping Magic awesome for kids of all ages.

You’re welcome.

Appreciation Scout

Class Tribal Support

Can I second that earlier request for more class based tribal? Particularly some class tribal for some classes that don’t necessarily have as much or any tribal support like Shaman or Scout.

You may.

Keyword Actions Kindred / Typal Scout Shaman

Scout Lord Possibility

Can I get a maybe on a Scout lord?

Maybe. : )

Scout

Scouts' Tribal Potential

Something I like about Scouts is how green Scouts are more nature survivalists, focused on creatures and land, and white Scouts are more military, focusing on tapping, vigilance, and other combat effects. I think it's a neat duality and I hope we can see it played up in a future set with Scout tribal.

I’ll add Scouts to the Tribal Short List.

Creatures Green Kindred / Typal Lands Scout Vigilance White

Ixalan Factions Rationale

Hi Mark! What are the reasons for some cards not being in any of the main factions in Ixalan? As an example theres a Human Scout in black, whats the reason that wasn't a vampire scout, or human pirate scout? Does it have something to do with limited or is Scout tribal really that popular? Loved the Ixalan pre-release, and Ixalan in general so far, keep up the good work!

We wanted to flesh out the world and having every creature have to fall into one of four buckets wouldn’t let us do that.

Black Creatures Factions Factions Human Ixalan Kindred / Typal Limited Pirate Scout Vampire