Scragnoth

First Designed Card Chronology

"What card did I chronologically design the earliest of every card I’ve designed that’s been printed?" Comments in that post didn't reach a consensus or link to the answer. I suggested Gustha's Scepter, someone thought perhaps Maro, and others said Scragnoth.

Scragnoth (originally called Greased Weasel) was one of the earliest cards I ever designed. I felt like counterspell should have an answer. I ended up putting it in the first design I led, Tempest.

Gustha's Scepter Mark Rosewater Scragnoth Tempest

Discussion about Printed Cards

Some of the cards you say in your column today didn't make it to print did, in fact, make it to print! Butterfly became Whip-Spine Drake; Spellwild Dog became Spellwild Ouphe; Boss Scragnoth became Quagnoth. Also, Sneaky Goblin seems a lot like Street Wraith, and Veiled Clone like Shapeshifter's Marrow. Also the green common kicker/convoke creature did make it, as Kavu Primarch; Sprout Swarm was in addition. Also, one of the vanishing cycle you say got cut did stay, as Lost Auramancers.

FYI

Card Printing Clone Convoke Creatures Dog Drake Goblin Green Kavu Kavu Primarch Kicker Lost Auramancers Ouphe Primarch Quagnoth Scragnoth Shapeshifter's Marrow Spellwild Ouphe Sprout Swarm Street Wraith Vanishing Vanishing Whip-Spine Drake Wraith

First-Designed Card

Can you share the first card you ever designed (as in potentially before working at Wizards)? Did it eventually lead to an actual published card?

The card I designed chronologically the earliest that saw print was probably Scragnoth.

Card Printing Scragnoth

Scragnoth Preview Possibility

So you're not denying that your preview is Scragnoth, right? That actually gets my hopes up for an awesome article :)

Scragnoth remains a possibility. Just saying that I’ve designed a few other cards. : )

Scragnoth Spoilers

Scragnoth Preview

Zomg, your Eternal Masters preview card is Scragnoth?

I have made a few other cards.

Eternal Eternal Masters Scragnoth Spoilers

Random Trivia Gift

It's my birthday, but I think my original ask got buried. Can you give me some trivia on anything you want?

Scragnoth from Tempest’s design name was Greased Weasel.Happy Birthday!

Birthday Scragnoth Tempest

Favorite Card Nickname

Hey Maro, what's your favorite nickname for a card? (At least at the moment)

Greased Weasel, the play test name for Scragnoth from Tempest.

Mark Rosewater Mark's Favorites Scragnoth Tempest The Moment

Unstoppable Abilities

How did the 'Can't be countered' mechanic come about? Is it uniquely a Red/Blue effect?

It’s mostly a red and green ability as those are blue’s two enemies. Red gets can’t be countered instants and sorceries and green gets can’t be countered creatures. The ability first appeared in green on a card called Scragnoth.

Blue Creatures Green Instants Mechanics Red Scragnoth Sorceries

Pre-WotC Designs

Ah, I was confused. I thought in your Maro podcast that you said Maro was one of three cards you designed before you came to WotC (the other two being Scragnoth and Duplicity).

I did design Maro before I came to Wizards. I just designed it after the other two.

Drive to Work Duplicity Mark Rosewater Scragnoth Wizards of the Coast

First Card Designed

What is the first card you designed that made it into a set?

Either Scragnoth or Duplicity (both in Tempest). I made both long before I came to Wizards.

Duplicity Scragnoth Tempest

Favorite Playtest Name

What is your all time favourite playtest name?

It changes day to day. For today, I’ll say Greased Weasel, the design name for Scragnoth from Tempest.

Playtesting Scragnoth Tempest

Oldest Designs

How old was your oldest design that saw print? I.e you said Ambassador Oak from Morning tide was created for Tempest

Scragnoth and Duplicity were both designed before I came to Wizards. Now that I think if it, Maro was also pre-Wizards.

Ambassador Oak Card Printing Duplicity Mark Rosewater Scragnoth Tempest

Life Preferences

*Inside the "Gamers" Studio* Two questions today and I took some liberty with Lipton's version to keep it family friendly... #4 - What (in life) turns you off? #5 - What is your favorite Magic related word?

#4 - hypocrisy.
#5 - Scragnoth.

Gamer Mark's Favorites Mark's Favorites Scragnoth

Funniest Test Name

What's the funniest playtest name you ever used?

I’ve had a lot. The one that jumps to mind was Greased Weasel which was the playtest name for Scragnoth from Tempest.

Playtesting Scragnoth Tempest

Scragnoth Inspiration

Funny that Scragnoth is the earliest card you designed to see print. Were you beaten up by blue control decks as a young Magic player?

I just felt like counterspells really needed an answer.

Blue Card Printing Humor Scragnoth

Creature Preference

Scragnoth, Thragtusk, or Brushwagg?

As Scragnoth is one of the first cards I ever designed, I have to go with Scragnoth as the emotional favorite.

Brushwagg Scragnoth Thragtusk

Scragnoth Comedy Reason

Why do you taunt Scragnoth so? All he ever did was be awesome.

Scragnoth was one of the first cards I ever designed. He will always hold a warm place in my heart. That said, I go where the comedy is.

Humor Scragnoth

Signing Requests

If i say sent you my Scragnoth card, would you sign it for me?

Absolutely. Just remember to send it along with a self-adressed stamped envelope. This by the way goes for anyone who wants a card autographed. Send it to: Mark Rosewater c/o Wizards of the Coast 1800 Lind Ave. SW Renton, WA 98055

Mark Rosewater Scragnoth Wizards of the Coast

First Card Designed

What was the first card you designed?

The first cards I designed that made it to print were Gustha’s Scepter, Lat-nam’s Legacy and Soldier of Fortune from Alliances. The card that I made the earliest which ebetually make it into print was Scragnoth from Tempest.

Alliances Card Printing Legacy Scragnoth Soldier Soldier of Fortune Tempest