Storm Scale

Storm Scale Zero Explanation

Re: zero isn’t a thing [on the storm scale]Can we say that “being a magic card” is a zero? A one means it’s something that every set has, so in my eyes, a zero must mean something that every card has. As far as I know, the only thing every magic card has in common is that they are magic cards.

The scene is 1-10. There is no 0.

Eyes Storm Scale

About Flying's Storm Scale Rating

Would you consider flying an honorary zero on the storm scale?

Still a 1. 0 isn’t a thing.

Flying Storm Scale

Day/Night on Storm Scale

Where would you put Day/Night on the Storm scale?

I’d call it a 7.

Day/Night Storm Scale

Predicting Return to Rabiah?

With a new standard set giving us storm, thus checking in the namesake of the storm scale, does that mean we'll also be visiting Rabiah soon? (Sarcasm but it would be funny)

It means there’s hope.

Humor Premier Sets Storm Scale

Reception of Plot Mechanic

Hi Mark,I wanted to ask about the Plot mechanic. Is it too early to say how well it was received, or where it is on the Storm Scale?I think it played really great in Limited, and I'd love to have more cards with Plot in the future!Hope your day is great and filled with Magic :)

The data I’ve seen on it is positive, but I haven’t seen a lot.

Limited Mechanics Plot Storm Scale

Impact on Storm Scale

Since the upcoming Ral, Crackling Wit card makes it possible to give your spells Storm does that in any way impact the Storm Scale?

It does not. As I said a few months ago. The name of a scale getting printed is not going to change the name of the scale. 10’s can happen.

Spells Storm Scale Ral, Crackling Wit

Opinion on Mutate Mechanic

Do you consider the Mutate mechanic a success? If yes, why is it unlikely to make a return (7 on the Storm scale)?

It was beloved by a (small) minority, but confusing to the majority.

Mechanics Mutate Storm Scale

Storm Scale Changes

I know we’ve seen some mechanics rise and fall over the years, but going from a 9 to a 4 on the storm scale is a pretty substantial drop. What changed from R&D’s perspective to have it go from it would need a minor miracle to return to more likely than not to return?

For a while play design preferred eight cards, so I thought threshold was done.

Mechanics Miracle Play Design Storm Scale Threshold

Return of Threshold

I was surprised by the return of Threshold. Is the Storm Scale still 9?

Nope. It’s down to a 4.

Storm Scale Threshold

Storm Mechanic Rating

Is Storm no longer a 10 on the Storm Scale? Or do mechanics now get a different rating on being the set mechanic versus a cameo mechanic?

Storm is still a 10, but 10’s can appear. Also, cameo’s do muck up ratings a bit.

Mechanics Storm Scale

Ixalan's Reception

Now that we’ve had time to see the reception to Ixalan, how did LCI do? Where is Ixalan now on the storm scale?

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan did well. I’d call Ixalan a 5.

Ixalan Storm Scale The Lost Caverns of Ixalan

Rating Undying on Storm Scale

Hey Mark, where does Undying currently sit on the Storm Scale?

I’d call it a 7. Hard to balance.

Storm Scale Undying

Sarpadian Themed Set Possibility

I'm sure it would be a nostalgia set popular for a specific group of enfranchised players, but where is a Sarpadian remastered style set (imagine redoing Fallen Empires with the ten factions with modern magic design) on a supplemental storm scale?

I have faith we’ll be returning to Dominaria. It all being Sarpadia is a low percentage chance, but some of the set could be from there.

Dominaria Experienced / Enfranchised Players Factions Modern Storm Scale

Ownership Mechanic's Future

The recent pauper 'pre-ban' of Cranial Ram got me thinking about some of the older pre-bans because of Ante that happened in the 90's (RIP Rebirth, Tempest Efreet, and Timmerian Fiends. You will not be missed). Has there ever been any serious discussion about making a newer mechanic that manipulated card 'Ownership'? Where would that sort of effect be on the Storm Scale? (I assume a 12, if it went that high)

I think we’re out of the business of changing ownership. It was the most disliked thing mechanically we’ve ever done.

Cranial Ram Efreets Mechanics Pauper Rebirth Storm Scale Tempest Tempest Efreet Timmerian Fiends

Future for Creature Groupings

Are we going to see more mechanics for groupings of creature types like outlaws in the future? Like maybe fighters (Knights, soldiers, warriors, archers) or critters (rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, etc) or undead (zombies skeletons vampires spirits)? Where does it sit on the storm scale?

There will be more batching. We do want to be careful how often and how intuitive the groupings are.

Archer Batches Creatures Knight Mechanics Mouse Rabbit Rat Rat Skeleton Soldier Spirit Squirrel Storm Scale Vampire Warrior Zombie

Wither's Future on Storm Scale

Hey Mark, where would you put Wither on the Storm scale? How much design space would you say the mechanic has?

Play design’s dislike of -1/-1 environments makes it tricky to bring back, but Magic continually surprises.

Design Space Mechanics Storm Scale Wither

MH3 Bestow Cards Appreciation

Love seeing the new bestow cards in MH3! Bestow is my favorite mechanic from OG Theros. Where does it currently sit on the storm scale?

I’d call it a 6. It needs a decent amount of infrastructure.

Appreciation Bestow Mechanics Modern Horizons 3 Storm Scale Theros

Random Color Effects

Since dice rolling was last reported as a 5: Where is picking a random color or basic land type (previously seen on the Astral set and DC Set.) on the Storm Scale?

Those types of random effects are hard to build around and don’t tend to play well in normal decks. Too much of the time it has a meaningless effect.

Colors Die Rolling Lands Storm Scale

Fourth Cycle of Shrines

Where would a fourth cycle of Shrines be on the storm scale? Also, how about a few colorless shrines that require colorless or snow mana?

It depends on the power of Shrines in various formats. Each new one ups the overall power level. The challenge with mixing various flavor-based mechanics is finding the world where both aspects make flavor sense.

Colorless Flavor Mana Mechanics Power Level Storm Scale

Energy Mechanic Flavor

I notice that MH3 has Energy cards that don't match the technological fluff used for the mechanic in Kaladesh (and the Fallout set). How much does broadening the flavor like this help the mechanic on the Storm Scale?

The more exposure and advancement of the design of a mechanic, the better for its future.

Energy Cards Flavor Kaladesh Mechanics Modern Horizons 3 Storm Scale