Tombstalker

Color Indicator Usage

In response to the user asking about making a color indicator different from the colors in its mana cost, that could be a potential knob to use for R&D, even if it is inelegant. For example, part of the reason Murktide Regent is so much stronger than Tombstalker is that it can be pitched to Force of Will, so I think that's useful knowledge to keep in mind.

There are plenty of mechanical reasons a card could care about being a color different than the mana used to cast it.

Colors Force of Will Game Design Mana Murktide Regent Tombstalker

Issues with Future-shifting

You've had a lot of trouble printing future-shifted cards into sets where they seem like they belong because they don't line up with Creative: Tombstalker doesn't fit the delve set because at the time Creative said no demons, Ghostfire doesn't fit the Devoid set because Ghostfire is Ugin-themed, Centaur Omenreader doesn't fit Kalhdeim because Creative said no centaurs... looking back, is there anything about future-shifting you wish you'd done differently?

Designing cards for potential futures is just very difficult. There’s not really an easy answer even with hindsight.

Centaur Centaur Omenreader Delve Demon Devoid Ghostfire Tombstalker

Tombstalker in Tarkir?

Do you think Tombstalker would have made it into Tarkir block if Sarkhan hadn't messed with the past?

Yes. Blame Sarkhan! : )

Tombstalker

Delve in Khans

Were Logic Knot and/or Tombstalker considered as reprints in KTK/FRF?

Yes. All three existing delve cards were in the design/development file of Khans at one point.

Card Printing Delve Logic Knot Reprints Tombstalker

Tombstalker's Tale

Can we assume that Tombstalker was going to be printed, in the alternate third set of the Tarkir block we would have gotten, had Sarkhan not gone back in time and changed everything?

Sure.

Card Printing Tombstalker

Past Revelations

You said you can't confirm anything about Fate Reforged or Louie. But you already have - you confirmed the absence of Tombstalker. You have been outmanoeuvred by your past self. How does your present self respond to this revelation?

(shaking fist in the air) Past me!

Fate Reforged Tombstalker

Future Set Secrecy

So you're not allowed to disclose whether a card will be in a future set, but you were allowed to disclose that Tombstalker wouldn't be in the Khans block. Could we theoretically ask you, one at a time, if every card in Magic would be reprinted in the next two sets and take all the non-responses to be inclusions? Or would that be against the rules.

Tombstalker was a very special case. I don’t normally say what is or isn’t in upcoming sets. I just saw a lot of players getting their hopes up and I didn’t want them dashed later in the year.

Card Printing Reprints Rules Tombstalker

No Tombstalker Return

Since demons are in tarkir is it possible for tombstalker to come vack in fate reforged or the third set?

I’ll save you all any future disappointment. Tombstalker does not appear in the block.

Demon Fate Reforged Tombstalker

Tombstalker Reprint Miss

Since the opportunity to reprint Tombstalker in Khans was missed, is there any chance that card could appear later in the block, or is it already too late for changes, even in the third set?

The opportunity was missed. Tombstalker does not show up later in the block.

Card Printing Reprints Tombstalker

Butcher of the Horde Origin

Is there a story behind Butcher of the Horde? You've mentioned before that (non-Cat) Demons weren't in Tarkir until much later in the process. Was Butcher of the Horde a card originally designed as something else, or did development add it much later?

In early development, the only demons were the rakshasas. Development talked with the creative team about how we were low with iconics and they decided to add in traditional demons. No one ever went back to rediscuss the Tombstalker discussion.

Butcher of the Horde Cat Demon Story / Lore Tombstalker

Tombstalker's Absence Explained

In your article, you said Tombstalker wasn't printed because there are no non-cat demons on Tarkir, but what about Necropolis Fiend?

What actually happened was at the time of the decision to remove Tombstalker there were zero demons. Then later in development Erik talked with the creative team about how we were a little low on iconics and the decision was made to add demons but no one at the time thought about the earlier decision to not do Tombstalker so it never got revisited.

Card Printing Cat Demon Making Magic Necropolis Tombstalker

Delve Power Level Views

are people happy about the perceived power level of delve so far? i for one am pretty disappointed. =[ where's my tombstalker?!

Delve cards are being played in the FFL. I would try them before dismissing them.

Delve Power Level Tombstalker

Future Sight Delve Cards

Were any of the three Future Sight delve cards considered for reprints in Khans?

All three of them were at one point in the set (never all at the same time though). Design/development concerns knocked out Death Rattle and Logic Knot. Creative concerns knocked out Tombstalker.

Card Printing Death Rattle Delve Future Sight Logic Knot Reprints Tombstalker

Delver's Missing Ability

My biggest problem with Delver is that it doesnt have Tombstalker's Delve ability. Delver means one who delves but Delver clearly doesnt delve.

The Delver/Delve connection was brought up.

Delve Tombstalker