Twobrid

New Mana Symbol

Hi Mark!
If/when: another new symbol in the mana value, like Phyrexian Mana or Hybrid/Twobrid?

When.

Hybrid If/When Mana Mana Value Phyrexian Twobrid

New Mana Symbols Criteria

How high is the hurdle to overcome before requesting the editing? team to design a new mana symbol(like say diamond phyrexian mana or snow/twobrid mana) ? A big part of the set? A small part of the set? a single very high profile card? Just a card development thinks is important for a format to print even if not high profile?

New symbols have a very high bar, especially evergreen ones.

Card Printing Evergreen Mana Phyrexian Twobrid

Twobrid Ward Cost

Would a twobrid ward cost be an answer to the issue of colored ward?

It would help.

Twobrid Ward

Unique Mana Costs

If/when: colorless hybrid, twobrid, or phyrexian mana cost (such as {W/C}, {2/C}, or {C/P})

If.

Colorless Hybrid If/When Mana Phyrexian Twobrid

Twobrid Mana Design

Hey Mark, you mentioned in the vision design handoff that one of the potential rules for including twobrid mana in LCI was having all costs on a twobrid card be twobrid. Is this a general design guideline, or something specific to this implementation of twobrid? (we've had off-color activations elsewhere)

It was for this design.

Mana Rules The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Twobrid Vision Design

Twobrid Design Decision

Using twobrid to splash off color cards without off color mana was a really clever idea. Was the issue that this wouldn't work in commander a factor that led to dropping it?

It wasn’t. The decision to make the set on Ixalan ate up the space being focused on “color matters”.

Colors Commander Ixalan Mana Twobrid

Clarifying Threebrid Concept

Re:threebrid- I think the question asker meant a variant of twobrid, so like {3/R} (three generic or one red) as opposed to {B/R/G} (black or red or green).

The problem with three-brid, is you will seldom pay the generic mana.

Black Colorless Green Gruul (R/G) Jund (B/R/G) Mana Question Marks Red Twobrid

Ward Cost Variants

Could we get ward abilities with two options, where one half is a specific color of mana but the other is generic? (I think this is what the previous QuestionMark meant by including twobrid).

Two-brid ward costs are possible.

Colorless Colors Mana Twobrid Ward

Twobrid Mana Interaction

"If. We don’t like variance being all or nothing based on what color(s) you’re playing. "Not even Twobrid mana?

Two-brid mana doesn’t sometimes negate the opponent’s ability to interact with it because of what color they’re playing. It’s something you build your deck around.

Colors Mana Twobrid

Mana Symbols Design

How much design space is there in new mana symbols, like hybrid, twobrid, phyrexian, and snow mana?

Useful space? Some, not tons.

Design Space Hybrid Mana Phyrexian Twobrid

Twobrid Mana Consideration

As part of the design of artifacts in The Brothers' War where they are colorless while still having a color identity with abilities, did you ever consider using "twobrid" for mana costs as a sort of compromise?

We talked about it, but hybrid felt a little too “modern”.

Artifacts Color Identity Colorless Hybrid Mana Modern The Brothers' War The Brothers' War Twobrid

Possibility of Twobrid Mechanic

Following on the Shadowmoor birthday ask, can you talk a bit more about the twobrid mechanic? It was used only on a cycle of Shadowmoor cards, and since then we’ve only seen it on one card in Zendikar Rising. Do you think we’ll ever see it again as a major mechanic?

We have talked about using it many times. It’s the kind of mechanic that needs the right support, but is a tool that could be used effectively in the right place.

Birthday Cycles Mechanics Shadowmoor Twobrid Zendikar Rising

Speculation on Mana Costs

If/when: Phyrexian/colorless and Twobrid/colorless mana costs?

Both are if. I’m not sure sure how much we’re tweaking colorless mana.

Colorless If/When Mana Phyrexian Twobrid

Twobrid Usage Challenges

Hey Mark, I'm a first time asker, so forgive me if this question has already been done before. In anycase, why don't y'all use twobrid more?

It’s hard to develop because there’s so little give in the costing.

Question Marks Twobrid

Twobrid Usage in Lessons

Was Twobrid considered for lessons to show what college it might be associated with?

I don’t believe so. Using two-brid puts a tight restraint on how cards can be costed.

Twobrid

Status of Twobrid Mana

What's the status of twobrid mana now, in light of the new Tazri using it in a standard set?

It’s available to any set that wants to use it.

Mana Premier Sets Standard Twobrid

Speaking Mana Costs

How does R&D say hybrid costs when speaking mana costs? Especially the weirder ones like the Mutate ability on the Apexes from Ikoria and things like Thopter Foundry from Alara? What about twobrid like Beseech the Queen and Reaper King?

Let’s say a cost is 2(b/r), we’d say “two hybrid - black/red”. If a card was 2(2/w), we’d say “two hybrid - two/white”’

Beseech the Queen Game Design Hybrid Mana Mutate Rakdos (B/R) Reaper King Red Thopter Thopter Foundry Twobrid White

Glass Casket Costs

I have a question regarding the alternate casting cost Glass Casket had at one point: was twobrid considered at any point ? It seems perfect for colored artifacts, especially since the (5 or 1WW) mana cost that was chosen seems very similar to 1{2/W}{2/W}.

The reason we didn’t do two-brid, was twofold:1) It locked us into a much coarser costing system which would make balancing the cards more difficult.2) It’s harder to parse.

Artifacts Casting Cost Glass Casket Mana Twobrid

Twobrid Mechanic Usage

Hey Mark, the Adamant cards got me thinking why you don't use twobrid more often? I feel some cards could be rewarded for being in a more focused deck without making 2+ color drafts too hard overall. Imagine a 2/2 with flying for (2/W)W. It would be in a perfect spot for limited.

We’ve tried using two-brid more but it’s not a very precise knob for play design.

Adamant Colors Flying Limited Play Design Twobrid

Twobrid vs Adamant

Was twobrid mana ever considered for Eldraine before Adamant was created for it?

We had alternate mana costs for a while which is similar.

Adamant Mana Twobrid