Vendilion Clique

Legendary Clique Card

There are 6 faerie “clique” cards, of which 5 are from Lorwyn block. Do you know why Vendilion Clique is the only one that is legendary?

My guess is it’s small and just includes a specific group of Faeries.

Faerie Lorwyn Vendilion Clique

Vendilion Clique Design

Could Vendilion Clique have been hybrid?

Probably. It’s a big bend in blue.

Bend / Break Blue Hybrid Vendilion Clique

Color Identity Balance

Blue excelling at many low as-fan things vs. other colors excelling at a few high as-fan things means blue's splashy (set-selling) MEMORABLE cards get to be more varied and unique. Ex. All Modern Masters mythics: U: Keiga, Snapcaster Mage, Temporal Manipulation, Tezzeret the Seeker, Vendilion Clique. 5 radically different effects, 2 blue-exclusive. Vs. R: Bonfire of the Damned, Comet storm, Kiki-Jiki, Past in Flames, Ryusei; 3/5 are damage boardwipes, the other 2 could be bends in U. See issue?

I’ve talked plenty about how Snapcaster is pushing more towards red and Vendilion Click is a black card masquerading as a blue card (aka a heavy bend). Things are more balanced than they seem.

As-fan Bend / Break Black Blue Bonfire of the Damned Colors Comet Storm Keyword Abilities Modern Modern Masters Mythic Rares Past in Flames Red Snapcaster Mage Temporal Manipulation Tezzeret the Seeker Vendilion Clique

Vendilion Clique Analysis

I'm not sure I agree with your color pie assessment of Vendilion Clique. Blue gets plenty of spying on other's hands and a fair amount of forced looting, plus plenty of flash + efficient fliers. This is all those things and feels quite Blue. I concede that if the loot was instead a discard (and thus did not keep card parity) it would be more in Black's realm. As printed, I just don't see it.

It’s possible it’s a blue/black card.

Black Blue Card Printing Color Pie Colors Dimir (U/B) Discard Flash Vendilion Clique

Design Mistakes Admitted

Re: Blue not being able to "look at target players hand and put a card x from top". What about Vendilion Clique? I understand putting the card on the bottom is different, but why does V Clique exist then?

We make mistakes.

Blue Vendilion Clique Your Hand

Fun Duel Decks

I just played against Aaron Forsythe using his homemade duel deck, Birds vs Bees. It was one of the most fun matches I've ever played. And he signed my Vendilion Clique playmat. HIGH FIVES MUST GO 'ROUND!!!

I will high five Aaron for being awesome but not for making the abomination that is Birds vs. Bees. : )

Aaron Forsythe Bird Duel Decks High Fives Vendilion Clique

Vendilion Clique Insight

Hi Mark! I'm trying for the third time, some people say that's the charm. My Birthday was May 6th. First I asked for trivia about Emrakul - dashed hopes. Then, I asked about Uncle Istvan - dissipated. Now I'll ask for trivia on Vendilion Clique! It's an interesting card to ask about, because it is simple yet versatile and powerful. Hope you don't have a force of will for this 3rd trivia request. You seem to be tapped out.

All the Faeries in Lorwyn/Morningtide had flying. Originally they all had flash as well, but that proved a little too much, so we just had the blue Faeries have flash. That was still too much so we had most the blue Faeries have flash.One of the big discussions with Vendilion Clique was can Blue have discard. Blue in theory is a distant secondary at discard usually because you force someone to discard and draw, so we used that technology to make Vendilion Clique. Happy Belated Birthday!

Birthday Blue Discard Faerie Flash Flying Force of Will Lorwyn Morningtide Secondary Uncle Istvan Vendilion Clique

Modern Masters Rarity

Why was Tarmogoyf, Bob and Vendilion Clique raised to mythic rarity in the first Modern Masters? Were you just scared of experiencing a Chronicles 2.0? In the past you have said that complexity and balancing for limited formats define the rarity of a card. Are there going to be any changes to the rarity of cards that are going to be in Modern Masters 2015?

I said those two were the major factors. They are not the only ones. The tricky balancing act of Modern Masters products is getting the cards into the hands of players who don’t own them without destroying the value of the cards for players who do own them.

Balancing Act Chronicles Limited Modern Modern Masters Rarity Tarmogoyf Vendilion Clique