You Are Already Dead

Identical Card Logic

March of the Machine gave us two mechanically identical cards with “Wren’s Resolve”/“Reckless Impulse” and “You are already dead”/“Mirrodan Avenged”. What’s the thought process behind printing cards that are mechanically identical to other cards recently printed?

Usually it’s to give a card different creative.

Card Printing March of the Machine Reckless Impulse You Are Already Dead

Color Shift Impact

A question inspired by a joking conversation about a just-revealed piece of art: Would a white-shifted version of You Are Already Dead be a color pie break?

It’s not a color pie break.

Art Color Pie Colors You Are Already Dead

Return of Real-World References

With card names like You Are Already Dead and An Offer You Can't Refuse, do you think we'll ever see the comeback of real-world references in flavor text? (a.k.a. the Shakespeare scale?)

In Universes Beyond products.

An Offer You Can't Refuse Card Names Flavor Text Universes Beyond You Are Already Dead

'You are Already Dead' Card

I vote yes on “You are Already Dead” as a card name. It is flavorful in that it kills a damaged creature and that it implies it was easy, not even costing you a card. Although I prefer instants and sorceries to be verbs like “I shock your creature” or “I commune with spirits”, it still allows you to name the spell alone like “saw it coming.” You don’t need to say “I cast ‘you are already dead’”, you just say “you are already dead”, which is very fun.

The default is instants and sorceries are verbs.

Card Names Commune with Spirits Creatures Flavor Instants Saw It Coming Sorceries Spirit You Are Already Dead

Direct References on Cards

I don't think that familiarity is to do with the issue people have with You are already dead. I that stuff like enchanted carriage and Oathsworn Knight are acceptable because it feel like Magic is making its own interpretation of the thing that it's referencing whereas You are Already Dead feels like magic just quoting the source material

I think the audience is split between players who love direct references and ones who prefer it be less direct.

Enchanted Carriage Knight Oathsworn Knight You Are Already Dead

'You Are Already Dead' Naming

not a question, but i didn't see how to reply on the post. for 'You Are Already Dead', it wasn't about knowing the reference for me, it's just a really awkward name that feels out of place. I don't speak for everyone, but just 'Already Dead' would have fit much better for me. the only 4 word names i can think of are like 'Lord of' titles and Un-cards

Let’s do an informal poll. Do you consider You Are Already Dead a good Magic card name?Please answer yes or no, and why.

Card Names Un-sets You Are Already Dead

Pop culture vs Historical References

Why do you think "You are already dead" got heat when eldraine's dozens of arthurian references didn't? "Enchanted Carriage" is as direct a reference as the JoJo quote.

It turns out pop culture references tend to be better known than historical/mythological ones.

Enchanted Carriage Pop Culture You Are Already Dead

Card Names and Silliness Level

Regarding "You Are Already Dead" and "Enormous Energy Blade", I don't know the references, but both sounds like the level of silliness I'd expect of an unset, less so of a premiere set, although Magic has overall gotten lighter in tone these past years. I don't know why those two seem weird to me, whereas "Didn't say please" and "Saw it coming" are both card names I really liked.

Just like mechanics, we like having a breadth of style with card names. Humor isn’t restricted to Un-sets.

Card Names Didn't Say Please Enormous Energy Blade Humor Mechanics Saw It Coming Un-Magic / Silver Border / Acorn Un-sets You Are Already Dead

Appreciation for Cool Card Names

FYI: i did not know the reference behind "you are already dead" and just thought it was a very cool card name.

I’m getting a bunch of posts saying this. I agree. I think it’s a cool name.

Appreciation Card Names You Are Already Dead

About Deep Cut References

Regarding deep cuts, I'm fine with them, but would rather they were done more tastefully. Grave Bramble is a good example. If you know the reference, you chuckle and nod, if you don't, it still feels like part of the set. The art isn't a Peashooter gunning down zombies. "You are already dead" reads strangely if you don't know the reference, and feels almost condescendingly on-the-nose if you do.

To players who don’t get the reference, it doesn’t sound strange. I’ve gotten numerous posts confused what all the fuss is. For players who do get the reference, the majority seem to enjoy the reference, but I do hear that some of you like the references a little less on the nose.

Art Grave Bramble You Are Already Dead Zombie

Dad Energy Comment

Using Deep Cut to describe You Are Already Dead is Supreme Dad Energy. Well done.

: )

Humor You Are Already Dead

Opinion on NEO Designs

Hi Mark! I love the core concept and conflict in NEO with tradition and futurism. I like all of the mechanics. That said, there are individual cards that seem the least elegant and most heavy handed Magic designs in a long time. For me, e.g. You Are Already Dead and Enormous Energy Blade are not in the realm of acceptable source material to be referenced *this directly*. They fail in becoming a part of Magic, and linger in an uncanny valley. (Likewise The Modern Age should've been more subtle.)

We do deep cuts in all top down sets. It’s possible you’re just more familiar with these ones.

Enormous Energy Blade Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Mechanics Modern Top Down You Are Already Dead