Automaton

Modal Spells Characteristics

Riku of Many Paths make reference to "modal spells" which I think is a first. How are modal spells being defined for the game now? Anything where a player makes a choice while casting? Can creatures be modal like adaptive automaton? entwine spells? splilt cards?

Here’s the definition from Matt Tabak:“A modal spell, you might be wondering, is a spell where you choose from among modes (a bulleted list of options) as you cast it. They include spree cards. A permanent with an activated or triggered ability that includes modes is not a modal spell.”

Adaptive Automaton Automaton Creatures Entwine Matt Tabak Riku of Many Paths Spells Spree Triggered Abilities

Colorless Cards Flavor

To clarify, I am wondering if a card like warping wail could be printed with To clarify, I am wondering if a card like warping wail could be printed with an artifact (magical machine) flavor instead of an eldrazi one. But if an Eldrazi’s Warping Wail is a depiction of an Eldrazi taking an action, could an automaton emitting an energy blast be a reasonable space to explore colorless themed instants/sorceries/enchantments?

We have done colorless instants and sorceries with non-Eldrazi flavor. They’re not necessarily tied to Eldrazi.

Artifacts Automaton Card Printing Colorless Eldrazi Enchantments Flavor Instants Sorceries Warping Wail

Desire for Magic Aesthetics

I'd like to see Magic go back to closer to it's roots, aesthetically. I want more mechs, power armor, alien viruses, automatons, time travel, cloning vats, cybernetic implants, etc.

: )

Alien Automaton Humor Power Armor

Change in Changeling Utilization

Is changeling as a major set's tribe something we could get more of?(Instead of being more of a glue) (Also Bloodline Pretender makes me want a functional reprint of Adaptive Automaton, but with changeling, as a better mirror)

It’s so good as glue that it’s hard to use without combining other tribal to it.

Adaptive Automaton Automaton Blood Bloodline Pretender Changeling Kindred / Typal Reprints

Colorless Philosophy

I know colorless isn't a color, but what does colorlessness mean philosophically? There's colorless characters within the story, like Karn; it's not reserved for mindless automatons like thopters and forces of nature like the Eldrazi.

Colorlessness doesn’t have a philosophy. That doesn’t mean colorless characters can’t individually have one.

Automatons Colorless Colors Eldrazis Story / Lore Thopters

Mary O'Kill Ability

Reading Mary O'Kill's ability, it would seem as though the wording tells me that Mary herself is not necessarily part of the switch. "Switch a killbot or Mary O'Kill in your hand with one on the battlefield." Does this mean I can switch a, say, Adaptive Automaton "killbot" on the field with a killbot in my hand? Heck, can I do this with Mary in hand?

You have to switch with Mary.

Adaptive Automaton Automaton Mary O'Kill Your Hand

Tribal Cards Future

Are pick your tribe tribal cards like Adaptive Automaton and Vanquisher's Banner confined to tribal sets in the future or can we see them more in core sets or odd places (like metallic mimic in Kaladesh)?

I think it’s something we’ll see time to time in non-tribal themed sets.

Adaptive Automaton Automaton Kaladesh Kindred / Typal Metallic Mimic Vanquisher's Banner

Golems vs Automatons

Hi Mark, what's the difference between a golem and an automaton? Why are we seeing automatons in Kaladesh and Golems in Mirrodin? Thanks.

Automatons are made with technology and Golems are made with magic.

Automaton Golem Kaladesh Mirrodin

Kaladesh Design Quality

The Kaladesh page reads: "Airships will race, automaton constructs will battle, genius minds will face-off, and elegant design will reign supreme." Can you vouch for that last part being true? :)

Oh, there’s elegant design.

Automaton Battles Construct Kaladesh

Eldrazi Spawn Types

Are Eldrazi Spawn/Eldrazi Scions both Eldrazi AND Spawn/Scions, or is the entire creature type "Eldrazi Spawn"/"Eldrazi Scion"? Am I able to name Spawn with Adaptive Automaton, or would I have to name Eldrazi Spawn?

They are both. Each word in a subtype counts separately.

Adaptive Automaton Automaton Creatures Eldrazi Scion Spawn Subtype

Bear Lord Promise

What are the chances that someday we get a Bear lord? And I don't mean something like Adaptive Automaton.

I truly believe a bear lord will happen one day. Let’s call it the Bear Apparent. (Not that it will actually be called that if it ever got made.)

Adaptive Automaton Automaton Bear

Karn's Gender Identity

In the planeswalker gender count; does Karn count as a man, or is Karn more of a genderless sentient automaton?

Karn is genderless.

Automatons Planeswalkers