Birds of Paradise

Reimagining Mana Color

If you could start mtg over, do you think you'd consider making cards like Birds of Paradise add a "mana of EVERY color" where you could add it to pool without choosing a color, and use it for any colored or generic cost? I think that would add enough value to the game to justify its own mana symbol. Do you think that would need a new timeline, or could it exist in ours?

I think it adds complexity for little gain. And it would cause a lot of headaches in digital.

Bird Birds of Paradise Colorless Colors Mana

Birds of Paradise Query

Is birds of paradise considered a break because it has flying? Or is it a bend because a 0-power flyer is basically reach?

It’s only a slight bend. Green does get a little flying and 0 power is relevant.

Bend / Break Bird Birds of Paradise Flying Green

Design Inspiration Sources

Mark, on the topic of Designing to Art is the creation of Birds of Paradise, from the Mark Poole art that was supposed to be an Island (Or Tropical Island I've also heard?), the most impactful or significant card from designing to art?

I thought it was a Tropical Island, but I talked with Mark Poole and he said it was a Volcanic Island.

Art Bird Birds of Paradise Tropical Island Volcanic Island

Defender Necessity

"0-power us an important tool for creatures with defender." Why does a creature need defender if it has 0 power? No one's going to attack with it anyway unless they're doing something clever. Birds of Paradise is a classic example.

0/1 isn’t an issue but 0/5 is. We makes ways to pump creatures, so we’d have to cost for that if it didn’t have defender.

Bird Birds of Paradise Creatures Defender

Future of Mana Dorks

Is birds of paradise too strong for standard? Will green ever get a 1 mana dork without drawback in standard again?

It’s possible, although I’m skeptical Birds of Paradise will be the card.

Bird Birds of Paradise Green Mana Power Level Standard

Design Comparison

What's the difference between a 1 mana rock, and Birds of Paradise? Why is BoP not too good for legacy, while a Rock of Paradise would be?

It’s a lot easier in constructed tournaments to get rid of a 0/1 creature than a noncreature artifact as you play creature removal in all decks.

Artifacts Bird Birds of Paradise Constructed Creatures Legacy Mana Non-creatures

New Mana Symbol

If/When: A "rainbow/wubrg" mana symbol for cards like Cavern of Souls, Ancient Ziggurat, Birds of Paradise, etc.?

If. We are wary to add new symbols, so they gave up carry a lot of weight.

Ancient Ziggurat Bird Birds of Paradise Cavern of Souls If/When Mana

Card Simplicity

Hi Mark! Do you agree that the best and most memorable cards in Magic tend to be the easiest to grok? Lightning Bolt, Time Warp, Birds of Paradise and now even Shivan Devastator fit this description.

Magic likes having some simple, clean, evocative cards.

Bird Birds of Paradise Lightning Bolt Shivan Devastator Time Warp

Fear of Birds of Paradise

Is birds of paradise too strong for standard?

It being in Standards warps it, but I’m unsure if it’s “too strong”.

Bird Birds of Paradise Fear Power Level Standard

Grandfathered-In Magic Cards

Why is Birds of Paradise grandfathered in but Prodigal Sorcerer is not?

Because green gets flying infrequently while blue does not get direct damage infrequently.

Bird Birds of Paradise Blue Flying Green Prodigal Sorcerer

Birds of Paradise in Standard

If or When? Birds of Paradise in Standard again.

My best guess is when, but not necessarily soon.

Bird Birds of Paradise If/When Standard

Trivia on Creature Types

Hey Mark, it's my birthday! Can I please have some trivia about creature types? Anything you find intresting.Thank you and have a great day!

When Magic first started creatures only had one creature type (and artifact creatures didn’t get any), but there were three exceptions. Birds of Paradise was Mana Birds, Goblin King was Goblin King and Lord of Atlantis was Lord of Atlantis. Will-O’-The-Wisp was Will-O’-The-Wisp, but it was hyphenated, so technically one word. Happy Birthday!

Appreciation Artifacts Bird Birds of Paradise Birthday Creatures Goblin Goblin King Lord of Atlantis Mana Will-o'-the-Wisp

Gilded Goose and Monogreen Discrepancy

So is gilded goose also monogreen because birds of paradise grandfathered it in? 0 power and flying doesn't seem that different from reach to me.

It turns out there is a difference, but as you feel they’re the same hopefully us doing the one more in color pie shouldn’t be a big deal. : )

Bird Birds of Paradise Color Pie Flying Gilded Goose Humor

Reach Vs Flying in Standard

Birds of Paradise, but reach instead of flying--it would be well within mono-green's remit but would it be printable in a premier set or too pushed for standard?

A one mana creature that taps for any color is possible, I think, but puts a lot of constraints on play design.

Bird Birds of Paradise Colors Creatures Flying Mana Play Design Premier Sets Standard

Present Day Birds of Paradise

What color would Birds of Paradise be today? Could it still cost 1 mana?

If it wasn’t grandfathered, it wouldn’t be a monocolor card, so it would be tricky to do at a CMC of 1.

Bird Birds of Paradise Colors Mana Mana Value Monocolor

Alternative Colors for Birds

If gilded goose and birds of paradise weren't green, what color(s) would they be? I can't think of any other colors they could be

Green can have creatures that tap for any color of mana. They mostly shouldn’t fly.

Bird Birds of Paradise Colors Creatures Gilded Goose Green Mana Tap / Untap

Green's Flying Power

Does green have zero power fliers / Birds of paradise or is that not a thing green does anymore?

Green is supposed to gave very few fliers. Being 0-power isn’t an excuse to have them in green. If Birds of Power wasn’t grandfathered in due to early popularity, I doubt you’d see it in green today.

Bird Birds of Paradise Flying Green

On Birds of Paradise Origin

umm BOP. In Alpha Birds of Paradise was done from art. Was it not top down?

The illustration was original for a dual land, but the bird was so prominent, Richard designed a card for it.

Art Bird Birds of Paradise Dual Lands Lands Top Down

Birds of Paradise Scale

Storm scale of Birds of Paradise being in a standard set?

I’d call it a 6.

Bird Birds of Paradise Keyword Abilities Premier Sets Standard Storm Scale

Gold Mana Symbol Debate

I think something these not being mentioned by people asking for a gold mana symbol are its commander implications. If birds of paradise becomes tap add gold it becomes a 5C card instead of just green. Does this weigh for or against the change?

It’s not happening, but yes, I believe that would upset Commander players.

Bird Birds of Paradise Commander Green Mana Tap / Untap