Embercleave

Artifact Removal in Red

The prevalence of cards like Lucky Clover and Embercleave in Standard had me thinking: where did red's shatter effects go? Between all the options we have right now, none of them can answer an Embercleave at instant speed when this is usually something red can do. Is this just a coincidence brought on from pushing general utility or are you guys re-evaluating how efficient red artifact removal can be?

It’s just coincidence.

Artifacts Embercleave Instants Lucky Clover Red Shatter Standard

Arthurian Legends in Magic

Hey Mark, so the Circle of Loyalty is I assume Arthur's Round Table, the Magic Mirror is the Magic Mirror, the Cauldron of Eternity is the Holy Grail, Embercleave is Excalibur, but what's the Great Henge? Stonehenge doesn't make much sense to me but it's the only thing I can think of

It’s Stone Henge. It plays a small role in some old Arthurian tales and is implied to have magical properties.

Embercleave The Cauldron of Eternity The Circle of Loyalty The Great Henge The Magic Mirror

Torbran's Possession Clarified

So... Torbran is the owner of embercleave? :)

I didn’t say that.

Embercleave

Torbran's Weapon Choice

Hi Mark, How come Torbran does not wield Embercleave?

He can, in game. Why not in the art? Because Embercleave was its own card.

Art Embercleave

Artifact Enchantment Overlap

The biggest mechanical distinction between artifacts and enchantments, now that colored artifacts are evergreen, is that artifacts can have tap abilities. Flavor alone doesn't satisfy us enchantment fans, as having colored artifacts without tap abilities just feels like you're eroding away enchantments' place in the game. Midnight Clock is ok because it taps, Embercleave is ok because it's an equipment, Glass Casket is not ok because there's no reason it couldn't be an enchantment instead.

That statement would carry more weight if Magic hadn’t been making artifacts with continuous effects for twenty-six years. Interestingly, back in original Mirrodin, Tyler Bielman and I made a bold proposal where we made a very firm delineation between what artifacts and enchantments could do, but it meant that we couldn’t ever reprint things like Howling Mine and R&D shot down the plan.Essentially, this is a fight I once tried to have, but I lost that fight sixteen years ago. The delineation that you seem to think exists, never really has, except in mana cost, and as I’ve explained, for the good of the game, Magic needs to adapt in this area.

Adapt Artifacts Card Printing Embercleave Enchantments Equipment Evergreen Fight / Bite Flavor Glass Casket Howling Mine Mana Midnight Clock Mirrodin Reprints Tap / Untap

Embercleave's Inspiration

Is Embercleave based on excalibur?

Yes.

Embercleave

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