Figure of Destiny

Terminology for 'Figure of Destiny' Cards

Is there a term for cards like Figure of Destiny?

R&D just calls them “Figure of Destiny cards”.

Figure of Destiny

Exploring the Un-boxing 3 Reveal

On Un-boxing 3, you mentioned that what you did with Mutate was something new, and yet we've seen things like Time Spiral Jaya Ballard, then Tarmogoyf, Figure of Destiny and Eye of Ugin. So, how is that really new?

You are confusing us making a mechanic out of a popular card with us previewing a known and finished mechanic in an upcoming set before it’s been released.And yes, Tarmogoyf teased future card types.

Card Types Eye Eye of Ugin Figure of Destiny Jaya Ballard Mechanics Mutate Tarmogoyf Time Spiral

Monowhite Gains Haste

"For example, a white card can gain Haste if you control a red creature." But that would allow a monowhite deck to fulfill that condition (with say, Figure of Destiny)!

We understand that and allow it. Magic is full of quirky interactions.

Creatures Figure of Destiny Haste Red White

Level-Up Cards Feedback

So Level-Up cards weren't received well, but in my experience, lots of people liked Warden of the First Tree and its predecessor, Figure of Destiny. Is it just the aesthetics of the level up cards people didn't like?

They didn’t respond well to the mechanic at large. I assume the layout had a role in that.

Figure of Destiny Level Up Mechanics Warden of the First Tree

Hybrid Color Destiny

If destiny is in green portfolio, why is Figure of Destiny RW hybrid? Why those colors?

Destiny and fate are not exactly the same thing. Green believes you are born into your role. White believes that morality forces your hand to act in a certain way.

Boros (R/W) Colors Figure of Destiny Green Hybrid White Your Hand

Blinking Mechanics

Do the current rules or templating technology allow for you to make a Figure of Destiny style card that can be blinked without being completely reset?

No, when something gets flickered it resets to its original state. We don’t have rules to override that.

Figure of Destiny Rules Templating

Figure of Destiny Nature

Is Figure of Destiny a melvin card?

It is a Vorthos *and* a Melvin card.

Figure of Destiny Melvin / Mel Vorthos

Level Up Speed

So why wasn't level up an instant speed ability? You had Figure of Destiny, who I'm guessing the mechanic was based off of, and he was perfectly balanced. Was it deemed too broken during testing?

If you think Figure of Destiny was perfectly balanced, that’s your first mistake. : )

Figure of Destiny Instants Level Up Mechanics

Leveler Mechanics

Do you think that Levelers were not as well received because they operated at sorcery speed instead of instant (ie: Figure of Destiny)?

Sorcery speed was the right call. R&D has to be very careful because players will want things that do not lead to better game play. In short, if you ask players do you want this thing to be more flexible or more powerful or do more in general, they will almost always say yes. Often, that is the wrong choice design and devlopment-wise.

Figure of Destiny Game Play Instants Sorceries

Wackiest Card Creators

Who do you think tends to make the wackiest cards?

Brian Tinsman (who is no longer with Wizards) had the reputation for being the most “out there” of the designers. He created both Form of the Dragon and Figure of Destiny which were both ground breaking, wacky cards.

Dragon Figure of Destiny Form of the Dragon

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