Hi Mark! Might have missed my birthday trivia request. :) Any trivia on Havengul Lich? It's one of my favorite cards ever. Also, is it possible to request another legendary creature for Commander that has "it has all activated abilities" type of ability a la Experiment Kraj? Thanks so much!

Havengul Lich came about because I was trying to find a new way to cross black and blue abilities. I liked the idea of finding ways each could care about a creature card in the graveyard. Happy Birthday!

You always talk about how good design is doing the least possible. The first ability of today's Havengul Lich (cast a creature from any graveyard) seems unique and mind blowing already. Why did it need the second line (gains activated abilities), wouldn't it be more elegant and preserving future space without?

The card was a top down design trying to capture a certain flavor. Top down designs tend to have a little extra flourish mechanicswise because they are trying hard to have a partiulcar feel.