Liliana of the Dark Realms

Planeswalker Reprints

Regarding planeswalker reprints in a standard legal set, Liliana of the Dark Realms was in both M13 and M14. Liliana Vess, from Lorwyn, has turned up in three core sets (including M15, sadly, pushing out a Liliana of the Veil reprint at some late stage of development). Is it really a question of planeswalkers being reprinted in standard legal sets other than core sets?

The question implied other than core sets because most core sets with a planeswalker in it have had repeated planeswalkers.

Card Printing Liliana of the Dark Realms Liliana of the Veil Liliana Vess Lorwyn Planeswalkers Reprints Standard The Dark

Planeswalker Color Themes

Am I remembering right that reaction to Liliana of the Dark Realms is what helped WOTC realize that they needed to keep planeswalkers in a narrow theme of their color pie? If so, is "Swamps Matter" still Liliana or open to another black planeswalker?

Liliana is all about necromancy and “swamps matter” can be done by a different planeswalker of black magic.

Black Color Pie Colors Liliana of the Dark Realms Necromancy Planeswalkers The Dark Wizards of the Coast

Legendary Creatures Versions

I feel like Legendary Creatures are getting versions that aren't very related to their previous versions, similar to the Liliana of the Dark Realms thing. Is this a concern?

It’s an issue but unlike planeswalkers there’s not a team dedicated to making sure everything lines up.

Creatures Legendary Creatures Liliana of the Dark Realms Planeswalkers The Dark

Liliana's Design Critique

Maro, I know Liliana of the Dark Realms had some complaints because the abilities were more about mana pumping and Swamps matter. But are these abilities still within Black, or is that shifted over to Red now? Could a future Black Planeswalker have the niche?

The abilities make sense for Black just not for Liliana.

Black Liliana of the Dark Realms Mana Mark Rosewater Planeswalkers Red The Dark

New Black Walker

Could there ever be a black walker whose thing is swamps? Or has Liliana of the Dark realms made that design space unavailable?

No, that planeswalker could some day exist - let’s call him/her/them Swampy McGee. : )

Black Design Space Liliana of the Dark Realms Planeswalkers The Dark

Liliana Design Misstep

Why is liliana of the dark realms a mistake?

The mistake is it being Liana. Her magic is about raising the dead not swamps.

Liliana of the Dark Realms The Dark

Liliana's Swamp Connection

Liliana of the Dark Realms, can you talk about why she cares about Swamps.

It was a mistake and prompted a change in how we manage planeswalker mechanical space.

Liliana of the Dark Realms Planeswalkers The Dark

Planeswalkers' Mechanics

I remember hearing that after Liliana of the Dark Realms, that it was decided each Planeswalker would have a "thing", a mechanical inclination that defines them. Do all Planeswalkers have their "thing" yet? Is there a list? I still feel like a lot of Planeswalkers aren't especially clear yet, like Innistrad's Tamiyo and Tibalt and I'm wondering if there is a definitive list explaining each active Planeswalkers' mechanics.

Each planeswalker has a clearly spelled out suite of powers which we have connected to mechanics.

Innistrad Liliana of the Dark Realms Mechanics Planeswalkers The Dark

Nissa Character Evolution

You've said that the backlash against "Liliana of the Dark Realms" cemented the notion that each planeswalker character is supposed to have their "thing" and stick to it (presumably still with character-related exceptions to the rule like with Ajani Vengeant). What, then, was the reasoning for letting Nissa change from being elf-based to being land-based? How was the card "Nissa, Worldwaker" received?

Because the Elf theme ended up being a little too restrictive so we shifted to more of a nature/land-based theme. Nissa’s last card was very well received.

Ajani Vengeant Backlash Elf Lands Liliana of the Dark Realms Nissa, Worldwaker Planeswalkers Rules The Dark

Nissa's Evolving Character

I apologize if this has been asked before, but about the new Nissa... People were upset that Liliana of the Dark Realms didn't fit previous versions of Liliana, and I assume that's part of the reason why you went with the old Liliana Vess this time around. Might there be that same disconnect for the new Nissa, though? She was the elf planeswalker and now she's a green Koth. Surely that'll rustle the same feathers? (Not that I don't like the card, mind you - I like it a lot)

Elf planeswalker turned out too narrow so now she’s more nature centered.

Elf Green Liliana of the Dark Realms Liliana Vess Planeswalkers The Dark

Liliana Continuity

As a Vorthos it sort of disappointing me that the original Liliana is coming back. Liliana of the Dark Realms would be in continuity, while Liliana Vess I thought was pre-Innistrad.

She’s still Liliana Vess.

Innistrad Liliana of the Dark Realms Liliana Vess The Dark Vorthos

Liliana Card Design Mistake

Was Liliana of the Dark Realms a mistake because her abilities didn't match the character, or because they're out of black's purview?

The former. Everything on the card is in black’s part of the color pie although interestingly it’s not primary on any of it.

Black Color Pie Colors Liliana of the Dark Realms Primary The Dark

Liliana Printing Reflection

Wait, why did you print Liliana of the Dark Realms twice if you felt she was a mistake?

It took awhile to get everyone to agree she was a mistake. Also, sometimes you have options where no choice is ideal.

Card Printing Liliana of the Dark Realms The Dark

Liliana Card Feedback

You've said that Liliana of the Dark Realms was very poorly received. If that's so, why was she chosen to return in m14 instead of say the original?

I never said she was poorly received. I said that she strayed mechanically from where Liliana was positioned.

Liliana of the Dark Realms The Dark

Black Mana Ramp

I've seen people saying black can't get mana ramp, but that doesn't seem right to me. I understand rituals are out as that has been moved to red but we have cards like Crypt Ghast and Liliana of the Dark Realms in very recent sets so saying black can't have any ramp doesn't make sense to me, especially if to get that mana you have to sacrifice a guy or something.

Black can get swamps and make its swamps (and sometimes it lands) tap for additional black mana. That is how black now “ramps”.

Black Crypt Ghast Lands Liliana of the Dark Realms Mana Red Sacrifice Tap / Untap The Dark