Saprolings

Kindred Saproling Cards?

This is largely a moot point since kindred cards get made extremely infrequently anyway, but in theory would Kindred Saproling cards be allowable? Or do they fall under the same “no nontoken saprolings” rule that a saproling creature card would

I’m skeptical we’ll make Kindred - Saproling cards.

Creatures Kindred / Typal Rules Saprolings

Legendary Saproling Creatures

On the subject of non-token saprolings, & the recurring request for a legendary saproling, I'd like to point out that on Dominaria (and possibly other planes), saprolings "grow up" into Thallids, which have the creature type Fungus. "Slimefoot the Stowaway" is, presumably intentionally, very close to being a legendary saproling; in that he is a legendary creature who cares about saprolings, is in fact an "adult saproling," & his story article even describes him maturing from a common saproling.

FYI

Creatures Dominaria Fungus Planes Saprolings Story / Lore

Legendary Saproling Request

Can I get a maybe on a Legendary Saproling?

Maybe. : )Note that Saproling is a creature type we only use on tokens.

Creatures Humor Saprolings Tokens

Nontoken Saproling Possibility

if/when: nontoken saproling

If. We currently have chosen not to do that, but we do occasionally change our mind on things.

If/When Saprolings

Token Creative Direction

Hi Mark. Why did black fungus tokens replace green saproling tokens as the tokens that fungi make in LCI?

I assume Saprolings didn’t match the creative they wanted.

Black Fungus Green Saprolings The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Tokens

Mechanic References

Hi Mark! You've said that card text without relevance to the format its printed into ('can be your commander' on standard set planeswalkers, for example) is unlikely to appear to avoid confusion. We are now getting one off mechanic returns at high-rarity, like rebound on the blue Ojer which has relevance for standard and limited even though it isn't a set mechanic. However, The Mycotyrant references Saprolings despite them not being in the set- does this not fall more into the first category?

We treat references to creature types differently than we treat references to formats.

Blue Card Printing Creatures Limited Mechanics Planeswalkers Premier Sets Rebound Rebound Saprolings Standard The Mycotyrant

Saprolings Decision

If/when, saporlings that are not tokens

If. We’ve consciously chosen (so far, at least) not to do that.

If/When Saprolings Tokens

Fungi Token Origins

I was wondering about the fungus tokens in LCI! Were they saprolings earlier on or always fungi?

I think they were always Fungi.

Fungus Saprolings The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Tokens

Fungus vs Saproling Tokens

I'm curious about the new fungus token and why use them over saproling. The reception of phyrexian mite have something to with it?

I think Saproling didn’t feel like it captured the look for the creatures as well as Fungus. It wasn’t an area I was involved in though, so that’s more of an educated guess.

Creatures Fungus Mite Phyrexian Saprolings Tokens

Masques Block Assessment

The weakness of Masques block was always overstated, I think. Yes, it paled in comparison to Urza’s Block, but most blocks did, and after Invasion rotated in Standard was defined by cards like Rebels, Blastoderm, Saproling Burst, Troublesome Spirit, Chimeric Idol, and Nether Spirit more than any of the new cards.The problem with Masques block was that it was boring, not that it was especially weak for its time.

I won’t argue it wasn’t boring. I will argue that it wasn’t weak for its time.

Blastoderm Chimeric Idol Invasion Nether Spirit Rebel Saproling Burst Saprolings Spirit Standard Troublesome Spirit

Creature Types for Amass

Are there certain creature types the team has generally considered unviable for future Amass? For instance, I could see "Amass Rats" or "Amass Goblins" but imagine "Amass Wizards" would be a harder sell. Side question: Is "Army" like "Saproling" in which it likely won't be a printed card type and be reserved for tokens, and are there more types like that?

I guess the issue is does it flavorfully make sense of an Army? I can imagine a scenario where an Army of Wizards could make sense, but I agree it’s a narrow strip.

Amass Army Card Printing Card Types Creatures Goblin Rat Rat Saprolings Tokens

Scarecrow vs Saproling

Which do you think we will see first, scarecrow tokens, or a nontoken saproling?

The former.

Saprolings Scarecrow Tokens

Favorite Token Creature

What's your favorite token-only creature type?

Today? Saproling. : )

Creatures Humor Mark's Favorites Saprolings Tokens

Army Subtype Prospects

Mark, is it possible for us to get an actual creature card with the Army subtype, or do you think it'll remain a token only type like Saproling?

It’s possible, but, I believe, currently unlikely.

Army Creatures Saprolings Subtype Tokens

Fungus Creatures Future

Hello, my first deck was the fungus one from Time Sprial and I really enjoyed it. I got back into magic in recent years and have a vague memory of reading those kind of fungus creatures wouldnt be made again, but cant find that info now. Can you comment, am I remembering right and what was the reasoning behind that if true? Also, if true, any chance we could see a future set that features fungus creatures with other ways to repeatably create saproling tokens?

Fungus creatures aren’t off limits.

Creatures Fungus Saprolings Tokens

Retro Card Preferences

Hi Maro! Spoken as a member of the key demo for retro cards: when y'all print retro cards now, I would highly recommend that the card either not-previously-exist in retro, OR it should have new art (understanding there's a cost for that). Nobody is excited about a retro Saproling Symbiosis with that same 'meh' art - if you want to sell these to retro-frame fans, either the art or the frame should be new. But with that said - high fives to all for any retro frames in the first place!!!! :)

Let me ask this question because I’m getting conflicting requests. When we print a card in a retro frame, do you want:?a) the original artb) new art

Art Card Frames Card Printing High Fives Mark Rosewater Saproling Symbiosis Saprolings Symbiosis

Saprolings Color Shift?

Hi mark! With the discussion of white going wide recently, does that mean Saprolings will shift to more often be GW when they show up? I know we have a few white saproling themed cards and having more would be great in my opinion!

Saprolings creatively are quite green. And when green needs 1/1 creature tokens, which it will on occasion, green will still use them.

Colors Creatures Green Saprolings Selesnya (G/W) Tokens White

Fungus Tribe Facts

Hi, my birthday is this week. Can you tell me any trivia about my favorite tribe, the humble fungus? Thanks!

Fungus as a printed creature type didn’t show up until Fallen Empires. Most the creatures that made Saprolings (that also premiered in the set) were Funguses. Interestingly, the first printed card to later become a Fungus, Fungusaur, was in Alpha. At the time it was creature type Fungusaur, but it would late be errataed to Fungus Dinosaur.Happy Birthday!

Birthday Card Printing Creatures Dinosaur Fungus Fungusaur Saprolings

Green Tokens Update

So Saprolings are not something we can expect much in green?

Green will still make 1/1 tokens on occasion, just far less than white.

Green Saprolings Tokens White

Legendary Saproling Token

If or when: a card that makes a named, legendary saproling token?

If, but you never know.

If/When Saprolings Tokens