Origins and Initial Concepts

The idea of including Pirates in Magic: The Gathering dates back to early sets, with the first Pirate cards appearing in Mercadian Masques. However, according to Mark, the Pirates in Mercadian Masques weren't well-received, largely due to their lackluster gameplay. This marked the beginning of a long journey to properly integrate Pirates into Magic lore.

The Grand Creature Update, an initiative aimed at re-evaluating creature types, officially made earlier cards like Ramirez DePietro into Pirates. Yet, Magic didn't have a setting that truly showcased Pirates until years later, despite fans' interest. One humorous example that came up frequently was a playtest card called "Rascally Pirate" that cost RRR, intended to be a visual pun. Mark humorously acknowledged that using this joke was challenging because actual printed cards use mana symbols rather than letter codes.

Ixalan: The Perfect Setting

With the release of the Ixalan set, Pirates finally got a plane to call their own. Ixalan's design combined multiple fantastic elements—Pirates, Dinosaurs, Vampires, and Merfolk—which allowed for a rich, multi-faceted storytelling environment. Mark detailed the balancing act of creating a world where these disparate elements could coexist harmoniously.

Interestingly, the initial pitch for Ixalan did not include Dinosaurs or Pirates. They were later added to enrich the setting. Mark shared trivia like how Pirates were integrated into the Outlaw batch alongside Assassins, Rogues, Mercenaries, and Warlocks during the vision design stage for Outlaws of Thunder Junction, leveraging Pirates as a mechanical complement.

Mechanical Design and Gameplay Dynamics

From a gameplay perspective, Mark pointed out the challenges in making Pirates mechanically relevant across different formats. Pirates were primarily blue, black, and red due to their sneaky and combative nature. This color combination fits well with their thematic representation as seafaring thieves.

One notable mechanical addition was the introduction of Treasure tokens, first associated with Pirates. Mark discussed the pitfalls of having blue cards generate Treasure tokens, admitting it was a mistake driven more by flavor than proper mechanical justification. Henceforward, Treasure tokens would primarily be associated with red and black cards.

Color Identity and Philosophy

The color identity of Pirates has always been a topic of debate. While traditionally blue, black, and red, Mark highlighted a question that addressed whether Pirates could fit into other colors. He stated that although white and green Pirates were less likely, black's philosophy strongly fits with Pirates, aligning well with their theme of chaos, rebellion, and greed.

R&D also explored the notion of "Partner with Pirate" mechanics, where legendary Pirates could partner within certain gameplay contexts. However, open-ended “Partner with [type]” mechanics presented design challenges, as balancing each new possible combination became complex and risky.

Trivia and Influence

The influence of various other media on Magic’s Pirates is evident. From talk of achieving the feel of “Pirates of the Caribbean” to requests from fans for “Pirate World” and humorous conjectures like "Spider Pirate Lava World," the cultural resonance of Pirates is strong. Mark shared amusing entries from fans who reimagined Pirates in different settings, such as Kari Zev's inclusion of a monkey token named Ragavan, which was emblematic of the whimsical spirit guiding Pirate card designs.

Highs and Lows: Feedback and Criticisms

Feedback has been abundant. Fans eagerly welcomed sets like Ixalan. Mark said, "I’m so happy Ixalan’s exciting so many people." At the same time, there have been questions about missed opportunities, such as why Vampire Merfolk or Dinosaur Pirates didn't make the cut in Ixalan.

Moreover, criticisms emerged over not having more backwards compatibility, like querying Vraska's Golgari alignment making her unusable in Pirate-themed commander decks. Mark acknowledged these concerns and explained the constraints that sometimes result in such design decisions.

Forward-Looking Thoughts

While clearly stating that Pirates on other planes such as Kaladesh already exist, Mark enthusiastically hinted at more possibilities in the future. "Who would like to return to Ixalan?" he asked, indicating that fan interest could significantly influence future set designs.

Through everything, one thing is clear: Pirates hold a special place in both the hearts of Magic fans and R&D, thanks in no small part to the efforts and enthusiasm of Mark Rosewater.

Quotes to Remember

• "I keep wanting to make jokes based on the letter coding of the mana costs (like Rascally Pirate costing RRR) but very few people would ever get the joke because the actual card would have mana symbols and not letters."
• "I can’t wait until you get to see all of Ixalan. There are lots of pirates and dinosaurs, but also plenty of other cool stuff."