Generated on 10 Jul 2024
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Scry is a mechanic that has fascinated players of Magic: The Gathering for years, and Mark Rosewater, the head Magic designer at Wizards of the Coast, has often shared his thoughts on this mechanic extensively. From its origins to its deeper intricacies and the design philosophies surrounding it, Rosewater has addressed numerous questions about Scry. Here’s an in-depth look at everything he has said about this iconic MTG mechanic.
Origins and Early Usage
Scry made its debut in the "Fifth Dawn" set, designed by Aaron Forsythe, who later became an R&D member. Rosewater credits Forsythe for creating this evergreen keyword, originally intended as a good deck-smoothing mechanic. The mechanic wasn't a runaway success from the get-go, and its utility evolved over time. Forsythe's experiences on the "Fifth Dawn" design team made a significant impact, leading to the keyword’s establishment in MTG lore.
Notably, Rosewater recollects: "Scry was designed by Aaron Forsythe in Fifth Dawn — his first design team — because he wanted a good smoothing mechanic. We later made it evergreen because it was so good at smoothing."
Role in Game Design
Scry helps players manipulate their deck by allowing them to look at the top card(s) of their library and decide whether to leave it on top or place it at the bottom. This aspect of deck smoothing is critical, especially since it mitigates the problem of mana flood or mana screw. According to Rosewater, “Deck smoothing leads to better gameplay,” indicating that Scry contributes to a more enjoyable player experience by reducing the variability of card draws.
However, the number of cards Scry allows you to check is vital. While Scry 1 is universally accessible in all colors, higher numbers like Scry 3 and above are uncommon due to the complexity and potential game impact. "High scry numbers are hard to process," Rosewater explains. Scry 3 is the common limit, while values higher than 3 are rarely seen except under specific conditions or in supplemental sets.
Color Distribution and Flavor
Every color in Magic can access Scry, but to varying extents. Blue is the most proficient with Scry, followed by white. Red generally receives the least access. Rosewater firmly believes that white should get more Scry mechanisms: “We’ve been trying to up the amount of white scry.” He also relates Scry to different colors and their specific identities, mentioning that white’s planning and organizational nature can be thematic allies with the Scry mechanic.
“Scry is a mana smoothing mechanic so its something we give to all five colors. Red thinks of the future the least of the five colors but it doesn't mean it never thinks about it,” Rosewater clarifies. This varied distribution ensures that Scry fits different color philosophies and mechanics in a balanced manner.
Interactions with Other Mechanics
Scry’s relationship with other mechanics is quite intricate. Investigate, Surveil, and Cycling are often compared with Scry due to their card-drawing and deck-manipulation abilities. For instance, Mark Rosewater has often addressed questions on whether Surveil, which was created as a "tweaked Scry," could coexist with Scry in the same set. His thoughts are cautious: "While they technically can co-exist, I assume the default will be to pick one. The changing nature of Magic has raised the lower bar of complexity.”
Also, there was a desire to make terms more coherent for players. When discussing Surveil and Scry's co-existence, he mentions: “If I had my way, scry and surveil would use a root word to show they’re connected.”
Critical Reception and Player Feedback
Rosewater acknowledges both the positive and negative feedback from players. Cards with scrying abilities like Augury Owl resonate well with many players. “We made scry evergreen, so obviously we think it’s generally useful,” he asserts. It's a mechanic that has been revisited and reintegrated due to its versatility and player appreciation.
However, not everyone initially embraced the Scry lands in Theros. Mark recalls the shift in player sentiment over time: “Hey do you remember when everyone was crying about scry lands being crappy rare lands? And now everyone agrees they are the bee's knees. Does that feel good? I knew they’d come around.” This indicates that players often come to appreciate the mechanic after experiencing its nuances in gameplay.
Evergreen Status and Long-term Presence
Rosewater has always been a proponent of making Scry evergreen. He shares that the process involved discussions within R&D about whether Scry was a necessary evergreen spell mechanic. The consensus was that spell mechanics didn't need to be evergreen unless required for design, which eventually included Scry due to its deck-smoothing capacities. This necessity for deck consistency solidified Scry's place in MTG: “Scry was both more flavorful and designwise easier to deploy.”
He also mentioned that being evergreen boosted Scry’s acceptance in the Vancouver Mulligan rule, which now sees players Scry 1 after taking a mulligan: “Scry becoming evergreen did make the Scry mulligan easier to consider.”
Memorable Trivia and Stories
Rosewater often shares interesting trivia about Scry. For example, during a birthday trivia post for a fan, he elaborated: “There are very few cards which have the same keyword twice on them. We’ve done it with Scry, but I can’t think of any others.” Another quirky piece of trivia he shared involves magazines' takes on Scry: “Inquest and Scry were contemporary magazines of The Duelist all of which had a lot of Magic content.” This showcases how Scry has not only been a game mechanic but also part of the larger Magic culture and community.
Final Thoughts
Scry remains an essential part of Magic: The Gathering, enhancing gameplay through its deck-smoothing abilities. Mark Rosewater’s insights reveal its developmental journey and the calculated decisions that kept it relevant. From its origins in Fifth Dawn to its evolution as an evergreen mechanic, Scry continues to shape player experiences positively, proving to be a valuable addition to MTG’s extensive array of mechanics.
Scry is a mechanic that has fascinated players of Magic: The Gathering for years, and Mark Rosewater, the head Magic designer at Wizards of the Coast, has often shared his thoughts on this mechanic extensively. From its origins to its deeper intricacies and the design philosophies surrounding it, Rosewater has addressed numerous questions about Scry. Here’s an in-depth look at everything he has said about this iconic MTG mechanic.
Origins and Early Usage
Scry made its debut in the "Fifth Dawn" set, designed by Aaron Forsythe, who later became an R&D member. Rosewater credits Forsythe for creating this evergreen keyword, originally intended as a good deck-smoothing mechanic. The mechanic wasn't a runaway success from the get-go, and its utility evolved over time. Forsythe's experiences on the "Fifth Dawn" design team made a significant impact, leading to the keyword’s establishment in MTG lore.
Notably, Rosewater recollects: "Scry was designed by Aaron Forsythe in Fifth Dawn — his first design team — because he wanted a good smoothing mechanic. We later made it evergreen because it was so good at smoothing."
Role in Game Design
Scry helps players manipulate their deck by allowing them to look at the top card(s) of their library and decide whether to leave it on top or place it at the bottom. This aspect of deck smoothing is critical, especially since it mitigates the problem of mana flood or mana screw. According to Rosewater, “Deck smoothing leads to better gameplay,” indicating that Scry contributes to a more enjoyable player experience by reducing the variability of card draws.
However, the number of cards Scry allows you to check is vital. While Scry 1 is universally accessible in all colors, higher numbers like Scry 3 and above are uncommon due to the complexity and potential game impact. "High scry numbers are hard to process," Rosewater explains. Scry 3 is the common limit, while values higher than 3 are rarely seen except under specific conditions or in supplemental sets.
Color Distribution and Flavor
Every color in Magic can access Scry, but to varying extents. Blue is the most proficient with Scry, followed by white. Red generally receives the least access. Rosewater firmly believes that white should get more Scry mechanisms: “We’ve been trying to up the amount of white scry.” He also relates Scry to different colors and their specific identities, mentioning that white’s planning and organizational nature can be thematic allies with the Scry mechanic.
“Scry is a mana smoothing mechanic so its something we give to all five colors. Red thinks of the future the least of the five colors but it doesn't mean it never thinks about it,” Rosewater clarifies. This varied distribution ensures that Scry fits different color philosophies and mechanics in a balanced manner.
Interactions with Other Mechanics
Scry’s relationship with other mechanics is quite intricate. Investigate, Surveil, and Cycling are often compared with Scry due to their card-drawing and deck-manipulation abilities. For instance, Mark Rosewater has often addressed questions on whether Surveil, which was created as a "tweaked Scry," could coexist with Scry in the same set. His thoughts are cautious: "While they technically can co-exist, I assume the default will be to pick one. The changing nature of Magic has raised the lower bar of complexity.”
Also, there was a desire to make terms more coherent for players. When discussing Surveil and Scry's co-existence, he mentions: “If I had my way, scry and surveil would use a root word to show they’re connected.”
Critical Reception and Player Feedback
Rosewater acknowledges both the positive and negative feedback from players. Cards with scrying abilities like Augury Owl resonate well with many players. “We made scry evergreen, so obviously we think it’s generally useful,” he asserts. It's a mechanic that has been revisited and reintegrated due to its versatility and player appreciation.
However, not everyone initially embraced the Scry lands in Theros. Mark recalls the shift in player sentiment over time: “Hey do you remember when everyone was crying about scry lands being crappy rare lands? And now everyone agrees they are the bee's knees. Does that feel good? I knew they’d come around.” This indicates that players often come to appreciate the mechanic after experiencing its nuances in gameplay.
Evergreen Status and Long-term Presence
Rosewater has always been a proponent of making Scry evergreen. He shares that the process involved discussions within R&D about whether Scry was a necessary evergreen spell mechanic. The consensus was that spell mechanics didn't need to be evergreen unless required for design, which eventually included Scry due to its deck-smoothing capacities. This necessity for deck consistency solidified Scry's place in MTG: “Scry was both more flavorful and designwise easier to deploy.”
He also mentioned that being evergreen boosted Scry’s acceptance in the Vancouver Mulligan rule, which now sees players Scry 1 after taking a mulligan: “Scry becoming evergreen did make the Scry mulligan easier to consider.”
Memorable Trivia and Stories
Rosewater often shares interesting trivia about Scry. For example, during a birthday trivia post for a fan, he elaborated: “There are very few cards which have the same keyword twice on them. We’ve done it with Scry, but I can’t think of any others.” Another quirky piece of trivia he shared involves magazines' takes on Scry: “Inquest and Scry were contemporary magazines of The Duelist all of which had a lot of Magic content.” This showcases how Scry has not only been a game mechanic but also part of the larger Magic culture and community.
Final Thoughts
Scry remains an essential part of Magic: The Gathering, enhancing gameplay through its deck-smoothing abilities. Mark Rosewater’s insights reveal its developmental journey and the calculated decisions that kept it relevant. From its origins in Fifth Dawn to its evolution as an evergreen mechanic, Scry continues to shape player experiences positively, proving to be a valuable addition to MTG’s extensive array of mechanics.