Exploring the collaborative efforts of the Council of Colors in Magic: The Gathering design, discussing mechanics like blood tokens and maintaining color identity. Delving into design check-ins, color interactions, and enhancing white's token creation capabilities in Commander. Examining the evolution of color philosophies in card design and introducing new abilities for blue creatures. Addressing challenges in evolving color roles, including introducing card draw to white.
The Council of Colors ensures set themes align with color philosophy by assigning specific members to different colors and conducting early set check-ins to spot potential conflicts.
In Commander, the Council addressed white's limitations by introducing cantrip creatures and altering wraths to reward card draw, aiming to maintain thematic consistency while enhancing white's effectiveness.
Deep dives
Establishment of the Council of Colors
The Council of Colors was created due to the overwhelming product workload that strained the sole color pie defender. This team is dedicated to defending the color pie's integrity, with specific members assigned to different colors, including white, blue, black, red, and green, ensuring that set themes and mechanics align with color philosophy.
Early Set Check-Ins and Color Pie Alignment
The Council conducts early set check-ins to oversee potential challenges with mechanics and themes that might conflict with the color pie. For instance, for Kamigawa Neon Dynasty, a discussion highlighted the blue-green conflict and color assignments, ensuring coherence with the color pie. The team evaluates mechanics like blood tokens and addresses color-specific interactions, ensuring appropriate balance and thematic alignment.
Card Evaluation and Color Pie Adherence
During file passes, the Council thoroughly analyzes cards based on categorized discussions and quick checks. They assess whether cards fit the color pie paradigm, distinguishing between appropriate bends and breaks. Feedback is categorized into levels, ranging from 'fine for this set' to 'must change,' ensuring that cards align with each color's core strengths and limitations.
Color-Specific Enhancements in Commander
White's limitations in Commander, such as card draw and board sweepers, prompted the Council to devise innovative solutions without compromising white's identity. Strategies included introducing cantrip creatures, altering wraths to reward card draw, and implementing conditional card advantage. These adjustments aim to bolster white's effectiveness in Commander scenarios while maintaining thematic consistency.
I sit down with designer Chris Mooney to talk about how the Council of Colors works, and he and I talk a bit about white, as he's the white representative on the council.
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