🔗 Share this article

Pre-release events for this upcoming MTG expansion, Lorwyn Eclipsed, are set to begin on January 16. While the complete spoiler period is slated to start on Jan. 5, lead designer Maro Rosewater has once again shared a lengthy rundown of mechanical hints before schedule.

A Deep Look into the Significant Reveals

Within the numerous teasers, a few stand out. The set will feature a "permanent that searches every turn." This likely refers to a enchantment that enables a you to look through their library every upkeep for a specific card, potentially under specific restrictions.

This might be an effect as simple as searching for a basic land every turn, or a more dynamic like a search effect that grows depending on a board state.

Rosewater also mentioned a fresh piece that copies abilities that trigger. This card is possibly linked to Kirol, Attentive First-Year, a planeswalker that, by tapping a pair of untapped creatures, can copy a ability one time per turn.

Another notable teaser concerns an ability that will "counter every spells your opponents control." While the wording is slightly unclear, it suggests an extremely potent ability capable of handling numerous spells simultaneously.

Gameplay Focusing On Power and Toughness

This expansion will also include effects that reference "the difference in its power and defense." For creatures with power/toughness splits like 1/3 or 3/1, this mechanic could become highly meaningful.

• Furthermore, a creature is set to enter the battlefield with six -1/-1 counters on it, highlighting a comeback of this hallmark debuff type from the original Lorwyn-Shadowmoor era.
• One more teaser includes the phrase "if this is the third time this effect has resolved this turn," pointing to a design that rewards repeated activations.

Tribal Focus and Lore Implications

An intriguing story reveal is a creature with the type line: "Legendary Creature – Elf Faerie Noble." Considering the established conflict between Elves and the Faerie race on this world, this hybrid identity suggests a significant story event.

The lead designer also confirmed the core 8 tribes featured in the set: Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Kithkin, Merfolk, and Treefolk. This confirms a heavy tribal theme for the set.

Toward the end in the rundown, he names "Bark of Doran," probably a nod to the famous Treefolk, suggesting a continued focus on the interplay between power and toughness.

Other Interesting Details

Beyond these major mechanics, the expansion will feature:

1. A number of reprinted "kindred" spells that interact with particular creature types.
2. A broad variety of counters, including charge, dream, flying, first strike, indestructible, and lifelink.
3. The reappearance of a keyword first introduced in 2025.
4. Various token generators, ranging from 1/1 blue-black Faeries to a 3/4 green token.

Card Name Name Teasers and Conclusion

Finally, Rosewater teased a few titles, including Mirrorform, Moonshadow, Gilt-Leaf’s Embrace, and Chaos Spewer. These offer preliminary clues into the set's story directions and serve as references to established concepts from the world's history.

All told, Lorwyn Eclipsed is not only a return to a beloved plane but also a challenge to see if modern Magic: The Gathering is able to embrace the unique weirdness that defined the first Lorwyn sets so memorable.