#+TITLE: 5 Color Mirror
#+SUBTITLE: Old School Magic Battle Box - Magic from 1994 re-imagined
#+DATE: [2025-11-06 Thu]
#+AUTHOR: Tuomas Pyyhtiä
#+EMAIL: pyyhttu+5-color-mirror@pm.me
#+DESCRIPTION: 5 Color Magic Mirror
#+KEYWORDS: Magic: the Gathering
#+LANGUAGE: en
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#+begin_quote
*5 Color Mirror* is a creation based on an imagination of how the game of Magic card game could look like if it would be designed to be more similar to a stand alone board game.

-- https://5cmirror.n.nu/
#+end_quote

#+begin_quote
"One of the things I really like about games is that many time, once the designer has designed them, people take the ideas beyond where the designer anticipated."

-- Richard Garfield, Ph.D.
#+end_quote

This is my attempt to build on and improve the game play of 5 Color Mirror.

* Hypothesis
    - Lands and mana system are an important part of game of Magic. [fn:1]
    - Needing to mind your mana adds suspense as well as strategic depth by needing to adapt your role between aggro and control. [fn:2]
    - Memorable games aren't those where things go perfectly but little bit wry, and you still somehow manage to win, or die trying.

* Design philosophy
  In no particular order:

    - Mana is available as definitive but at the same time as finite resource.
    - Luck factor is decreased by not having to draw into the right mana.
    - Mana denial contributes to board game mechanic called scarcity. [fn:3]
    - One should not aggressively just "curve out" on play by making certain land play orders always the best play.
    - Mana curve is adjusted to support decision taking process so that multiple choices are available for the players to take.
    - Too narrow or overly powerful cards are avoided, while preferring "dual-use cards". While weaker they offer more choices.
    - Decks concentrate more on lands and creature interactions as they offer the most opportunities for interactive game play within the old school card pool.
    - Both players *need* to know the decks and track the played cards to play around. "Gotcha!"-elements and bluff are part of the game.
    - Every color has from 7 to 9 spells to ease up memorizing what has been played, and what is left.
    - Colors and mana pips are balanced as mana hosing is a key game play element.
    - Double cost spells should be impactful enough for them to warrant their slot as producing that second colored mana always comes with a cost.
    - Old school card pool: Alpha to Fallen Empires strikes a good balance for flavor, art, design and power level.[fn:5]

* Rules

    - Starting life is *7* instead of 20: Lower starting life of 7 widens the pool to include cards that conventional 20 life constructed Magic wouldn't normally use.
    - The 9 extra cards are added to your starting hand.
    - No maximum hand size.
    - Mana burn is in effect (loss of life for unspent mana when phases ends). It is easier to leave mana burn rule to be as we want to explore every obscure card from that era to build this format: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/170/Power-Surge][Power Surge]] etc.
    - No sideboarding. The whole point is to decide in pre-constructed mirror match who is the better player.
    - Best of three so that both players have a chance to go from play or draw.
    - No mulligan. The hand defines the role, and good players know how to play with it. Good luck!

* The 9 extra starting cards (same for both players)

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  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Mountain
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/3/0/30345500-d430-4280-bfe3-de297309f136.png?1559597102]]

  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Swamp
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/4/5/459d175e-2b9c-4f30-be03-4e05cd3c68ef.png?1559597095]]

  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Island
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/a/0/a000777b-e8fe-4fd6-a455-01bc9056a873.png?1559596997]]

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  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Plains
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/c/c/cc0bcdbe-be63-446a-8838-8790bda308a3.png?1559596999]]

  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Forest
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/4/d/4d1e4241-42ef-4b51-8f9b-2ab6aca31dbb.png?1559596678]]

  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Rainbow Vale
  #+CAPTION: Double mana spells are more powerful and casting them comes at a cost.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/c/1/c1b138e1-f8fc-435c-9aed-98004768479c.png?1562931192]]

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  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title City of Brass
  #+CAPTION: One drop into double mana drop with City of Brass might need balancing.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/6/1/61e9c770-f05b-40df-a01f-82b734db1733.png?1562914816]]

  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Desert
  #+CAPTION: Moved to starting hand as sometimes opponent can "curve out" leading to non-games.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/f/b/fb89de70-d0e6-49ec-8aa9-1d31d3df1646.png?1562786751]]

  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Implements of Sacrifice
  #+CAPTION: Fellwar Stone was too good and often a no-brainer second turn play. Celestial Prism was too slow.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/a/a/aa5deb95-79a6-4398-b82a-c1df169550d9.png?1562926815]]

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* Main deck (same for both players)

Colors are not conciously built to present their central color pie defined functionality, but in overall:

    - *Green* is a balance between utility, aggressive and defensive creatures.
    - *Red* is the most dangerous color with good threats. Or helps you the most to choose "Gear 1": "Going all-in".[fn:4]
    - *White* focuses on prevention, life gain and support.
    - *Black* is resilient and endures but at the same time consumes its player slowly. Black is midrange with green. Their card selection contribute the most to "Gear 2": "Suppression".
    - *Blue* manipulates and attempts with white to establish control in the late game with great answers. Or go for "Gear 3": "Inevitability".

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Sandstorm
   #+CAPTION: Creature base is vulnerable enough for Sandstorm to be impactful.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/c/a/ca9af432-3997-426a-b532-52333c3c50c4.png?1559603608]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Crumble
   #+CAPTION: Between this and Divine offering, Crumble offers more interesting use cases.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/3/2/32123652-4f71-4f0b-b317-39e6df039b4f.png?1559596694]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Wanderlust
   #+CAPTION: Creates more dynamic play patterns than Cursed Land did.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/3/f/3fd08a5d-0dad-4bce-86c0-dea431038859.png?1559596906]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Elves of Deep Shadow
   #+CAPTION: First turn ramp needs a drawback.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/f/3/f395278e-6d74-4f35-af9d-21bad7b19763.png?1562952805]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Ley Druid
   #+CAPTION: Birds of Paradise was too good as a fixer.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/e/a/ea2c2bf3-357d-4595-9b24-3451bd2d0179.png?1559596771]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Spitting Slug
   #+CAPTION: A touch more powerful than Grizzly Bears. Increases use cases for Immolation. In testing.
  [[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/d/9/d98e413b-35bb-424f-9ae9-3319cf433785.png?1562785023]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Thicket Basilisk
   #+CAPTION: Good combination of power, toughness, abilities and cost for this format.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/0/5/05a60435-7b5e-47c1-8186-1ca30a243992.png?1559597116]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Craw Wurm
   #+CAPTION: We want at least one "vanilla creature". Craw Wurm strikes having good power, toughness and cost ratio.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/a/5/a5e4a23b-3b05-4240-9565-bdd8f3f3ef12.png?1559596606]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Immolation
   #+CAPTION: Hits 80% of the creatures if used as a removal. 20% cases open up to 2 for 1 trade.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/f/9/f9dbfdc1-a598-4c72-9b0d-91207bd067ab.png?1559603839]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Fissure
   #+CAPTION: Expensive removal with a choice.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/7/6/7601b15a-53d8-499f-837b-abf369d1e3f4.png?1559600459]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Goblins of the Flarg
   #+CAPTION: Not necessarily a correct play as a first turn play.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/d/8/d885f124-2c0c-4321-9434-19dcdcdb907a.png?1562938523]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Goblin Rock Sled
   #+CAPTION: Conditional aggressive creature. Requires timing.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/2/5/25f4f0c1-a43e-4282-b20e-91c711c57521.png?1559601325]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Atog
   #+CAPTION: Offers a choice of risking the board and going for the throat.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/9/7/976121fd-a21d-42cd-a7d0-310c8648e307.png?1559596986]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Fire Drake
   #+CAPTION: Could be also just a Bird Maiden. In testing.
  [[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/6/9/69b0b840-bef0-47dc-aacf-aab59a3e3632.png?1562916233]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Brother of Fire
   #+CAPTION: Prodigal Sorcerer was too good.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/6/6/66674f3a-e882-44f1-addc-d74605150c39.png?1559603858]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Swords to Plowshares
   #+CAPTION: Offers a choice between life gain and removal.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/0/5/057d2410-30d3-4b7a-9dc3-f2512c1cf31c.png?1559596796]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Healing Salve
   #+CAPTION: Replaces Alabaster Potion as offers more use cases.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/3/3/3300b080-a6f5-4a4a-8faf-0206fbfe8988.png?1559596753]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Disenchant
   #+CAPTION: The one and good answer to artifacts and enchantments.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/4/1/41859c6f-1017-42ae-9061-050fe0db9731.png?1559597158]]


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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100%  :title Wrath of God
   #+CAPTION: The card to keep players from overextending.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/1/c/1c687a4e-a3f9-4d2d-9931-bf60e97f4095.png?1559596686]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Abu Ja'far
   #+CAPTION: At the same stalls and super charges combat.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/0/2/023b5e6f-10de-422d-8431-11f1fdeca246.png?1562895407]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Icatian Priest
   #+CAPTION: Wish this gave permanent +1/+1 counter.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/d/7/d7690cdd-6610-4310-9e93-60dc4db2ae8d.png?1587910808]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100%  :title Mesa Pegasus
   #+CAPTION: Fliers are needed to diversify the combat.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/c/e/ce7e6bfb-9038-48b5-bfaf-9450c503c69e.png?1559596623]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Combat Medic
   #+CAPTION: First there was Amulet of Kroog, then Samite Healer, now this.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/5/5/5543199c-92ab-4d57-b3f6-2429b5bb2001.png?1562484795]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title War Elephant
   #+CAPTION: A good mix of banding creatures make combat more strategic.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/7/0/709cd715-28ef-42e8-bf8c-fc51a1ca0c6a.png?1562917507]]


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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Paralyze
   #+CAPTION: Early removal with surprisingly significant impact.
[[file: https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/d/b/dbe8939d-c2f0-4dbc-b7dd-0483208f6876.png?1559596921]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Evil Presence
   #+CAPTION: Both a fixer and a hoser.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/d/8/d84730b2-53e4-45eb-9ac7-4557a59be5d4.png?1559596707]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Weakness
   #+CAPTION: Semi-removal similar to Paralyze but from different axis.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/6/7/6774a228-ec9e-47d0-bc43-a92f5caf8398.png?1559597105]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Animate Dead
   #+CAPTION: Offers interesting decisions in terms of when to cast this.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/e/e/eed73f84-ad08-44f8-a4fe-cd324ec1da92.png?1559597176]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Blight
   #+CAPTION: May be too strong if curved into from the first turn threat.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/5/9/59365350-d149-4c0d-a08f-eabdfb7cce3d.png?1559603597]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Drudge Skeletons
   #+CAPTION: The one and only with regeneration...
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/5/9/59145073-2cfd-4153-a6d8-47ad42e739c3.png?1559597139]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Order of the Ebon Hand
   #+CAPTION: Better than Black Knight in balancing black mana pips.
  [[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/0/c/0c4568da-f47e-431b-8fcb-0dca8494852b.png?1562897357]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Derelor
   #+CAPTION: Good power vs. cost ratio with interesting drawback.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/b/0/b050783f-945e-4d61-a896-9a5b79ae7982.png?1562593288]]

    #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Siren's Call
    #+CAPTION: Or Nettling Imp, but having this on blue fits better mana pip wise.
  [[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/e/8/e84406bc-6db7-4672-be8c-307985213cd6.png?1559596414]]

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    #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Enchantment Alteration
    #+CAPTION: Can target, but on resolve does not move Animate Dead due to rule 701.3b.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/f/9/f94c7a9a-4b7e-438e-9f8f-b22a9e757f4f.png?1562945250]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Twiddle
   #+CAPTION: Multiple use cases in this format.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/d/b/db401643-6114-4254-8e40-ea7605e5ed82.png?1559603640]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Unsummon
   #+Caption: Boomerang already populates this space but another answer for creatures is wanted.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/e/7/e7bf32d8-dad7-4192-8cb6-ae75d8204ba3.png?1559597113]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Power Sink
   #+CAPTION: Between Spell Blast and Counterspell we choose this as a "Thinking Man's counter".
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/1/1/1134aa48-b288-44ab-9d3a-efee12cb98a4.png?1559597144]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Recall
#+CAPTION: Regrowth is another option but Recall offers more opportunities with graveyard.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/8/4/84b8de7a-c055-4031-a359-24526b6e6354.png?1562921829]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Phantasmal Terrain
#+CAPTION: Too situational/narrow as a double mana spell? In testing.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/b/8/b8c578c4-a67f-45ac-aa13-7fba2a5f5f3f.png?1559597147]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Boomerang
   #+CAPTION: One good overall answer for every permanent is wanted.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/5/b/5b27431c-e301-4581-b67d-9213edee6ebb.png?1562913528]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Juxtapose
#+CAPTION: Bait-and-switch.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/f/e/fe9dc8dd-6212-465b-9633-f99cebf492f9.png?1562946408]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Xira Arien
   #+CAPTION: The sole source of pure card advantage.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/2/1/21fa636b-8ce8-40b6-a4d0-3191a664bd92.png?1562901785]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Ashnod's Transmogrant
   #+CAPTION: Widens option space for artifact removal.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/c/8/c820cde8-ee7e-4654-afb3-cd0ee05f2635.png?1562935170]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Soul Net
   #+CAPTION: Fountain of Youth prolonged games needlessly. This should solve that.
  [[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/3/a/3a80be5d-cf6f-487d-8602-9396d9b6252b.png?1559596980]]

  #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Jalum Tome
  #+CAPTION: Necessary repeatable card selection and graveyard utilization for longer games.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/6/2/627ecfc9-faea-4d52-b0fb-ec0895001fd4.png?1562914956]]

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   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Nevinyrral's Disk
   #+CAPTION: Virtual card advantage and a reset button.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/b/a/ba5fcfc5-0715-4c6c-8325-3b54a138634e.png?1759731376]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Brass Man
   #+CAPTION: Yotian Soldier was too good.
[[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/0/b/0ba1daee-a5ac-4d9e-b681-3e3c7a3eb095.png?1559596988]]

   #+ATTR_HTML: :style width:100% :title Safe Haven
   #+CAPTION: In testing.
  [[file:https://cards.scryfall.io/png/front/0/3/031ad642-9c2c-4462-802c-bb35c124e0bb.png?1562895602]]

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* Playtest notes and changelog

#+begin_details [2025-11-09 Sun] Version 1.0. Initial release
  - [[https://web.archive.org/web/20251213100526/https://pyyhttu.kapsi.fi/magic/5-color-mirror/5-color-mirror.html][Version 1.0]]. Looks good on paper but is untested. Now requires playtesting with friends...
  - First curve slot on green (4 permanents) and on white (3 permanents) are crowded, making the first turn land plays usually as Forest or Plains. Consider flattening the curve on those colors:
#+ATTR_HTML: :width:100%; height:auto;
#+CAPTION: Mana curve of Version 1.0.
[[file:images/1.png]]
#+end_details

#+begin_details [2025-12-13 Sat] Version 1.1 changes
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/4ed/264/Nafs-Asp][Nafs Asp]] as something needs to be done to green's permanent curve. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/4ed/269/Sandstorm][Sandstorm]].
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/201/Grizzly-Bears][Grizzly Bear]] as it is a vanilla offering little choice. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/4ed/239/Crumble][Crumble]] as a dual-use utility spell.
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/chr/64/Erhnam-Djinn][Erhnam Djinn]] as it is too aggressively costed. [[https://mtg.wtf/card/5ed/155/Derelor][Derelor]] is already pushing it. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/227/Wanderlust][Wanderlust]] as it generates energetic game. For that end...
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/98/Cursed-Land][Cursed Land]] as it lacks proper interaction after having been played. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/93/Animate-Dead][Animate Dead]] since we lack interaction with graveyard.
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/95/Black-Knight][Black Knight]] as black color requirement needs to be made deeper. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/ptc/ll42c/Order-of-the-Ebon-Hand][Order of the Ebon Hand]] as it has the black mana activated abilities.
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/fem/7a/Icatian-Infantry][Icatian Infantry]] as curve on 1 is clogged. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/28/Mesa-Pegasus][Mesa Pegasus]]. This spreads the curve and is an answer to flyers.
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/38/Samite-Healer][Samite Healer]] as it we need to make white color "deeper". Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/ath/4/Combat-Medic][Combat Medic]] as its ability scales. Toughness of 2 is also welcomed as we have a lot of 1/1s.
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/4ed/1/Alabaster-Potion][Alabaster Potion]] as it offers only life gain, though it scales. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/22/Healing-Salve][Healing Salve]] which is also a combat trick an thus offers more interesting play choices.
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/54/Counterspell][Counterspell]] as we already have plenty of counters and offers little to no ways to play around. Add [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/70/Phantasmal-Terrain][Phantasmal Terrain]] as it fixes mana and interacts with many other mechanics in the deck.
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/82/Spell-Blast][Spell Blast]] as it offers little to no ways to play around. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/74/Power-Sink][Power Sink]] as it also helps to recover the lost [[https://mtg.wtf/card/fem/99/Rainbow-Vale][Rainbow Vale(s)]], which after obtaining both, are usually just held as a "hostages" and stagnating the game play.
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/chr/98/Fountain-of-Youth][Fountain of Youth]] was already cut in Version 1.0 as it prolonged the games needlesly. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/275/Soul-Net][Soul Net]].
  - Cut: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/drk/84/Savaen-Elves][Savaen Elves]] as it had in the end only three targets. Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/tsb/85/Spitting-Slug][Spitting Slug]] as it has good power-cost ratio and an ability to boot.

#+ATTR_HTML: :width:100%; height:auto;
#+CAPTION: Curve is more progressive in Version 1.1. Power Sink and Recall as X-spells in mana slots 2 and 3 in the chart.
[[file:images/2.png]]

#+CAPTION: Distribution of colored mana pips per converted mana cost and in total
| Color | CMC1 | CMC2 | CMC3 | CMC4 | CMC5 | CMC6 | Total |
|-------+------+------+------+------+------+------+-------|
| <c>   | <c>  | <c>  | <c>  |  <c> | <c>  | <c>  | <c>   |
| White |    4 |    2 |    1 |    3 |    0 |    0 | *10* |
| Blue  |    4 |    5 |    1 |    1 |    0 |    0 | *11* |
| Black |    3 |    6 |    0 (1) |    1 |    0 |    0 | *10 (11)*|
| Red   |    2 |    2 |    4 (1)|    0 |    2 |    0 |  *10 (11)*|
| Green |    3 |    0 |    4 (1)|    0 |    2 |    2 |  *11 (12)*|
#+TBLFM: $8=$2+$3+$4+$5+$6+$7

#+end_details

#+begin_details [2026-02-27 Fri] Version 1.2 changes
  - Switch [[https://mtg.wtf/card/tsb/118/Desert][Desert]] to starting hand to stop non-games that sometimes occurred by opponent being able to "curve out". Move Jalum Tome to deck as it was always the last card to be played from starting hand cards.
  - Add: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/chr/113/Safe-Haven][Safe Haven]] as it offers some protection for creatures in logn games. This brings the total number of cards to 57.

#+end_details

#+begin_details Future considerations
  - First turn [[https://mtg.wtf/card/chr/112/City-of-Brass][City of Brass]] into a threat and then into a second turn [[https://mtg.wtf/card/4ed/122/Blight][Blight]] or [[https://mtg.wtf/card/ptc/ll42c/Order-of-the-Ebon-Hand][Order of the Ebon Hand]] might warrant moving City of Brass into the main deck.
  - Verify what is a good split between spells and creatures?
  - Verify what is a good balance of power vs. tougness for high mana curve creatures:
  - Green:  Craw Wrum, 6/4
  - Red:    none
  - White:  Wall of Swords, 3/5 or none?
  - Black:  Derelor, 4/4
  - Blue:   Sea Serpent, 5/5
  - What is best creature:spell:land=deck size -ratio? I have now 20:36:1=57. Do I need more spells? Less creatures?
  - What is the minimum (elegant) deck size attainable vs. play enjoyment?
  - When testing, observe what is the most common color getting hosed. Usually it has been red.
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/2ed/213/Natural-Selection][Natural Selection]] as the library manipulation spell.
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/chr/69/Scavenger-Folk][Scavenger Folk]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/78/Sea-Serpent][Sea Serpent]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/2ed/6/Blaze-of-Glory][Blaze of Glory]].
  - Consider: Cutting [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/80/Sirens-Call][Siren's Call]] if it proves too swingy with its "gotcha".
  - Consider: Cutting [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/87/Unsummon][Unsummon]] as its mechanic is already displayed by Boomerang.
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/tsb/117/Arena][Arena]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/fem/87/Elven-Lyre][Elven Lyre]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/4ed/196/Giant-Strength][Giant Strength]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/250/Helm-of-Chatzuk][Helm of Chatzuk]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/fem/16c/Order-of-Leitbur][Order of Leitbur]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/chr/11/Repentant-Blacksmith][Repentant Blacksmith]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/fem/25/Seasinger][Seasinger]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/fem/29/Vodalian-Knights][Vodalian Knights]].
  - Consider: [[https://mtg.wtf/card/3ed/43/Wall-of-Swords][Wall of Swords]].
#+end_details


[fn:1] https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/717712058659061760/what-would-happen-if-mana-screw-was-eliminated
[fn:2] https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/whos-the-beatdown/
[fn:3] https://web.archive.org/web/20201108113655/http://makethemplay.com/index.php/2016/06/30/in-game-economics-scarcity/
[fn:4] https://medium.com/@lannynyny/iron-man-vs-the-hulk-6f31362b412
[fn:5] https://thechaosorb.com/formats-and-rules/