@maro254.bsky.social
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Today's the day I'm finally able to say something that I've wanted to say for 28 years: #MoodSwings - on sale, now!
secretlair.wizards.com/us/en
secretlair.wizards.com/us/en
This week's second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1382) is a new series called "What Went Wrong?" where I examine things that went poorly. I begin with March of the Machine Aftermath boosters: share.transistor.fm/s/fe03abb5 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
#1382: What Went Wrong – March of the Machine: The Aftermath | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast
This is the start of a new series I'll do from time to time called "What Went Wrong?" In it, I examine something we made that didn't work out. I'll explain why we made it and examine the problems it h...
share.transistor.fm
September 18, 2026 at 5:13 PM
This week's second "Drive to Work" podcast (#1382) is a new series called "What Went Wrong?" where I examine things that went poorly. I begin with March of the Machine Aftermath boosters: share.transistor.fm/s/fe03abb5 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
For this week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1381), I sit down with @yoniskolnik.bsky.social, the lead set designer for #MTGFracture, to talk all about the design of the set: share.transistor.fm/s/abf2892a audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
#1381: Reality Fracture Design with Yoni Skolnik | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast
In this podcast, I sit down with Yoni Skolnik, the lead set designer for Reality Fracture, to talk about the set's design.
share.transistor.fm
September 18, 2026 at 5:08 PM
For this week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1381), I sit down with @yoniskolnik.bsky.social, the lead set designer for #MTGFracture, to talk all about the design of the set: share.transistor.fm/s/abf2892a audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Back in the days of blocks, I very seldomly led the design for the second set of the block. Why did I do it for Innistrad block?
#WotCStaff
Back in the days of blocks, I very seldomly led the design for the second set of the block. Why did I do it for Innistrad block?
#WotCStaff
September 18, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Back in the days of blocks, I very seldomly led the design for the second set of the block. Why did I do it for Innistrad block?
#WotCStaff
Back in the days of blocks, I very seldomly led the design for the second set of the block. Why did I do it for Innistrad block?
#WotCStaff
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Fateful Hour.
Here's a link to the video of my talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkGz...
#WotCStaff
Fateful Hour.
Here's a link to the video of my talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkGz...
#WotCStaff
September 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Fateful Hour.
Here's a link to the video of my talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkGz...
#WotCStaff
Fateful Hour.
Here's a link to the video of my talk: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkGz...
#WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
What Dark Ascension mechanic made my Top 20 Worst Mechanics of All Time talk?
#WotCStaff
What Dark Ascension mechanic made my Top 20 Worst Mechanics of All Time talk?
#WotCStaff
September 17, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
What Dark Ascension mechanic made my Top 20 Worst Mechanics of All Time talk?
#WotCStaff
What Dark Ascension mechanic made my Top 20 Worst Mechanics of All Time talk?
#WotCStaff
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
She got sucked into the Helvault when she put Griselbrand into it.
#WotCStaff
She got sucked into the Helvault when she put Griselbrand into it.
#WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
In Dark Ascension, we learn why Avacyn is missing (and thus why the fate of the Humans is so dire)? What happened to her?
#WotCStaff
In Dark Ascension, we learn why Avacyn is missing (and thus why the fate of the Humans is so dire)? What happened to her?
#WotCStaff
September 17, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
She got sucked into the Helvault when she put Griselbrand into it.
#WotCStaff
She got sucked into the Helvault when she put Griselbrand into it.
#WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
In Dark Ascension, we learn why Avacyn is missing (and thus why the fate of the Humans is so dire)? What happened to her?
#WotCStaff
In Dark Ascension, we learn why Avacyn is missing (and thus why the fate of the Humans is so dire)? What happened to her?
#WotCStaff
September 16, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
In Dark Ascension, we learn why Avacyn is missing (and thus why the fate of the Humans is so dire)? What happened to her?
#WotCStaff
In Dark Ascension, we learn why Avacyn is missing (and thus why the fate of the Humans is so dire)? What happened to her?
#WotCStaff
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Each player was given a monster sticker (Spirit, Vampire, Werewolf or Zombie). When you defeated someone they went and got a sticker of your monster. At the end of the tournament, all players who started with the sticker that spread the most won a prize.
Each player was given a monster sticker (Spirit, Vampire, Werewolf or Zombie). When you defeated someone they went and got a sticker of your monster. At the end of the tournament, all players who started with the sticker that spread the most won a prize.
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
At the prerelease of Dark Ascension, there was a minigame that went along with the prerelease. What was each person given in addition to the cards? And how was the minigame played?
#WotCStaff
At the prerelease of Dark Ascension, there was a minigame that went along with the prerelease. What was each person given in addition to the cards? And how was the minigame played?
#WotCStaff
September 16, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Each player was given a monster sticker (Spirit, Vampire, Werewolf or Zombie). When you defeated someone they went and got a sticker of your monster. At the end of the tournament, all players who started with the sticker that spread the most won a prize.
Each player was given a monster sticker (Spirit, Vampire, Werewolf or Zombie). When you defeated someone they went and got a sticker of your monster. At the end of the tournament, all players who started with the sticker that spread the most won a prize.
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
At the prerelease of Dark Ascension, there was a minigame that went along with the prerelease. What was each person given in addition to the cards? And how was the minigame played?
#WotCStaff
At the prerelease of Dark Ascension, there was a minigame that went along with the prerelease. What was each person given in addition to the cards? And how was the minigame played?
#WotCStaff
September 14, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
At the prerelease of Dark Ascension, there was a minigame that went along with the prerelease. What was each person given in addition to the cards? And how was the minigame played?
#WotCStaff
At the prerelease of Dark Ascension, there was a minigame that went along with the prerelease. What was each person given in addition to the cards? And how was the minigame played?
#WotCStaff
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Undying. I was thinking up a mechanic to capture a monster trope. My wife asked, "Is there an existing mechanic that captures what you want?" I said, "Yes, persist." "Why not use that?" "It uses -1/-1 counters and we have +1/+1 counters."
#WotCStaff
Undying. I was thinking up a mechanic to capture a monster trope. My wife asked, "Is there an existing mechanic that captures what you want?" I said, "Yes, persist." "Why not use that?" "It uses -1/-1 counters and we have +1/+1 counters."
#WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
What mechanic is Dark Ascension came about because my wife asked me a question (technically, two questions)?
#WotCStaff
What mechanic is Dark Ascension came about because my wife asked me a question (technically, two questions)?
#WotCStaff
September 14, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Undying. I was thinking up a mechanic to capture a monster trope. My wife asked, "Is there an existing mechanic that captures what you want?" I said, "Yes, persist." "Why not use that?" "It uses -1/-1 counters and we have +1/+1 counters."
#WotCStaff
Undying. I was thinking up a mechanic to capture a monster trope. My wife asked, "Is there an existing mechanic that captures what you want?" I said, "Yes, persist." "Why not use that?" "It uses -1/-1 counters and we have +1/+1 counters."
#WotCStaff
Today's #MakingMagic article is part two of my story on the design of #MTGFracture: magic.wizards.com/en/news/maki... #mtg #WotCStaff
Reality Check, Part 2
Mark discusses how they brought Jace to every aspect of Reality Fracture, from his mind-bending Echoverse creations to the empower Jace mechanic.
magic.wizards.com
September 14, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Today's #MakingMagic article is part two of my story on the design of #MTGFracture: magic.wizards.com/en/news/maki... #mtg #WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
What mechanic is Dark Ascension came about because my wife asked me a question (technically, two questions)?
#WotCStaff
What mechanic is Dark Ascension came about because my wife asked me a question (technically, two questions)?
#WotCStaff
September 13, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
What mechanic is Dark Ascension came about because my wife asked me a question (technically, two questions)?
#WotCStaff
What mechanic is Dark Ascension came about because my wife asked me a question (technically, two questions)?
#WotCStaff
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Human typal. When we made the species/class creature type model in Mirrodin, we needed to add Human. R&D said okay, as long as we didn't do typal for it. Innistrad wanted human typal, so I went to Bill Rose, the only other R&D person left and he said okay.
Human typal. When we made the species/class creature type model in Mirrodin, we needed to add Human. R&D said okay, as long as we didn't do typal for it. Innistrad wanted human typal, so I went to Bill Rose, the only other R&D person left and he said okay.
Today’s #mtgtrivia question:
In Innistrad, I had to get permission to do something because R&D had previously said we were never going to do it? What am I talking about?
#WotCStaff
In Innistrad, I had to get permission to do something because R&D had previously said we were never going to do it? What am I talking about?
#WotCStaff
September 13, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Human typal. When we made the species/class creature type model in Mirrodin, we needed to add Human. R&D said okay, as long as we didn't do typal for it. Innistrad wanted human typal, so I went to Bill Rose, the only other R&D person left and he said okay.
Human typal. When we made the species/class creature type model in Mirrodin, we needed to add Human. R&D said okay, as long as we didn't do typal for it. Innistrad wanted human typal, so I went to Bill Rose, the only other R&D person left and he said okay.
Today’s #mtgtrivia question:
In Innistrad, I had to get permission to do something because R&D had previously said we were never going to do it? What am I talking about?
#WotCStaff
In Innistrad, I had to get permission to do something because R&D had previously said we were never going to do it? What am I talking about?
#WotCStaff
September 13, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Today’s #mtgtrivia question:
In Innistrad, I had to get permission to do something because R&D had previously said we were never going to do it? What am I talking about?
#WotCStaff
In Innistrad, I had to get permission to do something because R&D had previously said we were never going to do it? What am I talking about?
#WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
I led the designs for Innistrad, Tempest, Odyssey, Ravnica, and Dominaria. Who was the one designer on all those teams with me?
#WotCStaff
I led the designs for Innistrad, Tempest, Odyssey, Ravnica, and Dominaria. Who was the one designer on all those teams with me?
#WotCStaff
September 13, 2026 at 1:19 AM
This week's second "Drive to Work" podcast is all about the history of design of one of my favorite creature types, Atogs: share.transistor.fm/s/323c38b0 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
#1380: Atogs | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast
This podcast is the history of one of Magic's hungriest creature types, one I had a huge hand in designing.
share.transistor.fm
September 11, 2026 at 8:00 PM
This week's second "Drive to Work" podcast is all about the history of design of one of my favorite creature types, Atogs: share.transistor.fm/s/323c38b0 audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
This week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1379) is another in my "Fresh Out of Design" series where I record a podcast right after I handed off the design file. Today's is, obviously, about Reality Fracture: share.transistor.fm/s/14e9d16d audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
#1379: Fresh Out of Design – Reality Fracture | Magic: The Gathering Drive to Work Podcast
Back in December of 2023, I handed off the vision design for Reality Fracture. I recorded this for you to hear my thoughts at the time of handoff.
share.transistor.fm
September 11, 2026 at 7:57 PM
This week's first "Drive to Work" podcast (#1379) is another in my "Fresh Out of Design" series where I record a podcast right after I handed off the design file. Today's is, obviously, about Reality Fracture: share.transistor.fm/s/14e9d16d audio.transistor.fm/m/shows/2145... #mtgdtw #WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
I led the designs for Innistrad, Tempest, Odyssey, Ravnica, and Dominaria. Who was the one designer on all those teams with me?
#WotCStaff
I led the designs for Innistrad, Tempest, Odyssey, Ravnica, and Dominaria. Who was the one designer on all those teams with me?
#WotCStaff
September 10, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
I led the designs for Innistrad, Tempest, Odyssey, Ravnica, and Dominaria. Who was the one designer on all those teams with me?
#WotCStaff
I led the designs for Innistrad, Tempest, Odyssey, Ravnica, and Dominaria. Who was the one designer on all those teams with me?
#WotCStaff
Answers to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies were first. Then we realized we needed Humans, as they were both the victims of the monsters and the source where the monsters came from. When we realized that they lined up in the ally-colors, we added Spirits for WU.
Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies were first. Then we realized we needed Humans, as they were both the victims of the monsters and the source where the monsters came from. When we realized that they lined up in the ally-colors, we added Spirits for WU.
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Innistrad has five ally-colored typal themes. Which of the five was the last added to the set in design?
#WotCStaff
Innistrad has five ally-colored typal themes. Which of the five was the last added to the set in design?
#WotCStaff
September 10, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Answers to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies were first. Then we realized we needed Humans, as they were both the victims of the monsters and the source where the monsters came from. When we realized that they lined up in the ally-colors, we added Spirits for WU.
Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies were first. Then we realized we needed Humans, as they were both the victims of the monsters and the source where the monsters came from. When we realized that they lined up in the ally-colors, we added Spirits for WU.
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Innistrad has five ally-colored typal themes. Which of the five was the last added to the set in design?
#WotCStaff
Innistrad has five ally-colored typal themes. Which of the five was the last added to the set in design?
#WotCStaff
September 9, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Innistrad has five ally-colored typal themes. Which of the five was the last added to the set in design?
#WotCStaff
Innistrad has five ally-colored typal themes. Which of the five was the last added to the set in design?
#WotCStaff
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Double-faced cards were inspired by the double-faced cards in Duel Masters, a TCG we make for the Japanese market.
#WotCStaff
Double-faced cards were inspired by the double-faced cards in Duel Masters, a TCG we make for the Japanese market.
#WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Innistrad's double-faced cards were inspired by double-faced cards in what other card game?
#WotCStaff
Innistrad's double-faced cards were inspired by double-faced cards in what other card game?
#WotCStaff
September 9, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Double-faced cards were inspired by the double-faced cards in Duel Masters, a TCG we make for the Japanese market.
#WotCStaff
Double-faced cards were inspired by the double-faced cards in Duel Masters, a TCG we make for the Japanese market.
#WotCStaff
This week’s #MakingMagic article is my first #MTGFracture preview: magic.wizards.com/en/news/maki... #WotCStaff
Reality Check, Part 1
Color-shifted characters, printing tricks, and an epic finale to a story arc! Mark discusses how the coolest parts of Reality Fracture came to be.
magic.wizards.com
September 8, 2026 at 11:44 PM
This week’s #MakingMagic article is my first #MTGFracture preview: magic.wizards.com/en/news/maki... #WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Innistrad's double-faced cards were inspired by double-faced cards in what other card game?
#WotCStaff
Innistrad's double-faced cards were inspired by double-faced cards in what other card game?
#WotCStaff
September 7, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Innistrad's double-faced cards were inspired by double-faced cards in what other card game?
#WotCStaff
Innistrad's double-faced cards were inspired by double-faced cards in what other card game?
#WotCStaff
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Innistrad was moved to the first set of the block to be closer to Halloween.
#WotCStaff
Innistrad was moved to the first set of the block to be closer to Halloween.
#WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Originally, Innistrad was going to be the third set in the block, a large set on a new plane with new mechanics. Why did it get moved from the third set in the block to the first set?
#WotCStaff
Originally, Innistrad was going to be the third set in the block, a large set on a new plane with new mechanics. Why did it get moved from the third set in the block to the first set?
#WotCStaff
September 7, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Answer to yesterday's #mtgtrivia question:
Innistrad was moved to the first set of the block to be closer to Halloween.
#WotCStaff
Innistrad was moved to the first set of the block to be closer to Halloween.
#WotCStaff
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Originally, Innistrad was going to be the third set in the block, a large set on a new plane with new mechanics. Why did it get moved from the third set in the block to the first set?
#WotCStaff
Originally, Innistrad was going to be the third set in the block, a large set on a new plane with new mechanics. Why did it get moved from the third set in the block to the first set?
#WotCStaff
September 6, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Today's #mtgtrivia question:
Originally, Innistrad was going to be the third set in the block, a large set on a new plane with new mechanics. Why did it get moved from the third set in the block to the first set?
#WotCStaff
Originally, Innistrad was going to be the third set in the block, a large set on a new plane with new mechanics. Why did it get moved from the third set in the block to the first set?
#WotCStaff