Mercadian Masques
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mercadian Masques | ||
|---|---|---|
| Release date | September 1999 | |
| Mechanics | Alternative Play Costs, Spellshapers, Rebels & Mercenaries | |
| Keywords | None | |
| Size | 350 cards | |
| Expansion code | MMQ | |
| Development codename | Archimedes
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| Sets in Masques block | ||
| Mercadian Masques | Nemesis | Prophecy |
| Magic: The Gathering Chronology |
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| Starter | Mercadian Masques | Battle Royale |
Mercadian Masques is the 18th expert level set, and the first set in the Masques block of cards of Magic: The Gathering, along with the expansions Nemesis and Prophecy. Its expansion symbol is a mask. It is largely considered to be one of the most underpowered blocks ever, designed that way in order to balance out the huge power of the Urza's block. In recent history, the true power of some Masques cards has become evident in competitive Vintage play, such as Gush and Misdirection. Foil Japanese versions of these cards often sell for considerable amounts of money at events such as Gencon.
[edit] Storyline
Mercadian Masques begins where Exodus ends, with the skyship Weatherlight making a hasty escape from Rath. The portal takes them to the plane of Mercadia, which is dominated by a bizarre city on an upside-down mountain. Weatherlight is captured by the Cho-Arrim, a spiritual people of the plains, and Gerrard and the crew must negotiate with the city's corrupt politicians to get the ship back and find a new power source.
[edit] Mechanics
Several cards have Alternative Play Costs, in which the caster may play the spell in a way that doesn't involve a mana cost.
Spellshapers are a class of creatures that have a mana and discard cost to play useful abilities. These abilities typically resemble popular instants and sorceries. With a spellshaper, a player can pitch useless cards in order to Disenchant or Stone Rain turn after turn.
The Rebel and Mercenary creatures have the ability to allow you to search your library for a creature with that type and a certain mana cost, and put it directly into play.
The enmity spells were overcosted cards that you could play for free if an opponent were playing with an enemy color.
