The Problem With Gold

Posted on December 17, 2009

Leaf The new version of Jace Beleren is slowly being revealed on spoilers sites across the web (including ours). There is a buzz regarding his apparent four abilities, and exactly what they are, and cost. Today those are the big issues surrounding WotC newest planeswalker. But that was not always the case. For weeks after the original buzz surrounding a possible evolutionary Jace in an upcoming set the biggest question was this: what color(s) would the casting cost be. Of course players wanted to know the CMC like they would of any card, but the most interesting and controversial debate was about a possible second color required to cast the new Jace. Speculation had arose before Chandra Ablaze as well, and was put to rest with her release. Still, that did not sway many from claiming that Jace would be black/blue in the latest incarnation. There were reasons given. Jace had seemed more manipulative in the web-comics and might finally be embracing his dark side. True as that argument may be the real reason for multi-colored speculation was simply that is what WotC does now. If something lacks interest, just paint it gold.

[caption id="attachment_6012" align="alignright" width="170" caption="conflicted yes, but entirely blue"][/caption]

The original Lorwyn planeswalkers are testaments to each color. They represent the five separate but equal parts of MTG, and the characteristics that make the game so special. Jace allows blue wizards someone to identify with. This is not the first time a connection has been drawn between players of a certain color and the planeswalker that coincides with them. For that reason alone it seems ridiculous that a planeswalker would be more than one color. Chandra is out of control? Isn't that what red is for? No need for a splash of black. Jace is embracing his mind-manipulating powers? That is part of blue's constant struggle between good and evil. Of course both Jace and Chandra turned out to be mono-colored again, but that is not the issue. The point is that we (the hardcore MTG player) are at a point where multi-colored feels immanent. Even after an entire block based on it. So the question remains, why is WotC so obsessed with mixing the color-pie?

[caption id="attachment_6013" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="its still important.... still"][/caption]

Above all else these cards are easy to design and produce. It is difficult to surprise the fairly jaded MTG audience with new cards and new ideas. For example, we all know an Unsummon costs one blue mana, and a Giant Growth needs one green mana. They are base costs and effects. Every other card that produces a similar result is judged by mana-cost. Gold cards allow WotC to bend our expectations. Is a 2/2 unblockable for one green and one blue a good deal, or fairly priced? Because we don't have a base expectation it is harder to figure, therefore making it easier to release within a set. Creating gold cards is also easier because the casting cost can change instead of the card. In the previous example the Jhessian Infiltrator is a Phantom Warrior. Exactly the same card, but with a unique casting cost different from any previous creatures with similar abilities. This is not to say the R&D team at Wizards is lazy. But it must be tempting to include a few gold cards due to their relative ease.

[caption id="attachment_6014" align="alignright" width="248" caption="a little more separation please"][/caption]

The other reason gold cards so easily make their way into expansion after expansion? The subtle power-creep allowed by creative casting costs. Power-creep (if it does indeed exist) is something that deserves an entire column to itself, but the effects of multi-colors on creatures especially has been significant. Take for example the cycle of uncommon shard creatures from Alara. Suddenly it was of to print a 5/4 for three, or a 3/4 lifelink for the same. The the notch up in power makes cards like Sprouting Thrinax uber-desirable. There you have it, two reasons for the gold rush in recent MTG expansions. But that doesn't explain why it is a problem. Not entirely.

A few issues make this influx of multi-color a problem, but one rises above all others. Deck making has turned into a paint by numbers affair. Time was (I realize as I write this what an old codger I sound like) making a deck was challenging. Net-decking has been an issue for a decade, but duelists could still at least pick their own cards. If they wanted to splash a second or third color the decision was based on utility or a needed combo piece. With two or three colored cards in the mix the pieces have been chosen for them like a puzzle. That means good luck throwing a Terminate into your Rafiq of the Many deck. Creativity has been bumped down a notch in exchange of more unique cards.

[caption id="attachment_6015" align="alignleft" width="174" caption="creativity is a good thing"][/caption]

What does all of this mean for Worldwake and Rize of the Eldrazi? So far not much but consider this. First of all, every new planeswalker is assumed to be multi-color. Every set contains the threat (if that is the right word) of another gold rush. Even if Worldwake is completely bare of multi-colored cards there will always be its two stepsons: second color kicker costs, and land type bonuses like Wild Nacatl. Either way the choices of what decks each card can go in is already limited. Hyper-productive mana producing lands don't exactly make playing these cards difficult, however it is more expensive. This is a minor slight to the buyer. Also the sense of true freedom on deck building is lost. Most of all to those players who would dare attempt a mono-colored deck.

In the end that is all the matters is that loss of freedom. Magic the Gathering has built a foundation on being a completely open-ended. Unlike video games or movies its an activity that changes with each experience, each game. The biggest part of that? Each card dynamically fit into any deck a duelist chose. Recently however some of that aspect has been taken away. A Jund deck can only fit cards with those three colors unless four or five colors seems like a good plan (this happened with the Jund Specter deck to some mild success so it can't be entirely ruled out). Builds featuring both Baneslayer Angel with cards like Swerve or Countersquall require an entirely new mana-base. So hopefully WotC will slow the multi-color train down long enough to put out a new planeswalker without golden hued speculation. Keep your fingers crossed.

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(Update) Speaking of Jace...