I have recently heard that Odyssey is Randy Buehler big debut as a set designer for R&D. Since he’s the gentleman who claimed”Spiritmonger no good because it doesn’t have evasion” (paraphrased), I grew concerned for the integrity of the set. Also, knowing Randy’s blue mage leanings, I grew doubly concerned. I voiced this concern to a few Magic acquaintances, and soon afterwards found in my hands a top-secret memo snuck out of WotC’s R&D Fortress of Secrets. To protect my source from repercussions, I will not reveal the method of acquisition, but I think anyone familiar with Mr. Buehler’s proclivities will have no doubts about the authenticity of this document.
All I can say is, thank God there’s someone rational to put a brake to the blue madness we were nearly afflicted with.
Prepare yourselves. It’s ugly…
To: Richard Garfield
From: Randy Buehler
Subject: Submitted for your approval
Dick, it’s Randy. Buehler, that is. When can I get my Day Off? Heh, heh…
Below is the finalized card text for the blue cards in Odyssey. I’m sure you’ll agree that they are fairly costed and completely fair and stuff. You need not worry your pretty head about it, simply sign off at the bottom and they’re off to press. If you do happen to go over this with a fine-tooth comb (again, there’s no need to do that, you’re a busy guy), I’ve included some of my notes on the cards to explain my reasoning.
Have a great day.
Randall Buehler
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Research & Development
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Finalized Odyssey Spoiler List – Blue Cards
Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
(Due for release Sep 21, 2001)
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Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor
1UU
Creature – Cephalid Legend
3/5
Flying.
U: Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor cannot be the target of spells or effects until the end of the turn.
U: Untap Aboshan, Cephalid Emperor.
Tap an untapped Cephalid you control: Tap target permanent.
UU: Tap all creatures without flying.
RB NOTES: Blue hasn’t had a decent blue legend in a while, Odyssey seems like the perfect time for it. The two blue mana in his casting cost makes him difficult to get into play and protect with counter backup; I think that’s fair, since he’s got some decent abilities.
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Aboshan’s Desire
U
Enchant Creature
When Aboshan’s Desire comes into play, draw a card.
Enchanted creature has flying.
Threshold – Enchanted creature gains +3/+3 and can’t be the target of spells or abilities. (You have threshold as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard.)
RB NOTES: We all know that creature enchantments have to be really good to even see play anymore. This should be a decent Limited card.
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Æther Burst
1U
Instant
Return up to X target creatures to their owners’ hands, where X is two plus the number of Æther Burst cards in all graveyards as you play Æther Burst.
Draw a card.
RB NOTES: Blue is going to be really hurting after losing Accumulated Knowledge… And this is no replacement, but it might take the sting out a bit.
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Amugaba
5UU
Creature – Illusion
6/6
Flying. 2U, Discard a card from your hand: Return Amugaba to its owner’s hand.
RB NOTES: Skill Tester #1. Scrubs will see a big blue flier; good players will see an overcosted creature that’s just not worth it. Get it?
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Aura Graft
1U
Instant
Move target enchantment that’s enchanting a permanent to another permanent it can enchant. Gain control of that enchantment. (This effect doesn’t end at end of turn.)
Draw a card.
RB NOTES: Fairly limited in use, so I recommend making it a cantrip. I imagine it might see some sideboard action.
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Aven Fisher
3U
Creature – Bird Soldier
3/3
Flying.
When Aven Fisher comes into play or is put into a graveyard from play, you may draw a card.
RB NOTES: Obligatory bad blue flier for Limited. No big deal.
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Aven Smokeweaver
2UU
Creature – Bird Soldier
3/3
Flying, protection from all colors.
RB NOTES: I really like the new”protection from all colors” mechanic! I think players will have fun with it, though I don’t know if Smokeweaver has the gas for Constructed. Solid Limited card, though.
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Aven Windreader
2UU
Creature – Bird Soldier Wizard
3/3
Flying.
1U: Target player reveals the top card of his or her library. You may put that card in the graveyard.
RB NOTES: Another random blue hill giant. Pretty good in Limited and may actually see some Constructed play. P.S. We tested the”milling” effect to make sure it wasn’t broken, and it seemed appropriately costed.
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Balshan Beguiler
2U
Creature – Wizard
2/2
Balshan Beguiler cannot be blocked.
Whenever Balshan Beguiler deals combat damage to a player, that player reveals the top two cards of his or her library. You choose one of those cards and put it into his or her graveyard.
RB NOTES: Another random blue grey ogre. While he’s no Ophidian, his ability may work to help Millstone decks, but I think his low toughness balances that out.
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Balshan Griffin
2UU
Creature – Griffin
5/2
Flying.
Discard a card from your hand: Return Balshan Griffin to its owner’s hand.
RB NOTES: Obviously, not as good as Blinking Spirit, since you lose a card to blink it, but not bad overall. On the verge of being Constructed worthy.
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Bamboozle
1U
Instant
Target player reveals the top four cards of his or her library. You choose two of those cards and put them into his or her graveyard. Put the rest on top of his or her library in any order.
Draw a card.
RB NOTES: Don’t believe the hype; this is not better than Impulse! I really feel most people will use this to Mill their opponent’s deck.
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Battle of Wits
1U
Enchantment
When Battle of Wits comes into play, draw a card.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you have 60 or more cards in your library, you win the game.
RB NOTES: Skill Tester #2! Obviously, only bad players play more than 60 cards in their library, which dilutes the probability of drawing this card. The good players will simply counter this enchantment in the odd chance they draw it. Notice the slick”cantrip” effect built in the enchantment to make it even harder to meet the win condition!
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Careful Study
U
Instant
Draw six cards, then discard six cards from your hand.
RB NOTES: This card is fairly bad, since you end up with one less card in your hand after casting it. What good player wants to do that? Still, might be useful when searching for a particular card. Also has great synergy with the Threshold mechanic!
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Cephalid Broker
2U
Creature – Cephalid
2/2
Tap untapped Cephalid you control: Target player draws two cards, then discards two cards from his or her hand.
RB NOTES: Another random blue grey ogre. Might be decent once the really good Cephalids get released for Torment.
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Cephalid Looter
2U
Creature – Cephalid
2/2
U: Untap Cephalid Looter.
Tap: Target player draws a card, then discards a card from his or her hand.
RB NOTES: Interesting take on Merfolk Looter. The untap ability lets him be aggressive and attack, and then still untap and use his ability to cycle a card to draw a card. I think it might see some play.
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Cephalid Retainer
2U
Creature – Cephalid
2/2
U: Tap or untap target creature.
RB NOTES: Another random blue grey ogre. You gotta have them to flesh out limited. His Twiddle ability might be interesting.
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Cephalid Scout
1U
Creature – Cephalid Wizard
1/1
Flying
1U: Draw a card.
RB NOTES: I really like this guy! I think he’s got a lot of Constructed potential, though he’s quite balanced by being so fragile.
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Cephalid Shrine
1UU
Enchantment
When Cephalid Shrine comes into play, draw a card.
Whenever a player plays a non-blue spell, counter that spell unless that player pays X, where X is the number of cards in all graveyards.
RB NOTES: I still don’t understand the purpose of the Shrine”cycle,” but I tried to make the blue one balanced and potentially decent as a sideboard card.
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Chamber of Manipulation
UU
Enchant Land
When Chamber of Manipulation comes into play, draw a card.
Enchanted land has”Tap, Discard a card from your hand: Gain control of target creature and that creature gains haste. At the end of the turn, sacrifice that creature to draw a card.”
RB NOTES: This is going to be one of”bombs” in limited. I tried to make it tempting for constructed play, but don’t anticipate it doing much. I made it a cantrip to facilitate this, since you don’t want a Stone Rain giving some scrub two-for-one!
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Cognivore
1UU
Creature – Lhurgoyf
*/*
Flying. Cognivore’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of instant cards in all graveyards.
RB NOTES: We had to make this cheap to tempt people away from playing Fat Moti. Still, I don’t know if this will cut the mustard except in the odd blue deck that has a lot of instants.
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Concentrate
2UU
Instant
Draw three cards.
RB NOTES: It’s no Fact or Fiction! But it’s not bad. Could be a fifth and sixth FoF in a heavy blue deck.
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Cultural Exchange
3U
Instant
Choose any number of creatures target player controls. Choose the same number of creatures another target player controls. Those players exchange control of those creatures. (This effect doesn’t end at end of turn.)
Draw a card.
RB NOTES: Strictly for the casual play scrubs. I mean, what real blue player has any amount of creatures out to make this worth playing?
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Deluge
2U
Instant
Tap all creatures. Draw a card for each creature tapped in this way.
RB NOTES: A fairly good Limited card; might help break a creature stall.
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Dematerialize
2U
Instant
Put target permanent on top of its owner’s library. Flashback 1U (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
RB NOTES: This might be as good as Plow Under; I can definitely see this getting some time in Constructed tournaments.
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Divert
U
Instant
Change the target of target spell with a single target unless that spell’s controller pays 2. You draw two cards if that spell’s controller does not pay this cost.
Draw a card.
RB NOTES: While limited in scope, should be fairly decent. Nice board card in the mirror match!
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Dreamwinder
3U
Creature – Serpent
4/3
Dreamwinder is unblockable if defending player controls an island.
U, Sacrifice an island: Target land becomes an island permanently.
RB NOTES: Another good board card for the mirror match. Good players will know that you aren’t ever going to sacrifice the best land in Magic for any reason, especially not to give your opponent one!
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Escape Artist
1U
Creature – Wizard
2/1
Escape Artist is unblockable. When Escape Artist deals combat damage to an opponent, draw a card.
U, Discard a card from your hand: Return Escape Artist to its owner’s hand.
RB NOTES: Finkel wasn’t the only pro who was well known for playing with Ophidians! I think it’s only fair I get one, too.
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Extract
U
Instant
Search target player’s library for a card, and remove that card from the game. Then that player shuffles his or her library.
Draw a card.
RB NOTES: Competes with Opt to some degree; do you want to dig a little deeper or get a peek at your opponent’s deck? And remove something you don’t like? Will probably see some play once Opt rotates out.
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Fervent Denial
1UU
Instant
Counter target spell. Flashback UU (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
RB NOTES: I really like the Flashback mechanic! Having the flashback option means you’ve got to increase the casting cost a bit from the Counterspell UU standard.
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Immobilizing Ink
1U
Enchant Creature
When Immobilizing Ink comes into play, draw a card.
Enchanted creature doesn’t untap during its controller’s untap step. Enchanted creature has”1, Discard a card from your hand: Untap this creature.”
RB NOTES: Without the cantrip ability, this card would be strictly worse than Sleeping Potion — and we both know how bad that is! Even still, this is strictly a limited card.
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Laquatus’s Creativity
2U
Instant
Target player draws cards equal to the number of cards in that player’s hand, then discards that many cards. Draw a card.
RB NOTES: Another weapon for Millstone decks. Can you tell I like Millstones? Something about that incessant grinding really turns me on.
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Patron Wizard
UUU
Creature – Wizard
3/3
Tap an untapped Wizard you control: Counter target spell unless its controller pays 3.
RB NOTES: Mana Leak is back! But it’s tied to a creature, so that makes it strictly worse. Who plays with creatures in a heavy blue deck?
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Pedantic Learning
UU
Enchantment
When Pedantic Learning comes into play, draw a card.
Whenever a land card is put into your graveyard, you may pay 1. If you do, draw a card.
RB NOTES: A decent sideboard card to bring in against anyone stupid enough to play Land Destruction!
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Peek
U
Instant
Look at target player’s hand and choose a non-creature, non-land card. That player discards that card. Draw a card.
RB NOTES: No one plays with Pikula’s Invitational card, so I’m hoping this might encourage players to give it a try. If you’re going to play with creatures, after you throw in as many Ophidian variants, Meddling Mage isn’t a bad one to use.
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Persuasion
3UU
Enchant Creature
You control enchanted creature.
Draw a card.
RB NOTES: It’s no Treachery, but it’s not bad. I think the Magic public needs a new Control Magic variant. It’s been too long.
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Phantom Whelp
U
Creature – Hound
2/2
When Phantom Whelp attacks or blocks, return it to its owner’s hand at end of combat and draw a card.
RB NOTES: Having to replay this over and over is a real drawback, but I think the cheap casting cost and drawing a card makes up for it. Maybe.
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Predict
U
Instant
Name a card, then put the top card of target player’s library into his or her graveyard. If that card is the named card, you draw three cards. Otherwise, you draw a card. Flashback 1U (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
RB NOTES: I always thought Foreshadow was kinda cool, but no one ever played it. I thought we’d improve on it some; heck, there should be some reward for correctly guessing the card sitting on top of a player’s library!
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Psionic Gift
1U
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature has”Tap: This creature deals 1 damage to target creature or player. Draw a card.”
RB NOTES: No one liked Quicksilver Dagger, so I thought I’d juice it up a bit, make it more playable. We all know creature enchantments need to be bomb-diggity to actually see play.
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Pulsating Illusion
3U
Creature – Illusion
0/1
Flying
Pulsating Illusion can’t be targeted by spells or effects.
Discard a card from your hand: Pulsating Illusion gets +4/+4 until end of turn.
RB NOTES: Skill Tester #3! What blue mage in their right mind would discard hard-drawn cards just to pump a critter?
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Puppeteer
2U
Creature – Wizard
1/2
U, Tap: Tap or untap target creature. Draw a card.
RB NOTES: Another Twiddle creature, I think this one’s a little better. Though he’s still a creature and, as such, very short-lived. With summoning sickness! Ugh!
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Repel
3U
Instant
Put target creature on top of its owner’s library. Then return all green creatures to their owner’s hand.
RB NOTES: The guy in charge of Odyssey’s green cards has gone way overboard on the power level, so I think blue needs a green hoser that’s maindeckable. It’s only fair.
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Rites of Refusal
1U
Instant
Discard any number of cards from your hand. Counter target spell unless its controller pays 3 for each card discarded this way. Draw a card.
RB NOTES: We really miss Mana Leak. Really. Seriously.
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Scrivener
2U
Creature – Townsfolk
2/2
When Scrivener comes into play, you may return target instant card from your graveyard to your hand.
RB NOTES: I always felt Scrivener was too expensive to cast. I recommend costing it at 2U, and issuing official errata on the previously released version noting the new casting cost.
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Shifty Doppelganger
1U
Creature – Shapeshifter
1/1
U, Remove Shifty Doppelganger from the game: Draw a card, then put a creature card from your hand into play. That creature gains haste until end of turn. At end of turn, sacrifice that creature and draw a card. If you do, return Shifty Doppelganger to play.
RB NOTES: I always thought Sneak Attack should have been blue, so we made this card. Notice how clever we are, avoiding all the”copy” rules headaches this way!!
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Standstill
1U
Enchantment
When Standstill comes into play, draw a card.
When a player plays a spell, sacrifice Standstill. If you do, then each of that player’s opponents draws four cards.
RB NOTES: I thought about reprinting Energy Field, but I thought something like this might be an interesting twist.
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Syncopate
XU
Instant
Counter target spell unless its controller pays X. If he or she doesn’t, that player taps all lands he or she controls, empties his or her mana pool, and removes it from the game instead of putting it into its owner’s graveyard. Draw a card.
RB NOTES: Powersink just never had enough juice. This card looks pretty good, though. I really like the”remove from the game” clause; that’s really needed with all these flashback cards.
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Think Tank
2U
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, look at the top card of your library. You may choose to put that card into your graveyard or draw it.
RB NOTES: More fragile than Soldevi Excavations, so I wanted to increase the power level just a hair.
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Thought Devourer
2UU
Creature – Beast
6/6
Flying. Your maximum hand size is reduced by three.
RB NOTES: This is a neo-Skill Tester. What self-respecting blue mage would allow their hand size to shrink? Still, it’s a fairly large creature, so it might see some play. Might.
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Thought Eater
1U
Creature – Beast
3/3
Flying. Your maximum hand size is reduced by two.
RB NOTES: See Thought Devourer.
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Thought Nibbler
U
Creature – Beast
2/2
Flying. Your maximum hand size is reduced by one.
RB NOTES: Again, see Thought Devourer.
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Time Stretch
6UU
Sorcery
Target player takes two extra turns after this one. Flashback UU (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
RB NOTES: Skill Tester #4! Seriously, what self-respecting blue mage is going to tap out during their turn — using eight mana?! No way would this get played. Blue mages just do not cast sorceries, unless they’re scrubs.
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Touch of Invisibility
U
Sorcery
Target creature gains +3/+3 and is unblockable this turn. Draw a card.
RB NOTES: The spirit of Unstable Mutation lives on! Still, it’s not exactly Giant Growth, now is it?
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Traumatize
3U
Instant
Target player puts the top half of his or her library, rounded down, into his or her graveyard. Flashback 1U (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
RB NOTES: Another decent Millstone support card. Have I told you I liked Millstone decks?
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Treetop Sentinel
2UU
Creature – Bird Soldier
3/3
Flying, protection from green.
U: Put target green creature on top of its owner’s library.
RB NOTES: Again, green’s got such potent weapons coming up in Odyssey (and by all indications, Torment too) that the poor blue mages need some sort of decent hoser in the sideboard.
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Unifying Theory
1U
Enchantment
Whenever you play a spell, you may pay 2. If you do, you may draw a card.
RB NOTES: I imagine this will work well in a deck with lots of cheap cantrips; otherwise, I don’t see this doing a whole lot.
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Upheaval
4UU
Instant
Return all permanents to their owners’ hands. Draw a card.
RB NOTES: First we had Evacuate, then Sunder. Obviously, blue needed its own Jokulhaups. We make them instants so that blue mages might actually play ’em.
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Words of Wisdom
1U
Instant
You draw three cards, then each other player draws a card. Flashback 2UU (You may play this card from your graveyard for its flashback cost. Then remove it from the game.)
RB NOTES: I’m really proud of how balanced this is; do you risk playing this spell and letting your opponent draw a card for free? This really is a fixed Ancestral.
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I agree that these cards are BALANCED and UNBROKEN, and Authorized for print.
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