I’m doing something a little different today.
I’m a big fan of puzzles. Always have been, always will be. For today, I’ve made my own. There’s a prize for the first person to solve it, though you won’t win it.
The mechanic is pretty simple. Each line of seemingly random nouns in alphabetical order is made up of partial Magic card names, and exactly one adjective (as of Amonkhet) completes them all.
For example, if I were to give a list of “Demon, Gorgon, Necromancer, Slyblade,” what’s the word that completes them all?
There are lots of Demons, Gorgons, and Necromancers in Magic, but only one Slyblade.
Got your answer ready?
The missing word is “Xathrid.”
In the puzzle that follows, I’ve stuck to real-world English words for the answers, so don’t stress yourself trying to remember whether it’s Keldon or Kalonian.
The puzzle is broken up into two parts, the first with 22 brainteasers like the one above, the second with thirteen.
Part 1
1: Arynx, Automaton, Crocodile, Evil, Informant, Jackals, Nightstalker, Predators, Skirge
2: Mining, Urge
3: Augmentation, Inversion
4: Island, Storm
5: Angel, Guardian, Wake
6: Cadet, Construct
7: Arrogance, Poet, Slip
8: Angel, Hero, Pariah, Soul, Thoughts
9: Giant, Revolutionary
10: Assassin, Decree, Falcon, Herbalist, Trooper
11: Rays, Will
12: Alchemy, Crypt, Lore, Orchard, Ritual
13: Frost, Harvest
14: Dodge, Looter, Maneuver
15: Crawler, Nautilus, Sliver
16: Deceiver, Judgment, Justice, Mentor, Mercy, Scrutiny, Sustenance
17: Firebeast, Ghoul, Monstrosity, Powder, Rider
18: Assassin, Throng
19: Hope, Seacliff
20: Angel, Disciple, Giant, Servant, Soul
21: Bolt, Pummeler
22: Assault, Dead, Hunter, Rats, Skaabs
This section only!
Consider this the “easy part.” Some of these, you’ll just be able to look up on the handy-dandy SCG card search. Others will stretch your brain a little more, but you should be able to find a lot of them with a bit of thought, research, and memory of what’s Standard- and Modern-legal.
Part 2
1: Centaur, Spirit, Witch
2: Licid, Wurm
3: Anthem, Charge, End
4: Experiment, Skills
5: Dragon, Kirin, Leech, Mage, Potion, Wall
6: Gorgers, Harpy, Souleater
7: Fists, Myr
8: Entrance, Rescue, Reversal
9: Journey, Outburst
10: Missionaries, Tracker, Tribe
11: Deceiver, Giant, Oppressor
12: Battlement, Estate, Tomb
13: Fiend, Orb, Sliver, Trance
This section has some trickier answers mixed in. Treat it as completely separate from the other part; only a few of the lessons you’ve learned will carry over.
And when you know you’ve solved everything, send me a message if you’re feeling charitable. — JDB