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Pre-release tournaments for this upcoming MTG expansion, Lorwyn Eclipsed, will begin on January 16. Although the full spoiler season is slated to start on January 5, head creator Maro Rosewater has once again shared a long list of gameplay teasers ahead of schedule.

An In-depth Dive into the Key Reveals

Among the many teasers, several stand out. Lorwyn Eclipsed will feature a "permanent that searches every round." This effect probably refers to a creature that allows a player to search their library each upkeep for a specific card, potentially with certain conditions.

This might be something as modest as finding a land card each round, or a more dynamic like a tutor that grows depending on a board state.

Rosewater also teased a new piece that copies abilities that trigger. This could be associated with a revealed character, a planeswalker that, for the cost of a pair of ready creatures, can copy a triggered ability one time each round.

A further notable reveal involves rules text that will "negate all instants and sorceries your opponents control." While its phrasing is slightly ambiguous, it implies an extremely powerful ability capable of handling multiple castings at once.

Gameplay Focusing On Power and Toughness

This expansion will also feature effects that reference "the difference in its strength and toughness." For creatures with stat lines like 1/3 or 3/1, this mechanic could become highly meaningful.

• Furthermore, a creature will enter the play with six -1/-1 counters on it, highlighting a comeback of this hallmark counter type from the original Lorwyn block.
• One more hint includes the wording "if this is the third time this ability has triggered this round," pointing to a design that tracks multiple activations.

Tribal Focus and Lore Implications

A significant story teaser is a legendary card with the creature types: "Legendary Creature – Elf Faerie Noble." Given the established conflict among the Elf race and Faeries on this plane, this combined identity suggests a significant narrative event.

The lead designer also stated the core eight creature types featured in the set: Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Kithkin, Merfolk, and Treefolk. This confirms a heavy creature-type focus for the set.

Toward the end in the list, Rosewater mentions "Bark of Doran," likely a reference to the famous Treefolk, hinting at a continued emphasis on the relationship of attack and toughness.

Additional Notable Points

In addition to these major mechanics, the expansion will include:

1. A number of reprinted "kindred" spells that support specific tribes.
2. A broad variety of counters, such as charge, dream, flying, first strike, indestructible, and lifelink.
3. The reappearance of a ability originally debuted in 2025.
4. Various token generators, including 1/1 Faerie tokens to a 3/4 green Treefolk.

Card Name Teasers and Conclusion

Lastly, the designer teased several titles, including Mirrorform, Moonshadow, Gilt-Leaf’s Embrace, and Chaos Spewer. These names provide preliminary glimpses into the set's story directions and are references to familiar concepts from the plane's history.

In summary, Lorwyn Eclipsed isn't just a return to a fan-favorite plane but also a test to determine whether contemporary Magic can embrace the distinctive weirdness that made the first Lorwyn sets so memorable.