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Pre-release events for this next Magic: The Gathering set, Lorwyn Eclipsed, will commence on Jan. 16. Although the full spoiler period is slated to start on Jan. 5, head creator Maro Rosewater has again released a long list of mechanical teasers ahead of time.

A In-depth Dive into the Key Reveals

Among the many teasers, a few are particularly notable. The set will feature a "permanent that searches each turn." This likely indicates a creature that enables a player to look through their library each upkeep for a specific type, possibly under certain conditions.

It could be an effect as modest as searching for a basic land every turn, or something more powerful such as a tutor that grows depending on a board state.

Rosewater also teased a new piece that duplicates abilities that trigger. This card could be linked to Kirol, Attentive First-Year, a planeswalker that, for the cost of two ready creatures, can copy a triggered ability one time per turn.

Another notable reveal concerns rules text that will "counter all instants and sorceries your opponents control." Although its phrasing is somewhat unclear, it suggests an incredibly potent effect capable of handling numerous castings simultaneously.

Gameplay Centered Around Stats

The set will also feature effects that utilize "the difference between its power and defense." With creatures having power/toughness splits like 1/3 or 3/1, this concept could become highly meaningful.

• Furthermore, a card is set to come into the battlefield with six -1/-1 counters on it, highlighting a return of this hallmark counter type from the first Lorwyn-Shadowmoor era.
• One more teaser includes the phrase "if this is the third time this effect has resolved this turn," suggesting a card that tracks multiple activations.

Creature Type Emphasis and Story Hints

An intriguing story teaser is a creature with the type line: "Legendary Creature – Elf Faerie Noble." Considering the established tension among Elves and Faeries on this world, this hybrid type hints at a significant story event.

Rosewater also confirmed the core eight tribes featured in the set: Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Kithkin, Merfolk, and Treefolk. This confirms a heavy tribal focus for Lorwyn Eclipsed.

Late in the rundown, he mentions "Bark of Doran," likely a nod to Doran, the Siege Tower, hinting at a continued emphasis on the interplay of attack and defense.

Additional Interesting Points

Beyond these major mechanics, the set will feature:

1. A number of reprinted "kindred" cards that support particular tribes.
2. A broad variety of counters, such as charge, dream, flying, first strike, indestructible, and lifelink.
3. The return of a ability originally debuted in 2025.
4. Various creature token producers, including 1/1 blue-black Faeries to a 3/4 green Treefolk.

Card Name Name Teasers and Conclusion

Lastly, Rosewater hinted at a few titles, including Mirrorform, Moonshadow, Gilt-Leaf’s Embrace, and Chaos Spewer. These offer preliminary glimpses into the expansion's story themes and are nods to familiar elements from the world's past.

All told, Lorwyn Eclipsed isn't just a return to a beloved plane but also a test to determine whether contemporary Magic: The Gathering is able to handle the unique weirdness that made the first Lorwyn sets so special.