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Pre-release tournaments for the upcoming Magic: The Gathering set, Lorwyn Eclipsed, are set to commence on January 16. Although the full preview period is scheduled to start on Jan. 5, lead creator Mark Rosewater has again disclosed a long list of gameplay hints before schedule.

A Deep Dive into the Key Teasers

Among the many hints, a few are particularly notable. The set will include a "card that tutors each turn." This probably refers to a enchantment that allows a you to look through their library every upkeep for a specific card, potentially with specific restrictions.

It could be something as modest as searching for a basic land every turn, or a more dynamic like a tutor that scales depending on a creature's power.

Rosewater also mentioned a fresh piece that duplicates abilities that trigger. This is possibly associated with a revealed character, a creature that, by tapping two ready creatures, can copy a ability one time per turn.

Another standout reveal concerns an ability that will "counter all spells your opponents have on the stack." While its phrasing is slightly unclear, it suggests an incredibly potent effect capable of handling numerous castings at once.

Mechanics Focusing On Power and Toughness

This expansion will also include effects that utilize "the difference between its strength and defense." With creatures having power/toughness splits like 1/3 or 3/1, this concept could become very meaningful.

• Additionally, a creature will come into the play with six -1/-1 counters on it, signaling a return of this signature counter mechanic from the original Lorwyn-Shadowmoor block.
• Another teaser includes the wording "if this is the third time this effect has triggered this turn," pointing to a design that tracks repeated triggers.

Creature Type Focus and Story Implications

An intriguing story teaser is a creature with the creature types: "Legendary Creature – Elf Faerie Noble." Given the historic conflict among the Elf race and the Faerie race on this plane, this hybrid identity hints at a significant story event.

Rosewater also confirmed the core eight creature types returning in the set: Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Kithkin, Merfolk, and Treefolk. This confirms a heavy creature-type theme for the set.

Late in the list, he mentions "Bark of Doran," probably a nod to Doran, the Siege Tower, suggesting a renewed focus on the interplay of power and defense.

Additional Notable Points

Beyond these headline mechanics, the set will feature:

1. Several returning "kindred" spells that interact with particular creature types.
2. A wide variety of counters, such as charge, dream, flying, first strike, indestructible, and lifelink.
3. The reappearance of a keyword originally debuted in 2025.
4. Various creature token generators, including 1/1 blue-black Faeries to a 3/4 green token.

Card Name Title Teasers and Final Thoughts

Finally, Rosewater teased several card names, like Mirrorform, Moonshadow, Gilt-Leaf’s Embrace, and Chaos Spewer. These names provide preliminary glimpses into the expansion's story themes and are nods to familiar elements from the plane's past.

In summary, Lorwyn Eclipsed is not only a return to a beloved plane but also a test to see if modern Magic: The Gathering can handle the unique weirdness that made the first Lorwyn sets so memorable.