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Pre-release tournaments for this next MTG expansion, Lorwyn Eclipsed, will start on January 16. While the full preview period is scheduled to start on January 5, head creator Mark Rosewater has again released a comprehensive list of mechanical teasers before schedule.

A Deep Look into the Key Teasers

Within the numerous hints, several are particularly notable. Lorwyn Eclipsed will feature a "card that tutors every turn." This probably refers to a enchantment that allows a player to look through their deck each turn for a specific card, possibly under certain restrictions.

This might be an effect as simple as finding a land card every turn, or a more dynamic such as a tutor that grows based on a creature's power.

He also mentioned a new card that duplicates triggered abilities. This card could be linked to a revealed character, a creature that, for the cost of a pair of ready creatures, can copy a triggered ability once each round.

Another standout reveal concerns rules text that will "counter every instants and sorceries your opponents control." While its phrasing is somewhat unclear, it implies an incredibly powerful ability capable of handling multiple spells simultaneously.

Mechanics Focusing On Stats

The set will also feature effects that utilize "the difference in its power and defense." With creatures with power/toughness splits like 1/3 or 3/1, this mechanic could prove highly relevant.

• Furthermore, a card is set to come into the battlefield with six -1/-1 counters on it, signaling a return of this signature counter mechanic from the original Lorwyn-Shadowmoor block.
• One more hint mentions the wording "if this is the third time this ability has triggered this turn," pointing to a design that tracks repeated activations.

Tribal Emphasis and Story Implications

A significant lore reveal is a creature with the type line: "Legendary Creature – Elf Faerie Noble." Given the historic tension between Elves and the Faerie race on this world, this combined type suggests a major story event.

Rosewater also stated the primary 8 creature types returning in the set: Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Kithkin, Merfolk, and Treefolk. This reiterates a heavy creature-type theme for Lorwyn Eclipsed.

Late in the list, he names "Bark of Doran," likely a reference to the famous Treefolk, hinting at a continued focus on the relationship between attack and toughness.

Other Interesting Details

Beyond these major teasers, the set will include:

1. Several reprinted "kindred" spells that support particular creature types.
2. A broad array of keyword counters, such as charge, dream, flying, first strike, indestructible, and lifelink.
3. The return of a ability originally debuted in 2025.
4. Multiple token generators, ranging from 1/1 Faerie tokens to a 3/4 green token.

Card Name Hints and Conclusion

Lastly, the designer teased a few titles, including Mirrorform, Moonshadow, Gilt-Leaf’s Embrace, and Chaos Spewer. These names provide early glimpses into the expansion's story themes and serve as references to established elements from the plane's past.

All told, this new set is not only a homecoming to a beloved plane but also a challenge to determine whether modern Magic: The Gathering can handle the unique weirdness that defined the first Lorwyn block so special.