I'm sure some people out there are wondering, why would someone choose such a weak idea as poison to build a set around? Well, I've always had a soft spot for the poison mechanic in Magic. This, coupled with a belief that poison is not inherently weak, but merely never given its proper time in the spotlight, led me to create The Taint. I'll say right now that I was making this set before Time Spiral was even known, let alone the contents of Future Sight. I originally had a keyword called "Poison" that worked identically to Poisonous; so when Future Sight released I just changed my keyword to Poisonous too.
Anyway, poison has always gotten a bad rap; always being called a "second life total", where one poison counter equals two life points. This was only true because one, creatures that had poison abilities were almost as likely to kill you by damage as they were poison, and two, because poison has never been exploited in any way other than as a win condition. So when I began designing The Taint, I knew I would have to use it as a resource as well.
The card above shows the use of poison counters as a resource; it also showcases the Extended Art frame, which was used on some cards, usually ones with large scale art that fit well within the frame. As you go through the set, you'll encounter these kinds of cards sprinkled throughout each of the colors.
While designing the set, I also experimented with giving poison in different ways, basing effects off of numbers of poison counters, and even experimenting with making more alternate win conditions using poison counters.
I also included ways to get rid of poison counters, just to make sure the set wasn't too fast, with all the poison flying around.
I also created my first new keyword. It doesn't connect to poison very well, but I wanted to do it anyway; Recast. It only appears on Auras, and they were all modeled after the curse skills from Diablo II.
Finally, lest you should think every card in the set deals with poison counters or recast, I'll reveal one last card here.
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All symbols and card frames are the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc.
All card ideas and concepts © 2006 Pichoro, unless otherwise noted on the individual card.
