Hey all,

Oddly enough, the second card spoiled in a primarily artifacts block is not an artifact.  If you've missed the first card from Scars of Mirrodin, check that out here:  Sword of Body and Mind

As for the newly released card?  It's a black one.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The card is actually a functional reprint of a card minus a block mechanic.

Introduced in the Kamigawa block, the arcane mechanic allows players to splice card abilities on an arcane spell, producing a spell that has both abilities. This mechanic allows players to reserve spells in exchange for higher costs since the spliced spell was is revealed, not cast.

Here's an example:


So you go and cast Cranial Extraction and pay 1R, reveal Glacial Ray from your hand, and declare Glacial Ray spliced onto Extraction.  If the entire entity resolves, then you get both effects on one spell.

I chose Cranial Extraction since it is a legitimate spell without the arcane mechanic.

You may have seen the same idea on this card:


People don't play this card for the damage.  People play this card to banhammer one card from a deck.

But this card's rotating out with Scars of Mirrodin coming.  Suitable replacement?


Simple yet effective.  The name simply means destroying one's memory.  Flavorful players consider the deck a player's mind, so the name is appropriate for the effect.

As far as design space goes, many Kamigawa spells can be converted to non-arcane versions.  Some of them already have.

For more information on that, consult Slice of Pie -- No Arcane For You!  by @mtgcolorpie. It's a great rundown of all the arcane spells and their reprint status.

Keep an eye out for more info on incoming Scars of Mirrodin cards.

Until next time,
@shadowsketched