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Pre-release tournaments for the upcoming Magic: The Gathering expansion, Lorwyn Eclipsed, will start on Jan. 16. While the complete spoiler period is slated to start on January 5, head creator Mark Rosewater has once again shared a lengthy rundown of mechanical hints ahead of time.

An Deep Look into the Key Reveals

Among the many hints, a few stand out. Lorwyn Eclipsed will include a "permanent that tutors each round." This probably refers to a enchantment that enables a player to search their deck each upkeep for a specific type, possibly with certain conditions.

This might be something as modest as searching for a basic land every turn, or a more powerful such as a search effect that scales depending on a creature's power.

Rosewater also mentioned a new card that copies triggered abilities. This is possibly associated with a revealed character, a creature that, by tapping a pair of untapped creatures, can replicate a triggered ability one time per turn.

Another notable reveal concerns an ability that will "negate every instants and sorceries your opponents control." Although its phrasing is somewhat unclear, it suggests an incredibly powerful ability capable of addressing multiple castings at once.

Mechanics Focusing On Power and Toughness

The set will further feature cards that utilize "the difference between its power and toughness." With cards having power/toughness splits like 1/3 or 3/1, this mechanic could become highly relevant.

• Additionally, a creature is set to enter the battlefield with six -1/-1 counters on it, highlighting a comeback of this hallmark counter type from the first Lorwyn-Shadowmoor block.
• Another teaser includes the wording "if this is the third time this effect has triggered this round," pointing to a design that rewards multiple triggers.

Tribal Emphasis and Story Implications

A significant story reveal is a legendary card with the type line: "Legendary Creature – Elf Faerie Noble." Considering the established tension among Elves and the Faerie race on this world, this hybrid type suggests a significant story development.

The lead designer also confirmed the core eight creature types featured in the set: Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Kithkin, Merfolk, and Treefolk. This confirms a heavy creature-type focus for Lorwyn Eclipsed.

Late in the list, he mentions "Bark of Doran," probably a reference to the famous Treefolk, hinting at a continued focus on the interplay of power and toughness.

Additional Interesting Details

In addition to these major teasers, the set will feature:

1. A number of reprinted "kindred" cards that support particular creature types.
2. A wide array of keyword counters, including charge, dream, flying, first strike, indestructible, and lifelink.
3. The reappearance of a keyword first debuted in 2025.
4. Various token producers, ranging from 1/1 blue-black tokens to a 3/4 green Treefolk.

Card Title Teasers and Final Thoughts

Finally, Rosewater hinted at several titles, including Mirrorform, Moonshadow, Gilt-Leaf’s Embrace, and Chaos Spewer. These provide early clues into the expansion's narrative 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 test to see if contemporary Magic is able to handle the distinctive complexities that defined the original Lorwyn block so memorable.