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Pre-release events for the next MTG expansion, Lorwyn Eclipsed, are set to start on January 16. While the full preview season is slated to start on Jan. 5, head creator Maro Rosewater has again disclosed a comprehensive rundown of gameplay details ahead of time.

An In-depth Look into the Significant Reveals

Within the many hints, several stand out. Lorwyn Eclipsed will include a "permanent that tutors every round." This probably refers to a creature that allows a player to search their deck each turn for a specific type, potentially with specific conditions.

This might be something as modest as finding a basic land each round, or a more dynamic like a search effect that grows based on a creature's power.

He also teased a new card that copies abilities that trigger. This is possibly linked to a revealed character, a planeswalker that, for the cost of a pair of ready creatures, can copy a ability one time per turn.

Another standout reveal concerns rules text that will "counter all instants and sorceries your opponents have on the stack." While the wording is somewhat ambiguous, it implies an extremely powerful ability capable of handling numerous castings at once.

Mechanics Centered Around Power and Toughness

The set will also include effects that reference "the gap in its power and toughness." With cards with stat lines like 1/3 or 3/1, this concept could become very relevant.

• Furthermore, a creature is set to enter the play with six -1/-1 counters on it, highlighting a return of this hallmark debuff type from the first Lorwyn-Shadowmoor block.
• One more teaser mentions the wording "if this is the third time this ability has resolved this round," suggesting a card that rewards multiple triggers.

Creature Type Emphasis and Story Implications

A significant lore teaser involves a creature with the type line: "Legendary Creature – Elf Faerie Noble." Given the established tension among Elves and Faeries on this world, this hybrid identity hints at a major story event.

Rosewater also confirmed the core eight creature types featured in the set: Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Kithkin, Merfolk, and Treefolk. This reiterates a strong tribal theme for the set.

Toward the end in the list, he mentions "Bark of Doran," likely a reference to Doran, the Siege Tower, hinting at a renewed emphasis on the relationship of attack and defense.

Additional Interesting Points

Beyond these headline mechanics, the set will feature:

1. A number of reprinted "kindred" spells that interact with particular tribes.
2. A wide variety of keyword counters, such as charge, dream, flying, first strike, indestructible, and lifelink.
3. The return of a ability first introduced in 2025.
4. Multiple creature token producers, ranging from 1/1 Faerie tokens to a 3/4 green token.

Card Name Hints and Conclusion

Finally, the designer hinted at several titles, including Mirrorform, Moonshadow, Gilt-Leaf’s Embrace, and Chaos Spewer. These offer early clues into the set's narrative themes and serve as references to familiar elements from the plane's past.

In summary, Lorwyn Eclipsed isn't just a return to a fan-favorite plane but also a challenge to see if contemporary Magic: The Gathering can handle the unique weirdness that defined the original Lorwyn block so special.