A recently unveiled card from the forthcoming Magic: The Gathering "Lorwyn Eclipsed" expansion, "Ashling, the Limitless," is already receiving a minor yet crucial revision. This powerful card, featured as a commander in one of the new preconstructed decks, has drawn attention for its synergistic abilities that reward players for casting and sacrificing elemental creatures. The card's initial wording, however, sparked discussions among players regarding its interaction with the re-introduced 'kindred' mechanic, which bestows creature types upon non-creature cards.
The core of the issue lies in Ashling's capacity to grant an 'evoke' cost to elemental spells, allowing them to be cast for a reduced mana cost and then sacrificed upon entering the battlefield. While this mechanic is typically associated with permanent cards like creatures, the return of 'kindred' introduces the possibility of non-creature cards, such as instants, also possessing the elemental type. This raised concerns that players might attempt to cast elemental instants using Ashling's evoke ability, potentially leading to unintended and powerful spell-copying scenarios, despite official rules generally confining evoke to permanents. In response to these player observations, Wizards of the Coast has confirmed an upcoming update to Ashling's text, clarifying that her abilities are intended to apply only to elemental permanent spells, thus preventing such unforeseen interactions.
This pre-release errata underscores the complexities that arise from mechanics like 'kindred,' which was previously retired due to its inherent inconsistencies and the additional textual explanations it required. The situation with Ashling, the Limitless, serves as a testament to the ongoing challenges in game design, where precise wording is paramount to maintaining game balance and player experience. The swift correction by Wizards of the Coast demonstrates their commitment to addressing potential loopholes and ensuring that the game's mechanics function as intended, preserving the integrity and strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering.
