Magic: The Gathering Designer Reveals Which Mechanic Was Cut From Zendikar Rising

The new Magic: The Gathering set Zendikar Rising brought back familiar mechanics like Landfall and Kicker and introduced new ones like Party and Modal Double-Faced Cards (MDFCs), but did you know that one mechanic almost made it in the new expansion, but was cut for Kicker?

In a new episode of Good Morning Magic, Magic Senior Designer Gavin Verhey talked about some fun facts about Kicker, and he also revealed which similar mechanic almost made it in Zendikar Rising. The mechanic is called "Titan", and it represented the lingering influence of the Eldrazi in Zendikar. Just like Kicker, Titan has an alternate cost that can give you a bonus alternate effect, but it's all colorless so any kind of deck can play them.

Watch the video below:

The Titan mechanic is too similar to Kicker, so I think they made the right decision to just stick to the mechanic many players are familiar with.

Verhey also talked about how difficult it is to design cards with Kicker.

Zendikar Rising is now available in stores worldwide, and digitally on Magic: The Gathering Arena and Magic Online.

Related: MTG Head Designer on Reprinting Lotus Cobra in Zendikar Rising