So I know there has been quite a bit of a discussion around about the “badly designed” attack trigger effects in Ixalan.
The issue with this approach is that not only it complicates board states way too much (I get creature order matters, but no need to go overboard), but also makes certain cards look much more overcosted rather than its proposed translation, not to mention awkward.
Now, I’ve compiled a neat little list here of cards that should really be revised, and the proposed reworking:
Belligerent Brontodon - this one is actually correct as it triggers on each creature attacking. But if a creature cannot attack because of 0 power, it does not get to trigger the effect. This is a huge flaw, that in paper magic would actually work properly.
Proposed translation: Creatures you control have “At the beginning of your combat step, this creature’s power becomes equal to its toughness until end of turn”.
Captain Lannery Storm - Once again, translated from paper magic where it finds the treasure on attack.
Proposed translation: At the beginning of your combat step, find a Treasure. […]
Goring Ceratops - If it’s your last creature, its ability is pointless.
Proposed translation: At the beginning of your combat step, other creatures you control gain double strike until end of turn.
Glorifier of Dusk - why does it gain Vigilance until end of turn? It’s pointless during one’s turn, effective only on opponent’s turn. (again, different from paper magic… way different!)
Proposed translation: Activate 2 white: Glorifier of Dusk gains vigilance until the beginning of your next turn. You lose 1 life. […] (gonna leave aside the loss of life remark regarding MTGPQ as it’s actually damage all the time)
I guess it would also gain flying until the beginning of your next turn too, for some extra synergy.
Tilonalli’s Skinshifter - Although I get some interesting interaction here, I wish it were not impacted by already happened combat damage, so beginning combat sounds more appropriate. Especially since the difference between paper magic and MTGPQ is that when a creature is dealt damage, its toughness is actually decreased, hence the +Y is much less effective.
Proposed translation: At the beginning of your combat set, Tilonalli’s Skinshifter gets +X/+Y, where X is the power and Y is the toughness of the first other creature you control.
Surprisingly small list… But I guess these adjustments would still make some of us happy. Hope I didn’t miss any of the cards, but I guess if I did people will jump in the comments.
Thank you for reading all this.