The melded creature is the two creatures flipping over, and they're both half the card. That's what I think, because Chittering Host seems to have a line cutting through half of it. Thoughts on it?
I just double checked and you're right! So does Hanweir, the Writhing Township and if you look real closely, you can see it in Brisela. Brisela's halves are pushed together which is why I didn't spot it right away.
That's just...I don't know...it seems weird. It might just be because it's never been done before in MTG (that I know anyway) but still. If we start getting into a bunch of strange card arrangements, it's really going to start feeling like Yugioh!
It's been done with BFM. This is basically the concept of BFM just letting you have individual halves out as well. It's odd for sure, but I'm not sure it's more odd than DFC were originally.
Personally I don't see any issues. I won't use it, but the concept seems fun if it's used to represent just teamwork concepts as opposed to always literal merging. I'd be on board for that. If we have to have the Eldrazi aspect for it then I'm not a fan.
I think it'll take a little to get used to it. It's not bad, simply different. I do agree with though about it being used to represent teamwork and not always literal merging. The concept would make sense and would feel more apart of MtG: creatures working together in concert.
The melded creature is the two creatures flipping over, and they're both half the card. That's what I think, because Chittering Host seems to have a line cutting through half of it. Thoughts on it?
I just double checked and you're right! So does Hanweir, the Writhing Township and if you look real closely, you can see it in Brisela. Brisela's halves are pushed together which is why I didn't spot it right away.
That's just...I don't know...it seems weird. It might just be because it's never been done before in MTG (that I know anyway) but still. If we start getting into a bunch of strange card arrangements, it's really going to start feeling like Yugioh!
It's been done with BFM. This is basically the concept of BFM just letting you have individual halves out as well. It's odd for sure, but I'm not sure it's more odd than DFC were originally.
Personally I don't see any issues. I won't use it, but the concept seems fun if it's used to represent just teamwork concepts as opposed to always literal merging. I'd be on board for that. If we have to have the Eldrazi aspect for it then I'm not a fan.
I think it'll take a little to get used to it. It's not bad, simply different. I do agree with though about it being used to represent teamwork and not always literal merging. The concept would make sense and would feel more apart of MtG: creatures working together in concert.
Yeah, different isn't bad. I'm just not a fan of Eldrazi so I won't use it. But the concept itself seems plenty neat mechanically, it's just flavor that isn't echoing right. I hope that can be conveyed, because I do think there is a market for more in this area even if the flavor isn't what some want.
The melded creature is the two creatures flipping over, and they're both half the card. That's what I think, because Chittering Host seems to have a line cutting through half of it. Thoughts on it?
I just double checked and you're right! So does Hanweir, the Writhing Township and if you look real closely, you can see it in Brisela. Brisela's halves are pushed together which is why I didn't spot it right away.
That's just...I don't know...it seems weird. It might just be because it's never been done before in MTG (that I know anyway) but still. If we start getting into a bunch of strange card arrangements, it's really going to start feeling like Yugioh!
It's been done with BFM. This is basically the concept of BFM just letting you have individual halves out as well. It's odd for sure, but I'm not sure it's more odd than DFC were originally.
Personally I don't see any issues. I won't use it, but the concept seems fun if it's used to represent just teamwork concepts as opposed to always literal merging. I'd be on board for that. If we have to have the Eldrazi aspect for it then I'm not a fan.
I think it'll take a little to get used to it. It's not bad, simply different. I do agree with though about it being used to represent teamwork and not always literal merging. The concept would make sense and would feel more apart of MtG: creatures working together in concert.
Yeah, different isn't bad. I'm just not a fan of Eldrazi so I won't use it. But the concept itself seems plenty neat mechanically, it's just flavor that isn't echoing right. I hope that can be conveyed, because I do think there is a market for more in this area even if the flavor isn't what some want.
We'll just have wait and see how it all plays out. At the very least, WotC isn't shoving it down our throats and letting the mechanic just takeover the set. Also, I think we're all a little tired of Eldrazi but this really might be the last we ever see of them. One thing I've learned, however, that someone will always complain, no matter what happens. I just hope we're able to give the mechanic a real chance.
Thankfully most of the cards with meld are decent enough to see Limited play using just the front side. I would imagine most of the play we'll see from these cards will ignore the meld entirely, having it only as a potential for bonus versatility.
Can't say I'm not disappointed about the clunky, awkward look of having two cards matched up, though. If I do end up using these, I might print proxies on a single card to cut down on the table clutter.
This was already basically a subtheme in Alara and showed up in Visions. It's a relatively cute idea, but, the actual cards created are meh. The Angels work, but only because one half brings the other half back directly, and then they transform that turn.
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Cyme we inne frið, fram the grip of deaþ to lif inne ðis smylte land.
Is there any reason why the melded card has a rarity? One of the Angels is rare, the other mythic, and the Eldrazi Angel is mythic. This is the only mythic meld (so far).
Also, they just went out of their way to redefine the CMC of a darkside DFC to be the cost of the front rather than a zero, so now it can't be popped by, say, a 0-counter Ratchet Bomb. Have they made any statement about the CMC of a Melded card? I would guess it's the CMC of the card matching the number at the bottom (in all three cases here it's the more mana-expensive of the two) but has it been explicitly stated?
To answer the OP, I like it. The are def testing the waters but I think it will be one of those mechanics that sticks, like Prowess. Maybe put 2 or 3 merge pairs per set. Seems perfect for artifacts which are due in the next set after EM. The Brisella combo is wicked cool because just casting the bigger one can go get the smaller one to merge. And we've seen they are not tied to a specific phase so it can be a total combat trick if created as such.
Admittedly, the 3 paris we've seen won't see any pair play in eternal formats but who cares. How may prowess creatures sees eternal play....1...Swiftspear...does that mean prowess was a bad or failed mechanic...nope.
I think it leads to alot of creative design choices. Maybe some merge combos get value not when they join but leave the battlefield. Lots of possibilities. Or maybe a graveyard-merge with zombies or vampires.
A lot of people are saying that Wizards is just "testing" the mechanic, but where else are they going to get an opportunity to print it again? They've said that double-faced cards in supplemental products have a bunch of logistical issues, and the mechanic itself makes little sense in many other settings or contexts. So why not show off a little more of it in this set?
Personally, I would've liked it if they had printed five or six pairs of meld cards. I initially wanted to see eight, but I feel like that's pushing it for a small set.
I also feel like meld is going to cause a bunch of awkward Limited decisions among lesser players, e.g. "At least two people at the table revealed Graf Rats as their DFCs, I need to take this Midnight Scavengers over a decent playable so they can't get a Chittering Host online!"
The problem with defining this format by what is "fun" is that everyone seems to define fun as what they don't lose to. If you keep losing to easily answered cards, that means you should improve your deck. If you don't want to improve your deck, then you should come to peace with the idea that you are going to lose because you chose to not interact with better strategies.
Even double face cards have cmc equal to the original side when transformed
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712.5b The controller of another player can't make choices or decisions for that player that aren't called for by the rules or by any objects. The controller also can't make any choices or decisions for the player that would be called for by the tournament rules.
Example: The player who's being controlled still chooses whether he or she leaves to visit the restroom, trades a card to someone else, agrees to an intentional draw, or calls a judge about an error or infraction.
I like Hanweir Garrison as a standalone sligh creature. Maybe in casual burn, I kind of like melding in a casual way. I'm wondering if wizards going to make a 4 card combo in the EDH sets
As I said before, it would be cool to see more than three melding pairs, but I am glad it will not really affect limited play (and some players will be able to combine Rats and Scavengers). All right with the world.
A lot of people are saying that Wizards is just "testing" the mechanic, but where else are they going to get an opportunity to print it again? They've said that double-faced cards in supplemental products have a bunch of logistical issues, and the mechanic itself makes little sense in many other settings or contexts.
Well, what about an artifact-related world, where two constructs can meld into a bigger one? Kamigawa-style world, where spirits and living things can meld into something living, yet transcendent ? Energy-based creatures (maybe the Iquati?), merging into bigger ones...?
There is actually lots of possibilities, and I can see them using the mechanic here and there in the future, if it is received well.
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I think the meld mechanic is reason enough to not want to buy packs for the new set. I do like a bunch of the singles in the set, though, like Gisa and Geralf! Finally another zombie commander that will be fun to play. Not sure how playable UB zombies are in modern, but still.
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1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
what do you guys think about this new mechanic? i find it too much a-la yu gi oh lol, unplayable in eternal and this is so sad..
If everything was jusdged based on being playable in eternal. We basically shouldn't by any cards from any set.
It can join morph as a Yugi mechanic I guess. But it seems playable. That's all that really matters in the end.
The concept of facedown cards in Magic predates Yugi. Morph might be after but it only exists because of the cards that made cards go facedown before then.
Unglued was after Yugioh but almost assuredly not inspired by it, was only out for a couple years. BFM was undoubtedly not inspired by it. It's also not the same kind of thing as how YGO's fusions.
At first I didn't like it as it would be horrid in draft in high numbers in my opinion. But in limited numbers it is a different matter. Tapping this things will be a pain and flip cards are a pain in my opinion. But this cards are different and speak to my inner Timmy. I used to have a BFM unglued only casual game. I only got it out one but it made my week. I will have to play them first.
Each half of the common black one (Chittering Host=Graf Rats+Midnight Scavengers)is playable on its own in limited, not exiting but playable, so even if you only get one half your not out of a playable half. If you get both halves it is a bomb. That is cool. Is it playable in constructed, but extremely few commons are.
The red one(Hanweir, the Writhing Township=Hanweir Battlements+Hanweir Garrison) both halves are able to hold its own in the right deck and melding is optional. It needs aggressive red/x midrage to be a thing but I would not rule it out if the right support shows up.
The angel one (Brisela, Voice of Nightmares=Bruna, the Fading Light+Gisela, the Broken Blade) well Gisela, the Broken Blade is Siege Rhino strong. It will see tons of play. The other half is not as good, but Bruna, the Fading Light is not a bad card s it is card advantage but doesn't have a home. maybe a black/whit control deck with it's better half? One thing is for sure it will be hard to lose if Brisela, Voice of Nightmares comes out it will be hard to lose. It protects itself with it's "Your opponents can't cast spells with converted mana cost 3 or less." It shuts down whole decks. Add in flying, first strike, vigilance, lifelink on a 9/10, it might be more devastating then Emrakul, the Promised End. It success depends if Bruna, the Fading Light finds a home where it can stand alone.
One thing is decks that run meld will need to be needing the front half and the meld is just a bonus. If both halves find a home then great the melded card is a success. But even if they never see competitive play I am sure they will see kitchen table play. Not all cards are for all players.
TLDR; A mechanic is only as good or bad as it's executed, and this isn't Yu-Gi-Oh. "Meld" is its own thing and it does it well. I think the cards are well positioned, working on their own but incentives the synergy between each other, with enough pay off on the back end. Well done Wizards. This will be a hit and we will see you try this again with more confidence.
While I understand all the Yu-Gi-Oh comparisons, honestly this is more akin to recent pokemon. Polymorization might seem more appropriate thematically, but mechanically this is more like the pokemon "LEGENDS" cycle. Granted, I don't play much or know much about the Pokemon TCG, I haven't played since the GBA game, but this is 2 cards but together into a super card. I imagine Polymorization would be more of a Sideboard "wish" card and now I'm rambling. The truth is, any mechanic is only as fun as it was executed and by all indications "Meld" was a success.
The first thing this card does well is a simple truth. "No one wants to open a card and realize you need two of them to play it". The seperate halves of the "Meld" mechanic are perfectly fine individual cards. These are not "Double-Faced" cards. Both halves do what they do well enough. So much so that many on the professional level may not even care if a card has "Meld" potential when one card of the pair may be good enough. Hanweir Garrison and Gisela, the Broken Blade both seem powerful enough to be utilized in W/x humans variants or even some white based midrange by themselves. There other sides may be ok, but they're a little more tame and thus may not be worth including in certain lists. However, the "Melded" cards that I've seen have tremendous upside. Even down the the common Meld Pair, Chittering Host is a BOMB! 5/6 Haste, Menace, all your guys get +1 Haste and Menace until EOT?! Tell me that's not a game ending swing if you have any decent board state. Now in that pair, for limited, Midnight Scavengers is probably the value card. 3/3 for 5 may not be special but it's fine, but the recursion effect makes it playable. Graf Rats may not be anything special, but its a 2 mana 2/1 in black. That's fine to fill in your curve but if you already have the Midnight Scavengers suddenly its very good because of it's upward potential! The same is very possibly true for the other two pairs. Hanweir, the Writhing Township seems very good. How good is it? I don't know. Having a 7/4, haste, trample with put 2 3/2's into play does seem like something I'd want but is it worth it to go through the hoops to get it? Well one half is a land, which is essentially a free spell. If you're in red and are already playing Hanweir Garrison then it doesn't take much to include a one of Hanweir Battlements if you think the upside of having access to it's final form. Our final pair seems the most reliant on the "Melded" form, but if Brisela, Voice of Nightmares is as strong as R&D wants her to be than Bruna, the Fading Light is made more playable just by being half of her. The back halves are all good but the front sides need to be just as playable to see play. In this way I think these three were a hit.
The second thing I think they did well is not give us too much at once. There are only three "meld" pairs in the set. The common pair, the Rare Pair, and the Mythic plus Rare. They played it safe this round, and I'm ok with that. Like "Double-Faced" cards before them, these are executed well during a thematic set. They will be hits and we will see them back with a little more confidence in a block they'd be fit in. Plus they're at all the right levels. A common pair for limited that show off the mechanic well. Not super powerful but both have their place in the set and a lot of potential upside. A rare pair with one very playable creature and a fringe playable land. And while the land is more utility than power, it's also easy enough to insert in a deck that plays the value creature half as an essentially "free spell" provided the upside is strong enough, which I think is pretty established the Writhing Township very well could be. And finally we have a Pushed Mythic with a strong, though expensive, partner at rare. The Mythic will be chase but the rare, while expensive, has it's place and if the monstrosity they form is strong enough than the simple synergy that Bruna has enabling Brisela herself. Whether any of them do find esteem post-release, who can yet say. But so far they seem very well set up to succeed or fail on their own merits and I think that's a success. Which brings me to my final point.
Each of the pairs has value on one half and also easily enables itself to meld, provided the material. For the common pair, Midnight Scavengers makes it easy to curve into the Chittering Host, even reviving the rats if needed. While the rats are versatile on their own, as simple 2/1's to play on curve or to form the Bomb-y Super card on the back. By having one, you incentives yourself to include the other. For the Rare pair I already went over it, but it was a smart move to make one half of it a land. It makes it easier to splash in constructed and thus gives it more of a chance to see play. For the Nightmare Fuel, the mythic half of the pair is pushed enough that she will see play regardless. But again, Bruna is fine getting any value human or angel on a cast trigger. Avacyn, New Thalia, of course her sister. She doesn't seem weak but if all you're trying to do is get her in play, a W/r Midrange-y build with Nahiri could do it. I think you stack Nahiri's ultimate to have the pair meld before Bruna would go back into your hand assuming you had Gisela on the field at the time. Either way, in the formats they aim in, they all seem built to play on their own and incentives the potential value of the obvious synergy they possess.
So yeah all things considered I think the potential is there. This was well executed and I think it will be well received as the set goes on. So much so that I will look forward to what this could mean in a future set. Back during the previews of BFZ I had speculations of Planeswalker cards that were two walkers working together. While that never came together, we do have the Gatewatch now. Planeswalkers actively working together in story and concept. If we ever see this enacted mechanically I think Meld would be the perfect mechanic to show it. A Jace card and a Chandra card that are both suitable on their own, but can meld into "Jace and Chandra" working together who's loyalty abilities showcase that. All speculation, but it'd nicely mirror how Double-faced cards debuted in innistrad and was revisited with the Double-Faced Walkers.
A lot of people are saying that Wizards is just "testing" the mechanic, but where else are they going to get an opportunity to print it again? They've said that double-faced cards in supplemental products have a bunch of logistical issues, and the mechanic itself makes little sense in many other settings or contexts.
Well, what about an artifact-related world, where two constructs can meld into a bigger one? Kamigawa-style world, where spirits and living things can meld into something living, yet transcendent ? Energy-based creatures (maybe the Iquati?), merging into bigger ones...?
There is actually lots of possibilities, and I can see them using the mechanic here and there in the future, if it is received well.
I don't see it being received well. It sucks in constructed and is clunky as hell (as some posters have mentioned above). I see it going down in MTG history with Haunt and other forgotten garbage mechanics. Although they may use it in Kaladesh since it's mostly done at this point.
A lot of people are saying that Wizards is just "testing" the mechanic, but where else are they going to get an opportunity to print it again? They've said that double-faced cards in supplemental products have a bunch of logistical issues, and the mechanic itself makes little sense in many other settings or contexts.
Well, what about an artifact-related world, where two constructs can meld into a bigger one? Kamigawa-style world, where spirits and living things can meld into something living, yet transcendent ? Energy-based creatures (maybe the Iquati?), merging into bigger ones...?
There is actually lots of possibilities, and I can see them using the mechanic here and there in the future, if it is received well.
I don't see it being received well. It sucks in constructed and is clunky as hell (as some posters have mentioned above). I see it going down in MTG history with Haunt and other forgotten garbage mechanics. Although they may use it in Kaladesh since it's mostly done at this point.
You never know. People called DFC cards clunky, stupid, etc...when they were first introduced - and look, the most popular mechanic of ISD block.
I just addressed Foam-Dome's statement that it would not make sense elsewhere, and gave rational examples how it could make sense.
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1. A horrendous experience for tournament play, which usually uses sleeve which is only transparent on the face side.
2. A direct card disadvantage when vs removal. A spot removal is now suddenly 1 for 2.
Suggestion on how to make this better:
1. I think Blizzard better make a normal sized card of the melded version, rather than printing it on the back side of the card.
2. Add "may" to the meld clause.
You played JESUS?!?! I heard none of his guys stay in the graveyard, and once you think you have him beat he ALWAYS comes back to win within three turns. I like...WORSHIP him.
You played JESUS?!?! I heard none of his guys stay in the graveyard, and once you think you have him beat he ALWAYS comes back to win within three turns. I like...WORSHIP him.
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I think it'll take a little to get used to it. It's not bad, simply different. I do agree with though about it being used to represent teamwork and not always literal merging. The concept would make sense and would feel more apart of MtG: creatures working together in concert.
BK'rrik Goodstuff
GWSythis Enchantress
URYusri Coin Flip
BRGKorvold Tokens
BGUYarok Lands Matter
WUBRaffine Looter
Yeah, different isn't bad. I'm just not a fan of Eldrazi so I won't use it. But the concept itself seems plenty neat mechanically, it's just flavor that isn't echoing right. I hope that can be conveyed, because I do think there is a market for more in this area even if the flavor isn't what some want.
We'll just have wait and see how it all plays out. At the very least, WotC isn't shoving it down our throats and letting the mechanic just takeover the set. Also, I think we're all a little tired of Eldrazi but this really might be the last we ever see of them. One thing I've learned, however, that someone will always complain, no matter what happens. I just hope we're able to give the mechanic a real chance.
BK'rrik Goodstuff
GWSythis Enchantress
URYusri Coin Flip
BRGKorvold Tokens
BGUYarok Lands Matter
WUBRaffine Looter
Can't say I'm not disappointed about the clunky, awkward look of having two cards matched up, though. If I do end up using these, I might print proxies on a single card to cut down on the table clutter.
Admittedly, the 3 paris we've seen won't see any pair play in eternal formats but who cares. How may prowess creatures sees eternal play....1...Swiftspear...does that mean prowess was a bad or failed mechanic...nope.
I think it leads to alot of creative design choices. Maybe some merge combos get value not when they join but leave the battlefield. Lots of possibilities. Or maybe a graveyard-merge with zombies or vampires.
Personally, I would've liked it if they had printed five or six pairs of meld cards. I initially wanted to see eight, but I feel like that's pushing it for a small set.
I also feel like meld is going to cause a bunch of awkward Limited decisions among lesser players, e.g. "At least two people at the table revealed Graf Rats as their DFCs, I need to take this Midnight Scavengers over a decent playable so they can't get a Chittering Host online!"
Example: The player who's being controlled still chooses whether he or she leaves to visit the restroom, trades a card to someone else, agrees to an intentional draw, or calls a judge about an error or infraction.
How about this?
In his Second 100 days - Yawgmoth's Bargain is unrestricted in Vintage.
What is going to happen in the Next 100 days!!!
Well, what about an artifact-related world, where two constructs can meld into a bigger one? Kamigawa-style world, where spirits and living things can meld into something living, yet transcendent ? Energy-based creatures (maybe the Iquati?), merging into bigger ones...?
There is actually lots of possibilities, and I can see them using the mechanic here and there in the future, if it is received well.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
If everything was jusdged based on being playable in eternal. We basically shouldn't by any cards from any set.
It can join morph as a Yugi mechanic I guess. But it seems playable. That's all that really matters in the end.
At least Wizard should print oversized versions of the 3 puzzle cards.
3BB
Sorcery
You lose the game.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
The concept of facedown cards in Magic predates Yugi. Morph might be after but it only exists because of the cards that made cards go facedown before then.
Unglued was after Yugioh but almost assuredly not inspired by it, was only out for a couple years. BFM was undoubtedly not inspired by it. It's also not the same kind of thing as how YGO's fusions.
Each half of the common black one (Chittering Host=Graf Rats+Midnight Scavengers)is playable on its own in limited, not exiting but playable, so even if you only get one half your not out of a playable half. If you get both halves it is a bomb. That is cool. Is it playable in constructed, but extremely few commons are.
The red one(Hanweir, the Writhing Township=Hanweir Battlements+Hanweir Garrison) both halves are able to hold its own in the right deck and melding is optional. It needs aggressive red/x midrage to be a thing but I would not rule it out if the right support shows up.
The angel one (Brisela, Voice of Nightmares=Bruna, the Fading Light+Gisela, the Broken Blade) well Gisela, the Broken Blade is Siege Rhino strong. It will see tons of play. The other half is not as good, but Bruna, the Fading Light is not a bad card s it is card advantage but doesn't have a home. maybe a black/whit control deck with it's better half? One thing is for sure it will be hard to lose if Brisela, Voice of Nightmares comes out it will be hard to lose. It protects itself with it's "Your opponents can't cast spells with converted mana cost 3 or less." It shuts down whole decks. Add in flying, first strike, vigilance, lifelink on a 9/10, it might be more devastating then Emrakul, the Promised End. It success depends if Bruna, the Fading Light finds a home where it can stand alone.
One thing is decks that run meld will need to be needing the front half and the meld is just a bonus. If both halves find a home then great the melded card is a success. But even if they never see competitive play I am sure they will see kitchen table play. Not all cards are for all players.
The first thing this card does well is a simple truth. "No one wants to open a card and realize you need two of them to play it". The seperate halves of the "Meld" mechanic are perfectly fine individual cards. These are not "Double-Faced" cards. Both halves do what they do well enough. So much so that many on the professional level may not even care if a card has "Meld" potential when one card of the pair may be good enough. Hanweir Garrison and Gisela, the Broken Blade both seem powerful enough to be utilized in W/x humans variants or even some white based midrange by themselves. There other sides may be ok, but they're a little more tame and thus may not be worth including in certain lists. However, the "Melded" cards that I've seen have tremendous upside. Even down the the common Meld Pair, Chittering Host is a BOMB! 5/6 Haste, Menace, all your guys get +1 Haste and Menace until EOT?! Tell me that's not a game ending swing if you have any decent board state. Now in that pair, for limited, Midnight Scavengers is probably the value card. 3/3 for 5 may not be special but it's fine, but the recursion effect makes it playable. Graf Rats may not be anything special, but its a 2 mana 2/1 in black. That's fine to fill in your curve but if you already have the Midnight Scavengers suddenly its very good because of it's upward potential! The same is very possibly true for the other two pairs. Hanweir, the Writhing Township seems very good. How good is it? I don't know. Having a 7/4, haste, trample with put 2 3/2's into play does seem like something I'd want but is it worth it to go through the hoops to get it? Well one half is a land, which is essentially a free spell. If you're in red and are already playing Hanweir Garrison then it doesn't take much to include a one of Hanweir Battlements if you think the upside of having access to it's final form. Our final pair seems the most reliant on the "Melded" form, but if Brisela, Voice of Nightmares is as strong as R&D wants her to be than Bruna, the Fading Light is made more playable just by being half of her. The back halves are all good but the front sides need to be just as playable to see play. In this way I think these three were a hit.
The second thing I think they did well is not give us too much at once. There are only three "meld" pairs in the set. The common pair, the Rare Pair, and the Mythic plus Rare. They played it safe this round, and I'm ok with that. Like "Double-Faced" cards before them, these are executed well during a thematic set. They will be hits and we will see them back with a little more confidence in a block they'd be fit in. Plus they're at all the right levels. A common pair for limited that show off the mechanic well. Not super powerful but both have their place in the set and a lot of potential upside. A rare pair with one very playable creature and a fringe playable land. And while the land is more utility than power, it's also easy enough to insert in a deck that plays the value creature half as an essentially "free spell" provided the upside is strong enough, which I think is pretty established the Writhing Township very well could be. And finally we have a Pushed Mythic with a strong, though expensive, partner at rare. The Mythic will be chase but the rare, while expensive, has it's place and if the monstrosity they form is strong enough than the simple synergy that Bruna has enabling Brisela herself. Whether any of them do find esteem post-release, who can yet say. But so far they seem very well set up to succeed or fail on their own merits and I think that's a success. Which brings me to my final point.
Each of the pairs has value on one half and also easily enables itself to meld, provided the material. For the common pair, Midnight Scavengers makes it easy to curve into the Chittering Host, even reviving the rats if needed. While the rats are versatile on their own, as simple 2/1's to play on curve or to form the Bomb-y Super card on the back. By having one, you incentives yourself to include the other. For the Rare pair I already went over it, but it was a smart move to make one half of it a land. It makes it easier to splash in constructed and thus gives it more of a chance to see play. For the Nightmare Fuel, the mythic half of the pair is pushed enough that she will see play regardless. But again, Bruna is fine getting any value human or angel on a cast trigger. Avacyn, New Thalia, of course her sister. She doesn't seem weak but if all you're trying to do is get her in play, a W/r Midrange-y build with Nahiri could do it. I think you stack Nahiri's ultimate to have the pair meld before Bruna would go back into your hand assuming you had Gisela on the field at the time. Either way, in the formats they aim in, they all seem built to play on their own and incentives the potential value of the obvious synergy they possess.
So yeah all things considered I think the potential is there. This was well executed and I think it will be well received as the set goes on. So much so that I will look forward to what this could mean in a future set. Back during the previews of BFZ I had speculations of Planeswalker cards that were two walkers working together. While that never came together, we do have the Gatewatch now. Planeswalkers actively working together in story and concept. If we ever see this enacted mechanically I think Meld would be the perfect mechanic to show it. A Jace card and a Chandra card that are both suitable on their own, but can meld into "Jace and Chandra" working together who's loyalty abilities showcase that. All speculation, but it'd nicely mirror how Double-faced cards debuted in innistrad and was revisited with the Double-Faced Walkers.
CUBE: http://www.cubetutor.com/viewcube/73964;jsessionid=2DE1F5FF41A24820A137448A2FD5CF8F
I LIKE DRAGONS!
I don't see it being received well. It sucks in constructed and is clunky as hell (as some posters have mentioned above). I see it going down in MTG history with Haunt and other forgotten garbage mechanics. Although they may use it in Kaladesh since it's mostly done at this point.
You never know. People called DFC cards clunky, stupid, etc...when they were first introduced - and look, the most popular mechanic of ISD block.
I just addressed Foam-Dome's statement that it would not make sense elsewhere, and gave rational examples how it could make sense.
Let this great clan rest in peace (2001-2011)
1. A horrendous experience for tournament play, which usually uses sleeve which is only transparent on the face side.
2. A direct card disadvantage when vs removal. A spot removal is now suddenly 1 for 2.
Suggestion on how to make this better:
1. I think Blizzard better make a normal sized card of the melded version, rather than printing it on the back side of the card.
2. Add "may" to the meld clause.
My 180 Modern Bordered Only Cube
No it's not. transformed side cmc=0.
My 180 Modern Bordered Only Cube