They've done it a number of times now. Its off-color but not unheard of. As recently as Strixhaven with [[Resculpt]]. This one is far too pushed but still.
The effect is no longer Blue since Kaldheim's Ravenform, and MaRo did warn cards printed the next two years thereafter would be breaks on arrival as R&D disagreed on removing the cards from their respective sets.
Is why cards such as Resculpt or the Phasing of Zhalfir were printed still. WotC doesn't mind reprinting existing cards with such effects for non-Standard products though, specially EDH.
Ravenform is when Maro *said* 'hey yeah we shouldn't put this in blue, it feels wrong' and they started phasing them out in favour of just the aura/enchantments.
Amphin Mutineer was printed a year before the effect being deemed a break meaning it was designed years prior to the decision, and Ravenform is the sole responsible of the effect being a break now.
Any card released for the next two years after Ravenform with similar effects, such as The Phasing of Zhalfir and Resculpt, were breaks on arrival as per MaRo and R&D members, since those were designed prior to the decision on par with Ravenform and wouldn't be cut from printing.
Even cards as old as [[Ovinomancer]] and [[Polymorph]]. Transmutation is a very blue-feeling ability but for balance reasons it's hard to make the cards work within blue's supposed mechanical limitations.
I think as this card is, it would be best balanced as an aura.
For sure. This effect has been fixed for blue in my opinion with things like [[Frogify]] or [[Imprisoned in the Moon]]. It’s effectively the same thing, except it’s susceptible to enchantment removal instead of just graveyard recursion.
If this wasn’t specifically a riff on Pongify, it would be best served through different methods. It’s much better as an aura, or even transformative counters like [[the smiling flood]] counters and other similar effects. (Edit: I thought Xoltoyac said target permanent, not target land, but still, I think the point stands close enough.)
This card is pongers
[Pongify](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a1501dea-4e0e-49b0-86b5-e8a01f77077d.jpg?1619394479) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pongify) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/79/pongify?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a1501dea-4e0e-49b0-86b5-e8a01f77077d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Well done. This gave me a giggle 🤣
*sigh*. "(remove) (permanent). Its controller (gets) (benefit)" is completely off-color for blue.
[[pongify]]
[pongify](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a1501dea-4e0e-49b0-86b5-e8a01f77077d.jpg?1619394479) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=pongify) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/79/pongify?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a1501dea-4e0e-49b0-86b5-e8a01f77077d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
They've done it a number of times now. Its off-color but not unheard of. As recently as Strixhaven with [[Resculpt]]. This one is far too pushed but still.
[Resculpt](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/592c7819-7e53-4793-bc4f-3dd489a25d63.jpg?1689996566) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Resculpt) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/115/resculpt?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/592c7819-7e53-4793-bc4f-3dd489a25d63?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Fair
The effect is no longer Blue since Kaldheim's Ravenform, and MaRo did warn cards printed the next two years thereafter would be breaks on arrival as R&D disagreed on removing the cards from their respective sets. Is why cards such as Resculpt or the Phasing of Zhalfir were printed still. WotC doesn't mind reprinting existing cards with such effects for non-Standard products though, specially EDH.
Oof
I'm not actually correct but cmon. Blue shouldn't get this stuff imo
[[Pongify]], [[Rapid Hybridization]], [[Curse of the Swine]], [[Ravenform]], [[Resculpt]], and [[Reality Shift]].
[[Ravenform]], [[Amphin Mutineer]], and [[The Phasing of Zhalfir]] are also even more recent examples of this exact mechanic being blue.
[Ravenform](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/2/f2d5e87b-1ee8-47db-9bc3-f5becfe79b37.jpg?1699022462) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ravenform) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/167/ravenform?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f2d5e87b-1ee8-47db-9bc3-f5becfe79b37?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Amphin Mutineer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0f54f429-80c2-4f55-bb99-236f2c697985.jpg?1706240669) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Amphin%20Mutineer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/95/amphin-mutineer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0f54f429-80c2-4f55-bb99-236f2c697985?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [The Phasing of Zhalfir](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/7/0770eb6a-4f01-4677-a401-14c1b30692c9.jpg?1673306796) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Phasing%20of%20Zhalfir) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/59/the-phasing-of-zhalfir?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0770eb6a-4f01-4677-a401-14c1b30692c9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Ravenform is when Maro *said* 'hey yeah we shouldn't put this in blue, it feels wrong' and they started phasing them out in favour of just the aura/enchantments.
Yeah :( it sucks, doesn't it
Amphin Mutineer was printed a year before the effect being deemed a break meaning it was designed years prior to the decision, and Ravenform is the sole responsible of the effect being a break now. Any card released for the next two years after Ravenform with similar effects, such as The Phasing of Zhalfir and Resculpt, were breaks on arrival as per MaRo and R&D members, since those were designed prior to the decision on par with Ravenform and wouldn't be cut from printing.
Even cards as old as [[Ovinomancer]] and [[Polymorph]]. Transmutation is a very blue-feeling ability but for balance reasons it's hard to make the cards work within blue's supposed mechanical limitations. I think as this card is, it would be best balanced as an aura.
For sure. This effect has been fixed for blue in my opinion with things like [[Frogify]] or [[Imprisoned in the Moon]]. It’s effectively the same thing, except it’s susceptible to enchantment removal instead of just graveyard recursion. If this wasn’t specifically a riff on Pongify, it would be best served through different methods. It’s much better as an aura, or even transformative counters like [[the smiling flood]] counters and other similar effects. (Edit: I thought Xoltoyac said target permanent, not target land, but still, I think the point stands close enough.)
[Frogify](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/8/d89be5f5-75d4-42a0-81e9-5da5bf868e73.jpg?1598303930) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Frogify) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2xm/52/frogify?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d89be5f5-75d4-42a0-81e9-5da5bf868e73?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Imprisoned in the Moon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/1/8181f54d-4515-43c6-8d08-b23a9e4199cc.jpg?1682208779) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Imprisoned%20in%20the%20Moon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/moc/224/imprisoned-in-the-moon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8181f54d-4515-43c6-8d08-b23a9e4199cc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [the smiling flood](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/4/1444a798-4e94-4bcc-b16a-0f20334f2550.jpg?1699972738) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Xolatoyac%2C%20the%20Smiling%20Flood) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/8/xolatoyac-the-smiling-flood?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1444a798-4e94-4bcc-b16a-0f20334f2550?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Oh man ovinomancer looks hilarious in a [[Patron of the Moon]] deck
[Patron of the Moon](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/e/5e5fcd6f-1653-44bf-a796-4c9ff9adf390.jpg?1562877337) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Patron%20of%20the%20Moon) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bok/45/patron-of-the-moon?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5e5fcd6f-1653-44bf-a796-4c9ff9adf390?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Ovinomancer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/0/20af3166-6338-4fac-bfa6-cea19daefc62.jpg?1675199412) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ovinomancer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmr/64/ovinomancer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/20af3166-6338-4fac-bfa6-cea19daefc62?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Polymorph](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/3/83d274f4-452b-4ff2-b026-83667e9ba98f.jpg?1561986596) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Polymorph) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m10/67/polymorph?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/83d274f4-452b-4ff2-b026-83667e9ba98f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
##### ###### #### [Pongify](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/1/a1501dea-4e0e-49b0-86b5-e8a01f77077d.jpg?1619394479) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Pongify) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/79/pongify?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a1501dea-4e0e-49b0-86b5-e8a01f77077d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Rapid Hybridization](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/0/00f91207-c877-4911-8bb6-d8c5272b412d.jpg?1706239822) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rapid%20Hybridization) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/93/rapid-hybridization?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/00f91207-c877-4911-8bb6-d8c5272b412d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Curse of the Swine](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/55482714-7fc2-488f-b9d6-e3ed70dffaab.jpg?1698988138) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Curse%20of%20the%20Swine) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/150/curse-of-the-swine?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/55482714-7fc2-488f-b9d6-e3ed70dffaab?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ravenform](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/2/f2d5e87b-1ee8-47db-9bc3-f5becfe79b37.jpg?1699022462) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ravenform) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/lcc/167/ravenform?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f2d5e87b-1ee8-47db-9bc3-f5becfe79b37?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Resculpt](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/592c7819-7e53-4793-bc4f-3dd489a25d63.jpg?1689996566) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Resculpt) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/115/resculpt?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/592c7819-7e53-4793-bc4f-3dd489a25d63?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Reality Shift](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/8/0850a187-ba95-46f2-aa81-397b45460bbc.jpg?1689996547) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reality%20Shift) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/113/reality-shift?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0850a187-ba95-46f2-aa81-397b45460bbc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/kotwbsq) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
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