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Charms
 

A Charm is a modal instant spell with three possible results of which one can be selected. Charms usually appear in horizontal cycles.[1]

Description[ | ]

So far there have been charms at common that cost a single colored mana, charms at uncommon that cost three different colored mana, and charms at uncommon costing two colored mana.[2] According to Mark Rosewater in 2014, players like these Charms and he was pretty sure they would see them again (knowing that they would appear in Khans of Tarkir).[3] The multicolor modes are arranged in order of the mana cost, left-to-right, for each color's ability.

The term "Charm" came from the Mirage design team, referencing a fantasy term for a small object with tiny amounts of magic. The name has become a staple for this type of effect, but the names now imply a small magical effect rather than a magical object.[4]

Charming Prince from Throne of Eldraine and Charming Scoundrel from Wilds of Eldraine, creatures with a trimodal enters-the-battlefield ability, are nods to the charms.[5]

Charm cycles[ | ]

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Mirage charms Ivory Charm Sapphire Charm Ebony Charm Chaos Charm Seedling Charm
Visions charms Hope Charm Vision Charm Funeral Charm Hearth Charm Emerald Charm
Funeral Charm has been reprinted in the timeshifted portion of Time Spiral without its counterparts.
Onslaught charms Piety Charm Trickery Charm Misery Charm Fever Charm Vitality Charm
Planar Chaos charms Dawn Charm Piracy Charm Midnight Charm Fury Charm Evolution Charm
A cycle with exceptions as only Dawn, Fury, and Evolution Charm cost 1C, while Piracy Charm is a timeshifted mirrored pair to Funeral Charm.[6] The first mode of each charm is an in-color pie effect, while the second mode is a less common ability still within that color and the third mode is off-color compared to the usual color pie (keeping with the modified color pie theme for Planar Chaos).
Unknown Event charms Theros Charm Ulgrotha Charm Innistrad Charm Tarkir Charm Kamigawa Charm
During the Unknown Event in Minneapolis, this cycle of charms were named for five different Planes. The modes of each charm were three different same-color spells that fit within the setting of each plane the charms are associated with. As playtest cards, these cards do not have any official printings.
Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W}
Return to Ravnica block charms Azorius Charm Dimir Charm Rakdos Charm Gruul Charm Selesnya Charm
All guild charms were reprinted in their respective guild kit except for Simic. The third mode is a hybrid-mana option.
Cycle name {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Return to Ravnica block charms Orzhov Charm Izzet Charm Golgari Charm Boros Charm Simic Charm
All guild charms were reprinted in their respective guild kit except for Simic. The third mode is a hybrid-mana option.
Cycle name {G}{W}{U} {W}{U}{B} {U}{B}{R} {B}{R}{G} {R}{G}{W}
Planeshift charms Treva's Charm Dromar's Charm Crosis's Charm Darigaaz's Charm Rith's Charm
Also called Dragon Charms as they are named after a cycle of legendary dragons.
Shards of Alara charms Bant Charm Esper Charm Grixis Charm Jund Charm Naya Charm
Streets of New Capenna charms[1] Brokers Charm Obscura Charm Maestros Charm Riveteers Charm Cabaretti Charm
Cycle name {W}{B}{G} {U}{R}{W} {B}{G}{U} {R}{W}{B} {G}{U}{R}
Khans of Tarkir charms Abzan Charm Jeskai Charm Sultai Charm Mardu Charm Temur Charm
First cycle that uses the new bullet-point layout for modal spells.
Mega-mega cycle {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Archmaster Charms Archmage's Charm (Modern Horizons) Archdruid's Charm (Murders at Karlov Manor)
A mega-mega cycle of Charms that cost MMM. Started with Archmage's Charm in Modern Horizons and continued with Archdruid's Charm in Murders at Karlov Manor.[7]

Non-cycles[ | ]

Other charms[ | ]

Charm Creatures[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. a b Mark Rosewater (April 18, 2022). "Word on the Streets of New Capenna, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Mark Rosewater (September 17, 2012). "Return on Investment, Part 3". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2014). "Any chance we'll see charms again?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. Mark Rosewater (April 13, 2015). "Maro's Command". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Mark Rosewater (May 3, 2023). "Is CHARMing Prince an intentional reference to the 3 mode charm spells?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. Magic Arcana (February 6, 2007). "Planar Chaos Charms". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. Mark Rosewater (January 29, 2024). "Only Murders That We're Building, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. Mark Rosewater (January 10, 2016). "Why did you make a 2 mana, 3 choice instant without charm in the name?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
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