Morph, Manifest, Disguise, and Cloak
Murders at Karlov Manor marks the first major MTG release of 2024, and I couldn’t be more excited. We’re returning to the plane of Ravnica and reuniting with beloved characters. This set is the featured Booster Draft format for the upcoming Pro Tour Chicago and is expected to have a significant impact on Pioneer, the constructed portion of the Pro Tour.
Today, let’s dive deep into the disguise and cloak mechanics, placing them within the broader context of MTG’s long history with morph, manifest, and face-down creatures. Morph, in particular, played a significant role in both the Onslaught and Khans of Tarkir blocks, which I highlighted in my Greatest MTG Limited Formats article. If you’re a TCGplayer subscriber, check it out. If not, wait until the final week of February when all ChannelFireball content becomes free for everyone!
Introducing Morph: Onslaught, Legions, and Scourge
Morph first appeared in Onslaught, Legions, and Scourge. This mechanic proved to be interesting, offering challenging gameplay, exciting moments, and fun stories. However, the original implementation involved a lot of guessing and potential blowouts. A common scenario involved an opponent attacking with a morph creature into your 2/2. If you blocked, they could unmorph into something bigger, defeating your creature. If you didn’t block, they could unmorph into something that punished you upon connecting. The worst was Skirk Commando, which would kill your 2/2 regardless.
Morph’s Return in Khans of Tarkir
After a 12-year hiatus, morph returned in Khans of Tarkir. The mechanic remained the same, but its execution was significantly improved. Morph creatures were designed so that if a creature could be turned face up to beat a 2/2 in combat, it required at least five mana. This meant you could safely block without fearing devastating blowouts like Zombie Cutthroat. This genius adjustment made Khans of Tarkir a legendarily fun Limited environment, arguably the best ever. While I haven’t fully examined the Murders card list, I’d be surprised if they deviated from this pattern in the new set.
Manifest Debuts in Fate Reforged
Fate Reforged introduced manifest, allowing any card to be put face down as a 2/2 creature. If it was a noncreature card, you were stuck with a 2/2. If it was a creature, you could turn it face up for its mana cost. Manifest solidified the identity of face-down cards on the battlefield, often behaving like tokens but occasionally revealing creatures for unexpected and profitable outcomes.
Disguise: A New Twist on Morph and Manifest
Disguise will debut in Murders at Karlov Manor, resembling morph but with an additional ward 2 while the creature is face-down. This change aligns with the evolving design principles and power creep of MTG. The game has become more “friendly,” reducing the risk of losing your cards to simple spells. For instance, while a Shock can still be reprinted in MKM, it now requires three mana to kill a disguised creature. This added protection makes strategic risks less punishing, catering to a broader player base.
Additionally, power creep necessitates that new cards do exciting and increasingly powerful things. A three-mana 2/2 might have sufficed in 2002, but in 2024, an additional ward 2 is both appropriate and necessary. In Onslaught and Khans of Tarkir Limited, it was acceptable to make your first play on turn three by casting a morph. However, modern Limited formats require plays by turn two to keep up with faster draws. Any one or two-mana creature capable of attacking into a disguised creature on turn three will likely be a high pick.
Cloak: Manifest Reimagined
Cloak is to disguise what manifest is to morph. It presents another intriguing variation on face-down creatures. The mystery of whether a cloaked card is a harmless Swamp or something more formidable adds excitement. Although it appears cloaking won’t be prevalent in the set, its occasional presence will make it special and fun.
Conclusion
I’m thrilled that face-down creatures are returning in Murders at Karlov Manor. Morph, as executed in Khans of Tarkir, was immensely enjoyable for Limited play. While the coexistence of morph and disguise may introduce some complexity, MTG’s evolution requires continuous innovation and exploration. If disguise and cloak enhance the fun in Murders at Karlov Manor, then count me in!
