MTG MIRRODIN REGULAR MOL FACTORY SET

Starting with the Mirrodin block, WotC took 44 cards out of the large expansion and added 22 cards to each of the two small expansions. Mirrodin therefore contained 306 black-bordered cards (88 rares, 88 uncommons, 110 commons, and 20 basic lands), which is 22 rares and 22 uncommons less than Onslaught. Mirrodin features a heavy artifact theme. Its expansion symbol is a small image of Sword of Kaldra, a card from the set. Mirrodin introduced a new artifact subtype in Equipment with the accompanying keyword equip, representing armor, swords, and other utensils which can be attached to a creature to enhance that creature. Unlike Auras, the equipment stays on the battlefield even if the creature it's attached to dies. The set is also noted for allusions to famous artifacts and related mechanics from previous blocks, such as Chrome Mox or Clockwork creatures. The set also featured Solemn Simulacrum, Jens Thoren's invitational card. Mirrodin was the first expansion set to feature the new card face which had debuted in Eighth Edition. The high number of artifacts revealed the inherent flaw of the new card frame: they were very hard to distinguish from white cards.

Tournament impact

Mirrodin is infamous for an imbalanced power level due to the set not restricting most of its cards to a certain color and the introduction of the affinity mechanic and artifact lands which synergized with each other. The set contained many cards that were banned or restricted in several competitive formats, such as Disciple of the Vault, the artifact land cycle, and Thirst for Knowledge.

Themes and mechanics

• Artifacts, including artifacts with colored activation costs, artifact lands, and Equipment.
• Affinity — Makes cards cheaper to cast by 1 for each permanent controlled by its caster of a certain type specified (usually artifacts).
• Imprint — This ability found on artifacts like Chrome Mox allows you to exile a card and "imprint" attributes of that card onto the artifact, such as colors or abilities.
• Entwine — Appears on modal spells and represents an extra cost; paying that cost allows you to use both effects instead of only one, such as on Tooth and Nail.
• Equipment — An artifact subtype that has the equip keyword ability. By paying the equip cost, it becomes attached to a creature you control. If that creature leaves the battlefield, the Equipment becomes unattached and remains on the battlefield. Paying the equip cost also allows the Equipment to be moved from one creature to another.

Notable cards

• Chimney Imp — Arguably one of the worst creatures ever printed.
• Glissa Sunseeker — One of two cards that refer to unspent mana outside of the context of losing mana at the end of phases. The other is the unusual mana rock Doubling Cube.
• Fatespinner — While skipping draw steps turns up as a downside for draw engines, and skipping combat has happened a few times as a pre-emptive Fog, Fatespinner is the only card to skip a main phase.
• Grim Reminder — A curious card that punishes the opponent for playing the same cards as the controller. The only card that reveals a searched card without putting it anywhere else.
• Liar's Pendulum — The first black-bordered card to feature Guess.
• Mindslaver — Rules had to be added to the Comprehensive Rules for controlling another player's turn due to this card's effect.
• Chalice of the Void — A staple of Legacy prison decks.
• Disciple of the Vault — A staple of Standard and Legacy affinity decks; this card rapidly decreases the opponent's life total when used correctly.
• Platinum Angel — It had good synergies with cards like Shield of Kaldra.
• Reiver Demon — Great for mass removal and as a finisher, even if the meta was full of artifacts.
• Sword of Kaldra — The first card of the unusual Kaldra mega cycle spanning Mirrodin block, and the set symbol for Mirrodin.