Animals rule in the Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow set, featuring a new mechanic called Pawprint. Here’s how it works and what MTG cards you’ll find it on.
What is the MTG Pawprint mechanic?
The new MTG Pawprint mechanic showcased in the Standard-legal set Bloomburrow features multiple modal spells you can play on a cycle of Season cards.
- Pawprint definition: Choose up to five Pawprints worth of modes. You may choose the same mode more than once.
Spend up to five Pawprints only per Season spell. A modal option with three Pawprints can only activate once. Pawprints are not a resource. They don’t save or carry over into the next turn. The first modal option costs one Pawprint, while the second costs two, and the third costs three.
The Pawprint mechanic is a unique spin on modal spells but I don’t see the cards having a huge impact within the Standard format. Season spells will get added to some decks but in small quantities or through the sideboard only. Within the Limited Blooburrow format, though, watch out for these Mythic Rares because they’ll change the course of a game.
What Bloomburrow cards feature MTG Pawprint mechanic?
Within the Bloomburrow MTG set, there’s a cycle of Season Mythic Rare cards. The Season cycle contains only five spells at Sorcery speed, featuring the Pawprint mechanic. Season Bloomburrow cards are not cheap to cast, but the power level of the modal options is equal to its mana cost.
Season of Loss
Season of Loss is a powerful spell with the first modal Pawprint option having each player sacrifice a creature. You can choose this option up to five times or use the second modal option that has you draw a card for each creature that died under your control. And the third modal option steals life from opponents equal to the number of creature cards in your graveyard.
Season of Weaving
Much like Season of Loss, the Blue Season of Weaving features three modal abilities that players want from Blue MTG cards. Draw a card for one Pawprint or return permanents to its owner’s hand for three.
