Magic Data Science
@mtgds.bsky.social
Doing math with Magic; doing Magic with math.
(Chromatic Lantern; Julie Dillon)
(Chromatic Lantern; Julie Dillon)
Pinned
Magic Data Science
@mtgds.bsky.social
· Jul 28
A thread that serves as a directory for articles I've written, links to things I've created, and recurring themes.
This is a good place to start if you're new to Magic Data Science.
This is a good place to start if you're new to Magic Data Science.
Reposted by Magic Data Science
Here's a #scryfalltip for the civic-minded among you:
@scryfall.com really benefits from high-quality scans submitted by normal people, just like you! In fact, they maintain a list of cards for which such scans are still needed; just search for:
is:wanted unique:prints
@scryfall.com really benefits from high-quality scans submitted by normal people, just like you! In fact, they maintain a list of cards for which such scans are still needed; just search for:
is:wanted unique:prints
November 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Here's a #scryfalltip for the civic-minded among you:
@scryfall.com really benefits from high-quality scans submitted by normal people, just like you! In fact, they maintain a list of cards for which such scans are still needed; just search for:
is:wanted unique:prints
@scryfall.com really benefits from high-quality scans submitted by normal people, just like you! In fact, they maintain a list of cards for which such scans are still needed; just search for:
is:wanted unique:prints
Reposted by Magic Data Science
Let's play Spot The Difference!
There is exactly one difference between these two iterations of the same card (which is the back side of Kuja, Genome Sorcerer). Can you spot it?
There is exactly one difference between these two iterations of the same card (which is the back side of Kuja, Genome Sorcerer). Can you spot it?
November 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Let's play Spot The Difference!
There is exactly one difference between these two iterations of the same card (which is the back side of Kuja, Genome Sorcerer). Can you spot it?
There is exactly one difference between these two iterations of the same card (which is the back side of Kuja, Genome Sorcerer). Can you spot it?
This -- a single creature type appearing on mono-colored cards of all five colors in one set -- has actually happened a lot! Mainly with Human, but that's boring, so here are some of the primary examples:
Phyrexian in ONE
Spirit in CHK, BOK, and SOK
Phyrexian in NPH and MOM
...
Phyrexian in ONE
Spirit in CHK, BOK, and SOK
Phyrexian in NPH and MOM
...
November 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This -- a single creature type appearing on mono-colored cards of all five colors in one set -- has actually happened a lot! Mainly with Human, but that's boring, so here are some of the primary examples:
Phyrexian in ONE
Spirit in CHK, BOK, and SOK
Phyrexian in NPH and MOM
...
Phyrexian in ONE
Spirit in CHK, BOK, and SOK
Phyrexian in NPH and MOM
...
Here is one of my favorite ways to visualize color strength in a Limited format, for TLA.
You can see there is a little bit of stratification among the commons, but the lines are still reasonably tangled-up. Blue a bit deeper at the top, white a bit deeper overall...
You can see there is a little bit of stratification among the commons, but the lines are still reasonably tangled-up. Blue a bit deeper at the top, white a bit deeper overall...
November 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Here is one of my favorite ways to visualize color strength in a Limited format, for TLA.
You can see there is a little bit of stratification among the commons, but the lines are still reasonably tangled-up. Blue a bit deeper at the top, white a bit deeper overall...
You can see there is a little bit of stratification among the commons, but the lines are still reasonably tangled-up. Blue a bit deeper at the top, white a bit deeper overall...
@anthony.luckypaper.co @andy.luckypaper.co
Was the intro to this episode just... intro music? No bit? Or was the music a reference that went over my head?
Was the intro to this episode just... intro music? No bit? Or was the music a reference that went over my head?
Episode 279: The Top 10 Myths About Cube — Lucky Paper Radio
Andy and Anthony dispel some of the common myths about MTG Cube from the mistaken impression that the Vintage Cube is the definitive form to cubes needing exactly 8 players to draft.
luckypaper.co
November 25, 2025 at 6:35 PM
@anthony.luckypaper.co @andy.luckypaper.co
Was the intro to this episode just... intro music? No bit? Or was the music a reference that went over my head?
Was the intro to this episode just... intro music? No bit? Or was the music a reference that went over my head?
Shadowfax-worthy
Snow Mercy's second ability may still be my greatest contribution to Magic. #WotCstaff
Answer to yesterday’s #mtgtrivia question:
No Mercy. It was parodied on the holiday card Snow Mercy.
#WotCStaff
No Mercy. It was parodied on the holiday card Snow Mercy.
#WotCStaff
November 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Shadowfax-worthy
Here's a #scryfalltip for the civic-minded among you:
@scryfall.com really benefits from high-quality scans submitted by normal people, just like you! In fact, they maintain a list of cards for which such scans are still needed; just search for:
is:wanted unique:prints
@scryfall.com really benefits from high-quality scans submitted by normal people, just like you! In fact, they maintain a list of cards for which such scans are still needed; just search for:
is:wanted unique:prints
November 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Here's a #scryfalltip for the civic-minded among you:
@scryfall.com really benefits from high-quality scans submitted by normal people, just like you! In fact, they maintain a list of cards for which such scans are still needed; just search for:
is:wanted unique:prints
@scryfall.com really benefits from high-quality scans submitted by normal people, just like you! In fact, they maintain a list of cards for which such scans are still needed; just search for:
is:wanted unique:prints
Let's play Spot The Difference!
There is exactly one difference between these two iterations of the same card (which is the back side of Kuja, Genome Sorcerer). Can you spot it?
There is exactly one difference between these two iterations of the same card (which is the back side of Kuja, Genome Sorcerer). Can you spot it?
November 25, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Let's play Spot The Difference!
There is exactly one difference between these two iterations of the same card (which is the back side of Kuja, Genome Sorcerer). Can you spot it?
There is exactly one difference between these two iterations of the same card (which is the back side of Kuja, Genome Sorcerer). Can you spot it?
If folks are worried about Dredge, how about a little guy who does the "rummage to library" thing?
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭 {R}
Creature -- Imp Sorcerer
When ~ enters, you may put a card from your hand on the bottom of your library. If you do, draw a card.
1/1
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭 {R}
Creature -- Imp Sorcerer
When ~ enters, you may put a card from your hand on the bottom of your library. If you do, draw a card.
1/1
November 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM
If folks are worried about Dredge, how about a little guy who does the "rummage to library" thing?
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭 {R}
Creature -- Imp Sorcerer
When ~ enters, you may put a card from your hand on the bottom of your library. If you do, draw a card.
1/1
𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭 {R}
Creature -- Imp Sorcerer
When ~ enters, you may put a card from your hand on the bottom of your library. If you do, draw a card.
1/1
Someone asked @maro254.bsky.social whether there were any palindromic Magic cards. I have done some looking into this...
November 25, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Someone asked @maro254.bsky.social whether there were any palindromic Magic cards. I have done some looking into this...
I find it kind of interesting that for 2mv, we have *many* versions of the 1/1 creature that cantrips, but there is no 1mv 1/1 creature that ETB loots nor one that rummages.
As in literally just, "When this creature enters, draw a card, then discard a card."
As in literally just, "When this creature enters, draw a card, then discard a card."
November 25, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I find it kind of interesting that for 2mv, we have *many* versions of the 1/1 creature that cantrips, but there is no 1mv 1/1 creature that ETB loots nor one that rummages.
As in literally just, "When this creature enters, draw a card, then discard a card."
As in literally just, "When this creature enters, draw a card, then discard a card."
What abstract concept needs to be made into an Elemental next? And what color(s) should it be?
Like....
𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞: black
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: red
𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞: white
𝐙𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐠𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭: white/black
𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: black/red
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: blue
Like....
𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞: black
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: red
𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞: white
𝐙𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐠𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭: white/black
𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: black/red
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: blue
November 23, 2025 at 2:12 AM
What abstract concept needs to be made into an Elemental next? And what color(s) should it be?
Like....
𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞: black
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: red
𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞: white
𝐙𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐠𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭: white/black
𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: black/red
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: blue
Like....
𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞: black
𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: red
𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞: white
𝐙𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐠𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭: white/black
𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: black/red
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: blue
(Warning: mostly-Pauper-Cube-related thoughts)
I *love* these spellslinger → +1/+1 counter cards, but I've come to the realization that they're just not good enough.
I think one of the strengths of Izzet is the cheap spells, especially ones that replace themselves, but...
I *love* these spellslinger → +1/+1 counter cards, but I've come to the realization that they're just not good enough.
I think one of the strengths of Izzet is the cheap spells, especially ones that replace themselves, but...
November 23, 2025 at 1:00 AM
(Warning: mostly-Pauper-Cube-related thoughts)
I *love* these spellslinger → +1/+1 counter cards, but I've come to the realization that they're just not good enough.
I think one of the strengths of Izzet is the cheap spells, especially ones that replace themselves, but...
I *love* these spellslinger → +1/+1 counter cards, but I've come to the realization that they're just not good enough.
I think one of the strengths of Izzet is the cheap spells, especially ones that replace themselves, but...
#dotschart for commons in TLA, ordered by GIHWR:
🔵🔴⚪🔵🔵⚪⚪🔵🔴🔵
⚪⚪🔴🟡⚪⚪🟤🔵🟢⚫
⚫🟤⚪🔴🟢🟢🟢⚪🔵⚪
🟢🔘⚫🟤🟡🟡🟤🟡🟤🟤
🟤🟢🔘⚫⚫🟡🟤🟢🔵🟢
🟤⚫🔴🟡🟤⚪🔵🔵⚫⚫
🟡🔴🟡🔘🟤🔘⚫🔴🔵🔵
🟢⚫⚪🟡⚪🔴🔴🟢🟡⚫
🔴⚫🔴🟢🔵⚫🔴🟢🔴🟢
🔘
🔵🔴⚪🔵🔵⚪⚪🔵🔴🔵
⚪⚪🔴🟡⚪⚪🟤🔵🟢⚫
⚫🟤⚪🔴🟢🟢🟢⚪🔵⚪
🟢🔘⚫🟤🟡🟡🟤🟡🟤🟤
🟤🟢🔘⚫⚫🟡🟤🟢🔵🟢
🟤⚫🔴🟡🟤⚪🔵🔵⚫⚫
🟡🔴🟡🔘🟤🔘⚫🔴🔵🔵
🟢⚫⚪🟡⚪🔴🔴🟢🟡⚫
🔴⚫🔴🟢🔵⚫🔴🟢🔴🟢
🔘
November 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
#dotschart for commons in TLA, ordered by GIHWR:
🔵🔴⚪🔵🔵⚪⚪🔵🔴🔵
⚪⚪🔴🟡⚪⚪🟤🔵🟢⚫
⚫🟤⚪🔴🟢🟢🟢⚪🔵⚪
🟢🔘⚫🟤🟡🟡🟤🟡🟤🟤
🟤🟢🔘⚫⚫🟡🟤🟢🔵🟢
🟤⚫🔴🟡🟤⚪🔵🔵⚫⚫
🟡🔴🟡🔘🟤🔘⚫🔴🔵🔵
🟢⚫⚪🟡⚪🔴🔴🟢🟡⚫
🔴⚫🔴🟢🔵⚫🔴🟢🔴🟢
🔘
🔵🔴⚪🔵🔵⚪⚪🔵🔴🔵
⚪⚪🔴🟡⚪⚪🟤🔵🟢⚫
⚫🟤⚪🔴🟢🟢🟢⚪🔵⚪
🟢🔘⚫🟤🟡🟡🟤🟡🟤🟤
🟤🟢🔘⚫⚫🟡🟤🟢🔵🟢
🟤⚫🔴🟡🟤⚪🔵🔵⚫⚫
🟡🔴🟡🔘🟤🔘⚫🔴🔵🔵
🟢⚫⚪🟡⚪🔴🔴🟢🟡⚫
🔴⚫🔴🟢🔵⚫🔴🟢🔴🟢
🔘
Reposted by Magic Data Science
This is apparently just how divided in half is shown on German cards.
November 22, 2025 at 2:21 AM
This is apparently just how divided in half is shown on German cards.
Do this, and then send me your nominees for 𝐀𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐥' 𝐆𝐮𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫.
Working on a big end of year episode!
Send me your nominees for the Magic card (first printed in 2025) with the best art and the one with the best flavor text.
Send me your nominees for the Magic card (first printed in 2025) with the best art and the one with the best flavor text.
November 22, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Do this, and then send me your nominees for 𝐀𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐥' 𝐆𝐮𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫.
Davchrohn, on Reddit, shares a German printing of Wan Shi Tong, Librarian with a fractional "ˣ ∕₂", which as far as I know, is totally unprecedented. But extremely charming.
Zimone and I are very much in favor of adding _more_ math to Magic cards.
Zimone and I are very much in favor of adding _more_ math to Magic cards.
November 22, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Davchrohn, on Reddit, shares a German printing of Wan Shi Tong, Librarian with a fractional "ˣ ∕₂", which as far as I know, is totally unprecedented. But extremely charming.
Zimone and I are very much in favor of adding _more_ math to Magic cards.
Zimone and I are very much in favor of adding _more_ math to Magic cards.
Which lines of Magic rules text "go hardest"?
November 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Which lines of Magic rules text "go hardest"?
Reposted by Magic Data Science
Challenge: find a creature that's less blockable (without "can't be blocked")
November 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Challenge: find a creature that's less blockable (without "can't be blocked")
Here is a list of keyword abilities that have never appeared* on the same creature:
reach, flying🤷♂️
trample, deathtouch😕
horsemanship, flying🙄
lifelink, defender😯
defender, deathtouch💣
vigilance, hexproof👀
ward, defender✋
double strike, defender👊👊
prowess, first strike 💪
reach, flying🤷♂️
trample, deathtouch😕
horsemanship, flying🙄
lifelink, defender😯
defender, deathtouch💣
vigilance, hexproof👀
ward, defender✋
double strike, defender👊👊
prowess, first strike 💪
November 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Here is a list of keyword abilities that have never appeared* on the same creature:
reach, flying🤷♂️
trample, deathtouch😕
horsemanship, flying🙄
lifelink, defender😯
defender, deathtouch💣
vigilance, hexproof👀
ward, defender✋
double strike, defender👊👊
prowess, first strike 💪
reach, flying🤷♂️
trample, deathtouch😕
horsemanship, flying🙄
lifelink, defender😯
defender, deathtouch💣
vigilance, hexproof👀
ward, defender✋
double strike, defender👊👊
prowess, first strike 💪
How.much of the strength of these two blue removal spells (#1 and #10 commons through two days, by GIHWR) is due to their getting around the "dies or is exiled" clause on Earthbent lands?
In this set, these are blue land destruction spells a non-trivial portion of the time...
In this set, these are blue land destruction spells a non-trivial portion of the time...
November 20, 2025 at 1:39 PM
How.much of the strength of these two blue removal spells (#1 and #10 commons through two days, by GIHWR) is due to their getting around the "dies or is exiled" clause on Earthbent lands?
In this set, these are blue land destruction spells a non-trivial portion of the time...
In this set, these are blue land destruction spells a non-trivial portion of the time...
What are the other 6 cards in this unofficial cycle* that I'm asserting exists?
You can also feel free to quibble with the four I've chosen here.
You can also feel free to quibble with the four I've chosen here.
November 19, 2025 at 7:17 PM
What are the other 6 cards in this unofficial cycle* that I'm asserting exists?
You can also feel free to quibble with the four I've chosen here.
You can also feel free to quibble with the four I've chosen here.