
Mercadian Masques Magic The Gathering Cards
Mercadian Masques is the 18th expert level set, and the first set in
the Masques block of cards of Magic: The Gathering, along with the
expansions Nemesis and Prophecy. Its expansion symbol is a mask. It is
largely considered to be one of the most underpowered blocks ever,
designed that way in order to balance out the huge power of the Urza's
block. In recent history, the true power of some Masques cards has
become evident in competitive Vintage play, such as Gush and
Misdirection. Foil Japanese versions of these cards often sell for
considerable amounts of money at events such as Gencon.
Several cards have Alternative Play Costs, in which the caster may play the spell in a way that doesn't involve a mana cost.
Spellshapers are a class of creatures that have a mana and discard
cost to play useful abilities. These abilities typically resemble
popular instants and sorceries. With a spellshaper, a player can pitch
useless cards in order to Disenchant or Stone Rain turn after turn.
The Rebel and Mercenary creatures have the ability to allow you to
search your library for a creature with that type and a certain mana
cost, and put it directly into play.
The enmity spells were overcosted cards that you could play for free if an opponent were playing with an enemy color.