Previews for the latest Magic: The Gathering set, Innistrad: Crimson Vow, start soon. Just as he does at the beginning of any spoiler season for a premier set, head designer Mark Rosewater has released a series of cryptic teasers for creatures and characters that might appear as cards. While such teasers might usually be difficult to parse out, Crimson Vow is players’ sixth visit to the plane of Innistrad, a gothic horror-themed world and one of the game’s most popular locations.
This gives players trying to dissect Rosewater’s clues a bit more to work off of, especially since some explicitly refer to characters from previous Innistrad sets. Let’s try and break down which legendary creatures might be making their way back into player’s hands with the release of Innistrad: Crimson Vow.
Katilda, Ethereal Apparition
Katilda is the newest of the characters featured here, only just having been introduced to players in Innistrad: Midnight Hunt. The leader of a coven of witches known as the Dawnhart, Katilda tried to undertake a ritual that would have prevented eternal night from falling over Innistrad. However, that ritual was interrupted at the last second by Olivia Voldaren, who ripped Katilda from the ceremony after she offered up her soul to complete it.
One of Rosewater’s previews is a “Legendary Creature – Spirit Warlock.” Warlock is the creature type usually used for witches in Magic, and was the type Katilda had during Midnight Hunt. A card depicting the soul she offered up during the ritual would be perfectly represented by a Spirit Warlock.
Hal and Alena on One Card
Another one of Rosewater’s teasers mentions “a new legendary creature card that combines two characters that previously each had their own legendary creature card.” There are a couple of candidates that could fill this niche. The obvious answer is the sibling duo Gisa and Geralf, but Gisa already had her own card in Midnight Hunt. Another interesting card design would be Olivia Voldaren and whoever she was marrying, but Olivia seems too important to only give half a card.
The most likely choice for this design is Hal and Alena, rangers and paramours who originally debuted in the story for Shadows Over Innistrad. The couple received their own individual cards in Commander Legends, but pairing them up for their return in Crimson Vow is a perfect way to illustrate their bond while also saving a slot for another legendary creature.
Odric – But As a Vampire
The two human characters who are almost certain to appear in Crimson Vow are Odric and Thalia. Thalia is arguably the most important non-planeswalker from Innistrad, while Odric is fan-favorite who originally debuted in Magic 2013 before receiving a second card in Shadows over Innistrad. While Thalia is popular enough to not need any new particular twist, the question of what to do with Odric is a bit trickier.
One of Rosewater’s clues gives the answer on where R&D is taking the taciturn general: “A legendary character returns, but now as a Vampire.” This could refer to a planeswalker, but only creatures can take advantage of the tribal Vampire type. A black-white Odric would make the most of a new typeline while also giving a new twist for an otherwise bland character.
Snapcaster Mage
While not a legendary creature when it comes to typeline, Snapcaster Mage is a truly legendary card in Magic‘s competitive history. The teaser in this case is “a popular and powerful creature card from an Innistrad set gets reprinted.” There are few creatures more powerful than Snapcaster Mage, a two-mana 2/1 with flash that lets players flashback instant and sorcery cards from their graveyard. It’s also far more likely this is a nonlegendary creature like Snapcaster, since legendary creatures usually see new versions instead of strict reprints in premier sets. Other possible candidates for this category are Laboratory Maniac and Craterhoof Behemoth.
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