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Emblem
Mordenkainen emblem
Object
Statistics
88 Emblem creation cards
{C} 4.5% {W} 10.2% {U} 11.4% {B} 8% {R} 17% {G} 12.5% {W/U} 6.8% {U/B} 3.4% {B/R} 1.1% {R/G} 4.5% {G/W} 2.3% {W/B} 3.4% {U/R} 5.7% {B/G} 3.4% {G/U} 3.4% {M} 2.3%
as of Duskmourn: House of Horror
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type:"Emblem"

An emblem is a marker with an ability on it created by Planeswalker cards and when The Ring Tempts You.

Description[ | ]

An emblem is different from a card or a token. The ability and the controlling player are the only characteristics it has. Emblems have no color, card type, or anything else — just that ability. They are placed in the command zone, which is the same place where Archenemy schemes, Planechase planes, Vanguard cards, and EDH commanders are placed. An emblem is not a permanent, and absolutely nothing can touch it or get rid of it as long as the player who gained it remains in the game, simply because no cards say that they can.

Restarting the game eliminates all emblems, and subgames are unaffected by emblems in the main game.

Emblems were created in the July 2010 rules update to fix rules revolving around Elspeth, Knight-Errant's ultimate, which left an effect hanging over the game without any visual indicator or reminder.[1] Elspeth could theoretically "go off" and then be shuffled back in the deck or somehow end up totally out of play, but still have her indestructibility clause hanging over the battle for turns to come. This situation left open the possibility that players would just forget about it.

Emblems are cumulative, so it's possible to have the same emblem multiple times, but not all emblems have abilities that are cumulative themselves.

History[ | ]

The Emblem for Sorin, Lord of Innistrad from Dark Ascension was the first emblem to be printed.

Starting with Magic 2015, emblems have a type line, which includes the Planeswalker type.[2] That does not change the rule from 114.3 that emblems do not have any types, and the types on the emblem are only present as a visual representation.

This was reverted in Core Set 2020 where the name of the card creating the emblem is now again in the name line and the type line only displays "Emblem". This change brings the current design closer to the original design and reflects the emblem rules better.

With Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms the Planeswalker type was re-added to the type line, though subsequent releases have continued to omit the type.

The Ring Tempts You from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is the first mechanic to grant an emblem, and the first emblem to have a name. It is considered to be a special exception.[3]

The Universes Beyond card The Capitoline Triad from Assassin's Creed is the first Legendary creature to create an emblem.

MTG Arena[ | ]

Magic: The Gathering Arena uses emblems for unique effects during events.

Rules[ | ]

From the glossary of the Comprehensive Rules (November 8, 2024—Magic: The Gathering Foundations)

Emblem
An emblem is a marker used to represent an object that has one or more abilities, but no other characteristics. See rule 114, “Emblems.”

From the Comprehensive Rules (November 8, 2024—Magic: The Gathering Foundations)

  • 114. Emblems
    • 114.1. Some effects put emblems into the command zone. An emblem is a marker used to represent an object that has one or more abilities, but usually no other characteristics.
    • 114.2. An effect that creates an emblem is written “[Player] gets an emblem with [ability].” This means that [player] puts an emblem with [ability] into the command zone. The emblem is both owned and controlled by that player.
    • 114.3. An emblem has no characteristics other than the abilities defined by the effect that created it. In particular, an emblem has no types, no mana cost, and no color. Most emblems also have no name.
    • 114.4. Abilities of emblems function in the command zone.
    • 114.5. An emblem is neither a card nor a permanent. Emblem isn’t a card type.

Ruling[ | ]

  • Emblem isn't a card type.[4]
  • If you destroy an emblem with Naturalize 2 (Mystery Booster 2), put that emblem into its owner's graveyard. Then it'll immediately cease to exist except in the very rare instance that it's an emblem card (i.e. Essence of Ajani).

Trivia[ | ]

Gallery[ | ]

MTG Arena

References[ | ]

  1. Mark L. Gottlieb (July 14, 2010). "July 2010 Update Bulletin". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Blake Rasmussen (July 2, 2014). "Magic 2015 tokens". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Mark Rosewater (May 10, 2023). "Why was the decision made to break from this for the Ring?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. a b Eric Levine (September 20, 2024). "Mystery Booster 2 Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Mark Rosewater (June 13, 2015). "Are we ever going to be able to destroy emblems?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  6. Mark Rosewater (January 28, 2017). "Any thoughts on future cards to remove or disable emblems from planeswalkers?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. Mark Rosewater (September 07, 2015). "Could there ever be a non-Planeswalker card that created emblems?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
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