3.8 Release Notes *Updated (10/2/19)

LakeStone

3.8 Release Notes

Core Set 2020 has arrived!

Core Set 2020 arrives in the 3.8 update, complete with over 200 cards, 5 new Planeswalkers, two new game mechanics, 2 new events, and more!

The Card Gallery will be up to check out soon!

General Changes

Vanguard Packs
Starting with Core Set 2020, all Mythic+ Vanguard Packs will reward non-duplicate Vanguard cards. There are no changes to the War of the Spark Vanguard Packs.

New Colorless Icon
To avoid confusion when using a card with "Protection From" a color, the Colorless icon now has a new look!

Before

After

New Planeswalker Feedback
Now whenever an effect gives Hexproof and/or Prevent Damage to a Planeswalker, there will be visual feedback showing a special glow over their avatar. The respective Evergreen icons will be displayed next to their portrait, as well.

In addition, whenever an effect increases a Planeswalker's mana bonus, a small gem of that color will appear over its portrait, showing the increased value.

New Planeswalkers

Ajani, Strength of the Pride

"Ajani's beliefs have evolved over the years. When his spark first manifested (over the loss of his brother) he believed that channeling his rage towards avenging his fallen loved one was the correct path. He let his seething rage drive him forward, ignoring how his actions affected those around him.

However, spending time with Elspeth morphed these views and, ultimately with her death, showed him that his fury wasn't the correct path to inner peace."

Max Level Stats

Greater Resplendant Healing
(White) Support Card (3) - Token
"Whenever you gain life, your creatures get +1/+1"

Ajani's Pridemate
(White) Creature - Cat Soldier (2/2)
"Whenever you gain life, this creature gets +1/+1. Partner: Gain 2 life."

Valorous Sacrifice
(White) Support Card (3) - Token
"Whenever you would gain life, this support gains X shield and you gain X life instead, where X is half the amount of life you would gain. Then, if this support has 12 or more shield, exile this support and every opposing creature and Artifact support."

Chandra, Awakened Inferno

"Right after her first planeswalk, Chandra has come to live on a plane named Regatha, where she has been studying at the Keral Keep monastery in an attempt to learn better self-control and mastery of her powers.

The monastery was founded ages ago around the beliefs of another fire-wielding planeswalker, Jaya Ballard. Her quotes and teachings are the core of the Keep's beliefs, championing personal freedom and individual choice over all other things, as long as one was not infringing on another's rights."

Max Level Stats

Improved Awakened Flame
(Red) Support Card (2) - Token
"While this support is on the board, spells in your hand can't have their mana drained or raised. At the beginning of your opponent's turn, this support deals X damage to your opponent's Planeswalker, where X is 3 plus the number of this support's reinforcements."

Mu Yanling, Sky Dancer

"Amid the sounds of roaring beasts, a crushing wave devoured Mu Yanling's village when she was a child, and she barely escaped with her life. By pure chance, a wanderer named Li Shan was nearby. He saved Mu Yanling and took her in.

He raised the girl as family after she lost her own, and his courage always made her feel safe. As they wandered together, she grew stronger, and resolved to be ready if another calamity struck."

Max Level Stats

Living Cloud
(Blue) Creature - Elemental Bird (4/4) - Token, Flying
"While this creature is on the battlefield, your creatures with Flying get +3/+3"

Deluge of Dreams
(Blue) Support Card (4) - Token
"Whenever you match 4 or more Blue gems, draw 3 cards. Those cards gain half of their mana."

Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord

"Thousands of years ago, famine forced the alchemist Edgar Markov into dark experiments. Making a deal with the demon Shilgengar for the secrets of sangromancy, Edgar created a blood ritual which granted agelessness and the ability to subsist on blood.

When Edgar anointed his grandson, Sorin, with the same vampiric state, the trauma of the transformation caused Sorin's planeswalker spark to ignite."

Max Level Stats

Improved Markov's Legacy
(Black) Support Card(4) - Token
"At the beginning of the combat, move the first Vampire card from your hand to the battlefield, under your control. While this support is on the board, your Vampires get +2/+2 for each of the following Evergreens they have: Deathtouch, Lifelink and Flying."

Vivien, Arkbow Ranger

"Now an experienced interplanar wanderer, Vivien has a new mission: destroy the cancer of civilization. Skalla's fate solidified her belief that either you stand with her-or you are her enemy.

She wields a weapon of immense predatory power that intensifies with each passing day. One day soon-against the perfect enemy-she will unleash its awesome power and restore the natural order to the Multiverse."

Max Level Stats

Planeswalker Reworks

Spooky, scary season-time is the perfect time for reworks and updates to some spooky, scary Planeswalkers!

Arlinn Kord (Not Transformed)

• Mana Bonuses
• Before: +0  | +0  | +0  | +3  | +3  
• After: +0  | +0  | +0  | +4  | +4  
• Strength of the Wolf
• No Change
• Call the Pack
• --- Level 1 ---
• Before: "Fetch the next Werewolf in your deck."
• After: "Fetch the first Werewolf or Wolf creature from your library. If you can't fetch the first Creature card instead."
• --- Level 2 ---
• Before: "Fetch the next Werewolf in your deck and it gains 3 mana."
• After: "Fetch the first Werewolf or Wolf creature from your library. If you can't fetch the first Creature card instead. It gains 3 mana."
• --- Level 3 ---
• Before: "Fetch the next Werewolf in your deck and it gains 6 mana."
• After: "Fetch the first Werewolf or Wolf creature from your library. If you can't fetch the first Creature card instead. It gains 6 mana."
• --- Level 4 ---
• Before: "Fetch the next Werewolf in your deck and it gains 6 mana."
• After: "Fetch the first Werewolf or Wolf creature from your library. If you can't fetch the first Creature card instead. It gains 6 mana."
• Touch of the Moon
• --- Level 1 ---
• Before: "Each Werewolf you control gets +1/+1. Arlinn Kord Transforms."
• After: "Your Werewolf and Wolf creatures get +1/+1. Then, Transform Arlinn Kord."
• --- Level 2 ---
• Before: "Each Werewolf you control gets +2/+2. Arlinn Kord Transforms."
• After: "Your Werewolf and Wolf creatures get +2/+2. Create a Touch of the Moon Token. Then, Transform Arlinn Kord."
• (Touch of the Moon Token: "While this support is on the board, creatures you control gain the Werewolf subtype.")
• --- Level 3 ---
• Before: "Each Werewolf you control gets +3/+3. Arlinn Kord Transforms."
• After: "Your Werewolf and Wolf creatures get +3/+3. Create a Touch of the Moon Token. Then, Transform Arlinn Kord."
• --- Level 4 ---
• Before: "Each Werewolf you control gets +4/+4. Arlinn Kord Transforms."
• After: "Your Werewolf and Wolf creatures get +4/+4. Create a Touch of the Moon Token. Then, Transform Arlinn Kord."

 

Arlinn, Embraced by the Moon (Transformed)

• Moon's Embrace
  
• --- Level 1 ---
• Before: "Target Werewolf Transforms."
• After: "Target Werewolf or Wolf creature you control gets +1/+1."
• --- Level 2 ---
• Before: "Target Werewolf Transforms and gets +1/+1."
• After: "Target Werewolf or Wolf creature you control gets +1/+1. Then, transform it."
• --- Level 3 ---
• Before: "Target Werewolf Transforms and gets +2/+2."
• After: "Target Werewolf or Wolf creature you control gets +2/+2. Then, transform it."
• --- Level 4 ---
• Before: "Target Werewolf Transforms and gets +3/+3."
• After: "Target Werewolf or Wolf creature you control gets +3/+3. Then, transform it."
• Hunt with the Pack
• --- Level 1 ---
• Before: "Summon a 2/2 Werewolf token with Berserker and Trample."
• After: "Your first Werewolf or Wolf creature deals damage equal to its power to the first opposing creature."
• --- Level 2 ---
• Before: "Summon 2 2/2 Werewolf token with Berserker and Trample."
• After: "Your first Werewolf or Wolf creature deals damage equal to its power to the first opposing creature. If you can't create 2 Werewolf Tokens instead."
• (Werewolf Token: 2/2 Creature with Berserker and Trample)
• --- Level 3 ---
• Before: "Summon 3 2/2 Werewolf token with Berserker and Trample."
• After: "Your first Werewolf or Wolf creature deals damage equal to its power to the first opposing creature. If you can't create 3 Werewolf Tokens instead."
• --- Level 4 ---
• Before: "Summon 4 2/2 Werewolf token with Berserker and Trample."
• After: "Your first Werewolf or Wolf creature deals damage equal to its power to the first opposing creature. If you can't create 4 Werewolf Tokens instead."
• Lycanthropic Frenzy
• --- Level 1 ---
• Before: "Each Werewolf you control gets +4/+4. Arlinn Kord Transforms."
• After: "Your Werewolf and Wolf creatures get +4/+4. Then, Transform Arlinn Kord."
• --- Level 2 ---
• Before: "Each Werewolf you control gets +6/+6. Arlinn Kord Transforms."
• After: "Your Werewolf and Wolf creatures get +6/+6. Then, Transform Arlinn Kord."
• --- Level 3 ---
• Before: "Each Werewolf you control gets +8/+8. Arlinn Kord Transforms."
• After: "Your Werewolf and Wolf creatures get +8/+8. Then, Transform Arlinn Kord."
• --- Level 4 ---
• Before: "Each Werewolf you control gets +10/+10. Arlinn Kord Transforms."
• After: "Your Werewolf and Wolf creatures get +10/+10. Then, Transform Arlinn Kord."

 

Kaya, Orzhov Usurper

• Mana Bonuses
• Before: +3  | +1  | +3  | +1  | +0  
• After: +5  | +0  | +5  | +0  | -2  
• Total HP changed from 101 to 113.
  
• Burial Rites
  
• --- Level 1 ---
• Before: "Exile the first 2 cards from your opponent's graveyard. Gain 2 life."
• After: "Create a Minor Burial Rites Token"
• (Minor Burial Rites Token: "Whenever a card enters your opponent's graveyard from anywhere, it is exiled instead.")
• --- Level 2 ---
• Before: "Exile the first 3 cards from your opponent's graveyard. Gain 3 life."
• After: "Create a Burial Rites Token. Destroy the top 2 cards of your opponent's library."
• (Burial Rites Token: "Whenever a card enters your opponent's graveyard from anywhere, it is exiled instead. If that card is a Creature card, you gain 1 life.")
• --- Level 3 ---
• Before: "Exile the first 4 cards from your opponent's graveyard. Gain 4 life."
• After: "Create a Burial Rites Token. Destroy the top 4 cards of your opponent's library."
• --- Level 4 ---
• Before: "Exile the first 5 cards from your opponent's graveyard. Gain 5 life."
• After: "Create a Improved Burial Rites Token. Destroy the top 6 cards of your opponent's library."
• (Improved Burial Rites Token: "Whenever a card enters your opponent's graveyard from anywhere, it is exiled instead. If that card is a Creature card, you gain 1 life. Then, your opponent loses 1 life.")
• Entomb Contract
• --- Level 1 ---
• No Change
• --- Level 2 ---
• Before: "Exile an opposing non-land support that costs 12 or less."
• After: "Exile an opposing non-land support that costs 12 or less. Create 2 Orzhov Spirit Tokens."
• (Orzhov Spirit Token: 1/1 Creature with Flying)
• --- Level 3 ---
• Before: "Exile the first opposing creature that costs 9 or less. If you can't, exile an opposing non-land support that costs 13 or less."
• After: "Exile the first opposing creature that costs 9 or less. If you can't, exile an opposing non-land support that costs 13 or less. Create 3 Orzhov Spirit Tokens."
• --- Level 4 ---
• Before: "Exile the first opposing creature that costs 13 or less. If you can't, exile an opposing non-land support that costs 13 or less."
• After: "Exile the first opposing creature that costs 13 or less. If you can't, exile an opposing non-land support that costs 13 or less. Create 4 Orzhov Spirit Tokens."
• Ruinous Wake
• --- Level 1 ---
• Before: "Move the first 6 cards from each graveyard to your opponent's exile. Deal damage to your opponent's Planeswalker equal to the number of cards in their exile. Then, move all exiles into their owner's libraries."
• After: "Move the first 8 cards from each graveyard to your opponent's exile. Deal damage to your opponent's Planeswalker equal to the number of cards in their exile. Then, gain that much life."
• --- Level 2 ---
• Before: "Move the first 12 cards from each graveyard to your opponent's exile. Deal damage to your opponent's Planeswalker equal to the number of cards in their exile. Then, move all exiles into their owner's libraries."
• After: "Move the first 16 cards from each graveyard to your opponent's exile. Deal damage to your opponent's Planeswalker equal to the number of cards in their exile. Then, gain that much life."
• --- Level 3 ---
• Before: "Move the first 19 cards from each graveyard to your opponent's exile. Deal damage to your opponent's Planeswalker equal to the number of cards in their exile. Then, move all exiles into their owner's libraries."
• After: "Move the first 24 cards from each graveyard to your opponent's exile. Deal damage to your opponent's Planeswalker equal to the number of cards in their exile. Then, gain that much life."
• --- Level 4 ---
• Before: "Move all graveyards to your opponent's exile. Deal damage to your opponent's Planeswalker equal to the number of cards in their exile. Then, move all exiles into their owner's libraries."
• After: "Move all graveyards to your opponent's exile. Deal damage to your opponent's Planeswalker equal to the number of cards in their exile. Then, gain that much life."

 

Vraska, Golgari Queen

• Rise To The Occasion
  
• --- Level 1 ---
• Costs 9 Loyalty
• --- Level 2 ---
• Costs 8 Loyalty
• --- Level 3 ---
• Costs 7 Loyalty
• --- Level 4 ---
• Costs 6 Loyalty
• Capital Punishment
• --- Level 4 ---
  
• Changed from 12 to 9 Loyalty

 

New Events

Duets of Mana
This is a weekly, Standard, PvE, non-Coalition event with 2 versions that each consist of 8 sequential encounters. Both events are related to two different Planeswalkers from M20.

There is no entrance fee, and all Planeswalker colors are allowed.

Awakened Inferno
This is a weekly, PvP, non-Coalition event with 3 different nodes, and focuses on the life and youth of Chandra Naalar.

There is no entrance fee, and all Planeswalker colors are allowed.

New Mechanics

Protection From *Color*

• Creatures with this Evergreen essentially gain Hexproof against the specified color, and reduces all damage they receive from that color's sources by half, rounded up.
• This mechanic is represented by new icons that relate to the specified color, including Colorless:

Overflow

• When a card with Overflow is drawn, if there are 5 or more cards in the player's hand, the Overflow card is exiled and its Overflow effect is triggered.

Card Changes

Dovin, Hand of Control

• Before: "Target opposing creature's power becomes 2 until the beginning of your next turn."
• After: "Target opposing creature's power becomes 1 until the beginning of your next turn."

Narset's Reversal

• Before: "Drain all mana from the first spell in your opponent's hand. Copy the first spell in your opponent's hand. Partner: It gains full mana."
• After: "Drain all mana from the first spell in your opponent's hand. Copy the first spell in your opponent's hand. Partner: It gains full mana. If this card is a copy, it gains half of its mana instead."

Naru Meha, Master Wizard

• Before: "When you cast this creature, create a copy of the first spell in your hand. It gains full mana. Other Wizards you control get +2/+2."
• After: "When you cast this creature, copy of the first spell in your hand. It gains full mana. If this creature is a copy, that card gains half its mana instead. Other Wizards you control get +2/+2."

Card Balance

• Assembled Alphas
• Now has Flash
• Mana Cost: 17 -> 15
• Geier Reach Bandit
  
• Now has Flash
• Howlpack Resurgence
  
• Now has Flash
• Kessig Forgemaster
  
• Now has Flash and Defender
• Mana Cost: 13 -> 8
• Silverfur Partisan
  
Now has Flash
• Spirit of the Hunt
  
• Now has Flash
• Mana Cost: 18 -> 15
• Ulrich of the Krallenhorde
  
Now has Flash

Event Changes

Trial of the Planes
Booster reward has been updated to M20 Booster Pack.

Planechasing Fblthp
Booster reward has been updated from Legacy Non-Duplicate to Regular M20 Booster Pack.

The Elderspark

Several enemies have had their life total changed:

• Aim for the Sky: 222 -> 207
• Breach of New Pravh: 198 -> 185
  
• In Vitu-Ghazi's Wake: 258 -> 220
• Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God: 540 -> 450
• Storm the Citadel: 359 -> 320
  
• The Elderspell: 438 -> 370
• The God-Eternals: 313 -> 290
• Vindictive Encounter: 182 -> 169

The event support, Topple the Statue, has had its values changed:

• Before: "At the end of each turn, if there are 15 or more creature tokens or creature token reinforcements on the battlefield, destroy all non-Elemental creatures and all the gems. Then, deal 30 damage to your opponent's Planeswalker."
• After: "At the end of each turn, if there are 20 or more creature tokens or creature token reinforcements on the battlefield, destroy all non-Elemental creatures and all the gems. Then, deal 20 damage to your opponent's Planeswalker."

The following encounters have had their secondary objectives changed:

• Spark Reaper
• Secondary Objective 1 - Amass
• Cast 3 or more cards with Amass during a fight.
• Liliana, Dreadhorde General
• Secondary Objective 1 - Reanimator
• Summon 4 or more Zombies in a single fight.
• Vindictive Encounter
• Secondary Objective 1 - Alliance
• Cast 2 or more Vanguard supports during a fight.
• Secondary Objective 2 - Bounty Hunter
• Deal 15 or more damage to a Planeswalker during a turn.
• Breach of New Pravh
• Secondary Objective 2 - Partnership
• Cast 3 or more cards with Partner during a fight.
• Aim for the Sky
• Secondary Objective 1 - Skyborn
• Cast 3 or more creatures with any of these subtypes: Angel, Bird, Drake, Sphinx
• Secondary Objective 2 - Magician
• Cast 3 or more spells with cost 11 or less.
• The God-Eternals
• Secondary Objective 1 - Call to Arms
• Create 15 or more Creature Tokens during a fight.
• Secondary Objective 2 - Alliance
• Cast 2 or more Vanguard supports during a fight.
• Storm the Citadel
• Secondary Objective 1 - Partnership
• Cast 4 or more cards with Partner during a fight.
• Secondary Objective 2 - Veteran
• Cast 3 or more creatures with cost 12 or more.
• In Vitu-Ghazi's Way
• Secondary Objective 1 - Savage
• Summon 5 or more creatures with any of these subtypes: Elemental, Elf, Goblin, Dragon
• Secondary Objective 2 - Propagation
• Cast 3 or more cards with Proliferate during a fight.
• The Elderspark
• Secondary Objective 1 - Bounty Hunter
• Deal 15 or more damage to a Planeswalker during a turn.
• Secondary Objective 2 - Mightstone
• Cast 3 or more creatures power 5 or more.
• Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God
• Secondary Objective 1 - Alliance
• Cast 3 or more Vanguard supports during a fight.
• Secondary Objective 2 - Loyalty
• Activate a Planeswalker ability 3 or more times during a fight.

The amount of score points required to achieve the Progression rewards have changed:

• Before: 40, 80, 140, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 1000
• After: 20, 40, 70,100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 375, 500
  

Ravnica at War

Event supports for all Ravnica at War events now only require 8 reinforcements to trigger their abilities, instead of 10.

The Enraged objective in the following encounters of the following events has been changed:

• Izzet Devastation (Ravnica at War - Devastation)
• Magician: Cast 4 or more spells wit cost 12 or less.
• Boros Eternity (Ravnica at War - Eternity)
• Striker: Deal 15 or more damage during a turn.

Bug Fixes

• Players are no longer able to join the Race to Orazca Coalition event when they aren't in a Coalition
• Fixed an issue with the Coalition Leaderboard during Coalition Events. The score of Coalition Members are now properly displayed in the Leaderboard.
  
• A near-infinite loop no longer occurs when casting Naru Meha, Master Wizard while Naban, Dean of Iteration is on the battlefield and Quasiduplicate is the only spell in the player's hand.
  
• [Android] Messages are no longer missing when viewing the chat log while using an Android device with OS 9.
• The Destroyer objective now properly tracks when an opponent's Creature is destroyed using a Planeswalker ability. 
• Gauntlet of Power is no longer missing the Equipment subtype.
• Sphinx of the Guildpact is no longer missing the Artifact subtype.
  
• Ugin's Conjurant is no longer missing the Stored Mana Evergreen.
  
• Copied Creature card now properly gains half of its mana when Lord of the Void deals combat damage to the opponent's Planeswalker while the opponent has at least one Creature in exile.
• The number of gems converted by Vault of Catlacan's effect no longer excludes Vanguard Supports when beginning the player's turn with it on the board while the player controls at least one Vanguard Support.
• Disabled creatures with the Hexproof Evergreen are no longer valid targets when casting a targeting Spell card while a Creature with Hexproof is disabled with another valid target on the battlefield.
• The additional buffs are no longer missing when the Filigree Familiar opponent activates the Automate Planeswalker ability multiple times while they control at least one Construct Creature in Fateful Showdown
• Callous Dismissal is now properly valid to cast when the opponent controls at least one Creature while the opponent's hand is full.
  
• Elite Packs and Free Boosters are no longer missing in the card finder.
• The additional buff is no longer missing when targeting Tenth District Legionnaire with a Spell after its buff effect has been triggered once before.
• Fixed an issue where the opponent was able to cast a Deathtouch Assassin Token without having the sufficient amount of shields on Vraska, Swarm's Eminence.
• Creatures with the Prevent Damage Evergreen are now properly destroyed when Planar Outburst is cast.
• Neheb, Dreadhorde Champion's ability is now properly valid to activate when the player's hand is full.
  
• Samut's Sprint is no longer being cast when the player selects Not Now during the Modify Stats prompt.
  
• Fixed an issue where a copy of the opponent's first card in their library was being placed in the player's library with half of its mana while the player has a full hand when the player's Thief of Sanity dealt damage to the opponent's Planeswalker.
• An opponent's Creature is now properly destroyed when casting Applied Biomancy while the opponent has a full hand.
• The casting animation now only triggers once when the opponent casts Finale of Revelation while the player controls Notion Thief on the board.
• Shatterstorm now correctly casts when the opponent has Shatterstorm in their hand with full mana while there is at least one Support gem on the board.