Magic: The Gathering (MTG) has announced several terminology changes to the trading card game in an effort to be more inclusive and accurate in its portrayal of Hindu mythology. One of the main changes involves decoupling Rakshasa creatures from the cat subtype. Previously, Rakshasas were often depicted as large, anthropomorphic cats, but this portrayal does not accurately reflect their role in Hindu mythology. The changes will be implemented through errata and digital updates, and will go live on Magic Arena on November 8th. The art team will also follow updated creative guidelines for new Rakshasa creatures to ensure they are portrayed accurately.
Another terminology change involves replacing “totem armor” with “umbra armor” for Enchantment auras that provide protection to enchanted creatures. This change aligns the cards with their actual names and removes the use of the term “totem,” which is associated with indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.
Additionally, the term “tribal” will be replaced with “kindred” as a card type. This change affects a group of cards that were introduced in the Future Sight set and explored further in the Lorewyn block. The “kindred” cards could be sorceries, instants, enchantments, or artifacts, and had unique interactions based on their subtype.
Lastly, all Naga creatures will now use the Snake subtype, allowing them to be included in the same category as other snake creatures. This change will add 40 more cards to the game.
These terminology changes not only align with MTG’s commitment to inclusivity, but also pave the way for future card designs and expansions. The changes will also clean up the game’s back catalogue and prepare for the return to Tarkir in 2025. Overall, these updates aim to create a more accurate and diverse representation of creatures in the MTG universe.
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