Batching

Batching is a R&D slang term used for the action of taking various (preexisting) game components and then connecting them into a larger group with a new vocabulary word. Mark Rosewater sees batching as a design tool with interesting design space.
==Description==
Batching is encouraging players to mix and match different components that they never before would have mixed and matched strategically, and usually mixing things of different type, so not just two different creature types.
For batching to work, you have to be able to list every component that is part of that batch. If you can make a definitive list, the rules can batch it.
===Black border===
*Historic was the first example of batching. It collectively refers to artifacts, anything with the legendary supertype, and Sagas. It refers to historic largely in the context of cast spells or cards off the battlefield, though a small pool refer to historic permanents.
*Party is a mechanic that batches Cleric, Rogue, Warrior, and Wizard. It refers to creatures controlled, and the designs in its debut set Zendikar Rising used it to return a numerical value - one digital design refers to it like a type, and uses expanded in later sets.
*Modified is a batching term formally introduced in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. It refers to creatures that are equipped, enchanted, or have counters on them. By definition, Modified creatures can only exist on the battlefield, and are treated like a normal subset.
*Outlaw refers to permanents with the Assassin, Mercenary, Pirate, Rogue or Warlocks creature type and was introduced in Outlaws of Thunder Junction. This batch is the first that is conventional typal coupling and is used like any other form of typal.
===Acorn===
*Decorated cards include premiums, promos and cards with alternate art or alternate card frames. This batching term was found on the Acorn card <c>Topdeck the Halls</c>.
===Test cards===
*Afraid. An opponent is afraid of you if a Horror, Nightmare, enchantment, or face-down creature you control entered the battlefield or attacked them this turn ().
*Familiar. Bats, Birds, Cats, Dragons, Faeries, Foxes, Frogs, Imps, Lizards, and Spiders are familiars, as well as any creature with “Familiar” in its name ().
===Heroes of the Realm===
*Nostalgic collectively refers to artifacts, anything with the legendary supertype, and any cards that use the retro frame. This batching term was found on the Heroes of the Realm card <c>Treizeci, Sun of Serra</c> and is a reference to the 30th Anniversary promos.
===Unreleased===
*Mystical was considered for Throne of Eldraine. It would batch artifacts, enchantments, and Faeries.
*At one point in the design of Baldur's Gate, R&D was exploring batching all the class creature types ("Megaparty").
*A "mega-batch" of Animal was part of Vision Design for Bloomburrow. It would include any creature type that exists, or has existed, as a real non-human animal on Earth.
**For the same set, Fellowship was considered. This was customized batching for each individual player.
==See also==
*Typal coupling (a similar concept).
==References==
Category:Magic slang
Category:Miscellaneous mechanics