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A '''creature subtype''', or '''creature type''', is any [[subtype]] used for the further classification of [[creature]]s, both cards and tokens. Historically, creature type was simply for purposes relating to flavor; however, as distant as ''[[Fallen Empires]]'', creature types have had thematic and mechanistic purposes too.
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'''Creature type''' is a [[subtype]] relating to the identification and flavor of [[creature]] spells.
  
   
  +
==History==
−
==Creature subtypes==
  
  +
Originally, in ''Limited Edition Alpha'', creature types were largely for flavor-related reasons. This was continued until ''Fallen Empires'', when creatures types had mechanical implications. The first block in which creature types mattered was ''Tempest'', particularly via the Licids and Slivers, both of which creature types shared a mechanical identity among its creature cards. Mercadian Masques block revisited this, albeit with Spellshapers; Odyssey block, with its pre-tribal tribal cards; Onslaught block, with its tribal cards; Time Spiral block, with its Tribal supertype cards; Lorwyn{{En}}Shadowmoor block, with its Tribal supertype cards.
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[[Advisor]], [[Ally]], [[Angel]], [[Anteater]], [[Antelope]], [[Ape]], [[Archer]], [[Archon]], [[Artificer]], [[Assassin]], [[Assembly-Worker]], [[Atog]], [[Aurochs]], [[Avatar]], [[Badger]], [[Barbarian]], [[Basilisk]], [[Bat]], [[Bear]], [[Beast]], [[Beeble]], [[Berserker]], [[Bird]], [[Blinkmoth]], [[Boar]], [[Bringer]], [[Brushwagg]], [[Camarid]], [[Camel]], [[Caribou]], [[Carrier]], [[Cat]], [[Centaur]], [[Cephalid]], [[Chimera]], [[Citizen]], [[Cleric]], [[Cockatrice]], [[Construct]], [[Coward]], [[Crab]], [[Crocodile]], [[Cyclops]], [[Dauthi]], [[Demon]], [[Deserter]], [[Devil]], [[Djinn]], [[Dragon]], [[Drake]], [[Dreadnought]], [[Drone]], [[Druid]], [[Dryad]], [[Dwarf]], [[Efreet]], [[Elder]], [[Eldrazi]], [[Elemental]], [[Elephant]], [[Elf]], [[Elk]], [[Eye]], [[Faerie]], [[Ferret]], [[Fish]], [[Flagbearer]], [[Fox]], [[Frog]], [[Fungus]], [[Gargoyle]], [[Germ]], [[Giant]], [[Gnome]], [[Goat]], [[Goblin]], [[Golem]], [[Gorgon]], [[Graveborn]], [[Gremlin]], [[Griffin]], [[Hag]], [[Harpy]], [[Hellion]], [[Hippo]], [[Hippogriff]], [[Homarid]], [[Homunculus]], [[Horror]], [[Horse]], [[Hound]], [[Human]], [[Hydra]], [[Hyena]], [[Illusion]], [[Imp]], [[Incarnation]], [[Insect]], [[Jellyfish]], [[Juggernaut]], [[Kavu]], [[Kirin]], [[Kithkin]], [[Knight]], [[Kobold]], [[Kor]], [[Kraken]], [[Lammasu]], [[Leech]], [[Leviathan]], [[Lhurgoyf]], [[Licid]], [[Lizard]], [[Manticore]], [[Masticore]], [[Mercenary]], [[Merfolk]], [[Metathran]], [[Minion]], [[Minotaur]], [[Monger]], [[Mongoose]], [[Monk]], [[Moonfolk]], [[Mutant]], [[Myr]], [[Mystic]], [[Nautilus]], [[Nephilim]], [[Nightmare]], [[Nightstalker]], [[Ninja]], [[Noggle]], [[Nomad]], [[Octopus]], [[Ogre]], [[Ooze]], [[Orb]], [[Orc]], [[Orgg]], [[Ouphe]], [[Ox]], [[Oyster]], [[Pegasus]], [[Pentavite]], [[Pest]], [[Phelddagrif]], [[Phoenix]], [[Pincher]], [[Pirate]], [[Plant]], [[Praetor]], [[Prism]], [[Rabbit]], [[Rat]], [[Rebel]], [[Reflection]], [[Rhino]], [[Rigger]], [[Rogue]], [[Salamander]], [[Samurai]], [[Sand]], [[Saproling]], [[Satyr]], [[Scarecrow]], [[Scorpion]], [[Scout]], [[Serf]], [[Serpent]], [[Shade]], [[Shaman]], [[Shapeshifter]], [[Sheep]], [[Siren]], [[Skeleton]], [[Slith]], [[Sliver]], [[Slug]], [[Snakes|Snake]], [[Soldier]], [[Soltari]], [[Spawn]], [[Specter]], [[Spellshaper]], [[Sphinx]], [[Spider]], [[Spikes|Spike]], [[Spirit]], [[Splinter]], [[Sponge]], [[Squid]], [[Squirrel]], [[Starfish]], [[Surrakar]], [[Survivor]], [[Tetravite]], [[Thalakos]], [[Thopter]], [[Thrull]], [[Treefolk]], [[Triskelavite]], [[Troll]], [[Turtle]], [[Unicorn]], [[Vampire]], [[Vedalken]], [[Viashino]], [[Volver]], [[Wall]], [[Warrior]], [[Weird]], [[Werewolf]], [[Whale]], [[Wizard]], [[Wolf]], [[Wolverine]], [[Wombat]], [[Worm]], [[Wraith]], [[Wurm]], [[Yeti]], [[Zombie]], and [[Zubera]].
  
   
  +
Following Lorwyn{{En}}Shadowmoor block, no other block would feature the Tribal supertype, and following expansions and non-expansion sets would continue to feature creature types for purposes other than flavor.
−
==Race/class model==
  
−
The ''race/class model'' is the concept that each [[Magic: The Gathering|Magic]] [[card]] depicting a sentient being should have a [[class]] as well as a [[race]] [[subtype]].
 
   
  +
===Grand Creature Type Update===
−
It was concurrent with ''[[Mirrodin]]'s'' design that the creative team managed to convince [[R&D]] that the race/class system needed to be adopted. Before that time, creatures had one creature type. Sometimes it was a race and sometimes it was a class. The race/class system was designed to help align Magic with many other fantasy-based games. Along with the race/class model, the [[Human]] subtype was introduced. At that time it was an open question whether [[creature type]]s on existing cards should be changed.<ref>{{MTGref|af23|Classifying Samite Healer|Aaron Forsythe|Friday, July 16, 2004}}</ref> In the end the decision was made in favor of having consistent creature types in the core set (''[[Ninth Edition]]''). The final step was made with the [[Grand Creature Type Update]], as part of the regular [[Oracle]] update for ''[[Lorwyn]]''. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/feature/424a|Lorwyn Update Bulletin|Mark Gottlieb|Wednesday, September 26, 2007}}</ref>
  
  +
{{Main|Grand Creature Type Update}}
   
−
===Notable exceptions===
 +
===Race/class model===
  +
<!--Please don't change this header as you'll break the links to this section.-->
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* For flavor reasons the <c>Nameless Race</c> has neither race nor class.
  
  +
{{Main|Race|Class}}
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* [[Phyrexians]] don't have their own race, they are [[Horrors]], [[Zombies]], [[Carriers]] etc.
  
  +
The '''race/class model''' is the concept that each [[Magic: The Gathering|Magic]] [[card]] depicting a sentient being should have a [[class]] as well as a [[race]] [[subtype]].
−
** Some Phyrexians from ''[[Mirrodin Besieged]]'' and ''[[New Phyrexia]]'' don't have a race type at all, but only a class because they are so far removed from any race to be identifiable. For example <c>Priests of Norn</c> and <c>Tormentor Exarch</c>.
  
−
* Artifact Creatures still have either a class (<c>Adarkar Sentinel</c>) or a race (<c>Aesthir Glider</c>).
  
   
  +
It was concurrent with ''[[Mirrodin]]'s'' design that the creative team managed to convince [[R&D]] that the race/class system needed to be adopted. Before that time, creatures had one creature type. Sometimes, it was merely a race; other times, it was merely a class. The race/class system was designed to help align Magic with many other fantasy-based games. Along with the race/class model, the [[Human]] subtype was introduced. At that time, it was an open question whether [[creature type]]s on existing cards should be changed.<ref>{{MTGref|af23|Classifying Samite Healer|Aaron Forsythe|Friday, July 16, 2004}}</ref> In the end the decision was made in favor of having consistent creature types in the core set (''[[Ninth Edition]]''). The final step was made with the [[Grand Creature Type Update]], as part of the regular [[Oracle]] update for ''[[Lorwyn]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtgcom/feature/424a|Lorwyn Update Bulletin|Mark Gottlieb|Wednesday, September 26, 2007}}</ref>
−
==Trivia==
  
  +
−
* Creature types was featured as rules card 1 of 5 in the ''[[Morningtide]]'' set.
  
  +
Interestingly, <c>Nameless Race</c> has neither race nor class, and certain creature cards, such as <c>Nameless One</c>, <c>Adarkar Sentinel</c>, and <c>Aesthir Glider</c>, do not have either a race or a class. Certain [[Phyrexians|Phyrexian]] cards from the expansion ''[[Mirrodin Besieged]]'' do not have a race either (e.g., <c>Priests of Norn</c> and <c>Tormentor Exarch</c>); the rationale for which being these creatures are so far modified and removed from any race to be identifiable. In retrospect, Mark Rosewater has stated that it would have been profitable to have introduced the Phyrexian creature type, which would encompass many creatures that are now [[Horrors]], [[Zombies]], [[Carriers]].
  +
  +
==List of creature types==
  +
As of the ''[[Magic 2013]]'' edition of the official "Mistform Ultimus Watch", a listing of the creature types that <c>Mistform Ultimus</c> and all [[Changeling]]s have, there are 224 creature subtypes in ''Magic: The Gathering''.<ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/1038|Mistform Ultimus Watch: ''Magic 2013'' Edition|[[Monty Ashley]]|August 15, 2012}}</ref>
  +
{{Div col|5}}
  +
*[[Advisor]]
  +
*[[Ally]]
  +
*[[Angel]]
  +
*[[Anteater]]
  +
*[[Antelope]]
  +
*[[Ape]]
  +
*[[Archer]]
  +
*[[Archon]]
  +
*[[Artificer]]
  +
*[[Assassin]]
  +
*[[Assembly-Worker]]
  +
*[[Atog]]
  +
*[[Aurochs]]
  +
*[[Avatar]]
  +
*[[Badger]]
  +
*[[Barbarian]]
  +
*[[Basilisk]]
  +
*[[Bat]]
  +
*[[Bear]]
  +
*[[Beast]]
  +
*[[Beeble]]
  +
*[[Berserker]]
  +
*[[Bird]]
  +
*[[Blinkmoth]]
  +
*[[Boar]]
  +
*[[Bringer]]
  +
*[[Brushwagg]]
  +
*[[Camarid]]
  +
*[[Camel]]
  +
*[[Caribou]]
  +
*[[Carrier]]
  +
*[[Cat]]
  +
*[[Centaur]]
  +
*[[Cephalid]]
  +
*[[Chimera]]
  +
*[[Citizen]]
  +
*[[Cleric]]
  +
*[[Cockatrice]]
  +
*[[Construct]]
  +
*[[Coward]]
  +
*[[Crab]]
  +
*[[Crocodile]]
  +
*[[Cyclops]]
  +
*[[Dauthi]]
  +
*[[Demon]]
  +
*[[Deserter]]
  +
*[[Devil]]
  +
*[[Djinn]]
  +
*[[Dragon]]
  +
*[[Drake]]
  +
*[[Dreadnought]]
  +
*[[Drone]]
  +
*[[Druid]]
  +
*[[Dryad]]
  +
*[[Dwarf]]
  +
*[[Efreet]]
  +
*[[Elder]]
  +
*[[Eldrazi]]
  +
*[[Elemental]]
  +
*[[Elephant]]
  +
*[[Elf]]
  +
*[[Elk]]
  +
*[[Eye]]
  +
*[[Faerie]]
  +
*[[Ferret]]
  +
*[[Fish]]
  +
*[[Flagbearer]]
  +
*[[Fox]]
  +
*[[Frog]]
  +
*[[Fungus]]
  +
*[[Gargoyle]]
  +
*[[Germ]]
  +
*[[Giant]]
  +
*[[Gnome]]
  +
*[[Goat]]
  +
*[[Goblin]]
  +
*[[Golem]]
  +
*[[Gorgon]]
  +
*[[Graveborn]]
  +
*[[Gremlin]]
  +
*[[Griffin]]
  +
*[[Hag]]
  +
*[[Harpy]]
  +
*[[Hellion]]
  +
*[[Hippo]]
  +
*[[Hippogriff]]
  +
*[[Homarid]]
  +
*[[Homunculus]]
  +
*[[Horror]]
  +
*[[Horse]]
  +
*[[Hound]]
  +
*[[Human]]
  +
*[[Hydra]]
  +
*[[Hyena]]
  +
*[[Illusion]]
  +
*[[Imp]]
  +
*[[Incarnation]]
  +
*[[Insect]]
  +
*[[Jellyfish]]
  +
*[[Juggernaut]]
  +
*[[Kavu]]
  +
*[[Kirin]]
  +
*[[Kithkin]]
  +
*[[Knight]]
  +
*[[Kobold]]
  +
*[[Kor]]
  +
*[[Kraken]]
  +
*[[Lammasu]]
  +
*[[Leech]]
  +
*[[Leviathan]]
  +
*[[Lhurgoyf]]
  +
*[[Licid]]
  +
*[[Lizard]]
  +
*[[Manticore]]
  +
*[[Masticore]]
  +
*[[Mercenary]]
  +
*[[Merfolk]]
  +
*[[Metathran]]
  +
*[[Minion]]
  +
*[[Minotaur]]
  +
*[[Monger]]
  +
*[[Mongoose]]
  +
*[[Monk]]
  +
*[[Moonfolk]]
  +
*[[Mutant]]
  +
*[[Myr]]
  +
*[[Mystic]]
  +
*[[Nautilus]]
  +
*[[Nephilim]]
  +
*[[Nightmare]]
  +
*[[Nightstalker]]
  +
*[[Ninja]]
  +
*[[Noggle]]
  +
*[[Nomad]]
  +
*[[Octopus]]
  +
*[[Ogre]]
  +
*[[Ooze]]
  +
*[[Orb]]
  +
*[[Orc]]
  +
*[[Orgg]]
  +
*[[Ouphe]]
  +
*[[Ox]]
  +
*[[Oyster]]
  +
*[[Pegasus]]
  +
*[[Pentavite]]
  +
*[[Pest]]
  +
*[[Phelddagrif]]
  +
*[[Phoenix]]
  +
*[[Pincher]]
  +
*[[Pirate]]
  +
*[[Plant]]
  +
*[[Praetor]]
  +
*[[Prism]]
  +
*[[Rabbit]]
  +
*[[Rat]]
  +
*[[Rebel]]
  +
*[[Reflection]]
  +
*[[Rhino]]
  +
*[[Rigger]]
  +
*[[Rogue]]
  +
*[[Salamander]]
  +
*[[Samurai]]
  +
*[[Sand]]
  +
*[[Saproling]]
  +
*[[Satyr]]
  +
*[[Scarecrow]]
  +
*[[Scorpion]]
  +
*[[Scout]]
  +
*[[Serf]]
  +
*[[Serpent]]
  +
*[[Shade]]
  +
*[[Shaman]]
  +
*[[Shapeshifter]]
  +
*[[Sheep]]
  +
*[[Siren]]
  +
*[[Skeleton]]
  +
*[[Slith]]
  +
*[[Sliver]]
  +
*[[Slug]]
  +
*[[Snake]]
  +
*[[Soldier]]
  +
*[[Soltari]]
  +
*[[Spawn]]
  +
*[[Specter]]
  +
*[[Spellshaper]]
  +
*[[Sphinx]]
  +
*[[Spider]]
  +
*[[Spike]]
  +
*[[Spirit]]
  +
*[[Splinter]]
  +
*[[Sponge]]
  +
*[[Squid]]
  +
*[[Squirrel]]
  +
*[[Starfish]]
  +
*[[Surrakar]]
  +
*[[Survivor]]
  +
*[[Tetravite]]
  +
*[[Thalakos]]
  +
*[[Thopter]]
  +
*[[Thrull]]
  +
*[[Treefolk]]
  +
*[[Triskelavite]]
  +
*[[Troll]]
  +
*[[Turtle]]
  +
*[[Unicorn]]
  +
*[[Vampire]]
  +
*[[Vedalken]]
  +
*[[Viashino]]
  +
*[[Volver]]
  +
*[[Wall]]
  +
*[[Warrior]]
  +
*[[Weird]]
  +
*[[Werewolf]]
  +
*[[Whale]]
  +
*[[Wizard]]
  +
*[[Wolf]]
  +
*[[Wolverine]]
  +
*[[Wombat]]
  +
*[[Worm]]
  +
*[[Wraith]]
  +
*[[Wurm]]
  +
*[[Yeti]]
  +
*[[Zombie]]
  +
*[[Zubera]]
  +
{{Div col end}}
  +
  +
===List of obsolete creature types===
  +
{{Main|Grand Creature Type Update#List of obsolete creature types}}
   
 
==See also==
  
==See also==
  +
*[[Class]]
−
* [[Grand Creature Type Update]]
  
  +
*[[Grand Creature Type Update]]
−
* [[Tribal]]
  
  +
*[[Race]]
  +
*[[Tribal]]
  +
  +
==Notes==
  +
{{Reflist|group=note}}
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
−
{{reflist}}
 +
{{Reflist}}
   
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
−
*[http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtgcom/daily/mr315 The Amazing Race/Class]
 +
*[http://mtgohelp.wizards.com/HTMLDocuments/gloss_creaturetype.htm ''MTG'' Glossary: "Creature Type"]
  +
*[http://www.wizards.com/Magic/advanced/5E/Fifth_Ed_Rulebook/Section_II.html 5th Edition ''Rulebook'']
  +
*{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr47|Beast of Show|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 18, 2002}}
  +
*{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/af31|Legendary Rules Changes|[[Aaron Forsythe]]|September 10, 2004}}
  +
*{{DailyRef|mtgcom/feature/424a3|The Grand Creature Type Update|[[Mark Gottlieb]]|September 26, 2007}}
  +
*{{DailyRef|mtgcom/feature/440a|''Morningtide'' Update Bulletin|[[Mark Gottlieb]]|January 16, 2008}}
  +
*{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/nw51|The Creature Type Web|[[Dave Guskin]]|February 19, 2008}}
  +
*{{DailyRef|mtgcom/daily/mr315|The Amazing Race/Class|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 21, 2008}}
   
 
{{Card types}}
  
{{Card types}}
−
[[Category:Magic rules]][[Category:Creature types| ]]
 +
[[Category:Creature types| ]]

Revision as of 17:59, 13 July 2013

A creature subtype, or creature type, is any subtype used for the further classification of creatures, both cards and tokens. Historically, creature type was simply for purposes relating to flavor; however, as distant as Fallen Empires, creature types have had thematic and mechanistic purposes too.

History

Originally, in Limited Edition Alpha, creature types were largely for flavor-related reasons. This was continued until Fallen Empires, when creatures types had mechanical implications. The first block in which creature types mattered was Tempest, particularly via the Licids and Slivers, both of which creature types shared a mechanical identity among its creature cards. Mercadian Masques block revisited this, albeit with Spellshapers; Odyssey block, with its pre-tribal tribal cards; Onslaught block, with its tribal cards; Time Spiral block, with its Tribal supertype cards; Lorwyn–Shadowmoor block, with its Tribal supertype cards.

Following Lorwyn–Shadowmoor block, no other block would feature the Tribal supertype, and following expansions and non-expansion sets would continue to feature creature types for purposes other than flavor.

Grand Creature Type Update

Main article: Grand Creature Type Update

Race/class model

Main articles: Race and Class

The race/class model is the concept that each Magic card depicting a sentient being should have a class as well as a race subtype.

It was concurrent with Mirrodin's design that the creative team managed to convince R&D that the race/class system needed to be adopted. Before that time, creatures had one creature type. Sometimes, it was merely a race; other times, it was merely a class. The race/class system was designed to help align Magic with many other fantasy-based games. Along with the race/class model, the Human subtype was introduced. At that time, it was an open question whether creature types on existing cards should be changed.[1] In the end the decision was made in favor of having consistent creature types in the core set (Ninth Edition). The final step was made with the Grand Creature Type Update, as part of the regular Oracle update for Lorwyn.[2]

Interestingly, Nameless Race has neither race nor class, and certain creature cards, such as Nameless One, Adarkar Sentinel, and Aesthir Glider, do not have either a race or a class. Certain Phyrexian cards from the expansion Mirrodin Besieged do not have a race either (e.g., Priests of Norn and Tormentor Exarch); the rationale for which being these creatures are so far modified and removed from any race to be identifiable. In retrospect, Mark Rosewater has stated that it would have been profitable to have introduced the Phyrexian creature type, which would encompass many creatures that are now Horrors, Zombies, Carriers.

List of creature types

As of the Magic 2013 edition of the official "Mistform Ultimus Watch", a listing of the creature types that Mistform Ultimus and all Changelings have, there are 224 creature subtypes in Magic: The Gathering.[3]

Template:Div col end

List of obsolete creature types

Main article: Grand Creature Type Update#List of obsolete creature types

See also

Notes

References

  1. ↑ Template:MTGref
  2. ↑ Mark Gottlieb (Wednesday, September 26, 2007). "Lorwyn Update Bulletin". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Monty Ashley (August 15, 2012). "Mistform Ultimus Watch: Magic 2013 Edition". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

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