Why is Shanna's Ability Worded Differently from Well of Lost Dreams?
General forum
Posted on Sept. 17, 2022, 12:30 a.m. by DemonDragonJ
Shanna, Purifying Blade has an ability that is very similar to that of Well of Lost Dreams, but the wording is slightly different, which I initially thought may have been a one-time change, but a card in the upcoming Warhammer 40,000 decks has an ability worded the same way, which I find to be weird, since I believe that the original wording is more eloquent and less clumsy.
What does everyone else say about this? Why does Shanna, Purifying Blade have different wording from Well of Lost Dreams?
BishopAtavist says... #3
I'm not sure I agree that Shanna's wording is either less eloquent or more clumsy. If anything Well of Lost Dreams' text saying "where X is less than or equal to the amount of life you gained" is just a (slightly) longer way to say "X can't be greater than the amount of life you gained..." I think Shanna's wording is actually clearer because it's more concise.
The main difference, aside from the one previously mentioned about the end step, is that Shanna's wording reads more prohibitively. Well of Lost Dreams is telling you what X can be, Shanna is telling you what it CAN'T be.
September 17, 2022 9:31 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #4
I think more importantly than either of the mentioned reasons is that Shanna, Purifying Blade only triggers on YOUR end step. There can be no drawing from life link on defenders or Beacon of Immortality on the second main of the person before you. It is functionally a MUCH more restrictive ability.
September 17, 2022 10:01 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #5
wallisface, BishopAtavist, Gidgetimer, I was not sufficiently clearly; what I meant to ask was why Shanna's ability is written as "at the beginning of your end step, you may pay . If you do, draw X cards. X can’t be greater than the amount of life you gained this turn" rather than "at the beginning of your end step, you may pay , where X is less than or equal to the amount of life you gained this turn. If you do, draw X cards." Do you see the differences, there?
September 17, 2022 10:07 a.m.
Gidgetimer says... #6
Different internal logics and importances of clauses. Functionally both do the same thing and both are correct syntax for MtG. Well of Lost Dreams triggers off of life gain and thus the life gain is referenced earlier in the ability to define the values that X can be. Shanna, Purifying Blade triggers EOT and the trigger is unrelated to any specific instance of life gain. Therefore; the restriction on X is at the end of the ability like other things that restrict X.
September 17, 2022 12:18 p.m.
RiotRunner789 says... #8
This thread just made me disappointed with Shanna. I mistakenly thought she was a functional Well of Lost Dreams in the command zone. The EOT trigger isn't too bad but only on your end step is crushing for my original outlook for her.
September 19, 2022 4:15 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #10
RiotRunner789, I feel that same sense of disappointment, as well, unfortunately.
wallisface says... #2
Shanna’s wording would have to be different because its an ability that specifically triggers on the end step - they didn’t want it drawing you cards mid-turn. Assuming it remains an end step ability as-intended, how would you suggest it be worded?
September 17, 2022 1:15 a.m.