I assume this was originally in the set to reset your clockwork guys. Now that clockwork has changed to modular, should this be replaced? I mean, it is a cool blink effect, but perhaps something to better work with modular?

This was more of a "random rare" that had a cool effect. People like blink effects, and this lets you blink something multiple times to maximize ETB effects. It doesn't tie in directly to the set mechanics because WotC's said it's good to include a few rares that don't use set mechanics for players who don't like the set's themes.

It's good because everyone who looks at it comes up with something new to do with it. Someone I was showing the set talked about splashing white in a mill deck and going chimney imp/stuttering blink/ glimpse the unthinkable.

Obviously not the most effective use of any of those cards, but he loved it. I would be distraught to see it leave.

Seems odd for "Blink EVERYTHING, or something a lot, or some kinda mix" to appear in white before blue - but yeah, this is a utility rare; I can get behind it.

And it kinda interacts with modular - both to get back the counters (if you found a way to move them early) or (if you remove the self restriction) to undo a creature that got pumped by lots of modules.

Hahaha! Yes, every set has a few random rares unconnected to the mechanical themes of the set, often aimed at Johnny, and this falls very squarely into that category. I love it. Can do sooo many things, several of them utterly abusable. Keldon Champion to deal someone 15+ damage. Sylvan Primordial to destroy everyone's lands and double your own (the other Primordials are pretty good too). Many things like Shriekmaw or Mulldrifter will turn this into one half or the other of Dregs of Sorrow.

It probably doesn't need to be allowed to hit multiple targets. Ghostway already exists for the "blink everything of mine" approach; this would still do plenty even if it was just "choose one target creature, flicker that creature X times".

I don't think that having it be the same target everytime would work. Wouldn't the card be a new object after it flickers once? I think the "choose new target" part is essential to making it work.

Changing it to only target one item would require a lot of extra text. I don't think it needs it.

­Ghostway always seemed like more of an answer to mass removal to me. This doesn't do that, but enables numerous other shenanigans.

I think the line "repeat this process X more times" works just fine. You could target the same guy repeatedly if you want. I'm actually not sure how you could limit it to only target something once, since when it comes back, the game treats it as a new object. The current version is fine. And Johnny-tastic fun.

So, does that mean we're changing this or not?

Keep it as is.

The problem is, targets need to be chosen at the time the spell is put on the stack. At that point I certainly can't target the new object that this Mulldrifter will become once I've blunk it once. So it's really not possible within the rules to "repeat this process X times" when part of the process happens at casting time and part of the process on resolution.

But I think it does work fine to say "Choose target creature you control. Exile that creature, then return it to the battlefield. Repeat this process X times." The spell can track the object as long as it's the spell itself that's moving it. That's how come normal blink cards like Otherworldly Journey can work at all.

FWIW, I searched gatherer for any cards which "target" and "repeat" the "process" and Crooked Scales and Tyrant of Discord etc suggest that 'repeat the process' doesn't include choosing new targets. So this would work as I assumed -- blink one creature X+1 times.

You could say "blink X creatures" instead, or find some wording that does let you re-target, but I don't think it's necessary: we already have "blink everything" cards, it's interesting to have a "blink one thing lots" card.

Just don't target, since you can only blink your guys anyway. It'll let the card do its intended function (blink as many guys as many times as you want, provided you can pay for it) and the only real problem is that you can blink your shroud guys. Is that really a big deal?

"Choose a creature you control. Exile it, then return it to the battlefield under your control. Repeat this process X more times."

EDIT: It also doesn't trigger heroic. Oh no!

How about adding a little flavour to the card? Stuttering Blink sounds so generic. I'd suggest Massive Malfunction, but i dont know if Malfunction fits the blinking...

I doubt this name is anywhere near final.

The card works like Ad Nauseam, so the wording should be similar.

"Exile target creature you control, then return that card to the battlefield under your control. You may repeat this process X number of times."

I believe the ability is worded like that because if you blinked something it would not be a valid target to be blinked again.