Kithkin going Bye Bye or Just Evolving into Halflings?

Magic: The Gathering (MTG) has always been a game of evolution, both in its mechanics and its lore. Recently, a potential change has sparked a heated debate within the MTG community: the possibility of evolving the Kithkin creature type into Halflings. This proposal has ignited discussions across social media platforms and even prompted a poll by Mark Rosewater, the head designer of MTG. Let’s delve into this intriguing topic and explore the community’s reaction.

Who Are the Kithkin?

Before we jump into the debate, let’s refresh our memory about these diminutive denizens of the MTG multiverse:

• Kithkin are humanoid creatures, standing no taller than 4’5″
• They’re primarily associated with white mana, though they’ve been known to dabble in green, blue, and red
• Kithkin value community, simplicity, and forthrightness
• They’re quick, agile, and highly cooperative in battle
• Physically, they’re fair-skinned with exaggerated noses and ears

Interestingly, Kithkin was originally conceived as a Magic-friendly alternative to hobbits, avoiding potential conflicts with J.R.R. Tolkien’s estate. However, they’ve developed their own unique identity over time, distinct from their halfling cousins.

The Proposed Evolution: From Kithkin to Halflings

The idea of evolving Kithkin into Halflings has been floated by the MTG design team. This potential change raises several questions:

1. Would it affect the lore and flavor of existing Kithkin cards?
2. How might it impact future card designs?
3. Could it make the creature type more relatable to new players familiar with fantasy tropes?

Community Reaction: A House Divided

To gauge player sentiment, Mark Rosewater created a poll asking whether Kithkin should evolve into Halflings. The results were eye-opening:

• 69% voted against the change
• 31% were in favor of the evolution

These numbers clearly show a community preference for preserving the Kithkin as they are. But why such a strong reaction?

Social media discussions have revealed a range of opinions:

“Kithkin have their own unique identity in MTG. Changing them to Halflings feels like erasing that history.” – @MTGEnthusiast

“I can see the appeal of Halflings, but Kithkin have grown on me. They’re part of what makes Magic unique.” – @CardKingdom

Pro players have also weighed in on the debate:

“From a competitive standpoint, changing Kithkin to Halflings could have interesting implications for tribal decks. But is it worth the lore upheaval?” – Pro Player Andrea Mengucci

Potential Gameplay Impact

While Wizards of the Coast hasn’t officially commented on the gameplay implications, we can speculate on how this change might affect the game:

1. Tribal Synergies: Existing Kithkin tribal cards would need errata to include Halflings, potentially affecting their power level in formats like Modern and Commander.
2. Flavor Text and Art: Many Kithkin cards feature flavor text and art that emphasize their unique culture. A shift to Halflings might necessitate changes to maintain consistency.
3. Future Design Space: The Halfling creature type might open up new design possibilities, drawing inspiration from classic fantasy tropes.

Wizards of the Coast: Silent for Now

As of now, Wizards of the Coast hasn’t provided official reasoning for considering this change. However, we can infer a few potential motivations:

• Aligning MTG’s creature types more closely with popular fantasy archetypes
• Addressing the historical “creepy” perception of Kithkin by some players
• Potentially expanding the design space for small humanoid creatures in white mana

The Road Ahead

The Kithkin-to-Halfling debate highlights the passion of the MTG community and the delicate balance between innovation and tradition in game design. While the majority seems to favor keeping Kithkin as they are, it’s clear that any decision will have far-reaching implications for the game’s lore and mechanics.

What do you think about this potential change? Should Kithkin evolve into Halflings, or should they remain as the unique creatures we’ve come to know? Share your thoughts in the comments below!