Myr
Myr (rhymes with "deer") is a creature type describing the metal automatons created by Memnarch that are found all over Mirrodin. Description Myr were created as mindless servitors and acted out a single role without question.
Myr (rhymes with "deer") is a creature type describing the metal automatons created by Memnarch that are found all over Mirrodin.
Description
Myr were created as mindless servitors and acted out a single role without question. However, there is said to be intelligence and emotion behind their sullen, mechanical eyes. Memnarch can see through the eyes of the myr using the Darksteel Eye.
Since the fall of Memnarch, many myr continued to fulfill their duties regardless of having no master while others simply shut down to await commands that would never come. Some developed consciousness and free will. At the start of the Phyrexian invasion, many were adapted to the Phyrexian side and equipped with sinew grafts, ichor, and necrogen.
The planeswalker Tamiyo once used the creation myth of the myr to magically cure Jace Beleren of his madness. This myth section describes the variety of form and function of the myr as being the natural result of engineered differences in replicating myr.
Etymology and design
The word "myr" is derived from the Greek word for "ant" (“myrmeco-”). The etymology is a direct reference to their small size, worker-role mentality, and ubiquitous presence. There is also the connection with the Myrmidon of Greek myth. The word has transmuted through history so that the word “myrmidon” refers to “a subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly or unscrupulously”. Myr were initially conceived as gnomes, but later moved to their current incarnation. Their primary design specs were to be small colorless artifact creatures with very limited, but unique abilities.
Mark Rosewater attributes the creation of the Myr to Brady Dommermuth. The set originally had Gnomes, and Brady didn’t want to do them and had to provide an alternative.
Creature type
- Myr first appeared as a creature type in the Mirrodin block and were revived for the Scars of Mirrodin block
- The only Myr outside of these blocks, until the release of Modern Horizons 2, was Sarcomite Myr from Future Sight. Its flavor text features a quote from the new Myr-token-generating legendary creature released in the Commander 2018 set, Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer.
- 42 Myr creature cards have been printed, 19 of them in the Mirrodin block and 20 in the Scars block, followed by an additional 7 in Modern Horizons 2 and Phyrexia: All Will Be One.
- 5 Myr creatures appeared in both blocks: the cycle of Myrs that can be tapped for a specific color of mana (Gold Myr, Silver Myr, Leaden Myr, Iron Myr, Copper Myr). These are 5 of the 9 Myr that can be tapped to generate mana.
- The Commander 2018 set features the legendary creature Brudiclad, Telchor Engineer as part of the Blue Red Artifacts deck. His creature type is Phyrexian Artificer, but he very much resembles a Myr who has ascended above all other Myrs, with the help of Phyrexia. He creates 2/1 Myr tokens in his own image and gives all tokens haste.
- As of Scars of Mirrodin Myr have a "Lord", which gives each other Myr +1/+1 (Myr Galvanizer). This addition makes them a playable tribe of creatures.
- Myr got a second "Lord" and tribal commander in Phyrexia: All Will Be One with Urtet, Remnant of Memnarch.