Mechanics you'd like to return

[Maraxus of Keld]

Every once in awhile, Wizards likes to reintroduce old mechanics, usually putting a new spin on them in the process. For example, they brought back Cycling in Onslaught, not only with cards that could cycle for a specific basic land (like Twisted Abomination or Elvish Aberration) but they also created a card that makes cycling cards a bit more worth it, and even led to a big tournament deck (Astral Slide). So, what other mechanics would you like to see return in a future block?

I personally would love to see Buyback return. Unfortunately, I think they've taken that as far as they really can, because they've made buyback versions of all the basic types of spells that I can think of. Flowstone Flood is a buyback Stone Rain, Disturbed Burial is a buyback Raise Dead, etc.

[Maraxus of Keld]

On a related note, are there any mechanics you hope they don't ever bring back?

I would like to never see any more Indestructible cards, for one thing. When it's a card like Darksteel Pendant or Darksteel Ingot that most people wouldn't bother to destroy anyway, I don't mind it. But I really don't think there should be Indestructible creatures, especially not large ones like Darksteel Colossus.

Also, I'm not very fond of Kicker, for whatever reason.

[Volrath, the Fallen]

it was kind of a story based mechanic, but the things nightmares did. Hypnox, Laquatus's Champion, are just a couple. Even the ones that adversely affected the caster like Wormfang Behemoth and Soulgorger Orgg

[Baron Sengir]

I would actually like to see kicker brought back, but that may be due to the fact Apocalypse is still one of my favorite sets. I also never want to see cumulative upkeep again, like Illusionary Wall.

[Maraxus of Keld]

Well now that Eon Hub is out there, Cumulative Upkeep isn't as damaging as it once was. Nonetheless, I wouldn't really want to see it again anyway.

Ever notice that Entwine is very similar to kicker? Pay some extra mana when you play the spell, and it does something extra.

[Arcades Sabboth]

honestly, i would like to see banding return. on the contrary to what most people think, it isnt all that confusing if you dont try to interpret it with the "stack" rules.

[Arcades Sabboth]

oh yeah, one more. id like to see buyback make a come back. I thought that was one of the best abilities ever. If it did, id like to see more creative buybacks such as forbid had. not just pay 3 or whatever.

[Maraxus of Keld]

But what kind of buybacks could they do? They already have:

Forbid = Counterspell w/ buyback.
Flowstone Flood = Stone Rain w/ buyback.
Whim of Volrath = Sleight of Mind/Magical Hack w/ buyback.
Fanning the Flames = Fireball w/ buyback.
Mind Games = Twiddle w/ buyback.
Whispers of the Muse = mini Ancestral Recall w/ buyback.
Searing Touch = mini-Bolt w/ buyback.
Constant Mists = Fog w/ buyback.
Elvish Fury = Giant Growth w/ buyback.

And I know there's more, like Reaping the Rewards, Pegasus Stampede, and a couple others. I'm all in favor of buyback returning, if they can come up with some new spells for it. My problem is I don't see what else there is to do with it.

[Wiccy]

I'd like to see a few thngs come about more often.

Flashback
Nightmares (removing things from the game, very cool)
Removing cards form your hand instead of playing casting costs (like that had in Alliances)
Buyback was also pretty cool.
I also like Morph.

I'd like to get rid of Cycling all together though, that, Phasing and Shadow.

[Maraxus of Keld]

I thought Shadow was rather uninspired (really, it works like a flying creature that can't block creatures without flying), but I still use it because not many others do.
Phasing is a headache and a rules nightmare, so I totally agree with you about that never coming back.
Cycling is, well, rather dumb for the most part, because most cards with cycling are either inferior versions of other cards (witness the lands that work like basic lands but come in tapped, can't think of the names right now), or are at the very least severely overcosted for what they do. About the only things relating to cycling that are any good in my opinion are Decree of Justice and Astral Slide.

[CrimsonTears]

How about phasing with a twist. Make it an activated ability and osmething happens when the card in question phases back in. Like my Final Fantasy 2 card for Kain I have yet to post. In fact I will go post it now so you get the idea.

[Maraxus of Keld]

I'm very unhappy to see Indestructible back, and even moreso if I understood correctly that it's to become a standard ability. First of all, it was supposed to be unique to Darksteel, because it was a property of the darksteel material. That's why every indestructible card started with the word "Darksteel."
Second, it's annoying and not fun to play against. About the only things it can be on without putting a damper on the enjoyment of the game are things like Darksteel Pendant and Darksteel Ingot that nobody would want to destroy anyway. It should never, ever have been put on a creature, let alone one the size of Darksteel Colossus. And what's more, a creature that size with NO DRAWBACK other than casting cost. About the only smart thing they did with that card is ensure you can't Reanimate it.
So in conclusion, indestructible sucks.