The three sets of a block, along with a core set, filled the four seasonal product slots that feed into the Standard format. This three-set "large-small-small" pattern was the default arrangement for blocks through Khans of Tarkir block. Its first set, the large expansion Mirage, was released in the Northern Hemisphere's autumn, followed by small sets Visions and Weatherlight in winter and spring. Mirage block, released in 19, was the first block developed for the three-set formula. Click to animate.įor much of Magic's history, blocks consisted of three sets. Īn illustration of the three-set block model gray blocks are core sets. Despite this, Ice Age and Alliances were later grouped with the intervening, but otherwise unrelated, Homelands to retroactively form Ice Age block. Alliances, released in 1996, was the first set to borrow the environment and mechanics from a previous set, Ice Age, although it did not immediately follow that set. History ĭuring the game's first two years, prior to the introduction of the block structure, Magic expansions usually had no direct continuity. Synergies are necessary both for the Standard environment in which a block initially releases, and the new Standard environment created when the next block releases (and the previous block rotates out of Standard). One of the most important parts of designing and developing sets is the creation of cross-block synergies to promote a more complex metagame. If a block is too focused on one aspect of its theme, it can force players to commit heavily to specific archetypes in deckbuilding. It also introduced double-faced cards to evoke the horror tropes of corruption and transformation. Innistrad block is based on gothic horror, and features a tribal component that pits humans against classic monsters, such as zombies and vampires. The theme can also be a genre or setting, which leads to mechanics designed to evoke a feeling, portray an environment, or otherwise enhance the story. Varying the strength and focus of these mechanics allows R&D to highlight differing gameplay elements, such as creature type or multicolored cards, over time. The block mechanics, flashback and threshold, incentivize greater use of discard and sacrifice effects. The theme can be either mechanical (" bottom-up"), or flavorful (" top-down").įor example, Odyssey block has a mechanical graveyard focus. The theme is the concept that gives a block its identity, differentiating it from other Magic expansions. It appeared that the second set in a block only sold 80% or less of the first set. In mid-2018, following the Ixalan block, the block structure was retired in favor of discrete large sets. Most block stories took place on a single plane and linked to the stories of adjacent blocks. A large expansion led off each block to establish its world and mechanical themes, which were explored further in the block's remaining set or sets, which have varied in size. Given almost all of the leaked Planeswalker cards are very blurry, we cannot directly confirm their authenticity.Blocks have ranged in size from two to four sets and were usually named for the first set they contain. Additionally, we will only be posting confirmed cards for War of the Spark and not ones that have potentially leaked. This can be anything from granting creatures Affinity to drawing a card when a creature dies. Including the Buy-a-Box promo, there are a total of 37 different Planeswalkers in War of the Spark.Ĭoming in at Uncommon, Rare, and Mythic, Planeswalkers differ this time around by boasting static abilities. With an undead army and a machine that prevents Planeswalkers from escaping, some of the most iconic figures in the game are in this set. Dubbed War of the Spark, this set revolves around the dragon Nicol Bolas coming to Ravnica to eliminate all of the opposing Planeswalkers. One of the most impactful and critical sets in Magic: The Gathering’s history is just around the corner.
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