Jump to content

Alara block: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m →Set details (Alana Reborn: section name fix
 
(39 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Block of expansion sets in Magic: The Gathering}}
⚫
The '''Alara block''' is a ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' expert-level expansion block, consisting of the expansion sets '''''Shards of Alara''''' (October 3, 2008),<ref name="Shards Announcement">{{cite web |url=http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/arcana/1549 |title=Announcing Shards of Alara|last=Magic Arcana |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=18 March 2008 |accessdate=2008-03-18}}</ref> '''''Conflux''''' (February 6, 2009)<ref name="confluxannounce">{{cite web | url = http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/arcana/1644 | title = Magic Arcana — Announcing Conflux | publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=30 July 2008 |accessdate = 28 January 2010}}</ref> and '''''Alara Reborn''''' (April 30, 2009). The Alara block focuses on multicolored cards, in particular cards with three or more colors.<ref name="SCRYE">{{Citation
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
⚫
The '''Alara block''' is a ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' expert-level expansion block, consisting of the expansion sets '''''Shards of Alara''''' (October 3, 2008),<ref name="Shards Announcement">{{cite web |url=http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/arcana/1549 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321132943/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/arcana/1549 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 21, 2008 |title=Announcing Shards of Alara|last=Magic Arcana |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=March 18, 2008 |access-date=March 18, 2008}}</ref> '''''Conflux''''' (February 6, 2009)<ref name="confluxannounce">{{cite web | url = http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/arcana/1644 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080827105945/http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/arcana/1644 | url-status = dead | archive-date = August 27, 2008 | title = Magic Arcana — Announcing Conflux | publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=July 30, 2008 |access-date = January 28, 2010}}</ref> and '''''Alara Reborn''''' (April 30, 2009). The Alara block focuses on multicolored cards, in particular cards with three or more colors.<ref name="SCRYE">{{Citation
|last=Greenholdt
|last=Greenholdt
|first=Joyce
|first=Joyce
Line 7: Line 9:
|postscript=.}}</ref><ref name="ERTAI">{{Citation
|postscript=.}}</ref><ref name="ERTAI">{{Citation
|last=ertaislament
|last=ertaislament
|first=
|title=Shards of Alara Block
|title=Shards of Alara Block
|date=2013-06-26
|date=June 26, 2013
|url=http://ertaislament.com/category/intro-pack-reviews/shards-block/
|url=http://ertaislament.com/category/intro-pack-reviews/shards-block/
|accessdate=2013-10-04}}</ref>
|access-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref>


==Shards of Alara==
==''Shards of Alara''==
{{Infobox mtgset
{{Infobox mtgset
| Expansion Name = ''Shards of Alara''
| Expansion Name = ''Shards of Alara''
Line 19: Line 20:
| Symbol Description = five-shard crystal
| Symbol Description = five-shard crystal
| Release Date = October 3, 2008
| Release Date = October 3, 2008
| Keywords = [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]],<ref name="Maro1">{{cite web|url = http://wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/arcana/1549 |title=Between a Rock and a Shard Place |last=Rosewater |first=Mark |authorlink=Mark Rosewater |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=8 September 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref> [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Unearth|Unearth]],<ref name="Maro2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/mm/4 |title=Shard Candy |last=Rosewater |first=Mark |authorlink=Mark Rosewater |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=16 August 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-16}}</ref> [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Devour|Devour]],<ref name="Maro2"/> [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Cycling|Cycling]]
| Keywords = [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]],<ref name="Maro1">{{cite web|url = http://wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/arcana/1549 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080903201921/http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtgcom/arcana/1549 |url-status = dead |archive-date = September 3, 2008 |title=Between a Rock and a Shard Place |last=Rosewater |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Rosewater |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=September 8, 2008 |access-date=September 9, 2008}}</ref> [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Unearth|Unearth]],<ref name="Maro2">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/mm/4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917224348/http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/mm/4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 17, 2008 |title=Shard Candy |last=Rosewater |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Rosewater |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=August 16, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2008}}</ref> [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Devour|Devour]],<ref name="Maro2"/> [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Cycling|Cycling]]
| Size = 249 cards (15 Mythic Rare, 53 Rare, 60 Uncommon, 101 Common, 20 Basic Lands)
| Size = 249 cards (15 Mythic Rare, 53 Rare, 60 Uncommon, 101 Common, 20 Basic Lands)
| Mechanics =
| Mechanics =
Line 33: Line 34:
| Second Set = ''Conflux''
| Second Set = ''Conflux''
| Third Set = ''Alara Reborn''
| Third Set = ''Alara Reborn''
| Last Block = [[Shadowmoor|Shadowmoor Block]]
| Next Block = [[Zendikar|Zendikar Block]]
}}
}}


===Set details (Shards of Alara)===
===Set details===
Bill Rose was its lead designer for ''Shards of Alara'', and Devin Low was its lead developer. ''Shards'' is a multicolor set which revolves around three-color combinations.<ref name="Maro1"/> Its tagline is, "Five worlds share one fate." The set consists of 249 cards, 20 basic lands, 101 common, 60 uncommon, 53 rare, and 15 mythic rare. It was the first set to contain mythic rares.
Bill Rose was the lead designer for ''Shards of Alara'', and Devin Low was its lead developer. ''Shards'' is a multicolor set which revolves around three-color combinations.<ref name="Maro1" /> Its tagline is, "Five worlds share one fate." The set consists of 249 cards, of which 20 are basic lands, 101 are common, 60 uncommon, 53 rare, and 15 mythic rare. It was the first set to contain cards of the mythic rarity.


The design of ''Shards of Alara'' focuses on five different "shards" which together formed a single world once. Mechanically, each shard consists of one of the five magic colors and its two allied colors. Each shard has its own key worded mechanic or strong overarching theme, and its own creature types. The five shards were designed separately by three person design teams.
The design of ''Shards of Alara'' focuses on five different "shards" which originally formed a single world. Mechanically, each shard consists of one of the five magic colors and its two allied colors. Each shard has its own keyword mechanic or strong overarching theme, and its own creature types. The five shards were designed separately by three person design teams.


{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
|-
|- bgcolor="#cccccc"
! Shard Name
! scope="col" | Shard Name
! Primary Color
! scope="col" | Primary Color
! Secondary Colors
! scope="col" | Secondary Colors
! Primary Mechanic
! scope="col" | Primary Mechanic
! Dominant creature types
! scope="col" | Dominant creature types
! Planeswalker
! scope="col" | Planeswalker
! Design team
! scope="col" | Design team
|-
|-
| Bant
| Bant
| White
| White
| {{ubl
| Green<br />Blue
| Green
⚫
| [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]]<ref name="Maro1"/>
| Blue
⚫
| Angels, Rhox, Aven, and Humans<ref name="Whitters">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/4 |title=Ripping a World Apart |last=Whitters |first=Richard |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=16 August 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-16}}</ref>
}}
⚫
| [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]]<ref name="Maro1" />
⚫
| Angels, Rhox, Aven, and Humans<ref name="Whitters">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917224343/http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 17, 2008 |title=Ripping a World Apart |last=Whitters |first=Richard |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=August 16, 2008 |access-date=September 16, 2008}}</ref>
| Elspeth, Knight-Errant
| Elspeth, Knight-Errant
| Brian Tinsman, Kenneth Nagle, [[Mark Rosewater]]<ref name="Maro1"/>
| Brian Tinsman, Kenneth Nagle, [[Mark Rosewater]]<ref name="Maro1" />
|-
|-
| Esper
| Esper
| Blue
| Blue
| {{ubl
| White<br />Black
⚫
| White
⚫
| All creatures are colored artifact creatures<ref name="Maro2"/>
| Black
⚫
| Humans, Sphinxes, Homunculi, and Vedalken<ref name="Whitters"/>
}}
⚫
| All creatures are colored artifact creatures<ref name="Maro2" />
⚫
| Humans, Sphinxes, Homunculi, and Vedalken<ref name="Whitters" />
| Tezzeret the Seeker
| Tezzeret the Seeker
| [[Mark Rosewater]], Mark Globus, Mark Gottlieb<ref name="Maro1"/>
| [[Mark Rosewater]], Mark Globus, Mark Gottlieb<ref name="Maro1" />
|-
|-
| Grixis
| Grixis
| Black
| Black
| {{ubl
| Blue<br />Red
| Blue
⚫
| [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Unearth|Unearth]]<ref name="Maro2"/>
| Red
⚫
| Demons, Zombies, Humans, and Skeletons<ref name="Whitters"/>
}}
⚫
| [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Unearth|Unearth]]<ref name="Maro2" />
⚫
| Demons, Zombies, Humans, and Skeletons<ref name="Whitters" />
| Nicol Bolas (introduced in ''Conflux'')
| Nicol Bolas (introduced in ''Conflux'')
| Devin Low, Erik Lauer, Brian Tinsman<ref name="Maro1"/>
| Devin Low, Erik Lauer, Brian Tinsman<ref name="Maro1" />
|-
|-
| Jund
| Jund
| Red
| Red
| {{ubl
| Black<br />Green
| Black
⚫
| [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Devour|Devour]]<ref name="Maro2"/>
| Green
⚫
| Dragons, Goblins, Humans, and Viashino<ref name="Whitters"/>
}}
⚫
| [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Devour|Devour]]<ref name="Maro2" />
⚫
| Dragons, Goblins, Humans, and Viashino<ref name="Whitters" />
| Sarkhan Vol
| Sarkhan Vol
| Bill Rose, Mark Globus, [[Mike Turian]]<ref name="Maro1"/>
| Bill Rose, Mark Globus, [[Mike Turian]]<ref name="Maro1" />
|-
|-
| Naya
| Naya
| Green
| Green
| {{ubl
⚫
| Red<br />White
| Red
⚫
| Rewards playing creatures with a power of 5 or greater<ref name="Maro2"/>
| White
⚫
| Humans, Beasts, Elves, and Leonin<ref name="Whitters"/>
}}
⚫
| Rewards playing creatures with a power of 5 or greater<ref name="Maro2" />
⚫
| Humans, Beasts, Elves, and Leonin<ref name="Whitters" />
| Ajani Vengeant
| Ajani Vengeant
| Kenneth Nagle, [[Mark Rosewater]], [[Mike Turian]]<ref name="Maro1"/>
| Kenneth Nagle, [[Mark Rosewater]], [[Mike Turian]]<ref name="Maro1" />
⚫
|-
|}
|}


''Shards of Alara'' introduced several changes in Wizards' design and publishing approach. Sets from ''Shards'' forward have a smaller number of cards, to reduce the size of the card pool for Block and Standard [[The DCI#Constructed|constructed tournament formats]]. A new level of rarity, "Mythic Rare", was added; mythic rares replace a booster pack's rare card in 1 out of 8 packs. Also, as part of a move to make products more beginner friendly, booster packs include a basic land in place of one of the commons, and pre-constructed decks will be rebranded as "Intro Packs" including a 41-card [[Magic: The Gathering preconstructed theme decks|preconstructed deck]] and one booster pack. There are design changes to the fat pack, which for ''Shards'' includes five distinct box arts and the replacement of the usual set novel with an excerpt from ''A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara''.<ref name="Living Changerously">{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/mr334 |title=The Year of Living Changerously |first=Mark |last=Rosewater | authorlink = Mark Rosewater |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date = 2 June 2008 |accessdate=2008-06-02}}</ref> ''Shards'' was the last set for which [[Magic: The Gathering#Product and marketing|tournament packs]] were released. These changes held for ''Conflux'' and ''Alara Reborn''.
''Shards of Alara'' introduced several changes in Wizards' design and publishing approach. ''Shards'' and later sets have a smaller number of cards, to reduce the size of the card pool for Block and Standard [[The DCI#Constructed|constructed tournament formats]]. A new level of rarity, "Mythic Rare", was added; mythic rares replace a booster pack's rare card in 1 out of 8 packs. Also, as part of a move to make products more friendly to beginners, booster packs include a basic land in place of one of the commons, and pre-constructed decks will be rebranded as "Intro Packs" including a 41-card preconstructed deck and one booster pack. There were design changes to the fat pack, which for ''Shards of Alara'' includes five distinct box arts and the replacement of the usual set novel with an excerpt from ''A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara''.<ref name="Living Changerously">{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/mr334 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604092303/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/mr334 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 4, 2008 |title=The Year of Living Changerously |first=Mark |last=Rosewater | author-link = Mark Rosewater |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=June 2, 2008 |access-date=June 2, 2008}}</ref> ''Shards'' was the last set for which [[Magic: The Gathering#Production and marketing|tournament packs]] were released. These changes held for ''Conflux'' and ''Alara Reborn''.


''Shards of Alara'' also brings new [[planeswalker]] cards to the game. The first multicolored planeswalker to be revealed publicly was the red and green {{mtgcard|Sarkhan Vol}}. It was followed shortly by the white and red {{mtgcard|Ajani Vengeant}}, which is a new form of {{mtgcard|Ajani Goldmane}} from the ''[[Lorwyn]]'' set, and was the promotional card at ''Shards'' prerelease events and Launch Parties in September/October 2008.<ref name="Prerelease Card">{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/arcana/1660 |title=Shards of Alara Prerelease Card |last=Magic Arcana |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date = 21 August 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-21}}</ref>
''Shards of Alara'' also brings new [[planeswalker]] cards to the game. The first multicolored planeswalker to be revealed publicly was the red and green {{mtgcard|Sarkhan Vol}}. It was followed shortly by the white and red {{mtgcard|Ajani Vengeant}}, which is a new form of {{mtgcard|Ajani Goldmane}} from the ''[[Lorwyn]]'' set, and was the promotional card at ''Shards'' prerelease events and Launch Parties in September/October 2008.<ref name="Prerelease Card">{{cite web |url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/arcana/1660 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080823221030/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/arcana/1660 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 23, 2008 |title=Shards of Alara Prerelease Card |last=Magic Arcana |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=August 21, 2008 |access-date=August 21, 2008}}</ref>


===Story===
===Storyline (Shards of Alara)===
The plane of Alara, once rich with mana, was torn apart by an unknown planeswalker. The world survived, but it was split into five distinct shards. Each of the shards lacks two of the five colors of mana, which influenced their development and created different environments.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Beyer|first1=Doug|title=Alara, a World Broken|url=http://archive.wizards.com/Magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922195813/http://archive.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/3|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 22, 2014|website=wizards.com|publisher=Wizards of the Coast|access-date=November 11, 2014}}</ref>
{{Empty section|date=March 2014}}


===Mechanics (Shards of Alara)===
===Mechanics===
''Shards of Alara'' introduced the mechanics of devour, exalted and unearth.
''Shards of Alara'' introduced the mechanics of devour, exalted and unearth.
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


==Conflux==
==''Conflux''==
{{Infobox mtgset
{{Infobox mtgset
| Expansion Name = ''Conflux''
| Expansion Name = ''Conflux''
Line 119: Line 136:
| Next Set = ''[[Alara Reborn]]''
| Next Set = ''[[Alara Reborn]]''
| Block Name = Alara
| Block Name = Alara
| Set Position = Second
| First Set = ''Shards of Alara''
| First Set = ''Shards of Alara''
| Second Set = '''''Conflux'''''
| Second Set = '''''Conflux'''''
| Third Set = ''Alara Reborn''
| Third Set = ''Alara Reborn''
| Last Block = [[Shadowmoor|Shadowmoor Block]]
| Next Block = [[Zendikar|Zendikar Block]]
}}
}}


===Set details (Conflux)===
===Story===
{{Empty section|date=March 2014}}

===Storyline (Conflux)===
[[File:Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker.JPG|thumb|left|Nicol Bolas, the antagonist of the Shards block makes his first appearance as a Planeswalker here previously appearing as an {{mtgcard|elder dragon legend|201213}}]]

The storyline focuses on the chaos which results from the Shards being forced together in a ring, constantly raking against one another. Esper finds itself clashing with Grixis and Bant, Bant is wedged between Esper and Naya, Naya finds its way between Bant and Jund, Jund conflicts with Grixis and Naya, and Grixis is pressed between Esper and Jund.
The storyline focuses on the chaos which results from the Shards being forced together in a ring, constantly raking against one another. Esper finds itself clashing with Grixis and Bant, Bant is wedged between Esper and Naya, Naya finds its way between Bant and Jund, Jund conflicts with Grixis and Naya, and Grixis is pressed between Esper and Jund.


===Mechanics (Conflux)===
===Mechanics===
''Conflux'' continues the ''[[Shards of Alara]]'' set's multicolor theme, expanding on it by introducing five-colored cards to the Alara block. Actually ''Conflux'' is the set with the highest number of five-colored cards of all ''Magic'' sets. Aside from the multicolor theme the set makes use of the mechanics introduced in ''Shards of Alara'',
''Conflux'' continues the ''[[Shards of Alara]]'' set's multicolor theme, expanding on it by introducing five-colored cards to the Alara block. ''Conflux'' is the set with the highest number of five-colored cards of all ''Magic'' sets. Aside from the multicolored theme, the set makes use of the mechanics introduced in ''Shards of Alara'',
[[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]], [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Unearth|Unearth]], and [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Devour|Devour]]. Finally ''Conflux'' introduces the Domain. One of these is domain, an ability word which refers to an effect involving the number of basic land types among lands the player controls (this had been used in [[Invasion]], but not keyword). Domain expands on the existing mechanics of cycling and protection in the form of basic landcycling and protection from everything.
[[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]], [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Unearth|Unearth]], and [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Devour|Devour]]. ''Conflux'' also introduced Domain, an ability word which refers to an effect involving the number of basic land types among lands the player controls (this had been used in [[Invasion (Magic: The Gathering)|Invasion]], but not as a keyword). ''Conflux'' expands on the existing mechanics of cycling and protection in the form of basic landcycling and protection from everything.
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


==Alana Reborn==
==''Alara Reborn''==
{{Infobox mtgset
{{Infobox mtgset
| Expansion Name = ''Alara Reborn''
| Expansion Name = ''Alara Reborn''
Line 143: Line 158:
| Symbol Description = bound shards
| Symbol Description = bound shards
| Release Date = April 30, 2009
| Release Date = April 30, 2009
| Keywords = Cascade,<ref name="visual spoiler">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/alarareborn/spoiler|title=Alara Reborn Visual Spoiler|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|accessdate=2009-08-24}}</ref> Cycling, Landcycling
| Keywords = Cascade,<ref name="visual spoiler">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/alarareborn/spoiler|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411014909/http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/alarareborn/spoiler|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2009|title=Alara Reborn Visual Spoiler|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|access-date=August 24, 2009}}</ref> Cycling, Landcycling
| Size = 145 cards<ref name="confluxannounce"/> (10 Mythic Rare, 35 Rare, 40 Uncommon, 60 Common)
| Size = 145 cards<ref name="confluxannounce"/> (10 Mythic Rare, 35 Rare, 40 Uncommon, 60 Common)
| Mechanics = Cascade, Cycling, Landcycling, Exalted, Unearth, Devour, Hybrid
| Mechanics = Cascade, Cycling, Landcycling, Exalted, Unearth, Devour, Hybrid
Line 153: Line 168:
| Next Set = ''[[Magic 2010]]''
| Next Set = ''[[Magic 2010]]''
| Block Name = Alara
| Block Name = Alara
| Set Position = Third
| First Set = ''Shards of Alara''
| First Set = ''Shards of Alara''
| Second Set = ''Conflux''
| Second Set = ''Conflux''
| Third Set = '''''Alara Reborn'''''
| Third Set = '''''Alara Reborn'''''
| Last Block = [[Shadowmoor|Shadowmoor Block]]
| Next Block = [[Zendikar|Zendikar Block]]
}}
}}


===Set details (Alana Reborn)===
===Set details===
''Alara Reborn'' is the first set in the history of Magic the Gathering to consist mostly of multicolored, or "gold", cards (cards which require mana of more than one color to play).<ref name="preview">{{cite web|url=http://mtgsalvation.com/994-mtgcast-146-alara-reborn-confirmed-as-all-gold.html |title=MTGCast 146: Alara Reborn confirmed as all Gold! |last=MTG Salvation |publisher=[[MTG Salvation]] |date=2009-03-09 |accessdate=2009-03-16}}</ref> It expands on the mechanics, themes and flavor laid down in ''Shards of Alara'' and ''Conflux'', but creates new combinations of creatures under the influence of more than one shard, such as coloured artifact creatures from Esper that have the Bant ability [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]].<ref name="Ethercaste Knight">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/sf/34 |title=The Mother of All Dragons|first=Kelly|last=Digges |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=2009-04-14 |accessdate=2009-04-14| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090415090543/http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/sf/34| archivedate= 15 April 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
''Alara Reborn'' is the first set in the history of Magic: The Gathering to consist entirely of multicolored, or "gold", cards (cards which require mana of more than one color to play).<ref name="preview">{{cite web|url=http://mtgsalvation.com/994-mtgcast-146-alara-reborn-confirmed-as-all-gold.html |title=MTGCast 146: Alara Reborn confirmed as all Gold! |last=MTG Salvation |publisher=[[MTG Salvation]] |date=March 9, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2009}}</ref> It expands on the mechanics, themes and flavor established in ''Shards of Alara'' and ''Conflux'', but creates new combinations of creatures under the influence of more than one shard, such as coloured artifact creatures from Esper that have the Bant ability [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]].<ref name="Ethercaste Knight">{{cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/sf/34 |title=The Mother of All Dragons |first=Kelly |last=Digges |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |date=April 14, 2009 |access-date=April 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415090543/http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg%2Fdaily%2Fsf%2F34 |archive-date=April 15, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Storyline (Alana Reborn)===
{{Empty section|date=March 2014}}


===Mechanics (Alana Reborn)===
===Mechanics===
''Alara Reborn'' continues on the ''Shards of Alara'' set's [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]], [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Unearth|Unearth]] and [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Devour|Devour]] mechanics, as well as the Shadowmoor and Ravnica blocks' Hybrid Mechanic. Cards using the Hybrid Mechanic in this set lack the usual hybrid card border colors as they include a third color outside of the hybrid colors. It has also brought about the new mechanic called ''[[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Cascade|Cascade]]'', which reflects the chaotic, magical nature of the Maelstrom(a huge mana-storm that has gathered about the centre of the now-reborn Alara) in altering the nature of otherwise normal spells. When you pay a spell with cascade, exile cards from the top of your library until you remove a nonland card that costs less. You may cast it without paying its mana cost. Put the removed cards on the bottom in a random order. This mechanic effectively means that when you cast a spell with the "Cascade" keyword, you get to cast at least one other "free" spell directly from your library.
''Alara Reborn'' continues on the ''Shards of Alara'' set's [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Exalted|Exalted]], [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Unearth|Unearth]] and [[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Devour|Devour]] mechanics, as well as the Shadowmoor and Ravnica blocks' Hybrid Mechanic. Cards using the Hybrid Mechanic in this set lack the usual hybrid card border colors as they include a third color outside of the hybrid colors. It has also brought about the new mechanic called ''[[List of Magic: The Gathering keywords#Cascade|Cascade]]'', which reflects the chaotic, magical nature of the Maelstrom(a huge mana-storm that has gathered about the centre of the now-reborn Alara) in altering the nature of otherwise normal spells. When you play a spell with cascade, exile cards from the top of your library until you remove a nonland card that costs less. You may cast it without paying its mana cost. Put the removed cards on the bottom in a random order. This mechanic effectively means that when you cast a spell with the "Cascade" keyword, you get to cast at least one other "free" spell directly from your library.
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


==Reception==
==Reception==
''Shards of Alara'' won the [[2009 Origins Award winners|2009 Origins Award]] as "Best Collectible Card Game or Expansion".<ref>{{cite web | title = 35th Origins Awards | publisher = [[Game Manufacturers Association|GAMA]] | year = 2009 | accessdate = August 6, 2012 | url = http://gama.org/OriginsAwards/35thOriginsAwards/tabid/3203/Default.aspx}}</ref>
''Shards of Alara'' won the [[2009 Origins Award winners|2009 Origins Award]] as "Best Collectible Card Game or Expansion".<ref>{{cite web|title=35th Origins Awards |publisher=[[Game Manufacturers Association|GAMA]] |year=2009 |access-date=August 6, 2012 |url=http://gama.org/OriginsAwards/35thOriginsAwards/tabid/3203/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614053406/http://www.gama.org/OriginsAwards/35thOriginsAwards/tabid/3203/Default.aspx |archive-date=June 14, 2012 }}</ref>


==Notable cards==
==Notable cards==
Notable cards from ''Shards of Alara'' include '''{{mtgcard|Elspeth, Knight-Errant}}''' and '''{{mtgcard|Tezzeret the Seeker}}'''
Notable cards from ''Shards of Alara'' include {{mtgcard|Elspeth, Knight-Errant}} and {{mtgcard|Tezzeret the Seeker}}


Notable cards from ''Conflux'' include '''{{mtgcard|Noble Hierarch}}''', '''{{mtgcard|Path to Exile}}''' and '''{{mtgcard|Progenitus}}'''
Notable cards from ''Conflux'' include {{mtgcard|Noble Hierarch}}, {{mtgcard|Path to Exile}} and {{mtgcard|Progenitus}}


Two cards from ''Alara Reborn'' are '''{{mtgcard|Bloodbraid Elf}}''' and '''{{mtgcard|Maelstrom Pulse}}'''
Notable cards from ''Alara Reborn'' include {{mtgcard|Bloodbraid Elf}} and {{mtgcard|Maelstrom Pulse}}


==References==
==References==
Line 183: Line 198:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg_tcg_shardsofalara_productinfo Official product page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081010074253/http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg_tcg_shardsofalara_productinfo Official product page]
* [http://ww2.wizards.com/gatherer/index.aspx?term=&Field_Name=on&Field_Rules=on&Field_Type=on&setfilter=Shards%20of%20Alara&output=Text%20Spoiler&sort=Color Shards of Alara Spoilers]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081010074425/http://ww2.wizards.com/gatherer/index.aspx?term=&Field_Name=on&Field_Rules=on&Field_Type=on&setfilter=Shards%20of%20Alara&output=Text%20Spoiler&sort=Color Shards of Alara Spoilers]
* [http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg_tcg_conflux_productinfo Official Conflux product page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090211160625/http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg_tcg_Conflux_productinfo Official Conflux product page]
* [http://ww2.wizards.com/gatherer/index.aspx?term=&Field_Name=on&Field_Rules=on&Field_Type=on&setfilter=Conflux&output=Text%20Spoiler&sort=Color Conflux Spoiler list]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120309151932/http://ww2.wizards.com/gatherer/index.aspx?term=&Field_Name=on&Field_Rules=on&Field_Type=on&setfilter=Conflux&output=Text%20Spoiler&sort=Color Conflux Spoiler list]
* [http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg_tcg_alarareborn_productinfo Official product page]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090704024825/http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg_tcg_alarareborn_productinfo Official product page]
* [http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/Article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/alarareborn/spoiler Visual spoiler]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090411014909/http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/alarareborn/spoiler Visual spoiler]


{{MTG navbox|sets}}
{{MTG navbox|sets}}

Latest revision as of 17:39, 15 October 2024

The Alara block is a Magic: The Gathering expert-level expansion block, consisting of the expansion sets Shards of Alara (October 3, 2008),[1] Conflux (February 6, 2009)[2] and Alara Reborn (April 30, 2009). The Alara block focuses on multicolored cards, in particular cards with three or more colors.[3][4]

Shards of Alara

[edit]
Shards of Alara
common expansion symbol
five-shard crystal
ReleasedOctober 3, 2008
Size249 cards (15 Mythic Rare, 53 Rare, 60 Uncommon, 101 Common, 20 Basic Lands)
KeywordsExalted,[5] Unearth,[6] Devour,[6] Cycling
DesignersBill Rose (lead), Aaron Forsythe, Devin Low, Mark Rosewater, Mark Gottlieb, Brian Tinsman, Mike Turian, Matt Place, Erik Lauer, Alexis Janson, Ken Nagle, Mark Globus, Graeme Hompkins, Noah Weil, Mike Mikaelian
DevelopersDevin Low (lead)
Development codeRock
Expansion codeALA
First set in the Alara block
Shards of Alara Conflux Alara Reborn
← Masters Edition II Conflux →
← Shadowmoor Block Zendikar Block →

Set details

[edit]

Bill Rose was the lead designer for Shards of Alara, and Devin Low was its lead developer. Shards is a multicolor set which revolves around three-color combinations.[5] Its tagline is, "Five worlds share one fate." The set consists of 249 cards, of which 20 are basic lands, 101 are common, 60 uncommon, 53 rare, and 15 mythic rare. It was the first set to contain cards of the mythic rarity.

The design of Shards of Alara focuses on five different "shards" which originally formed a single world. Mechanically, each shard consists of one of the five magic colors and its two allied colors. Each shard has its own keyword mechanic or strong overarching theme, and its own creature types. The five shards were designed separately by three person design teams.

Shard Name Primary Color Secondary Colors Primary Mechanic Dominant creature types Planeswalker Design team
Bant White
  • Green
  • Blue
 Exalted[5] Angels, Rhox, Aven, and Humans[7] Elspeth, Knight-Errant Brian Tinsman, Kenneth Nagle, Mark Rosewater[5]
Esper Blue
  • White
  • Black
 All creatures are colored artifact creatures[6] Humans, Sphinxes, Homunculi, and Vedalken[7] Tezzeret the Seeker Mark Rosewater, Mark Globus, Mark Gottlieb[5]
Grixis Black
  • Blue
  • Red
 Unearth[6] Demons, Zombies, Humans, and Skeletons[7] Nicol Bolas (introduced in Conflux) Devin Low, Erik Lauer, Brian Tinsman[5]
Jund Red
  • Black
  • Green
 Devour[6] Dragons, Goblins, Humans, and Viashino[7] Sarkhan Vol Bill Rose, Mark Globus, Mike Turian[5]
Naya Green
  • Red
  • White
 Rewards playing creatures with a power of 5 or greater[6] Humans, Beasts, Elves, and Leonin[7] Ajani Vengeant Kenneth Nagle, Mark Rosewater, Mike Turian[5]

Shards of Alara introduced several changes in Wizards' design and publishing approach. Shards and later sets have a smaller number of cards, to reduce the size of the card pool for Block and Standard constructed tournament formats. A new level of rarity, "Mythic Rare", was added; mythic rares replace a booster pack's rare card in 1 out of 8 packs. Also, as part of a move to make products more friendly to beginners, booster packs include a basic land in place of one of the commons, and pre-constructed decks will be rebranded as "Intro Packs" including a 41-card preconstructed deck and one booster pack. There were design changes to the fat pack, which for Shards of Alara includes five distinct box arts and the replacement of the usual set novel with an excerpt from A Planeswalker's Guide to Alara.[8] Shards was the last set for which tournament packs were released. These changes held for Conflux and Alara Reborn.

Shards of Alara also brings new planeswalker cards to the game. The first multicolored planeswalker to be revealed publicly was the red and green Sarkhan Vol. It was followed shortly by the white and red Ajani Vengeant, which is a new form of Ajani Goldmane from the Lorwyn set, and was the promotional card at Shards prerelease events and Launch Parties in September/October 2008.[9]

Story

[edit]

The plane of Alara, once rich with mana, was torn apart by an unknown planeswalker. The world survived, but it was split into five distinct shards. Each of the shards lacks two of the five colors of mana, which influenced their development and created different environments.[10]

Mechanics

[edit]

Shards of Alara introduced the mechanics of devour, exalted and unearth.

Conflux

[edit]
Conflux
common expansion symbol
five-shard shield
ReleasedFebruary 6, 2009
Size145 cards[2] (10 Mythic Rare, 35 Rare, 40 Uncommon, 60 Common)
KeywordsDomain
Mechanics5 color cards / abilities
DesignersBill Rose (lead), Mark Globus, Mark Gottlieb, Kenneth Nagle[2]
DevelopersMike Turian (lead), Graeme Hopkins, Erik Lauer, Devin Low[2]
Development codePaper[2]
Expansion codeCON
Second set in the Alara block
Shards of Alara Conflux Alara Reborn
← Shards of Alara Alara Reborn →
← Shadowmoor Block Zendikar Block →

Story

[edit]

The storyline focuses on the chaos which results from the Shards being forced together in a ring, constantly raking against one another. Esper finds itself clashing with Grixis and Bant, Bant is wedged between Esper and Naya, Naya finds its way between Bant and Jund, Jund conflicts with Grixis and Naya, and Grixis is pressed between Esper and Jund.

Mechanics

[edit]

Conflux continues the Shards of Alara set's multicolor theme, expanding on it by introducing five-colored cards to the Alara block. Conflux is the set with the highest number of five-colored cards of all Magic sets. Aside from the multicolored theme, the set makes use of the mechanics introduced in Shards of Alara, Exalted, Unearth, and Devour. Conflux also introduced Domain, an ability word which refers to an effect involving the number of basic land types among lands the player controls (this had been used in Invasion, but not as a keyword). Conflux expands on the existing mechanics of cycling and protection in the form of basic landcycling and protection from everything.

Alara Reborn

[edit]
Alara Reborn
common expansion symbol
bound shards
ReleasedApril 30, 2009
Size145 cards[2] (10 Mythic Rare, 35 Rare, 40 Uncommon, 60 Common)
KeywordsCascade,[11] Cycling, Landcycling
MechanicsCascade, Cycling, Landcycling, Exalted, Unearth, Devour, Hybrid
DesignersAaron Forsythe (lead), Mark Gottlieb, Alexis Janson, Brian Tinsman[2]
DevelopersMatt Place (lead), Dave Guskin, Alexis Janson, Erik Lauer, Mike Turian[2]
Development codeScissors[2]
Expansion codeARB
Third set in the Alara block
Shards of Alara Conflux Alara Reborn
← Conflux Magic 2010 →
← Shadowmoor Block Zendikar Block →

Set details

[edit]

Alara Reborn is the first set in the history of Magic: The Gathering to consist entirely of multicolored, or "gold", cards (cards which require mana of more than one color to play).[12] It expands on the mechanics, themes and flavor established in Shards of Alara and Conflux, but creates new combinations of creatures under the influence of more than one shard, such as coloured artifact creatures from Esper that have the Bant ability Exalted.[13]

Mechanics

[edit]

Alara Reborn continues on the Shards of Alara set's Exalted, Unearth and Devour mechanics, as well as the Shadowmoor and Ravnica blocks' Hybrid Mechanic. Cards using the Hybrid Mechanic in this set lack the usual hybrid card border colors as they include a third color outside of the hybrid colors. It has also brought about the new mechanic called Cascade, which reflects the chaotic, magical nature of the Maelstrom(a huge mana-storm that has gathered about the centre of the now-reborn Alara) in altering the nature of otherwise normal spells. When you play a spell with cascade, exile cards from the top of your library until you remove a nonland card that costs less. You may cast it without paying its mana cost. Put the removed cards on the bottom in a random order. This mechanic effectively means that when you cast a spell with the "Cascade" keyword, you get to cast at least one other "free" spell directly from your library.

Reception

[edit]

Shards of Alara won the 2009 Origins Award as "Best Collectible Card Game or Expansion".[14]

Notable cards

[edit]

Notable cards from Shards of Alara include Elspeth, Knight-Errant and Tezzeret the Seeker

Notable cards from Conflux include Noble Hierarch, Path to Exile and Progenitus

Notable cards from Alara Reborn include Bloodbraid Elf and Maelstrom Pulse

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Magic Arcana (March 18, 2008). "Announcing Shards of Alara". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 18, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Magic Arcana — Announcing Conflux". Wizards of the Coast. July 30, 2008. Archived from the original on August 27, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
  3. ^ Greenholdt, Joyce (March 2008), Scrye, The Guide to Collectible Games, p. 106.
  4. ^ ertaislament (June 26, 2013), Shards of Alara Block, retrieved October 4, 2013
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Rosewater, Mark (September 8, 2008). "Between a Rock and a Shard Place". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 3, 2008. Retrieved September 9, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Rosewater, Mark (August 16, 2008). "Shard Candy". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c d e Whitters, Richard (August 16, 2008). "Ripping a World Apart". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  8. ^ Rosewater, Mark (June 2, 2008). "The Year of Living Changerously". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2008.
  9. ^ Magic Arcana (August 21, 2008). "Shards of Alara Prerelease Card". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on August 23, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  10. ^ Beyer, Doug. "Alara, a World Broken". wizards.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on September 22, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "Alara Reborn Visual Spoiler". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on April 11, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
  12. ^ MTG Salvation (March 9, 2009). "MTGCast 146: Alara Reborn confirmed as all Gold!". MTG Salvation. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
  13. ^ Digges, Kelly (April 14, 2009). "The Mother of All Dragons". Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2009.
  14. ^ "35th Origins Awards". GAMA. 2009. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Alara_block&oldid=1251341237"