Zendikar Rising
Released | September 25, 2020 | ||
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Size | 280 cards | ||
Development code | Diving | ||
Expansion code | ZNR | ||
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Zendikar Rising is the 85th and its expansion code is ZNR.
Setting
The
Planeswalkers
While "most of Magic: the Gathering's main characters have been missing in action" since the
Mechanics
Zendikar Rising introduces the new Party mechanic which is themed around the idea of classic adventuring parties.[11] This mechanic "can appear on creatures, instants, sorceries and more. A full party consists of a Cleric, a Rogue, a Warrior and a Wizard, which provides a little bit of everything a balanced adventuring squad needs".[6]
The returning mechanics from previous Zendikar sets are Kicker and Landfall.[11] When the Kicker cost is paid, "a spell can become stronger".[6] Landfall generates a bonus for the player when they put "lands onto the battlefield from anywhere. [...] And for the first time, landfall appears on a planeswalker: Nissa of Shadowed Boughs".[6]
The Zendikar Rising set also "introduced modal double-faced cards".[12] Louis Kemner, for CBR, explained that modal means "either side can be used from the hand, but once a side is chosen, the player is committed to that side. So far, every single modal double-faced card has a spell on one side and a simple land on the other [...]. The idea is that, while in the hand or deck, these cards can be either a much-needed land or a spell at the right time".[6]
Reception
Louis Kemner, for CBR, highlighted the new party mechanic where "cards with the party mechanic either scale up in effect or become cheaper as the party's numbers grow. [...] Double-faced cards also make their return, but they do not have the transform mechanic from the
Alexander Sowa, also for CBR, highlighted the return of corresponding fiction with the Zendikar Rising set. Sowa wrote that many Magic novels "were widely panned, with Greg Weissman's War of the Spark: Ravnica being infamous among fans for its misrepresentation of existing characters. It seems Wizards of the Coast listened to the protestations of their fans, as Zendikar Rising's story is once again being published, this time as short stories on the Magic website. [...] In the Heart of the Skyclave sets up a clear conflict between Nahiri and Nissa, each a representative of a different philosophy when it comes to Zendikar's Roil. Nahiri believes it's essential to preserve the lives of Zendikari above all else, regardless of any damage that might be inflicted on the natural world around them. Nissa stands in contrast as a representative of a new-world idea that would see the citizens of the plane act in harmony with the world around them. Neither side is a one-dimensional villain".[9]
Charlie Hall, for Polygon, highlighted that a new type booster pack was released for this set. Hall commented that Set Boosters "boast a tremendous collection of full-card art and the chance to get up to four Rare cards — including one or more Mythic Rares — inside each pack. [...] The most important thing to know about Set Boosters is that they’re not intended for use in drafting. [...] Set Booster packs are aimed squarely at collectors, and command a premium price tag to match. [...] The first third of the pack is designed as an introduction. [...] Next comes six Common and Uncommon cards that are connected via a similar theme. [...] After those six cards comes what [senior designer Gavin] Verhey refers to as 'the fireworks.' First is a 'head turner' card, curated by the team at Wizards to show off especially good art from the given set of cards. [...] After the head turner is a 'wildcard,' which has a chance of being a Rare. After that is a guaranteed Rare or Mythic Rare and a guaranteed foil card. [...] In 30 packs we came across a grand total of 42 Rares and three Mythic Rares, including a foil planeswalker and a borderless, alternate art planeswalker. There were 35 foils (including four foil lands) in all. Finally, we encountered two gold foil signed pieces of art".[14]
References
- ^ "Magic: The Gathering Zendikar Rising Preview Card: Ancient Greenwarden". pastemagazine.com. September 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Get a Look at One of Magic: The Gathering's Twisty New Double-Sided Cards". Gizmodo. September 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Blogatog". Blogatog. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Magic: The Gathering - What Went Wrong With the Battle for Zendikar Block?". CBR. April 24, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ "Magic: The Gathering: What You Must Know About the All-Devouring Eldrazi". CBR. July 8, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Magic: The Gathering - Zendikar Rising's New Mechanics, Explained". CBR. September 6, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Magic: The Gathering Zendikar Rising Preview Card: Ancient Greenwarden". pastemagazine.com. September 8, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Magic the Gathering: Zendikar Rising - Everything You Need To Know". ScreenRant. July 31, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "Magic: The Gathering - In the Heart of the Skyclave, Explained". CBR. September 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "The Worlds of Magic Origins". MAGIC: THE GATHERING. Magic Creative Team. July 9, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
RAVNICA [...] Role in Origins: Jace Beleren's destination plane [...] VRYN [...] Role in Origins: Jace Beleren's home plane
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: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b "Zendikar Rising Mechanics". MAGIC: THE GATHERING. September 1, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Why Magic: The Gathering's Double-Faced Cards Are So Good For The Game". ScreenRant. January 13, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Magic: The Gathering - Zendikar Rising's New Mechanics, Explained". CBR. September 6, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ Hall, Charlie (September 23, 2020). "Magic: The Gathering has a new kind of booster pack, here's how they work". Polygon. Retrieved June 8, 2021.