Tempest: Difference between revisions

From MTG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
VisualWikitext
>Yandere-sliver
>Neoheart
No edit summary
 
(28 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
|sub2 = Official Guide
|sub2 = Official Guide
}}
}}
{{otheruses}}
{{Infobox set
{{Infobox set
   |image = TMP logo.png
   |image = TMP logo.png
Line 11: Line 10:
   |art = [[Matt Wilson]]
   |art = [[Matt Wilson]]
   |release = October 14, 1997<ref>[http://octgn.blogspot.de/2005/12/alpha-thru-ravnica-patch.html OCTGN Fansite]</ref>
   |release = October 14, 1997<ref>[http://octgn.blogspot.de/2005/12/alpha-thru-ravnica-patch.html OCTGN Fansite]</ref>
   |plane = [[Rath]]
   |plane = [[Rath]]<ref name="FAQ">{{WebRef|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030218051826/http://www.wizards.com:80/magic/generic/storyline/faq.asp|title=Dominian FAQ (archived)|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=wizards.com}}</ref>
   |mechanics = [[Flowstone]], [[Licid]]s, [[Sliver]]s, [[Spike]]s
   |mechanics = [[Flowstone]], [[Licid]]s, [[Sliver]]s, [[Spike]]s
   |keywords = [[Buyback]], [[Shadow]]
   |keywords = [[Buyback]], [[Shadow]]
   |size = 350 (110 Common 110 Uncommon 110 Rare 20 Land)
   |size = 350 cards<br/>{{curmb|110|110|110||20}}
   |code_expansion = TMP
   |code_expansion = TMP
   |code_expansion_ref=<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-august-2004-2004-08-02|Ask Wizards - August, 2004|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|August 02, 2004}}</ref>
   |code_expansion_ref= {{DailyRef|ask-wizards-august-2004-2004-08-02|Ask Wizards - August, 2004|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|August 02, 2004}}  
   |code_development = Bogavhati
   |code_development = Bogavhati
   |series = [[Tempest block]]
   |series = [[Tempest block]]
   |first = '''Tempest'''
   |first = Tempest
   |second = [[Stronghold]]
   |second = Stronghold
   |third = [[Exodus]]
   |third = Exodus
   |previous = [[Weatherlight]]
   |previous = Weatherlight
   |next = [[Stronghold]]
   |next = Stronghold
}}
}}
{{otheruses}}
'''''Tempest''''' is the twelfth ''[[Magic]]'' [[expansion]] and was released in October 1997 as  a [[Standalone|standalone set]], and as the [[Large expansion|first part]] of the [[Tempest block]]. The set continues the [[Weatherlight Saga]] on the stormy plane of [[Rath]].  
'''''Tempest''''' is the twelfth ''[[Magic]]'' [[expansion]] and was released in October 1997 as  a [[Standalone|standalone set]], and as the [[Large expansion|first part]] of the [[Tempest block]]. The set continues the [[Weatherlight Saga]] on the stormy plane of [[Rath]].  


==Set details==
==Set details==
The rarity break down of the 350 black-bordered set is 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares, and 20 basic lands. ''Tempest'''s [[expansion symbol]] is a cloud with a lightning bolt, to symbolize Rath’s turbulent sky and Tempest’s tumultuous plot.<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-october-2006-2006-10-02|Ask Wizards|[[Brady Dommermuth]]|October 31, 2006}}</ref> This set was the first after ''[[Antiquities]]'' that featured [[Richard Garfield]] in active role as [[designer]].
The 350-card black-bordered set is comprised of 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares, and 20 basic lands. ''Tempest'''s [[expansion symbol]] is a cloud with a lightning bolt, to symbolize Rath’s turbulent sky and Tempest’s tumultuous plot.<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-october-2006-2006-10-02|Ask Wizards|[[Brady Dommermuth]]|October 31, 2006}}</ref> This set was the first after ''[[Antiquities]]'' that featured [[Richard Garfield]] in an active role as [[designer]].


===Marketing===
===Marketing===
[[File:TMP booster 1.jpeg|thumb|right|Booster featuring [[Greven il-Vec]]]]
[[File:TMP booster 1.jpeg|thumb|right|Booster featuring [[Greven il-Vec]]]]
''Tempest'' was the last set that was marketed as a [[Set#standalone sets|standalone set]], and the first that was advertized as a [[expert-level]] set in the new rating system for the game sets. [[WotC]] had decided not to target the large expansions toward new players; the simplified ''[[Portal]]'' cards and those in the [[Core set|base set]] were for them. ''Tempest'' was sold not only in the tradional 60-card [[starter deck]]s and 15-card [[boosters]] but also in a new form: [[preconstructed theme deck]]s. Using only ''Tempest'' cards, the design team built four theme decks, marketed as a ready-to-play introduction to the set. The accompanying booklet explained the play strategy for each deck and suggested ways to strengthen them by swapping in cards from other sets. Another difference from the previous large expansions came in the rulebook.  Anyone buying ''Tempest'' cards could safely be assumed to have either a ''[[Fifth Edition]]'' rulebook or a friend who could teach them the game. So instead of reprinting all the rules in the ''Tempest'' booklet, WotC only printed a brief overview and a few pages describing the features that were new in the set. The rest of the booklet, some fifty pages, profiled the main characters and summarized the ''Tempest'' story. Each ''Tempest'' [[booster]] contained 15 cards: 11 commons, 3 uncommons, and 1 rare. The packs featured artwork from <c>Auratog</c>, <c>Volrath's Curse</c> and <c>Commander Greven il-Vec</c>. ''Tempest'' was the first set to feature a special [[prerelease card]]: <c>Dirtcowl Wurm</c>. The card was not [[foil]]; it was a normal version of the card with the word "Prerelease" and the Magic "M" stamped in gold leaf on the [[type line]].
''Tempest'' was the last set that was marketed as a [[Set#standalone sets|standalone set]], and the first that was advertised as an expert-level set in the new [[Set#Rating system|rating system]] for sets. ''Tempest'' cards were sold not only in traditional 60-card [[starter deck]]s and 15-card [[boosters]] but also in a new form: [[preconstructed theme deck|pre-constructed theme deck]]s. Using only ''Tempest'' cards, the design team built four theme decks, marketed as a ready-to-play introduction to the set. The accompanying booklet explained the play strategy for each deck and suggested ways to strengthen them by swapping in cards from other sets. Another difference from the previous large expansions came in the rulebook.  Anyone buying ''Tempest'' cards could safely be assumed to have either a ''[[Fifth Edition]]'' rulebook or a friend who could teach them the game. So instead of reprinting all the rules in the ''Tempest'' booklet, WotC only printed a brief overview and a few pages describing the features that were new in the set. The rest of the booklet, some fifty pages, profiled the main characters and summarized the ''Tempest'' story. Each ''Tempest'' booster contained 15 cards: 11 commons, 3 uncommons, and 1 rare. The packs featured artwork from <c>Auratog</c>, <c>Volrath's Curse</c>, and <c>Commander Greven il-Vec</c>. ''Tempest'' was the first set to feature a special [[prerelease card]]: <c>Dirtcowl Wurm</c>. The card is non-foil, with the word "Prerelease" and the Magic "M" stamped in gold leaf on the [[type line]].


The ''[[The Official Guide to Tempest|Official Guide to Tempest]]'' is a complete companion card set, written by [[Beth Moursund]]. This guide gives tips for playing in a ''Tempest''-only environment and how to best use ''Tempest'' cards with ''[[Fifth Edition]]''. There are full-color reproductions of all of the ''Tempest'' cards, along with information on the rarity of the cards and current errata.
The ''[[The Official Guide to Tempest|Official Guide to Tempest]]'' is a complete companion card set, written by [[Beth Moursund]]. This guide gives tips for playing in a ''Tempest''-only environment and how to best use ''Tempest'' cards with ''[[Fifth Edition]]''. There are full-color reproductions of all of the ''Tempest'' cards, along with information on the rarity of the cards and current errata.


===Storyline===
===Storyline===
Line 41: Line 41:


==Mechanics and themes==
==Mechanics and themes==
The [[block]] mechanics [[Buyback]] and [[Shadow]] were introduced in this set.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/tempest-horizon-2008-11-24|Tempest on the Horizon|[[Michael G. Ryan]]|November 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/storm-2002-12-17|Before the Storm|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 17, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|out-shadows-2002-12-20|Out of the Shadows|[[Randy Buehler]]|December 20, 2002}}</ref> White, blue and black colors had creatures with shadow (white [[Soltari]], blue [[Thalakos]], black [[Dauthi]]), while green and red have multiple methods of blocking creatures with shadow. The abilities associated with [[Sliver]]s, [[Licid]]s, [[Spike]]s and [[Flowstone]] were also introduced in this set. Every color had a sliver and licid. There was one green spike, that served as a preview of sorts of the rest of the Spikes yet to appear in the block. Flowstones are red creatures.
The [[block]] mechanics [[Buyback]] and [[Shadow]] were introduced in this set.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/tempest-horizon-2008-11-24|Tempest on the Horizon|[[Michael G. Ryan]]|November 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/storm-2002-12-17|Before the Storm|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 17, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|out-shadows-2002-12-20|Out of the Shadows|[[Randy Buehler]]|December 20, 2002}}</ref> White, blue, and black have creatures with shadow (white [[Soltari]], blue [[Thalakos]], black [[Dauthi]]), while green and red have multiple methods of blocking creatures with shadow. The abilities associated with [[Sliver]]s, [[Licid]]s, [[Spike]]s, and [[flowstone]] were also introduced in this set. There are cycles of Slivers and Licids and one green Spike that served as a preview of sorts for the rest of the Spikes yet to appear in the block. Flowstone creatures are red.


==Creature types==
==Creature types==
Line 50: Line 50:
==Cycles==
==Cycles==
''Tempest'' has eleven [[cycle]]s:
''Tempest'' has eleven [[cycle]]s:
{| class="wikitable wrapped-table"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! Cycle name
! Cycle name
! {{W}}
! {{W}}
Line 65: Line 65:
|{{card|Circle of Protection: Green||TMP}}
|{{card|Circle of Protection: Green||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these [[common]] [[white]] [[enchantment]]s has a mana cost of {{1}}{{W}} and the ability to prevent the all [[damage]] from a [[source]] of a given color for {{1}}. This cycle was reprinted from the [[Core Set]]. All Circles had similar art by [[Harold McNeill]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/make-no-mistake-2003-11-10-0|Make No Mistake|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 10, 2003}}</ref>
|colspan="5"|Each of these [[common]] [[white]] [[enchantment]]s has a mana cost of {{1}}{{W}} and the ability to prevent the all [[damage]] from a [[source]] of a given color for {{1}}. This cycle was reprinted from the [[Core Set]]. All Circles had similar art by Harold McNeill.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/make-no-mistake-2003-11-10-0|Make No Mistake|[[Mark Rosewater]]|November 10, 2003}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Hoser double cycle'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Hoser double cycle'''
Line 74: Line 74:
|{{card|Choke||TMP}}<br/>{{card|Reap||TMP}}
|{{card|Choke||TMP}}<br/>{{card|Reap||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each color has two uncommon cards that injuriously affect its enemy colors.
|colspan="5"|Each color has two uncommon cards that prey on its enemy colors.
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Licids'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Licids'''
Line 83: Line 83:
|{{card|Nurturing Licid||TMP}}
|{{card|Nurturing Licid||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these common 1/1 [[Licid]] [[creature]]s has a mana cost of {{1}}M and the ability to turn itself into an [[aura]] enchantment attaching itself to a creature or back to its normal state.
|colspan="5"|Each of these common 1/1 [[Licid]] [[creature]]s has a mana cost of {{1}}M and the ability to turn itself into an [[aura]] enchantment attaching itself to a creature or back to its normal state.
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Medallions'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Medallions'''
Line 92: Line 92:
|{{card|Emerald Medallion||TMP}}
|{{card|Emerald Medallion||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these rare [[artifact]]s has a mana cost of {{2}} and reduce the cost of spells of a given color by {{1}}. Some of them have residual images from a dirty press.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/dirty-medallions-2002-12-19|Dirty Medallions|[[Magic Arcana]]|December 19, 2002}}</ref>
|colspan="5"|Each of these rare [[artifact]]s has a mana cost of {{2}} and reduces the cost of spells of a given color by {{1}}. Some of them have residual images from a dirty press.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/dirty-medallions-2002-12-19|Dirty Medallions|[[Magic Arcana]]|December 19, 2002}}</ref>
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Common slivers'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Common slivers'''
Line 101: Line 101:
|{{card|Muscle Sliver||TMP}}
|{{card|Muscle Sliver||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these common 1/1 Sliver creatures costs {{1}}M and has an ability that it grants to all Slivers, including itself.
|colspan="5"|Each of these common 1/1 Sliver creatures costs {{1}}M and has an ability that it grants to all Slivers, including itself.
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Uncommon slivers'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Uncommon slivers'''
Line 110: Line 110:
|{{card|Horned Sliver||TMP}}
|{{card|Horned Sliver||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these uncommon 2/2 Sliver creatures costs {{2}}M and grants an ability which activates for {{2}} to all Slivers, including itself.
|colspan="5"|Each of these uncommon 2/2 Sliver creatures costs {{2}}M and grants an ability which activates for {{2}} to all Slivers, including itself.
|-
|-
! Cycle name
! Cycle name
Line 126: Line 126:
|{{card|Ranger en-Vec||TMP}}
|{{card|Ranger en-Vec||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these uncommon spells, one for each allied two-color combination, has a mana cost that includes both of its colors.  
|colspan="5"|Each of these uncommon spells, one for each allied two-color combination, has a mana cost that includes both of its colors.  
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Slow land]]s'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Nap land|Nap lands]]'''
|{{card|Thalakos Lowlands||TMP}}
|{{card|Thalakos Lowlands||TMP}}
|{{card|Rootwater Depths||TMP}}
|{{card|Rootwater Depths||TMP}}
Line 135: Line 135:
|{{card|Vec Townships||TMP}}
|{{card|Vec Townships||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these [[uncommon]] [[dual land]]s can be tapped for {{C}} or one mana of two [[allied color]]s; if tapped for the latter, it doesn't untap during your next untap step.  
|colspan="5"|Each of these [[uncommon]] [[dual land]]s can be tapped for {{C}} or one mana of two [[allied color]]s; if tapped for the latter, it doesn't untap during your next untap step.  
|-
|-
! Cycle name
! Cycle name
Line 151: Line 151:
|{{card|Wood Sage||TMP}}
|{{card|Wood Sage||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these rare spells, one for each enemy two-color combination, has a mana cost that includes both of its colors.
|colspan="5"|Each of these rare spells, one for each enemy two-color combination, has a mana cost that includes both of its colors.
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Enemy-color [[tapland|tap]]-[[pain land]]s'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Enemy-color [[tapland|tap]]-[[pain land]]s'''
Line 160: Line 160:
|{{card|Skyshroud Forest||TMP}}
|{{card|Skyshroud Forest||TMP}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these [[rare]] lands comes into play tapped and can be tapped for {{C}} or one mana of two enemy colors; if tapped for the latter, it deals 1 damage to you.
|colspan="5"|Each of these [[rare]] lands come into play tapped and can be tapped for {{C}} or one mana of two enemy colors; if tapped for the latter, it deals 1 damage to you.
|}
|}


===Mega cycle===
===Mega cycle===


{| class="wikitable wrapped-table"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! Cycle name  
! Cycle name  
! {{W}}
! {{W}}
Line 180: Line 180:
|{{card|Cartographer|Exodus}}
|{{card|Cartographer|Exodus}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|Each of these 2/2 creatures returns a card of a certain type from your graveyard to your hand when it comes into play. There were four from [[Exodus]] and one from [[Tempest]]. Four out of the five were reprinted in [[Odyssey]].
|colspan="5"|Each of these 2/2 creatures returns a card of a certain type from your graveyard to your hand when it comes into play. There were four from [[Exodus]] and one from Tempest. Four out of the five were reprinted in [[Odyssey]].
|}
|}


===Mega-mega cycle===
===Mega-mega cycle===


{| class="wikitable wrapped-table"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! Cycle name
! Cycle name
! {{W}}
! {{W}}
Line 200: Line 200:
|{{card|Foratog|Mirage}}
|{{card|Foratog|Mirage}}
|-
|-
|colspan="6"|{{card|Auratog||TMP}} is the final card of this mega-[[mega cycle]] of creatures that was started in [[Antiquities]] with the eponymous <c>Atog</c>. A new number of this cycle would be printed in each of the following three sets ([[Visions]], [[Weatherlight]], and [[Tempest]]).
|colspan="5"|{{card|Auratog||TMP}} is the final card of this mega-[[mega cycle]] of creatures that started in [[Antiquities]] with the eponymous <c>Atog</c>.
|}
|}


== Theme decks ==
=== Pairs ===
''Tempest'' has two [[Pair#Mirrored pairs|mirrored pairs.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="2" |Matched Pair
!
|-
|{{Card|Warmth|3=TMP}} ({{W}})
|{{Card|Havoc|3=TMP}} ({{R}})
|Each of these uncommon enchantments costs {{1}}M and rewards you or punishes an opponent, respectively, when another player casts a spell of the other's color.
|-
|{{Card|Scalding Tongs|3=TMP}} ({{C}})
|{{Card|Thumbscrews|3=TMP}} ({{C}})
|Each of these rare artifacts costs {{2}} and deals damage to an opponent if you have a low or high number of cards in hand, respectively.
|}


==Theme decks==
''Tempest'' was the first set to be released with pre-constructed [[Theme deck (preconstructed)|theme decks]]. The decks are:
''Tempest'' was the first set to be released with pre-constructed [[Theme deck (preconstructed)|theme decks]]. The decks are:


{{Decks|theme
{{Decks|theme
   |Deep Freeze|WU
   |Deep Freeze|WU
  |The Flames of Rath|RW
   |The Slivers|UB
   |The Slivers|UB
   |The Swarm|GW
   |The Swarm|GW
  |The Flames of Rath|RW
}}
}}


==Notable cards==
==Notable cards==
*<c>Cold Storage</c> - As written, people wondered what this card actually did with "{{3}}: Put target creature you control on Cold Storage". With errata, it now reads "{{3}}: Exile target creature you control."
*<c>Capsize</c> was a notoriously miserable experience as a control finisher, as at every end step they could remove anything, and at a certain point their opponent's board began diminishing.
*<c>Cursed Scroll</c> - This is a powerful artifact, especially when you have 1 card in hand.  This card is worth even more in the Japanese language version as its activation cost was misprinted as {{2}} instead of {{3}}.
*<c>Cold Storage</c> confused players as written with the ability "{{3}}: Put target creature you control on Cold Storage". With errata, it now reads "{{3}}: Exile target creature you control." <c>Duplicity</c> has a similar effect.
*<c>Earthcraft</c> - This rare green enchantment pairs with <c>Squirrel Nest</c> from the ''[[Odyssey]]'' [[Expansion]] for a quick way to gain infinite creatures.
*<c>Ertai's Meddling</c> later inspired <c>Delay</c> and consequently <c>Suspend</c>.
*<c>Humility</c> - A complicated enchantment with timing implications (what was played before it / after it) especially with <c>Opalescence</c>.
*<c>Goblin Bombardment</c> remains extremely powerful as a sacrifice outlet, being free to activate and is not as vulnerable as an enchantment.
*<c>Lotus Petal</c> - This common artifact proved to be too powerful and was eventually banned from the Legacy and Extended Formats, and restricted in the Vintage format.
*<c>Humility</c> was a seemingly simple enchantment with complicated layer implications due to timestamps (what was played before it / after it), especially when paired with <c>Opalescence</c>.
*<c>Tradewind Rider</c> - This blue creature is a commonly found in extended bounce decks.
*<c>Oracle en-Vec</c> functionally forces your opponent to commit to attacks a turn in advance.
*<c>Wasteland</c> - Though strictly worse than <c>Strip Mine</c>, it is not restricted or banned in the eternal formats, and thus has been enjoying a strong resurgence. Even though it was printed at uncommon, it is, as of 2011, the most expensive card in the set, topping $50 at most online retailers.
*<c>Stalking Stones</c> was the second printed creature to land and remains unusual in that it does so permanently. Newer designs would have it be sacrificed to put a token into play.
*<c>Tradewind Rider</c> was a staple in [[Block Constructed|block constructed]] and [[extended]] bounce decks.
*<c>Wasteland</c> - Though strictly worse than <c>Strip Mine</c>, it is a staple in [[Eternal (format)|eternal formats]] where it is not restricted or banned.
*<c>Escaped Shapeshifter</c> is the first of many cards to "borrow" keyword abilities from other cards, listing out all of the keywords that it can have one by one.
 
===Banned and restricted cards===
*<c>Earthcraft</c> pairs with <c>Squirrel Nest</c> from ''[[Odyssey]]'' for a quick way to make an arbitrarily large number of creatures. It was banned in Standard in 1999, and in Legacy in 2003.
*<c>Cursed Scroll</c> is a powerful artifact when down to one card in hand. This card is worth even more in the Japanese language version as its activation cost was misprinted as {{2}} instead of {{3}}. It was banned for the Tempest Block format.
*<c>Lotus Petal</c> was a small version of <c>Black Lotus</c>, but it proved to be still too powerful and was eventually banned from the Legacy and Extended Formats, and restricted in the Vintage format.
*<c>Grindstone</c> combos with <c>Painter's Servant</c> from ''[[Shadowmoor]]'' to mill entire decks. While it was banned in Commander in 2008 shortly after, it was unbanned and Painter's Servant was banned instead in December 2009.


==Reprinted cards==
==Reprinted cards==
The following cards have been [[reprint]]ed from previous sets and included in ''Tempest''.
The following cards have been [[reprint]]ed in ''Tempest'' from previous sets.
*<c>Armored Pegasus</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''[[Portal]]''.
*<c>Armored Pegasus</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''[[Portal]]''.
*<c>Charging Rhino</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''Portal''.
*<c>Charging Rhino</c> {{-}} was last seen in ''Portal''.
Line 268: Line 292:
===Colorshifted===
===Colorshifted===
''Tempest'' has one [[colorshift]]ed card:
''Tempest'' has one [[colorshift]]ed card:
*<c>Sudden Impact</c> is a colorshifted version of <c>Storm Seeker</c> from ''[[Legends]]'' (green to red).
*<c>Sudden Impact</c> is a colorshifted version of <c>Storm Seeker</c> from ''[[Legends]]'' (green to red).


== Trivia ==
==Trivia==
* <c>Aluren</c> is an Old English word meaning ‘paradise’.<ref name="Secrets">[[Mark Rosewater]], ''Top Ten secrets behind Tempest card names'', ''[[The Duelist]]'' #21 (January 1998), p. 19</ref>
*<c>Aluren</c> is an Old English word meaning ‘paradise’.<ref name="Secrets">[[Mark Rosewater]], ''Top Ten secrets behind Tempest card names'', ''[[The Duelist]]'' #21 (January 1998), p. 19</ref>
* <c>Apes of Rath</c> is a pun on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grapes_of_Wrath The Grapes of Wrath].
*<c>Apes of Rath</c> is a pun on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grapes_of_Wrath The Grapes of Wrath].
* <c>Bayou Dragonfly</c> was inspired by a videogame that was to be released in conjunction with ''Magic'', but was never published.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/untold-tales-2016-02-22|Untold Tales|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 22, 2016}}</ref>
*<c>Bayou Dragonfly</c> was inspired by a video game that was to be released in conjunction with ''Magic'', but was never published.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/untold-tales-2016-02-22|Untold Tales|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 22, 2016}}</ref>
* <c>Eladamri, Lord of Leaves</c> was named as a tribute to Michael G. Ryan's mother Irma and his stepfather Dale.<ref name="Secrets"/>
*<c>Eladamri, Lord of Leaves</c> was named as a tribute to Michael G. Ryan's mother Irma, and his stepfather Dale.<ref name="Secrets"/>
* <c>Emmessi Tome</c> was named after [[Michael Elliott|Michael Scott Elliott]] (MSE).
*<c>Emmessi Tome</c> follows the [[R&D]] tradition of naming tomes using one of the R&D member's initials. In this case, [[Michael Elliott|Michael Scott Elliott]] (MSE).
* [[Lyna]], the <c>Soltari Emissary</c>, was named after Mark Rosewater's mother Lynn.<ref name="Secrets"/>
*<c>Intuition</c> was originally intended to fetch three cards with different names but the playtest card was written as just "three cards" and R&D enjoyed the way it played.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|jofyGSFDq8M|How Trivial with Mark Rosewater|channel=Magic: The Gathering|creator=[[Mark Rosewater]]|date=August 4, 2023}}</ref>
* <c>Mogg Squad</c> ia a play on the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mod_Squad The Mod Squad]'', the '60s show about three undercover cops posing as hipppies. The [[flavor text]] reflects this spoof.
**Mark Rosewater later designed <c>Gifts Ungiven</c> to fetch cards with different names to have a card that functioned the way <c>Intuition</c> was originally supposed to.
* <c>Orim, Samite Healer</c> was originally designed as a very minor character. Stumped for a name [[Michael G. Ryan]] took Mark Rosewater's nickname ([[Maro]]), and reversed it. The ‘a’ was later changed to an ‘i’ to make the name easier to pronounce.<ref name="Secrets"/>
*[[Lyna]], the <c>Soltari Emissary</c>, was named after Mark Rosewater's mother Lynn.<ref name="Secrets"/>
* <c>Squee's Toy</c> is pronouced as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squeaky_toy squeeze toy].
*<c>Mogg Squad</c> is a play on the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mod_Squad The Mod Squad]'', the '60s show about three undercover cops posing as hipppies. The [[flavor text]] reflects this spoof.
* The [[flavor text]] of <c>Time Warp</c> is a reference to [http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rocky+horror+picture+show/time+warp_20557647.html a song of the Rocky Horror Picture Show].<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/173391087643/is-the-flavor-text-of-time-warp-from-tempest-a|title=Is the flavor text of time warp from Tempest a reference to Rocky Horror Picture Show?|April 28, 2018}}</ref>
*<c>Orim, Samite Healer</c> was originally designed as a very minor character. Stumped for a name [[Michael G. Ryan]] took Mark Rosewater's nickname ([[Maro]]), and reversed it. The ‘a’ was later changed to an ‘i’ to make the name easier to pronounce.<ref name="Secrets"/>
* <c>Vhati il-Dal</c>'s name is derived from ‘Bogavhati’, the [[codename]] of the set.
*<c>Squee's Toy</c> is pronounced as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squeaky_toy squeeze toy].
*The flavor text of <c>Time Warp</c> is a reference to [http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rocky+horror+picture+show/time+warp_20557647.html a song from the Rocky Horror Picture Show].<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/173391087643/is-the-flavor-text-of-time-warp-from-tempest-a|title=Is the flavor text of time warp from Tempest a reference to Rocky Horror Picture Show?|April 28, 2018}}</ref>
*<c>Vhati il-Dal</c>'s name is derived from ‘Bogavhati’, the [[codename]] of the set.<ref name="Trivial Pursuit">{{DailyRef|making-magic/trivial-pursuit-whats-in-a-name|Trivial Pursuit: What's in a Name?|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 9, 2023}}</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 296: Line 321:


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Oldprodpage|tempest|tempest|Tempest}} (old)
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/lessons-learned-part-1|Lesson Learned, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 14, 2023}}  
*{{Prodpage|tempest|Tempest}} (new)


{{Sets|state=collapsed}}
{{Sets|state=collapsed}}
{{The Weatherlight Saga}}
{{Weatherlight Saga|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Tempest block]]
{{Rath|name=Tempest| block}}

Latest revision as of 16:42, 12 January 2024

Tempest
 
Theme decks
 
Official Guide
 
Tempest
[[File:{{#setmainimage:TMP logo.png}}|250px]]
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description Cloud with Lightning Bolt
Design Mark Rosewater
Richard Garfield
Mike Elliott [1]
Charlie Catino [2][3]
Development Henry Stern (lead)
Mike Elliott
William Jockusch
Bill Rose
Mark Rosewater
Art direction Matt Wilson
Release date October 14, 1997[4]
Plane Rath[5]
Themes and mechanics Flowstone, Licids, Slivers, Spikes
Keywords/​ability words Buyback, Shadow
Set size 350 cards
(110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares, 20 basic lands)
Expansion code TMP[6]
Development codename Bogavhati
Tempest block
Tempest Stronghold Exodus
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
Weatherlight Tempest Stronghold
For other uses, see Tempest (disambiguation).

Tempest is the twelfth Magic expansion and was released in October 1997 as a standalone set, and as the first part of the Tempest block. The set continues the Weatherlight Saga on the stormy plane of Rath.

Set details

The 350-card black-bordered set is comprised of 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares, and 20 basic lands. Tempest's expansion symbol is a cloud with a lightning bolt, to symbolize Rath’s turbulent sky and Tempest’s tumultuous plot.[7] This set was the first after Antiquities that featured Richard Garfield in an active role as designer.

Marketing

Booster featuring Greven il-Vec

Tempest was the last set that was marketed as a standalone set, and the first that was advertised as an expert-level set in the new rating system for sets. Tempest cards were sold not only in traditional 60-card starter decks and 15-card boosters but also in a new form: pre-constructed theme decks. Using only Tempest cards, the design team built four theme decks, marketed as a ready-to-play introduction to the set. The accompanying booklet explained the play strategy for each deck and suggested ways to strengthen them by swapping in cards from other sets. Another difference from the previous large expansions came in the rulebook. Anyone buying Tempest cards could safely be assumed to have either a Fifth Edition rulebook or a friend who could teach them the game. So instead of reprinting all the rules in the Tempest booklet, WotC only printed a brief overview and a few pages describing the features that were new in the set. The rest of the booklet, some fifty pages, profiled the main characters and summarized the Tempest story. Each Tempest booster contained 15 cards: 11 commons, 3 uncommons, and 1 rare. The packs featured artwork from Auratog, Volrath's Curse, and Commander Greven il-Vec. Tempest was the first set to feature a special prerelease card: Dirtcowl Wurm. The card is non-foil, with the word "Prerelease" and the Magic "M" stamped in gold leaf on the type line.

The Official Guide to Tempest is a complete companion card set, written by Beth Moursund. This guide gives tips for playing in a Tempest-only environment and how to best use Tempest cards with Fifth Edition. There are full-color reproductions of all of the Tempest cards, along with information on the rarity of the cards and current errata.

Storyline

Main article: Rath cycle

The set takes place on the stormy plane of Rath, where Gerrard and the heroes of the Skyship Weatherlight set out to find Volrath's stronghold.[8][9]

Mechanics and themes

The block mechanics Buyback and Shadow were introduced in this set.[10][11][12] White, blue, and black have creatures with shadow (white Soltari, blue Thalakos, black Dauthi), while green and red have multiple methods of blocking creatures with shadow. The abilities associated with Slivers, Licids, Spikes, and flowstone were also introduced in this set. There are cycles of Slivers and Licids and one green Spike that served as a preview of sorts for the rest of the Spikes yet to appear in the block. Flowstone creatures are red.

Creature types

The following creature types are introduced in this expansion: Crab, Licid, Shapeshifter, Sliver, Spike.

The following creature types are used in this expansion but also appear in previous sets: Angel, Ape, Atog, Beast, Bird, Cat, Cleric, Dragon, Drake, Druid, Dryad, Elemental, Elephant, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Hound, Illusion, Imp, Insect, Knight, Lizard, Merfolk, Minion, Ooze, Pegasus, Rat, Rhino, Salamander, Serpent, Skeleton, Soldier, Spider, Spirit, Treefolk, Thrull, Turtle, Vampire, Wall, Wizard, Wurm.

Cycles

Tempest has eleven cycles:

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Circles of protection Circle of Protection: White Circle of Protection: Blue Circle of Protection: Black Circle of Protection: Red Circle of Protection: Green
Each of these common white enchantments has a mana cost of {1}{W} and the ability to prevent the all damage from a source of a given color for {1}. This cycle was reprinted from the Core Set. All Circles had similar art by Harold McNeill.[13]
Hoser double cycle Light of Day
Warmth 		Chill
Insight 		Perish
Dread of Night 		Havoc
Boil 		Choke
Reap
Each color has two uncommon cards that prey on its enemy colors.
Licids Quickening Licid Stinging Licid Leeching Licid Enraging Licid Nurturing Licid
Each of these common 1/1 Licid creatures has a mana cost of {1}M and the ability to turn itself into an aura enchantment attaching itself to a creature or back to its normal state.
Medallions Pearl Medallion Sapphire Medallion Jet Medallion Ruby Medallion Emerald Medallion
Each of these rare artifacts has a mana cost of {2} and reduces the cost of spells of a given color by {1}. Some of them have residual images from a dirty press.[14]
Common slivers Talon Sliver Winged Sliver Clot Sliver Heart Sliver Muscle Sliver
Each of these common 1/1 Sliver creatures costs {1}M and has an ability that it grants to all Slivers, including itself.
Uncommon slivers Armor Sliver Mnemonic Sliver Mindwhip Sliver Barbed Sliver Horned Sliver
Each of these uncommon 2/2 Sliver creatures costs {2}M and grants an ability which activates for {2} to all Slivers, including itself.
Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W}
Gold allied-color spells Sky Spirit Lobotomy Spontaneous Combustion Segmented Wurm Ranger en-Vec
Each of these uncommon spells, one for each allied two-color combination, has a mana cost that includes both of its colors.
Nap lands Thalakos Lowlands Rootwater Depths Cinder Marsh Mogg Hollows Vec Townships
Each of these uncommon dual lands can be tapped for {C} or one mana of two allied colors; if tapped for the latter, it doesn't untap during your next untap step.
Cycle name {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Gold enemy-colored spells Selenia, Dark Angel Dracoplasm Vhati il-Dal Soltari Guerrillas Wood Sage
Each of these rare spells, one for each enemy two-color combination, has a mana cost that includes both of its colors.
Enemy-color tap-pain lands Salt Flats Caldera Lake Pine Barrens Scabland Skyshroud Forest
Each of these rare lands come into play tapped and can be tapped for {C} or one mana of two enemy colors; if tapped for the latter, it deals 1 damage to you.

Mega cycle

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Retrievers Treasure Hunter (Exodus) Scrivener (Exodus) Gravedigger (Tempest) Anarchist (Exodus) Cartographer (Exodus)
Each of these 2/2 creatures returns a card of a certain type from your graveyard to your hand when it comes into play. There were four from Exodus and one from Tempest. Four out of the five were reprinted in Odyssey.

Mega-mega cycle

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Atogs Auratog (Tempest) Chronatog (Visions) Necratog (Weatherlight) Atog (Antiquities) Foratog (Mirage)
Auratog is the final card of this mega-mega cycle of creatures that started in Antiquities with the eponymous Atog.

Pairs

Tempest has two mirrored pairs.

Matched Pair
Warmth (Tempest) ({W}) Havoc (Tempest) ({R}) Each of these uncommon enchantments costs {1}M and rewards you or punishes an opponent, respectively, when another player casts a spell of the other's color.
Scalding Tongs (Tempest) ({C}) Thumbscrews (Tempest) ({C}) Each of these rare artifacts costs {2} and deals damage to an opponent if you have a low or high number of cards in hand, respectively.

Theme decks

Tempest was the first set to be released with pre-constructed theme decks. The decks are:

Theme
deck name 		Colors Included
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Deep Freeze W U
The Slivers U B
The Swarm W G
The Flames of Rath W R

Notable cards

  • Capsize was a notoriously miserable experience as a control finisher, as at every end step they could remove anything, and at a certain point their opponent's board began diminishing.
  • Cold Storage confused players as written with the ability "{3}: Put target creature you control on Cold Storage". With errata, it now reads "{3}: Exile target creature you control." Duplicity has a similar effect.
  • Ertai's Meddling later inspired Delay and consequently Suspend.
  • Goblin Bombardment remains extremely powerful as a sacrifice outlet, being free to activate and is not as vulnerable as an enchantment.
  • Humility was a seemingly simple enchantment with complicated layer implications due to timestamps (what was played before it / after it), especially when paired with Opalescence.
  • Oracle en-Vec functionally forces your opponent to commit to attacks a turn in advance.
  • Stalking Stones was the second printed creature to land and remains unusual in that it does so permanently. Newer designs would have it be sacrificed to put a token into play.
  • Tradewind Rider was a staple in block constructed and extended bounce decks.
  • Wasteland - Though strictly worse than Strip Mine, it is a staple in eternal formats where it is not restricted or banned.
  • Escaped Shapeshifter is the first of many cards to "borrow" keyword abilities from other cards, listing out all of the keywords that it can have one by one.

Banned and restricted cards

  • Earthcraft pairs with Squirrel Nest from Odyssey for a quick way to make an arbitrarily large number of creatures. It was banned in Standard in 1999, and in Legacy in 2003.
  • Cursed Scroll is a powerful artifact when down to one card in hand. This card is worth even more in the Japanese language version as its activation cost was misprinted as {2} instead of {3}. It was banned for the Tempest Block format.
  • Lotus Petal was a small version of Black Lotus, but it proved to be still too powerful and was eventually banned from the Legacy and Extended Formats, and restricted in the Vintage format.
  • Grindstone combos with Painter's Servant from Shadowmoor to mill entire decks. While it was banned in Commander in 2008 shortly after, it was unbanned and Painter's Servant was banned instead in December 2009.

Reprinted cards

The following cards have been reprinted in Tempest from previous sets.

Functional reprints

Tempest has five functional reprints:

Colorshifted

Tempest has one colorshifted card:

Trivia

Gallery

  • Booster box

    Booster box

  • Booster featuring Auratog

    Booster featuring Auratog

  • 1997 Ultra Pro Tempest card box

    1997 Ultra Pro Tempest card box

  • Advertisement

    Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 27, 2015). "Twenty Things You Might Not Have Known About Tempest". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (November 28, 2008). "Dangerous Minds". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 16, 2002). "In a Teapot". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ OCTGN Fansite
  5. ↑ Wizards of the Coast. "Dominian FAQ (archived)". wizards.com.
  6. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (August 02, 2004). "Ask Wizards - August, 2004". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Brady Dommermuth (October 31, 2006). "Ask Wizards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ MagicTheGathering.com Staff (December 20, 2002). "Tempest Storyboard". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (April 30, 2015). "Tempest Storyboard (Remastered)". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Michael G. Ryan (November 24, 2008). "Tempest on the Horizon". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 17, 2002). "Before the Storm". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ Randy Buehler (December 20, 2002). "Out of the Shadows". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 10, 2003). "Make No Mistake". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. ↑ Magic Arcana (December 19, 2002). "Dirty Medallions". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. ↑ a b c d Mark Rosewater, Top Ten secrets behind Tempest card names, The Duelist #21 (January 1998), p. 19
  16. ↑ Mark Rosewater (February 22, 2016). "Untold Tales". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 4, 2023). "How Trivial with Mark Rosewater (Video)". Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.
  18. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 28, 2018). "Is the flavor text of time warp from Tempest a reference to Rocky Horror Picture Show?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  19. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 9, 2023). "Trivial Pursuit: What's in a Name?". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

External links

Magic: The Gathering sets
 
M15 frame sets
Welcome & Core sets
Expansions
 
Special sets
Special series
Supplemental sets
Non-English Reprint sets
Other Box sets
Un sets
Commemorative sets
Story publications
Blocks and Sets
Weatherlight crew
Nine Titans
Other characters
See also
Sets
Rathi storyline
Retrieved from "https://mtg.wiki/index.php?title=Tempest&oldid=18993"