Onslaught: Difference between revisions

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   |release = October 7, 2002
   |release = October 7, 2002
   |plane = [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] ([[Otaria]])
   |plane = [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] ([[Otaria]])
   |mechanics = "[[Cost matters|Cost matters]]",<br/>"Creature type matters" ([[Tribal (theme)|tribal]]/[[creature types]]),<br/>Cycling triggers,<br/>Gustcloak,<br/>Mistform
   |mechanics = "[[Cost matters]]",<br/>"Creature type matters" ([[Tribal (theme)|tribal]]/[[creature types]]),<br/>Cycling triggers,<br/>Gustcloak,<br/>Mistform
   |keywords = [[Cycling]],<br/>[[Fear]],<br/>[[Morph]]
   |keywords = [[Cycling]],<br/>[[Fear]],<br/>[[Morph]]
   |size = 350<br/><small>(20 basic lands, 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares)</small>
   |size = 350<br/><small>(20 basic lands, 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares)</small>
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   |code_development = Manny<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/codename-game-2002-08-12-0|Codename of the Game|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 12, 2002}}</ref>
   |code_development = Manny<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/codename-game-2002-08-12-0|Codename of the Game|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 12, 2002}}</ref>
   |series = [[Onslaught block]]
   |series = [[Onslaught block]]
   |first = [[Onslaught]]
   |first = '''Onslaught'''
   |second = [[Legions]]
   |second = [[Legions]]
   |third = [[Scourge]]
   |third = [[Scourge]]
Line 21: Line 21:
   |next = [[Legions]]
   |next = [[Legions]]
}}
}}
'''''Onslaught''''' is the first set (and the only [[large expansion]]) in the [[Onslaught block]]. It is the 27<sup>th</sup> ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' [[:Category:Magic expansions and sets|expansion]] and was released on October 7, 2002. The prerelease was September 28–29, 2002.
'''''Onslaught''''' is the first set (and the only [[large expansion]]) in the [[Onslaught block]]. It is the 27th ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' [[:Category:Magic expansions and sets|expansion]] and was released on October 7, 2002. The prerelease was September 28–29, 2002.


==Set details==
==Set details==
''Onslaught'', like its following expansions in the Onslaught block, ''[[Legions]]'' and ''[[Scourge]]'', featured a theme that focused heavily on "[[Tribal (theme)|tribal]]" cards, or cards that are concerned with [[Creature type|creature types]]. <ref name="Tribal's in Your Court">{{NewRef|making-magic/tribals-your-court-2002-09-23|Tribal's in Your Court|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 23, 2002}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/onslaught-machine-2007-08-20|''Onslaught'' Machine|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 20, 2007}}</ref> The set contains 350 black-bordered cards (110 rare, 110 uncommon, 110 common, and 20 basic lands). ''Onslaught's'' [[expansion symbol]] is a stylized [[morph]]ed creature. <ref>{{NewRef|ask-wizards-october-2006-2006-10-02|Ask Wizards|[[Brady Dommermuth]]|October 31, 2006}}</ref>  
''Onslaught'', like its following expansions in the Onslaught block, ''[[Legions]]'' and ''[[Scourge]]'', featured a theme that focused heavily on "[[Tribal (theme)|tribal]]" cards, or cards that are concerned with [[creature type]]s.<ref name="Tribal's in Your Court">{{NewRef|making-magic/tribals-your-court-2002-09-23|Tribal's in Your Court|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 23, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/onslaught-machine-2007-08-20|''Onslaught'' Machine|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 20, 2007}}</ref> The set contains 350 black-bordered cards (110 rare, 110 uncommon, 110 common, and 20 basic lands). ''Onslaught's'' [[expansion symbol]] is a stylized [[morph]]ed creature.<ref>{{NewRef|ask-wizards-october-2006-2006-10-02|Ask Wizards|[[Brady Dommermuth]]|October 31, 2006}}</ref>  
===Marketing===
===Marketing===
''Onslaught'' was sold in 75-card [[tournament deck]]s, 15-card [[boosters]], four [[preconstructed theme deck]]s and a [[fat pack]]. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/onslaught-product-images-2002-09-09|''Onslaught'' product images|[[Magic Arcana]]|September 09, 2002}}</ref> For the first time, there were four different booster packs. They featured artwork from <c>Jareth, Leonine Titan</c>, <c>Kamahl, Fist of Krosa</c>, <c>Blistering Firecat</c> and <c>Grinning Demon</c>. The [[prerelease]] card was a [[foil]] <c>Silent Specter</c>. The set was accompanied by the novel [[Onslaught (novel)|of the same name]].
''Onslaught'' was sold in 75-card [[tournament deck]]s, 15-card [[boosters]], four [[preconstructed theme deck]]s and a [[fat pack]].<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/onslaught-product-images-2002-09-09|''Onslaught'' product images|[[Magic Arcana]]|September 09, 2002}}</ref> For the first time, there were four different booster packs. They featured artwork from <c>Jareth, Leonine Titan</c>, <c>Kamahl, Fist of Krosa</c>, <c>Blistering Firecat</c> and <c>Grinning Demon</c>. The [[prerelease]] card was a [[foil]] <c>Silent Specter</c>. The set was accompanied by the novel [[Onslaught (novel)|of the same name]].


===Flavor and storyline===
===Flavor and storyline===
{{Main|Onslaught (novel)}}
{{Main|Onslaught (novel)}}
A continuation of the storyline developed in the Odyssey Cycle, ''Onslaught'' and the Onslaught Cycle are set on the continent of [[Otaria]] on the devastated plane of [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]], approximately a century after the events of ''[[Apocalypse]]'' of the [[Invasion block]]. <ref name="Odyssey">[[Vance Moore]]. (2001.) ''[[Odyssey (novel)|Odyssey Cycle, Book I: Odyssey]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13 978-0786919000.</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|feature/preparing-2002-09-23|Preparing for the ''Onslaught''|[[Rei Nakazawa]]|September 23, 2002}}</ref> [[Kamahl]] has relocated to the [[Krosan Forest]] with the [[Mirari]] and becomes a [[druid]] of Krosa. The power of the [[Mirari]] begins to work on the forest, mutating its residents and growing some of them to gigantic proportions. Meanwhile, Kamahl's sister [[Jeska]] is transformed by foul [[Cabal]] healing magic, into [[Phage]], a pit fighter whose touch brings death. The illusionist [[Ixidor]] discovers his new powers of reality sculpting. Ixidor uses his new power to create the [[angel]] [[Akroma]].
A continuation of the storyline developed in the Odyssey Cycle, ''Onslaught'' and the Onslaught Cycle are set on the continent of [[Otaria]] on the devastated plane of [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]], approximately a century after the events of ''[[Apocalypse]]'' of the [[Invasion block]].<ref name="Odyssey">[[Vance Moore]]. (2001.) ''[[Odyssey (novel)|Odyssey Cycle, Book I: Odyssey]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]. ISBN-13 978-0786919000.</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/preparing-2002-09-23|Preparing for the ''Onslaught''|[[Rei Nakazawa]]|September 23, 2002}}</ref> [[Kamahl]] has relocated to the [[Krosan Forest]] with the [[Mirari]] and becomes a [[druid]] of Krosa. The power of the [[Mirari]] begins to work on the forest, mutating its residents and growing some of them to gigantic proportions. Meanwhile, Kamahl's sister [[Jeska]] is transformed by foul [[Cabal]] healing magic, into [[Phage]], a pit fighter whose touch brings death. The illusionist [[Ixidor]] discovers his new powers of reality sculpting. Ixidor uses his new power to create the [[angel]] [[Akroma]].
===Tokens===
===Tokens===
Several [[tokens]] for ''Onslaught'' cards were offered as [[Magic Player Rewards]].  
Several [[token]]s for ''Onslaught'' cards were offered as [[Magic Player Rewards]].  
*5/5 [[Dragon]] with Flying for <c>Dragon Roost</c>
*5/5 [[Dragon]] with Flying for <c>Dragon Roost</c>
*1/1 Soldier for <c>Mobilization</c><ref>{{NewRef|arcana/soldier-tokens-2003-05-27|Soldier Tokens|[[Magic Arcana]]|May 27, 2003}}</ref>
*1/1 Soldier for <c>Mobilization</c><ref>{{NewRef|arcana/soldier-tokens-2003-05-27|Soldier Tokens|[[Magic Arcana]]|May 27, 2003}}</ref>
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*2/2 [[Bear]] for <c>Words of Wilding</c><ref>{{NewRef|arcana/new-player-rewards-tokens-2003-06-11|New Player Rewards tokens|[[Magic Arcana]]|June 11, 2003}}</ref>
*2/2 [[Bear]] for <c>Words of Wilding</c><ref>{{NewRef|arcana/new-player-rewards-tokens-2003-06-11|New Player Rewards tokens|[[Magic Arcana]]|June 11, 2003}}</ref>


Because [[Magic Online]] needs to represent all the tokens in the game, art needs to be created for even the most insignificant tokens. For those, Magic Online is the only place it appears. <ref>{{NewRef|onslaught-green-tokens-2002-11-06|''Onslaught'' green tokens|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 06, 2002}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|more-onslaught-tokens-2002-11-13|More ''Onslaught'' tokens|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 13, 2002}}</ref>
Because [[Magic Online]] needs to represent all the tokens in the game, art needs to be created for even the most insignificant tokens. For those, Magic Online is the only place it appears.<ref>{{NewRef|onslaught-green-tokens-2002-11-06|''Onslaught'' green tokens|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 06, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|more-onslaught-tokens-2002-11-13|More ''Onslaught'' tokens|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 13, 2002}}</ref>


==Themes and mechanics==
==Themes and mechanics==
[[File:Onslaught advertisement.jpg|right|thumb|Advertisement teasing the morph mechanic]]
[[File:Onslaught advertisement.jpg|right|thumb|Advertisement teasing the morph mechanic]]
===Themes===
===Themes===
Tribal and creature types were a prominent theme in the Onslaught block. <ref name="Tribal's in Your Court"/> <ref>{{NewRef|ballpark-otaria-2007-08-23|The Ballpark at Otaria|[[Matt Cavotta]]|August 23, 2007
Tribal and creature types were a prominent theme in the Onslaught block.<ref name="Tribal's in Your Court"/><ref>{{NewRef|ballpark-otaria-2007-08-23|The Ballpark at Otaria|[[Matt Cavotta]]|August 23, 2007
}}</ref> Some creature types bled into colors other than their normal colors (e.g., <c>Festering Goblin</c>, a black, non-red Goblin), for more design space and variety.<ref>{{NewRef|old-uncle-fester-2002-12-13|Old Uncle Fester|[[Randy Buehler]]|December 13, 2002}}</ref>
}}</ref> Some creature types bled into colors other than their normal colors (e.g., <c>Festering Goblin</c>, a black, non-red Goblin), for more design space and variety.<ref>{{NewRef|old-uncle-fester-2002-12-13|Old Uncle Fester|[[Randy Buehler]]|December 13, 2002}}</ref>


Line 100: Line 100:
[[Dragons]] have a small presence in ''Onslaught'', with the only Dragon creature cards being <c>Quicksilver Dragon</c> and <c>Rorix Bladewing</c> (and an additional one enchantment dragon-creature-token-creating card in <c>Dragon Roost</c>). Dragons would go on to form a theme in ''Scourge'', the third Onslaught block expansion.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/dragon-racing-2003-04-28-0|Dragon Racing|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 28, 2003}}</ref>
[[Dragons]] have a small presence in ''Onslaught'', with the only Dragon creature cards being <c>Quicksilver Dragon</c> and <c>Rorix Bladewing</c> (and an additional one enchantment dragon-creature-token-creating card in <c>Dragon Roost</c>). Dragons would go on to form a theme in ''Scourge'', the third Onslaught block expansion.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/dragon-racing-2003-04-28-0|Dragon Racing|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 28, 2003}}</ref>


In addition to the tribal theme, ''Onslaught'' features a number of cards, such as <c>Erratic Explosion</c>, that foreshadow the "[[Cost matters|cost matters]]" theme that is more fully explored in ''Scourge''.
In addition to the tribal theme, ''Onslaught'' features a number of cards, such as <c>Erratic Explosion</c>, that foreshadow the "[[cost matters]]" theme that is more fully explored in ''Scourge''.


===Mechanics===
===Mechanics===
''Onslaught'' reintroduced the static keyword ability [[cycling]] and featured a number of mechanics, some of which were novel, including: <ref name="New Features">[http://archive.li/aOjJz Wizards of the Coast *september, 2002)"New Features in ''Onslaught''" magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast.]</ref>
''Onslaught'' reintroduced the static keyword ability [[cycling]] and featured a number of mechanics, some of which were novel, including:<ref name="New Features">[http://archive.li/aOjJz Wizards of the Coast *september, 2002)"New Features in ''Onslaught''" magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast.]</ref>
*'''[[Fear]]''': a keyword static ability of an established ability, fear, named after <c>Fear</c>, the ''[[Limited Edition]]'' aura card, and first card, that conferred or featured this ability, means "This creature can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures.".
*'''[[Fear]]''': a keyword static ability of an established ability, fear, named after <c>Fear</c>, the ''[[Limited Edition]]'' aura card, and first card, that conferred or featured this ability, means "This creature can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures.".
*'''Gustcloak''': a non-keyword triggered ability that allows the controller of a blocked creature with the ability to remove the creature from combat, thereby preventing all combat damage that would be dealt to and by it, similar to the effect of <c>Maze of Ith</c>.
*'''Gustcloak''': a non-keyword triggered ability that allows the controller of a blocked creature with the ability to remove the creature from combat, thereby preventing all combat damage that would be dealt to and by it, similar to the effect of <c>Maze of Ith</c>.
*'''[[Lords]]''': any card with an activated ability whose cost includes the tapping of a creature that shares a creature type with the lord (i.e., <c>Ancestor's Prophet</c>, <c>Aphetto Grifter</c>, <c>Birchlore Rangers</c>, <c>Catapult Master</c>, <c>Catapult Squad</c>, <c>Crookclaw Elder</c>, <c>Gravespawn Sovereign</c>, <c>Shieldmage Elder</c>, <c>Skirk Fire Marshal</c>, <c>Spurred Wolverine</c>, <c>Supreme Inquisitor</c>, <c>Voice of the Woods</c>, and ''Legions''<nowiki>'</nowiki> <c>Keeper of the Nine Gales</c>). Cards somewhat similar to lords are <c>Cryptic Gateway</c> and <c>Gangrenous Goliath</c>, which, although they forward the tribal theme, do not tap creatures that share a creature subtype with the card itself.
*'''[[Lords]]''': any card with an activated ability whose cost includes the tapping of a creature that shares a creature type with the lord (i.e., <c>Ancestor's Prophet</c>, <c>Aphetto Grifter</c>, <c>Birchlore Rangers</c>, <c>Catapult Master</c>, <c>Catapult Squad</c>, <c>Crookclaw Elder</c>, <c>Gravespawn Sovereign</c>, <c>Shieldmage Elder</c>, <c>Skirk Fire Marshal</c>, <c>Spurred Wolverine</c>, <c>Supreme Inquisitor</c>, <c>Voice of the Woods</c>, and ''Legions''<nowiki>'</nowiki> <c>Keeper of the Nine Gales</c>). Cards somewhat similar to lords are <c>Cryptic Gateway</c> and <c>Gangrenous Goliath</c>, which, although they forward the tribal theme, do not tap creatures that share a creature subtype with the card itself.
*'''[[Morph]]''': a static ability that allows the controller of a card with the morph ability to cast the card face-down as a 2/2 creature with no text, no name, no subtypes, no expansion symbol, and no mana cost.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/onslaught-frequently-asked-questions-2002-09-25|''Onslaught'' Frequently Asked Questions|[[Wizards of the Coast]]}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|feature/morph-’s-new-ability-2002-09-06|Morph: ''Onslaught''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s New Ability|[[Paul Barclay]]|September 6, 2002}}</ref> <ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/wait-theres-morph-2002-09-09-0|Wait, There's Morph|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 09, 2002}}</ref>
*'''[[Morph]]''': a static ability that allows the controller of a card with the morph ability to cast the card face-down as a 2/2 creature with no text, no name, no subtypes, no expansion symbol, and no mana cost.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/onslaught-frequently-asked-questions-2002-09-25|''Onslaught'' Frequently Asked Questions|[[Wizards of the Coast]]}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|feature/morph-’s-new-ability-2002-09-06|Morph: ''Onslaught''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s New Ability|[[Paul Barclay]]|September 6, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/wait-theres-morph-2002-09-09-0|Wait, There's Morph|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 09, 2002}}</ref>
*'''[[Saboteur]]s''': any creature card with a "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player" triggered ability.
*'''[[Saboteur]]s''': any creature card with a "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player" triggered ability.
*'''Self-recruiters''': any card with an enters-the-battlefield triggered ability that allows its controller to search for a similarly named card, reveal that card, and put it into his or her hand.
*'''Self-recruiters''': any card with an enters-the-battlefield triggered ability that allows its controller to search for a similarly named card, reveal that card, and put it into his or her hand.
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|-
|-
|'''Cycling lands'''
|'''Cycling lands'''
|Each of these common nonbasic lands enters the battlefield tapped and may be tapped for M or may be cycled for M. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/sketches-onslaught-cycling-lands-2004-03-25|Sketches: ''Onslaught'' cycling lands|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 25, 2004}}</ref>
|Each of these common nonbasic lands enters the battlefield tapped and may be tapped for M or may be cycled for M.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/sketches-onslaught-cycling-lands-2004-03-25|Sketches: ''Onslaught'' cycling lands|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 25, 2004}}</ref>
|<c>Secluded Steppe</c>
|<c>Secluded Steppe</c>
|<c>Lonely Sandbar</c>
|<c>Lonely Sandbar</c>
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|-
|-
|'''Legendary pit-fighter champions'''
|'''Legendary pit-fighter champions'''
|Each of these powerful rare legendary creature cards costs {{3}}MMM. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/introducing-pit-fighter-legends-2002-09-13|Introducing the Pit Fighter Legends|Josh Bennett|September 13, 2002}}</ref>
|Each of these powerful rare legendary creature cards costs {{3}}MMM.<ref>{{NewRef|feature/introducing-pit-fighter-legends-2002-09-13|Introducing the Pit Fighter Legends|Josh Bennett|September 13, 2002}}</ref>
|<c>Jareth, Leonine Titan</c>
|<c>Jareth, Leonine Titan</c>
|<c>Arcanis the Omnipotent</c>
|<c>Arcanis the Omnipotent</c>
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|-
|-
|'''Tribal lands'''
|'''Tribal lands'''
|Each of these rare lands may be tapped for {{C}} or tapped and activated for an ability related to one of the main tribes of the expansion.<br/>Five require only one color of mana, whilst three, <c>Contested Cliffs</c> for Beasts, <c>Seaside Haven</c> for Birds, and <c>Starlit Sanctum</c> for Clerics, require two colors of mana to activate their non-mana-producing ability. Furthermore, Starlit Sanctum is notable for having two non-mana-producing activated abilities. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/tribal-lands-2002-10-02|Tribal lands|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 02, 2002}}</ref>
|Each of these rare lands may be tapped for {{C}} or tapped and activated for an ability related to one of the main tribes of the expansion.<br/>Five require only one color of mana, whilst three, <c>Contested Cliffs</c> for Beasts, <c>Seaside Haven</c> for Birds, and <c>Starlit Sanctum</c> for Clerics, require two colors of mana to activate their non-mana-producing ability. Furthermore, Starlit Sanctum is notable for having two non-mana-producing activated abilities.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/tribal-lands-2002-10-02|Tribal lands|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 02, 2002}}</ref>
|<c>Daru Encampment</c> (Soldiers)
|<c>Daru Encampment</c> (Soldiers)
|<c>Riptide Laboratory</c> (Wizards)
|<c>Riptide Laboratory</c> (Wizards)
Line 306: Line 306:
*<c>Nantuko Husk</c> was the cornerstone of [[Standard BW Ghost Husk deck]]s after being reprinted in ''[[9th Edition]]'', thanks to its strong interaction with ''[[Saviors of Kamigawa]]'' card <c>Promise of Bunrei</c>.
*<c>Nantuko Husk</c> was the cornerstone of [[Standard BW Ghost Husk deck]]s after being reprinted in ''[[9th Edition]]'', thanks to its strong interaction with ''[[Saviors of Kamigawa]]'' card <c>Promise of Bunrei</c>.


*<c>Starlit Sanctum</c> saw play in [[Extended]], alongside <c>Daru Spiritualist</c> and cards able to repeatedly target the Cleric (Daru Spiritualist) for free, such as <c>Lightning Greaves</c>, <c>Shuko</c>, and <c>Nomads en-Kor</c>; not dissimilar to the Cephalid Breakfast deck. <ref>{{NewRef|birth-prodigy-2002-10-18|Birth of a Prodigy|[[Randy Buehler]]|October 18, 2002}}</ref>
*<c>Starlit Sanctum</c> saw play in [[Extended]], alongside <c>Daru Spiritualist</c> and cards able to repeatedly target the Cleric (Daru Spiritualist) for free, such as <c>Lightning Greaves</c>, <c>Shuko</c>, and <c>Nomads en-Kor</c>; not dissimilar to the Cephalid Breakfast deck.<ref>{{NewRef|birth-prodigy-2002-10-18|Birth of a Prodigy|[[Randy Buehler]]|October 18, 2002}}</ref>


* <c>Voidmage Prodigy</c>, [[Kai Budde]]'s [[Magic Invitational|invitational]] card.
* <c>Voidmage Prodigy</c>, [[Kai Budde]]'s [[Magic Invitational|invitational]] card.

Revision as of 23:30, 17 February 2019

For other uses, see Onslaught (disambiguation).
Onslaught
[[File:{{#setmainimage:ONS logo.png}}|250px]]
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description A four-legged (in-game face-down) morphed creature
Design Mike Elliott (lead),
Mike Donais
Development Randy Buehler (lead),
Elaine Chase,
Mike Donais,
Brian Schneider,
Henry Stern,
Worth Wollpert
Art direction Jeremy Cranford & Dana Knutson
Release date October 7, 2002
Plane Dominaria (Otaria)
Themes and mechanics "Cost matters",
"Creature type matters" (tribal/creature types),
Cycling triggers,
Gustcloak,
Mistform
Keywords/​ability words Cycling,
Fear,
Morph
Set size 350
(20 basic lands, 110 commons, 110 uncommons, 110 rares)
Expansion code ONS[2]
Development codename Manny[3]
Onslaught block
'''Onslaught''' [[Legions]] [[Scourge]]
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
[[Judgment]] Onslaught [[Legions]]

Onslaught is the first set (and the only large expansion) in the Onslaught block. It is the 27th Magic: The Gathering expansion and was released on October 7, 2002. The prerelease was September 28–29, 2002.

Set details

Onslaught, like its following expansions in the Onslaught block, Legions and Scourge, featured a theme that focused heavily on "tribal" cards, or cards that are concerned with creature types.[4][5] The set contains 350 black-bordered cards (110 rare, 110 uncommon, 110 common, and 20 basic lands). Onslaught's expansion symbol is a stylized morphed creature.[6]

Marketing

Onslaught was sold in 75-card tournament decks, 15-card boosters, four preconstructed theme decks and a fat pack.[7] For the first time, there were four different booster packs. They featured artwork from Jareth, Leonine Titan, Kamahl, Fist of Krosa, Blistering Firecat and Grinning Demon. The prerelease card was a foil Silent Specter. The set was accompanied by the novel of the same name.

Flavor and storyline

Main article: Onslaught (novel)

A continuation of the storyline developed in the Odyssey Cycle, Onslaught and the Onslaught Cycle are set on the continent of Otaria on the devastated plane of Dominaria, approximately a century after the events of Apocalypse of the Invasion block.[8][9] Kamahl has relocated to the Krosan Forest with the Mirari and becomes a druid of Krosa. The power of the Mirari begins to work on the forest, mutating its residents and growing some of them to gigantic proportions. Meanwhile, Kamahl's sister Jeska is transformed by foul Cabal healing magic, into Phage, a pit fighter whose touch brings death. The illusionist Ixidor discovers his new powers of reality sculpting. Ixidor uses his new power to create the angel Akroma.

Tokens

Several tokens for Onslaught cards were offered as Magic Player Rewards.

Because Magic Online needs to represent all the tokens in the game, art needs to be created for even the most insignificant tokens. For those, Magic Online is the only place it appears.[13][14]

Themes and mechanics

Advertisement teasing the morph mechanic

Themes

Tribal and creature types were a prominent theme in the Onslaught block.[4][15] Some creature types bled into colors other than their normal colors (e.g., Festering Goblin, a black, non-red Goblin), for more design space and variety.[16]

Creature subtype Tribe name Primary color Secondary color(s)
Beast Red ({R})
Green ({G}) 		Blue ({U})
Black ({B})
Birds Aven (in white and blue only)
Birds 		White ({W})
Blue ({U}) 		Black ({B})
Red ({R})
Clerics White ({W})
Black ({B})
Dragons Red ({R}) Blue ({U})
Elves Green ({G})
Goblins Red ({R}) Black ({B})
Illusions Mistform (or Mimics)[note 1][17] Blue ({U})
Soldiers White ({W}) Blue ({U})
Green ({G})
Wizards Blue ({U}) All other colors ({W}{B}{R}{G})
Zombies Black ({B})

Numerous cards with class creature types, as opposed to species or race ones, such as the Cleric, Soldier, and Wizards creature types, were retroactively given additional (species or race) creature types during the Grand Creature Type Update to be more consistent with the "race-class model".[18] In most of these cases, the additional creature type was Human. This, by and large, did not cause significant changes to this expansion or block.[19] In 2002, a poll conducted on MTG.com showed that a majority of respondents were opposed to the idea of Human as a creature type.[20]

Dragons have a small presence in Onslaught, with the only Dragon creature cards being Quicksilver Dragon and Rorix Bladewing (and an additional one enchantment dragon-creature-token-creating card in Dragon Roost). Dragons would go on to form a theme in Scourge, the third Onslaught block expansion.[21]

In addition to the tribal theme, Onslaught features a number of cards, such as Erratic Explosion, that foreshadow the "cost matters" theme that is more fully explored in Scourge.

Mechanics

Onslaught reintroduced the static keyword ability cycling and featured a number of mechanics, some of which were novel, including:[22]

  • Fear: a keyword static ability of an established ability, fear, named after Fear, the Limited Edition aura card, and first card, that conferred or featured this ability, means "This creature can't be blocked except by artifact creatures and/or black creatures.".
  • Gustcloak: a non-keyword triggered ability that allows the controller of a blocked creature with the ability to remove the creature from combat, thereby preventing all combat damage that would be dealt to and by it, similar to the effect of Maze of Ith.
  • Lords: any card with an activated ability whose cost includes the tapping of a creature that shares a creature type with the lord (i.e., Ancestor's Prophet, Aphetto Grifter, Birchlore Rangers, Catapult Master, Catapult Squad, Crookclaw Elder, Gravespawn Sovereign, Shieldmage Elder, Skirk Fire Marshal, Spurred Wolverine, Supreme Inquisitor, Voice of the Woods, and Legions' Keeper of the Nine Gales). Cards somewhat similar to lords are Cryptic Gateway and Gangrenous Goliath, which, although they forward the tribal theme, do not tap creatures that share a creature subtype with the card itself.
  • Morph: a static ability that allows the controller of a card with the morph ability to cast the card face-down as a 2/2 creature with no text, no name, no subtypes, no expansion symbol, and no mana cost.[23][24][25]
  • Saboteurs: any creature card with a "Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player" triggered ability.
  • Self-recruiters: any card with an enters-the-battlefield triggered ability that allows its controller to search for a similarly named card, reveal that card, and put it into his or her hand.
  • Cycling: originally conceived during Tempest design as "sliding" and first featured in Urza's Saga,[26] was brought back from abeyance for reasons including "nostalgia", "exposing new[er] players [to older mechanics]", "[exploring] new twists [to the old mechanic]", "interaction with other mechanics", and "conservation of design space".[27] To expand on cycling, a number of cards with cycling triggers, such as Astral Slide and Lightning Rift, and a number of cards with cycling and abilities that trigger when they are cycled, such as Death Pulse and Krosan Tusker, were featured in Onslaught.

Creature types

The creature types Anteater (retroactively) and Mutant were introduced in Onslaught. The creature type Lord was used in this expansion at the time of printing but was later removed.

Cycles

Onslaught features 13 cycles.

Cycle name Description and notes {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Avatars Each of these */* uncommon Avatar creature cards has an power/toughness-defining ability, which is dependent on the number of creatures that share a type with the Avatar in play (and, in the case of Soulless One, the number of creature cards that share a type with it in all graveyards).[22] Doubtless One (Clerics) Nameless One (Wizards) Soulless One (Zombies) Reckless One (Goblins) Heedless One (Elves)
Chain spells Each of these uncommon spells, inspired by Chain Lightning and Chain Stasis, may be copied by the player affected by the spell or the controller of the permanent affected by the spell.[22] Chain of Silence Chain of Vapor Chain of Smog Chain of Plasma Chain of Acid
Charms Each of these common instant spells with mana cost M has three modes, at least one of which was related to one of the main tribes of the expansion.[28] Piety Charm (Soldiers) Trickery Charm Misery Charm (Clerics) Fever Charm (Wizards) Vitality Charm (Beasts)
Crowns Each of these common auras costing 1M confers an ability and may be sacrificed to grant that ability to all creatures that share a type with the (formerly) enchanted creature until end of turn. Crown of Awe Crown of Ascension Crown of Suspicion Crown of Fury Crown of Vigor
Couriers Each of these uncommon 2/1 creature cards costing 2M has a static ability allowing their controllers to not untap them during their controllers' untap step and an activated ability that may provide a creature that shares a creature type with the Courier with +2/+2 and an ability common to the Courier's color as long as the Courier remains tapped. Pearlspear Courier (Soldiers) Ghosthelm Courier (Wizards) Frightshroud Courier (Zombies) Flamestick Courier (Goblins) Everglove Courier (Elves)
Cycling lands Each of these common nonbasic lands enters the battlefield tapped and may be tapped for M or may be cycled for M.[29] Secluded Steppe Lonely Sandbar Barren Moor Forgotten Cave Tranquil Thicket
Cycling spells Each of these uncommon spells may be cycled for an effect that is similar to their original effect, albeit at a smaller size. Sunfire Balm Complicate Death Pulse Slice and Dice Primal Boost
Cycling trigger permanents Each of these uncommon permanent cards has a triggered ability that triggers whenever a player cycles a card.
Two of these, Astral Slide and Lightning Rift, were centerpieces of the Astral Slide deck.[30] 		Astral Slide Fleeting Aven Withering Hex Lightning Rift Invigorating Boon
Legendary pit-fighter champions Each of these powerful rare legendary creature cards costs {3}MMM.[31] Jareth, Leonine Titan Arcanis the Omnipotent Visara the Dreadful Rorix Bladewing Silvos, Rogue Elemental
Lords Each of these rare (formerly Lord) creature cards has an activated ability to tap five creatures (and/or, later, other permanents) of a given creature (or tribal) subtype for a potent effect.[22] Ancestor's Prophet (Clerics)
Catapult Master (Soldiers) 		Supreme Inquisitor (Wizards) Gravespawn Sovereign (Zombies) Skirk Fire Marshal (Goblins) Voice of the Woods (Elves)
Tribal lands Each of these rare lands may be tapped for {C} or tapped and activated for an ability related to one of the main tribes of the expansion.
Five require only one color of mana, whilst three, Contested Cliffs for Beasts, Seaside Haven for Birds, and Starlit Sanctum for Clerics, require two colors of mana to activate their non-mana-producing ability. Furthermore, Starlit Sanctum is notable for having two non-mana-producing activated abilities.[32] 		Daru Encampment (Soldiers) Riptide Laboratory (Wizards) Unholy Grotto (Zombies) Goblin Burrows (Goblins) Wirewood Lodge (Elves)
Words Each of these rare enchantments may be activated for {1} to allow their controller to replace the next draw in exchange for an effect. Words of Worship Words of Wind Words of Waste Words of War Words of Wilding

Allied-colored cycles

Cycle name Description and notes {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W}
Allied-colored fetch lands Each of these rare lands has an activated ability costing 1 life and the tapping and sacrifice of the land to search for a land with either or both of two basic land types corresponding to the colors of an allied color pair.[33] Flooded Strand Polluted Delta Bloodstained Mire Wooded Foothills Windswept Heath

Vertical cycles

Cycle name Description and notes Common Uncommon Rare
Symbiotic creatures Each of these green creatures has a triggered ability that triggers when the creature dies. The ability allows the creatures' controllers to put a number of green 1/1 Insect creature tokens into play equal to the printed power of the creature. Symbiotic Elf Symbiotic Beast Symbiotic Wurm
"Cost matters" cards Each of these red spells has an ability that reveals cards from the top of its controller's library until a nonland card is revealed and has a scalable effect that is dependent on the converted mana cost of the nonland card revealed. Erratic Explosion Goblin Machinist Kaboom!

Pairs

Onslaught has one mirrored pair.

Reprinted cards

Functional reprints

Color shifted

Strictly better

Notable cards

  • The cycle of allied fetch lands continue to see significant play in all formats in which they are legal.

Preconstructed decks

Main article: Onslaught/Theme decks

Onslaught has four bicolored theme decks.

Theme
deck name 		Colors Included
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Bait & Switch U B
Celestial Assault W U
Devastation R G
Ivory Doom W B

Notes

  1. ↑ Mistform creatures all have the ability to change their creature type.

References

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  8. ↑ Vance Moore. (2001.) Odyssey Cycle, Book I: Odyssey, Wizards of the Coast. ISBN-13 978-0786919000.
  9. ↑ Template:NewRef
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  22. ↑ a b c d Wizards of the Coast *september, 2002)"New Features in Onslaught" magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast.
  23. ↑ Template:NewRef
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  35. ↑ Template:NewRef

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