Apocalypse

Apocalypse is the twenty-fourth Magic: The Gathering expansion and was released in 2001 as the last set in the Invasion block. The set's theme included enemy color pairs, and expanded on the kicker block mechanic.

Cycles

• Bloodfire vertical cycle: Creatures which can be sacrificed to deal damage to each creature and each player: Bloodfire Dwarf, Bloodfire Kavu and Bloodfire Colossus. Also, Bloodfire Infusion is an Enchant Creature spell which allowed any creature to be sacrificed to deal damage equal to its power to each creature and player.
• Disciples: 1/1 Wizards with two opposing color abilities for one color of the appropriate mana plus tapping — Ana Disciple, Ceta Disciple, Dega Disciple, Necra Disciple, and Raka Disciple
• Enemy colored painlands : Battlefield Forge, Caves of Kilios, Llanowar Wastes, Shivan Reef, and Yavimaya Coast are each rare lands with "T: add 1 to your mana pool. T: Add E or F to your mana pool. [This] deals 1 damage to you." E and F are enemy colors of mana.
• Sanctuaries: Enchantments which do something if you have an opposing colored permanent. If you have both opposing colors, then the benefit is increased — Ana Sanctuary, Ceta Sanctuary, Dega Sanctuary, Necra Sanctuary and Raka Sanctuary
• Enemy colored split cards — Fire // Ice, Illusion // Reality, Life // Death, Night // Day, Order // Chaos
• Volvers: Creatures which have two enemy-color kicker costs that increase power and toughness and grant extra abilities — Anavolver, Cetavolver, Degavolver, Necravolver and Rakavolver
• Whirlpool vertical cycle: When these creatures come into play, shuffle the cards from your hand into your library, then draw that many cards — Whirlpool Drake, Whirlpool Rider and Whirlpool Warrior
• "Top four" creatures: Each of these creatures is uncommon and cost 3+1 specific color to cast. Their ability works as follows: When the card comes into play, reveal the top 4 cards of your library. Put all cards of a certain type revealed this way into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library. The cards they brought into play are: Elves, Goblins, Merfolk, Soldiers, and Zombies - Sylvan Messenger, Goblin Ringleader, Tidal Courier, Enlistment Officer and Grave Defiler.
  

Two cards were not part of the above cycle, but had a related ability. Kavu Howler is also uncommon, but has greater power and toughness and costs more to cast. Brass Herald allows you to choose the creature type it searches for in the top 4 cards; it also grants creatures of that type +1/+1.

Notable Cards

• Mystic Snake — A Counterspell and a 2/2 creature in one card.

External links

• Apocalypse Product Page