New Phyrexia

New Phyrexia is the third set in the Scars of Mirrodin block and is the fifty-sixth Magic expansion. It will be released on May 13, 2011.

Set Details

New Phyrexia concludes the story that began in Scars of Mirrodin, with the Phyrexians defeating the Mirrans and taking control of the plane of Mirrodin. Cards are again watermarked with either factions symbol, but the ratio is significantly favoring Phyrexia. This is showcases the progress of the Phyrexian invasion and a reversal from the ratio as it was seen in Scars of Mirrodin. In a similar fashion, the Phyrexian keyword mechanics of Infect and Proliferate spread into colors that did not get cards with these mechanics before.

Originally, Wizards of the Coast announced that the set would be called either Mirrodin Pure or New Phyrexia, as they did not wish to reveal which of the factions would win. On March 29, 2011, it was announced that the new set would in fact be called New Phyrexia.

The promotional card given to participants at the Prerelease tournaments will be Sheoldred, the Whispering One, one of the five powerful Phyrexian leaders.

Mechanics

New Phyrexia introduces five new mana symbols: A phyrexian symbol on a colored background which can be either paid with 2 life or a colored mana of the background color of the symbol. This mechanic also heralds the return of colored artifacts, previously seen in Future Sight and the Esper shard from Alara block.

The keyword mechanics Infect, Proliferate, Living weapon and Imprint return while Karn gets a Planeswalker card which is at the same time the first colorless planeswalker card and also has up to that point the largest amount of loyalty counters added by a planeswalker's first ability with +4, and the most costly ultimate ability at -14 loyalty counters.

Cycles

New Phyrexia has two Cycles:

• Praetors: Five mythic rare legendary creatures, one per color, representing the Phyrexian's rulers and a different philosophy among the Phyrexian army what exactly New Phyrexia should look like. They give a positive effect to the player controlling them, and an inverse effect to his or her opponents — Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur, Sheoldred, the Whispering One, Urabrask the Hidden, and Vorinclex, Voice of Hunger
• Chancellors: Five rare creatures, who can be revealed at the start of the game for a small effect to get an early advantage. — Chancellor of the Annex, Chancellor of the Dross, Chancellor of the Furnace

Notable Cards

• Phyrexian Obliterator: An homage of the Suicide Black staple Phyrexian Negator that is on the Reserved List. Both have similar names as Obliterator and Negator are close to being synonyms as well as having identical combat stats (5/5 trampler). However, the new card reverses Negator's drawback for a higher and more color-intensive mana cost.

Flavor

“

The Grand Compleation is Achieved

”

Preview images

A New Phyrexia is forged from the plane of Mirrodin and its five suns. This image bears a resemblance to Phyrexian Negator.		A few Mirrans still defy their Phyrexian conquerors. This image appears to be of Platinum Angel but also has artistic features of Darksteel metal.

External links

• "Magic Arcana" (Thursday, December 09, 2010). "Announcing "Action"". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
• "Magic Arcana" (Tuesday, March 29, 2011). "Action is New Phyrexia". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.