Khans of Tarkir block
The Khans of Tarkir block consists of the large expansion Khans of Tarkir (), the small expansion Fate Reforged () and a final large set Dragons of Tarkir (). It is the 21st block in Magic: The Gathering history. The block was released over 2014–2015.[1] Khans of Tarkir block is the last of the three-set blocks.[2]
Sets
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Description
On September 9, 2013, Wizards of the Coast filed for a trademark for "Warlords of Khanar". For licensing reasons, this turned out to be renamed as Khans of Tarkir.[3] Each of the clans in the block is loosely based on a different Asian culture (architecture, clothing and so on).[4] The Mardu are based on the Mongol hordes, the Jeskai are based on the Chinese Shaolin Monks, the Abzan are based on the Ottoman Turks, the Sultai are based on the Khmer Empire and the Temur are based on shamanistic Siberian culture.
The Khans of Tarkir block has a unique draft structure: the second (small) set is drafted with both large sets, but the large sets are never drafted together.[5][6] The draft structure is the first thing from which the first set was built.[7] All three sets feature Morph or Morph-like mechanic.
There will be a change in rotation structure in view of Standard too, once Theros block and Magic 2015 are being rotated out in September 2015. The Khans of Tarkir and Fate Reforged will be treated as an independent block in the new 3-block rotation, while the second large set in this block and Magic Origins will be treated as another. As a result of that, the prior two sets will be rotated out in Spring 2016, while the latter two will be rotated out in Autumn 2016.
Although Khans of Tarkir is a wedge set, it was explicitly denied that the whole block would be wedge oriented. Instead, the block was to be all about change, and contained a time traveling element.[8]</ref> As Sarkhan Vol traveled from the present Khans of Tarkir to the past (Fate Reforged) he changed the time stream by rescuing Ugin. He returned in an alternate present (Dragons of Tarkir).[9] The second does not contain three-color gold cards. The color identity of the cards is instead marked by the use of hybrid ability activation cost. The last set focused on Two-Color Dragon Broods.
It was said that there are elements in the storyline that may play out over a long time in other blocks.[4]
Mega cycles
The Khans of Tarkir block has two mega cycles.
| Cycle name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golems | ||||
| Witness of the Ages (Khans of Tarkir) | Pilgrim of the Fires (Fate Reforged) | Custodian of the Trove (Dragons of Tarkir) | ||
| Three golem artifact creatures that can be found across the three sets of the Tarkir block, probably corresponding to the same character among the different timelines. | ||||
Intra block references
The block features several cards that reference cards from the other sets.
- The basic lands from each set depict the same place at different point in the timeline
- The Khans/Fate Reforged life-gain taplands depict the same place at different points in the timeline.
- The Khans fetch lands depict the corpses of the Dragonlords featured in Fate Reforged and Dragons of Tarkir.
- The Khans from Khans of Tarkir have alternates in Dragons of Tarkir
Pairs
- Meandering Towershell / Wandering Tombshell
- Marang River Prowler / Marang River Skeleton
- Savage Punch / Epic Confrontation
Combo
Renowned Weaponsmith from Fate Reforged combos with either Heart-Piercer Bow from Khans or Vial of Dragonfire from Dragons.
Theme decks
References
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (May 19, 2014). "Announcing Khans of Tarkir". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 25, 2014). "Metamorphosis". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Doug Beyer on Twitter
- ↑ a b Wizards of the Coast (November 7, 2014). "PAX Australia Magic Panel". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 26, 2014). "What do you mean by "small set is drafted with both large sets"?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Sam Stoddard (January 30, 2015). "Time Travel Ain't Easy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 26, 2014). "How early in Tarkir Block design was the unique Large-Small-Large draft format set in stone?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 12, 2015). "Fate-Ful Stories, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ The Magic Creative Team (April 29, 2015). "The Story of Tarkir Block". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
External links
- Sam Stoddard (June 12, 2015). "Tarkir Retrospective". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (June 15, 2015). "Board of Education: Khans of Tarkir". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (February 29, 2016). "Storm Scale: Khans of Tarkir Block". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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