Onslaught block
The Onslaught block is the eighth block, consisting of the large expansion Onslaught () and the two small expansions Legions () and Scourge (). The block came out in 2002–2003.
Themes and keywords
The theme of the Onslaught block is creature types, "typal".
Onslaught is the first block to introduce at least one new keyword in each set, a trend which all blocks since have followed. It introduced amplify, double strike, morph, provoke, storm, and typecycling as new keywords; keyworded the fear mechanic first introduced in the Mirage block; and reused cycling. Double strike and fear were made evergreen.
Relation to Grand Creature Type update
In 2007, numerous cards with only a job creature type such as the Cleric, Soldier, and Wizards were retroactively given additional species creature types during the Grand Creature Type Update to be more consistent with the "race/class model".[1] In most of these cases, the additional creature type was Human. This, by and large, did not cause significant changes to this block.[2]
Sets
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Development codes
On the development codenames for the Onslaught block, MTG.com columnist Mark Rosewater writes:
| “ | For Onslaught block, Bill Rose (the head of R&D) selected the three spokescharacters from an auto parts store named Pep Boys: Manny, Moe, and Jack. While this fit the set order, it proved to have one huge flaw: Half of R&D didn't grow up near a Pep Boys, so they didn't know what order the three went in.[3] | ” |
Theme decks
References
- ↑ Randy Buehler (November 22, 2002). "Debating Humanity". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-08-12.
- ↑ Mark Gottlieb (September 26, 2007). "The Grand Creature Type Update". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 12, 2002). "Codename of the Game". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.