Planes-hopping Era
 | The title of this article is a fan created nickname. |
The Planes-hopping Era refers to the story period spanning the 2003–2008 blocks, during which each block focused on a different plane. Unlike later arcs, this era lacked a grand overarching storyline connecting the planes; instead, each block told a self-contained narrative rooted in its own setting’s lore, which concluded before moving on to the next world. As a result, this period contains no formal saga or storyline arc following the end of the Mirari Saga.
Until then, the game’s narrative had revolved almost entirely around Dominaria, with only brief excursions into other planes such as Rabiah, Ulgrotha, Phyrexia, Serra's Realm, Rath, and Mercadia, most of which were presented in the context of how Dominarian planeswalkers influenced them. The Planes-hopping Era broke away from this Dominaria-centered focus, instead introducing a series of fresh worlds. Blocks during this time showcased Mirrodin, Kamigawa, Ravnica, Lorwyn, and Shadowmoor. It also marked a return to a post-apocalyptic Dominaria in the Time Spiral block, which acted as an epilogue for the Planeswalker Wars.
The Planes-hopping Era includes the Mirrodin Cycle, Kamigawa Cycle, Ravnica Cycle, Time Spiral Cycle, Lorwyn Cycle, and Shadowmoor Cycle.
While the pattern of shifting from plane to plane would continue well beyond this era, the storyline itself returned to a saga format starting with Alara Unbroken, which started followed individual planeswalkers across the planes and cycles — marking the beginning of the Planeswalker Saga.
Planes-hopping Era Overview
Mirrodin Cycle
| Title | Author | Publishing date | Set | Setting (plane) | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Moons of Mirrodin | Will McDermott | September 2003 | Mirrodin | Mirrodin | Memnarch, Karn, Jeska, Glissa, Kane, Lyese, Brynn, Chunth, Janus, Slobad, Krark (mentioned), Raksha Golden Cub, Rishan, Ushanti, Dakan, Bosh, Yert, Geth, Strang, Steel Mother, Dwugget, Bruenna, Xauvrer, Riley, Jerryl, Daven, Pontifex, Donal, Iapetus |
| The Darksteel Eye | Jess Lebow | December 2003 | Darksteel | Mirrodin | Memnarch, Malil, Glissa, Slobad, Bosh, Bruenna, Pontifex, Marek, Drooge, Tyrell, Sodador, Orland, Al-Hayat, Geth, Yert (mentioned), Kaldra |
| The Fifth Dawn | Cory Herndon | May 2004 | Fifth Dawn | Mirrodin | Yert, Glissa, Slobad, Banryk, Yulyn, Lyese, Bruenna, Orland, Lendano, Ghonthas, Malil, Raksha Golden Cub, Shonahn, Ushanti (mentioned), Jethrar, Dakan (mentioned), Yshkar, Memnarch, Alderok, Vektro, Geth, Ellasha, Darlosh, Tahk, Maneless One, Dwugget, Zelosh, Karn |
Kamigawa Cycle
Ravnica Cycle
Time Spiral Cycle
Lorwyn Cycle
| Title | Author | Publishing date | Set | Setting (plane) | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorwyn | Cory J. Herndon & Scott McGough | August 2007 | Lorwyn | Lorwyn | Maralen, Peradala, Eidren, Ashling, Sygg Gauhren Gyllalla Syllvar, Dugah, Unice, Irgil, Ryleigh, Vendilion Clique, Rhys, Yelm, Brion Stoutarm, Kiel, Gaddock Teeg, Colfenor, Collemina, Smitsmott, Brigid Baeli, Angus Gabble, Oona, Tiristan, Grath, Gryffid, Nath, Rosheen Meanderer (mentioned), Thumb, Grieve, Aeloch, Gaevin, Chevor, Sapling of Colfenor |
| Morningtide | Cory J. Herndon & Scott McGough | January 2008 | Morningtide | Lorwyn | Brigid Baeli, Vendilion Clique, Maralen, Ashling, Rhys, Brion Stoutarm, Kiel, Uaine, Sygg Gauhren Gyllalla Syllvar, Gryffid, Culloch, Eidren, Sapling of Colfenor, Creiddylan, Gulhee, Nora, Flyrne, Whisper, Zephyr, Rosheen Meanderer, Mr. Choppers, Kasella, Holgen, Mullenick, Paertagh Marphi |
