MTG Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
MTG Wiki
MTG Wiki
7,584
pages
in: Magic sets

Changes: Block

Back to page
Edit this Page
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
−
A '''block''' is a group of three ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' expansion [[set]]s that are centered or focused on a common storyline cycle, or arc. Typically, the first set in a block is a [[large expansion]], and is followed by two [[small expansion]]s; but, this trend has been subverted a number of times (e.g., with [[Lorwyn block]] and [[Shadowmoor block]], which comprised two expansions each; [[Return to Ravnica block]], which comprises two large expansions and one small expansion). <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/mm/68|Playing With Blocks|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 07, 2009}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/mm/245|Third Time's a Charm|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 29, 2013}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/247|Building Blocks|[[Sam Stoddard]]|May 17, 2013}}</ref>
 +
A '''block''' is a group of ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' expansion [[set]]s that are centered or focused on a common storyline cycle, or arc. Typically, from ''[[Mirage]]'' onwards the first set in a block was a [[large expansion]], and was followed by two [[small expansion]]s; but, this trend was subverted a number of times (e.g., with [[Lorwyn block]] and [[Shadowmoor block]], which comprised two expansions each; [[Return to Ravnica block]], which comprises two large expansions and one small expansion). <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/mm/68|Playing With Blocks|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 07, 2009}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/mm/245|Third Time's a Charm|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 29, 2013}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/247|Building Blocks|[[Sam Stoddard]]|May 17, 2013}}</ref>
   
  +
Beginning in the Fall of 2015, blocks will be two sets each. Each block will have one large set that introduces the world and one small set that builds upon it (this is the default and [[WotC]] reserves the right to have sets of different sizes if it serves the block). Blocks will no longer have a third set. <ref name="Metamorphosis">{{NewRef|mm/metamorphosis|Metamorphosis|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 25, 2014}}</ref>
 
==History==
  
==History==
 
Modern block design commenced in 1997, with [[Mirage block]].
  
Modern block design commenced in 1997, with [[Mirage block]].
Line 7: Line 8:
   
 
One of the most important parts to [[R&D|designing and developing]] sets today is to create cross-block synergies so the sets within [[Standard]] play well with each other, but also so that there is enough of a change when Standard rotates to change things up. A diverse and shifting [[metagame]] is a healthy metagame. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/268|Cross-Block Synergies in ''Theros''|[[Sam Stoddard]]|October 11, 2013}}</ref>
  
One of the most important parts to [[R&D|designing and developing]] sets today is to create cross-block synergies so the sets within [[Standard]] play well with each other, but also so that there is enough of a change when Standard rotates to change things up. A diverse and shifting [[metagame]] is a healthy metagame. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/268|Cross-Block Synergies in ''Theros''|[[Sam Stoddard]]|October 11, 2013}}</ref>
  +
  +
The redign of the block structure was announced by [[Mark Rosewater]] on August 25, 2016. <ref name="Metamorphosis"/>
   
 
==List of blocks==
  
==List of blocks==

Revision as of 15:38, 25 August 2014

A block is a group of Magic: The Gathering expansion sets that are centered or focused on a common storyline cycle, or arc. Typically, from Mirage onwards the first set in a block was a large expansion, and was followed by two small expansions; but, this trend was subverted a number of times (e.g., with Lorwyn block and Shadowmoor block, which comprised two expansions each; Return to Ravnica block, which comprises two large expansions and one small expansion). [1] [2] [3]

Beginning in the Fall of 2015, blocks will be two sets each. Each block will have one large set that introduces the world and one small set that builds upon it (this is the default and WotC reserves the right to have sets of different sizes if it serves the block). Blocks will no longer have a third set. [4]

History

Modern block design commenced in 1997, with Mirage block.

Ice Age and Alliances were grouped together with Homelands as a block retroactively. As Homelands is thematically and mechanically unrelated to Ice Age and Alliances, as well as being of a different storyline arc, it was later removed from the Ice Age block and replaced with Coldsnap in 2006.

One of the most important parts to designing and developing sets today is to create cross-block synergies so the sets within Standard play well with each other, but also so that there is enough of a change when Standard rotates to change things up. A diverse and shifting metagame is a healthy metagame. [5]

The redign of the block structure was announced by Mark Rosewater on August 25, 2016. [4]

List of blocks

The following list details all of the blocks in Magic: The Gathering in chronological order.

The year given in parentheses is the year in which the first set in the block was released. Typically, with a notable exception being Lorwyn and Shadowmoor blocks, Wizards of the Coast has released the first set in October of the year in parentheses and subsequent sets in the block in February and April of the following year.

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break

Template:Col-break

Template:Col-break

Template:Col-break

Template:Col-end

References

  1. ↑ Mark Rosewater (December 07, 2009). "Playing With Blocks". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Mark Rosewater (April 29, 2013). "Third Time's a Charm". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Sam Stoddard (May 17, 2013). "Building Blocks". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ a b Template:NewRef
  5. ↑ Sam Stoddard (October 11, 2013). "Cross-Block Synergies in Theros". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
Community content is available under CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms