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{{SubTabs
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Eldritch Moon''}}
  
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|sub1 = Card comparisons
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{{Upcoming release|date=2016-07-22}}
  
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|sub2 = Intro packs
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}}
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{{Infobox set|
  
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{{Infobox set
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|logo = [[File:Eldritch Moon.png‎|250px]]
  
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|image = Eldritch Moon.png‎
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|symbol description =
 
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|image_bgcolor = black
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|design team = [[Ken Nagle]] (lead)<br />[[Mark Rosewater]]<br />[[Shawn Main]]<br />[[Ben Hayes]]<br />[[Bryan Hawley]]<br />[[Kelly Digges]]
  
  +
|symbol_description = [[Emrakul]], or [[Liliana]]'s headpiece
−
|development team = [[Sam Stoddard]] (lead)<br />[[Dave Humpherys]]<br />[[Jackie Lee]]<br />[[Bryan Hawley]]<br />[[Melissa DeTora]]<br />with contributions from [[Matt Tabak]]
  
  +
|design = [[Ken Nagle]] (lead)<br />[[Mark Rosewater]]<br />[[Shawn Main]]<br />[[Ben Hayes]]<br />[[Bryan Hawley]]<br />[[Kelly Digges]]
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|art director =
 
  +
|development = [[Sam Stoddard]] (lead)<br />[[Dave Humpherys]]<br />[[Jackie Lee]]<br />[[Bryan Hawley]]<br />[[Melissa DeTora]]<br />with contributions from [[Matt Tabak]]
−
|date_release = July 22, 2016
  
  +
|art = [[Jeremy Jarvis]]
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|mechanics =
  
  +
|release = July 22, 2016
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|keywords =
  
  +
|plane = [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]]
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|size = 205
  
  +
|mechanics = [[Double-faced card]]s, [[Graveyard]] matters
  +
|keywords = [[Delirium]], [[Emerge]], [[Escalate]], [[Madness]], [[Meld]], [[Protection]], [[Transform]]
  +
|size = 205 cards<br/>{{curmb|74|70|47|14}}
 
|code_expansion = EMN
  
|code_expansion = EMN
  +
|code_expansion_ref = [http://magic.wizards.com/en/content/eldritch-moon-information Product information]
 
|code_development = Fears
  
|code_development = Fears
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|block name = [[Shadows over Innistrad block|Shadows over Innistrad]]
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|series = [[Shadows over Innistrad block]]
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|first set = [[Shadows over Innistrad]]
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|first = Shadows over Innistrad
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|second set = '''Eldritch Moon'''
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|second = Eldritch Moon
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|third set = (none)
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|third = none
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|previous set = [[Eternal Masters]]
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|previous = Eternal Masters
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|this set = Eldritch Moon
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|next = From the Vault: Lore
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}}
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|next set = [[From the Vault: Lore]]
  
  +
'''''Eldritch Moon''''' is the 71st ''[[Magic: the Gathering|Magic]]'' expansion, and the second in the [[Shadows over Innistrad block]]. It was released on July 22, 2016,<ref name="SetAnnouncement">{{DailyRef|news/announcing-eldritch-moon-2016-02-08|Announcing ''Eldritch Moon''|Wizards of the Coast|February 8, 2016}}</ref> and is a [[small expansion]].
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|}}
  
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'''''Eldritch Moon''''' is the 71st ''[[Magic: the Gathering|Magic]]'' expansion, and the second in the [[Shadows over Innistrad block]]. It will be released on July 22, 2016,<ref name="SetAnnouncement">{{NewRef|news/announcing-eldritch-moon-2016-02-08|Announcing ''Eldritch Moon''|Wizards of the Coast|February 8, 2016}}</ref> and is a small expansion.
  
   
 
==Set details==
  
==Set details==
  +
{{cquote|Take On the Darkness}}
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TBA.
  
  +
''Eldritch Moon'' continues where ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'' left off. It expands its horror theme into [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._P._Lovecraft Lovecraftian] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmicism Cosmic Horror]. The [[expansion symbol]] of the set is a stylized silhouette of [[Emrakul]] but also resembles [[Liliana]]'s headdress. The set contains 205 cards (74 commons, 70 uncommons, 47 rares, 14 mythic rares), including 15 [[double-faced card]]s, 6 [[meld card]]s (3 pairs), and randomly inserted [[premium]] versions of all cards.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/eldritch-moon-release-notes-2016-07-08|Eldritch Moon Release Notes|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|July 8, 2016 }}</ref> A [[checklist card]] replaces the [[basic land]] in some boosters.
−
 
  +
  +
The set is peculiar in its distribution of colors due to a Green bias in the multicolored rares and Emerge and Meld being colorless cards with a [[color identity]]. Counting cards by their casting cost gives a wildly varying number of cards per color, with white having the most cards (36) followed by Red (35), Black (34), Blue (32), and Green (31). When counting in color identity, the totals even out more: White, Blue, and Black have 39 cards each that can be cast using those colors, while Red and Green have 38 each.
  +
 
===Storyline===
  
===Storyline===
  +
With the death of [[Avacyn]], the last protections over [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] have faded. [[Nahiri]] has summoned [[Emrakul]] to the plane, to take revenge on [[Sorin Markov]]. The Titan of Corruption and Warper of Biology twists all things living, be it plants, animals, or sentient beings, into [[Eldrazi]] [[Horror]]s. Mutations frequently gain Emrakul's fibrous lattice motif, often including tentacles, extra eyes and limbs, and her bizarre colorations. The mutations include five increasing levels of corruption: distorted, disfigured, deformed, misshapen, and monstrous. Some of the affected creatures meld together into new organisms. The few unaffected survivors, humans, and native monsters alike fight a losing battle against their mentally and physically twisted former peers. Now Innistrad's fate rests in the hands of unlikely allies: [[Jace Beleren]] brings the [[Gatewatch]], and [[Liliana Vess]] brings hordes of undead immune to Emrakul's influence.
−
TBA
  
  +
  +
The cards that represent the ''pivotal moments'' in the storyline are <c>Coax from the Blind Eternities</c>, <c>Campaign of Vengeance</c>, <c>Nahiri's Wrath</c>, <c>Emrakul's Influence</c>, <c>Dark Salvation</c> and <c>Imprisoned in the Moon</c>.
  +
  +
====Magic Story====
  +
{{main|Magic Story}}
  +
{| class="wikitable sortable"
  +
|-
  +
! Title !! Author !! Release Date !! Setting (plane) !! Featuring
  +
|-
  +
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/archmage-goldnight-2016-06-08|The Archmage of Goldnight}} || [[Kimberly J. Kreines]] || 2016-06-08 ||[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Arlinn Kord]], [[Rembert]]
  +
|-
  +
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/stone-and-blood-2016-06-15|Stone and Blood}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2016-06-15 ||[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Nahiri]], [[Sorin Markov]], [[Avacyn]]
  +
|-
  +
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/emrakul-rises-2016-06-20|Emrakul Rises}} || [[Kimberly J. Kreines]] || 2016-06-22 ||[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Nahiri]], [[Emrakul]], [[Halana]] and [[Alena]], [[Bruna]] and [[Gisela]], [[Jace Beleren]] and [[Tamiyo]]
  +
|-
  +
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/innistrads-last-hope-2016-06-29|Innistrad's Last Hope}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2016-06-29 ||[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Sorin Markov]], [[Olivia Voldaren]], [[Liliana Vess]], [[Gared]], [[Dierk]]
  +
|-
  +
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/campaign-vengeance-2016-07-06|Campaign of Vengeance}} || [[Ari Levitch]] || 2016-07-06 || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Sorin Markov]], [[Olivia Voldaren]], [[Nahiri]]
  +
|-
  +
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/saint-traft-and-flight-nightmares-2016-07-13|Saint Traft and Flight of Nightmares}} || [[James Wyatt]] || 2016-07-13 || [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Thalia]], [[Traft]], [[Olivia Voldaren]], [[Brisela]], [[Sigarda]], [[Rem Karolus]]
  +
|-
  +
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/battle-thraben-2016-07-20|Battle of Thraben}} || [[Nik Davidson]] || 2016-07-20||[[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Liliana Vess]] and [[the Gatewatch]]
  +
|-
  +
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/promised-end-2016-07-27|The Promised End}} || [[Ken Troop]] || 2016-07-27|| [[Innistrad (plane)|Innistrad]] || [[Emrakul]], [[Liliana Vess]], [[Tamiyo]] and [[the Gatewatch]]
  +
|}
   
 
===Marketing===
  
===Marketing===
  +
[[File:EMN Checklist.jpg|thumb|right|Checklist card]]
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TBA
  
  +
''Eldritch Moon'' is sold in 16-card [[boosters]] (one card being a [[marketing card]]), five [[intro pack]]s, and a [[fat pack]]. It is the last to feature intro packs, which will be replaced by [[Planeswalker deck]]s in [[Kaladesh|the next expansion]].<ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/eldritch-moon-intro-pack-rares-2016-06-28|Eldritch Moon Intro Pack Rares|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|June 28, 2016}}</ref> The fat pack is the last to be marketed as such (to be replaced by [[bundle]]). The boosters feature artwork from the cards <c>Lunar Force</c> and <c>Smoldering Werewolf</c>, and non-card artwork of [[Liliana]].
  +
 
====Prerelease====
  
====Prerelease====
  +
[[Prerelease]] Events took place on July 16–17, 2016.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/eldritch-moon-prerelease-primer-2016-07-11|''Eldritch Moon'' Prerelease Primer|[[Gavin Verhey]]|July 11, 2016}}</ref>
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TBA
  
  +
−
====Promotional Cards====
  
  +
====Promotional cards====
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*[[Prerelease cards|Prerelease]]: a stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare from the set.
  
  +
*[[Prerelease cards|Prerelease]]: a stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare from the set and a foil double-sided [[Zombie]] [[token]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/eldritch-moon-prerelease-kit-contents-2016-06-20|''Eldritch Moon'' Prerelease Kit Contents|Wizards of the Coast|June 20, 2016}}</ref>
−
*[[Launch promo]]: TBA
  
−
*[[Game Day]]: [[full-art]] TBA
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*[[Launch promo]]: <c>Identity Thief</c>
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*Game Day (Top 8): full-art TBA
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*[[Game Day]]: [[full-art]] <c>Unsubstantiate</c>
  +
*Game Day (Top 8): <c>Heron's Grace Champion</c>
−
*[[Booster box promo cards|Buy-a-Box]]: TBA
  
  +
*[[Buy-a-Box]]: <c>Thalia, Heretic Cathar</c><ref name="Tokens">{{DailyRef|feature/eldritch-moon-tokens-and-promo-cards-2016-07-07|''Eldritch Moon'' Tokens and Promo Cards|Blake Rasmussen|July 7, 2016}}</ref>
   
 
====Tokens and emblems====
  
====Tokens and emblems====
  +
''Eldritch Moon'' features 8 [[token]]s and 2 [[emblem]]s.<ref name="Tokens"/>
  +
  +
# {{C}} 3/2 [[Eldrazi]] [[Horror]] for <c>Desperate Sentry</c>, <c>Extricator of Flesh</c>, <c>Extricator of Sin</c>, <c>Enlightened Maniac</c>, <c>Emrakul's Evangel</c>, <c>Foul Emissary</c>, <c>Hanweir, the Writhing Township</c>, <c>Howling Chorus</c>, <c>Otherworldly Outburst</c> and <c>Wharf Infiltrator</c>
  +
# {{U}} 1/1 [[Human]] [[Wizard]] for <c>Docent of Perfection</c> and <c>Final Iteration</c>
  +
# {{B}} 2/2 [[Zombie]] for <c>Cryptbreaker</c>, <c>Dark Salvation</c>, <c>Graf Harvest</c>, <c>Liliana, the Last Hope</c>, <c>Noosegraf Mob</c>, and <c>Oath of Liliana</c>
  +
# {{B}} 2/2 [[Zombie]]
  +
# {{B}} 2/2 [[Zombie]]
  +
# {{B}} */* [[Zombie]] for <c>Soul Separator</c>
  +
# {{R}} 1/1 [[Human]] for <c>Hanweir Garrison</c>
  +
# {{G}} 1/2 [[Spider]] with [[reach]] for <c>Ishkanah, Grafwidow</c>
  +
# {{Emblem|Liliana, the Last Hope|EMN}}
  +
# {{Emblem|Tamiyo, Field Researcher|EMN}}
  +
  +
Tokens from ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'', named on ''Eldritch Moon'' cards:
  +
  +
# {{W}} 1/1 [[Human]] [[Soldier]] for <c>Thraben Standard Bearer</c>
  +
# {{W}} 1/1 [[Spirit]] with [[flying]] for <c>Sanctifier of Souls</c> and <c>Spectral Reserves</c>
  +
# {{R}} 1/1 [[Devil]] with “When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.” for <c>Make Mischief</c>
  +
# {{G}} 1/1 [[Insect]] for <c>It of the Horrid Swarm</c>
  +
# {{G}} 2/2 [[Wolf]] for <c>Wolfkin Bond</c>
   
 
==Themes and mechanics==
  
==Themes and mechanics==
  +
[[File:Hanweir.png|thumb|right|Two cards melded into <c>Hanweir, the Writhing Township</c>]]
  +
  +
[[Madness]], [[Transform]], [[Skulk]], and [[Delirium]] are carried over from the [[Shadows over Innistrad|previous set]]. Creatures that transform into [[colorless]] Eldrazi have an {{dfc|fullmoon}} indicator for the front side and an {{dfc|Emrakul}} indicator for the back side, showing this creature has joined Emrakul's brood.<ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/summary-two-fears-2016-06-28|A Summary of Two Fears|[[Ken Nagle]]|June 28, 2016}}</ref> This symbolizes one transformation step further from that shown in ''[[Innistrad]]'', ''[[Dark Ascension]]'', and ''Shadows over Innistrad'', where cards transformed from {{dfc|Sun}} on their front sides to {{dfc|Moon}} on their back sides.
  +
  +
There are three new named [[mechanic]]s:<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/eldritch-moon-mechanics-2016-06-27|''Eldritch Moon'' Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|June 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/over-moon-part-2-2016-07-04|Over the Moon, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 4, 2016}}</ref>
  +
  +
*[[Meld]], a [[keyword action]] that changes the card with meld and a specific other card into one [[oversized]] card. That single card only exists on the [[card back|backs]] of the two other cards. Whenever the melded card leaves the battlefield, both cards go, and they each turn front face up again.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/over-moon-part-1-2016-06-27|Over the Moon, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 27, 2016}}</ref>
  +
*[[Emerge]] [cost] ''(You may cast this spell by sacrificing a creature and paying the emerge cost reduced by that creature's converted mana cost)''.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/little-change-will-do-you-good-2016-07-15|A Little Change Will Do You Good|[[Sam Stoddard]]|July 15, 2016}}</ref>
  +
*[[Escalate]], a [[keyword ability]] appearing on [[modal]] [[instant]]s and [[Sorcery|sorceries]]. By paying the escalate cost, additional modes may be chosen.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/developing-eldritch-moon-2016-07-01|Developing ''Eldritch Moon''|[[Sam Stoddard]]|July 1, 2016}}</ref>
   
 
===Card types===
  
===Card types===
  +
*[[Reflection]] is featured for the first time as a non-token [[creature type]].
   
 
==Cycles==
  
==Cycles==
  +
''Eldritch Moon'' has two [[cycle]]s:
   
  +
{| class="wikitable"
−
==Mirrored pairs==
  
  +
! Cycle name
  +
! {{W}}{{U}}
  +
! {{U}}{{B}}
  +
! {{B}}{{R}}
  +
! {{R}}{{G}}
  +
! {{G}}{{W}}
  +
|-
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|rowspan="2"|'''[[Allied color]]ed [[rare]]s and [[Mythic]]s'''
  +
|{{card|Spell Queller||EMN}}
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|{{card|Gisa and Geralf||EMN}}
  +
|{{card|Bloodhall Priest||EMN}}
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|{{card|Ulrich of the Krallenhorde||EMN}} // {{card|Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha||EMN}}
  +
|{{card|Heron's Grace Champion||EMN}}
  +
|-
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|colspan="5"|Five creatures with casting cost including an allied color pair.
  +
|-
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! Cycle name
  +
! {{W}}{{B}}
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! {{U}}{{R}}
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! {{B}}{{G}}
  +
! {{R}}{{W}}
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! {{G}}{{U}}
  +
|-
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|rowspan="2"|'''[[Enemy color]]ed [[uncommon]]s'''
  +
|{{card|Campaign of Vengeance||EMN}}
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|{{card|Mercurial Geists||EMN}}
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|{{card|Mournwillow||EMN}}
  +
|{{card|Ride Down||EMN}}
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|{{card|Lashweed Lurker||EMN}}
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|-
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|colspan="5"|Five uncommon cards that can be cast using the mana of an enemy pair.
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|}
  +
  +
===Mega-Mega cycles===
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''Eldritch Moon'' completes three mega-[[mega cycle]]s:
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  +
====Horizontal cycles====
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
! Cycle name
  +
! {{W}}
  +
! {{U}}
  +
! {{B}}
  +
! {{R}}
  +
! {{G}}
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Oaths'''
  +
|{{card|Oath of Gideon|Oath of the Gatewatch}}
  +
|{{card|Oath of Jace|Oath of the Gatewatch}}
  +
|{{card|Oath of Liliana|Eldritch Moon}}
  +
|{{card|Oath of Chandra|Oath of the Gatewatch}}
  +
|{{card|Oath of Nissa|Oath of the Gatewatch}}
  +
|-
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|colspan="5"|{{card|Oath of Liliana||EMN}} completes the mega-mega cycle of single colored Oaths started in ''[[Oath of the Gatewatch]]'' and signifies that she joined [[the Gatewatch]].
  +
|}
  +
  +
====3-Card cycles====
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
! Cycle name
  +
! {{keyrune|BFZ|rarity=m|grad=1}}
  +
! {{keyrune|OGW|rarity=m|grad=1}}
  +
! {{keyrune|EMN|rarity=m|grad=1}}
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Eldrazi Titans'''
  +
|{{card|Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger|Battle for Zendikar}}
  +
|{{card|Kozilek, the Great Distortion|Oath of the Gatewatch}}
  +
|{{card|Emrakul, the Promised End|Eldritch Moon}}
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="3"|{{card|Emrakul, the Promised End||EMN}} completes the Eldrazi Titan triplet started in ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]''.
  +
|-
  +
! Cycle name
  +
! {{keyrune|ISD}}
  +
! {{keyrune|SOI|rarity=u|grad=1}}
  +
! {{keyrune|EMN|rarity=r|grad=1}}
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Delver Iterations'''
  +
|{{card|Delver of Secrets||ISD}} // {{card|Insectile Aberration|Innistrad}}
  +
|{{card|Aberrant Researcher||SOI}} // {{card|Perfected Form|Shadows over Innistrad}}
  +
|{{card|Docent of Perfection||EMN}} // {{card|Final Iteration|Eldritch Moon}}
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="3"|The rare [[double-faced card]] <c>Docent of Perfection</c>/<c>Final Iteration</c> completes a [[vertical cycle]].
  +
|}
  +
  +
===Escalation cycles===
  +
The Escalate keyword exists on [[Mardu]] colored modal spells, resulting in three partial cycles, two triplets, and a [[pair]]:
  +
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
! Cycle name
  +
! {{R}}
  +
! {{W}}
  +
! {{B}}
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Alliance Instants'''
  +
|<c>Savage Alliance</c>
  +
|<c>Blessed Alliance</c>
  +
|style="background:#ddd;"|
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="3"|These two uncommon instants use "Alliance" as part of their title.
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Borrowed Instants'''
  +
|<c>Borrowed Hostility</c>
  +
|<c>Borrowed Grace</c>
  +
|<c>Borrowed Malevolence</c>
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="3"|These three common instants use "Borrowed" as part of their title.
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Collective Sorceries'''
  +
|<c>Collective Defiance</c>
  +
|<c>Collective Effort</c>
  +
|<c>Collective Brutality</c>
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="3"|These three rare sorceries use "Collective" as part of their title.
  +
|}
  +
  +
===Pairs===
  +
''Eldritch Moon'' has one [[mirrored pair]] and three [[meld pair]]s:
  +
  +
====Mirrored Pairs====
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|-
  +
! colspan="2"|Mirrored Pairs
  +
!Description
  +
|-
  +
|{{card|Faithbearer Paladin||EMN}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
  +
|{{card|Markov Crusader||EMN}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
  +
|Two [[knight]]s have both a converted mana cost of 5 and [[lifelink]] and mirrored [[power and toughness]]. The pictures are similar as well, however, the black card is uncommon whereas the white card is common, because of a bonus ability with vampires.
  +
|}
  +
  +
====Meld Pairs====
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|-
  +
! colspan="2"|Meld Pairs
  +
!Description
  +
|-
  +
|{{card|Bruna, the Fading Light||EMN}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
  +
|{{card|Gisela, the Broken Blade||EMN}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
  +
|{{card|Brisela, Voice of Nightmares||EMN}} <br/> {{em}} Two [[angel]]ic protectors corrupted.
  +
|-
  +
|{{card|Graf Rats||EMN}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
  +
|{{card|Midnight Scavengers||EMN}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
  +
|{{card|Chittering Host||EMN}} <br/> {{em}} Humans and rats become a new [[horror|horrific]] creature.
  +
|-
  +
|{{card|Hanweir Battlements||EMN}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{C}})}}
  +
|{{card|Hanweir Garrison||EMN}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
  +
|{{card|Hanweir, the Writhing Township||EMN}} <br/> {{em}} Citizens [[ooze|oozing]] into their beloved town.
  +
|}
   
 
==Reprinted cards==
  
==Reprinted cards==
  +
*<c>Convolute</c>, first printed in ''[[Ravnica: City of Guilds]]''.
  +
*<c>Hamlet Captain</c>, first printed in ''[[Innistrad]]''.
  +
*<c>Peace of Mind</c>, first printed in ''[[Exodus]]'', last seen in ''[[Ninth Edition]]''.
  +
*<c>Prey Upon</c>, first printed in ''[[Innistrad]]'', last seen in ''[[Magic 2013]]''.
  +
*<c>Ride Down</c>, first printed in ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]''.
  +
*<c>Rise from the Grave</c>, first printed in ''[[Magic 2010]]'', last seen in ''[[Commander 2015]]'', and for the first time in an expert-level expansion..
  +
*<c>Terrarion</c>, first printed in ''[[Ravnica: City of Guilds]]''.
  +
*<c>Turn Aside</c>, first printed in ''[[Scars of Mirrodin]]''.
   
−
===Functional Reprints===
 +
===Common to Uncommon===
  +
*<c>Murder</c>, first printed in ''[[Magic 2013]]''.
  +
  +
===Functional reprints===
  +
*<c>Cathar’s Shield</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Accorder's Shield</c>.
  +
*<c>Contingency Plan</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Taigam's Scheming</c>.
  +
*<c>Bold Impaler</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Lavastep Raider</c> (save for creature types).
  +
*<c>Dawn Gryff</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Avian Changeling</c>, <c>Shadow Glider</c>, and <c>Wild Griffin</c> (save for creature types).
  +
*<c>Drag Under</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Symbol of Unsummoning</c>.
  +
*<c>Field Creeper</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Bronze Sable</c> and <c>Alpha Myr</c> (save for creature types).
  +
*<c>Guardian of Pilgrims</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Kinsbaile Skirmisher</c> (save for creature types).
  +
*<c>Long Road Home</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Otherworldly Journey</c> (save for [[Arcane]]).
  +
*<c>Sigardian Priest</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Avacynian Priest</c>.
  +
*<c>Tattered Haunter</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Vaporkin</c> and <c>Welkin Tern</c> (save for creature types).
  +
  +
===Colorshifted===
  +
*<c>Harmless Offering</c> is a colorshifted version of <c>Donate</c> (blue to red), which targets opponents instead of players.
   
 
==Card comparisons==
  
==Card comparisons==
−
<!--{{Main|Eldritch Moon/Card comparisons}}-->
 +
{{Main|Eldritch Moon/Card comparisons}}
  +
  +
==Notable cards==
  +
*<c>Ulrich of the Krallenhorde</c>/<c>Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha</c> is the only card in the set using the {{dfc|Sun}} and {{dfc|Moon}} symbols to indicate transformation.
  +
*<c>Docent of Perfection</c> has the same stats, abilities, and creature subtypes as <c>Perfected Form</c> (the back side of <c>Aberrant Researcher</c>). He creates <c>Delver of Secrets</c> [[token]]s, then transforms them into <c title="Insectile Aberrations">Insectile Aberration</c>.
  +
*<c>Grapple with the Past</c> is a throwback in art and mechanics to <c>Make a Wish</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/148723637633/i-did-i-enjoy-throwbacks-in-art-then-perhaps|title= What is going on in the art of "Grapple With the Past?"|August 10, 2016}}</ref>
  +
*<c>Eldritch Evolution</c> is a key part of creature toolbox decks in Pioneer and Modern.
  +
*<c>Thermo-Alchemist</c> is a staple creature for burn decks in Pauper.
  +
*<c>Liliana, the Last Hope</c> is a powerful Planeswalker that has seen substantial play in midrange decks in every format.
  +
*<c>Mausoleum Wanderer</c> and <c>Spell Queller</c> helped push the Spirit Aggro archetype in Modern and Pioneer to the top of those formats.
  +
*<c>Sigarda's Aid</c> helped create the Hammer Time archetype in Pioneer and especially Modern, enabling the deck to equip <c>Colossus Hammer</c> for free at instant speed.
  +
*<c>Selfless Spirit</c> is a staple in white decks in Standard and Pioneer as a protection piece for key creatures and a hedge against boardwipes.
  +
*<c>Thalia, Heretic Cathar</c> sees play alongside her original card, <c>Thalia, Guardian of Thraben</c>, in white aggro decks with a hatebear theme from Pioneer to Legacy.
  +
*<c>Hanweir Battlements</c> is often played as a haste enabler in Modern Amulet Titan decks, despite not including the other side of its meld pair.
  +
*<c>Eternal Scourge</c> is one of only a few creatures that can always be cast from exile. While it is used for its good stats and recursive ability in aggro decks in Pioneer and Modern, and it is especially noteworthy for its combo with <c>Food Chain</c> that has made it a key part of combo decks in Legacy and competitive Commander.
  +
*<c>Ishkanah, Grafwidow</c>, and <c>Grim Flayer</c> were common midrange threats in delirium-focused Standard decks and have transitioned to some success in other formats.
  +
*<c>Bedlam Reveler</c> works well in Pioneer and Modern decks built around instants and sorceries which can be cast for cheap and refill their hand.
  +
*<c>Collective Brutality</c> became a sideboard staple for years in Modern.
  +
*<c>Haunted Dead</c> is a key payoff for Pioneer and Modern decks that can fill their graveyard quickly, such as Landless Spy and Dredge.
  +
*<c>Providence</c> references with its effect and art the number 26 which is twice 13, the unlucky number that has been referenced in numerous other Innistrad cards as a sign of bad luck.
  +
  +
===Banned and restricted===
  +
*<c>Emrakul, the Promised End</c> was a powerful card that became easily castable as quickly as turn 4-5 in standard Aether Marvel and BG Delirium decks. Its mindslaver effect warped standard tournament play forcing Wizards of the Coast to [[ban]] the card alongside <c>Smuggler's Copter</c> (from ''[[Kaladesh]]'') and <c>Reflector Mage</c>. This was the first standard ban since June 2011 where <c>Jace, the Mind Sculptor</c> and <c>Stoneforge Mystic</c> were banned.
   
 
==Preconstructed decks==
  
==Preconstructed decks==
  +
{{Main|Eldritch Moon/Intro packs}}
  +
''Eldritch Moon'' has five [[intro pack]]s:
   
  +
{{Decks|intro
−
===Intro packs===
  
  +
|Unlikely Alliances|WB|Sanctifier of Souls
  +
|Dangerous Knowledge|UR|Niblis of Frost
  +
|Shallow Graves|BU|Noosegraf Mob
  +
|Untamed Wild|RG|Assembled Alphas
  +
|Weapons and Wards|GW|Ulvenwald Observer
  +
}}
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
  
{{reflist}}
   
  +
==External links==
  +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCbhisqd_co ''Eldritch Moon'' trailer]
  +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TN0b8ik0B8 Access Magic: ''Eldritch Moon'', Episode 1]
  +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrDbp30NeZk Access Magic: ''Eldritch Moon'', Episode 2]
  +
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK9v0IOxCdI Access Magic: ''Eldritch Moon'', Episode 3]
  +
*{{DailyRef|feature/eldritch-moon-art-week-1-2016-07-01|''Eldritch Moon'' Art — Week 1|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|July 1, 2016}}
  +
*{{DailyRef|feature/eldritch-moon-art-week-21-2016-07-08|''Eldritch Moon'' Art — Week 2|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|July 8, 2016}}
  +
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/odds-ends-eldritch-moon-part-1-2016-07-25|Odds & Ends: Eldritch Moon, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 25, 2016}}
  +
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/odds-ends-eldritch-moon-part-2-2016-08-01|Odds & Ends: Eldritch Moon, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 1, 2016}}
  +
  +
{{Sets|state=collapsed}}
 
{{Innistrad|block|Shadows over}}
  
{{Innistrad|block|Shadows over}}
−
{{Sets}}
  

Latest revision as of 03:55, 27 December 2023

Eldritch Moon
 
Card comparisons
 
Intro packs
 

Eldritch Moon
Eldritch Moon
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description Emrakul, or Liliana's headpiece
Design Ken Nagle (lead)
Mark Rosewater
Shawn Main
Ben Hayes
Bryan Hawley
Kelly Digges
Development Sam Stoddard (lead)
Dave Humpherys
Jackie Lee
Bryan Hawley
Melissa DeTora
with contributions from Matt Tabak
Art direction Jeremy Jarvis
Release date July 22, 2016
Plane Innistrad
Themes and mechanics Double-faced cards, Graveyard matters
Keywords/​ability words Delirium, Emerge, Escalate, Madness, Meld, Protection, Transform
Set size 205 cards
(74 commons, 70 uncommons, 47 rares, 14 mythic rares)
Expansion code EMN[1]
Development codename Fears
Shadows over Innistrad block
Shadows over Innistrad Eldritch Moon N/A
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
Eternal Masters Eldritch Moon From the Vault: Lore

Eldritch Moon is the 71st Magic expansion, and the second in the Shadows over Innistrad block. It was released on July 22, 2016,[2] and is a small expansion.

Set details[ | ]

“  Take On the Darkness  ”

Eldritch Moon continues where Shadows over Innistrad left off. It expands its horror theme into Lovecraftian Cosmic Horror. The expansion symbol of the set is a stylized silhouette of Emrakul but also resembles Liliana's headdress. The set contains 205 cards (74 commons, 70 uncommons, 47 rares, 14 mythic rares), including 15 double-faced cards, 6 meld cards (3 pairs), and randomly inserted premium versions of all cards.[3] A checklist card replaces the basic land in some boosters.

The set is peculiar in its distribution of colors due to a Green bias in the multicolored rares and Emerge and Meld being colorless cards with a color identity. Counting cards by their casting cost gives a wildly varying number of cards per color, with white having the most cards (36) followed by Red (35), Black (34), Blue (32), and Green (31). When counting in color identity, the totals even out more: White, Blue, and Black have 39 cards each that can be cast using those colors, while Red and Green have 38 each.

Storyline[ | ]

With the death of Avacyn, the last protections over Innistrad have faded. Nahiri has summoned Emrakul to the plane, to take revenge on Sorin Markov. The Titan of Corruption and Warper of Biology twists all things living, be it plants, animals, or sentient beings, into Eldrazi Horrors. Mutations frequently gain Emrakul's fibrous lattice motif, often including tentacles, extra eyes and limbs, and her bizarre colorations. The mutations include five increasing levels of corruption: distorted, disfigured, deformed, misshapen, and monstrous. Some of the affected creatures meld together into new organisms. The few unaffected survivors, humans, and native monsters alike fight a losing battle against their mentally and physically twisted former peers. Now Innistrad's fate rests in the hands of unlikely allies: Jace Beleren brings the Gatewatch, and Liliana Vess brings hordes of undead immune to Emrakul's influence.

The cards that represent the pivotal moments in the storyline are Coax from the Blind Eternities, Campaign of Vengeance, Nahiri's Wrath, Emrakul's Influence, Dark Salvation and Imprisoned in the Moon.

Magic Story[ | ]

Main article: Magic Story
Title Author Release Date Setting (plane) Featuring
The Archmage of Goldnight Kimberly J. Kreines 2016-06-08 Innistrad Arlinn Kord, Rembert
Stone and Blood Kelly Digges 2016-06-15 Innistrad Nahiri, Sorin Markov, Avacyn
Emrakul Rises Kimberly J. Kreines 2016-06-22 Innistrad Nahiri, Emrakul, Halana and Alena, Bruna and Gisela, Jace Beleren and Tamiyo
Innistrad's Last Hope Doug Beyer 2016-06-29 Innistrad Sorin Markov, Olivia Voldaren, Liliana Vess, Gared, Dierk
Campaign of Vengeance Ari Levitch 2016-07-06 Innistrad Sorin Markov, Olivia Voldaren, Nahiri
Saint Traft and Flight of Nightmares James Wyatt 2016-07-13 Innistrad Thalia, Traft, Olivia Voldaren, Brisela, Sigarda, Rem Karolus
Battle of Thraben Nik Davidson 2016-07-20 Innistrad Liliana Vess and the Gatewatch
The Promised End Ken Troop 2016-07-27 Innistrad Emrakul, Liliana Vess, Tamiyo and the Gatewatch

Marketing[ | ]

EMN Checklist

Checklist card

Eldritch Moon is sold in 16-card boosters (one card being a marketing card), five intro packs, and a fat pack. It is the last to feature intro packs, which will be replaced by Planeswalker decks in the next expansion.[4] The fat pack is the last to be marketed as such (to be replaced by bundle). The boosters feature artwork from the cards Lunar Force and Smoldering Werewolf, and non-card artwork of Liliana.

Prerelease[ | ]

Prerelease Events took place on July 16–17, 2016.[5]

Promotional cards[ | ]

Tokens and emblems[ | ]

Eldritch Moon features 8 tokens and 2 emblems.[7]

  1. {C} 3/2 Eldrazi Horror for Desperate Sentry, Extricator of Flesh, Extricator of Sin, Enlightened Maniac, Emrakul's Evangel, Foul Emissary, Hanweir, the Writhing Township, Howling Chorus, Otherworldly Outburst and Wharf Infiltrator
  2. {U} 1/1 Human Wizard for Docent of Perfection and Final Iteration
  3. {B} 2/2 Zombie for Cryptbreaker, Dark Salvation, Graf Harvest, Liliana, the Last Hope, Noosegraf Mob, and Oath of Liliana
  4. {B} 2/2 Zombie
  5. {B} 2/2 Zombie
  6. {B} */* Zombie for Soul Separator
  7. {R} 1/1 Human for Hanweir Garrison
  8. {G} 1/2 Spider with reach for Ishkanah, Grafwidow
  9. Emblem for Liliana, the Last Hope
  10. Emblem for Tamiyo, Field Researcher

Tokens from Shadows over Innistrad, named on Eldritch Moon cards:

  1. {W} 1/1 Human Soldier for Thraben Standard Bearer
  2. {W} 1/1 Spirit with flying for Sanctifier of Souls and Spectral Reserves
  3. {R} 1/1 Devil with “When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.” for Make Mischief
  4. {G} 1/1 Insect for It of the Horrid Swarm
  5. {G} 2/2 Wolf for Wolfkin Bond

Themes and mechanics[ | ]

Hanweir

Two cards melded into Hanweir, the Writhing Township

Madness, Transform, Skulk, and Delirium are carried over from the previous set. Creatures that transform into colorless Eldrazi have an {dfc-fullmoon} indicator for the front side and an {dfc-emrakul} indicator for the back side, showing this creature has joined Emrakul's brood.[8] This symbolizes one transformation step further from that shown in Innistrad, Dark Ascension, and Shadows over Innistrad, where cards transformed from {dfc-sun} on their front sides to {dfc-moon} on their back sides.

There are three new named mechanics:[9][10]

  • Meld, a keyword action that changes the card with meld and a specific other card into one oversized card. That single card only exists on the backs of the two other cards. Whenever the melded card leaves the battlefield, both cards go, and they each turn front face up again.[11]
  • Emerge [cost] (You may cast this spell by sacrificing a creature and paying the emerge cost reduced by that creature's converted mana cost).[12]
  • Escalate, a keyword ability appearing on modal instants and sorceries. By paying the escalate cost, additional modes may be chosen.[13]

Card types[ | ]

Cycles[ | ]

Eldritch Moon has two cycles:

Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W}
Allied colored rares and Mythics Spell Queller Gisa and Geralf Bloodhall Priest Ulrich of the Krallenhorde // Ulrich, Uncontested Alpha Heron's Grace Champion
Five creatures with casting cost including an allied color pair.
Cycle name {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Enemy colored uncommons Campaign of Vengeance Mercurial Geists Mournwillow Ride Down Lashweed Lurker
Five uncommon cards that can be cast using the mana of an enemy pair.

Mega-Mega cycles[ | ]

Eldritch Moon completes three mega-mega cycles:

Horizontal cycles[ | ]

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Oaths Oath of Gideon (Oath of the Gatewatch) Oath of Jace (Oath of the Gatewatch) Oath of Liliana (Eldritch Moon) Oath of Chandra (Oath of the Gatewatch) Oath of Nissa (Oath of the Gatewatch)
Oath of Liliana completes the mega-mega cycle of single colored Oaths started in Oath of the Gatewatch and signifies that she joined the Gatewatch.

3-Card cycles[ | ]

Cycle name
Eldrazi Titans Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger (Battle for Zendikar) Kozilek, the Great Distortion (Oath of the Gatewatch) Emrakul, the Promised End (Eldritch Moon)
Emrakul, the Promised End completes the Eldrazi Titan triplet started in Battle for Zendikar.
Cycle name
Delver Iterations Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration (Innistrad) Aberrant Researcher // Perfected Form (Shadows over Innistrad) Docent of Perfection // Final Iteration (Eldritch Moon)
The rare double-faced card Docent of Perfection/Final Iteration completes a vertical cycle.

Escalation cycles[ | ]

The Escalate keyword exists on Mardu colored modal spells, resulting in three partial cycles, two triplets, and a pair:

Cycle name {R} {W} {B}
Alliance Instants Savage Alliance Blessed Alliance
These two uncommon instants use "Alliance" as part of their title.
Borrowed Instants Borrowed Hostility Borrowed Grace Borrowed Malevolence
These three common instants use "Borrowed" as part of their title.
Collective Sorceries Collective Defiance Collective Effort Collective Brutality
These three rare sorceries use "Collective" as part of their title.

Pairs[ | ]

Eldritch Moon has one mirrored pair and three meld pairs:

Mirrored Pairs[ | ]

Mirrored Pairs Description
Faithbearer Paladin
({W}) 		Markov Crusader
({B}) 		Two knights have both a converted mana cost of 5 and lifelink and mirrored power and toughness. The pictures are similar as well, however, the black card is uncommon whereas the white card is common, because of a bonus ability with vampires.

Meld Pairs[ | ]

Meld Pairs Description
Bruna, the Fading Light
({W}) 		Gisela, the Broken Blade
({W}) 		Brisela, Voice of Nightmares
— Two angelic protectors corrupted.
Graf Rats
({B}) 		Midnight Scavengers
({B}) 		Chittering Host
— Humans and rats become a new horrific creature.
Hanweir Battlements
({C}) 		Hanweir Garrison
({R}) 		Hanweir, the Writhing Township
— Citizens oozing into their beloved town.

Reprinted cards[ | ]

Common to Uncommon[ | ]

Functional reprints[ | ]

Colorshifted[ | ]

Card comparisons[ | ]

Main article: Eldritch Moon/Card comparisons

Notable cards[ | ]

Banned and restricted[ | ]

Preconstructed decks[ | ]

Main article: Eldritch Moon/Intro packs

Eldritch Moon has five intro packs:

Intro pack name Colors Included Foil rare
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Unlikely Alliances W B Sanctifier of Souls
Dangerous Knowledge U R Niblis of Frost
Shallow Graves U B Noosegraf Mob
Untamed Wild R G Assembled Alphas
Weapons and Wards W G Ulvenwald Observer

References[ | ]

  1. ↑ Product information
  2. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (February 8, 2016). "Announcing Eldritch Moon". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (July 8, 2016). "Eldritch Moon Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (June 28, 2016). "Eldritch Moon Intro Pack Rares". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Gavin Verhey (July 11, 2016). "Eldritch Moon Prerelease Primer". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (June 20, 2016). "Eldritch Moon Prerelease Kit Contents". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ a b Blake Rasmussen (July 7, 2016). "Eldritch Moon Tokens and Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Ken Nagle (June 28, 2016). "A Summary of Two Fears". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Matt Tabak (June 27, 2016). "Eldritch Moon Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 4, 2016). "Over the Moon, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 27, 2016). "Over the Moon, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ Sam Stoddard (July 15, 2016). "A Little Change Will Do You Good". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ Sam Stoddard (July 1, 2016). "Developing Eldritch Moon". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 10, 2016). "What is going on in the art of "Grapple With the Past?"". Blogatog. Tumblr.

External links[ | ]

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