Shadows over Innistrad

Shadows over Innistrad
Set Information
Set symbol
Themes and mechanics	Discard, Double-faced cards
Keywords/​ability words	Delirium, Investigate, Madness, Skulk and Transform.
Set size	297
Expansion code	SOI
Development codename	Tears

Shadows over Innistrad will be the 70th Magic expansion, and the first in the Shadows over Innistrad block. It will be released on April 8, 2016, and be a large expansion.

Set details

Shadows over Innistrad returns to the gothic horror themed plane of Innistrad. The expansion symbol of the set is an upside down reflection of Avacyn's symbol. The set features the same tribal components as the Innistrad block with the five main tribes each being split over an allied color pair. Spirits primarily in white and blue, Zombies in blue and black, Vampires in black and red, Werewolves in red and green, and Humans primarily in green and white.

Innistrad contains 297 cards (X basic lands, X commons, X uncommons, X rares, X mythic rares), including randomly inserted premium versions of all cards in the set. This is mora than 20 cards more than other recent large expansions in recent history. Shadows over Innistrad also sees the return of double-faced cards which have a card frame printed on each side, and a checklist card used to prevent decks from becoming marked by containing them. >

Storyline

Innistrad is a world beset by terrible evils on all sides and betrayed by the hope it held most dear. Avacyn has finally returned, but what new evils have come with her? Madness is plaguing the inhabitants. Terror falls from the skies on blood-spattered wings and nameless horrors lurk in the shadows. The planeswalkers of the Gatewatch investigate its dark mysteries. Meanwhile, Sorin is in search of the whereabouts of Nahiri.

Marketing

Shadows over Innistrad is sold in 16-card boosters (one card being a marketing card), five intro packs, one fat pack, a Deck Builder's Toolkit and a Gift Box.

Promotional Cards

• Prerelease: a stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare from the set.
• Launch promo: TBA
• Game Day: full-art TBA
• Game Day (Top 8): full-art TBA
• Buy-a-Box: TBA

Tokens and emblems

• 1/1 Devil with "When this creature dies, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player." for Dance with Devils and Devils' Playground.
• 2/2 Wolf for Pack Guardian
• Clue artifact with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card." for Investigate — Expose Evil

Themes and mechanics

Madness returns from Torment, having last been seen in Time Spiral. It allows you to pay an alternate cost to cast a spell if it is discarded.

Transform returns from the Innistrad block. To transform means to turn a Double-faced card upside down, changing the card face that is visible. The front of the card is called the day side and has a regular card frame, a mana cost, and the sun symbol. The back or "night" side has the moon symbol and a slightly altered frame.

There are at least three new named mechanics:

• Delirium, an ability word that gives an advantageous effect whenever there are four or more card types among cards in your graveyard.
• Investigate (Put a colorless Clue artifact token onto the battlefield with ", Sacrifice this artifact: Draw a card.").
• Skulk, a new evasion ability (This creature can't be blocked by creatures with greater power).

Reprinted cards

• Dead Weight, first printed in Innistrad.
• Fiery Temper, first printed in Torment.