Summary
Magic: The Gatheringtakes place across a multiverse, with each new set of cards dedicated to a different universe, or plane, including some from moviesand video games. The game’s mechanics and flavor text reflect the setting of each plane in unique ways, with overarching storylines and recurring characters between multiple sets.
Some of the planes are nightmarish and brutal lands filled with demons, zombies, and Lovecraftian horrors. Others are places that rival the beauty found in classic fantasy settings and would be pleasant to live in despite their own conflicts and monsters.
6Lorwyn
A Paradise, But Only Half The Time
Lorwynis a blissful and picturesque plane full of temperate forests, mountains, and rivers. It is perpetually midsummer in the daytime, so thenighttime horrors of planes like Innistradliterally can’t exist here. While clashes happen occasionally, the nine sentient races of Lorwyn live in such peace that war is virtually unknown to them.
Unfortunately for its citizens, this paradise is always on a timer. Because of an event called The Great Aurora, the plane undergoes a cyclical transformation into the plane of perpetual night and conflict called Shadowmoor. Lorwyn is a paradise only for three-hundred years, after which it becomes a nightmare. However, if newcomers time it right, they could live very peaceful lives here.
5Ixalan
Adventures And Treasures Abound
Ixalanis a plane with rich seas and dense jungles where adventure lurks around every corner. It is a fantasy version of colonial Mesoamerica where dinosaurs roam the surface, pirates sail the seas, and caves are filled with cat people (who are safer than some otherMagic: The Gatheringcats).
The plane’s center is a hollow cavern called the Core of Paradise, and it is an idyllic place where humans and gods alike find refuge. It is hard to imagine a better home than the Core for those seeking peace, while adventurers and explorers could carve out a great life on Ixalan’s surface.
4Eldraine
Lands Based On Fairy Tales
Eldraineis a plane based on classic fairy tales. Giants live in a cloud kingdom accessible only by climbing beanstalks, witches lurk in the wild forest outside of civilization, and gallant knights save damsels in distress in service to their liege.
Before theinvasion by New Phyrexia, five courts (corresponding to each of the five mana colors) ruled over a society simply called “The Realm.” While this land was not without its problems - ogres, dragons, and witches would ravage the countryside - it was a relatively peaceful place. Anyone living there could be assured some level of adventure while feeling well protected by the kinds of heroes that children often idolize from childhood stories.
3Ravnica
Technology Brings Relative Comfort
Ravnicais a plane with a violent past, growing ever more distant in the memories of its citizens thanks to the Guildpact. As the entire plane isa single city, its people live in close proximity to each other and reap the rewards of increased technology and urbanization as a result.
Most planes inMagic: The Gatheringhave large expanses of dangerous wilderness, but Ravnica does not. While cities can be just as (or more) dangerous than the wilderness, having the benefits of the Guilds and the combined might of urban society make Ravnica the plane that most closely resembles the technology level of real life. Anyone wanting to keep technology in their lives would be relatively happy living here, despite its drawbacks.
2Theros
Islands In An Age Of Heroes
Like Eldraine,Theroswas a land of relative peace before the New Phyrexian Invasion. Theros is a plane based on Greek mythology, with an Age of Heroes triumphing over evil, and where gods and oracles play major roles in the events of the world.
A major defining aspect of the plane is that dreams influence and shape the world over time. The gods themselves were born from the minds of their followers, and so harmonious peoples can literally create more peaceful and ideal times with a collective thought. With so many possibilities for heroism, imagination, and adventure, Theros is definitely one of the nicer planes to live on.
1Arcavios
Home To The Best School In The Multiverse
Arcaviosis unique among the multiverse since its plane was created by the mana energy of two different planes combining. Five dragons were the first to harness the magical power of mana in the plane, and would go on to found themagical school called Strixhaven.
Its five colleges - Lorehold, Prismari, Quandrix, Silverquill, and Witherbloom - relate to theabilities, strategies, and mechanicsof different mana color combinations. Students from all around the world, and even other planes, come to attend, making it a gathering place for the best minds across the multiverse. Many people would consider living here as a student a dream come true.
