Battle for Zendikar block

The Battle for Zendikar block is composed of the large expansion Battle for Zendikar and the small expansion Oath of the Gatewatch. Battle for Zendikar block was the first block to follow the Two-Block Paradigm after the mini-blocks of Lorwyn and Shadowmoor.

Description
The Battle for Zendikar block was released over 2015–2016. The block focuses on the battle between the Eldrazi and the Zendikari. The colorless matters theme of the block interacts with the morph variants of the previous block. In retrospect, Mark Rosewater expressed regret that R&D hadn't focused on the popular "adventure world"-theme of the Zendikar block, instead of on the less popular Eldrazi.

Mechanics introduced in this block:


 * from Battle for Zendikar: Devoid, Ingest, Rally, Awaken, and Converge.
 * from Oath of the Gatewatch: Support, Cohort, Surge, and Colorless mana costs.

Mechanics reused from the past:


 * from Zendikar: Landfall.

Masterpieces
This block introduced the Masterpiece Series with the Zendikar Expeditions. Although appearing in the booster packs, they are not considered to be part of the block.

Trivia
The Battle for Zendikar block was initially planned as a block of three sets, featuring an Eldrazi titan in each expansion. But due the entrance of the Two-Block Paradigm, the third set was cut (and thus Emrakul whisked away of Zendikar).