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{{SubTabs
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|sub1 = Card comparisons
  +
|sub2 = Event deck
  +
|sub3 = Intro packs
  +
}}
 
{{Infobox set
  
{{Infobox set
 
|image = BFZ logo.png
  
|image = BFZ logo.png
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|mechanics = [[Allies]], [[Elemental]]s, [[Colorless]] matters, [[Exile]] interaction.
  
|mechanics = [[Allies]], [[Elemental]]s, [[Colorless]] matters, [[Exile]] interaction.
 
|keywords = [[Awaken]], [[Converge]], [[Devoid]], [[Ingest]], [[Landfall]], [[Rally]]
  
|keywords = [[Awaken]], [[Converge]], [[Devoid]], [[Ingest]], [[Landfall]], [[Rally]]
−
|size = 274 + 25<br /><small>101 Commons, 80 Uncommons, 53 Rares, 15 Mythic Rares, 25 Basic Land</small> + <small>25 full art versions of the Basic Lands</small>
 +
|size = 274 cards<br/>{{curmb|101|80|53|15|25}}<br/>+25 [[full-art]] [[basic land]]s
 
|code_expansion = BFZ
  
|code_expansion = BFZ
−
|code_expansion_ref = <ref>Printed on the card frame.</ref><ref>http://magic.wizards.com/en/content/battle-zendikar-info</ref>
 +
|code_expansion_ref = [[Information below the text box]]
 
|code_development = Blood
  
|code_development = Blood
 
|series = [[Battle for Zendikar block]]
  
|series = [[Battle for Zendikar block]]
−
|first = '''Battle for Zendikar'''
 +
|first = Battle for Zendikar
−
|second = [[Oath of the Gatewatch]]
 +
|second = Oath of the Gatewatch
  +
|third= none
−
|previous = [[Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi]]
  
−
|next = [[Zendikar Expeditions]]
 +
|previous = Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi
  +
|next = Zendikar Expeditions
 
}}
  
}}
 
'''''Battle for Zendikar''''' is the 68th ''[[Magic]]'' expansion, and the first in the [[Battle for Zendikar block]]. It was released October 2, 2015.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/573950431467982848/photo/1|title=Battle for Zendikar Announced|date=March 6, 2015|author=Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic)}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/pax-panel-streaming-live-2015-03-06|PAX Panel Streaming Live|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/announcing-battle-zendikar-2015-03-09|Announcing ''Battle for Zendikar''|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2015 }}</ref> ''Battle for Zendikar'' is a [[large expansion]], and the Battle for Zendikar block is the first block of the [[Two-Block Paradigm]].
  
'''''Battle for Zendikar''''' is the 68th ''[[Magic]]'' expansion, and the first in the [[Battle for Zendikar block]]. It was released October 2, 2015.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/573950431467982848/photo/1|title=Battle for Zendikar Announced|date=March 6, 2015|author=Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic)}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/pax-panel-streaming-live-2015-03-06|PAX Panel Streaming Live|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/announcing-battle-zendikar-2015-03-09|Announcing ''Battle for Zendikar''|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 9, 2015 }}</ref> ''Battle for Zendikar'' is a [[large expansion]], and the Battle for Zendikar block is the first block of the [[Two-Block Paradigm]].
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''Battle for Zendikar'' is sold in 16-card [[boosters]] (one card being a [[marketing card]]), five [[intro pack]]s, one [[event deck]] and a [[fat pack]]. The boosters feature art from <c>Ob Nixilis Reignited</c>, <c>Kiora, Master of the Depths</c>, <c>Ulamog's Despoiler</c>, <c>Veteran Warleader</c> and <c>Gideon, Ally of Zendikar</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/battle-zendikar-packaging-2015-09-01|''Battle for Zendikar'' Packaging|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 1, 2015}}</ref>
  
''Battle for Zendikar'' is sold in 16-card [[boosters]] (one card being a [[marketing card]]), five [[intro pack]]s, one [[event deck]] and a [[fat pack]]. The boosters feature art from <c>Ob Nixilis Reignited</c>, <c>Kiora, Master of the Depths</c>, <c>Ulamog's Despoiler</c>, <c>Veteran Warleader</c> and <c>Gideon, Ally of Zendikar</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/battle-zendikar-packaging-2015-09-01|''Battle for Zendikar'' Packaging|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 1, 2015}}</ref>
 
====Zendikar Expeditions====
  
====Zendikar Expeditions====
−
''Zendikar Expeditions'' are all premium foil cards with a special Zendikari frame and a separate expansion symbol. Thus, they are not part of the set.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/battle-zendikar-your-first-look-2015-08-29|Battle for Zendikar: Your First Look|Dan Barrett|August 26, 2015}}</ref> Zendikar Expeditions include all new art set on Zendikar and appear slightly more often than premium mythic rares. These cards are playable in [[limited]] and formats where they're already [[legal]]. There are 25 Expedition cards appearing with ''Battle for Zendikar'' (the 5 new dual lands, 10 [[shock lands]] and 10 [[fetch lands]]<ref>{{DailyRef|archive/arcana/all-expeditions-2015-09-17|All the Expeditions|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 17, 2015}}</ref>) and 20 more cards in ''Oath of the Gatewatch''.
 +
''Zendikar Expeditions'' are all premium foil cards with a special Zendikari frame and a separate expansion symbol. Thus, they are not part of the set.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/battle-zendikar-your-first-look-2015-08-29|Battle for Zendikar: Your First Look|Dan Barrett|August 26, 2015}}</ref> Zendikar Expeditions include all new art set on Zendikar and appear slightly more often than premium mythic rares. These cards are playable in [[limited]] and formats where they're already [[legal]]. There are 25 Expedition cards appearing with ''Battle for Zendikar'' (the 5 new dual lands, 10 [[shock land]]s and 10 [[fetch land]]s<ref>{{DailyRef|archive/arcana/all-expeditions-2015-09-17|All the Expeditions|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 17, 2015}}</ref>) and 20 more cards in ''Oath of the Gatewatch''.
 
{{Main|Zendikar Expeditions}}
  
{{Main|Zendikar Expeditions}}
   
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==Cycles==
  
==Cycles==
−
''Battle for Zendikar'' has six cycles:
 +
''Battle for Zendikar'' has seven cycles:
−
{| class="wikitable wrapped-table"
+
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Cycle name
 
! Cycle name
⚫
! Description and notes
  
 
! {{W}}
  
! {{W}}
 
! {{U}}
  
! {{U}}
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! {{G}}
  
! {{G}}
 
|-
  
|-
−
|'''Retreats'''
 +
|rowspan="2"|'''Retreats'''
⚫
| Five uncommon [[enchantment]]s with a [[modal]] [[landfall]] triggered effect. <ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/retreat-2015-09-15|Retreat!|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 15, 2015}}</ref>
  
 
|{{card|Retreat to Emeria||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Retreat to Emeria||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Retreat to Coralhelm||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Retreat to Coralhelm||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Retreat to Hagra||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Retreat to Hagra||BFZ}}
⚫
|{{card|Retreat to Kazandu||BFZ}}
  
 
|{{card|Retreat to Valakut||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Retreat to Valakut||BFZ}}
  ⚫
|{{card|Retreat to Kazandu||BFZ}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Five uncommon [[enchantment]]s with a [[modal]] [[landfall]] triggered effect.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/retreat-2015-09-15|Retreat!|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 15, 2015}}</ref>
 
|-
  
|-
−
|'''Color-specific landfall creatures'''
 +
|rowspan="2"|'''Color-specific landfall creatures'''
⚫
| Five rare [[creatures]] with [[landfall]] that have a different effect when a land with a specific basic land type enters the battlefield. Each is named after a location.
  
 
|{{card|Emeria Shepherd||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Emeria Shepherd||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Guardian of Tazeem||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Guardian of Tazeem||BFZ}}
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|{{card|Oran-Rief Hydra||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Oran-Rief Hydra||BFZ}}
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Five rare [[creatures]] with [[landfall]] that have a magnified effect when a land of their respective basic land type enters the battlefield. Each is named after a location.
⚫
|'''Common feature lands'''
  
  +
|-
⚫
| Five common [[tapland]]s that have additional effects when they enter the battlefield and can be tapped for M.
  
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Pump landfall creatures'''
  +
|{{card|Ondu Greathorn||BFZ}}
  +
|{{card|Wave-Wing Elemental||BFZ}}
  +
|{{card|Geyserfield Stalker||BFZ}}
  +
|{{card|Valakut Predator||BFZ}}
  +
|{{card|Territorial Baloth||BFZ}}
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="5"|Five common [[creatures]] with a [[landfall]] ability that gives them +2/+2.
  +
|-
  ⚫
|rowspan="2"|'''Common feature lands'''
 
|{{card|Sandstone Bridge||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Sandstone Bridge||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Skyline Cascade||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Skyline Cascade||BFZ}}
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|{{card|Fertile Thicket||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Fertile Thicket||BFZ}}
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Five common [[tapland]]s that have additional effects when they enter the battlefield and can be tapped for M.
⚫
|'''Blighted lands'''
  
  +
|-
⚫
| Five uncommon lands that tap for one colorless mana, and can be sacrificed to activate an ability with a mono-colored activation cost. <ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/battle-zendikards-part-one-2015-09-21|Battle for Zendikards, Part One|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 21, 2015}}</ref>
  
  ⚫
|rowspan="2"|'''Blighted lands'''
 
|{{card|Blighted Steppe||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Blighted Steppe||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Blighted Cataract||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Blighted Cataract||BFZ}}
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|{{card|Blighted Woodland||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Blighted Woodland||BFZ}}
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Five uncommon lands that tap for one colorless mana, and can be sacrificed to activate an ability with a mono-colored activation cost.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/battle-zendikards-part-one-2015-09-21|Battle for Zendikards, Part One|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 21, 2015}}</ref>
−
|-ALLIED
  
  +
|-
 
! Cycle name
 
! Cycle name
−
! Description and notes
  
 
! {{W}}{{U}}
  
! {{W}}{{U}}
 
! {{U}}{{B}}
  
! {{U}}{{B}}
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! {{G}}{{W}}
  
! {{G}}{{W}}
 
|-
  
|-
−
|'''Allied color uncommons'''
 +
|rowspan="2"|'''Allied color uncommons'''
⚫
| Five allied colored uncommon spells.
  
 
|{{card|Roil Spout||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Roil Spout||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Ulamog's Nullifier||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Ulamog's Nullifier||BFZ}}
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|{{card|Grovetender Druids||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Grovetender Druids||BFZ}}
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Five allied colored uncommon spells.
⚫
|'''[[Allied color]] [[battle land]]s'''
  
  +
|-
⚫
| Five rare [[dual land]]s that enter the battlefield [[tap]]ped unless the player controls two or more basic lands (reverse of the [[fast land]]s). As they all have basic land types, they can be fetched by [[fetch land]]s and are the third type of land to do so, after the original dual lands and [[shock land]]s. <ref name="Lands"/><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/battle-zendikards-part-2-2015-09-28|Battle for Zendikards, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 28, 2015}}</ref>
  
  ⚫
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Allied color]] [[battle land]]s'''
 
|{{card|Prairie Stream||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Prairie Stream||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Sunken Hollow||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Sunken Hollow||BFZ}}
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|{{card|Canopy Vista||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Canopy Vista||BFZ}}
 
|-
  
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Five rare [[dual land]]s that enter the battlefield [[tap]]ped unless the player controls two or more basic lands (reverse of the [[fast land]]s). As they all have basic land types, they can be fetched by [[fetch land]]s and are the third type of land to do so, after the original dual lands and [[shock land]]s.<ref name="Lands"/><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/battle-zendikards-part-2-2015-09-28|Battle for Zendikards, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 28, 2015}}</ref>
−
|-ENEMY
  
  +
|-
 
! Cycle name
 
! Cycle name
−
! Description and notes
  
 
! {{W}}{{B}}
  
! {{W}}{{B}}
 
! {{U}}{{R}}
  
! {{U}}{{R}}
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! {{G}}{{U}}
  
! {{G}}{{U}}
 
|-
  
|-
−
|'''Enemy color uncommons'''
 +
|rowspan="2"|'''Enemy color uncommons'''
⚫
| Five enemy colored uncommon spells.
  
 
|{{card|Drana's Emissary||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Drana's Emissary||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Herald of Kozilek||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Herald of Kozilek||BFZ}}
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|{{card|Resolute Blademaster||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Resolute Blademaster||BFZ}}
 
|{{card|Skyrider Elf||BFZ}}
  
|{{card|Skyrider Elf||BFZ}}
  +
|-
  ⚫
|colspan="5"|Five enemy colored uncommon spells.
 
|}
  
|}
   
  +
=== Mega cycles ===
⚫
==Mirrored Pairs==
  
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
! Cycle name
  +
! {{W}}{{B}}
  +
! {{U}}{{R}}
  +
! {{B}}{{G}}
  +
! {{R}}{{W}}
  +
! {{G}}{{U}}
  +
|-
  +
|rowspan="2"|'''Enemy colored Tapland Manlands'''
  +
|{{card|Shambling Vent|Battle for Zendikar}}
  +
|{{card|Wandering Fumarole|Oath of the Gatewatch}}
  +
|{{card|Hissing Quagmire|Oath of the Gatewatch}}
  +
|{{card|Needle Spires|Oath of the Gatewatch}}
  +
|{{card|Lumbering Falls|Battle for Zendikar}}
  +
|-
  +
|colspan="5"|Five lands that can turn into [[creatures]] until end of turn. One rare for each [[enemy color]] pair, able to produce either color and [[Tapland|enters the Battlefield tapped]].<ref>{{DailyRef|level-one/creature-lands-2015-09-07|"Creature" Lands|[[Sam Stoddard]]|September 7, 2015 }}</ref> This cycle completes the [[enemy color]] [[megacycle]] of [[tapland|tapped]] [[manland]]s that started in ''Battle for Zendikar'' as well as the larger Mega-Mega Cycle stared in ''[[Worldwake]]''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/128567410518/is-bfz-going-to-have-all-5-enemy-colors-manlands|title=Is BFZ going to have all 5 enemy-colors manlands?|September 07, 2015}}</ref>
  +
|}
  +
  +
=== Mega-Mega 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|Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger||BFZ}} is the first card in the Eldrazi Titan triplet card cycle.
  +
|}
  +
  +
===Pairs===
 
''Battle for Zendikar'' has a [[mirrored pair]].
  
''Battle for Zendikar'' has a [[mirrored pair]].
  +
⚫
* '''[[Invoker]]:''' Two common [[Human]] [[Shaman]]s with an activated ability which cost {{8}} {{-}} <c>Valakut Invoker</c> ({{R}}) and <c>Oran-Rief Invoker</c> ({{G}})
  
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|-
  ⚫
! colspan="2"|Mirrored Pairs
  ⚫
!Description
  +
|-
  +
|{{card|Valakut Invoker||BFZ}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
  +
|{{card|Oran-Rief Invoker||BFZ}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
  ⚫
|[[Invoker]]s; common [[Human]] [[Shaman]]s with an activated ability which cost {{8}}.
  +
|}
   
 
==Reprinted cards==
  
==Reprinted cards==
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{{reflist}}
  
{{reflist}}
   
  +
{{Sets|state=collapsed}}
 
{{Zendikar|block|Battle for}}
  
{{Zendikar|block|Battle for}}
−
{{sets}}
  

Revision as of 01:54, 1 March 2021

Battle for Zendikar
 
Card comparisons
 
Event deck
 
Intro packs
 

Battle for Zendikar
BFZ logo
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description Broken Hedron
Design Mark Rosewater (lead)
Ian Duke
Dan Emmons
Ethan Fleischer
Dave Guskin
Ari Levitch
Development

Erik Lauer (lead)
Tim Aten
Kelly Digges
Ian Duke
Ben Hayes
Shawn Main
Yoni Skolnik

with contributions from
Matt Tabak
Art direction Jeremy Jarvis
Release date October 2, 2015
Plane Zendikar
Themes and mechanics Allies, Elementals, Colorless matters, Exile interaction.
Keywords/​ability words Awaken, Converge, Devoid, Ingest, Landfall, Rally
Set size 274 cards
(101 commons, 80 uncommons, 53 rares, 15 mythic rares, 25 basic lands)
+25 full-art basic lands
Expansion code BFZ[1]
Development codename Blood
Battle for Zendikar block
Battle for Zendikar Oath of the Gatewatch N/A
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
Duel Decks: Zendikar vs. Eldrazi Battle for Zendikar Zendikar Expeditions

Battle for Zendikar is the 68th Magic expansion, and the first in the Battle for Zendikar block. It was released October 2, 2015.[2][3][4] Battle for Zendikar is a large expansion, and the Battle for Zendikar block is the first block of the Two-Block Paradigm.

Set details

The set contains 274 cards (25 basic lands,[5] 101 commons, 80 uncommons, 53 rares, 15 mythic rares) and includes randomly inserted premium versions of all cards in the set. There are 25 basic lands, instead of the usual 20, and the set also features special full art versions similar to those that appeared in Zendikar.[6][7] The full-art versions appear in booster packs and fat packs, but not in intro packs. The expansion symbol of the set is a broken hedron. While allies represented adventuring parties in the last Zendikar block, they now represent the united army against the Eldrazi. This is also a battle between the colored against the colorless faction.[8] The Eldrazi interact with the exile zone.

Because of the demise of the core sets, R&D experimented with same art reprints in expansion sets (e.g. Felidar Sovereign).[9] As a promotion to further the theme of the set, WotC randomly inserted Expedition cards into Battle for Zendikar boosters.

Storyline

Battle for Zendikar returns the storyline to Zendikar, a plane of adventure, many treasures, and potent mana supplies. The plane is littered with large, floating polyhedron-shaped stones called hedrons, that were created by Nahiri, the Kor Lithomancer. Together with Ugin and Sorin Markov she used them to trap the horrendous Eldrazi on the plane. Thousands of years later, the meeting of Sarkhan Vol, Chandra Nalaar and Jace Beleren in the Eye of Ugin chamber unintentionally loosened the bonds that kept the Eldrazi in torpor. The Eldrazi were finally released by the elf Nissa Revane, thinking that they would leave Zendikar far behind them. She was wrong. Two years after the initial destruction, at least Ulamog is still around.[10][11]

Now, Gideon Jura takes the lead of a group of planeswalkers in facing the Eldrazi alongside the residents of Zendikar. Meanwhile, the trapped planeswalker-turned-demon Ob Nixilis is desperate for a way off of the plane. The five cards that represent the pivotal moments in the storyline are Gruesome Slaughter, Nissa's Renewal, Ugin's Insight, Outnumber and Aligned Hedron Network.[12][13][14]

Magic Story

Main article: Magic Story

Prologue

Title Author Release Date Setting (plane) Featuring
Nissa, Worldwaker Kelly Digges 2014-06-25 Zendikar Nissa Revane
Dreams of the Damned Nik Davidson 2014-08-06 Zendikar Ob Nixilis
The Lithomancer Kelly Digges 2014-10-29 Unknown destroyed plane, Zendikar Nahiri, Sorin Markov, Ugin, Eldrazi
Stirring From Slumber James Wyatt 2015-05-13 Zendikar Nahiri
Drop for Drop Kelly Digges 2015-05-20 Theros Kiora, Elspeth, Ajani, Thassa, Arixmethes
Project Lightning Bug Doug Beyer 2015-05-27 Ravnica Jace Beleren, Ral Zarek, Niv-Mizzet, Gideon Jura
Limits Ari Levitch 2015-07-15 Zendikar, Ravnica Gideon Jura, Shattergang Brothers, Krenko, Dars Gostok
Catching Up Kelly Digges 2015-07-22 Ravnica Jace Beleren, Liliana Vess, Lavinia, Gideon Jura
Unkindness of Ravens James Wyatt 2015-07-29 Ravnica Liliana Vess, the Raven Man
Offers to the Fire Doug Beyer 2015-08-05 Regatha Chandra Nalaar, Jace Beleren, Gideon Jura
For Zendikar Kimberly J. Kreines 2015-08-12 Zendikar Nissa Revane, Ashaya

Main story

Title Author Release Date Setting (plane) Featuring
Slaughter at the Refuge James Wyatt 2015-08-19 Zendikar Gideon Jura, Jace Beleren
The Silent Cry Kimberly J. Kreines 2015-08-26 Zendikar Nissa Revane, Gideon Jura
The Believers' Pilgrimage Doug Beyer 2015-09-02 Zendikar Jace Beleren
The Survivors of Sky Rock Kimberly J. Kreines 2015-09-09 Zendikar Gideon Jura
Memories of Blood Ken Troop 2015-09-16 Zendikar Drana
Nissa's Quest Kimberly J. Kreines 2015-09-23 Zendikar Nissa Revane
Home Waters Kelly Digges 2015-09-30 Zendikar Kiora
Nissa's Resolve Kimberly J. Kreines 2015-10-07 Zendikar Nissa Revane, Ob Nixilis
Revelation at the Eye Kelly Digges 2015-10-14 Zendikar Jace Beleren, Zada, Hedron Grinder, Ugin
Shaping an Army Ken Troop 2015-10-21 Zendikar Noyan Dar, Gideon Jura
The Liberation of Sea Gate James Wyatt 2015-10-28 Zendikar Gideon Jura, Munda, Kiora, Nissa Revane
Hedron Alignment Kimberly J. Kreines 2015-11-18 Zendikar Gideon Jura, Kiora, Jace Beleren, Nissa Revane, Drana, Munda
At Any Cost Nik Davidson 2015-11-25 Zendikar Ob Nixilis
Promises to Keep Doug Beyer 2015-12-02 Regatha, Zendikar Chandra Nalaar

Marketing

BFZ Booster box

BFZ booster box, featuring Gideon Jura

Battle for Zendikar is sold in 16-card boosters (one card being a marketing card), five intro packs, one event deck and a fat pack. The boosters feature art from Ob Nixilis Reignited, Kiora, Master of the Depths, Ulamog's Despoiler, Veteran Warleader and Gideon, Ally of Zendikar.[15]

Zendikar Expeditions

Zendikar Expeditions are all premium foil cards with a special Zendikari frame and a separate expansion symbol. Thus, they are not part of the set.[16] Zendikar Expeditions include all new art set on Zendikar and appear slightly more often than premium mythic rares. These cards are playable in limited and formats where they're already legal. There are 25 Expedition cards appearing with Battle for Zendikar (the 5 new dual lands, 10 shock lands and 10 fetch lands[17]) and 20 more cards in Oath of the Gatewatch.

Main article: Zendikar Expeditions

Prerelease

BFZ Deck box

BFZ themed prerelease deck box

At the prerelease (September 26–27, 2015) each player received a special hedron-themed Prerelease pack that they could use after the event as a take-home deck box.[18] Inside each Prerelease box, there were six regular Battle for Zendikar Booster packs along with a randomized, date-stamped premium promo card, a spindown life counter, a deckbuilding guide and a story insert.[19] Starting with this prerelease, seeded booster packs were no longer used.[20] This prerelease was the first to use the "Vancouver" mulligan rule.[21]

Instead of getting a specific set Prerelease card or one of a small subset of Prerelease cards, starting with Battle for Zendikar players receive a random Prerelease card in their boxes that can be one of any rare or mythic rare in the set.[22]

Promotional cards

Tokens and emblems

For this set, the ratio between token cards and other marketing cards was shifted heavily in favor of tokens. The new ratio is approximately 9:10 for tokens. Tokens’ rarity is based upon the rarity of the cards that make them.[24]

  1. {C} 10/10 Eldrazi for Desolation Twin[25]
  2. {C} 1/1 Eldrazi Scion with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {C}." for Adverse Conditions, Blight Herder, Blisterpod, Brood Butcher, Brood Monitor, Call the Scions, Carrier Thrall, Catacomb Sifter, Drowner of Hope, Eldrazi Skyspawner, Eyeless Watcher, From Beyond, Grave Birthing, Incubator Drone, Spawning Bed and Void Attendant
  3. {C} 1/1 Eldrazi Scion with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {C}."
  4. {C} 1/1 Eldrazi Scion with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {C}."
  5. {W} 2/2 Knight Ally for Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
  6. {W} 1/1 Kor Ally for Retreat to Emeria and Unified Front
  7. {U} 8/8 Octopus for Kiora, Master of the Depths
  8. {R} 5/5 Dragon with flying for Dragonmaster Outcast
  9. {R} 3/1 Elemental with trample and haste for Akoum Stonewaker
  10. {G} 1/1 Plant for Grovetender Druids
  11. {R/G} 5/5 Elemental for Omnath, Locus of Rage
  12. Emblem for Gideon, Ally of Zendikar
  13. Emblem for Ob Nixilis Reignited
  14. Emblem for Kiora, Master of the Depths

Themes and mechanics

Eldrazi,[26] Colorless matters,[27][28] colorless instants, allies and landfall make a return from the Zendikar block. Landfall now sometimes is land specific.[29]

There are at five new named mechanics:[30]

A remarkable mechanic is featured on Void Winnower, which cares about "even converted mana cost".[33][34]

Card types

Battle for Zendikar introduces the creature types Scion and Processor.

  • Eldrazi Scions are very similar to Eldrazi Spawn, but are 1/1 instead of 0/1. They're created by Eldrazi-themed spells in a variety of ways and all have the ability "Sacrifice this creature: Add {C}."
  • Processor is an additional creature type for some Eldrazi. Each one has an ability that requires you to put your opponent's exiled cards into their graveyard for some effect.

Cycles

Battle for Zendikar has seven cycles:

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Retreats Retreat to Emeria Retreat to Coralhelm Retreat to Hagra Retreat to Valakut Retreat to Kazandu
Five uncommon enchantments with a modal landfall triggered effect.[35]
Color-specific landfall creatures Emeria Shepherd Guardian of Tazeem Guul Draz Overseer Akoum Hellkite Oran-Rief Hydra
Five rare creatures with landfall that have a magnified effect when a land of their respective basic land type enters the battlefield. Each is named after a location.
Pump landfall creatures Ondu Greathorn Wave-Wing Elemental Geyserfield Stalker Valakut Predator Territorial Baloth
Five common creatures with a landfall ability that gives them +2/+2.
Common feature lands Sandstone Bridge Skyline Cascade Mortuary Mire Looming Spires Fertile Thicket
Five common taplands that have additional effects when they enter the battlefield and can be tapped for M.
Blighted lands Blighted Steppe Blighted Cataract Blighted Fen Blighted Gorge Blighted Woodland
Five uncommon lands that tap for one colorless mana, and can be sacrificed to activate an ability with a mono-colored activation cost.[36]
Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W}
Allied color uncommons Roil Spout Ulamog's Nullifier Forerunner of Slaughter Grove Rumbler Grovetender Druids
Five allied colored uncommon spells.
Allied color battle lands Prairie Stream Sunken Hollow Smoldering Marsh Cinder Glade Canopy Vista
Five rare dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped unless the player controls two or more basic lands (reverse of the fast lands). As they all have basic land types, they can be fetched by fetch lands and are the third type of land to do so, after the original dual lands and shock lands.[6][37]
Cycle name {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Enemy color uncommons Drana's Emissary Herald of Kozilek Catacomb Sifter Resolute Blademaster Skyrider Elf
Five enemy colored uncommon spells.

Mega cycles

Cycle name {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Enemy colored Tapland Manlands Shambling Vent (Battle for Zendikar) Wandering Fumarole (Oath of the Gatewatch) Hissing Quagmire (Oath of the Gatewatch) Needle Spires (Oath of the Gatewatch) Lumbering Falls (Battle for Zendikar)
Five lands that can turn into creatures until end of turn. One rare for each enemy color pair, able to produce either color and enters the Battlefield tapped.[38] This cycle completes the enemy color megacycle of tapped manlands that started in Battle for Zendikar as well as the larger Mega-Mega Cycle stared in Worldwake.[39]

Mega-Mega 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)
Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger is the first card in the Eldrazi Titan triplet card cycle.

Pairs

Battle for Zendikar has a mirrored pair.

Mirrored Pairs Description
Valakut Invoker
({R}) 		Oran-Rief Invoker
({G}) 		Invokers; common Human Shamans with an activated ability which cost {8}.

Reprinted cards

Common to Uncommon

Functional reprints

Card comparisons

Main article: Battle for Zendikar/Card comparisons

Many Battle for Zendikar cards are strictly better, and a handful are strictly worse, than previous cards. Of particular note, Endless One is the simplest and most cost-efficient example of a design previously seen on more than 100 other cards.

Preconstructed decks

Intro packs

Main article: Battle for Zendikar/Intro packs

Battle for Zendikar has five intro packs (three bicolored and two colorless):[40]

Intro pack name Colors Included Foil rare
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Rallying Cry W R Hero of Goma Fada
Swarming Instinct U G Drowner of Hope
Call of Blood W B Defiant Bloodlord
Eldrazi Assault B R Barrage Tyrant
Zendikar's Rage R G Oran-Rief Hydra

Event deck

Main article: Battle for Zendikar/Event deck

Battle for Zendikar has one event deck.

Event
deck name 		Colors Included
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Ultimate Sacrifice B G

References

  1. ↑ Information below the text box
  2. ↑ Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic) (March 6, 2015). "Battle for Zendikar Announced"
  3. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 6, 2015). "PAX Panel Streaming Live". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 9, 2015). "Announcing Battle for Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 14, 2015). "The Basic Lands of Battle for Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (August 31, 2012). "Any chance for new full art lands in Battle for Zendikar or the other 5 fetches?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. ↑ Michael Yichao (October 5, 2015). "Sketches: Battle for Zendikar Basic Land Art". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 12, 2015). "Battle Plans". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Doug Beyer (September 14, 2015). "Is there a reason why Felidar Sovereign doesn't get new art?". A Voice for Vorthos. Tumblr.
  10. ↑ Adam Lee (June 25, 2014). "Nissa, Worldwaker". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Doug Beyer (June 16, 2014). "Checking in on the Planeswalkers". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ Michael Yichao (September 30, 2015). "Interviewing Maro on Battle for Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ Ant Tessitore (October 1, 2015). Snacks with Kelly Digges. Gatheringmagic.com
  14. ↑ Magic Creative Team (October 7, 2015). "Battle for Zendikar Story Events". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 1, 2015). "Battle for Zendikar Packaging". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. ↑ Dan Barrett (August 26, 2015). "Battle for Zendikar: Your First Look". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 17, 2015). "All the Expeditions". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  18. ↑ Gavin Verhey (September 21, 2015). "Battle for Zendikar Prerelease Primer". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  19. ↑ Wizards Play Network. "Battle for Zendikar Prerelease"
  20. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 28, 2015). "When do BFZ spoiler weeks start?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  21. ↑ Aaron Forsythe (August 20, 2015). "New Mulligan Rule Starting with Battle for Zendikar Prereleases". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  22. ↑ Gavin Verhey (September 1, 2015). "Branded Play". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  23. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 7, 2015). "The Promos of Battle for Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  24. ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 18, 2015). "Are some tokens rarer than others?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  25. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 16, 2015). "The Tokens of Battle for Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  26. ↑ Sam Stoddard (September 11, 2015). "Challenges of Revisiting Sets". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  27. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 7, 2015). "Preparing for Battle, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  28. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 14, 2015). "Preparing for Battle, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  29. ↑ Matt Tabak (August 31, 2015). "Battle for Zendikar Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  30. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (September 23, 2015). "Battle for Zendikar Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  31. ↑ Sam Stoddard (October 23, 2015). "Developing Devoid". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  32. ↑ Ian Duke (September 7, 2015). "Converging on Zendikar". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  33. ↑ Adam Styborski (September 10, 2015). "Void Where Prohibited". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  34. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 10, 2015). "Even Odder". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  35. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 15, 2015). "Retreat!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  36. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 21, 2015). "Battle for Zendikards, Part One". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  37. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 28, 2015). "Battle for Zendikards, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  38. ↑ Sam Stoddard (September 7, 2015). ""Creature" Lands". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  39. ↑ Mark Rosewater (September 07, 2015). "Is BFZ going to have all 5 enemy-colors manlands?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  40. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 24, 2015). "Battle for Zendikar Event Deck and Intro Packs". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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