Editing Oath of the Gatewatch

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|sub1 = Card comparisons
|sub2 = Intro packs
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{{Infobox set
  |image = OGW Logo.png
  |symbol_description = [[Hedron]]s or the blades floating above [[Kozilek]]'s head
  |design = [[Ethan Fleischer]] (lead)<br />[[Graeme Hopkins]]<br />[[Ari Levitch]]<br />[[Ken Nagle]]<br />[[Adam Prosak]]<br />[[Mark Rosewater]]
  |development = [[Ian Duke]] (lead)<br />[[Dave Humpherys]]<br />[[Jackie Lee]]<br />Adam Prosak<br />[[Gavin Verhey]]
  |art = [[Jeremy Jarvis]]
  |plane = [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]]
  |release = January 22, 2016
  |mechanics = [[Colorless]] matters, [[team]]ing up, [[planeswalker]] matters.
  |keywords = [[Cohort]], [[Devoid]], [[Landfall]], [[Support]], [[Surge]]
  |size = 184 cards<br/>{{curmb|70|60|42|12}}<br/>+2 regular-art <c>Wastes</c>
  |code_expansion = OGW
  |code_expansion_ref = [[Information below the text box]]
  |code_development = Sweat
  |series = [[Battle for Zendikar block]]
  |first = Battle for Zendikar
  |second = Oath of the Gatewatch
  |third= none
  |previous = Legendary Cube
  |next = Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed
}}
'''''Oath of the Gatewatch''''' is the 69th ''[[Magic]]'' expansion, and the second and last in the [[Battle for Zendikar block]]. It was released in January 22, 2016.<ref>{{DailyRef|news/announcing-oath-gatewatch-2015-09-01|Announcing ''Oath of the Gatewatch''|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|September 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/oath-gatewatch-approaches-2016-01-07|Oath of the Gatewatch Approaches!|[[Michael Yichao]]|January 7, 2016}}</ref> ''Oath of the Gatewatch'' is a [[small expansion]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/oath-gatewatch-release-notes-2016-01-13|Oath of the Gatewatch Release Notes|[[Matt Tabak]]|January 13, 2016}}</ref>

==Set details==
''Oath of the Gatewatch'' contains 184 cards (70 Common, 60 Uncommon, 42 Rare, 12 Mythic) but only 183 functionally different cards. However, because of the full-art and regular versions of the [[Wastes]] (twice), collectors view this as an 186-card set. Small sets are now enlarged to facilitate the new [[draft]] structure (2 boosters of the second set / 1 of the first set).<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/128230798418/hi-mark-what-are-reasons-behind-changing-the|title=What are reasons behind changing the Draft format?|September 02, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/double-small-set-drafting-2015-12-04|Double Small-Set Drafting|[[Sam Stoddard]]|December 4, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/128588372698/in-this-new-bba-world-is-184-the-new-default|title=Is 184 the new default size of small sets?|September 07, 2015}}</ref> The set includes randomly inserted [[premium]] versions of all cards. The [[expansion symbol]] of the set seems to be a stylized representation of [[Kozilek]]'s brood, but it also has similarities with hedrons, usually for Zendikar sets. The set features two [[Planeswalker]] cards <c>Chandra, Flamecaller</c> and <c>Nissa, Voice of Zendikar</c>.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/134624896208|title=What decided which planeswalkers got cards in BFZ?|December 5, 2015}}</ref>

''Oath of the Gatewatch'' is all about teamwork. It was designed to support [[Two-Headed Giant]] better than any other set in ''Magic'' history at the time.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/developing-friends-2016-01-15|Developing for Friends|[[Sam Stoddard]]|January 15, 2016 }}</ref> The name ''Fall of the Eldrazi'' was considered for ''Oath of the Gatewatch''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/139848992783/youve-said-that-battle-for-zendikar-block-was|title=Was the lost third set called Fall of the Eldrazi?|February 23, 2016}}</ref>

===Storyline===
Four [[planeswalker]]s ([[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]] and [[Nissa Revane]]) join forces in their battle against the [[Eldrazi]] titans [[Ulamog]] and [[Kozilek]] and the demonic planeswalker [[Ob Nixilis]]. They become the [[Gatewatch]], a team with a lasting commitment to protect the people of the [[Multiverse]] from threats that no one else can handle. The six cards that represent the ''pivotal moments'' in the storyline are: <c>Kozilek's Return</c>, <c>Remorseless Punishment</c>, <c>Call the Gatewatch</c>, <c>Bonds of Mortality</c>, <c>Fall of the Titans</c> and <c>Zendikar Resurgent</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/oath-gatewatch-story-events-2016-01-27|Oath of the Gatewatch Story Events|The Magic Creative Team|January 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/oath-gatewatch-story-summary-2016-03-02|Oath of the Gatewatch Story Summary| The Magic Creative Team|March 2, 2016}}</ref>

====Magic Story====
{{main|Magic Story}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Author !! Release Date !! Setting (plane) !! Featuring
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|feature/rise-kozilek-2015-12-09|The Rise of Kozilek}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2015-12-09 ||[[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Kiora]], [[Lorthos]], [[Kozilek]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/retaliation-ob-nixilis-2015-12-30|Retaliation of Ob Nixilis}} || [[Kimberly J. Kreines]] & [[Nik Davidson]] || 2015-12-30 || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Nissa Revane]], [[Ob Nixilis]], [[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|feature/reclamation-2016-01-06|Reclamation}} || [[Mel Li]] || 2016-01-06 ||[[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || <c>Mina and Denn, Wildborn</c>
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|official-magic-fiction/blight-we-were-born-2016-01-13|The Blight We Were Born For}} || [[Ken Troop]] || 2016-01-13 || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Tazri]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|official-magic-fiction/flames-2016-01-20|Up in Flames}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2016-01-20 || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Ob Nixilis]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Gideon Jura]], [[Nissa Revane]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|official-magic-fiction/beneath-surface-2016-01-27|Beneath the Surface}} || [[Ari Levitch]] || 2016-01-27 || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Jori En]], [[Kiora]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/oath-gatewatch-2016-02-03|Oath of the Gatewatch}} || [[James Wyatt]] || 2016-02-03 || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Nissa Revane]]
|- 
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/brink-extinction-2016-02-10|Brink of Extinction}} || [[Kelly Digges]] || 2016-02-10 || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Nissa Revane]], [[Jori En]], [[Kiora]]
|- 
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/zendikars-last-stand-2016-02-17|Zendikar's Last Stand}} || [[Doug Beyer]] || 2016-02-17 || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Nissa Revane]], [[Kiora]]
|- 
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/zendikar-resurgent-2016-02-24|Zendikar Resurgent}} || Magic Creative Team || 2016-02-24 || [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]] || [[Gideon Jura]], [[Jace Beleren]], [[Chandra Nalaar]], [[Nissa Revane]], [[Tazri]], [[Ugin]]
|}

===Marketing===
[[File:C.svg|thumb|right|The colorless mana symbol]]
''Oath of the Gatewatch'' is sold in 16-card [[boosters]] (the 16th card being a [[marketing card]]), five [[intro packs]] and a [[fat pack]].<ref name="Packaging">{{DailyRef|feature/packaging-oath-gatewatch-2015-12-28|The Packaging of Oath of the Gatewatch|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|December 28, 2015 }}</ref> The series of [[clash pack]]s is discontinued. This is the first small set to feature four different pieces of art on the boosters. These depict the four members of the Gatewatch as featured on the partial Oath cycle: Gideon, Jace, Chandra, and Nissa.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/best-2015-and-holiday-treats-2015-12-10|Best of 2015 and Holiday Treats|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|December 10, 2015}}</ref>

The set features the [[full-art]] lands from ''Battle for Zendikar'' (complete with the original expansion symbol).<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/131186906308/will-oath-of-the-gatewatch-also-have-full-art|title=Will Oath of the Gatewatch also have full art basic lands?|October 14, 2015}}</ref> The ''Oath of the Gatewatch'' fat packs also have full art basic lands. Like the other non-full-art basics, non-full-art Wastes are featured in the intro packs.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/136125809408/non-full-art-wastes-will-be-in-the-intro-packs|title=Non-full-art Wastes will be in the intro packs.|December 28, 2015}}</ref>

====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]]. 25 ''Expedition'' cards appeared with ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' (the 5 new [[battle land]]s, 10 [[shock land]]s and 10 [[fetch land]]s<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/all-expeditions-2015-09-17|All the Expeditions (first batch)|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 17, 2015}}</ref>) and 20 more cards in ''Oath of the Gatewatch'' (10 [[filter land]]s and 10 assorted lands with resonant [[flavor]] for [[Zendikar (plane)|Zendikar]]<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/never-wasted-holiday-2015-12-24|Never a Wasted Holiday|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|December 24, 2015}}</ref>).

====Prerelease====
[[File:OGW Prerelease pack.jpg|thumb|right|OGW Prerelease pack]]
[[Two-Headed Giant]] was central to the [[prerelease]] experience.<ref>{{DailyRef|how-play-limited/oath-gatewatch-prerelease-primer-2016-01-12|Oath of the Gatewatch Prerelease Primer|[[Gavin Verhey]]|January 12, 2016}}</ref> Prerelease events took place on January 16–17, 2016. The Prerelease format was [[Sealed]] (4 ''Oath of the Gatewatch''/2 ''Battle for Zendikar''). Each pair of players received two [[prerelease pack]]s that they could use after the event as a take-home [[deck box]]. Inside each Prerelease box, there are four ''Oath of the Gatewatch'' booster packs and two ''Battle for Zendikar'' booster packs, a [[spindown life counter]], and a randomized, date-stamped [[premium]] [[promo card]], drawn from any rare or mythic rare in the set.

====Promotional cards====
*[[Prerelease cards|Prerelease]]: a stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare from the set.
*[[Launch promo]]: <c>Endbringer</c><ref>{{DailyRef|promos-oath-gatewatch-2015-12-29|The Promos of Oath of the Gatewatch|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|December 29, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Game Day]]: [[full-art]] <c>Immolating Glare</c>
*Game Day (Top 8): full-art <c>Jori En, Ruin Diver</c>
*[[Buy-a-Box]]: <c>Goblin Dark-Dwellers</c>

====Tokens====
# {{C}} 1/1 [[Eldrazi]] [[Scion]] with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {{C}}." for <c>Abstruse Interference</c>, <c>Birthing Hulk</c>, <c>Scion Summoner</c>, <c>Sifter of Skulls</c>, <c>Vile Redeemer</c>, and <c>Warping Wail</c><ref>{{DailyRef|daily-magic-update/daily-magic-update-2016-01-11|The Jan. 11, 2016 Update|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|January 11, 2016}}</ref>
# {{C}} 1/1 Eldrazi Scion with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {{C}}."
# {{C}} 1/1 Eldrazi Scion with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {{C}}."
# {{C}} 1/1 Eldrazi Scion with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {{C}}." reprint from ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]''
# {{C}} 1/1 Eldrazi Scion with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {{C}}." reprint from ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]''
# {{C}} 1/1 Eldrazi Scion with "Sacrifice this creature: Add {{C}}." reprint from ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]''
# {{W}} 3/3 [[Angel]] with [[flying]] for <c>Linvala, the Preserver</c>
# {{B}} 2/2 [[Zombie]] for <c>Drana's Chosen</c>, <c>Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet</c> and <c>Null Caller</c>
# {{R}} 3/1 [[Elemental]] with [[haste]] for <c>Chandra, Flamecaller</c> (The token card has no [[Haste]] keyword however.)
# {{G}} X/X Elemental for <c>Seed Guardian</c>
# {{G}} 0/1 [[Plant]] for <c>Nissa, Voice of Zendikar</c>

The following named tokens were released with ''Battle for Zendikar'':
# {{W}} 2/2 [[Knight]] [[Ally]] for <c>Allied Reinforcements</c>
# {{W}} 1/1 [[Kor]] Ally for <c>Captain's Claws</c> and <c>Oath of Gideon</c>
# {{U}} 8/8 [[Octopus]] for <c>Crush of Tentacles</c>

==Themes and mechanics==
[[File:Wastes.jpg|right|thumb|Wastes (left produced by [[Kozilek]], right by [[Ulamog]])]]
The set introduces the [[colorless]] [[mana symbol]] {{C}}. It is used for cards that depict [[Kozilek]]'s brood lineage of Eldrazi.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/solemn-oath-part-1-2015-12-28|A Solemn Oath, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 28, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/getting-colorless-work-2016-01-08|Getting Colorless to Work|[[Sam Stoddard]]|January 8, 2016}}</ref> With [[Wastes]], the set also introduces the first typeless [[basic land]]s.<ref>[https://twitter.com/wizards_magic/status/675298703570313216 Take a look at the other Wastes you'll find in #MTGOGW!]</ref> Wastes are twice as common as a normal [[common]] in boosters.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/135897080068/will-wastes-occupy-the-basic-land-slot-or-a-common|title=Will Wastes occupy the basic land slot or a common slot in OGW boosters?|December 25, 2015}}</ref> The colorless mana symbol is found, together with generic mana symbols, in the mana cost of some spells (unlike [[generic mana]] costs, it cannot be paid with colored mana), and also replaces numbered colorless mana symbols such as {{1}} in abilities that produce mana in [[Oracle]] text for all cards (for example, <c>Ashnod's Altar</c> now produces {{C}}{{C}} rather than {{2}}).

There are three new named mechanics:<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/oath-gatewatch-mechanics-2015-12-28|Oath of the Gatewatch Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|December 28, 2015}}</ref>
*[[Surge]] [cost] ''(You may cast this spell for its surge cost if you or a [[teammate]] has cast another spell this turn)''
*[[Support]] N ''(Put a [[+1/+1 counter]] on each of up to N target creatures.)''
*[[Cohort]], an [[ability word]] for [[activated ability|activated abilities]] requiring [[tap]]ping the [[ally]] creature and another ally.

To express the theme of "Planeswalkers forming a team" with game mechanics, [[R&D]] also created cards that encourage the player to use multiple [[planeswalker]] cards.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/first-time-everything-2015-12-28|A First Time for Everything|[[Ethan Fleischer]]|December 28, 2015}}</ref>

[[Landfall]] is reused, but in a very minor capacity. It only appears on <c>Embodiment of Fury</c> and <c>Embodiment of Insight</c>, originally envisioned as a cycle.  Likewise, white and blue each have an uncommon creature (<c>Wall of Resurgence</c>, <c>Cyclone Sire</c>) that essentially has the [[awaken]] mechanic. Technically the mechanic only works on instants and sorceries, so it had to be spelled out in the [[rules text]].<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/odds-and-ends-oath-gatewatch-part-1-2016-02-01|Odds and Ends: Oath of the Gatewatch, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 1, 2016}}</ref>

==Cycles==
''Oath of the Gatewatch'' has three complete [[cycle]]s and two partial cycles:
{| class="wikitable" 
! Cycle name 
! {{W}}{{U}}
! {{U}}{{B}}
! {{B}}{{R}}
! {{R}}{{G}}
! {{G}}{{W}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Allied color]] [[tapland]]s'''
|{{card|Meandering River||OGW}}
|{{card|Submerged Boneyard||OGW}}
|{{card|Cinder Barrens||OGW}}
|{{card|Timber Gorge||OGW}}
|{{card|Tranquil Expanse||OGW}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five uncommon [[dual land]]s that enter the battlefield [[tap]]ped
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''3 mana allied uncommons'''
|{{card|Reflector Mage||OGW}}
|{{card|Mindmelter||OGW}}
|{{card|Flayer Drone||OGW}}
|{{card|Relentless Hunter||OGW}}
|{{card|Joraga Auxiliary||OGW}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five uncommon creatures that each cost 1MN, where M and N are [[allied color]]s. They define the [[limited]] [[archetype]] for those colors
|-
! Cycle name 
! {{W}}{{B}}
! {{U}}{{R}}
! {{B}}{{G}}
! {{R}}{{W}}
! {{G}}{{U}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Enemy color]] uncommons'''
|{{card|Cliffhaven Vampire||OGW}}
|{{card|Stormchaser Mage||OGW}}
|{{card|Baloth Null||OGW}}
|{{card|Weapons Trainer||OGW}}
|{{card|Void Grafter||OGW}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five uncommon creatures in [[enemy color]]s that define the limited archetype for those colors
|}

===Mega cycles===
{| 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 [[creature]]s until end of turn. One rare for each [[enemy color]] pair, able to produce either color and [[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===
====Horizontal cycles====
{| class="wikitable" 
! Cycle name 
! {{W}}
! {{U}}
! {{B}}
! {{R}}
! {{G}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Oaths'''
|{{card|Oath of Gideon|Oath of the Gatewatch}}<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/solemn-oath-part-2-2016-01-04|A Solemn Oath, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|January 4, 2016}}</ref>
|{{card|Oath of Jace|Oath of the Gatewatch}}<ref>{{DailyRef|perilous-research/oath-jace-2015-12-31|Oath of Jace|[[Jacob Van Lunen]]|December 31, 2015}}</ref>
|{{card|Oath of Liliana|Eldritch Moon}}
|{{card|Oath of Chandra|Oath of the Gatewatch}}<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/developing-oath-gatewatch-2016-01-05|Developing Oath of the Gatewatch|[[Ian Duke]]|January 5, 2016}}</ref>
|{{card|Oath of Nissa|Oath of the Gatewatch}}<ref>{{DailyRef|week-was/oath-nissa-2016-01-01|Oath of Nissa|[[Brian David-Marshall]]|January 1, 2016}}</ref>
|-
|colspan="5"|A multi-block cycle representing a planeswalker's participation in [[The Gatewatch]], in form of [[legendary]] [[enchantments]] that interact with [[planeswalker]]. A black oath, a green-white oath, a white-blue oath, and a white-black oath were added later, in ''[[Eldritch Moon]]'', ''[[Aether Revolt]]'', ''[[Dominaria]] and [[War of the Spark]] respectively.''
|}
{| 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|Kozilek, the Great Distortion||OGW}} is the second card in the Eldrazi Titan triplet started in ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]''
|}

===Pairs===
''Oath of the Gatewatch'' has one [[mirrored pair]].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2"|Mirrored  Pairs
!Description
|-
|{{card|Embodiment of Fury||OGW}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
|{{card|Embodiment of Insight||OGW}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
|Uncommon [[Elemental]] [[creatures]] which give a [[keyword ability]] to [[land creature]]s and itself. They also have a [[landfall]] effect that can turn Lands until the end of turn into 3/3 Elemental.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/gatewatch-me-work-part-1-2015-12-31|Gatewatch Me Work, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 31, 2015}}</ref>
|}

==Reprinted cards==
*<c>Bone Saw</c>, first printed in ''[[Conflux]]''
*<c>Mighty Leap</c>, first printed in ''[[Magic 2011]]'' and last seen in ''[[Magic Origins]]'' and for the first time in an expert-level expansion.
*<c>Negate</c>, first printed in ''[[Morningtide]]'' and last seen in ''[[Magic Origins]]''.
*<c>Netcaster Spider</c>, first printed in ''[[Magic 2015]]'' and last seen in ''[[Duel Decks: Elspeth vs. Kiora]]'' and for the first time in an expert-level expansion.
*<c>Unknown Shores</c>, first printed in ''[[Theros]]''.

===Common to Uncommon===
*<c>Grasp of Darkness</c>, first printed in ''[[Scars of Mirrodin]]''.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/odds-and-ends-oath-gatewatch-part-2-2016-02-08|Odds and Ends: Oath of the Gatewatch, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 8, 2016}}</ref>
*<c>Strider Harness</c>, first printed in ''Scars of Mirrodin''.

===Functional reprints===
The [[allied color]] [[tapland]]s are [[functional reprint]]s of the taplands which appeared in ''[[Invasion]]'' and were reprinted in ''[[8th Edition]]''. The reason behind this was that the original cycle mentions locations in [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]], and the more generic name meant that these cards could be reprinted in any other set.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/you-can’t-always-go-hame-2016-01-04|You can't always go hame|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|January 4, 2016}}</ref>
*<c>Meandering River</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Coastal Tower</c>.
*<c>Submerged Boneyard</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Salt Marsh</c>.
*<c>Cinder Barrens</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Urborg Volcano</c>.
*<c>Timber Gorge</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Shivan Oasis</c>.
*<c>Tranquil Expanse</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Elfhame Palace</c>.

;Using different subtypes
*<c>Affa Protector</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Standing Troops</c>.
*<c>Canopy Gorger</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Alpha Tyrranax</c> and <c>Tusked Colossodon</c>.
*<c>Makindi Aeronaut</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Concordia Pegasus</c> and <c>Territorial Roc</c>.

==Card comparisons==
{{Main|Oath of the Gatewatch/Card comparisons}}

==Notable cards==
*<c>Bonds of Mortality</c> and <c>Fall of the Titans</c> depict the same scene. In the first card, Nissa and Jace weaken the Eldrazi Titans, Ulamog, and Kozilek. In the second one Chandra and Gideon take them both out.<ref>{{DailyRef|my-favorite-flavor/fall-titans-2016-01-05|Fall of the Titans|[[Chas Andres]]|January 5, 2016}}</ref>
*<c>General Tazri</c> is a legendary ally creature with a [[color identity]] of all five colors, very well suited for [[Commander (format)|Commander]] players.<ref>{{DailyRef|command-tower/allied-commander-2015-12-31|Allied Command(er)|[[Adam Styborski]]|December 31, 2015}}</ref>
*<c>Hedron Alignment</c> is an [[alternate-win card]].<ref>{{DailyRef|serious-fun/hedron-alignment-2016-01-05|Hedron Alignment|[[Bruce Richard]]|January 5, 2016}}</ref> [[Ken Nagle]] designed it in the very first [[Great Designer Search]] and it took eight years to make it to print.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/137527771938/hedron-alignment-is-my-favourite-card-from-oath-i|title=Hedron Alignment is my favourite card from Oath!|January 17, 2016}}</ref>
*<c>Jori En, Ruin Diver</c> is the first Red (and Blue) [[Merfolk]] since <c>Razorfin Hunter</c> in ''[[Apocalypse]]''.
*<c>Stone Haven Outfitter</c> is the first card to refer to “equipped creatures” without being equipment itself or being the creature that is equipped too, while the term “enchanted creatures” was used since ''[[Legends]]''.
*<c>Wastes</c> is the first and only [[basic land]] without a [[subtype]].
*<c>Warping Wail</c> is a flexible and colorless answer, making it a perfect fit for UrzaTron decks in Modern that would struggle to play other types of interaction with colored requirements.
*<c>Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet</c> is a powerful value engine combined with a hate piece that dominated Standard while it was legal and continues to hold a presence in Pioneer black decks.
*<c>Sylvan Advocate</c> was a staple for green decks in Standard thanks to its good stats that could grow even better with time, in addition to synergies with creature lands that most decks played.
*<c>Pulse of Murasa</c> is played in many Pauper combo deck sideboards to make the deck resilient against countermagic, removal, and burn.
*<c>Goblin Dark-Dwellers</c> plays a traditional role in Rakdos Aggro decks in Pioneer but is particularly interesting in Modern decks built around <c>Glimpse of Tomorrow</c>, as the goblins can flashback the eponymous spell to get even more value.

===Modern Eldrazi Decks===
<c>Thought-Knot Seer</c>, <c>Eldrazi Displacer</c>, <c>World Breaker</c>, <c>Eldrazi Mimic</c>, <c>Matter Reshaper</c>, <c>Endless One</c> and <c>Reality Smasher</c> are seven powerful cards with the [[Eldrazi]] [[creature type]]. Combined with previous cards from ''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'' (<c>Eldrazi Skyspawner</c>, <c>Drowner of Hope</c>, <c>Eldrazi Obligator</c> and <c>Wasteland Strangler</c>) as well as the two Eldrazi [[tribal land]]s (<c>Eye of Ugin</c> and <c>Eldrazi Temple</c>) these cards created were the foundation for a strong deck [[archetype]]. This archetype dominated the [[Modern]] metagame at [[Pro Tour Oath of the Gatewatch]] and led to the event known as "Eldrazi Winter" which ended with the ban of the Eye of Ugin.

Even with Eye of Ugin's ban, the majority of these cards are still played in the decks' Bant and Tron Eldrazi. The backbone of the deck is also present in [[Legacy]] and [[Vintage]] formats, due to the addition of two more double-colourless lands in <c>City of Traitors</c> and <c>Ancient Tomb</c> and powerful artifact lock spells.

===Banned and Restricted cards===
*<c>Reflector Mage</c> was a tempo card for the {{U}}{{W}} draft archetype that had a minor upside compared to a standard Man-o-War effect, but when ported into constructed it became much more frustrating to play against, especially within the <c>Collected Company</c> shells. Despite not being a dominant force in the Pro Tour after the rotation, it was banned in January 2017.
*<c>Oath of Nissa</c> is a cheap green permanent that smoothed draws, making it a low investment gain in devotion. It was marked for an early Pioneer ban, used to temper the Green Devotion strategies that were powerful at the outset. It was unbanned seven months later in July 2020, as more powerful decks had formed in the interim.
*<c>Inverter of Truth</c> was a Mythic Rare playing in unusual design space but received little attention as to its application. While combinations with <c>Laboratory Maniac</c> were possible, Modern was far too fast to have such a strategy succeed. However, with Pioneer keeping the blue Delve spells and [[War of the Spark]] and [[Theros Beyond Death]] bringing two Maniac effects in <c>Jace, Wielder of Mysteries</c> and <c>Thassa's Oracle</c>, the combo kill was now very consistent. It was also backed by a strong control shell. Inverter was banned in August 2020 after several months of dominance.
*<c>Spatial Contortion</c> is technically banned in Pauper on [[Magic Online]] due to only being available on the client as a common promotional card.

==Preconstructed decks==
{{Main|Oath of the Gatewatch/Intro packs}}

''Oath of the Gatewatch'' has five [[intro pack]]s.<ref name="Packaging" /><ref>{{DailyRef|daily-magic-update/january-13-2016-update-2016-01-13|The January 13, 2016 Update|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|January 13, 2016}}</ref> There are no [[clash pack]]s or [[event deck]]s.

{{Decks|intro
  |Twisted Reality|U|Deepfathom Skulker
  |Desperate Stand|WB|Munda's Vanguard
  |Surge of Resistance|UR|Tyrant of Valakut
  |Vicious Cycle|BG|Dread Defiler
  |Concerted Effort|WG|Gladehart Cavalry
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Sets|state=collapsed}}
{{Zendikar|block|Battle for}}