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Sea of Sand

Rabiah will likely never be revisited.

The Rabiah Scale is a ranking of the likelihood that a given plane will be revisited as the setting of a future Standard-legal set. Planes are ranked from 1 (very likely) to 10 (very unlikely).

Description[ | ]

As one of the Rosewater Scales, the Rabiah Scale is analogous to the Storm Scale for mechanics. The Storm Scale is named for the storm mechanic, which has proven so developmentally problematic that it will almost certainly never be reprinted in a Standard-legal set. In the same way, the Rabiah Scale is named for the plane of Rabiah, which will almost certainly never be revisited because it is not Wizards of the Coast's intellectual property.[1][2]

Though it is published by Mark Rosewater, it only reflects his opinion and generalities about the plane. It does not account for any actual future plans, or the opinions of other R&D members.[3]

Descriptive rankings[ | ]

While Rosewater has made two blog posts about the Rabiah Scale, he has not given a level-by-level description of each rating, simply summarizing it as "most likely" to "least likely" from 1 to 10.[4][5] Therefore, the following descriptions are based on those described in the original Storm Scale article:

  • Level 1: Will definitely see again
  • Level 2: Will definitely see again, but not necessarily right away
  • Level 3: Will most likely do again, probably many times
  • Level 4: Will most likely do again, but they have issues that make them less of a guarantee
  • Level 5: We need to find the right place to bring it back, but I'm optimistic
  • Level 6: We need to find the right place to bring it back, but I'm a little less optimistic
  • Level 7: It's unlikely to return, but possible if the right environment comes along
  • Level 8: It's unlikely to return, but possible if the stars align
  • Level 9: I never say never, but this would require a minor miracle
  • Level 10: I never say never, but this would require a major miracle

It should be noted that since most sets focus on just one plane, whereas many mechanics appear in each set, ranking interpretations should be adjusted accordingly. In other words, a plane ranked 1 on this scale will still not appear in every set, whereas a mechanic ranked 1 on the Storm Scale (an evergreen mechanic) probably will.

Rabiah scale rankings[ | ]

PlaneLatest rankingTimeline
Alara54[3], 5[4], 5[16], 5[17], 5[18], 5[19], 5[20]
Amonkhet55[4], 5[55], 5[56]
Arcavios44[87], 5[88], 3[89], 4[90]
Bablovia1010[64]
Capenna65[91], 6[92], 6[93]
Dominaria14[3], 1[21], 1[4]
Eldraine34[66], 4[67], 4[68], 5[69], 4[70], 3[71]
Fiora75[3], 6[4], 7[31]
Gobakhan99[75]
Ikoria44[76], 4[77], 5[78], 5[79], 4[80], 4[81]
Innistrad11[3], 1[4], 1[7], 1[8]
Ixalan54[4], 6[57], 6[58], 5[59], 6[60], 6[61], 5[62]
Kaladesh53[3], 5[4], 6[10], 6[11], 5[12], 5[13]
Kaldheim47[82], 4[83], 4[84], 4[85], 4[86]
Kamigawa48[3], 8[4], 7[36][b], 4[47], 3[48], 4[49]
Kylem77[63]
Lorwyn–Shadowmoor67[3], 6[34], 7[4], 6[35], 6[36][a] , 7[40], 6[40], 6[41], 7[41], 6[42], 6[43], 6[44], 6[45]
Mercadia99[3], 9[5], 9[51]
Muraganda57[72], 8[73], 5[74]
New Phyrexia95[3], 7[32], 5[5], 9[33]
Phyrexia99[53], 9[5]
Portal Three Kingdoms plane1010[65]
Rabiah1010[3], 10[5], 10[54]
Rath99[3], 9[5]
Ravnica11[3], 1[5], 1[6]
Regatha66[3], 6[5]
Segovia88[3], 8[50]
Serra's Realm99[3]
Shandalar77[3], 7[5], 7[46]
Shenmeng77[96]
Tarkir44[3], 4[5], 5[22], 4[23], 5[24], 4[25], 4[26], 4[27], 4[28]
Theros53[3], 3[5], 3[14], 5[15]
Tolvada1010[75]
Ulgrotha99[3], 9[5], 9[52]
Vryn64[3], 6[5], 6[29], 6[30]
Zendikar22[3], 2[5], 2[9]
Zhalfir55[94], 5[95]

Notes[ | ]

  1. There are two Tumblr posts from February[35] and March[36] 2019 in which Mark Rosewater discusses Rabiah scale changes for Lorwyn/Shadowmoor. In both, he states he moved it "down 1" from its previous value, which was unambiguously a 7 in 2018[4]. The February post, therefore, sets the new rating at 6. At first glance, it is unclear whether the March post is a second "move down 1" resulting in a final rating of 5, or simply confirming an overall move of 1 over the preceding months for a rating of 6. However, additional sources show that in both cases he is referring to the results of a single audience poll posted on Feb 1[37], so the March post was likely to simply be restating the February adjustment. Specifically, the February update mentions "recent talk", referring to a discussion about Lorwyn as the preliminary winner of the poll;[38] the March update explicitly mentions "the last vote you had on the plans[sic]", the final results of which were detailed in an article one week prior.[39] Thus, both "down 1" responses were regarding the same overall data and conversation about Lorwyn, and are likely a single adjustment to 6 rather than sequential ones. This is reinforced further by the rating the next year going back up to a 7 (or "maybe a 6").[40]
  2. Despite its rating being 7 at the time, Kamigawa was revisited in the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty set of early 2022.

Other Rabiah Scale requests[ | ]

Reasons for rankings[ | ]

Some planes have attained high popularity or are relatively easy to return to. These include Ravnica and Dominaria, both of which have already hosted multiple sets and are both appealing and complex enough to ensure a return. Some, like Theros and Innistrad, occupy a specific niche that has proven exceptionally popular to fans, regardless of overall reactions to individual sets.

A majority of higher ranked (+7) planes belong to pre-Revisionist storylines, at times conflicting with modern flavor. These include Rabiah itself and Mercadia. A number are higher ranked due to having been destroyed, such as Old Phyrexia, Serra's Realm, and Tolvada, the only way to make a set in them being through flashback. Amonkhet is noted as ambiguous in that regard, being rather popular but seemingly destroyed.

Finally, some planes are perceived as being both unpopular as well having their niche taken by more successful ones, the most notable cases being Lorwyn–Shadowmoor has largely been replaced by Eldraine as the fairy tale/Celtic mythology plane and Ulgrotha by Innistrad as the Gothic horror plane.

The return to Kamigawa in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty was noted as being the highest rated (least likely) plane that did return to a Standard-legal set, having been rated an 8 initially and still a 7 most recently before its return. The plane was initially dismissed due to low sales as well as alleged rejection by Western fans, but while it suffered changes to its original flavor to facilitate its return, the marketing and the actual cards utilized nostalgia for the plane and the original block, capturing the set's themes of tradition vs technology.

References[ | ]

  1. Mark Rosewater (November 26, 2016). "What /would/ be a 10 on the hypothetical plane equivalent of the Storm Scale? Ulgrotha? Rabiah?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  2. Mark Rosewater (November 26, 2016). "So, the plane storm scale would be the Rabiah Scale, right?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  3. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Mark Rosewater (November 29, 2016). "The Rabiah Scale". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  4. a b c d e f g h i j k Mark Rosewater (2018-11-12). "The Rabiah Scale, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Mark Rosewater (2018-11-26). "The Rabiah Scale, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Mark Rosewater (December 07, 2019). "Is there a plane that's a 1 on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. Mark Rosewater (March 29, 2020). "Third time's the charm?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. Mark Rosewater (July 06, 2020). "Innistrad on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. Mark Rosewater (April 04, 2021). "Where is Zendikar on the Rabiah scale these days?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  10. Mark Rosewater (July 08, 2020). "Hi Mark, Where is Kaladesh on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  11. Mark Rosewater (January 6, 2022). "With all this talk of aetherborn...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  12. Mark Rosewater (August 4, 2023). "Where is Kaladesh on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  13. Mark Rosewater (February 26, 2024). "Where is Kaladesh on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  14. Mark Rosewater (July 08, 2020). "How well was the return to Theros received?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  15. Mark Rosewater (November 05, 2022). "Hello sir, can you tell us where Theros falls on the Rabiah scale these days?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  16. Mark Rosewater (January 04, 2020). "Where is Alara on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  17. Mark Rosewater (May 06, 2020). "Where is Alara on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  18. Mark Rosewater (July 06, 2020). "Alara on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  19. Mark Rosewater (August 10, 2021). "You recently answered a question about returning to Alara...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  20. Mark Rosewater (August 5, 2023). "Any hope for Alara fans?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  21. Mark Rosewater (May 19, 2018). "Given the response to Dominaria is it fair to say a Dominaria is a 1 on the Rabiah scale now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  22. Mark Rosewater (February 4, 2020). "Now for the ask, where is Tarkir currently on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  23. Mark Rosewater (July 11, 2020). "You recently said that the only planes...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  24. Mark Rosewater (August 19, 2020). "Where does Tarkir fall on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  25. Mark Rosewater (February 18, 2022). "How likely is it that we eventually return to tarkir?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  26. Mark Rosewater (August 21, 2022). "I would love to see how Tarkir is doing-". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  27. Mark Rosewater (January 17, 2023). "Where does Tarkir (my favorite block and plane) land on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  28. Mark Rosewater (August 2, 2023). "I was wondering where it currently stands on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  29. Mark Rosewater (June 02, 2022). "Where is Vryn on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  30. Mark Rosewater (September 11, 2023). "Where is Vryn on the Rabiah Scale these days?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  31. Mark Rosewater (April 04, 2021). "Where is Flora on the Storm Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  32. Mark Rosewater (September 29, 2018). "Where is New Phyrexia on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  33. Mark Rosewater (April 10, 2023). "Does MOM Change NP's Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  34. Mark Rosewater (August 5, 2018). "Is it safe to say that now Lorwyn is a 6 on the Rabiah Scale, and not a 7 anymore?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  35. a b Mark Rosewater (February 7, 2019). "Has Lorwyn moved around at all?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  36. a b c Mark Rosewater (March 18, 2019). "Mark, with the last vote you had on the plans and that we had Kamigawa in the second place, did anything change in Rabiah Scale about her?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  37. Mark Rosewater (February 1, 2019). "Inquiring Minds Want To Know - Planes to Visit in the Future". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  38. Mark Rosewater (February 5, 2019). "What Do You Like About Lorwyn?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  39. Mark Rosewater (March 11, 2019). "Where It's At". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  40. a b c Mark Rosewater (July 6, 2020). "Hi Mark, So what would Lorwyn/Shadowmoor be on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  41. a b Mark Rosewater (May 17, 2022). "Where is Lorwyn/Shadowmoor on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  42. Mark Rosewater (October 11, 2022). "Hi Mark today is my birthday...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  43. Mark Rosewater (January 25, 2023). "Where would you put Lorwyn on the Rabiah scale now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  44. Mark Rosewater (July 3, 2023). "Given this discussion, how would you rank Lorwyn on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  45. Mark Rosewater (July 15, 2023). "Hi mark! Why is it so hard to get back to lorwyn?...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  46. Mark Rosewater (February 16, 2021). "Hey Mark! Has Shandalar moved at all on the Rabiah Scale, or is it still at a 7?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  47. Mark Rosewater (March 16, 2022). "How is the new Kamigawa set being received...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  48. Mark Rosewater (April 21, 2022). "Where would say Kamigawa is NOW on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  49. Mark Rosewater (August 5, 2023). "Where is Kamigawa on the scale these days?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  50. Mark Rosewater (July 15, 2020). "You previously said that Segovia on the Rabiah scale is 8. Is it still there?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  51. Mark Rosewater (July 22, 2022). "Hey Mark, where does Mercadia currently fall on the Rabiah scale?...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  52. Mark Rosewater (May 15, 2023). "Where is ulgrotha on the storm scale also i...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  53. Mark Rosewater (November 29, 2016). "If Serra's Realm is a 9 because of the possibility of flashbacks, is old Phyrexia a 9 as well?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  54. Mark Rosewater (July 8, 2022). "So are Venser, Beebles, Rabiah, and Storm all still 10s on their respective scales?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  55. Mark Rosewater (July 7, 2020). "Hi Mark. Where do you think Amonkhet is on the Storm Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  56. Mark Rosewater (Augustus 31, 2023). "Instead of birthday trivia I’m requesting knowledge on the Rabiah Scale rating for Amonkhet.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  57. Mark Rosewater (August 17, 2019). "Have been seeing a lot of hate for Ixalan in the comments to your "never return to" post. Kinda sad, since I found the world being a flavour hit! Where is it on Rabiah scale currently?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  58. Mark Rosewater (March 29, 2020). "Third time's the charm?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  59. Mark Rosewater (February 17th, 2021). "Where is Ixalan in the Rabiah Scale now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  60. Mark Rosewater (April 18th, 2021). "Hi Mark. I was wondering what position on the Rabiah scale Ixalan holds currently". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  61. Mark Rosewater (June 12, 2021). "Where are Ixalan and Eldraine on the Rabiah scale right now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  62. Mark Rosewater (February 28, 2022). "Where is Ixalan on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  63. Mark Rosewater (November 22, 2018). "How likely is it that we'll ever visit Kylem in a Standard-legal set?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  64. Mark Rosewater (November 26, 2018). "Where is Bablovia on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  65. Mark Rosewater (May 04, 2018). "Rabiah Scale on the Portal Three Kingdoms plane?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  66. Mark Rosewater (September 14, 2019). "Since you work in the future, where do you feel Eldrain falls on the Rabia scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  67. Mark Rosewater. "Does Eldraine have a place on the Rabiah Scale yet? December 06, 2019". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  68. Mark Rosewater (May 06, 2020). "Hi! Where’s Eldraine on the Rabiah scale...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  69. Mark Rosewater (March 15, 2021). "It's been a little while since someone asked about Eldraine...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  70. Mark Rosewater (June 12, 2021). "Where are Ixalan and Eldraine on the Rabiah scale right now?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  71. Mark Rosewater (November 14, 2021). "Can I get a Rabiah scale rating for Eldraine?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  72. Mark Rosewater (October 06, 2019). "Where would Muraganda fall on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  73. Mark Rosewater (April 10, 2021). "Where is Muraganda on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  74. Mark Rosewater (January 01, 2023). "Where is a prehistoric world, possibly Muraganda, on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  75. a b Mark Rosewater (January 26, 2020). "Hey Mark, where do you think Gobakhan...". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  76. Mark Rosewater (May 04, 2020). "Where would you put Ikoria on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  77. Mark Rosewater (July 05, 2020). "I loved Ikoria! Where is it on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  78. Mark Rosewater (March 21, 2021). "Where is my beloved Ikoria on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  79. Mark Rosewater (March 27, 2021). "Where's Ikoria in the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  80. Mark Rosewater (August 4, 2023). "Where is Ikoria on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  81. Mark Rosewater (February 13, 2024). "Hey Mark, where on the Rabiah scale would you say Ikoria is?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  82. a b Mark Rosewater (July 08, 2020). "Where is Kaldheim on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  83. Mark Rosewater (February 04, 2021). "Is Kaldheim still a 7 on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  84. Mark Rosewater (February 21, 2021). "Hi Mark, So what would you say Kaldhiem is on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  85. Mark Rosewater (October 15, 2022). "How was Kaldheim received? Where would you put it on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  86. Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2023). "Where is Kaldheim on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  87. Mark Rosewater (July 03, 2021). "Where Strixhaven is on the Arabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  88. Mark Rosewater (August 05, 2021). "Arcavios on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  89. Mark Rosewater (October 27, 2021). "I saw in an article that Strixhaven is setting big records. Is it safe to say its a 1-2 on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  90. Mark Rosewater (February 27, 2022). "Does Strixhaven’s plane have a Rabiah scale rating?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  91. Mark Rosewater (January 15, 2023). "Now that we are a few sets away. Where is Capena on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  92. Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2023). "Hey, I forgot to ask you this for my birthday (it was on July 27). What would you say is New Capenna's placement on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  93. Mark Rosewater (August 03, 2023). "I'm surprised New Capenna is a 6. What's the reasoning for the grade?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  94. Mark Rosewater (April 10, 2023). "With Zhalfir back as it's own plane, where does it fall on the Rabiah scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  95. Mark Rosewater (February 26, 2024). "I was excited to see Zhalfir become its own plane". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  96. Mark Rosewater (August 5, 2023). "Where is Shenmeng (the plane formerly known as the Plane of Mountains and Seas) on the Rabiah Scale?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  97. a b c d Mark Rosewater (December 3, 2021). "How would you rate the following genres for doing a top-down set?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  98. Mark Rosewater (July 18, 2023). "Let me flip the Lorwyn/Shadowmoor question: What's the Rabiah Scale for a "Hybrid Matters" Plane?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  99. Mark Rosewater (August 28, 2021). "Hey Maro, in the Rabiah Scale we're would you put a "Roman" world?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
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