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The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description A Zoetic Glyph
Design Mark Rosewater (lead), Mike Mearls, Ari Nieh, Cameron Williams, Chris Mooney, Dan Musser, Doug Beyer, Erik Lauer, Sam Jiang
Development Jules Robins (co-lead), Erik Lauer (co-lead), Ethan Fleischer, Reggie Valk, Corey Bowen, Daniel Xu, Adam Prosak, Andrew Brown, Ben Weitz, Jadine Klomparens
Art direction Ovidio Cartagena
Release date November 17, 2023
Plane Ixalan
Themes and mechanics TDFC's, Dinosaur Typal, Maps
Keywords/​ability words Craft, Descend, Discover, Explore
Set size 291 + 124
Expansion code LCI[1]
Development codename Offroading
Outlaws of Thunder Junction Standard
Wilds of Eldraine The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Murders at Karlov Manor
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
Lord of the Rings Holiday Release The Lost Caverns of Ixalan The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Commander Decks
For other uses, see Ixalan (disambiguation).
LCI expansion symbol

Expansion symbol.

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan is the ninety-eighth Magic expansion. It was released on November 17, 2023.[2][3][4][5]

Set details[ | ]

“  Treasure Bites Back!  ”

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan is Magic's take on the “Underground World” trope.[6][7][8][9] It is not a traditional return set: R&D was making an underground set, and Ixalan felt like the best fit for it. It wasn’t the other way round.[10][11] As such, it is not a mechanical return to the previous set.[12] The set has Dinosaurs, Merfolk, Pirates, and Vampires, but it isn't factioned or particularly typal.[13][14] Thematically, it is more of an action/adventure set.[12][15]

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan contains 291 regular cards (108 commons, 92 uncommons, 64 rares, 22 mythic rares, 5 basic lands), and includes randomly inserted traditional foil versions of all cards. The regular cards include 5 full-art "Core" basic lands (#287-291).[16] Alternate card frames have a different card number than the original version. The mural-like "Legends of Ixalan" showcase cards are #292-313, and cards with the Gods of Ixalan treatment are #314-319. Borderless Dinosaurs are #320-332 while "Borderless Oltec" cards are #333-346. The Borderless Restless Lands are #347-351, #352 is the borderless Quintorius and extended art cards are #353-392. Bundle basic lands are #393-402. Promo cards are numbered #403-409. The Neon Ink versions of Cavern of Souls are #410a-410f.

Storyline[ | ]

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan is the second set in the Omenpath Arc. The story takes place a year after the events of March of the Machine. We revisit Ixalan, the plane packed with pirates and dinosaurs. Things have changed since the disappearance of the Immortal Sun. Once again, there is a scramble as the groups race toward the center of Ixalan in search of a new resource: cosmium. Once they get past the caves, they find that Ixalan is a hollow world with Ixalan's Core in the middle and lit by Chimil, its sun.[17] An ancient civilization, ancestors of the Sun Empire, uses the magic of Chimil to grow in power.

The cards that represent the Story Spotlights in Lost Caverns are:[18]

Magic Story[ | ]

Main article: Magic Story
Title Author Publishing date Setting (plane) Featuring
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Episode 1 Valerie Valdes 2023-10-20 Ixalan Quintorius Kand, Wayta, Pantlaza, Huatli, Saheeli, Inti, Malcolm Lee, Lank, Breeches, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Clavileño, Bartolomé del Presidio, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Episode 2 Valerie Valdes 2023-10-20 Ixalan Wayta, Huatli, Quintorius Kand, Inti, Caparocti Sunborn, Malcolm Lee, Breeches, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Bartolomé del Presidio, Clavileño, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Abuelo, Kellan, Pantlaza
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Episode 3 Valerie Valdes 2023-10-20 Ixalan Wayta, Abuelo, Quintorius Kand, Huatli, Inti, Caparocti Sunborn, Pantlaza, Malcolm Lee, Breeches, Bartolomé del Presidio, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Kutzil, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Okinec Ahau, Poq, Nicanzil
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Episode 4 Valerie Valdes 2023-10-20 Ixalan Quintorius Kand, Huatli, Pantlaza, Caparocti Sunborn, Wayta, Nicanzil, Pashona, Clavileño, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Inti, Bartolomé del Presidio, Abuelo, Malcolm Lee, Breeches, Mycotyrant, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Anim Pakal, Kellan, Akal Pakal, Xavier Sal
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Episode 5 Valerie Valdes 2023-10-20 Ixalan Quintorius Kand, Wayta, Akal Pakal, Huatli, Inti, Caparocti Sunborn, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Kellan, Malcolm Lee, Mycotyrant, Breeches, Nicanzil, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Clavileño, Aclazotz, Pantlaza
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Episode 6 Valerie Valdes 2023-10-20 Ixalan Huatli, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Aclazotz, Malcolm Lee, Mycotyrant, Breeches, Quintorius Kand, Abuelo, Wayta, Abuela, Akal Pakal, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Kellan, Caparocti Sunborn, Pantlaza
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Pawns Miguel Lopez 2023-10-20 Ixalan Saheeli, Huatli, Pantlaza, Apatzec Intli IV, Caztaca Huicintli, Chitlati, Elenda of Garrano, Beckett Brass

Marketing[ | ]

LCI Collector Booster

Collector Booster

The Lost Caverns is sold in regular 16-card Draft Boosters (one card being a marketing card), Draft Packs, Collector Boosters, Set Boosters, the Lost Caverns of Ixalan Bundle, a Gift Bundle and four Commander decks.

Cosmium Neon Ink[ | ]

This set sees the return of the "Neon Ink" treatment first seen in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. Six extra versions of Cavern of Souls are printed in different neon colors.[17] Similarly, there are six additional versions of the Special Guest Mana Crypt in neon colors.

Box Toppers[ | ]

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan features a series of 20 box topper promos (8 uncommons, 7 rares, 5 mythic rares), referred to as the "Treasure Trove".[17][19] Ninteen cards are reprints from sets other than Ixalan block with one card from The Lost Caverns of Ixalan.

Special Guests[ | ]

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces Special Guests. These are 18 highly desirable reprints with art and flavor text matched to the flavor of the plane they appear in.[19] They are incorporated in The List of Set Boosters but also may appear in Collector Boosters.[20] Special Guest cards have the set code SPG.[17]

Universes Beyond: Jurassic World[ | ]

The Jurassic World Collection set is a booster insert for The Lost Caves of Ixalan, similar to Transformers in The Brothers' War.[17] Jurassic World cards can be found in Set Boosters, Collector Booster and Bundles. Note that these are original designs, and not skinned cards.[20]

Events[ | ]

Lci-gift-bundle

Gift Bundle

Promos[ | ]

LCI Prerelease Booster

Cosmium planeswalker symbol on the packaging of the Prerelease card

Tokens[ | ]

Lost Caverns has 18 tokens:[22]

  1. {C} Copy for Saheeli, the Sun's Brilliance and Self-Reflection.
  2. {W} 4/4 Angel creature with flying and vigilance for Resplendent Angel.
  3. {W} */* Gnome Soldier artifact creature with "This creature's power and toughness are each equal to the number of artifacts and/or creatures you control" for Barracks of the Thousand and Thousand Moons Smithy.
  4. {W} 1/1 Vampire creature with lifelink for Preacher of the Schism.
  5. {U} 1/1 Merfolk creature with hexproof for Deeproot Pilgrimage.
  6. {B} 1/1 Bat creature with flying for Aclazotz, Deepest Betrayal, Bat Colony and Sanguine Evangelist.
  7. {B} 1/1 Fungus creature with "This creature can't block." for Broodrage Mycoid, Synapse Necromage and The Mycotyrant.
  8. {B} 2/2 Skeleton Pirate creature for Corpses of the Lost.
  9. {R} 3/1 Dinosaur creature for Bonehoard Dracosaur and Poetic Ingenuity.
  10. {G} 3/3 Dinosaur creature for Nurturing Bristleback, Palani's Hatcher and Roar of the Fifth People.
  11. {G} 0/1 Dinosaur Egg creature for Palani's Hatcher.
  12. {G} */* Fungus Dinosaur creature for The Skullspore Nexus.
  13. {W/U} 4/4 Golem artifact creature for Master’s Guide-Mural and Master’s Manufactory.
  14. {R/W} 3/2 Spirit creature for Quintorius Kand.
  15. {W/B} 4/3 Vampire Demon creature with flying for Canonized in Blood and Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz.
  16. {C} 1/1 Gnome artifact creature for Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon, Cosmium Kiln, Envoy of Okinec Ahau, Oltec Cloud Guard, Threefold Thunderhulk and Tinker's Tote.
  17. {C} Map artifact for Brackish Blunder, Cartographer's Companion, Fanatical Offering, Get Lost, Journey On, Restless Anchorage, Sentinel of the Nameless City, Spyglass Siren and Waterwind Scout.
  18. {C} Treasure artifact for Ancestors' Aid, Bonehoard Dracosaur, Breeches, Eager Pillager, Careening Mine Cart, Contested Game Ball, Diamond Pick-Axe, Enterprising Scallywag, Greedy Freebooter, Hit the Mother Lode, Magmatic Galleon, Plundering Pirate, Poetic Ingenuity, The Belligerent, Treasure Map and Volatile Fault.

In addition, there are:

Themes and mechanics[ | ]

LCI Map token

Transforming double-faced cards are back with those that transform into lands with the Ixalan map-inspired card frame, and the new Craft mechanic. One Adventure card was printed as part of the plane-crossing storyline. The set also introduces descending and its related mechanics, discover, and explore makes a return. Finally, although it's not a primary focus like it was in Ixalan block, there are typal payoffs for Pirates, Merfolk, Vampires and especially Dinosaurs.[23]

Craft is a new way to transform artifacts. By paying a mana cost and exiling permanents you control from the battlefield or your graveyard with specified qualities, artifacts can transform into more powerful permanents.

Descend is a new mechanic that describes the act of putting a permanent card into a graveyard from anywhere. This is linked to two new ability words, Descend X describing triggers that activate if there are X permanent cards in your graveyard. and fathomless descent, which uses the number of permanent cards in your graveyard as a value.

Discover is a revamped version of cascade with more design space. Instead of being a cast trigger, it's a keyword action that always comes with a value. To Discover X, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a card with mana value X or less. To avoid whiffing on something like a counterspell, there is now a choice to cast the spell or simply put it into your hand. The other exiled cards are put on the bottom of your library.

Explore returns from the original Ixalan set, and now also features on Map tokens, a new predefined token.

Card types[ | ]

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces the creature subtypes Capybara, Llama, and Snail. The set also introduces the artifact subtype Map. Map tokens have “{1}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Target creature you control explores. Activate only as a sorcery.” Additionally, this set introduces the Quintorius planeswalker type.

In keeping with the set's theme of exploration and descent into the Core, The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces the Cave land type.

Counter types[ | ]

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces Bore counters, Chorus counters, Dread counters, and the new deciduous Finality counters. It also sees the return of Landmark counters, Net counters, Point counters, and time counters for the first time since Ixalan, Fallen Empires, Strixhaven: School of Mages, and Doctor Who respectively.

Limited archetypes[ | ]

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan features the following Limited archetypes:[24]

Cycles[ | ]

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan has eight cycles.

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Deep Gods Ojer Taq, Deepest Foundation // Temple of Civilization Ojer Pakpatiq, Deepest Epoch // Temple of Cyclical Time Aclazotz, Deepest Betrayal // Temple of the Dead Ojer Axonil, Deepest Might // Temple of Power Ojer Kaslem, Deepest Growth // Temple of Cultivation
Five mythic rare legendary God creatures that transform into lands when they die. Each land has an activated ability to transform back into creatures.
Uncovered lands Thousand Moons Smithy // Barracks of the Thousand The Everflowing Well // The Myriad Pools Tarrian's Journal // The Tomb of Aclazotz Brass's Tunnel-Grinder // Tecutlan, the Searing Rift Growing Rites of Itlimoc // Itlimoc, Cradle of the Sun
Five rare legendary colored permanent cards that transforms into legendary lands. Some of these cards have a trigger when they enter the battlefield and when the mana produced on the flip side is spent to cast a permanent spell, that spell is improved.
Landcyclesaurs Soaring Sandwing Marauding Brinefang Rampaging Spiketail Seismic Monstrosaur Nurturing Bristleback
Five common dinosaurs, each of them may be cycled for {2} for a land with a basic land type.
Common Crafters Oteclan Landmark // Oteclan Levitator Inverted Iceberg // Iceberg Titan Tithing Blade // Consuming Sepulcher Idol of the Deep King // Sovereign's Macuahuitl Kaslem's Stonetree // Kaslem's Strider
Five common artifacts with an enter-the-battlefield ability and the new Craft ability.
Hidden Caves Hidden Courtyard Hidden Cataract Hidden Necropolis Hidden Volcano Hidden Nursery
Five common nonbasic lands with the new Cave subtype that enter tapped. Each land can sacrifice itself to discover 4.
Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W}
Restless manlands Restless Anchorage Restless Reef Restless Vents Restless Ridgeline Restless Prairie
Five allied color lands that can become creatures with an ability and grant a bonus when they attack. They complete the land cycle introduced in Wilds of Eldraine.

Double cycles[ | ]

Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W} {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Gold rares Abuelo, Ancestral Echo Wail of the Forgotten Molten Collapse Palani's Hatcher Kellan, Daring Traveler Amalia Benavides Aguirre The Belligerent Squirming Emergence Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon Deepfathom Echo
Ten rare dual-colored cards.
Gold signposts Master’s Guide-Mural Uchbenbak, the Great Mistake Zoyowa Lava-Tongue Itzquinth, Firstborn of Gishath Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar Bartolomé del Presidio Captain Storm, Cosmium Raider Akawalli, the Seething Tower Caparocti Sunborn Nicanzil, Current Conductor
Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.

Reprinted cards[ | ]

Notable cards[ | ]

Banned and restricted cards[ | ]

  • Geological Appraiser resembled Bloodbraid Elf in many ways, but the distinct difference of having an entry trigger rather than a cast trigger meant that three-mana clone creatures would re-trigger the effect. With a supporting framework that let it combo off on turn 3, it was determined that Pioneer was not the space for this combo and it was banned there and in Explorer in December 2023.
  • Amalia Benavides Aguirre helmed a combo deck in Pioneer alongside Wildgrowth Walker. Normally, when both were on the board and their controller gained life, it would almost certainly result in the Amalia player's victory, as they had a 20-power creature to swing into an empty board. However, the deck could also draw the game on command by finding any way to make Wildgrowth Walker indestructible, as Amalia's ability is not optional. This was deemed a problematic factor in the metagame and resulted in Amalia being banned in Pioneer on August 26, 2024.[26]

Preconstructed decks[ | ]

Lost Caverns features four Commander decks that are released as a regular part of a set's product line.[17]

Theme
deck name
Color Identity Commander
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Ahoy Mateys U B R Admiral Brass, Unsinkable
Blood Rites W B Clavileño, First of the Blessed
Explorers of the Deep U G Hakbal of the Surging Soul
Veloci-Ramp-Tor W R G Pantlaza, Sun-Favored

Gallery[ | ]

Key art[ | ]

Arena Avatars[ | ]

External links[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. Information below the text box; MTGO Discord
  2. Wizards Presents 2022 (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (August 18, 2022).
  3. Adam Styborski (August 18, 2022). "The Next Year of Magic From Wizards Presents". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Billie Kaplan (August 10, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Arrives November 17, 2023". magicthegathering.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2023.
  5. Jess Dunks and Eric Levine (November 3, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Mark Rosewater (October 11, 2022). "Is ‘The Lost Caverns of Ixalan” MtG’s rendition of the “Underground World” theme?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  7. Mark Rosewater (March 21, 2023). "Why did you do this?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. Mark Rosewater (August 4, 2023). "Do you consider Lost Caverns to be “underground world”?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. Mark Rosewater (October 24, 2023). "Going Underground, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. Mark Rosewater (November 27, 2022). "Maybe this is early to say but I'm really excited for the return to Ixalan but I'm slightly worried when looking at the sets right before it.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  11. Mark Rosewater (March 21, 2023). "The new ixalan seems like it wont focus on this either in favor of another unseen part of ixalan.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  12. a b The Preview Panel at MagicCon: Barcelona (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (July 28, 2023).
  13. Mark Rosewater (July 30, 2023). "Does that mean that despite Ixalan being underground that we still retain parts of its identity before?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  14. Mark Rosewater (August 3, 2023). "What are you adding by setting it on Ixalan?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  15. Mark Rosewater (October 24, 2023). "Going Underground, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. Zakeel Gordon (October 24, 2023). "Collecting The Lost caverns of Ixalan". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. a b c d e f Adam Styborski (September 22, 2023). "A First Look at The Lost Caverns of Ixalan®". magicthegathering.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023.
  18. Clayton Kroh, Adam Styborski (November 2, 2023). "Story Spotlight Cards for The Lost Caverns of Ixalan". magicthegathering.com.
  19. a b c The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Showcase Treatment Overview. Wizards Play Network (October 24, 2023).
  20. a b Jess Lanzillo, Chris Kiritz, Athena Froehlich & Mark Rosewater (August 5, 2023). "Magic: The Gathering 30th Anniversary Panel at GenCon – A Recap of MTG's Past, Present & Future (Video)". Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.
  21. Gavin Verhey (November 6, 2023). "The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Prerelease Primer". Magic.gg.
  22. Kendall Pepple (November 3, 2023). "The Tokens of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  23. Mark Rosewater (October 30, 2023). "Going Underground, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  24. Mark Rosewater (October 30, 2023). "Going Underground, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  25. Nick Miller (November 15, 2023). "The Lost Caverns Of Ixalan Rare Temporarily Banned On MTG Arena". StarCityGames.
  26. https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/august-26-2024-banned-and-restricted-announcement
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