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enjoyonionrings
03-20-2008, 12:38 PM
http://www.wizards.com/magic/images/mtgcom/arcana1000/1549_ALA_logo_640.jpg

Magic's October 2008 large set, code-named "Rock", is called Shards of Alara.

Tagline: Five worlds share one fate.


Set Name: Shards of Alara
Block: Set 1 of 3 in the Alara block
Number of Cards: 249
Prerelease Events: September 20-21, 2008
Previews start on MagicTheGathering.com: September 1, 2008
Design and Development teams: Bill Rose (design lead), Devin Low (development lead), Aaron Forsythe, Mark Globus, Mark Gottlieb, Graeme Hopkins, Alexis Janson, Erik Lauer, Michael Mikaelian, Kenneth Nagle, Matt Place, Mark Rosewater, Brian Tinsman, Mike Turian, Noah Weil
http://www.wizards.com/magic/images/mtgcom/arcana1000/1549_ALA_ExpSymC.jpg

Sets 2 and 3 of the Alara block are currently code-named "Paper" and "Scissors". No information is available on them.

Facts:
- Wizards of the Coast is releasing a "Planeswalkers Guide" in the Fall which will retail for approximately $16.95 USD/$20.00 CAD, which is currently titled "A Planeswalker's Guide to ROCK" by Doug Beyer and Jenna Helland
- Said guide will be 160 pages and be released on September 2, 2008 as a Trade Paperback.
- Said guide also looks like it's part style guide and part field guide.
Source (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=106696)

Speculation:
- This is a class-themed block. Each color belongs to a certain class and we are focusing in on more of a mono-colored block.
- The card Arcanum Wings (http://sales.starcitygames.com/cardsearch.php?game_type=1&singlesearch=arcanum+wings) is rumored to be in one of the Alara sets (Shards, "Paper", or "Scissors") based on its flavor text of nobles.
- If the above is true, then Alara could be an enchantment-heavy theme, or at least to a point in which "enchantments count".
- If that is true as well, then Patrician's Scorn (http://sales.starcitygames.com/cardsearch.php?game_type=1&singlesearch=patrician%27s+scorn) could very well be in Alara.
- Alara is a five-part plane, which will be inhabited by humans or humanoids.
- The class structure discussed above will put "Commoners" at the lowest tier while exalting "Mages" to the top.
- The humans of this set have an unusual physical characteristic called Filligree (sp?). This causes their bodies/limbs to take the form of twisted curving threads. The more magic an individual possesses, the more their body is composed of filligree. (Allows magic to flow easier?)
- Possible creature classes will be "Assassin" and "Wizard".
- "A Planeswalker's Guide to ROCK" hints at Planeswalkers being printed in Alara.

That is all. Start speculating!

Dunjohn
03-20-2008, 03:36 PM
I'm not sure how the presence of Arcanum Wings would automatically make Shards an enchantment-themed set. I know it's just speculation but there doesn't seem to be any connection there.

Masterofredeyes
03-21-2008, 02:35 AM
I'm not sure how the presence of Arcanum Wings would automatically make Shards an enchantment-themed set. I know it's just speculation but there doesn't seem to be any connection there.




Silence. Do not dash the hope of the likes of me I want my enchantments damn it lol. If this is true and they are making an enchantment heavy set then I want a new Sacred Mesa or something comperable to it since it will be cycling out when this comes in. Yes I am aware I am obsessed with Sacred Mesa.

enjoyonionrings
03-23-2008, 05:00 PM
More info posted.

Dunjohn
03-24-2008, 05:38 AM
The Orb of Insight is up. Apparently, it returns a 0 for "Planeswalker" but I can't seem to use it (it doesn't generate a special code for me, curse you mtgsalvation!). Maybe someone could look up Arcanum?

Enchantment: 39
Aura: 17
Nonenchantment: 1

For comparison, Gatherer returns 29 cards with the word "Enchantment" in Lorwyn (some may have it twice but I don't think so) and 24 in Time Spiral (not counting Timeshifteds). So, it does seem to be enchantment-heavy.

Edit: Wrong thread :p