Magic The Gathering Shards Of Alara Card List
Magic The Gathering is a strategic trading card game that was created by mathematician Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993. The game has been popular ever since, and is still played by thousands of people all over the world. One of the most popular expansions of the game is Shards of Alara, which was released in 2008. Shards of Alara is a set of 249 cards that created a new plane of the multiverse, with a rich, detailed world that players could explore. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the Shards of Alara card list, exploring the different cards and what makes them unique.
What is Shards of Alara?
Shards of Alara is a Magic The Gathering expansion set that was released on October 3, 2008. It is the 42nd Magic The Gathering expansion set and consists of 249 cards. The set is divided into five shards, each with its own unique color combination and theme. The five shards are:
- Esper (White/Blue/Black) - This shard is ruled by a powerful aristocracy that values artifice and control.
- Grixis (Blue/Black/Red) - This shard is a twisted, chaotic place where necromancy and dark magic rule.
- Jund (Black/Red/Green) - This shard is a savage, primal place where survival is key and strength is rewarded.
- Naya (Red/Green/White) - This shard is a wild, untamed place where nature and civilization collide.
- Bant (Green/White/Blue) - This shard is a place of order and chivalry, ruled by a caste of noble knights.
Each shard has its own unique cards, mechanics, and themes. Players can mix and match these different shards to create powerful decks that reflect their own personal style and preferences.
The Shards of Alara Card List
The Shards of Alara card list is a long and varied one, with 249 cards to choose from. The cards are divided into different categories based on their type and function. These categories include:
- Creatures - These are the creatures that players can summon to do battle with their opponents.
- Spells - These are the spells that players can cast to gain an advantage in the game.
- Artifacts - These are the magical artifacts that players can use to enhance their decks.
- Enchantments - These are the spells that players can cast to enchant their creatures or their opponents' creatures.
- Planeswalkers - These are powerful characters that players can summon to fight for them.
Each category contains a wide variety of cards with different abilities and effects. Some cards are more powerful than others, making them more valuable and sought-after by players.
Creatures
Creatures are the backbone of any Magic The Gathering deck, and the Shards of Alara card list is no exception. There are hundreds of creatures to choose from, with different abilities, powers, and toughnesses. Some of the most popular creatures in the set include:
- Wall of Reverence - This creature has a high toughness and can gain life for its controller each turn.
- Maelstrom Pulse - This creature can destroy multiple creatures at once, making it a valuable addition to any deck.
- Ad Nauseam - This creature allows the player to draw a large number of cards, but at a cost of life.
- Cruel Ultimatum - This creature can deal damage, force the opponent to discard cards, and return creatures from the graveyard.
- Elspeth, Knight-Errant - This planeswalker can create powerful tokens and boost the power of other creatures on the board.
These creatures are just a few examples of the many different creatures in the Shards of Alara card list. Players can mix and match these creatures to create their own unique decks that reflect their personal style and preferences.
Spells
Spells are another important part of any Magic The Gathering deck, and the Shards of Alara card list is packed with powerful spells that can turn the tide of a game. Some of the most popular spells in the set include:
- Terminate - This spell can destroy any creature, making it a valuable tool for taking out your opponent's key creatures.
- Path to Exile - This spell can exile a creature, but also allows the opponent to gain life.
- Mana Drain - This spell can steal an opponent's mana, giving the player an advantage in the game.
- Thoughtseize - This spell allows the player to look at their opponent's hand and choose a card to discard.
- Lightning Bolt - This spell can deal damage to a creature or player, making it a versatile tool in any deck.
These spells are just a few examples of the many different spells in the Shards of Alara card list. Players can use these spells to gain an advantage over their opponents and win the game.
Artifacts
Artifacts are magical objects that players can equip to their creatures or use to gain an advantage in the game. Some of the most popular artifacts in the Shards of Alara card list include:
- Chromatic Lantern - This artifact allows the player to tap any land for any color of mana, making it easier to cast spells.
- Crystal Shard - This artifact can bounce a creature back to its owner's hand, making it a useful tool for disrupting the opponent's strategy.
- Expedition Map - This artifact can search the player's library for a land card, making it easier to get the lands they need to cast spells.
- Darksteel Ingot - This artifact can tap for any color of mana, making it a valuable addition to any deck.
- Orzhov Signet - This artifact can tap for white or black mana, making it a versatile tool in any deck.
These artifacts are just a few examples of the many different artifacts in the Shards of Alara card list. Players can use these artifacts to enhance their decks and gain an advantage over their opponents.
Enchantments
Enchantments are spells that players can use to enchant their creatures or their opponents' creatures. Some of the most popular enchantments in the Shards of Alara card list include:
- Ajani's Pridemate - This enchantment can boost the power and toughness of a creature, making it stronger in battle.
- Curse of Chains - This enchantment can tap a creature, making it unable to attack or block.
- Spreading Seas - This enchantment can turn a land into an island, making it easier to cast spells that require blue mana.
- Ghostly Prison - This enchantment can prevent creatures from attacking unless their controller pays an additional cost.
- Shield of the Oversoul - This enchantment can give a creature flying and indestructible, making it a powerful tool in battle.
These enchantments are just a few examples of the many different enchantments in the Shards of Alara card list. Players can use these enchantments to control the board and gain an advantage over their opponents.
Planeswalkers
Planeswalkers are powerful characters that players can summon to fight for them. Some of the most popular planeswalkers in the Shards of Alara card list include:
- Ajani Vengeant - This planeswalker can deal damage, destroy lands, and give creatures haste.
- Elspeth, Knight-Errant - This planeswalker can create powerful tokens and boost the power of other creatures on the board.
- Nicol Bolas - This planeswalker can deal damage, force opponents to discard cards, and steal creatures.
- Sarkhan Vol - This planeswalker can give creatures haste, boost their power and toughness, and deal damage to opponents.
- Tezzeret the Seeker - This planeswalker can search for artifacts, untap them, and make them more powerful.
These planeswalkers are just a few examples of the many different planeswalkers in the Shards of Alara card list. Players can use these powerful characters to dominate the board and win the game.
Conclusion
The Shards of Alara card list is a rich and varied one, with hundreds of different cards to choose from. Whether you prefer creatures, spells, artifacts, enchantments, or planeswalkers, there is something for everyone in this set. By mixing and matching different cards from the different shards, players can create powerful decks that reflect their own personal style and preferences. So if you're a fan of Magic The Gathering, be sure to check out the Shards of Alara card list and see what treasures await you!