Magic: The Gathering – The Lost Caverns of Ixalan releases November 17th

The final standard legal set for 2023 arrives November 17th with The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. Join the competing expeditions deep into the caverns of Ixalan in search of ancient treasure, lost lore, and great power. We discover all new characters and some returning familiar faces. Let’s take a look at some of the new cards within the set. Check out the story line for Lost Caverns of Ixalan with episode one.

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan – Episode 1

Lost Caverns of Ixalan Set Mechanics

Craft

The first new mechanic is called Craft. These transforming double-faced cards let you exile cards you control and/or from your graveyard to transform the card to its backside.

Descend

Next is a new keyword Descend. Descend checks how many permanent cards are in your graveyard. If there are enough, the card will have extra abilities.

There are also cards that check if you have descended this turn. These cards will activate if you have placed a permanent card into your graveyard this turn.

Discover

Discover is a keyword similar to cascade. When you discover, you exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a nonland card with the discover value or less than the discover value. You may cast that spell for free or put the card into your hand. Everyone loves free spells!

Finality Counter

A new counter arrives called finality counter. Any creature that has a finality counter will instead be exiled instead of going to the graveyard upon death.

Map Token

Another new token that modifies an existing keyword joins the set. Map tokens will allow you to choose which creature you want to explore and when at the cost of the token and one mana.

Explore

Explore returns from the original Ixalan, but also now it may not always be the creature being played exploring. Between these and map tokens, it’s nice to see the original explore design receive an update.

Double-faced cards and Powerful Reprints

Many new powerful cards can be found within the Lost Caverns of Ixalan, here’s some of the highlights. Cavern of Souls makes its return to Standard.

Full Art Basic Land Cycle

Showcase Frames

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan showcase frame highlights some of the legendary creature’s that can be found within.

Jurassic World Collection

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan has a lot of fun new discoveries. Within the set there’s not just the dinosaurs of Ixalan, but also the ones from Jurassic World. These can be uncovered in Set and Collector Boosters.

Special Guest Reprints

There are also “special guest” reprints with new artwork from Ixalan. These cards are legal in their respective formats and can be found in Set and Collector boosters.

Commander Precon Decks

There are also four new commander preconstructed decks available with the release of Lost Caverns of Ixalan. I don’t know who named Veloci-Ramp-Tor, but they win best name for this set.

 

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