With 82 planes in the trading card game Magic: The Gathering (MTG) it is fair to say that some of them will be more popular than others. The vast multiverse of this game includes such well-known planes as Dominaria, Ravnica and Innistrad. However, there is just as much creative potential and intrigue to be found in some of the less travelled planes. They offer unique themes, fascinating narratives and fantastic gameplay mechanics that still make them worthy of exploration. Let’s take a look at some of those lesser known but nevertheless intriguing planes.
Fiora – A World of Intrigue and Betrayal
This plane is steeped in politics, intrigue, and scheming. Unlike many MTG planes that focus on apocalyptic events or big battles, the story of Fiora revolves around power struggles, betrayals, and alliances. This is a realm where cunning can outweigh brute strength, which makes it a haven for those who enjoy complexity in their gameplay.
The plane is best known for its association with Conspiracy sets. These introduced the idea of multiplayer draft mechanics whilst emphasising political gameplay. The ruler of Fiora, Queen Marchesa, is a key figure when it comes to the narrative of the plane. She is an iconic character in MTG lore thanks to her rise to power and cunning ability to maintain her throne. Players like Fiora because of its focus on courtly intrigue and its departure from the more traditional epic battles of the game.
Fiora is visually breath-taking. The architecture and design of this plane are inspired by Renaissance Europe. There are ornate castles, lush gardens, and elegant costumes. The aesthetic of Fiora adds a layer of sophistication which sets it apart from others. Despite its beauty, the gilded façade of Fiora hides a world of deceit and danger, which makes it a very unique setting.
Lorwyn and Shadowmoor – Two Sides of a Magical Coin
Lorwyn and Shadowmoor are in fact two versions of the same plane; they exist in a state of perpetual transformation. In Lorwyn you will find a world of eternal daylight, with whimsical and magical creatures living in harmony. This is a place of beauty and wonder, rolling hills, sparkling rivers, and colourful flowers. Creatures like fairies, elves, and treefolk live here and each has its own culture and traditions.
Shadowmoor, is a dark mirror of Lorwyn. The Great Aurora transforms the plane, turning it into a world of eternal night, that is filled with fear and danger. The cheerful inhabitants of Lorwyn turn into Shadowmoor counterparts, twisted by the darkness. Elves become ruthless hunters, and the faeries morph into sinister tricksters. This duality provides a fascinating narrative dynamic, with two very different experiences in the one plane.
The mechanics of the plane reflect this duality. Lorwyn has tribal themes, with a focus on creature types like Kithkin and Merfolk. Shadowmoor offers hybrid mana, with an emphasis on flexibility and duality. The unique gameplay of this plane mirrors this “split personality”.
The lore of Lorwyn and Shadowmoor explores themes of change, identity, and the impact of environment on behaviour. It’s a plane that invites players to ponder deep questions while enjoying its rich, fantastical setting. Despite its captivating narrative and mechanics, Lorwyn/Shadowmoor remains relatively underexplored in Magic’s history, making it a hidden gem waiting to be rediscovered. Maybe you will be the one to do that at the next MTG event?
Vryn – The Mage-Ringed World
This is a plane shrouded in mystery with an intriguing premise. It is the home world of Jace Beleren, one of the most iconic blue MTG color series Planeswalkers. It is characterised by its Mage-Rings—giant, floating structures that circle the plane. The rings help to channel mana serving as the lifeblood of the plane’s society. They are responsible for powering magic and technology.
Society on Vryn is built around conflict between mages and artificers, vying for control of the Mage-Rings. The plane is dynamic, and tension filled, here magic and technology clash. Vryn’s aesthetic offers a blend of high fantasy and hints of steampunk, visually It is very different to other planes.
Vryn has not been fully explored in a dedicated Magic set, but it has huge potential. Its unique themes of mana manipulation, advances in technology, and societal conflict provide rich storytelling opportunities. The obscurity of this plane adds to its allure, and this makes it one of the planes to keep an eye on for the future.