MTG’s Lead Designer Mark Rosewater has revealed his initial plan for a set block that was ultimately rejected in favor of Theros. Fans are eagerly anticipating the Magic team’s potential development of this concept.
Despite being replaced by Theros, the original idea for the plane has still piqued the curiosity of many MTG fans. Theros continues to be a beloved plane among fans, with its Greek myth-inspired flavor and crucial role in the journey of planeswalker Elspeth Tirel.
Mark Rosewater, in response to a fan’s inquiry about the original concept for the Theros block, recently addressed the topic on social media.
The designer provided a thorough explanation, noting that the first set represented a prehistoric era, followed by a jump of thousands of years to the medieval set, and another jump to the futuristic set. Despite being set in the same world, the three distinct time periods were each uniquely portrayed.
According to Rosewater, the MTG team was unable to follow through with their plan due to a lack of staff to simultaneously create three unique worlds. This revelation has sparked interest among players, with one Reddit user stating, “I hope that with their current resources, they could potentially revisit this idea.”
Although it would be a major shift for MTG to return to the same plane after such significant time lapses, it would not be without precedent. In the Neon Dynasty set, players revisited the plane of Kamigawa after over 1000 years had elapsed.
Despite some initial hesitation, Neon Dynasty was ultimately embraced by fans who were pleased with the way Kamigawa had advanced technologically while still staying true to its spiritual origins.
Despite Rosewater’s desire to return to his proposed set design for Rosewater, the lack of blocks in present-day Magic poses a significant obstacle. During the development of Theros, Magic sets were typically released in blocks, where several sets in a row shared the same setting and storyline.
Despite blocks having been a longstanding aspect of Magic: The Gathering, they were officially discontinued in 2018. Generally, MTG players appear to favor single sets over blocks, as the game is now able to delve into a wider range of worlds and narratives since the phasing out of blocks.
Despite the change, there were still casualties. Players were left wanting more time in the well-crafted settings of popular expansions like Strixhaven: School of Mages and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan before quickly moving on to a new plane.
This problem is amplified by the fast-paced nature of MTG’s card reveals and product releases, as it frequently appears that each set does not receive sufficient attention before the next one is hinted at.
Moreover, implementing ideas such as Rosewater’s suggested time-skipping sets would prove to be more challenging in MTG’s block-less format, as players have become accustomed to a significant shift in setting and tone with each set release.
Despite this, it is not out of the realm of possibility for this imaginative plane concept to become a reality in MTG’s future. The releases of Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Crimson Vow demonstrate that subsequent Magic sets can still be set on the same plane, even as the game moves away from the traditional block structure.
If the majority of a year’s premier sets were to occur on a single plane, even if that plane were to undergo significant changes and advancements over the years, the setting would still need to hold significant importance to Magic’s continuous narrative.
With the inclusion of the Omenpaths, planes are now open to a wider range of characters beyond just locals and the occasional Planeswalker. This results in a greater diversity of changes to anticipate when revisiting the plane years later, adding to the overall intrigue of the experience for players.
Who wouldn’t be curious to see the creations of the talented artisans of Kaladesh and Kamigawa after spending years living and working together?
Despite the potential risk of alienating players with significant time skips, focusing multiple sets on the history of Ravnica and its evolution into the City of Guilds would undoubtedly captivate both long-time players and new fans, as the plane holds a central role in the ongoing story of the game.
Thunder Junction, a frontier plane, would be an ideal location for this type of time-skipping development. It would allow players to witness the evolution and transformation of families and factions of settlers over the years, providing a cohesive thread to follow throughout a complete year of set releases.
Although the absence of the beloved plane of Theros would undoubtedly impact MTG, many players are drawn to Rosewater’s original concept, making it a fascinating “what-if”scenario. Hopefully, the game’s designers will revisit this idea in the future.
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