Predictions for a Third Zendikar Block
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on April 14, 2018, 11:11 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
It is very likely that there shall be a third Zendikar block at some point in the future, as that plane is very popular with the players, so I wish to predict what may happen in such a block.
Mark Rosewater has said that, with the battle against the eldrazi concluded, WotC wishes to return to the "adventure world" aesthetic of the first Zendikar block, which is an admirable goal, but I believe that there is only so much than can be done with such a theme before the designers run out of ideas. I personally believe that a third Zendikar block would focus on repairing the damage inflicted to the plane by battle against the eldrazi, with Nissa as the main character who is helping the plane to recover.
I also think that such a block would be an ideal time for Nahiri to return, so that she will see that Zendikar has not been destroyed, and possibly relinquish her anger at Sorin.
Obviously, the landfall mechanic will return, along with many excellent lands to take advantage of it, and I would really like to see enemy-colored versions of the "battle lands" (Canopy Vista, Sunken Hollow, and so forth).
What does everyone else say about this? What are your predictions for a third Zendikar block?
Actually, it was Ugin who sent Jace to Ixalan. It was a sneaky fail-safe spell placed on Jace's memory of him should Ugin's existence be discovered. It's as though he foresaw Bolas trying to crush Jace's mind. So it was confirmed that Bolas had no idea that Jace pulled the puppet strings in Ixalan, so to speak.
Anyway, as for the real topic: It's too soon. Not only were the reasons outlined, but we had BFZ back in 2015/2016. Theros would be more likely at this point. Give it a few years, then we just may see Zendikar again.
April 15, 2018 9:35 a.m.
Its been said most sets will be one and done sets. Block structure is gone. Ixalan was to be last block. It was said only some planes would be spread over more than on set. I think that this will make some new mechanics weaker as they will lack the number of cards to make viable in anything but standard. But they did say some planes would over lap, where one mechanic would either repeat in next plane, or would at least have mechanics/features that worked together in different sets.
I think Ajani will go to theros to get Elspeth from the underworld. To have her help against Bolas.
But Zendikar will prob either only show up when they go get Nissa, or when the final fight with Bolas happens.
April 15, 2018 10:41 a.m.
Honestly I think were gonna get something like Return to Tarkir before Zendikar 3. Or like Return to Kamigawa.
April 15, 2018 10:42 a.m.
pskinn01: Except I speculate the final fight is on Ravnica. Everything's pointing to it, and In Bolas's Clutches, with Liliana being one of the main 'walkers, means that Bolas will meet his end soon.
Also, we'll probably see Nissa rejoin the Watch before we return to Zendikar. But as the focus of the lore then? Sure.
April 15, 2018 10:54 a.m.
dbpunk: I 100% agree with you about Tarkir being more likely. The Gatewatch might want to recruit the three powerhouse Planeswalkers there.
However I think it is even more convincing when you look at Wizard's pattern following last year's Commander products. Amonkhet had a ton of cats, Ixalan has a ton of Vampires, then Dominaria has a ton of wizards! That leaves us with dragons! Plus it would give them a good opportunity to reprint the other 5 fetchlands in a standard product, making modern more accessable. What are your thoughts?
April 15, 2018 2:16 p.m.
According to lore, only two of the titans were destroyed. Tamiyo imprisoned the third, Emrakul, in the moon. Emrakul said that she wasn't ready to play yet and went willingly.
You can kinda see where I'm going with this. Emrakul returns and wrecks face and they have to figure out how to kill her. Its bring many new eldrazi and other stuff, and maybe Emrakul will resurrect the other titans as slaves. I'd enjoy seeing three more titan cards. I think that would be a cool way to finish out Zendikar.
Or, even more scarily, the return of annihilator.
April 15, 2018 2:18 p.m. Edited.
OneItsStarted says... #9
I would seriously doubt that there would be a return to Zendikar in the near future. The Battle For Zendikar block was horribly done and caused many problems in multiple formats to the point that Mark Rosewater listed it as the set he would most like to remove from Magic's history. This poor reception, combined with the block being followed by another poorly executed return set (Innistrad), makes it very unlikely that Wizard's will make a lot more return sets and especially not one to Zendikar.
April 16, 2018 10:21 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #10
OneItsStarted, I am sorry that I need to ask, but what are some specific problems that the Battle for Zendikar block had?
Arvail says... #2
I personally think Ixalan, particularly Rivals, executed well on the whole adventure world concept already. It's definitely something I don't think is too tired to revisit in the future. The issue with taking the whole healing Zendikar approach right now is that we're entering a healing Dominaria right now. Yes, trouble's brewing, but the world is so much more alive than when we last saw it. Returning to Zendikar with this theme would overlap too much. Plus there are Bolas' schemes to deal with, etc. We're also having constant Return sets atm. and I think I'd rather just see new planes for a while. We'll go back to Zendikar at some point, but I don't think now is the time. With how terrible the last visit to the plane went, it needs to be done properly.
April 14, 2018 11:39 p.m.