Invasion (Magic: The Gathering)
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| Invasion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Expansion symbol |  |
|
| Release date | September 2000 | |
| Mechanics | Multicolored Cards, Split cards |
|
| Keywords | Kicker | |
| Cycles | {{{Cycles}}} | |
| Size | 350 cards | |
| Expansion code | INV | |
| Development codename | Beijing | |
| Sets in Invasion Block | ||
| Invasion | Planeshift | Apocalypse |
| Magic: The Gathering Chronology |
||
| Prophecy | Invasion | Beatdown |
Invasion is the name of the first set in the Invasion block of cards of Magic: The Gathering, along with the expansions Planeshift and Apocalypse. It contained 350 cards.
Contents |
[edit] Storyline
The time has come. Urza Planeswalker must now help Gerrard Capashen and the crew of Weatherlight to repel the invading Phyrexians from Dominaria. However, it will not be easy, as Yawgmoth will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
[edit] Set History
Invasion saw the return of multi-colored "gold" cards, absent since the Stronghold expansion. Its major themes revolved around multicolor decks and strategies. The popularity and appeal of "gold" cards along with high but balanced power level culminated into making Invasion one of the most popular Magic sets in the game's history.
[edit] Mechanics
The following mechanics first appeared in Invasion:
- Kicker - Cards with kicker had an optional cost in addition to the card's casting cost. Paying this additional cost would acivate an additional ability or effect on the card.
- Domain - Cards that have an effect based on the number of basic land types the casting player controlled.
- Split cards - Literally two cards printed on one, Split cards had two different effects for different costs. As they were played, their controller chose which half to use.
[edit] Notable Cards
- Absorb - A white and blue counterspell that let its caster gain 3 life. Absorb and its counterpart Undermine were played often in control decks.
- Tap lands - A 5-card cycle of lands that tap for two colors of mana but come into play tapped. These cards were reprinted in 8th Edition in the stead of the familiar "Painlands." Later, these Tap Lands are reprinted in the Coldsnap sets as Snow Tap Lands.
- Coalition Victory - Even though 5 color "domain" decks were popular in standard during Invasion Block this card saw little tournament play due to a high mana cost and how difficult it was to set up the win. It is still notable for being the first tournament legal instant win card ever printed. The Cheese Stands Alone was the first instant win printed, but it is from Unglued, a non-tournament legal set.
- Dromar, the Banisher - A legendary, tri-colored dragon, Dromar was used in a control deck, due to his ability to return mass amounts of creatures to their owner's hands upon combat damage.
- Fact or Fiction - The best of a cycle of "divvy" cards, Fact or Fiction allowed a player to reveal the top five cards of his or her deck. An opponent would then divide those cards into two piles. The player would add one of the piles to his hand while the other went to his graveyard. This allowed for massive card advantage, and properly divvying up the cards drawn by Fact or Fiction became a key skill in tournaments.
- Fires of Yavimaya - An enchantment that gives haste to all creatures you control, and can be sacrificed to boost a creature for a turn, Fires of Yavimaya was a cornerstone of a very successful deck (called "Fires"), which exploited cards with the "Fading" mechanic (found in the set Nemesis).
- Obliterate - An uncounterable sorcery that could destroy everything but enchantments, Obliterate is often used in conjunction with Indestructible creatures or as a mass "reset button."
- Urza's Rage - An uncounterable, three damage Instant, when its kicker was paid, this was changed to an uncounterable, unpreventable 10 damage.
- Elvish Champion - A card long awaited by players, it gave green's iconic race, elves, a lord similar to Lord of Atlantis and Goblin King. It wouldn't become an actual elf itself until 9th Edition.
- Raging Kavu - The prerelease card, unusual in that Wizards chose to print the prerelease version in Latin. This was followed by Planeshift's Questing Phelddagrif in ancient Greek and Apocalypse's Fungal Shambler in Sanskrit.
