The Most Interesting Magic: The Gathering Planes Stories

The well-known trading card game Magic: The Gathering (MTG) offers some incredible settings know as planes, each with fantastic narratives. Each of these planes has its own unique lore, aesthetic, and captivating stories. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting plane’s stories.

Innistrad: Gothic Horror

Innistrad is a plane oozing darkness, the sky is perpetually grey, and the lands plagued by vampires, werewolves, zombies, and other creatures. The stories of Innistrad are centred around the eternal struggle that exists between humanity and the monsters hunting them. Tales of note include the rise of Avacyn, an angelic protector created by Sorin Markov in order to shield humans. Also, her tragic demise during “Shadows Over Innistrad,” when she succumbed to madness, and created havoc for those she was supposed to save.

Dominaria: The Birthplace of MTG Lore

Dominaria is the very cornerstone of MTG storytelling; it was the first plane to be explored in-depth. It is where you find iconic sagas such as the Weatherlight Crew’s adventures, the Phyrexian invasions, and of course Urza’s long battle against Yawgmoth. Dominaria is where countless legendary figures live, including Teferi and Jhoira, and it has a deep history that makes it great for those who enjoy MTG lore.

Ravnica: The City of Guilds

Ravnica is a sprawling urban plane that is governed by ten distinct guilds, each district represents a unique philosophy and a magical approach. There is political intrigue and power struggles between the guilds that creates something of a rich tapestry of stories. The conflict that exists between the law-abiding Azorius Senate and the Rakdos Cult who are rebellious, or even the enigmatic schemes of the Dimir, offer some fascinating narratives that not only delve into loyalty and betrayal, but also the pursuit of power.

Zendikar: Adventure Awaits

Zendikar is a plane where untamed beauty abounds, it teems with danger and mystery. This plane is known for its “adventure world” atmosphere, Zendikar is where the Eldrazi, an ancient and powerful group of entities, are unleashed. The tale of their devastation is a harrowing one and the planeswalkers who united to defeat them, including Gideon, Jace, and Nissa, showcase the epic storytelling potential of the region.

Theros: Inspired by Myth

Theros is based heavily on Greek mythology, and its pantheon of gods directly mirrors the legends of ancient Greece. The stories of the betrayal of Elspeth by Heliod, who is a mortal champion, and her subsequent death and journey through the Underworld, are evocative and poignant. Theros looks at themes of heroism, faith, and a defiance against divine injustice. The storytelling of Theros is rooted in myth.

Kaladesh: Innovation and Invention

Kaladesh is a vibrant plane with plenty of invention and creativity. On this plane the focus is on aether-based technology. The stories in this plane revolve around revolution, rebellion, and innovation, in particular the clash that exists between inventors and the somewhat oppressive Consulate. Chandra Nalaar offers a fiery resistance against the authoritarian rule of the consulate, and this makes the narrative of Kaladesh both engaging and empowering.

New Phyrexia: A Dark Transformation

This plane was once known as Mirrodin, before it was overtaken by the sinister Phyrexians, to become New Phyrexia. The horrifying transformation that occurred to make Mirrodin a realm of metal and flesh, combined with the struggle of its heroes in an attempt to resist assimilation, means that the lore of New Phyrexia is deeply unsettling yet compelling.

Amonkhet: Trials of Survival

Amonkhet is a plane covered in a harsh desert that is inspired by Egyptian mythology. The stories linked to this plane revolve around the trials imposed by Nicol Bolas, who manipulates the population in order to serve his grand schemes. There are tragic tales of gods who were corrupted by Bolas and the contrasting bravery of the planeswalkers fighting to free the plane, showcasing its resilience against a fierce oppression.

The planes that are encountered in Magic: The Gathering are a true testament to the designers of the game. The ability to weave myths, ancient Greek lands and tales, philosophy and so much more into gameplay creates some incredible worlds and stories. These stories mean that there is something for every type of player, casual and competitive. At your next Magic event maybe you’ll learn something new about one of these planes. After all there’s always something new to learn about this complex, challenging and fun game.