Planar Chaos

Planar Chaos is the forty-first (41st) Magic expansion and was released in February 2007 as the second set in the Time Spiral block. Prerelease Events were held on January 20, 2007.
==Set details==
Planar Chaos contains 165 all new black-bordered cards (fifty (50) rares, fifty-five (55) uncommons, and sixty (60) commons), including a forty-five (45)-card "timeshifted" subset (ten (10) rares, fifteen (15) uncommons, and twenty (20) commons). The theme of this expansion is "the (alternate) present"; to fit the theme of the block ("time"). Its expansion symbol is a depiction of two overlapping planes. There are no artifacts in Planar Chaos.
===Timeshifted===
The forty-five (45) timeshifted cards in Planar Chaos (also known as colorshifted, planeshifted and chaos shifted) represent cards being reprinted from an alternate reality. They are each functionally identical to an old card, with the crucial exception of their color (and possibly with a different creature type, or referencing a different color or land type in its abilities). Cards that were timeshifted in Planar Chaos had a slightly different border, and their title and types were written in white instead of black. In contrast to Time Spiral, they had regular colored expansion symbols.
===Marketing===
Planar Chaos was sold in fifteen-card boosters, four preconstructed theme decks and a fat pack. The decks and the fat pack contained a Pro Tour Players Card. The booster packs featured artwork from <c>Radha, Heir to Keld</c>, <c>Jedit Ojanen of Efrava</c> and <c>Darkheart Sliver</c>. The prerelease card was the foil alternate art <c>Oros, the Avenger</c>. The release card was <c>Hedge Troll</c>. The set was accompanied by the novel of the same name, written by Scott McGough and Timothy Sanders.
The booster packs included eight "normal" commons, three "timeshifted" commons, two "normal" uncommons, one "normal" rare and one "timeshifted" rare or uncommon card (there are three times as many "timeshifted" uncommon cards than there are "timeshifted" rare cards, making it three times as likely that an uncommon will appear in this slot).
Additional art for several tokens was designed for Magic Online.
===Flavor and Storyline===
Dominaria’s temporal fabric is no longer fraying at the edges — it’s ripping down the middle. The time rifts have not only merged the past with the present, but also splintered the timeline into thousands of alternate histories. These divergent Dominarias overlap with the known world in bizarre ways, combining the familiar with the shockingly new. Teferi, having lost his Planeswalker's spark, still struggles to mend the planar rifts before they corrode the very structure of the multiverse. With his allies Jhoira and Venser, he has already succeeded in restoring the wayward region of Shiv to its natural place in Dominaria, healing one rift. But danger awaits them as the trio attempts to teleport to Urborg: the chaos of an alternate Dominaria…Michael G. Ryan (January, 2007) "Destiny". Magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast.
====Storyline sources====
Title 	Author 	Publishing date	Setting (plane)	Featuring
Planar Chaos	Scott McGough	January 2007 	Dominaria 	Teferi, Jhoira, Corus, Venser, Windgrace, Jodah, Weaver King, Freyalise, Radha, Karn, Barrin, Jeska
====Savor the Flavor====
Title 	Author 	Release Date 	Setting (plane)	Featuring
Time Twists and Destinies Interchange	Matt Cavotta 	January 25, 2007 	Dominaria, Rath	Shikka, Talack, Mirri, Selenia, Crovax, Jedit Ojanen
Destiny 	Michael G. Ryan	February 27, 2007	Rath 	Gerrard, Crovax, Selenia, Sisay, Mirri, Starke, Tahngarth, Karn, Orim, Volrath
==Mechanics==
Flash, split second and suspend were introduced in Time Spiral. Echo, flanking, kicker, madness, morph are all keywords used in previous sets. Planar Chaos marked the first appearance of spells with echo costs that did not match their casting costs, as well as the first appearance of single color split cards.
Vanishing is introduced in this expansion, which works similarly to fading from Nemesis. Vanishing uses time counters to interact with suspend cards and induces sacrifice at the removal of the final counter to make the mechanic more intuitive than its predecessor.
In keeping with the theme of alternate realities converging, Planar Chaos features numerous cards with abilities "usually" assigned to another color:
*White received shroud (then "This creature can't be the target of spells and abilities.") (e.g. <c>Calciderm</c>), regeneration (e.g. <c>Revered Dead</c>), countering (e.g. <c>Mana Tithe</c>) and returning creatures to your hand (e.g. <c>Stormfront Riders</c>).
*Blue received vigilance (e.g. <c>Serra Sphinx</c>), discard (e.g. <c>Piracy Charm</c>), giving creatures +X/-X or -X/+X (e.g. <c>Shaper Parasite</c>) and the ability to destroy creatures (e.g. <c>Pongify</c>).
*Black received first strike (e.g. <c>Spitting Sliver</c>), lifelink-like effects (e.g. <c>Vampiric Link</c>), control effects (e.g. <c>Enslave</c>), tapping creatures (e.g. <c>Midnight Charm</c>), and spell/damage redirection (e.g. <c>Muck Drubb</c>).
*Red received reach (e.g. <c>Needlepeak Spider</c>), trample (e.g. <c>Battering Sliver</c>), fear-like effects (e.g. <c>Skirk Shaman</c>), "pump" effects (e.g. <c>Fatal Frenzy</c>), returning opponent's permanents (e.g. <c>Stingscourger</c>) and spells that target flying creatures (e.g. <c>Hammerheim Deadeye</c>).
*Green received flying (e.g. <c>Giant Dustwasp</c>), haste (e.g. <c>Reflex Sliver</c>), life gain/damage prevention (e.g. <c>Essence Warden</c>), card-drawing effects (e.g. <c>Harmonize</c>) and returning creatures from the graveyard (e.g. <c>Deadwood Treefolk</c>).
==Creature types==
The following creature types are introduced in this expansion: Hellion.
The following creature types are used in this expansion but also appear in previous sets: Angel, Ape, Assassin, Avatar, Beast, Bird, Cat, Centaur, Cleric, Dragon, Drake, Druid, Elemental, Elf, Fungus, Gargoyle, Giant, Goblin, Horror, Illusion, Insect, Kavu, Knight, Lhurgoyf, Merfolk, Phoenix, Rebel, Rogue, Serpent, Shade, Shaman, Shapeshifter, Sliver, Snake, Soldier, Spellshaper, Sphinx, Spider, Spirit, Treefolk, Troll, Vampire, Wall, Warrior, Wizard, Wurm, Zombie.
==Cycles==
Planar Chaos has ten cycles and three vertical cycles:
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Alternate legendary creatures	(<c>Ascendant Evincar</c>) 	(<c>Braids, Cabal Minion</c>) 	(<c>Mirri, Cat Warrior</c>) 	(<c>Akroma, Angel of Wrath</c>) 	(<c>Jedit Ojanen</c>)
Alternate legendary creatures	Each of these legendary creatures is based on a legendary creature from a past set. 	Each of these legendary creatures is based on a legendary creature from a past set. 	Each of these legendary creatures is based on a legendary creature from a past set. 	Each of these legendary creatures is based on a legendary creature from a past set. 	Each of these legendary creatures is based on a legendary creature from a past set.
Charms 	 	 	 	 	
Charms 	Common modal instants with three options that are each illustrated by John Avon with artwork depicting a small stone framed in jewelery held in two hands. In addition, each featured an ability (regeneration, discard, first strike, trample and flying) that their color doesn't normally have. 	Common modal instants with three options that are each illustrated by John Avon with artwork depicting a small stone framed in jewelery held in two hands. In addition, each featured an ability (regeneration, discard, first strike, trample and flying) that their color doesn't normally have. 	Common modal instants with three options that are each illustrated by John Avon with artwork depicting a small stone framed in jewelery held in two hands. In addition, each featured an ability (regeneration, discard, first strike, trample and flying) that their color doesn't normally have. 	Common modal instants with three options that are each illustrated by John Avon with artwork depicting a small stone framed in jewelery held in two hands. In addition, each featured an ability (regeneration, discard, first strike, trample and flying) that their color doesn't normally have. 	Common modal instants with three options that are each illustrated by John Avon with artwork depicting a small stone framed in jewelery held in two hands. In addition, each featured an ability (regeneration, discard, first strike, trample and flying) that their color doesn't normally have.
Common Slivers 	(regenerate) 	(vigilance) 	(first strike) 	(trample) 	(haste)
Common Slivers 	Each of these common monocolored Slivers grant abilities that their color doesn't normally have <c>Poultice Sliver</c> (regeneration). 	Each of these common monocolored Slivers grant abilities that their color doesn't normally have <c>Poultice Sliver</c> (regeneration). 	Each of these common monocolored Slivers grant abilities that their color doesn't normally have <c>Poultice Sliver</c> (regeneration). 	Each of these common monocolored Slivers grant abilities that their color doesn't normally have <c>Poultice Sliver</c> (regeneration). 	Each of these common monocolored Slivers grant abilities that their color doesn't normally have <c>Poultice Sliver</c> (regeneration).
Magi 	(<c>The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale</c>) 	(<c>Bazaar of Baghdad</c>) 	(<c>Cabal Coffers</c>) 	(<c>Arena</c>) 	(<c>Library of Alexandria</c>)
Magi 	Each of these rare Human Wizard creatures has the abilities of a powerful land from the past. 	Each of these rare Human Wizard creatures has the abilities of a powerful land from the past. 	Each of these rare Human Wizard creatures has the abilities of a powerful land from the past. 	Each of these rare Human Wizard creatures has the abilities of a powerful land from the past. 	Each of these rare Human Wizard creatures has the abilities of a powerful land from the past.
Spellshapers 	(<c>Scare Tactics</c>) 	(<c>Harrow</c>) 	(<c>Guided Strike</c>) 	(<c>Shriek of Dread</c>) 	(<c>Gerrard's Wisdom</c>)
Spellshapers 	Each of these spellshapers references an instant or sorcery that was previously printed in a different color. 	Each of these spellshapers references an instant or sorcery that was previously printed in a different color. 	Each of these spellshapers references an instant or sorcery that was previously printed in a different color. 	Each of these spellshapers references an instant or sorcery that was previously printed in a different color. 	Each of these spellshapers references an instant or sorcery that was previously printed in a different color.
Suspend X cards 	 	 	 	 	
Suspend X cards 	Each of these rare creatures has power and toughness */*, an ability defining *, "Suspend X[mana cost including ]. X can't be 0," and a triggered ability that triggers on the removal of time counters while it is suspended that improves the game state for the definition of "*". 	Each of these rare creatures has power and toughness */*, an ability defining *, "Suspend X[mana cost including ]. X can't be 0," and a triggered ability that triggers on the removal of time counters while it is suspended that improves the game state for the definition of "*". 	Each of these rare creatures has power and toughness */*, an ability defining *, "Suspend X[mana cost including ]. X can't be 0," and a triggered ability that triggers on the removal of time counters while it is suspended that improves the game state for the definition of "*". 	Each of these rare creatures has power and toughness */*, an ability defining *, "Suspend X[mana cost including ]. X can't be 0," and a triggered ability that triggers on the removal of time counters while it is suspended that improves the game state for the definition of "*". 	Each of these rare creatures has power and toughness */*, an ability defining *, "Suspend X[mana cost including ]. X can't be 0," and a triggered ability that triggers on the removal of time counters while it is suspended that improves the game state for the definition of "*".
Vanishing creatures 	 	 	 	 	
Vanishing creatures 	Each of these are uncommon creatures with vanishing. 	Each of these are uncommon creatures with vanishing. 	Each of these are uncommon creatures with vanishing. 	Each of these are uncommon creatures with vanishing. 	Each of these are uncommon creatures with vanishing.
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Enemy-color Slivers 	(<c>Vindicate</c>) 	(<c>Goblin Legionnaire</c>) 	(<c>Frenetic Efreet</c>) 	(<c>Jungle Barrier</c>) 	(<c>Dark Heart of the Wood</c>)
Enemy-color Slivers 	Each of these uncommon Slivers with enemy-color mana costs have abilities that mimic previous enemy-color cards. 	Each of these uncommon Slivers with enemy-color mana costs have abilities that mimic previous enemy-color cards. 	Each of these uncommon Slivers with enemy-color mana costs have abilities that mimic previous enemy-color cards. 	Each of these uncommon Slivers with enemy-color mana costs have abilities that mimic previous enemy-color cards. 	Each of these uncommon Slivers with enemy-color mana costs have abilities that mimic previous enemy-color cards.
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Legendary Dragons 	 	 	 	 	
Legendary Dragons 	Each of these rare legendary Dragons has a mana cost of MNO (where N and O are the enemy colors of M), flying, a triggered ability with a cost of M that triggers on dealing combat damage to a player, and power/toughness of 6/6. The cycle is a reference to the cycle of three-colored Legendary Dragons from Invasion.	Each of these rare legendary Dragons has a mana cost of MNO (where N and O are the enemy colors of M), flying, a triggered ability with a cost of M that triggers on dealing combat damage to a player, and power/toughness of 6/6. The cycle is a reference to the cycle of three-colored Legendary Dragons from Invasion.	Each of these rare legendary Dragons has a mana cost of MNO (where N and O are the enemy colors of M), flying, a triggered ability with a cost of M that triggers on dealing combat damage to a player, and power/toughness of 6/6. The cycle is a reference to the cycle of three-colored Legendary Dragons from Invasion.	Each of these rare legendary Dragons has a mana cost of MNO (where N and O are the enemy colors of M), flying, a triggered ability with a cost of M that triggers on dealing combat damage to a player, and power/toughness of 6/6. The cycle is a reference to the cycle of three-colored Legendary Dragons from Invasion.	Each of these rare legendary Dragons has a mana cost of MNO (where N and O are the enemy colors of M), flying, a triggered ability with a cost of M that triggers on dealing combat damage to a player, and power/toughness of 6/6. The cycle is a reference to the cycle of three-colored Legendary Dragons from Invasion.
Cycle name 	< 	< 	< 	< 	<
Colorshifted reprints 	(<c>Ghost Ship</c>) 	(<c>Funeral Charm</c>) 	(<c>Whirling Dervish</c>) 	(<c>Prodigal Sorcerer</c>) 	(<c>Sindbad</c>)
Colorshifted reprints 	The cards referenced by each of these colorshifted cards appeared in the Time Spiral expansion's timeshifted subset. 	The cards referenced by each of these colorshifted cards appeared in the Time Spiral expansion's timeshifted subset. 	The cards referenced by each of these colorshifted cards appeared in the Time Spiral expansion's timeshifted subset. 	The cards referenced by each of these colorshifted cards appeared in the Time Spiral expansion's timeshifted subset. 	The cards referenced by each of these colorshifted cards appeared in the Time Spiral expansion's timeshifted subset.
===Vertical cycle===
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Extortion 	 	 	 	 	
Extortion 	Each of these black spells allow a player to pay a steep cost in order to counter these powerful spells. 	Each of these black spells allow a player to pay a steep cost in order to counter these powerful spells. 	Each of these black spells allow a player to pay a steep cost in order to counter these powerful spells. 	Each of these black spells allow a player to pay a steep cost in order to counter these powerful spells. 	Each of these black spells allow a player to pay a steep cost in order to counter these powerful spells.
White Bounce	 	 	 	 	
White Bounce	Each of these white spells are creatures that have flash and return an increasing number of creatures you control to your hand when they enter the battlefield 	Each of these white spells are creatures that have flash and return an increasing number of creatures you control to your hand when they enter the battlefield 	Each of these white spells are creatures that have flash and return an increasing number of creatures you control to your hand when they enter the battlefield 	Each of these white spells are creatures that have flash and return an increasing number of creatures you control to your hand when they enter the battlefield 	Each of these white spells are creatures that have flash and return an increasing number of creatures you control to your hand when they enter the battlefield
Red Split 	 	 	 	 	
Red Split 	Each of these red spells is a split card where both spells are red, unlike other split cards where each is a different color. These are the only split cards in Planar Chaos.	Each of these red spells is a split card where both spells are red, unlike other split cards where each is a different color. These are the only split cards in Planar Chaos.	Each of these red spells is a split card where both spells are red, unlike other split cards where each is a different color. These are the only split cards in Planar Chaos.	Each of these red spells is a split card where both spells are red, unlike other split cards where each is a different color. These are the only split cards in Planar Chaos.	Each of these red spells is a split card where both spells are red, unlike other split cards where each is a different color. These are the only split cards in Planar Chaos.
==Card comparisons==
==Notable cards==
*<c>Aeon Chronicler</c> saw widespread play as an uncounterable card advantage machine and possible finisher in blue control decks.
*<c>Damnation</c>, a colorshifted <c>Wrath of God</c> with similar artwork giving black control decks a strong board sweeper.
*<c>Detritivore</c>, a red card that continually would destroy non-basic lands in a Standard format filled with them. It was also used in combination with <c>Wildfire</c> from 9th Edition in land destruction decks, providing an able finisher.
*<c>Extirpate</c>, a strong card punishing Combo decks.
*<c>Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth</c>, a land that turns other lands into Swamps and which saw widespread tournament play, e.g. in Extended Hexmage Depths deck.
== Theme decks ==
The preconstructed theme decks are:
==Trivia==
==References==
==External links==
*
*English Rules Primer — Planar Chaos