The Lost Caverns of Ixalan

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan is the ninety-eighth Magic expansion. It was released on November 17, 2023. 
==Set details==
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan is Magic's take on the “Underground World” trope. It is not a traditional return set: R&D was making an underground set, and Ixalan felt like the best fit for it. It wasn’t the other way round. As such, it is not a mechanical return to the previous set. The set has Dinosaurs, Merfolk, Pirates, and Vampires, but it isn't factioned or particularly typal. Thematically, it is more of an action/adventure set.
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan contains 291 regular cards , and includes randomly inserted traditional foil versions of all cards. The regular cards include 5 full-art "Core" basic lands (#287-291). Alternate card frames have a different card number than the original version. The mural-like "Legends of Ixalan" showcase cards are #292-313, and cards with the Gods of Ixalan treatment are #314-319. Borderless Dinosaurs are #320-332 while "Borderless Oltec" cards are #333-346. The Borderless Restless Lands are #347-351, #352 is the borderless Quintorius and extended art cards are #353-392. Bundle basic lands are #393-402. Promo cards are numbered #403-409. The Neon Ink versions of are #410a-410f.
===Storyline===
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan is the second set in the Omenpath Arc. The story takes place a year after the events of March of the Machine. We revisit Ixalan, the plane packed with pirates and dinosaurs. Things have changed since the disappearance of the Immortal Sun. Once again, there is a scramble as the groups race toward the center of Ixalan in search of a new resource: cosmium. Once they get past the caves, they find that Ixalan is a hollow world with Ixalan's Core in the middle and lit by Chimil, its sun. An ancient civilization, ancestors of the Sun Empire, uses the magic of Chimil to grow in power. 
The cards that represent the Story Spotlights in Lost Caverns are:
====Magic Story====
Title	Author 	Publishing date	Setting (plane)	Featuring
 	Valerie Valdes	2023-10-20 	Ixalan 	Quintorius Kand, Wayta, Pantlaza, Huatli, Saheeli, Inti, Malcolm Lee, Lank, Breeches, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Clavileño, Bartolomé del Presidio, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte
 	Valerie Valdes	2023-10-20 	Ixalan 	Wayta, Huatli, Quintorius Kand, Inti, Caparocti Sunborn, Malcolm Lee, Breeches, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Bartolomé del Presidio, Clavileño, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Abuelo, Kellan, Pantlaza
 	Valerie Valdes	2023-10-20 	Ixalan 	Wayta, Abuelo, Quintorius Kand, Huatli, Inti, Caparocti Sunborn, Pantlaza, Malcolm Lee, Breeches, Bartolomé del Presidio, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Kutzil, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Okinec Ahau, Poq, Nicanzil
 	Valerie Valdes	2023-10-20 	Ixalan 	Quintorius Kand, Huatli, Pantlaza, Caparocti Sunborn, Wayta, Nicanzil, Pashona, Clavileño, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Inti, Bartolomé del Presidio, Abuelo, Malcolm Lee, Breeches, Mycotyrant, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Anim Pakal, Kellan, Akal Pakal, Xavier Sal
 	Valerie Valdes	2023-10-20 	Ixalan 	Quintorius Kand, Wayta, Akal Pakal, Huatli, Inti, Caparocti Sunborn, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Kellan, Malcolm Lee, Mycotyrant, Breeches, Nicanzil, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Clavileño, Aclazotz, Pantlaza
 	Valerie Valdes	2023-10-20 	Ixalan 	Huatli, Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, Aclazotz, Malcolm Lee, Mycotyrant, Breeches, Quintorius Kand, Abuelo, Wayta, Abuela, Akal Pakal, Amalia Benavides Aguirre, Kellan, Caparocti Sunborn, Pantlaza
 	Miguel Lopez 	2023-10-20 	Ixalan 	Saheeli, Huatli, Pantlaza, Apatzec Intli IV, Caztaca Huicintli, Chitlati, Elenda of Garrano, Beckett Brass
===Marketing===
The Lost Caverns is sold in regular 16-card Draft Boosters (one card being a marketing card), Draft Packs, Collector Boosters, Set Boosters, the Lost Caverns of Ixalan Bundle, a Gift Bundle and four Commander decks.
====Cosmium Neon Ink====
This set sees the return of the "Neon Ink" treatment first seen in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. Six extra versions of are printed in different neon colors. Similarly, there are six additional versions of the Special Guest <c>Mana Crypt</c> in neon colors.
====Box Toppers====
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan features a series of 20 box topper promos , referred to as the "Treasure Trove". Ninteen cards are reprints from sets other than Ixalan block with one card from The Lost Caverns of Ixalan.
====Special Guests====
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces Special Guests. These are 18 highly desirable reprints with art and flavor text matched to the flavor of the plane they appear in. They are incorporated in The List of Set Boosters but also may appear in Collector Boosters. Special Guest cards have the set code SPG.
====Universes Beyond: Jurassic World====
The Jurassic World Collection set is a booster insert for The Lost Caves of Ixalan, similar to Transformers in The Brothers' War. Jurassic World cards can be found in Set Boosters, Collector Booster and Bundles. Note that these are original designs, and not skinned cards.
====Events====
*Prerelease: November 10, 2023
*Open House: November 17-19, 2023
*Friday Night Magic: November 17, 2023 – January 26, 2024
*Commander Nights: November 20, 2023 – February 1, 2024
*Lost Cavern of Ixalan Constructed: November 21, 2023 - November 23, 2023
*Store Championship: December 2 – 10, 2023
*Commander Party: December 15 – 17, 2023 
====Promos====
 
*Prerelease: a stamped card that can be any single-sided rare or mythic rare of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan.
**The seasonal dark-frame promos are: , , , , .
*Open House: retro frame 
*Buy-a-Box: alternate art .
*Bundle promo: alternate art .
*Store Championship promos: (participation), (Top 8), textless (winner)
*30th Anniversary promos: , , and 
*Commander Party: foil retro frame 
==Tokens==
Lost Caverns has 18 tokens:
# Copy for <c>Saheeli, the Sun's Brilliance</c> and <c>Self-Reflection</c>. 
# 4/4 Angel creature with flying and vigilance for <c>Resplendent Angel</c>. 
# */* Gnome Soldier artifact creature with "This creature's power and toughness are each equal to the number of artifacts and/or creatures you control" for <c>Barracks of the Thousand</c> and <c>Thousand Moons Smithy</c>.
# 1/1 Vampire creature with lifelink for <c>Preacher of the Schism</c>.
# 1/1 Merfolk creature with hexproof for <c>Deeproot Pilgrimage</c>.
# 1/1 Bat creature with flying for <c>Aclazotz, Deepest Betrayal</c>, <c>Bat Colony</c> and <c>Sanguine Evangelist</c>.
# 1/1 Fungus creature with "This creature can't block." for <c>Broodrage Mycoid</c>, <c>Synapse Necromage</c> and <c>The Mycotyrant</c>.
# 2/2 Skeleton Pirate creature for <c>Corpses of the Lost</c>.
# 3/1 Dinosaur creature for <c>Bonehoard Dracosaur</c> and <c>Poetic Ingenuity</c>.
# 3/3 Dinosaur creature for <c>Nurturing Bristleback</c>, <c>Palani's Hatcher</c> and <c>Roar of the Fifth People</c>.
# 0/1 Dinosaur Egg creature for <c>Palani's Hatcher</c>.
# */* Fungus Dinosaur creature for <c>The Skullspore Nexus</c>.
# 4/4 Golem artifact creature for <c>Master’s Guide-Mural</c> and <c>Master’s Manufactory</c>.
# 3/2 Spirit creature for <c>Quintorius Kand</c>.
# 4/3 Vampire Demon creature with flying for <c>Canonized in Blood</c> and <c>Vito, Fanatic of Aclazotz</c>.
# 1/1 Gnome artifact creature for <c>Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon</c>, <c>Cosmium Kiln</c>, <c>Envoy of Okinec Ahau</c>, <c>Oltec Cloud Guard</c>, <c>Threefold Thunderhulk</c> and <c>Tinker's Tote</c>.
# Map artifact for <c>Brackish Blunder</c>, <c>Cartographer's Companion</c>, <c>Fanatical Offering</c>, <c>Get Lost</c>, <c>Journey On</c>, <c>Restless Anchorage</c>, <c>Sentinel of the Nameless City</c>, <c>Spyglass Siren</c> and <c>Waterwind Scout</c>.
# Treasure artifact for <c>Ancestors' Aid</c>, <c>Bonehoard Dracosaur</c>, <c>Breeches, Eager Pillager</c>, <c>Careening Mine Cart</c>, <c>Contested Game Ball</c>, <c>Diamond Pick-Axe</c>, <c>Enterprising Scallywag</c>, <c>Greedy Freebooter</c>, <c>Hit the Mother Lode</c>, <c>Magmatic Galleon</c>, <c>Plundering Pirate</c>, <c>Poetic Ingenuity</c>, <c>The Belligerent</c>, <c>Treasure Map</c> and <c>Volatile Fault</c>.
In addition, there are:
*A blank DFC Helper card
*A double-faced punch-out Counter card
==Themes and mechanics==
Transforming double-faced cards are back with those that transform into lands with the Ixalan map-inspired card frame, and the new Craft mechanic. One Adventure card was printed as part of the plane-crossing storyline. The set also introduces descending and its related mechanics, discover, and explore makes a return. Finally, although it's not a primary focus like it was in Ixalan block, there are typal payoffs for Pirates, Merfolk, Vampires and especially Dinosaurs. 
Craft is a new way to transform artifacts. By paying a mana cost and exiling permanents you control from the battlefield or your graveyard with specified qualities, artifacts can transform into more powerful permanents.
Descend is a new mechanic that describes the act of putting a permanent card into a graveyard from anywhere. This is linked to two new ability words, Descend X
describing triggers that activate if there are X permanent cards in your graveyard. and fathomless descent, which uses the number of permanent cards in your graveyard as a value.
Discover is a revamped version of cascade with more design space. Instead of being a cast trigger, it's a keyword action that always comes with a value. To Discover X, exile cards from the top of your library until you exile a card with mana value X or less. To avoid whiffing on something like a counterspell, there is now a choice to cast the spell or simply put it into your hand. The other exiled cards are put on the bottom of your library.
Explore returns from the original Ixalan set, and now also features on Map tokens, a new predefined token.
===Card types===
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces the creature subtypes Capybara, Llama, and Snail. The set also introduces the artifact subtype Map. Map tokens have “, , Sacrifice this artifact: Target creature you control explores. Activate only as a sorcery.” Additionally, this set introduces the Quintorius planeswalker type.
In keeping with the set's theme of exploration and descent into the Core, The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces the Cave land type.
===Counter types===
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces Bore counters, Chorus counters, Dread counters, and the new deciduous Finality counters. It also sees the return of Landmark counters, Net counters, Point counters, and time counters for the first time since Ixalan, Fallen Empires, Strixhaven: School of Mages, and Doctor Who respectively.
===Limited archetypes===
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan features the following Limited archetypes:
*: Oltec Ingenuity (Artifact Control)
*: Echoes of the Dead (Descend Control)
*: Going Down! (Descending Beatdown)
*: Dinosaurs of the Sun Empire (Dinosaur Stompy)
*: Malamet Tactics (Buffs Aggro)
*: Dusk Legion Pilgrimage (Sacrifice)
*: Pirates' Plunder (Artifact Aggro)
*: Fungal Festering (Descend Grindy)
*: Thousand-Moon Legion (Tapping Midrange)
*: River Herald Expedition (Explore Midrange)
==Cycles==
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan has eight cycles.
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Deep Gods 	// 	// 	// 	// 	//
Deep Gods 	Five mythic rare legendary God creatures that transform into lands when they die. Each land has an activated ability to transform back into creatures. 	Five mythic rare legendary God creatures that transform into lands when they die. Each land has an activated ability to transform back into creatures. 	Five mythic rare legendary God creatures that transform into lands when they die. Each land has an activated ability to transform back into creatures. 	Five mythic rare legendary God creatures that transform into lands when they die. Each land has an activated ability to transform back into creatures. 	Five mythic rare legendary God creatures that transform into lands when they die. Each land has an activated ability to transform back into creatures.
Uncovered lands 	// 	// 	// 	// 	//
Uncovered lands 	Five rare legendary colored permanent cards that transforms into legendary lands. Some of these cards have a trigger when they enter the battlefield and when the mana produced on the flip side is spent to cast a permanent spell, that spell is improved.	Five rare legendary colored permanent cards that transforms into legendary lands. Some of these cards have a trigger when they enter the battlefield and when the mana produced on the flip side is spent to cast a permanent spell, that spell is improved.	Five rare legendary colored permanent cards that transforms into legendary lands. Some of these cards have a trigger when they enter the battlefield and when the mana produced on the flip side is spent to cast a permanent spell, that spell is improved.	Five rare legendary colored permanent cards that transforms into legendary lands. Some of these cards have a trigger when they enter the battlefield and when the mana produced on the flip side is spent to cast a permanent spell, that spell is improved.	Five rare legendary colored permanent cards that transforms into legendary lands. Some of these cards have a trigger when they enter the battlefield and when the mana produced on the flip side is spent to cast a permanent spell, that spell is improved.
Landcyclesaurs 	 	 	 	 	
Landcyclesaurs 	Five common dinosaurs, each of them may be cycled for for a land with a basic land type. 	Five common dinosaurs, each of them may be cycled for for a land with a basic land type. 	Five common dinosaurs, each of them may be cycled for for a land with a basic land type. 	Five common dinosaurs, each of them may be cycled for for a land with a basic land type. 	Five common dinosaurs, each of them may be cycled for for a land with a basic land type.
Common Crafters 	// <c>Oteclan Levitator</c> 	// <c>Iceberg Titan</c> 	// <c>Consuming Sepulcher</c> 	// <c>Sovereign's Macuahuitl</c> 	// <c>Kaslem's Strider</c>
Common Crafters 	Five common artifacts with an enter-the-battlefield ability and the new Craft ability. 	Five common artifacts with an enter-the-battlefield ability and the new Craft ability. 	Five common artifacts with an enter-the-battlefield ability and the new Craft ability. 	Five common artifacts with an enter-the-battlefield ability and the new Craft ability. 	Five common artifacts with an enter-the-battlefield ability and the new Craft ability.
Hidden Caves 	 	 	 	 	
Hidden Caves 	Five common nonbasic lands with the new Cave subtype that enter tapped. Each land can sacrifice itself to discover 4. 	Five common nonbasic lands with the new Cave subtype that enter tapped. Each land can sacrifice itself to discover 4. 	Five common nonbasic lands with the new Cave subtype that enter tapped. Each land can sacrifice itself to discover 4. 	Five common nonbasic lands with the new Cave subtype that enter tapped. Each land can sacrifice itself to discover 4. 	Five common nonbasic lands with the new Cave subtype that enter tapped. Each land can sacrifice itself to discover 4.
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Restless manlands	 	 	 	 	
Restless manlands	Five allied color lands that can become creatures with an ability and grant a bonus when they attack. They complete the land cycle introduced in Wilds of Eldraine. 	Five allied color lands that can become creatures with an ability and grant a bonus when they attack. They complete the land cycle introduced in Wilds of Eldraine. 	Five allied color lands that can become creatures with an ability and grant a bonus when they attack. They complete the land cycle introduced in Wilds of Eldraine. 	Five allied color lands that can become creatures with an ability and grant a bonus when they attack. They complete the land cycle introduced in Wilds of Eldraine. 	Five allied color lands that can become creatures with an ability and grant a bonus when they attack. They complete the land cycle introduced in Wilds of Eldraine.
===Double cycles===
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gold rares 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gold rares 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards. 	Ten rare dual-colored cards.
Gold signposts	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gold signposts	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for a draft archetype.
==Reprinted cards==
* first printed in Hour of Devastation, last seen in Secret Lair Drop Series: Fall Superdrop 2023
* first printed in Avacyn Restored, last seen in Lord of the Rings Commander
* first printed in Ixalan, last seen in Jumpstart
* first printed in Innistrad, last seen in Jumpstart 2022
* first printed in Ixalan, last seen in Secret Lair Drop Series: October Superdrop (2021)
* // first printed in Ixalan
* first printed in Core Set 2019
* first printed in Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
* first printed in Ixalan, last seen Timeshifted in Time Spiral Remastered and as a Secret Lair bonus Blueprint card
* first printed in Rivals of Ixalan, last seen in Jumpstart 2022
* // first printed in Ixalan, last seen in Secret Lair Commander Deck: From Cute to Brute
==Notable cards==
*On release in Magic: The Gathering Arena, was found to have a bug that allowed players to return artifact cards with a mana value greater than the total exiled with its second ability. The temporary ban did not remove the card from draft boosters but did render the card unplayable in limited formats.
===Banned and restricted cards===
*<c>Geological Appraiser</c> resembled <c>Bloodbraid Elf</c> in many ways, but the distinct difference of having an entry trigger rather than a cast trigger meant that three-mana clone creatures would re-trigger the effect. With a supporting framework that let it combo off on turn 3, it was determined that Pioneer was not the space for this combo and it was banned there and in Explorer in December 2023.
* helmed a combo deck in Pioneer alongside . Normally, when both were on the board and their controller gained life, it would almost certainly result in the Amalia player's victory, as they had a 20-power creature to swing into an empty board. However, the deck could also draw the game on command by finding any way to make Wildgrowth Walker indestructible, as Amalia's ability is not optional. This was deemed a problematic factor in the metagame and resulted in Amalia being banned in Pioneer on August 26, 2024.https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/announcements/august-26-2024-banned-and-restricted-announcement
==Preconstructed decks==
Lost Caverns features four Commander decks that are released as a regular part of a set's product line.
==Gallery==
===Key art===
File:LCIKeyArt1.jpg|"Cavern Crash" by RJ Palmer.
File:LCIKeyArt2.jpg|Featuring Gishath by Ilse Gort.
File:LCIKeyArt9.jpg|Featuring Okinec Ahau by Ilse Gort.
File:LCIKeyArt3.png|Featuring Pantlaza by Lie Setiawan.
File:LCIKeyArt4.png|Map of the Caverns for Commander Party by Gaboleps.
File:LCIKeyArt5.png|Featuring Huatli and Quint by Pindurski.
File:LCIKeyArt6.jpg|"Dinosaur Temple" by Bryan Sola.
File:LCIKeyArt7.jpg|Featuring Anim Pakal by Nestor Ossandon Leal.
File:LCIKeyArt8.jpg|Featuring Huatli and Quint by Anna Podedworna.
===Arena Avatars===
File:Beckett Brass MTGA avatar LCI.png|Admiral Beckett Brass.
File:Gishath MTGA avatar LCI.png|Gishath.
File:Huatli MTGA avatar LCI.png|Huatli, the Warrior-Poet.
File:Kellan MTGA avatar LCI.png|Kellan.
File:Okinec Ahau MTGA avatar LCI.png|Okinec Ahau, sovereign of the Malamet.
File:Quintorius Kand MTGA avatar LCI.png|Quintorius Kand.
File:Vito Quijano de Pasamonte MTGA avatar LCI.png|Vito Quijano de Pasamonte, before receiving Aclazotz's gifts.
==External links==
*Official product page.
*WPN product page.
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==References==