Delving into the Temporal Tides: The Setting of Time Spiral
The Time Spiral block of Magic: The Gathering is primarily set on the plane of Dominaria, specifically following a return to this iconic location. This visit marked the first time players and the storyline had revisited Dominaria since the 8th Edition. This plane, rich with history and lore, provides the backdrop for a narrative heavily focused on the manipulation of time itself. This choice allowed the designers to craft a block brimming with references to the game’s past while exploring new temporal mechanics.
The Heart of the Matter: Dominaria’s Temporal Troubles
Dominaria during the Time Spiral block isn’t the same vibrant world players might have remembered. Time itself has become unstable, leading to temporal rifts appearing across the landscape. These rifts are not merely cosmetic; they cause physical distortions and bleed in elements from both the past and potential futures of Dominaria. This temporal chaos is the central element of the setting, driving the plot and influencing card designs within the block. Locations previously known now exist alongside echoes of themselves or variations, making the world both familiar and disorienting.
The narrative of Time Spiral revolves around the return of the continent of Shiv, a once-great landmass that had been displaced in the timeline. The attempt to return Shiv to its rightful place in the world threatens the very fabric of Dominaria. The plane is on the brink of annihilation and this crisis is driven by the temporal instability wreaking havoc across its lands. This struggle creates a sense of urgency, reflecting the “time is running out” theme emphasized by the hourglass set symbol.
The Significance of the Setting
The return to Dominaria was significant, as it allowed players to reconnect with characters and locations from the game’s earliest days. Time Spiral is not just set on Dominaria, but also in Dominaria’s past and future, making it a complex tapestry of temporal distortion. This deliberate choice made the set a celebration of Magic: The Gathering’s heritage, creating a nostalgic yet novel experience. This was achieved by the unique mix of cards which brought back old frame design through the timeshifted cards, which appeared with a purple expansion symbol to indicate their otherworldliness.
Time Spiral: A Trip Through Time
The setting of Time Spiral is not confined to a static location, but also stretches across the timeline. The Time Spiral set focuses primarily on events of the past, incorporating design elements and specific references to older sets. Planar Chaos, the second expansion of the block, is set in an alternative timeline on Dominaria, showing how small changes can drastically alter the course of history. Finally, Future Sight showcases possible future timelines of Dominaria, introducing elements from hypothetical expansions that were later incorporated into the game. This three-part approach makes Time Spiral more than just a visit to a single location, but a journey through the entire history (and future) of Dominaria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Time Spiral Standard legal?
No, the original Time Spiral set is not Standard legal. Time Spiral Remastered, released in 2021, is also not Standard legal by default, unless a specific card is also present in a Standard-legal set.
2. What is the significance of the purple symbol in Time Spiral?
The purple symbol in Time Spiral and Time Spiral Remastered indicates the timeshifted cards. These cards are printed in an old-style frame and represent cards from the past brought into the present timeline. They are also considered a higher rarity than regular rares within the sets.
3. What is the Time Spiral set symbol?
The set symbol for the original Time Spiral expansion is an hourglass, emphasizing the set’s focus on time and the concept of time running out.
4. When was Time Spiral released?
The Time Spiral block consists of three sets: Time Spiral (October 6, 2006), Planar Chaos (February 2, 2007), and Future Sight (May 4, 2007).
5. What does ‘timeshifted’ mean in the context of Time Spiral?
Timeshifted cards are cards from Magic’s past that are included in the Time Spiral block. They are distinguished by their retro border and the purple expansion symbol. They are considered rarer than regular rare cards.
6. How does Time Spiral Remastered relate to the original set?
Time Spiral Remastered is a curated collection of cards from the original Time Spiral block and other associated sets. It does not add cards to Standard, but is aimed at Limited play and collectors. It maintains the core themes of the original block.
7. What happened in the story of Time Spiral?
The main conflict in the storyline revolves around the return of Shiv to Dominaria, leading to temporal rifts and potential destruction. Figures like Teferi and Jhoira are central to the narrative as they attempt to stabilize the timeline.
8. How are the cards of Time Spiral designed?
Time Spiral card designs are heavily based on nostalgia, with many cards directly referencing older cards from past Magic: The Gathering sets. It is intentionally a love letter to the history of the game.
9. What is the symbol for the Future Sight set?
The set symbol for Future Sight is an eye, perhaps representing looking into the future through a time rift. It represents the future-looking theme of the final set within the block.
10. Is Dominaria Remastered Standard legal?
Like Time Spiral Remastered, Dominaria Remastered cards are not Standard legal unless they are already legal in a Standard format. The set itself is for Limited play and collecting purposes.
11. What is Universes Beyond Commander?
Universes Beyond Commander are sets that incorporate characters and settings from other intellectual properties into Magic: The Gathering. They are not designed to be Standard-legal but are designed for use in Eternal formats, such as Commander.
12. How many boosters are in a Time Spiral Remastered box?
A Time Spiral Remastered Draft Booster Box contains 36 booster packs. Each pack contains 15 Magic cards and 1 ad/token.
13. How many timeshifted cards are in Time Spiral Remastered?
There are 121 timeshifted cards in Time Spiral Remastered, all with the purple expansion symbol and retro frame. They are a specific selection of cards and are intended to be a unique feature of the set.
14. What is the theme of the Time Spiral block?
The core theme of the Time Spiral block is time itself. It explores elements of the past, present, and future, and how these can be manipulated and intertwined. The block makes use of temporal manipulation mechanics as well as a nostalgic look at Magic’s past.
15. Why is Time Spiral Remastered considered a good set?
Time Spiral Remastered is considered a good set due to its emphasis on quality reprints and high collectability. The majority of the cards within the set are known quantities, meaning the monetary value for many cards is fairly stable, thus avoiding many of the potential pitfalls of a newly released set.