Whilst not a block in and of itself, Lorwyn–Shadowmoor block is a combination of the Lorwyn and Shadowmoor (mini-)blocks.[1][2] The block was released over 2007–2008.[3][4]
Connection
Although these mini-blocks are distinct in terms of game mechanics, they are linked in their flavor (being set on alternate versions of the same plane) and are treated as a single block for the purpose of rotation. With the release of Shadowmoor, Lorwyn–Shadowmoor block also replaced Lorwyn block for the Block Constructed format.
Sets
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Lorwyn block
The Lorwyn block is the thirteenth block; unlike all previous blocks, it consist of only two sets: the large expansion, Lorwyn () and the small expansion, Morningtide (). The block came out in 2007-2008.
Keywords introduced in this block: Champion, Changeling, Clash, Evoke, Hideaway, Kinship, Prowl, and Reinforce.
Planeswalker, a new card type, debuted in this block. Tribal, another new card type, debuted in the previous block but was fleshed out in Lorwyn.
The race/class system is a major theme of this block.[5] Each creature in the block belonged to one of the following nine creature types: Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Giant, Goblin, Kithkin, Merfolk, Shapeshifter, and Treefolk.
Mega cycles
Three mega cycles exist across the block's two sets:
- Mono-colored legends: Each of these rare legendary creatures represents one of the main protagonists of the Lorwyn and Morningtide novels — Brigid, Hero of Kinsbaile, Vendilion Clique, Maralen of the Mornsong, Ashling the Pilgrim, Rhys the Exiled.
- Rare changelings: Each of these rare shapeshifter creatures has changeling and another powerful ability — Mirror Entity, Shapesharer, Cairn Wanderer, Taurean Mauler, Chameleon Colossus.
- Tribal lands: Each of these rare lands comes into play tapped unless you reveal a card in your hand of a certain creature type; there was one for each of the block's eight tribes.
- The tribal lands from Lorwyn could each be tapped for either of its tribe's colors — Ancient Amphitheater (giants, red and white), Auntie's Hovel (goblins, red and black), Gilt-Leaf Palace (elves, green and black), Secluded Glen (faeries, blue and black), and Wanderwine Hub (merfolk, blue and white).
- The tribal lands from Morningtide had different abilities from the lands in the previous set but shared their "tribal untap" ability — Murmuring Bosk (treefolk, counts as a Forest, can also be tapped for white or black mana at the cost of 1 damage), Primal Beyond (elementals, can be tapped for any color of mana but only to pay for elemental spells), and Rustic Clachan (kithkin, can be tapped only for white mana but has reinforce).
- Two cards, the common Shimmering Grotto and rare Mutavault, were associated with the changeling "tribe," but were not part of the cycle.
Theme decks
Shadowmoor block
The Shadowmoor block is the fourteenth block; as a mini-block it consist of only two sets: one large expansion, Shadowmoor (), and one small expansion, Eventide (). The block came out during the first half of 2008.
Ability word introduced: Chroma
Keywords introduced in this block: Conspire, Persist, Retrace, Wither.
Mechanics introduced in this block: The untap symbol (
).
A major theme of the Shadowmoor block was color. Hybrid mana, introduced in the Ravnica block, was brought back in Shadowmoor and given a more thorough treatment. -1/-1 counters were among the block's minor themes.
Mega cycles
Seven mega cycles exist between the two sets, each made up of ten cards, one for each color pair.
- Common hybrid one-drops: Each of these common creatures has a mana cost of one hybrid mana — Zealous Guardian, Oona's Gatewarden, Manaforge Cinder, Scuzzback Scrapper, Elvish Hexhunter, Nip Gwyllion, Stream Hopper, Odious Trow, Duergar Assailant, and Slippery Bogle.
- Demigods: Each of these Spirit Avatar creatures has a converted mana cost of 5, made up entirely of hybrid mana symbols — Godhead of Awe, Ghastlord of Fugue, Demigod of Revenge, Deus of Calamity, Oversoul of Dusk, Divinity of Pride, Dominus of Fealty, Deity of Scars, Nobilis of War and Overbeing of Myth.
- Demigod auras: These auras grants +1/+1 and one of two bonuses to a creature if it matches one of its colors, or +2/+2 and both bonuses if it matches both — Steel of the Godhead, Helm of the Ghastlord, Fists of the Demigod, Runes of the Deus, Shield of the Oversoul, Edge of the Divinity, Clout of the Dominus, Gift of the Deity, Scourge of the Nobilis, and Favor of the Overbeing.
- Hybrid filter lands: Each of these rare lands can be tapped for
mana. They also have the ability "M/N, : Add MM, MN, or NN to your mana pool." where M and N are two different colors — Mystic Gate, Sunken Ruins, Graven Cairns, Fire-Lit Thicket, Wooded Bastion, Fetid Heath, Cascade Bluffs, Twilight Mire, Rugged Prairie, and Flooded Grove. - Hybrid modal spells: Each of these uncommon hybrid spells has different effects depending on which of two colors were used to play it — Repel Intruders, River's Grasp, Torrent of Souls, Firespout, Dawnglow Infusion, Batwing Brume, Unnerving Assault, Cankerous Thirst, Moonhold, and Invert the Skies.
- Hybrid three-drops: Each of these uncommon creatures has a converted mana cost of , made up entirely of hybrid mana — Plumeveil, Wasp Lancer, Ashenmoor Gouger, Boggart Ram-Gang, Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers, Restless Apparition, Crag Puca, Stalker Hag, Hearthfire Hobgoblin, and Wistful Selkie.
- Lieges: Each of these creatures has a mana cost of nHHH, where H is a hybrid mana symbol and n an integer of generic mana. Each liege holds two seperate abilities that provides a +1/+1 bonus to a creature that matches either color, which stacks for those that match both, and each has an ability or effect appropriate its colors.
- The lieges from Shadowmoor have allied-color costs and the Knight creature type — Thistledown Liege, Glen Elendra Liege, Ashenmoor Liege, Boartusk Liege, Wilt-Leaf Liege.
- The lieges from Eventide have enemy-color costs and the Horror creature type — Deathbringer Liege, Mindwrack Liege, Murkfiend Liege, and Balefire Liege, Creakwood Liege.
