Legions (Magic: The Gathering)

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Legions
Expansion symbol Legions uncommon expansion symbol Legions rare expansion symbol
two crossing spears on a shield
Release date January 2003
Mechanics Creatures, Tribal Themes
Keywords Amplify, Provoke,
Double Strike
Size 145 cards
Expansion code LGN
Development codename Moe


Sets in Onslaught Block
Onslaught Legions Scourge
Magic: The Gathering
Chronology
Onslaught Legions Scourge

Legions is the second set in the Onslaught block of cards of Magic: The Gathering, along with the expansions Onslaught and Scourge. It contained 145 cards which continued on the themes started in Onslaught. Its expansion symbol is two spears behind a shield.

Contents

[edit] Set history

Legions is the first and only expansion in Magic to be 100% creature cards. This was done to help amplify the creature-based mechanics of the block. While there were quality cards, Limited play could become stale. The set also features the return of the fan favorite creature type, the Slivers.

[edit] Storyline

Kamahl and the Cabal, in their uneasy alliance, set out to defeat the threat of Akroma. Ixidor was killed, but Akroma continues her mission to destroy Phage. Meanwhile, the slivers (last spotted in Tempest and its era) have been reintroduced as clones of the originals. In a final battle, Phage and Akroma merge into one being, Karona, the false god.

[edit] Mechanics

The following mechanics first appeared in Legions:

  • Amplify - As a creature with Amplify came into play, its controller could reveal creature cards from their hand that shared a type with it to add +1/+1 counters. Creatures with Amplify were generally costly.
  • Provoke - Based on a card from Stronghold, when a creature with provoke attacked, it could untap an opponent's creature and force that creature to block it.
  • Double Strike - A mechanic suggested by a fan during the Magic Website's You Make the Card Promo and was officially turned into a mechanic. A creature with Double Strike would deal both First Strike and regular combat damage.
  • Morph Triggered Abilities - Some creatures had an ability that would trigger upon turning face up.

[edit] Notable cards

  • Akroma, Angel of Wrath - A 6/6 Legendary Angel with seven keyword abilities, the most abilities of any creature in Magic. Akroma saw a fair amount of tournament play. It has been reprinted as a Timeshifted card in Time Spiral.[1]
  • Phage the Untouchable a card that is considered the mirror of Akroma, and is capable of killing any creature it damages, or causing a player to lose the game. [2]
  • Mistform Ultimus - An enigmatic Mistform creature. It is of every creature type (even when it isn't in play). According to the Card of The Day feature on Magic's online site, if all the creature types were listed on Mistform Ultimus, the text would be .40 point. It is one of the cards which got reprinted in Time Spiral, and is now a legendary creature (due to Legend being a creature type before Kamigawa legend rules change).

[edit] External links

Magic: The Gathering sets
Advanced Level Core sets: Alpha, Beta, Unlimited, Revised, 4th Edition, 5th Edition, 6th Edition, 7th Edition, 8th Edition, 9th Edition, 10th Edition
Expert Level Early Sets
Arabian Nights, Antiquities, Legends, The Dark, Fallen Empires, Homelands
Expert Level Block Expansion Sets

Ice Age Block: Ice Age, Alliances, Coldsnap
Mirage Block: Mirage, Visions, Weatherlight
Rath Cycle: Tempest, Stronghold, Exodus
Urza Block: Urza's Saga, Urza's Legacy, Urza's Destiny
Masques Block: Mercadian Masques, Nemesis, Prophecy

Invasion Block: Invasion, Planeshift, Apocalypse
Odyssey Block: Odyssey, Torment, Judgment
Onslaught Block: Onslaught, Legions, Scourge
Mirrodin Block: Mirrodin, Darksteel, Fifth Dawn
Kamigawa Block: Champions of Kamigawa, Betrayers of Kamigawa, Saviors of Kamigawa

Ravnica Block: Ravnica: City of Guilds, Guildpact, Dissension
Time Spiral Block: Time Spiral, Planar Chaos, Future Sight
Lorwyn Mini-Block: Lorwyn, Morningtide
Shadowmoor Mini-Block: Shadowmoor, Eventide
Alara Block: Shards of Alara, Paper, Scissors

Un-Sets Starter Level Sets Compilations/reprint/gift box sets
Unglued, Unhinged

Portal, Portal Second Age, Portal Three Kingdoms, Starter, Starter 2000

Chronicles, Renaissance, Anthologies, Battle Royale, Beatdown, Deckmasters, Masters Edition, Duel Decks: Elves vs. Goblins, From the Vault: Dragons