Alara Nostalgia

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

As the Magic: the Gathering community has absorbed the latest set, Journey into Nyx, which completes the Theros block and now waits for the fall expansion of Kahns of Tarkir, we can't but help look back on previous sets.  One such set that really engaged us from both a storyline and cards was Shards of Alara.  

We've had a few of the 'Lorwyn five' planeswalkers but have to say that Elspeth, Knight Errant really delivered and got us playing a variety of decklists including her, mostly Bant (green / white / blue).  Here's a few of the signature cards from this set along with the page they are featured on within the Planeswalker's Guide to Alara.
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A planeswalker and skilled knight, Elspeth wants nothing more than to sheathe her sword for the last time and find a plane to call home. Violence and destruction have a tendency to follow her, and she is constantly driven to take up arms and wield her defensive magic in the service of those who need her protection.
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Naya
Life, passion, community, and the wild—these are what flourish without the influence of black or blue mana. In this lush land, life is celebrated. Instinct triumphs over machination. Here titanic predators are shown respect, while humans, elves, and catfolk called leonin seek to revere and respect nature.

Bant
Without the destructive or selfish impulses of red and black mana, Bant has become a golden utopia. Angels rule the realm with benevolence and grace. Humans and the birdfolk called aven resolve their conflicts with ritualized combat. Duty and honor are the bedrock of this kingdom of light.

We have to say that Matt Stewart's Battlegrace Angel is one of our very favourite Angel illustrations.

Esper
In this world of wind and wave, control is the guiding force. Cut off from the chaos of red and green mana, Esper has become a magocracy. Enigmatic sphinxes counsel powerful wizards and seers. Everything here is observed and controlled. The forces of high magic rule supreme.

Grixis
What becomes of a world without new life? The dark wasteland of Grixis answers the question. Its denizens desperately cling to its remaining lifeforce. Without the communal forces of white and green to bring life and compassion, it's every ghoul, demon, and necromancer for themselves.

Jund
In the absence of white or blue mana, Jund has devolved into a roiling, primordial cesspit. Dragons top the food chain, at home in Jund's countless volcanoes. While dragons stalk the skies, humans, goblins, and the lizardfolk called viashino lie low in Jund's tar-spotted, vine-choked canyons. 

We never we able to pick up Broodmate Dragon and will need to check with MTG Mint Card to see if they have any.

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