Khans of Tarkir: A Retrospective on One of Magic’s Most Beloved Blocks

Introduction

In the vast and ever-expanding multiverse of Magic: The Gathering, certain sets resonate with players long after their release. Khans of Tarkir, a set that stormed onto the scene in 2014, stands out as one such example. Set on the dragonless plane of Tarkir, this block introduced five distinctive clans, each embodying a unique three-color wedge identity. More than just a collection of cards, Khans of Tarkir was a masterful blend of lore, mechanics, and strategic depth that continues to captivate players to this day.

This retrospective delves into what made Khans of Tarkir so special. We’ll explore the rich worldbuilding and the philosophies of the Abzan, Jeskai, Sultai, Mardu, and Temur clans. We will examine the impactful mechanics that defined the set and investigate the key cards that shaped multiple formats. We’ll also revisit the Limited environment and uncover the legacy that Khans of Tarkir left on the game. But, most importantly, we will discover why this set still holds a special place in the hearts of Magic players. Why does this wedge-colored set continue to be referenced, analyzed, and celebrated? Let’s uncover the answer together.

The World of Tarkir: A Plane Forged in the Absence of Dragons

Tarkir is unlike any other plane in the Magic multiverse. Its defining characteristic is the absence of dragons, a void that has profoundly shaped the landscape, culture, and power structures. Instead of dragons ruling the skies, the plane is dominated by five warring clans, each vying for dominance and adhering to a distinct philosophy. These clans are not mere factions; they are reflections of the values that shape their people and guide their actions.

The Abzan, embodying the principle of Endurance, represent a society rooted in family, tradition, and perseverance. Their strongholds are built to last, and their warriors are trained to withstand any hardship. Their focus is on outlasting their opponents through resilience.

The Jeskai, champions of Cunning, believe in wisdom, enlightenment, and the pursuit of knowledge through martial arts and meditation. They seek to outsmart their foes through carefully crafted plans and a mastery of both the body and mind.

The Sultai, driven by a thirst for Ruthless power, are ambitious, decadent, and unafraid to employ any means necessary to achieve their goals. Necromancy, manipulation, and the exploitation of others are all tools in their arsenal. Their focus lies in obtaining power at any cost.

The Mardu, bound by the principle of Speed, are honor-bound warriors who value aggression, efficiency, and relentless pursuit in combat. They believe in striking swiftly and decisively, leaving their enemies no time to recover. Their mantra is to dominate through unyielding force.

Finally, the Temur, epitomizing Savagery, are fierce survivalists who revere strength, instinct, and the untamed power of nature. They embrace the wild and the untamed, valuing raw power and instinct over rigid structure. They triumph through unbridled strength and instinct.

Mechanics of Khans of Tarkir: A Reflection of Clan Ideologies

The mechanics of Khans of Tarkir were meticulously designed to reflect the philosophies of the five clans. Each keyword ability perfectly encapsulated the clan’s identity and playstyle.

Outlast, the Abzan’s signature mechanic, granted creatures +one/+one counters, symbolizing the clan’s commitment to long-term growth and resilience. This mechanic emphasized a slow, steady accumulation of power, reflecting the Abzan’s focus on enduring through adversity.

Prowess, the Jeskai’s keyword, triggered whenever a noncreature spell was cast, providing a temporary boost to the creature’s power and toughness. This rewarded a spell-slinging playstyle, reflecting the Jeskai’s emphasis on cunning, quick thinking, and mastery of both physical and mental disciplines.

Delve, the Sultai’s mechanic, allowed players to exile cards from their graveyard to reduce the mana cost of spells. This mirrored the Sultai’s willingness to sacrifice anything for power, even desecrating the dead to fuel their ambitions. It encouraged aggressive graveyard strategies.

Raid, the Mardu’s ability, triggered when the player had attacked this turn. This rewarded an aggressive, attacking playstyle, embodying the Mardu’s relentless pursuit of victory through speed and force. It encouraged a relentless assault from the very beginning.

Morph, present in all five clans, allowed players to cast creatures face down for three mana. They can be turned face up later for their morph cost. This mechanic added an element of mystery and bluffing to the game, allowing players to disguise their creatures and surprise their opponents.

Key Cards and Their Impact: Shaping Formats and Defining Eras

Khans of Tarkir introduced numerous powerful cards that had a lasting impact on various formats, from Standard to Legacy.

The fetch lands (such as Flooded Strand, Bloodstained Mire, and Polluted Delta) were perhaps the most significant contribution of the set. They revolutionized mana bases, enabling smoother color fixing and consistent access to the desired lands. Their impact on Modern and Legacy was immense, shaping deckbuilding strategies and increasing the speed and consistency of many archetypes.

Siege Rhino became the poster child of the Khans of Tarkir Standard era. This efficient creature provided a powerful combination of offense, defense, and life gain, making it a staple in midrange decks and a formidable threat for opponents to deal with.

Dig Through Time and Treasure Cruise, while initially praised for their power, eventually proved to be too strong. They were banned in multiple formats due to their ability to generate massive card advantage at a low cost, warping the metagame and stifling creativity.

Other notable cards included Mantis Rider (a fast, aggressive threat), Monastery Swiftspear (a key component of aggressive strategies), and Anafenza, the Foremost (a powerful hate card against graveyard-based decks).

Limited Environment: Drafting the Clans

The Khans of Tarkir Limited environment was a complex and rewarding experience. The wedge-colored nature of the set made mana fixing essential, encouraging players to prioritize lands and mana-producing artifacts.

Each clan offered a distinct archetype, with unique strategies and playstyles. Drafting Abzan often involved a grindy, attrition-based approach, utilizing Outlast to build up powerful creatures. Jeskai relied on tempo and card advantage, using Prowess and efficient spells to control the board. Sultai focused on graveyard strategies, utilizing Delve to cast powerful threats. Mardu employed aggressive strategies, using Raid to overwhelm opponents with quick attacks. Temur prioritized big creatures and efficient removal, utilizing the ferocity of the wild to dominate the battlefield.

The Story and Lore: A Time Before Dragons

The storyline of Khans of Tarkir centered around the conflict between the five clans and their leaders, the Khans. Each Khan sought to dominate the plane and enforce their clan’s philosophy. However, the story took an unexpected turn when Sarkhan Vol, a planeswalker native to Tarkir, intervened.

Driven by a desire to restore the dragons to his home plane, Sarkhan traveled back in time, using a powerful artifact to alter the course of history. This led to the events of Fate Reforged, where the clans were transformed into dragon broods.

Legacy and Influence: A Lasting Impression

Khans of Tarkir left an indelible mark on Magic: The Gathering. Its impact on deckbuilding and mana base construction is still felt today, particularly in formats where fetch lands are legal. The set also influenced future set designs, with mechanics like Prowess and Delve inspiring similar abilities in later sets.

Khans of Tarkir cards continue to see play in various formats, most notably Commander, where the wedge-colored commanders offer unique and compelling deckbuilding possibilities.

Players continue to be nostalgic for Khans of Tarkir because it offered a unique blend of compelling lore, engaging mechanics, and memorable characters. The set’s focus on wedge colors created a diverse and flavorful environment, allowing players to express their creativity and build unique decks. The impact on mana bases and archetypes further cemented its place in Magic’s history.

Conclusion

Khans of Tarkir was more than just a Magic: The Gathering set; it was a cultural phenomenon that resonated with players on multiple levels. Its rich worldbuilding, innovative mechanics, and memorable cards created a lasting legacy that continues to be celebrated today. The clans of Tarkir, with their distinct philosophies and playstyles, offered a compelling framework for deckbuilding and strategy. As a result, Khans of Tarkir remains one of the most beloved and influential blocks in Magic’s history. Will we ever see a return to the Dragonless Tarkir? Only time will tell, but the set’s impact will continue to be felt in the game for years to come.