Wizards of the Coast shifted Magic: The Gathering power levels through the Desparking of at least 10 planeswalkers in March of the Machine: Aftermath and Wilds of Eldraine, with more slated to drop in future sets.
Nothing is permanent within the Magic Multiverse. What has been done can be undone. Planeswalkers losing their Spark isn’t a new concept within MTG. Ob Nixilis, one of the Desparked planeswalkers in March of the Machine: Aftermath (MAT), has lost his Spark before. Nicol Bolas lost his Spark following the events of WAR. And Karn had willingly given up his Spark, only to regain it through Venser giving his Spark to Karn.
How does MTG Planeswalker Spark work?
A Spark in the MTG Multiverse is a magical power that randomly appears in species, typically at a point before death, or during an intense and traumatic event. The Spark links to that species’ soul and allows the user to access mana (magic) from multiple planes within the Multiverse.
Losing one’s Spark cuts off mana access from other planes while also preventing the planeswalker from traveling freely across the MTG Multiverse. Sparks can get removed or be willingly given up. The effect of the Phyrexian war, as featured in MAT, is the first time in Magic’s history that a large number of planeswalkers have unwillingly lost their Spark.
All Planeswalkers Desparked in MTG following Multiverse war
For planeswalkers like Karn and Ob Nixilis, losing their Spark didn’t lead to the end of the Magic Multiverse. But things have changed following the events of MAT, due to a design choice by WotC. The Phyrexian war has permanently altered the Multiverse, causing many planeswalkers to lose their Spark.
March of the Machine and March of the Machine: Aftermath desparked Planeswalkers
Within the MAT set, a mini-set following the release of MOM, a total of 10 Desparked planeswalkers are featured:
- Calix, Guided by Fate
- Kiora, Sovereign of the Deep
- Narset, Enlightened Exile
- Ob Nixilis, Captive Kingpin
- Samut, Vizier of Naktamun
- Sarkhan, Soul Aflame
- Tyvar the Bellicose
- Nissa, Resurgent Animist
- Nahiri, Forged in Fury
- Karn, Legacy Reforged
Wilds of Eldraine desparked Planeswalkers
Two desparked MTG Planeswalkers were featured in the Wilds of Eldraine (WOE) set: Will and Rowan Kenrith.
- Rowan, Scion of War
- Will, Scion of Peace
The WOE set also featured a returning Planeswalker who didn’t lose their Spark, Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator.
Lost Caverns of Ixalan desparked Planeswalkers
No Lost Caverns of Ixalan spoilers have dropped at the time of writing but it is suspected that Huatli will get added to the desparked Planeswalker list.
Other planeswalkers who have lost their Spark are expected to show up in future Magic sets. All MTG planeswalkers who are printed after the MAT set without a Spark will get added upon a previewed release.
Update Sept. 22 10:45am CT: Updated Desparked MTG Planeswalkers for WOE and potential candidates within LCI.
