What Happened in Innistrad Block?

Midnight Hunt and Crimson Vow will bring us back to Innistrad, but with two previous visits (and some supplementary set appearances) there's a lot of history you might not know! Get the story behind the cards as we look at Liliana, Garruk, Sorin, Tibalt and the completely out-of-place Tamiyo...
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[@thegarunixking1101]

"Seeing a Planeswalker on their home plane kinda defeats the whole purpose of them being a Planeswalker in the first place." This is why I don't like Ral Zarek, the mad scientist from Ravnica who has never left Ravnica. I'm firmly of the opinion that Ral Zarek actually isn't a planeswalker, it's just one day Jace asked him "Do you have a Spark?" and as an electromancer, Ral didn't understand the question and said yes.

[@MagicArcanum]

In the War of the Spark books, he does leave the plane to hunt down Tezzeret, but I agree it's disappointing we haven't seen him leave Ravnica within the game itself.

[@draxthemsklonst]

Isn't Niv Mizzet pulling an Alhammerret on Ral?

[@arnelarroyo2032]

uhm, Domri, uhm 😅😅😅

[@GBF963]

Sorry to "ehm actually" you but ral is not from ravnica

[@justharry2190]

@@GBF963 he is tho...

[@Jaebird88]

I honestly do miss when sets were made up of three parts because it was a hell of a lot easier to determine when they rotate out of Standard.

[@snazzystardust608]

I mean, we're in the middle of a two block set. And next year we have two Dominaria sets in a row

[@KisUbbancs]

Honestly, my favourite plane. AND I'VE ONLY BEEN PLAYING SINCE RAVNICA ALIGENCE! Sorin is my best boy, Lilliana is best girl and Tamyo is the biggest emo in magic. Love the video. This is what I subscribed for.

[@Bonavire]

I accidentally went to my lgs on the night of the Eldritch Moon pre-release lol, ended up sticking around the whole night and that was my first ever magic event

[@BSengen]

Tamyo was the first plansewalker I ever opened. It was in draft and I was told not to play it because it was 3 colors

[@markthegriffin]

I started in Shadows Over Innistrad with the precon werewolf deck, and immediately fell in love with the lore of Innistrad. Glad to know newer player are still getting hype for it too🤙

[@eitanelran3877]

Sorin is your best boy but Tamiyo is the emo one? Confuz

[@MusicoftheDamned]

I am *very* confused as to how anyone would see Tamiyo as "emo" when she's an enthusiastic historian who never really complains or overreacts about anything.

[@vitamind2943]

I got sad when they turned Champion of the Parish into a zombie, he made a really good human. Sad to see all his friends died. Although he is a nice inclusion into my zombie tribal commander deck.

[@DragonxFlutter]

"You see, back in the day, Magic would release three sets in a row!" Yeah, it's almost like the Three Act Structure is fundamental to storytelling and trying to tell an entire story in one set is asinine and flies in the face of the idea of telling stories itself. But that's just my opinion. >sips coffee< EDIT: I got into Magic for the first time after Innistrad, on the first Return to Ravnica. But I do have a fond recollection of an Innistrad card. On that fateful Friday Night Magic in 2013, I picked up my first ever pre-built deck, the Orzhov Gatecrash pre-built. As I played with it, somebody - as a _gift_ - gave me a copy of Dearly Departed to use within my deck. My first ever Innistrad card.

[@nik700]

I know how hard is for mtg channells to take a break from the constant new stuff, so it's nice to see some old lore here. Also, Eldritch Moon is responsible for getting me back into magic, so everything Innistrad related is always welcomed with a smile

[@Grand_Admiral_Thrawn2630]

Avacyn will always hold a special place in my heart. One of the first REALLY strong cards I ever owned, and I will never part with it. Currently she exists as a win con in my Kaalia deck.

[@archonambroseus]

I very much enjoyed the video, but I do have a nit to pick: Your pronunciation of Griselbrand, while it does match the card as printed, does not reflect current errata. Per guidelines, the card (and character) is more properly named Grizzelbizzie, The GrisFather, GrisDaddy, or G-Money, depending on particular circumstance and level of kink. Thank you for your diligence and kind attention to these matters.

[@MagicArcanum]

...I blame Nicole.

[@Aelesis]

Personally I can only think of him as "Griselbanned"

[@EffinChat]

I use "Big Griz"

[@ms.aelanwyr.ilaicos]

@@Aelesis A name made famous by Commander, where he's also known as "this is *not* a fixed Yawgmoth's Bargain"

[@billbuehler4959]

Notorious B.I.Griz

[@benjaminthompson860]

You do an Amazing Job on these, I love how you explain the story.

[@MagicArcanum]

Thank you so much!

[@StinkyDinky_]

love these. wish the lore was still deep and felt like there was an epic story unfolding behind the scenes that i can unravel somewhat but is only hinted at by cards. recent sets lore on cards has been very bland, at least to me, and i haven't heard anything good about the stories on the mothership. It sucks because I want that feeling back but im not sure how to vote with my dollar on such gradual change

[@MagicArcanum]

Yeah we're in a weird spot right now in terms of voting with our wallets, you're right about that.

[@Ubylosthispants]

I think John Leguizamo would be a great Tibalt, he has proved he can do a fantastic malevolent comedic character in Spawn and he had played Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet.

[@marekvincibr5884]

The current Innistrad stories are pretty good so go vote with your internet browser.

[@danielmaxson4287]

Although a completely different game from Magic, the Arkham Horror LCG is all about story both in terms of gameplay and in the flavor of the cards. Depending where you fall on the "card game with story" vs "Magic mechanics" spectrum, it might be a good one to "vote on".

[@pluckstrummer]

I started playing magic with Shadows Over Innistrad, and I thought the flavor was so cool. Then when I learned about the stories, and how it was part of a whole epic storyline, I was hooked! Definitely my favorite plane.

[@DocPyro]

Shadows over Innistrad was the first set I got to play with when I started, so hearing about cards from the original one and hearing that story is like being told what my Grandpa did when he was my age. A weird but wholesome feeling. Can't wait for the Shadows over Innistrad episode here!

[@knnh3361]

I actually liked Fateful hour mechanics, it plays well with the set, humans making a brave last stand

[@Monster_Cuck]

Man I only recently started playing and have always been a big nerd for werewolves and vampires and couldn't wait for this set!! Love all your videos and can't wait to be a Lore Mage!!!

[@goblinrat6119]

Thinking about it, I think Henry Cavill would be a really good Sorin. He's got the looks for it (just look at that jawline) and he can do an edgy anti-hero very well.

[@jsum33]

No way. Henry is way too jacked to be Sorin.

[@dragonfire72]

​@@jsum33he could be someone like Lukka or Gideon

[@JediMasterMcNelly]

I missed out on playing during all the old Innistrad sets, so this video was incredibly helpful. Very much looking forward to the Shadows video!!

[@kend6916]

Your videos give a refreshing take on Magic. It takes me back to reasons why I fell in love with the game in the first place: the lore

[@JCetto.2612]

One of my favorite planes in the game... And YES! TOM Cruise is the one to play Sorin... The first video I watch from you was "Who is Sorin" and I recall pointing that the front artwork for Sorin's Planeswalker deck (by Chris Rain) looked like Tom Cruise! I know I say this a lot, but... This is one HECK of a video! Thank you Ryan and Nicole!! I can't wait to the next installment of this block! Thank you very much and greetings all the way from Lima, Perú!!

[@Aelesis]

As someone who came across Magic Arcanum by way of your video on Sorin, my favourite MTG character, this whole video is like delectable candy to me. The conscious emphasis on recaps is a really nice touch, can't wait for the Shadows block video!

[@bartleby116]

So, this is the block that started my rebound into MtG during college. My friend bought a box of one of the first 2 sets, and invited me and a few others to draft. I hadn't played MtG since I was a kid with sets like 7th edition and Scourge. And it struck me just how crazy different this felt. It felt almost like playing an entirely different card game. We went super hard into MtG the next year with Avacyn Restored. We all went to the prerelease and split for a box. For my other friend's birthday that year we made a binder with all sorts of angel cards, his favorite creature type. This set will always have a special place in my heart for those memories.

[@MagicArcanum]

Thanks for sharing your story!

[@yoav.kats6328]

Gisa and Geralf are my favorites they have such a fun dynamics and I also love it that they are only features in storys that are written in the form of letters or journals its such a uniq tool that is used so well.

[@treethegreat52890]

OG Innistrad got me back into magic as well but i was a Sophomore in college working at a pizza joint. When we'd close for the night we'd all play a few games. Gruul and Golgari were and always will be my jam.

[@okanut]

Awesome video! I'm glad we're actually staying on Innistrad for more than set this time. And Tom Holland as Tibalt would be super fun to watch, especially in Kaldheim's storyline!

[@latonyacato2196]

Honestly I love listening to your magic videos every time I exercise i’m not a great magic player but hearing the lore is just amazing I really hope you make amazing concert like this forever

[@MagicArcanum]

Glad you like them!

[@marekvincibr5884]

There are new pretty good Innistrad webfictions coming out right now. I can honestly recommend them.

[@holyordersol2668]

Innistrad block (aka 1.0) has a special place in my heart because it was the set that finally got me into Magic, after nearly as decade of my older friends trying to get me into it. For a favorite character, it had to be pre-Shadows Over Innistrad Sorin, before they destroyed his character by turning him into a petulant, vengeful has-been. I have fond memories of pouring over his tidbits of lore in Zendikar, in the novel, reading his Duels of the Planeswalkers (2009) articles about how he was older and more experienced than all of the known planeswalkers at the time (including Liliana), except Bolas. Then Shadows came out, painted him as being wrong for trying to safeguard Innistrad, then had him make stupid pride-filled mistakes that one would not expect a millennia's old being to make; especially not one that understood the balance required to maintain Innistrad's ecosystem. That aside, @Magic Arcanum, thank you for recapping the endlessly flavorful events of Innistrad block. :D

[@Shawncvd]

Heartless Summoning! My pet deck was in Gryxis w/ sphere of suns, Phyrex Metamorphs, Sad Robots, Urabrask, Rune scarred Demons, Inferno Titans, Olivia Voldaren and a few more. The FNM scene at my LGS during Innistrad was so fun w all the ghoulies coming out to play. Also original Innistrad was my favorite draft format!

[@tbone6704]

Looking forward to the Kamigawa videos way more than the actual cards. Keep up the great work!

[@thenardedgamer247]

When I see a new Arcanum video, I click instantly! & Innistrad, OOHHHH YES!!

[@tcferguson9587]

Getting a Zombie apocalypse in a booster blew my mind, i had no idea it existed and when i found it, i began building the best zombie deck i could, and still to this day continue to play and innovate that deck, with all the best zombies in my collection

[@jozzyalthefool9273]

Mistress Olivia is easily the best part of Innistrad. She is just so stunning whenever she makes an appearance

[@billcypher564]

the best thing about the new innistrad set as of yet are the videos retelling the great old stories :D love your content ^^

[@obadijahparks]

Bump in the night, bar the doors, man I love the card names in these sets!

[@wiktorutracki6469]

My favourite is Sorin, I was not playing when Innistrad came out, but I was so into his story that my loremage side demanded fitting his card from War of the Spark into every orzhov deck I made. I even bought all his planeswalker cards just to have them xD very cool

[@josueantonio12]

Been long waiting for a video of yours. Thank you Ryan!

[@Corithaniel]

It was the set that got me into magic. A friend of mine came into school one day with some strangely coloured rectangles. I recognised them as some sort of Yu Gi Oh/Duel Masters type game. He had a deck of Zombies and one of Werewolves. Later on friday we go into town with a few other mates and got ourselves some starter colours. Eventually I would fall in love with a few cards. The Spirit tribe, Chalice of Life/Death and some good old fashioned RDW. Nowadays we're a commander play group with our own styles of play that make me feel like every game is a duel between unique and poweful mages. I love this game.

[@samhaskins127]

Loved this deep dive into one of, if not THE best, plane in the multiverse. Just now, I can't wait for Shadows block to be covered. Awesome job & thank you!

[@finks1]

Man this was a satisfying breakdown worthy of the best block of all time.

[@JustASpider980]

I was born late in the year 1992, warching this video in early 2024. I was TODAY YEARS OLD when i realized that "Landfall" is a play on the word "waterfall" because of your Zendikar description.... I do hope you see this and get a tiny kick out of helping out this 30-something lol

[@clydehartle9520]

Probably one of the most famous blocks in all of Magic. Loved it!

[@KnightsofGaming2016]

Just finished classes with Dean Kianne and Dean Imbraham and this video is a great way to relax after their classes

[@xiaoxinghuli]

Very good quality content, I also appreciate the topic of actors. Mtg Netflix serial is so overdue that I fear I will turn a werewolf myself before it gets released. I think innistrad was homerun idea for a new plane, it was so world defining set. I also love the vampire bloodline saga, there could be a whole tv series about Sorin and Olivia struggle, soon to be important in Innistrad - Midnight hunt.

[@ben9697]

Can't wait for Midnight Hunt. Got into Magic through the Shadows Over Innistrad intro decks, so the plane has a special place in my heart.

[@bcaiko]

Thanks for covering this lore and history!

[@ShawnSansonetti]

Three day weekend and I'm finally getting time to watch Arcanum. Sorry I'm late! How did I not realize Liliana had trouble with the Helvault because black can't destroy artifacts? Ugh, such a flavor win! That's the good stuff I can only find here on Magic Arcanum! 😊

[@ghostwarrior3878]

I first started playing back in 2011 so seeing these cards is a huge amount of nostalgia for me, plus just hearing someone's iteration on the story is nice

[@jeffreylooter535]

Zombie apocalypse is definitely my pet card I run in commander. There’s definitely better mass reanimation but I love the flavor

[@atlys258]

I personally don't care much about our soon, 2nd return to Innistrad, but I am damn excited to get a new Magic Arcanum video! 😁 Ahh yes, my favorite Thalia, The Burninator.

[@jdgrass6134]

Sorin Markov is my favorite vampire ever. And the thing that got me into magic was a friend of mine let me use his cards to build a deck and it was a vampire deck. B/R to be exact. Then I took that deck and added white to it and I have loved it since then.

[@LeonardoOliveira-858]

My favorite block. Love the angel sisters and I am looking forward to seeing the story here. Thank you for your work!

[@Taylortron5000]

I started playing pseudo competitive thanks to the flavorfulness of Innistrad. I attended a bunch of pre-release events and FNM's, got to make a ton of tribal decks (my favorite's really), and most of my favorite memories OF playing Magic stem from the original Innistrad block. Love it to pieces.

[@YumaNanami]

Thank you SOOOOO much. I'm planning an Innistrad DnD campaign and this info will really help.

[@MusicoftheDamned]

Thanks for the video. I took a day to think about what I liked the most about the first Innistrad block since it wasn't a set I was actually around for at all; I came back just after it concluded. In thinking about it, I think for me the thing I like the most about the first Innistrad block is easily the introduction of Curses as both a type of card and a formal subtype of Enchantments. I am glad that Curses didn't end up confined to Innistrad either given you would think that they'd be rather common and have been developed (much) earlier in a game based around magic. Speaking of cursed cards from the first Innistrad block, yeah, I often still wonder what happened to Archangel's Light. It supposedly got changed to its current terrible from something apparently overpowered IIRC, though what that was is unfortunately still as unknown as whatever happened with Anthousa, Setessan Hero. At least Anthousa is vaguely playable unlike Archangel's Light though. I kind of feel the same way about the later Behold the Beyond from Shadows over Innistrad, though that wasn't even the worst Mythic Rare in that set sadly.

[@Kona_AJ]

Ahhh my boy. Always happy to see new content! YT didn't update me for your video and I'm pissed about it.

[@Kona_AJ]

Also, did Nicole get married? :D That's wonderful if she did!

[@MagicArcanum]

She did!

[@tommasomarconi9053]

great explanation of top down and bottom up methods

[@1234NARIX]

AT LAST I HAVE TIME TO SEE THIS !!!!!! I WAS SO BUSY AT WORK I JUST HAVE THIS TAB OPEN FOR 3 DAYS WAITING TO PLAY!!!!!!

[@Itachi45481]

love innistrad i got into magic during that set when I was in college and here i am now still playing love those tribes and finally having a werewolf commander that isn't bad

[@Norweebgian]

My first set was actually Dark Ascension so this gives me the warm fuzzies 🥰🥰🥰 first deck was an attempted werewolf angel deck

[@yagosouza7381]

Started playing magic by the time original innistrad was released. One of my favorite planes (along with ravnica), so much that I still have my vampire deck since then.

[@nickl4855]

"Plus the whole place, like totally fits with his look," the ongoers said as Ryan took his rightful place as lord of Thneedville.

[@jessevillarreal9849]

I enjoy seeing your casting choices for the 2004 version

[@JalebJay]

I played standard a lot at that time, and my favorite card to use in Scars/ISD standard was Runechanter's Pike. It gave me a chance to take advantage of my favorite thing of casting a lot of instant and sorceries which draw cards, and turn them into powering up a cute 1/1 with hexproof and unblockable to kill my opponents quickly.

[@salvatoredantonio2413]

Innistrad was the set that first got me into magic as well as the set that my favorite card was in, Innistrad is just so good

[@jel1951]

Criminally underrated channel btw

[@MagicArcanum]

Best kept secret on KZbin!

[@humbertomazzarri2567]

amazing videos man! hope to see the rest of the story

[@KikoKay-Kay]

Yaaay some good ol' magic arcanaum. It was videos like this that originally drew me in ^^ . Great job on this one and would love to see more in the future

[@_z3i]

I didn’t play during Innistrad but as a lover of Odyssey block I agree that flashback is one of the best mechanics of all time

[@albertoparolin7170]

gotta love when the mystical doodad(chain veil) gets tangled with the eldritch macguffin(hedron stone), only for it to be undone by the fairy plot coupon(the cauldron of eternity). man, garruk was lik a flipper ball moving around the multiverse only to be hit by artifacts

[@MagicArcanum]

In my video on slivers I mention how Magic "really loves its supremely powerful magical artifacts" and have been trying to work that phrase in every time I find it happening again in a story.

[@darrinschlangen4119]

Innistrad is my favorite set and story. It also has my favorite human, Champion of the Parish.

[@PyrotechNick77]

Dark ascension was my first introduction to MtG and after missing Shadows over Innistrad, I'm glad I'm coming back for Midnight Hunt and Crimson Vow

[@jessemorales7742]

Why didn’t I get notified your literally the only one I have the bell on for cause your content is awesomely entertaining

[@user-we8rx3sy4j]

Great work on this video!

[@MagicArcanum]

Thank you!

[@Yumiyuri]

This has been my favorite plane even though I started during Mirrodin Besieged / New Phyrexia. The entire aesthetic called to me and it got me hooked on the idea of building a BW vampire deck the moment I saw Sorin, Lord of Innistrad. Took me some years, but I finally cobbled together my BTW EDH Vampire tribal deck :)

[@ApexZer0]

love the explanation on top down design

[@SeraphimKnight]

Hey Ryan, we did get the really good werewolf commander! And everyone rejoiced.

[@digitalscribbler68]

Shortly after I started playing Magic during BFZ, when I happened to be present at the local game store, somebody who'd bought an Innistrad box invited me to draft with them and some random players who also happened to be there. I drafted two Snapcaster mages, one of which was a foil. There is some fun and excitement in that set.

[@Valdreag17]

Innistrad is still one of my favorite blocks and planes. I played a pretty fun bw tokens deck during scars/innistrad standard that was really inly possible because of that set.

[@beefdon]

Glad to see you're well :) Great work on these videos, I'm always looking forward to the next. Say hi to Nicole for me!

[@levijohnson8100]

As a big limited player, I love Innistrad as it felt like the set that really solidifed late game mechanics like flashback. We'd seen kicker and cycling before, but since Innistrad, they've push more mechanics like this. They aren't super powerful and don't always see play in constructed, but in limited that make the late game so much more interesting since you aren't just top decking waiting for something to happen. Love flashback and am also excited about disturb!

[@snowfox0recozay]

You are the best. I love the lore and to be honest it's been lacking as wotc pushs some rather questionable things...but your attention to detail and the story in relation to the cards of the game is insight they need desperately. Thank you for what you do.

[@TMFriedVO]

me: got distracted for 10 secs while listening Ryan: start talking about some gothic lizard

[@loganestes2841]

I love the zombies! Got me hooked on magic! Still play zombies to this day! Gravecrawler and Mikaeus, the Unhallowed still are my favorite cards

[@americanzombie9482]

Innistrad was the block I started playing Magic in back in high school. Looking forward to going back for a third time and finally getting a decent legendary werewolf for commander.

[@edgarlim21]

Thanks General Kudro for your enlightenment.

[@MagicArcanum]

Glad to help. Going to be awkward when I rotate out of standard in a moment, though.

[@RubrDuky1]

Innistrad was actually the first set to drop after I started playing Magic. Liliana and the zombies are what I liked most about the plane, and it is still my favorite block of all time...although I might like Theros as a single set just a little bit more...maybe.

[@GOAToatoat]

Honestly, Ancient Grudge is my favorite card from the set. Really put that liquimetal coating deck back in standard on the map. Actually about to run an Innistrad DnD game for some friends who have never played DnD before. Wish me luck!

[@MagicArcanum]

Good luck!

[@brotquel1592]

Innistrad gifted us with Withegar (the most beautiful demon ever made, in my opinion) and mama Arlinn, it's a great plane and I cannot wait for its story to continue.

[@marekvincibr5884]

The first two new webfictions are already out.

[@7Alberto7]

Best 20 minute of my evening! Thank you!!!! I agree 100% on your actors pick!!!! Did you already "cast" Liliana? I can't remember🙈 let us know!!!

[@MagicArcanum]

I believe we cast her in “Who is Liliana? | Flavor Win!” last year 🙂

[@flyerbeast9178]

To me, the most iconic Innistrad card will always be Vorstclaw. Such power and toughness value!

[@adamdenzinger576]

The lore video we've all been waiting for!

[@ROKWULF]

i love these old set lore vids

[@Intreductor]

Yes! Telling block stories is awesome! Can't wait for more. And PrettyDeeces is back on TCGPlayer too!

[@yankmyarea]

While Avacyn’s ending was fittingly tragic, I pray for her return. Innistrad is my favorite plane and it would feel so empty without her. Maybe she somehow haunts Sorin or the faithful will her back into existence, she somehow blinks everyone except sorin off it seals him on it and perhaps shatters the moon dooming Innistrad and becoming an agent of the eldrazi. Traveling to planes to see if they’re worth consuming (sparing as many lives as possible) kinda like a Galactus/silver surfer relationship. Or perhaps relentlessly targeting planes with vampires searching for sorin for revenge?

[@YourCrazyOverlord]

I started playing the game with Avacyn Restored, and I grew up building haunted houses, so you could say I have a soft spot.

[@anlize3422]

Angels! After Akroma, Avacyn is my favorite white card and one I HAD to get to one for my angel tribal. I also got each of the sisters because they're awesome as well. Currently I'm trying to bling my deck with alters sleeves for them. I'm kinda sad that Avacyn's monument seems to be a massive flop, but well, we can't win them all.

[@tgs9929]

Of note: Sorin made Avacyn as powerful as need to keep balance which is why she was able to cure the werewolves after her return and why humans start to prosper as the balance had been so tossed off Avacyn power was even greater. Its also noted Avacyns powers seems the weakness in Stensia where most vampires live.

[@danieljackson2700]

I love innistrad! It is by far my favorite plane. I hope we finally get a good Davriel card to match the stellar story in Children of the Nameless!

[@matheusaragao7640]

Can I just say I love the casting segments? Makes me wish there really was a live-action MTG show of some sort.

[@pvtpain66k]

20:30 A version of the card "Blood Tribute" Shows Edgar gifting Sorin a chalice of Blood from the font & Olivia appears to be next in line.

[@MagicArcanum]

Yes, but since that was in the same commander set as Edgar himself, and those can include cards that aren't connected to the current timeline, all this really tells us is that Sorin and Olivia are likely among the oldest vampires on the plane. But we still don't know what happened to Edgar after the moment captured on this card.

[@christopherb501]

17:55 It's stuff like this that makes me sorely wish we'd seen something like one of the mechanically-minded planeswalkers in Amonkhet or Eldraine, or someone monstrous like Angrath in Ikoria.

[@patrick42056]

I hope Angrath's home plane will get a set with similar aesthetics to himself (The molten horns and red hot metal is wild)