The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Set Information, Latest Updates, and Spoilers

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan is MTG's 98th expansion, and is set to take us even further into the unrevealed realms of the plane. Its global release date is on November 17, 2023.

UPDATE: General LCI Spoilers are now available here!

(Article will be updated as more info is revealed)

      Expansion Symbol

 

Expansion Set Code: LCI
Commander Set Code: LCC (also the code for the Treasure Trove)
Special Guests Set Code: SPG
Jurassic World Collection Set Code: REX
Set Size: 291 (base set)
Release Date(s): November 14 2023 (MTG Arena), November 17, 2023 (Tabletop)
Card Legality: All formats (special subset excluded)
Development Codename: Offroading

 

Storyline

Since the disappearance of the Immortal Sun, groups and factions in the plane of Ixalan started searching and competing in the name of cosmium. Its discovery and the subsequent scramble for power it created was in fact, due to another bigger revelation: that Ixalan actually has a hollow world within, held by its very own sun inside, known as Chimil. Within this subterranean realm, the ancient ancestors of the Sun Empire, known as the Oltecs, still thrive, and are the only ones who can perfectly wield the strange energies provided by their internal sun...

 

Mechanics

Adventures

2-for-1 investment cards most popularly implemented in Eldraine-related sets. Not exactly a focus, but is simply part of a plane-crossing storyline flavor, since only one card (so far) will be featured with this ability.

Craft

A mechanic that introduces the transformation of artifacts at sorcery speed. You first need to fulfill the mana cost and card type requirements, exile the indicated number of those permanents either on your field or graveyard, and exile the card itself. You will then return it transformed under its owner's control.

Descend

A new ability that triggers whenever a permanent card is put into a graveyard from anywhere. Keep in mind the term "permanent card", and not just card. If there is a 4 or 8 beside the keyword, it indicates a minimum number of permanent cards that must be in the graveyard first before activating (or paying) for the ability. For example, "Descend 8" means you need to have 8 or more permanent cards in your graveyard before you can pay to activate the ability.

Other cards instead check for descend triggers, meaning they look for instances when permanent cards are put into a graveyard, for example The Mycotyrant. Fathomless descent is a modified version of numbered descent abilities, but the effects usually get powerful per permanent card that "descended."

Discover

This mechanic can be treated as a sort of balanced version of cascade. Basically, when you discover, you exile cards from the top of your library until you get a nonland card of the indicated value. Then, you have the option of casting it freely, or put it into your hand in case it can't be cast immediately (a creature aura with no targets, for example, or a counterspell). Other exiled cards are then put at the bottom of your library.

Double-Faced Cards

A regular returnee mechanic, quite a good number of cards in this set will feature transforming cards with a separate card on each side. They are not necessarily modal, and do not have activation requirements. But instead, simply require activation costs, similar to the Praetor sagas of March of the Machine.

Explore

A keyword action that was first introduced in the previous Ixalan set, and returns for this set. When exploring, you reveal the top card of your library. If it is a land, put it into your hand. If not, resolve the rest of the written effect for the ability. You then have the choice to either put the card back on top, or into your graveyard.

Map Tokens

Along with Explore itself being a recurring ability, these new tokens are introduced to allow any creature to explore. The effect of this token reads "pay 1 colorless, tap: Sacrifice this artifact: Target creature you control explores. Activate only as a sorcery."

Transformed Sagas

At least one card has been revealed to be a transforming saga, hinting that some of the higher rarity cards or story-related ones will have a similar design in some form. Instead of sagas transforming into other card types with their last lore counter ability, the card will instead start as another permanent type, and will only become a saga upon paying specific activation costs.

 

Treasure Trove

These will be the Box Toppers for The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. It focuses on artifacts, and will be found in non-foil for Draft and Set Booster boxes, as well as traditional foil for Collector Booster boxes. The promo cards will have the same code and expansion symbol as The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander.

 

Special Guests

This smaller separate set will effectively function as part of The List for The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. Classification-wise, this set of reprints will be technically considered separate, as identified with its own set code and expansion symbol. Special Guests is intended to be a regular part of set releases from now on.

 

Jurassic World Collection

A special Universes Beyond collaboration that fits the dinosaur-themed franchise to the world of MTG. It is advertised not only to thematically fit Ixalan, but be mechanically relevant to the set as well. Set to release at a much later date.

 

Important Dates

Complete Story Drop
October 20

Debut and Previews Begin
October 24

Commander Previews Begin
November 1

Card Gallery Complete
November 3

LoadingReadyRun's Pre-Release
November 4

MTG Arena Streamer Event
November 9

Prerelease In-Store Play Events
November 10

MTG Arena Release
November 14

Commander Gameplay
November 15

Global Release
November 17

Alchemy Ixalan Release
December 5

 

Products

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan will be sold in Set/Draft Boosters, Collector Boosters, Bundles, Bundle: Gift Editions, and Commander Decks.

Draft Booster Box

Set Booster Box

Collector Booster Box

Bundle

Bundle: Gift Edition

Ahoy Mateys Commander Deck	Blood Rites Commander Deck
Explorers of the Deep Commander Deck	Veloci-Ramp-Tor Commander Deck

 

Preorder Bundles

These are now available for preorder, and will be available as soon as the set officially comes to MTG Arena. The three bundles are as follows:

Saheeli Pack Bundle

($49.99/€53.99)

• Saheeli Sleeve
• 50 The Lost Caverns of Ixalan packs
• 5 Golden Packs
• Saheeli depth art card style
• Saheeli card

Vito Play Bundle

($24.99/€26.99)

• Vito sleeve
• 2x Player Draft tokens
• 1x Sealed token
• 5x Play-In Points
• Vito depth art card style
• Vito card

Quintorius Pass Bundle

($14.99/€16.49)

• Quintorius Kand sleeve
• The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Mastery Pass
• Quintorius Kand depth art card style
• Quintorius Kand card

 

Initial Spoilers

^{(includes reprints, plus Jurassic World cards)}

 

Debut Spoilers

^{(includes reprints, main LCI set only)}

 

 

Transforming Double-Faced Card Debut Spoilers

^{(including reprints)}

 

Featured Commanders Debut Spoilers

 

Jurassic World Collection Update (Debut Stream)

 

Special Guests Sneak Peek

 

Treasure Trove Sneak Peek

 

Other Scheduled Previews and Spoilers

Where to Find The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Previews

You can also check out our ever-updating Spoiler List after the debut stream.

 

Coinciding Updates

Other related updates are as follows:

• Preferred Printing card styles now set to appear together, making it easy to find all versions of the card in one place.
• New cosmetics inspired by the movies The Evil Dead and The Princess Bride