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Official Walkthrough & Guide
Guide by VigilantSera, world co-designer. Prefer Google Docs? Read it there.

Getting Started Getting Started

You start in the map's center in the wastes biome. The game is very open-ended — you may run into tough enemies early. In the early game, avoid enemies in dungeons and take the loot they guard without fighting them whenever possible.

Your first priority should be collecting a full set of equipment. There are five equipment slots: head/necklace, torso, left arm, right arm, and boots. Equipment can be found in shops, dungeons, from bosses, and from mini-bosses.

Many wastes towns sell cheap defensive equipment that can bolster your low starting life total. Also keep an eye out for equipment that gives starting creatures.

Focusing on quests early is not recommended — the quests are randomized and may lead you to difficult encounters. Waiting until you've improved your deck and equipment is highly recommended.

The "main quest" is strictly optional and does not gate any content.

Visit each capitol city in the center of each colored biome for: life increases, teleport runes, unique card shops, and arenas with equipment rewards.

Most enemies and regions give cards of their color, so focus on one or two colors early (recommended) and head to that region first.

You begin with a gold coin for a free draft. One win = one pack. Two wins = two packs + coin. Three wins = two packs, coin, and the drafted deck.

Old school drafts can be tricky! Fliers and pingers are invaluable, as is removal. Don't underestimate mid-sized creatures.

Each color starts with a different pre-constructed deck — there are 113 in total across 27 editions, from Fourth Edition through Scourge. Green and White are generally more forgiving for beginners.

Standout Cards Standout Cards to Look Out For
Veterans of older magic may know most of these, but here are some recommended cards to look out for, split into common and uncommon ‘staples’ and broadly or especially powerful rares.

Also keep an eye open for color hate cards – the game doesn’t support side-boarding but since you will almost always know what kind of opponent you’re facing, putting appropriate color hate against a foe can often make a huge difference!

White
Staples: Swords to Plowshares, Pacifism, Disenchant, Aura of Silence, White Knight, Silver Knight, Beloved Chaplain, Soltari Trooper, Soltari Champion, Soltari Visionary, Serra Angel, Enlightened Tutor, Mother of Runes, Reconnaissance, Unquestioned Authority, Seal of Cleansing, Battle Screech, Story Circle, Valor
Power Rares: Moat, Worship, Land Tax, Planar Collapse, Serenity, Radiant, Archangel, Blinding Angel, Wrath of God, Commander Eesha, Purify, Academy Rector, Karmic Justice, Serra's Sanctum, Replenish, Akroma, Angel of Wrath, Peacekeeper, Island Sanctuary, Reverent Mantra, Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior, Decree of Justice, Intrepid Hero, Glory
Blue
Staples: Counterspell, Arcane Denial, Mana Leak, Windfall, Propaganda, Snap, Boomerang, Fact or Fiction, Wonder, Rewind, High Tide, Coastal Piracy, Mystical Tutor, Fog Bank, Control Magic, Tinker, Turnabout, Wash Out, Man-o'-War, Rush of Knowledge
Power Rares: Mana Drain, Vesuvan Doppelganger, Morphling, Arcanis the Omnipotent, Tolarian Academy, Personal Tutor, Time Warp, Temporal Manipulation, Capture of Jingzhou, Time Stretch, Time Spiral, Intruder Alarm, Intuition, Evacuation, Gilded Drake, Bribery, Treachery, Reins of Power, Stroke of Genius, Force of Will, Palinchron, Braingeyser, Sun Quan, Lord of Wu, Lu Xun, Scholar General, Copy Artifact, Back to Basics, Show and Tell, Desertion, Aura Thief, Equilibrium
Black
Staples: Dark Ritual, Terror, Hymn to Tourach, Pestilence, Animate Dead, Reanimate, Dance of the Dead, Necromancy, Victimize, Buried Alive, Culling the Weak, Snuff Out, Bubbling Muck, Corrupt, Diabolic Tutor, Cabal Coffers, Innocent Blood, Dauthi Slayer, Dauthi Embrace
Power Rares: Demonic Tutor, Vampiric Tutor, Hypnotic Specter, Royal Assassin, Phyrexian Arena, Necropotence, Grave Pact, Mutilate, Entomb, Living Death, Imperial Seal, No Mercy, Cover of Darkness, Visara the Dreadful, Yawgmoth's Will, Avatar of Woe, Plague Wind, Overwhelming Forces, Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed, Phage the Untouchable, Juzam Djinn
Red
Staples: Lightning Bolt, Anger, Goblin Recruiter, Goblin Lackey, Goblin Matron, Price of Progress, Incinerate, Chain Lightning, Flametongue Kavu, Pyroclasm, Orcish Lumberjack, Orcish Canoneers, Orcish Artillery, Flameslinger, Gorilla Shaman, Meltdown, Viashino Heretic, Rolling Thunder, Pillage, Wall of Razors
Power Rares: Blood Moon, Wheel of Fortune, Sneak Attack, Gratuitous Violence, Gauntlet of Might, Siege-Gang Commander, Goblin Piledriver, Fork, Ruination, Insurrection, Starstorm, Mana Echoes, Rolling Earthquake, Smoke, Grim Lavamancer, Shivan Dragon, Mogg Infestation, Avatar of Fury, Gamble
Green
Staples: Wild Growth, Overgrowth, Llanowar Elves, Fyndhorn Elves, Worldly Tutor, Overrun, Nature's Lore, Three Visits, Rampant Growth, Wood Elves, Rancor, Priest of Titania, Naturalize, Fertile Ground, Constant Mists, Moment's Peace, Regrowth, Fierce Empath, Brawn, Wall of Blossoms, Wall of Roots, Seeker of Skybreak, Timberwatch Elf, Wirewood Channeler, Veteran Explorer, Wellwisher, Spidersilk Armor, Gaea's Touch, Taunting Elf
Power Rares: Gaea's Cradle, Birds of Paradise, Berserk, Sylvan Tutor, Natural Order, Survival of the Fittest, Verdant Force, Kamahl, Fist of Krosa, Sylvan Library, Forgotten Ancient, Seedborn Muse, Crop Rotation, Greater Good, Defense of the Heart, Earthcraft, Pattern of Rebirth, Riding the Dilu Horse, Vitalizing Wind, Silklash Spider, Whirlwind, Spike Weaver, Deranged Hermit, Hall of Gemstone, Silvos, Rogue Elemental
Colorless
Staples: Shield Sphere, Ornithopter, Sol Ring, Mind Stone, Fellwar Stone, Lotus Petal, Thran Dynamo, Strip Mine, Mishra's Factory, Dragon Arch, Triangle of War, Icy Manipulator, Juggernaut
Power Rares: Mox Diamond, Mana Crypt, Mana Vault, Wasteland, Maze of Ith, Grim Monolith, Mirror Universe, Coat of Arms, Nevinyrral's Disc, Scroll Rack, Glacial Chasm, Cursed Totem, Defense Grid, Meekstone, Metalworker, Mishra's Workshop, Ensnaring Bridge, Memory Jar, Scorched Ruins, Null Rod, Winding Canyons, Candelabra of Tawnos, Slate of Ancestry, Belbe's Portal, Planar Portal, Helm of Possession, Forcefield, Library of Alexandria
Multicolor
Staples: Terminate, Aura Shards, Sterling Grove, Hull Breach, Fire Covenant, Fires of Yavimaya, Armadillo Cloak, Rith's Charm, Kird Ape, Psychatog, Recoil
Rares: Vindicate, Eladamri's Call, Mirari's Wake, Artifact Mutation, Aura Mutation, Absorb, Undermine, Captain Sisay, Pernicious Deed, Dueling Grounds, Teferi's Moat, Lightning Angel, Iridescent Angel
Boss Guides Boss Guides by Region (66 bosses)
Click a region to see its bosses.

Wastes Wastes (8 bosses)
Chandler [Red] [Low] — Bandit Cave [Main Story Quest Dungeon]
Mono-red bandit theme. Pretty straightforward.
Drop: Spyglass
Joven [Red] [Low] — Bandit Cave [Main Story Quest Dungeon]
Mono-red animal theme. Pretty straightforward.
Drop: Ferret Food
Maelstrom Angel [Five Color] [Medium] — Wastes Biome Overworld
Five color domain and angels. As an overworld enemy, lacks starting cards.
Drop: Diamond Kaleidoscope (Not guaranteed)
The Mother Slime [Red/Green/Black] [Medium] — Slime Cave
Oozes and slime-themed removal. Can make big threats and has burn, so watch out.
Drop: Gooey Shoes; Life Heart
Xira Arien [Green/Red/Black] [Medium] — Xira’s Hive
Insect Hordes. Exploit the starting fecundity enchantment to gain enough value to defeat her, and pack things to deal with lots of low-toughness creatures.
Drop: Hivecaller’s Helm; Life Heart
Bazaar Keeper [Five Color] [Hard] — Bazaar of Wonders
Monger cards that anyone can use, enemy tri-color cards
Drop: Crooked Scales, lots of cards and money. The bazaar has a unique shop with eight unique items for sale as well.
Squee, Goblin Nabob [Red] [High] — Squee’s Factory
Go-wide goblin rush. Comes out fast and strong but if you can survive the initial onslaught long enough to sweep away the goblins, he has trouble rebuilding.
Drop: Warren Tender’s Robes; Life Heart
Arzakon, Doom of Shandalar [Colorless/Five Color] [Very High] — Arzakon’s Fortress
The final boss of the original 1997 Shandalar game. Artifact ramp supplemented by an incredibly high life total and powerful cards of all five colors.
Drop: Pandora’s Box; Life Heart
Plains Plains (9 bosses)
Dark Ages Preacher [White] [Low] — Dark Ages Church
White deck with cards from the Dark expansion. Can be quite controlling via preachers and witch hunters, but lacks much punch.
Drop: Holy Symbol
Pharaoh [White/Red/Green] [Low] — Pharaoh’s Fortress
Arabian Nights themed cards with a decent mix of starting cards
Drop: Ring of Ma'rûf
Sorceress Queen Kaja [White/Blue/Red] [Low] — Church of Queen Kaja
Kaja Foglio artist theme deck. A decent amount of removal but not many big creatures.
Drop: Map to the Vale
Orthodoxy Angel [White/Black] [Low] — Orthodoxy Basilica
Removal and Phyrexians, tap down creature and royal assassin synergy
Drop: Phyrexian Grimoire
Baron Levilain [White] [Low] — Levilain’s Farm
Portal Second Age themed white deck. Highly aggressive but lacks a lot of finishing power.
Drop: Miller’s Shoes
Baron Von Gant [White] [Medium] — Von Gant’s Fortress
Soldier kindred deck. Lots of aggression and synergy.
Drop: Guard Armor
The Sainted One [White] [Medium] — Sainted One’s Fortress
An original Shandalar 1997 Boss. Land Destruction control backed up by lots of artifacts.
Drop: Rainbow Spear; Life Heart
Lin Sivvi, Defiant Hero [White] [High] — Rebel Encampment
Rebel deck with aggressive tutoring to board. Can spit out powerful rebels quickly.
Drop: Rebel Falconer’s Gauntlet; Life Heart
Valyx, the Tormentor [White/Black] [High] — Unhallowed Abbey (Seems to be a regular church/monastery from the outside)
Clerics, Angels, and Removal. Watch out for the fact his creature start with color protection via the Righteous War Enchantment
Drop: Either the Hallowed Sigil or Unhallowed Sigil (Your Choice); Life Heart
Island Island (12 bosses)
The Astral Visionary [Blue] [Low] — Astral Visionary’s Palace
An original Shandalar 1997 Boss. Blue stasis deck with vigilance creatures, but a shallow card pool. Avoid the stasis and you’ll be fine.
Drop: Mad Staff; Life Heart
Pirate Captain [Blue] [Medium] — Pirate’s Cove
Pirate cards focused on evasion and backed up by card draw due to starting with coastal piracy
Drop: Pirate’s Hook
Ancient Silver Dragon [Five Color] [Medium] — Djinn’s Palace (Exterior) [Also in one or two other maps]
Five-color legendary dragons which can be powered out via a starting dragon arch. Blow up the arch to seriously slow the deck down.
Drop: Dragon Blood
Mighty Djinn [Blue/Black] [Medium] — Djinn’s Palace (All the way inside, initially invisible)
Djinn kindred, lots of large cheap creatures with small drawbacks backed up by removal
Drop: Cursed Lamp
Empress Galina [Blue/Green] [Medium] — Galina’s Court
Blue/Green Ramp and theft with a focus on multicolor cards. Starts with a howling mine giving her and you card advantage.
Drop: Vodalian Shield; Life Heart
Colossus of Sardia [Colorless] [Hard] — The Library of Varsil (Main Quest Dungeon) (Optional to the Quest)
Big artifacts powered out by tons of starting mana
Drop: Disrupting Scepter
Teferi [Blue/White] [Hard] — Teferi’s Hideout
Lockdown control backed up by fliers and vigilance creatures.
Drop: Imp Tamer’s Glove; Life Heart
Arcanis the Omnipotent [Blue] [Hard] — Arcanis’s Hideout
Wizard kindred with lots of pingers and counterspells, backed up by card draw via multiple copies of arcanis. Vulnerability to low-damage sweepers, if you can get them to resolve. Watch out playing low toughness creatures.
Drop: Robes of Omniscience; Life Heart
Sliver Queen [Five Color] [Hard] — The Skep (After defeating the three lieutenant slivers: Spined, Hibernation, and Metallic)
Five color sliver swarm.
Drop: Slivercaller’s Gauntlet; Life Heart
Recaller of Ancestry [Blue/Green] [Very Hard] — Halls of Time
Hand size matters fueled by a playset of ancestral recalls.
Drop: Card: Ancestral Recall
Twister of Time [Blue/Black] [Very Hard] — Halls of Time
Draw punishment fueled by a playset of timetwister.
Drop: Card: Timetwister.
Time Walker [Blue] [Very Hard] — Halls of Time
Unblockable creatures and repeated bounce fueled by extra turns and a playset of time walk.
Drop: Card: Time Walk
Swamp Swamp (10 bosses)
Uncle Istvan [Black] [Low] — Neverglades National Park
Mono black deck themed around the dark set.
Drop: Istvan’s Axe
Dross Grimnarch [Black] [Low] — Dross Fortress
Black phyrexians with lots of removal
Drop: Broodling Egg
Cateran Overlord [Black] [Medium] — Cateran Castle
Mercenary kindred. Watch out for repeated tutoring to battlefield and the starting cards which include larceny for discards and black market to ramp mana. Definitely bring starting card blockers.
Drop: Bog Glider Greaves
Swamp Queen Tojira [Black] [Medium] — Swamp Queen’s Castle
Nightstalker Kindred and support cards from portal second age. Starts with a lot of mana and creatures making a dangerous early offense.
Drop: Breathstealer’s Robe
Chainer, Dementia Master [Black] [Medium] — Chainer’s Castle
Nightmare cards and reanimation. Packs lots of removal.
Drop: Dementia Mask
Thallid Lord [Green] [Medium] — Thallid Grove
Fungus/Thallids. Fairly weak creatures overall, but can swarm heavily with thallids and the starting sporogenesis. Keep in mind that removing sporogenesis removes its counters.
Drop: Thallid Farming Tools; Life Heart
The Lich Lord of Azar [Black] [Medium] — Grave of the Lich Lord
An original Shandalar 1997 Boss. Monoblack old school good stuff.
Drop: Amulet of Azar; Life Heart
Knight of Shadow [BlackLocation: Forgotten Cave (past the gate that needs five shards found throughout the sprawling caverns to unlock)] [Medium]
Hard to block shadow creatures protected by hard to kill blockers
Drop: Cave Diver’s Boots
The Grave Frog [Black/Green] [Hard] — Grave Frog Bog
Self-mill into creatures that care about the size of your graveyard and reanimation. Graveyard hate can be a big help against it as you might expect.
Drop: Worry Beads; Life Heart
Baron Sengir [Black] [Hard] — Castle Sengir
Vampire kindred with a life drain subtheme supported by a starting slow life drain enchantment. Make sure your life total is high enough to avoid instant death from big direct damage spells and large fliers.
Drop: Vampire Bite; Life Heart
Mountain Mountain (12 bosses)
Goblin King Phil [Red/Black/Blue] [Low] — King Phil’s Court
Phil Foglio artist theme deck with a goblin subtheme. Can swarm due to lots of starting cards and lands, but lacks strong finishers (unless you have mountains to mountainwalk over)
Drop: Tasty Tome
King Kane Ferguson [Five Color] [Low] — King Kane’s War Camp [can also be found in the plains]
Richard Kane Ferguson artist theme deck with lots of legends. Can be tough to overpower and has a lot of late game power, but without tons of starting lands and with the potential to be color screwed, fairly doable compared to many bosses.
Drop: Shield of Air
King Rohgahh [Red/Black] [Low] — Kobold Camp (Inside the Room in the back)
Swarms with kobolds. Fragile but can overwhelm if not dealt with.
Drop: Kobold King’s Crown
Furnace Tormentor [Red/Black] [Medium] — Furnace Outpost
Red/Black highly aggressive creatures and lots of removal. Can spit out lots of damage quickly backed up by a starting sulfuric vortex preventing life gain, making beating them without lots of starting life difficult.
Drop: Tome of the Gate
The Dragon Lord [Red] [Medium] — Temple of the Dragon Lord
An original Shandalar 1997 Boss. Old school dragon deck with lots of flying and firebreathing. Make sure you can block the dragons before they pour all their mana into killing you with firebreathing.
Drop: Goblin Trumpet
Homelands Chef [Red/Green/White] [Medium] — Mysterious City (Citadel Second Floor, fought first)
Homelands themed deck with tons of creatures, but mediocre removal.
Drop: Joven’s Tools
Three Kingdoms Commander [Red/White/Blue] [Medium] — Mysterious City (Citadel Basement, need key from Homelands chef to reach)
Portal Three Kingdoms theme deck with lots of horsemanship.
Drop: Yellow Scarves Horseshoe
Portal Master [Red/White/Blue] [Hard] — Mysterious City (Through the portal past the gate requiring the basement key)
Themed around the original portal which limits them to just creatures and sorceries, but a very high starting land count means huge threats will be coming fast and often. Watch out for big burn spells.
Drop: Crowcaller’s Charm; Life Heart
Specter’s Horror [Black] [Medium] — Specter King’s Citadel (Citadel First Floor)
Horror kindred with lots of removal
Drop: Eye of Horror
Specter’s Cyclops [Red] [Medium] — Specter King’s Citadel (Citadel Second Floor)
Coin flip cards. If the flips go its way, can be very dangerous very fast.
Drop: Lucky Clover
Specter’s Torturer [Black] [Medium] — Specter King’s Citadel (Citadel Third Floor)
Discord/pox deck. A very dangerous deck, but few starting cards.
Drop: Torturer’s Hood
Specter King [Red/Black] [Hard] — Specter King’s Citadel (Citadel Fourth Floor)
Discard deck with lots of specters and removal. Avoids some of the damage from pox by starting with artifact mana.
Drop: Crown of Madness; Life Heart
Forest Forest (15 bosses)
The Hydra of Shandalar [Green/Red] [Low] — Lake of the Hydra
Ramp into big X-cost creatures and spells using a mana flare that starts in play. Exploit the mana doubling yourself or destroy it quick to leave its deck slow and inefficient.
Drop: Molten Mantle; Life Heart
The Great Druid [Green] [Low] — Grove of the Great Druid
An original Shandalar 1997 Boss. Ramps into threats that can scale. Limited card pool makes him predictable.
Drop: Faerie Dragon Egg; Life Heart
Chicken [Green/Blue/Red] [Low] — Scarecrow Farm
Unglued/chicken themed deck.
Drop: Chicken Egg (Not guaranteed)
Kid’s Pet Ladybug [Green/White] [Low] — Green Overworld
A deck built by mod designer Serafina as a child. A high life total but the deck is weak. As an overworld enemy, doesn’t have starting cards.
Drop: Water of Youth
Copper Host Brutalizer [Green/Black] [Low] — Copper Host Base
Ramp into big Phyrexian creatures and removal. Gives you some mana too with starting enchantment, which can be exploited.
Drop: War Beast Rider’s Boots
Werebear [Green] [Low] — Honey Cove
Lots of bears. Can’t be refought in the same location, so make the first fight count.
Drop: Grizzly Glaive
Elf Queen Guay [Green/White/Blue] [Low] — Grove of Queen Guay
Artist-themed Rebecca Guay deck. No super coherent strategy but an elf sub-theme and lots of creatures. Main threat is aggression due to high starting land count, but creatures are overall fairly weak.
Drop: Attendant’s Robes
The Snow Wizard [Green/White/Red] [Medium] — Frostbitten Cavern (Main Quest Dungeon)
Snow themed ramp with some land destruction. High starting land count.
Drop: Winter Boots
Gargantuan Ape [Green] [Medium] — Simian City
Big aggressive ape creatures.
Drop: Shaman’s Staff
Lim-Dul the Necromancer [Black] [Medium] — Frostbitten Cavern (Main Quest Dungeon) (before the snow wizard)
Mono-black ice age deck with lots of starting cards.
Drop: Staff of the Ages
Hidden Wumpus [Five Color focused on Green] [Medium] — Primal Jungle (Main Quest Dungeon)
Drawback creatures and ‘hidden’ enchantments that become creatures in the right circumstances.
Drop: Ley Line Walker Boots
Krampus [Black/Red] [Mid] — Yuletown
Mid-sized creatures and burn fueled by starting coal.
Drop: Lump of Coal
Santa [Green/Red] [Hard] — Yuletown
Elves ramping into fireball effects.
Drop: Christmas Present; Cards based on the 12 days of Christmas
Scarecrow Captain [Green/White] [Hard] — Scarecrow Farm
Aura deck with lots of enchantress draw pieces. Can make huge attackers but vulnerable to instant-speed removal in response to playing an aura and enchantment sweepers.
Drop: Wombat Tamer’s Whip; Life Heart
Kamahl, Fist of Krosa [Green] [Hard] — Kamahl’s Forest
Heavy ramp into large tokens and overrun effects as a finisher
Drop: Overwhelming Axe; Life Heart
Color Castles Endgame: The Color Castles (5 bosses)
Each color castle has five ‘guard’ NPCs, you must defeat at least four to reach the boss. Defeating the boss grants a key. Once you have all five keys you may unlock one of the gates behind the boss (but just one) to get that color Mox plus the strange key that opens the temple of the false god.
White Castle
All enemies here start with glorious anthem, giving their creatures +1/+1.
Akroma [White] [Very Hard] — White Castle
Big angels and lots of removal. Make sure you have an answer to her two copies of moat.
Drop: Serra’s Shield; Life Heart

Blue Castle
All enemies here start with rhystic study: they draw when you cast a spell unless you pay 1.
Leviathan [Blue] [Very Hard] — Blue Castle
Huge blue sea creatures powered out by lots of starting lands and backed up by draw power and counter magic
Drop: Serpent Caller’s Staff; Life Heart

Black Castle
All enemies here start with Phyrexian arena, giving them an extra draw each turn for 1 life.
Lord of the Pit [Black] [Very Hard] — Black Castle
Demon kindred backed up by lots of removal. Packs direct damage and the difficult for creature decks no mercy enchantment.
Drop: Symbol of the Pit; Life Heart

Red Castle
All enemies here start with fervor, giving their creatures haste.
Rorix Bladewing [Red] [Very Hard] — Red Castle
Dragon kindred backed up by lots of mana acceleration and removal. Watch out for surprise burn and insurrection. Packs nevinyrral’s discs to out enchantments.
Drop: Dragon Egg; Life Heart

Green Castle
All enemies here start with primal rage, giving their creatures trample, and rowen, letting them draw again if they draw a basic land for turn.
Queen of Beasts [Green] [Very Hard] — Green Castle
Heavy ramp into huge creatures. Begins with city of solitude to stop off-turn interaction and other dangerous support enchantments – removing these can be key to defeating her.
Drop: Explorer’s Boots; Life Heart
Temple Endgame: Temple of the False God (26 bosses)
Once you have obtained the strange key from defeating all five color palaces, you are ready for the final challenges. This unlocks the gate into the temple of the false god (located in the wastes area and marked by a palace icon on the map). Inside, there are five portals to five more palaces, even more challenging than the previous ones. Defeat all five to access Karona the False God herself. These palaces all have lots of starting cards, including color hate for the palace’s two enemy colors.
Serra’s Palace
All enemies here start with Serra’s Sanctum, Serra’s Blessing, Serra Advocate, and Greater Realm of Preservation,
Archangel Radiant [White] [Very Hard] — Serra’s Palace
Angels and flying swarm
Drop: Paladin’s Greaves
Hazduhr the Abbot [White] [Very Hard] — Serra’s Palace
Clerics and life gain
Drop: Hymnal Hood
Reya Dawnbringer [White] [Very Hard] — Serra’s Palace
Big angel board wipes and reanimation
Drop: Robes of Renewal
Selenia, Dark Angel [White/Black] [Very Hard] — Serra’s Palace
Angels and removal
Drop: Ankh of Purgatory
Serra the Benevolent [White] [Extremely Hard] — Serra’s Palace
For you to discover
Drop: Serra’s Prayer Book; Card: Mox Pearl

Urza’s Palace
All enemies here start with Urza’s Tower, Urza’s Mine, Urza’s Power Plant, Urza’s Blueprints, Urza’s Engine, Ornithopter, Chill, and Insight.
Barrin [Blue splashing Black] [Very Hard] — Urza’s Palace
Control with tricky creatures
Drop: Barrin’s Codex
Karn [White/Blue] [Very Hard] — Urza’s Palace
Life gain control
Drop: Shield of Tears
Rayne, Academy Chancellor [Blue/Green] [Very Hard] — Urza’s Palace
Aura Enchantress
Drop: Rayne’s Writ
Tawnos [Colorless] [Very Hard] — Urza’s Palace
Big artifact creatures
Drop: Serpent ring
Urza Planeswalker [Blue] [Extremely Hard] — Urza’s Palace
For you to discover
Drop: Urza’s Armor; Card: Mox Sapphire

Yawgmoth’s Palace
All enemies here start with Phyrexian Tower, Gate to Phyrexia, Phyrexian Arena, and Putrefaction.
Ashnod [Black/Blue/Red] [Very Hard] — Yawgmoth’s Palace
Draw punisher control
Drop: Ashnod’s Battle Gear
Gix [Black] [Very Hard] — Yawgmoth’s Palace
Near Creatureless Hard Control
Drop: Claws of Gix
Mishra [Colorless] [Very Hard] — Yawgmoth’s Palace
Big Artifacts
Drop: Groundbreaker Boots
Tsabo Tavoc [Black/Red] [Very Hard] — Yawgmoth’s Palace
Punisher-themed removal
Drop: River Waders
Yawgmoth [Black] [Extremely Hard] — Yawgmoth’s Palace
For you to discover
Drop: Armor of Yawgmoth; Eye of Yawgmoth; Card: Mox Jet

Jaya’s Palace
All enemies here start with Shivan Gorge, Dormant Volcano, Wall of Lava, Grim Lavamancer, Gorilla Shaman, Task Mage Assembly, Havoc, and Scald.
Eron the Relentless [Red/Black/Green] [Very Hard] — Jaya’s Palace
Multicolor Good Stuff
Drop: Serrated Quiver
Jeska, Warrior Adept [Red/Green] [Very Hard] — Jaya’s Palace
Big creature ramp
Drop: Narcissist’s Mask
Latulla, Keldon Overseer [Red] [Very Hard] — Jaya’s Palace
Creatureless Burn
Drop: Copper Angel’s Amulet
Márton Stromgald [Red] [Very Hard] — Jaya’s Palace
Go Wide Tokens
Drop: Ebony Horseshoe
Jaya Ballard [Red] [Extremely Hard] — Jaya’s Palace
For you to discover
Drop: Sulfuric Staff; Card: Mox Ruby

Gaea’s Palace
All enemies here start with Gaea’s Cradle, Gaea’s Herald, Gaea’s Touch, Lifeforce, and Choke.
Jolrael, Empress of Beasts [Green] [Very Hard] — Gaea’s Palace
Land animation
Drop: Map to Paradise
Multani [Green] [Very Hard] — Gaea’s Palace
Hand Size Matters
Drop: Multani’s Boots
Rofellos [Green] [Very Hard] — Gaea’s Palace
Elves
Drop: Ivy Seer’s Amulet
Verdeloth the Ancient [Green] [Very Hard] — Gaea’s Palace
Tokens
Drop: Ring of Infestation
Gaea the Worldsoul [Green] [Extremely Hard] — Gaea’s Palace
For you to discover
Drop: Garments of Gaea; Card: Mox Emerald

The Final Boss: Karona the False God

The Final Boss
Karona the False God [Five Color] [Extremely Hard] — Temple of the False God
For you to discover
Drop: Crown of the False God; Card: Black Lotus
Equipment Equipment Guide (190 items)
Almost all equipment gives a card on the battlefield at the game's start. Slot themes:
 • Necklace: Enchantments and passive effects
 • Torso: Card advantage effects
 • Right Hand: Creatures
 • Left Hand: Defensive cards and token makers
 • Boots: Combat tricks and buffing cards

Item Slot Effect Source Notes
Acidic Boot DaggerBootsAcidic DaggerArena Reward: Black
AeolipileRight HandAeolipileFEMShop: Wastes
Aladdin's RingRight HandAladdin's RingArena Reward: Red
Amulet of KroogNecklaceAmulet of Kroog, +2 Max Lifedungeon dropblue tower with storm crow drop; from base game
Amulet of TelepathyNecklaceTelepathyShop: BluePrice: 3000
Ana SpellbookRight HandAna DiscipleAPCShop: Bazaar
Armor of MadnessTorsoAnvil of Bogardan, -4 starting life.boss dropSpecter King
Ashnod's GreavesBootsAshnod's Battle Gear, +4 Max Lifeend boss dropAshnod
Attendant's PrayerbookLeft HandSilent Attendantboss dropElf Queen Guay
Barrin's RobesTorsoBarrin's Codexend boss dropBarrin
Belbe's BootsBootsBelbe's ArmorShop: WhitePrice: 3000
Belt of Worry BeadsTorsoWorry Beadsboss dropThe Grave Frog
Black StaffStaff[Normal black staff effect]Shop: BlackPrice: 1000
Bladed BootsBootsZelyon SwordArena Reward: Red
Blessed HaloNecklaceSerra’s Blessingboss dropAkroma
Blue StaffStaff[Normal blue staff effect]Shop: BluePrice: 1000
Bog GliderRight HandBog Glider, -2 Max Lifeboss dropCateran Overlord
Braidwood LeathersTorsoBraidwood SextantShop: WastesPrice: 3000
Breathstealer's BladeRight HandBreathstealer, -3 Max Lifeboss dropSwamp Queen Tojira
Broodling EggRight HandPhyrexian Broodlings, -2 Max Lifeboss dropPhyrexian Dungeon: Black
Catalyst StoneNecklaceCatalyst StoneShop: BlueCost: 2000
Celestial PrismNecklaceCelestial Prism, +2 Max Lifeenemy dropShandalar Dragons
Ceta SpellbookRight HandCeta DiscipleAPCShop: Bazaar
Chariot Rider's BootsBootsWar Chariot, Starting Life +1Shop: GreenPrice: 1000
Chicken EggRight HandChicken Egg, +1 Max Lifeenemy dropChicken
Chimeric SphereRight HandChimeric SphereWTHboss drop
Claws of GixLeft HandClaws of Gix, +3 Max Lifeend boss dropGix
Clockwork LanceRight HandClockwork SteedHMLShop: Capitol Colorless
Concordant BootsBootsConcordant CrossroadsArena Reward: Green
Consumptive VialRight HandConsumptive Goo, -2 Max lifeboss dropSlime Mother
Copper Angel's AxeRight HandCopper-Leaf Angel, -2 Max Lifeend boss dropLatulla, Keldon overseer
Crooked ScalesRight HandCrooked ScalesMMQboss drop
Crown of GaeaNecklacePulse of Llanowarend boss dropGaea, the Worldsoul
Crown of the AgesNecklaceCrown of the Ages, +2 Max LifeArena Reward: White
Crown of the ChosenNecklaceSword of the ChosenShop: WhitePrice: 4000
Crown of the False GodNecklaceTemple of the False Godend boss dropKarona
Cursed LampRight HandFledgling Djinnboss dropMighty Djinn
Defiant BowRight HandDefiant ElfLGNShop: Green
Dega SpellbookRight HandDega DiscipleAPCShop: Bazaar
Diamond KaleidoscopeLeft HandDiamond Kaleidoscopeenemy dropMaelstrom Angels
Disruptor's RobesTorsoDisrupting Scepterboss dropColossus of Sardia
Distorting LensNecklaceDistorting LensArena Reward: Blue
Djinn's SilksTorsoRing of Ma'rûfboss dropPharaoh
Draconian NecklaceNecklaceDraconian Cylix, +2 Max LifeArena Reward: Black
Dragon Blood NecklaceNecklaceDragon Bloodboss dropAncient Silver Dragon
Dragon EggRight HandFledgling Dragon, -2 Max Lifeboss dropRorix Bladewing
Dragon MaskNecklaceDragon MaskShop: RedPrice: 3000
Dream ChiselLeft HandDream Chisel, +2 Max LifeShop: BluePrice: 2000
Drudge SpellbookLeft HandDrudge Spell, -2 Max Lifedungeon dropA few locations (vampire castles, mostly)
Dwarven ShieldLeft HandDwarven ArmorerShop: RedPrice: 2000
Ebony HorseshoeBootsEbony Horseend boss dropMárton Stromgald
Elixir of VitalityLeft HandElixir of VitalityMIRShop: Capitol Colorless
Explorer's HatNecklaceExploration, -5 Max Lifeboss dropQueen of Beasts
Eye of HorrorRight HandVebulid, +1 Max Lifeboss dropSpecter's Horror
Faerie Dragon EggRight HandFaerie Dragon, -3 Max Lifeboss dropThe Great Druid
Ferret FoodLeft HandJoven's Ferretsboss dropJoven
Feverbringer's BladeRight HandFevered ConvulsionsShop: BlackPrice: 3000
Flaming SkullRight HandDeadapultdungeon dropOne of the Cemetery Maps
Flowstone BootsBootsFlowstone ArmorShop: RedPrice: 3000
Fool's OutfitTorsoFool's TomeTMPShop: Bazaar
Fortified ShieldLeft HandFortified AreaLEG; +2 max lifeShop: White
Gauntlets of ChaosRight HandGauntlets of ChaosLEGboss drop
Gladiator's GladiusRight HandArenaArena Reward: Red
Glider GlovesRight HandOrnithopterATQShop: Wastes
Goblin TrumpetLeft HandGoblin Polka Bandboss dropThe Dragon Lord
Gold ArmorTorsoMax Life +5Arena Reward: White
Green StaffStaff[Normal green staff effect]Shop: GreenPrice: 1000
Grizzly GlaiveRight HandGrizzly Bearsboss dropWerebear in Honey Cove
Groundbreaker MaceRight HandMishra's Groundbreakerend boss dropMishra
Guard's ShieldLeft HandSecurity Detail, +2 Max Lifeboss dropBaron Von Gant
Hallowed SigilNecklacePeace of Mindboss dropValyx (Good Choice)
Haunted RobesTorsoHaunted Crossroads, +1 Max LifeShop: BlackPrice: 1500
Headdress of ParadiseNecklaceUndiscovered Paradiseend boss dropJolrael, Empress of Beasts
Helm of ChatzukNecklaceHelm of Chatzuk, +1 Max LifeArena Reward: White
Hero's SwordRight HandBenalish HeroLEAShop: White
Hivecaller's HornLeft HandThe Hiveboss dropXira
Holy SymbolRight HandMiracle Workerboss dropDark Ages Preacher
Horrible HalberdRight HandHorrible HordesMIRShop: Capitol Colorless
Hymnal HoodNecklaceSerra's Hymn, +2 Max Lifeend boss dropHazduhr the Abbot
Ichor KnifeRight HandIchoridboss dropChainer, Dementia Master
Immortal AnkletBootsRing of ImmortalsLEGboss drop
Imp Tamer’s GloveRight HandTeferi's Imp, +2 Max Lifeboss dropTeferi
Infiltrator's KnifeRight HandPhyrexian Infiltrator, -4 Max Lifeboss dropPhyrexian Dungeon: Blue
Istvan's AxeRight HandUncle Istvan, -6 Max Lifeboss dropUncle Istvan
Ivy Seer's TomeRight HandIvy Seerend boss dropRofellos
Jalum RobesTorsoJalum Tome7EDShop: Bazaar
Jandor's HorseshoesBootsJandor's SaddlebagsArena Reward: Green
Jayemdae RobesTorsoJayemdae Tome4EDShop: Bazaar
Jester's CapNecklaceJester's CapArena Reward: Blue
Jeweled AmuletNecklaceJeweled AmuletArena Reward: Green
Joven's BootsBootsJoven's Toolsboss dropHomelands Chef
Kobold King's BladeRight Hand-1 Starting/Max Hand Size; Crimson KoboldsLEG; Crookshank KoboldsLEG; Kobolds of Kher Keep
Krampus's HornsNecklaceCharcoal DiamondMIR; -1 Hand Sizeboss drop
Kry GreavesBootsKry ShieldLEGboss drop
Lance of Lurking EvilRight HandLurking Evilboss dropLord of the Pit
Ley Line Walker BootsBootsLey Lineboss dropHidden Wumpus
Life ChiselLeft HandLife ChiselShop: BlackPrice: 3000
Life MatrixNecklaceLife MatrixLEGboss drop
Lotus PetalNecklaceLotus PetalTMPShop: Green
Lucky CloverNecklaceChance Encounterboss dropSpecter's Cyclops
Mad StaffRight HandPower Struggleboss dropThe Astral Visionary
Marble MaceRight HandMarble PriestLEG; -5 Max Lifeboss drop
Memory CrystalNecklaceMemory CrystalArena Reward: Blue
Miller's ShoesBootsMillstone, +2 Max Lifeboss dropBaron Levilain
Molten GauntletRight HandMolten Hydra, -3 Max Lifeboss dropHydra of Shandalar
Multani's LaurelsNecklaceMultani's Presence, -5 Max Lifeend boss dropMultani
Narcissist's MaskNecklaceNarcissismend boss dropJeska, Warrior Adept
Necra SpellbookRight HandNecra DiscipleAPCShop: Bazaar
Noble's SilksTorsoCredit VoucherShop: Capitol ColorlessPrice: 6000
Onulet ShieldLeft HandOnuletATQShop: Capitol Colorless
Overwhelming ArmorTorsoOverwhelming Instinct, -3 Max Lifeboss dropKamahl
Paladin's ShieldLeft HandSerra Paladinend boss dropArchangel Radiant
Pandora's BoxLeft HandPandora's Box, +5 Max Lifeboss dropArzakon
Phyrexian ImplantTorsoPhyrexian Grimoire, -3 Max Lifeboss dropPhyrexian Dungeon: White
Pied PipeRight HandPlague Rats, +1 Max LifeArena Reward: Black
Pirate's HookRight HandCloud Pirates, -1 Max Lifeboss dropPirate Captain in cydril shard mines
Power Armor GreavesBootsPower Armorenemy dropDomain Keeper of Cromat
Prismatic EggRight HandPrismatic DragonPAST; -4 Max Lifeenemy drop
Purgatory Priest's RobesTorsoPurgatoryend boss dropSelenia, Dark Angel
Pyromaniac's MaskNecklacePyromaniaArena Reward: Red
Raging DaggerRight HandRaging GoblinPORShop: Red
Rainbow HeaddressNecklaceRainbow Valeboss dropSorceress Queen Kaja
Rainbow SpearRight HandRainbow KnightsPAST, -2 Max Lifeboss drop
Raka SpellbookRight HandRaka DiscipleAPCShop: Bazaar
Rayne's WritRight HandRayne, Academy Chancellor, -3 Max Lifeend boss dropRayne, Academy Chancellor
Rebel Falconer's GloveRight HandDefiant Falconboss dropLin Sivvi
Red StaffStaff[Normal red staff effect]Shop: RedPrice: 1000
Rhystic AmuletNecklaceRhystic Cave, -3 Max Lifeboss dropUnholy Knight at end of forgotten cave
Riding BootsBootsNoble Steeds, +1 Max LifeShop: WhitePrice: 3000
Ring of InfestationLeft HandSaproling Infestationend boss dropVerdeloth the Ancient
Ring of UnmakingRight HandAmulet of UnmakingMIRShop: Capitol Colorless
River WadersBootsRaging Riverend boss dropTsabo Tavoc
Robes of OmniscienceTorsoStarting/max hand size +2, -6 Max Lifeboss dropArcanis
Robes of RenewalTorsoAngelic Renewalend boss dropReya Dawnbringer
Rod of RuinRight HandRod of RuinArena Reward: Black
Rootwater TridentRight HandRootwater MysticEXOShop: Blue
Sage's RobesTorsoSpellbook; Starting Hand +1Shop: Capitol ColorlessPrice: 7000
Sandals of SpeedBootsNeed for Speed, Starting Life +1Shop: RedPrice: 1500
Santa's HatNecklaceJack-in-the-moxUGL; -1 Hand Sizeboss drop
Scathe ScytheRight HandScathe Zombies, -2 Max LifeShop: BlackPrice: 2000
Scythe of YawgmothRight HandOrder of YawgmothUSGend boss drop
Sentry's ShieldLeft HandSoldevi SentryALL1
Serpent Caller’ StaffLeft HandDreamwinderboss dropLeviathan
Serpent RingLeft HandSerpent Generatorend boss dropTawnos
Serra's Prayer BookRight HandSerra's Liturgyend boss dropSerra the Benevolent
Serrated QuiverRight HandSerrated Arrows, -4 Max Lifeboss dropEron the Relentless
Shaman's StaffRight HandGorilla Shamanboss dropGargantuan Gorilla
Shield of AirLeft HandWall of Air5ED; -6 Max Lifeboss drop
Shield of TearsLeft HandWall of Tearsend boss dropKarn
Shield of the HivelordLeft HandPlated Sliverdungeon dropReward for clearing skep
Shoes of SafetyBootsSafe HavenArena Reward: White
Shoes of SorrowBootsSorrow's Path, +2 Max Lifedungeon dropFalse Treasure Room End
Slivercaller’s GauntletRight HandMetallic Sliverboss dropSliver Queen
Slung Medicine BagNecklaceMedicine BagShop: GreenPrice: 1000
Soulcatcher CloakTorsoSoul NetLEA; Starting Life +2Shop: Capitol Colorless
Spawning StaffLeft HandHomarid Spawning Bedboss dropHomarid Island Cave Chest
Spine WhipRight HandSkeletal Snake, -1 Max lifedungeon dropillusionist's tower basement and one of the vampire crypts; from base game
Splicer's CharmNecklacePhyrexian SplicerShop: BlackPrice: 1500
SpyglassRight HandOrcish Spy, -1 Max Lifeboss dropChandler
Staff of AzarLeft HandNecropolis of Azarboss dropLich Lord of Azar
Staff of the AgesLeft HandStaff of the Ages, +3 Max Lifeboss dropLim-Dûl, the Necromancer
Steel ArmorTorso[Max Life +3]Shop: WastesPrice: 1500
Steel BootsBoots[Max Life +2]Shop: WastesPrice: 1000
Steel HelmNecklace[Max Life +2]Shop: WastesPrice: 1000
Steel ShieldLeft Hand[Max Life +2]Shop: WastesPrice: 1000
Storm GauntletRight HandStorm CrowPORboss drop
Sulfuric AmuletNecklaceSulfuric Vaporsend boss dropJaya Ballard
Tasty TomeLeft HandOrcish LibrarianICEboss drop
Tawnos's HatNecklaceTawnos's WandArena Reward: Blue
Thallid Farming ToolsRight HandThallidboss dropThallid Lord
Thran LensNecklaceThran Lensdungeon dropArchaeological Dig Site
Tome of the GateRight HandGate to Phyrexia, -2 Max Lifeboss dropPhyrexian Dungeon: Red
Torturer’s HoodNecklaceWheel of Torture, -3 Max Lifeboss dropSpecter's Torturer
Triangle of WarRight HandTriangle of WarArena Reward: Green
Triassic AmuletNecklaceTriassic Egg; -3 Max Lifedungeon dropDinosaur Crater (also in dinosaur cave ATM)
Unerring SlingRight HandUnerring SlingArena Reward: Green
Unhallowed SigilNecklaceUnspeakable Symbolboss dropValyx (Evil Choice)
Urza’s ArmorTorsoUrza's Armorend boss dropUrza
Vampire's DaggerRight HandTreacherous Vampire, -5 Max Lifeboss dropBaron Sengir
Vodalian ShieldLeft HandVodalian War Machineboss dropEmpress Gallina
War Beast ReinsRight HandPhyrexian War Beastboss dropPhyrexian Dungeon: Green
Warren Tender's BatonLeft HandGoblin Warrens, +3 max lifeboss dropSquee
Water of YouthLeft HandFountain of YouthCHR; +2 Max Lifeenemy drop
Whalebone GliderBootsWhalebone Glider, +1 Max LifeShop: BluePrice: 3000
White StaffStaff[Normal white staff effect]Shop: WhitePrice: 1000
Winter CapNecklaceWinter's Nightboss dropIce Wizard
Wombat Tamer’s WhipRight HandRabid Wombatboss dropScarecrow Captain
Wooden ShieldLeft HandWall of WoodShop: GreenPrice: 2000
Yawgmoth's ArmorTorsoEye of Yawgmothend boss dropYawgmoth
Yellow Scarves SpearRight HandYellow Scarves Cavalry, -2 Max Lifeboss dropThree Kingdoms Commander


~*~*~*~

Loot System
How card rewards work in Old Border Shandalar

★ Card Tiers
Every card in the game is ranked into one of six quality tiers. Browse the full tier lists in this Google Sheet.

Tier Cards Examples
S50Mox Diamond, Sol Ring, Necropotence, Yawgmoth's Will, Channel, Contract from Below
A246Force of Will, Demonic Tutor, Tolarian Academy, Library of Alexandria, Survival of the Fittest
B948Counterspell, Lightning Bolt, Swords to Plowshares, Brainstorm, Natural Order
C1,843Wrath of God, Dark Ritual, Birds of Paradise, Reanimate, Rhystic Study
D2,395Duress, Price of Progress, Careful Study, Moment's Peace
E760Gray Ogre, Storm Crow, Goblin Piker, Carnival of Souls

The tier pool contains 6,242 unique cards across the entire old-border era (1993–2003).

Note: The Power 9 are not part of the regular drop system, but can still be obtained through other means.

~*~*~*~

★ Enemy Drops
Stronger enemies have better odds of dropping high-tier cards. The system works like a Diablo-style loot curve.

Enemy Tier Avg Cards What to Expect
Elite Boss~10Guaranteed S-tier, excellent A-tier odds
Major Boss~10High S-tier chance, reliable A and B drops
Boss~8Decent S-tier chance, mostly A and B drops
Mini-Boss~7Small S-tier chance, mostly B and C drops
Hard~5Rare high-tier drops, mostly C and D
Medium~3Mostly D and E tier
Easy~3Almost always bulk (D and E)

What can drop:
 • Tiered reward cards — drawn from the tier pool, weighted by enemy strength
 • Deck cards — cards from the enemy's own deck
 • Hand-picked cards — specific cards placed by the designers

Color matching: Tiered drops are weighted toward the enemy's colors.

Boss rewards: Bosses are best-of-3. Many bosses split hand-picked rewards with a nearby treasure chest.

Difficulty scaling: Higher difficulty = fewer bonus cards. Insane = base amount only. Easy = up to 50% extra.

~*~*~*~

★ Treasure Chests
Chests use the same tier system. Drop quality is based on the strongest nearby enemy.

Chests are not color-filtered — great for off-color staples.

Many contain hand-picked items and cards in addition to tiered rewards.

552 treasure chests across 274 dungeon maps.

~*~*~*~

★ Shops
Shops stock cards using the tier system with lower rare odds. Inventory rerolls each visit.

Mostly C and D tier, with a 1-in-25 chance of S-tier per page.

Shops respect their theme. Broad shops like "Random" have the best odds of rare finds.

~*~*~*~

★ Gold & Shards
Enemies drop gold and mana shards scaled to their strength:

Enemy Tier Gold Shards
Elite Boss10,000–15,000300–400
Major Boss3,000–5,00080–120
Boss800–1,20020–30
Mini-Boss150–3005–10
Hard50–1502–5
Medium20–801–3
Easy5–300–1

Bosses always pay out. Lower enemies may drop nothing.


~*~*~*~

Last updated: March 21, 2026

This mod was built with <3 on the shoulders of giants (the Forge contributors) and by VigilantSera & RemusLord