Lorwyn-Shadwmoor

What is it: Lorwyn-Shadowmoor is a unique plane in Magic: The Gathering that exists in two alternating states: the bright, idyllic Lorwyn and the dark and twisted Shadowmoor. Lorwyn is a world of eternal midsummer, filled with fairy-tale creatures and natural beauty. During the mysterious event known as the Great Aurora, however, the plane transforms into Shadowmoor, a twisted realm where its inhabitants become cruel, distorted versions of themselves, often forgetting who they once were. Originally released for MtG back in 2007 and 2008, Wizards of the Coast recently announced an upcoming campaign sourcebook for D&D, which will include new character options and lore.

D&D Publications: Lorwyn-Shadowmoor sourcebook (Coming in 2026)

Arcavios

What is it: Arcavios is the plane that is home to Strixhaven University, the multiverse’s premier school of spellcasting. The university is divided into five colleges (Lorehold, Prismari, Quandrix, Silverquill, and Witherbloom) each founded by ancient dragons and representing a unique philosophy of magic. While the plane itself is largely peaceful, it also has its share of dark secrets and ruthless enemies. Originally released for MtG in 2021 with the Strixhaven: School of Mages set, Wizards of the Coast also released a D&D campaign sourcebook at the same time, which introduced the playble Owlin species, along with a variety of new feats, spells, magic items and character rules for academic progression.

D&D Publications: Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos (2021)

Theros

What is it: Theros is a plane inspired by Greek mythology, where the world is shaped by the will of a powerful pantheon of gods and mythic monsters roam the lands. Like the ancient heroes of old, players are often given quests that revolve around the gods, requiring them to fulfill divine destinies or complete near impossible trials. The Theros card set for MtG was originally released in 2013, but has since appeared in a few other sets. Wizards of the Coast later released a full D&D sourcebook that introduced the Leonin playable species, as well as several new subclasses, including the Oath of Glory Paladin and College of Eloquence Bard. It also features extensive background information on the world, along with an introductory adventure.

D&D Publications: Mythic Odysseys of Theros (2020)

Ravnica

What is it: Ravnica is a sprawling, planet-sized city ruled by ten powerful guilds, each serving a distinct social, political or economic role. The guilds maintain a fragile balance of power, enforced by the ancient Guildpact (although tensions and conflicts between them are common). Originally introduced for Magic: The Gathering in 2005 with the set Ravnica: City of Guilds, the setting has remained one of the most popular in the game’s history, appearing in multiple expansions. Wizards of the Coast later adapted Ravnica into a D&D campaign sourcebook, which included new player options such as the Loxodon and Vedalken, as well as the Domain of Order Cleric subclass, steampunk-style magic items, plus guild-specific character backgrounds.

D&D Publications: Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica (2018)

Dominaria

What is it: Dominaria is the oldest and most well established setting for Magic: The Gathering. It’s a classic high-fantasy realm filled with a wide range of cultures, species, monsters and ancient civilizations. First introduced for Magic: The Gathering in the original 1993 Alpha set, it has since appeared in dozens of other sets, including most recently in 2022 with the Dominaria Remastered set. While it does not yet have an official D&D sourcebook, Dominaria did appeared in a free Plane Shift PDF, which introduced a number of character options for D&D, including new playable species such as the Eagle-like Aven and the Keldon human variant.

D&D Publications: Plane Shift: Dominaria (2018)

Ixalan

What is it: Ixalan is an MtG plane based on ancient Mayan and Aztec society during early contact with the Spanish. It’s set in a sprawling land filled with deadly jungles, ravenous dinosaurs and the crumbling ruins of ancient civilizations. Various factions – including vampires, pirates, merfolk and humans – all vie for control of the land and a series of powerful relics. Originally released for Magic: The Gathering in 2017 with the set Ixalan, the plane returned in 2023 with The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. In 2017, Wizards of the Coast also released a Plane Shift players guide and a free adventure, both of which introduce new monsters, character features and adventure hooks for the setting. Notably, the setting is somewhat similar to the continent of Maztica from the Forgotten Realms, which appeared in a number of D&D supplements and novels in the 1990s.

D&D Publications:

• Plane Shift: Ixalan (2017)
• X Marks The Spot: A Plane Shift: Ixalan Adventure (2017)

Amonkhet

What is it: Amonkhet is a desert world based on Egyptian mythology. It is ruled by all powerful god-pharaohs and filled with countless undead horrors. The plane is dominated by the city of Naktamun, a walled oasis protected by five gods and governed by a strict hierarchy of trials designed to test the worth of its citizens. Outside the city lies a desolate wasteland filled with bloodthirsty monsters. Originally released for Magic: The Gathering in 2017 with the sets Amonkhet and Hour of Devastation, the plane was later revisited in March of the Machine in 2023. While ancient Egypt has inspired countless D&D modules over the past 50 years, Amonkhet itself did appear in a free Plane Shift PDF for D&D fifth edition that introduced a number of adventure hooks, world info and playable species, including the Jackal-headed Khenra.

D&D Publications: Plane Shift: Amonkhet (2017)

Kaladesh (Avishkar)

What is it: Kaladesh (which was later renamed to Avishkar by Wizards of the Coast) is a unique plane that blends steampunk technology with a Middle East aesthetic. The world is powered by a magical substance called aether, which artificers and engineers used to create powerful arcane devices and automatons. The Consulate, the plane’s ruling authority, tightly regulates aether usage, which has resulted in the rise of renegade inventors and revolutionaries. Originally released in 2016 with the Kaladesh and Aether Revolt sets, the plane shares many similarities with the D&D world of Eberron. In 2017, Wizards of the Coast released a free Plane Shift D&D supplement that includes more background on Kaladesh, including character options and the playable species of the Aetherborn, a humanoid being made of pure aether magic.

D&D Publications: Plane Shift: Kaladesh (2017)

Innistrad

What is it: Innistrad is a gothic horror plane filled with vampires, werewolves, zombies and other dark supernatural creatures. Inspired by classic horror literature, the balance between light and darkness was once maintained by the archangel Avacyn, but her disappearance and eventual destruction plunged the plane into chaos. The world is now full of crumbling churches, haunted moors and cursed villages. Originally released for Magic: The Gathering in 2011 with the Innistrad set, the plane has been revisited multiple times, most recently in 2021 with Midnight Hunt and Crimson Vow. Notably, the plane shares many similarities with the Ravenloft D&D campaign setting, but is not part of the same plane of existence. Wizards of the Coast did, however, release a D&D Plane Shift PDF for Innistrad, which mentions the close similarities (both mechanically in and in terms of the lore) between the two settings.

D&D Publications: Plane Shift: Innistrad (2016)

Zendikar

What is it: Zendikar is a wild and unstable plane renowned for its ancient ruins and elemental forces that constantly reshape the world. While offering up many of the familiar elements of high fantasy, it also blends a post-apocalyptic narrative, as the world was devastated by god-like otherworldly titans known as Eldrazi, with survivors now struggling to survive in the aftermath. First introduced for Magic: The Gathering in 2009 with the Zendikar set, the plane has been revisited multiple times, including the Battle for Zendikar block in 2015 and Zendikar Rising in 2020. A Plane Shift supplement for D&D 5e was released in 2016 that provides background information on the setting, as well as playable species including the Kor and Zendikar variants of Merfolk, Vampires and Goblins.

D&D Publications: Plane Shift: Zendikar (2016)

Ollie Delano is a Staff Writer who lives in Chicago, Illinois where he majored in Journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He’s been playing Dungeons & Dragons for over 10 years and currently plays in a weekly game group where he rolls way too many natural 1s and chugs way too much Mountain Dew. His favorite D&D campaign setting is Eberron and his favorite character to play was a Tiefling rogue named Draxiss who enjoys both literal and figurative backstabbing.