Well before the release of each expansion I do my best to try and predict the nature of that set.  We try to do this before any cards are released.  This is not simply a wish-list of things I would want to see in the set, it is a strict analysis of the set itself in the context of the limited information already known.  With Zendikar, we have little to no information in hand save its logo, its name and a few random musings.  That having been established;  here are my predictions for Magic the Gathering's next expansion. (WARNING: Minor epilogue spoilers for Purifiying Fire ahead)

1. Indiana Jones Vs Mesoamerica - While not every set has a "theme" per say, Zendikar will certainly be a plane with its own rules and natural order.  Mark Rosewater hasn't revealed much about what Zendikar is, but he has said quite a bit about what it is not:  "I do feel the world we've created is a resonant one, but not one with pirates or dinosaurs.  Or ninjas. Or robots. Or monkeys." - MR. With so little information on the set 10 weeks out I am forced to extrapolate the set's flavor from it's logo and title.  From these, I foresee an Indiana Jones meets Mesoamerica type of flavor.  Don't expect to see the words Aztec, Maya or "Skull of Doom" on any of these cards.  The set will simply draw on the rich, often magical atmosphere of those realms.  Think human sacrifices, poison,  priceless, ancient treasures and jungle savagery.  We've already seen a lot of this in Naya, granted but imagine that plane with a splash of the other missing colors as well.  Whether that be through aristocratic vampires for black or sea faring people's in blue.  Think back to future sight with cards like Death Rattle,  Skirk Ridge Exhumer,  Nacatl War Pride, Graven Cairns and Muraganda Petroglyphs for the flavor I'm talking about.

[caption id="attachment_3650" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Remember those tapping enchantments in Future Sight?  They're baaaaaack."]

[/caption]

2. Unique Mana Production - Zendikar will revolve around generating mana in unique and interesting ways.  WotC has said for years that they'd like to add a "6th color" to the game.  Not in the literal sense, but by forcing players to generate mana for particular purposes.  Look for cards to read "use this mana only to play X spells".  Or look to generate bonus mana when certain conditions are met.  Also look for lands that don't produce mana and non-land cards that do produce mana such as "Manlands" or mana producing creatures.  Look for cards like Imperiosaur with restrictions on the types of mana used to play it.  There may even be an ability that lets you tap any card with that ability for one of the mana color used to cast it.  For example:  If the ability was on Glorious Anthem you could tap that enchantment for one white mana.  This would reward you for casting more expensive enchantments that might not be worth the mana.  Either way, I believe mana fixing will be a huge part of Zendikar if only because of this quote from "Purifying Fire": (on Zendikar) "A mysterious plane- which may or may not exist- where mana works differently than any where else in the multiverse?"  Mana will work differently in Zendikar.  The only question left is "how"?

3. Big, Shiny, Useful, Non-Creature Artifacts - The tagline for Zendikar is "Deadly Perils, Priceless Treasures."  While the perils will be obvious with things like poison back in the mix, the treasures are sure to be equally as interesting.  Look for giant, useful artifacts that change the game when they hit the table.  Remember Mirari from the Odyssey block?   Large, golden artifacts that are particularly coveted.  A quote from the new book referring to Zendikar: "And an artifact of such immense power that it will certainly be sought, coveted, and fought over by people far more ruthless then any keralian..." While we're on the subject of treasure, check out the interesting treasure theory purposed by MikeyG.

[caption id="attachment_3624" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Umm... yes?"]

[/caption]

4. Three Planeswalkers - Chandra, Nissa and Sorin - We know for a fact that Zendikar will feature exactly three planeswalkers.  Nissa has been confirmed as one of those planeswalkers (though no details are known.)  Chandra is an assumption on my part as she "walks" to Zen at the end of her recent novel.  I expect her to be the same card we know and (don't particularly) love as the book does not change her character enough to warrant shifting her color.  If anything she'd still be red with different gametext but I expect the card to simply be reprinted however boring that might sound.  Sorin was recently revealed as an Ultra Pro card sleeve.  Nothing is known about him... he may not even be a planeswalker.  But hey, these are wild speculations here!  A boy can dream, can't he?  A badass blood-sucking, walker?  Or a 2/1, first strike common?  I predict (and pray for) the former.

5. White gets Nerfed, Blue gets Pumped - White cannot possibly contain any more bad-ass cards in the standard format.  A handful of packs into opening  my M10 booster box I thought to myself  "What are the cards I'd really be excited about pulling?"  My list? (...and this is not an exaggeration...) Silence, Ajani Goldmane, Baneslayer Angel, Honor of the Pure, need I go on?  A playset of each of those and you've got a formidable tournament deck right there!  My point is that white cannot possibly be any more pumped than it already is.  I expect white to get the same treatment blue did in M10, which is to say it'll get the shaft.  Blue, for what its worth, will  receive one or two gems in Zendikar.  Look for a good bounce, an Evacuation equivalent or a thoughtful counterspell.

[caption id="attachment_3633" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Look for specialized lands with a focus on artifacts as well as revived modern mechanics."]

[/caption]

6. Return of Modern Mechanics such as Hideaway and Delve - Hideaway is such a great ability.  It adds an element of strategy and depth to the game without being overly complicated.  And who doesn't enjoy playing cards for free?  Keeping with the Aztec/Mayan theme, temples and sacred lands just scream out for hideaway.  If you take a look back at the future sight cards Death Rattle and Tombstalker you'll find a couple of cards that fit right in with my purposed theme.  The artwork for Death Rattle is particularly uncanny.  I'd expect the revival of even more mechanics and certainly the inclusion of a few new ones for Zendikar.

7. Return of a Cheap(er) Sweep - And it won't be white.  White is the rush now more than ever.  Honor of the Pure, Elspeth and Ajani all available in standard at the same time?   White needs to be contained by the other colors, not the other way around. Now, I know Damnation has been predicted for reprint in each and every set since its release so I won't go there.  I'm thinking more along the lines of Mutilate, a, non-white Wrath of God with twist or even an Evacuation-esque offering.  Look for cards that require a certain specialty to be effective.  Mutilate only works if you're playing with mostly swamps.  Offering tragically effective cards only to decks with a certain focus is a great way to get these cards in the game without breaking standard.

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

I'm so accurate with these things I might have to start giving out spoiler warnings at the beginning.  Do a quick search for my other predictions and you'll have your breath taken from you, and your mind blown.   Seriously though, keep an eye on our Zendikar Spoiler page for all of the latest "real" spoilers.  Gathering Magic always has you covered.