Wizards of the Coast has announced a new Magic: The Gathering expansion set to explore Zhalfir, the birthplace of the iconic Planeswalker Teferi. The set is scheduled for release in fall 2027 and will delve into the history and current state of this significant location within the Magic lore. Zhalfir was once a kingdom on Dominaria, Magic's original plane, which Teferi himself phased out of existence using powerful magic to protect it. It later reappeared as a separate plane as a consequence of the New Phyrexian invasion of the Multiverse.
This new expansion aims to reconnect players with fundamental pieces of Magic's history, promising the return of many beloved characters. Teferi, the influential time wizard who has witnessed and participated in pivotal events across the Multiverse, is expected to be a central figure. His origin story includes training at Urza's Tolarian Academy and serving as Royal Mage of Zhalfir before awakening his Planeswalker spark. His actions to protect Zhalfir by phasing it out of normal space and time are a key part of his narrative.
After an apparent initial loss of Zhalfir during its restoration attempt following the first Phyrexian invasion, Teferi eventually found a way back to his homeland during the second Phyrexian invasion. With the assistance of Wrenn, he reunited Zhalfir with the Multiverse, enabling its army to play a crucial role in defeating the Phyrexians. This event led to Zhalfir and New Phyrexia swapping places in the Multiverse, establishing Zhalfir as its own distinct plane.
The upcoming set will also incorporate elements from the Mirrodin plane, as the five suns of Mirrodin now orbit Zhalfir following the planar swap. This cosmic shift has allowed refugees from the original Mirrodin to find sanctuary on Zhalfir, suggesting the potential return of familiar characters, card types, and even gameplay archetypes, echoing mechanics like affinity for artifacts that originated in the Mirrodin set.
Karn, the creator of Mirrodin, may also feature prominently in the new narrative, given his long-standing efforts to restore the plane. Following recent explorations into Universes Beyond, this reunion of original Magic characters is anticipated to be a significant draw for both long-time fans and new players. The Zhalfir set is slated for release on October 1, 2027.
