“Join us in the grand competition of “Battleworld”! The mantle of leadership lies vacant, awaiting the one worthy enough to claim it. Will you stand idly by as our world descends into turmoil, or will you seize this moment to shape the fate of Battleworld? Rally behind your chosen baron, and let your bravery be known. Fight alongside your fellow warriors, for in this trial of strength and will, the victor shall emerge as the rightful Emperor of Battleworld!”

– The Herald of Battleworld

What is Battleworld?

Battleworld is a patchwork plane made from remnants of destroyed altered realities, found across the Multiverse of Magic. It is known as a chaotic plane, locked in eternal night and a constant state of war between the survivors of the salvaged realities. Mishra, wielding the power of the Weakstone, brought order to the world, ordering the remnants of the separate realities into “domains”. These domains fell under his imperial reign as the sovereign ruler of Battleworld, also known as The God Emperor.

Some domains consisted of the remains of multiple realities and were unified due to warfare or mutual agreement. Each domain was ruled by a baron or baroness, appointed by Mishra himself. The borders of each kingdom were clearly defined, and travel between different domains was discouraged and required special dispensation from the local baron. Unauthorized travel between domains was strictly prohibited.

Under the ruthless governance of Mishra, each baron or baroness had direct control over their territories and their rule was absolute, provided they swore an oath of allegiance to Mishra. Disputes arising between domains found resolution within The Halls of Thran, before The God Emperor himself. Settlements varied from amicable agreements to imbalanced outcomes. Among the consequences for transgressions, restitution loomed large, payable in either gold or land. Those accused could invoke a trial of combat, dubbed The Contest of Wills, challenging their accuser to mortal combat in The Arena. Should the accuser decline, all charges against the accused were thereby nullified.

Mishra ruled Battleworld for a millennium until he recently disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Mishra’s disappearance created a power vacuum that led to the rise of warlords and an immediate threat of civil war within the borders of the domains. In a desperate attempt to restore order, the five barons resolved to fight for possession of the entire plane in a grand competition called “Battleworld”. In The Arena warlords will fight to the death on behalf of their baron. The winner will be appointed Emperor of Battleworld.

The Domains of Battleworld

There are currently 5 domains in Battleworld:

• Aysen: Ruled by Baron Hazduhr, The Abbot of Aysen Abbey
  (White, Green, Blue)
• The Floating Isle: Ruled by Baron Reveka, Wizard Savant of the Wizard’s School
  (Blue, White and Black)
• Dark Barony: Ruled by Baron Sengir, count of Castle Sengir
  (Black, Blue, Red)
• Koskun: Ruled by Baron Eron the Relentless, warlord of Koskun Keep
  (Red, Black, Green)
• The Great Wood: Ruled by Baroness Autumn Willow, protector of the An-Havva Township (Green, Red, White)

The basic rules of Battleworld!

• Three-player teams are positioned together on one side of the table, facing the opposing team.
• Each team has pre-selected a “domain” within Battleworld to represent. Players are restricted to playing cards from colors associated with their team’s chosen domain.
• Although players operate individually, teams can cooperate by examining each other’s hands and deliberating on strategies. However, each player maintains separate elements such as life totals, hands, libraries, battlefields, and more.
• The individual positioned at the center of each team assumes the role of that team’s “Emperor”. The Emperor commences the game with 30 life points.
• The players seated adjacent to the Emperor on either side are designated as the teams’ “Generals”. Generals begin the game with 20 life points.
• A team’s defeat occurs only when its Emperor is defeated.
• The Emperor remains immune to being targeted by spells or abilities (although the Emperor’s spells are targetable) as long as both Generals are alive. Thus, any player can counter a Emperor’s spell or destroy its creature. However, direct attacks like a Fireball cannot be aimed at the Emperor as long as both Generals are intact.
• The Emperor remains invulnerable to all creature attacks and targeted spells as long as both Generals are alive. A General can only direct creature attacks at the Emperor if the opposing General has been eliminated. When attacking the Emperor, the General’s creatures must be first transferred to the Emperor’s battlefield.
• Once an Emperor is attacked by creatures or targeted by spells  both Emperor’s become vulnerable to creature attacks and targeted spells.
• During a player’s second main phase, that players can tap summon creatures under their control, that are not effected by summoning sickness, to lend assistance to a teammate’s position by moving to the adjacent battlefield. Creatures can only move to the battlefield of a teammate directly adjacent to them. Moving a creature does not transfer control over it. Note that when a player is eliminated, all cards they own are removed from the game.
• All targeted spells and abilities have an extended “range of plus one,” affecting players sitting directly adjacent to their targets and both Emperors.
• Following that reasoning, the Emperor’s targeted spells can affect both opposing Generals and the opposing Emperor.

• Spells that don’t target have unlimited range. Therefore, a Wrath of God annihilates all creatures on the battlefield and a Wheel of Fortune affects all players.

Battleworld is played using full modern rules, including no mana burn.

Legal sets in Battleworld

The following promotional cards from 1994-1995 are also legal: Arena, Sewers of Estark, Nalathni Dragon, Giant Badger, Windseeker Centaur, and Mana Crypt.

Restricted in Battleworld

Battleworld is played using the November 1995 Banned and Restriced List, with a a few tweaks to make sure it remains balanced, flavorfull and fun.

Restriced in Battleworld:

Banned in Battleworld:

Amulet of Quoz
Bronze Tablet
Channel
Contract from Below
Darkpact
Demonic Attorney
Jeweled Bird
Mind Twist
Rebirth
Tempest Efreet
Timmerian Fiends

Let’s Battle!

Battleworld will start during the Edge-Man 2026 Championship! Are you ready to enter The Arena to represent your domain and fight for dominion over Battleworld? You won’t be standing alone!

The Edge-Man 2026 Championship will have an Emperor-variant side-event called Battleworld! Your team can only play cards from the color identity of your domain. Fallen Empires, Ice Age and Homelands (!) are added to the cardpool. Time to rally your friends and choose a domain. It’s battle time!