Plains typify white mana inMagic: The Gathering, the color of community, order, and peace. Perhaps more so than any other color, white mana characterizes a calm, welcoming presence, and many Plains in the game reflect that nature.
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White also has some of the worst card draw and mana fixing in the game, meaning that what few Plains you do get should at least look pretty. Any white deck would be glad to have these amazing additions to Magic’s ever-growing collection of artwork.
10Plains By Robin Olausson
Coming out in The Brothers' War, this Plains reflects the artifact-heavy nature of Urza’s home plane. The eye is drawn to the beautifully sculpted mech, which strikes an imposing figure, especially when compared to the tranquil farmlands beneath it.
The sense of scale accurately conveys the behemoth machine and makes you ponder if it is a weapon of war or a tool of the people. Knowing the full-blown war of machines that comes, it is quite possibly both.
9Plains By Adam Paquette
This Plains by Adam Paquette depicts the royal palace of Kamigawa during the technological revolution of its Neon Dynasty. While evoking the look of feudal Japan, the image is clearly a modern take on it. The zen gardens typical of the time are laid out in gorgeously manicured circular paddies, connected loosely by bridges while the royal palace lies in the backgrounds, present but not in the focus.
Instead, the eye is drawn to the gardens themselves, a very futuristic take on the farmland usually portrayed in Plains artwork. The art feels very organic to the plane, and serves to explore a side of Kamigawa that will never really be seen in the stories and creature cards.
8Plains, By Alayna Danner
This Plains from Tarkir is a beautiful look at plane long overdue for a return. The picturesque sight features roiling fields of tall grass with meandering paths and streams snaking through it.
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It feels serene yet somewhat ominous, as though the cloud cover dotting the landscape is hiding something. Knowing Tarkir, it very well may. Like the Savannah, the beauty in this image belies the danger apparent in Tarkir and the image conveys that deceptive look very well.
7Plains, By Kozyndan
This Plains by Japanese husband-and-wife duo Kozyndan was a highlight of theirSecret Lair Drop. Set in serene, sprawling fields of grain, the image harkens classic Plains cards of much older sets. Additionally, the cat-like creatures and the soldiers themselves are a great homage to two staple creature types white is known for: soldiers and cats.
The animated look lends well to the card and draws the eye upwards into the vast expanse of sky that stretches into the heavens themselves. For this reason, this Plains would be an amazing addition to cat, soldier, and even angel tribal decks looking for some distinction.
6Plains By David Sondered
From the Transformers Lands Secret Lair Drop, this Plains is set in the apocalyptic machine planet that is natively home to the Transformers. In this stunning piece of art, Optimus Prime and his fellow Autobots drive slowly across the sleek, barren world, only lit by the light of a single bright star in the distance.
It evokes a feeling a loneliness, likely because these Autobots are some of the last after the machine wars nearly exterminated their entire race.
Even though the expanse feels lonely, there is still a spark of hope. The Autobots fight not for themselves but for the good of everyone. So long as the band of brothers and sisters remains, there is still some light in the world and this card does a good job of portraying that. It is truly a great representation of white mana and a solid choice for any white deck, Transformers or no.
5Plains By Adam Paquette
One of thefantastic space lands from Unfinity, This Plains by Adam Paquette is unlike any other before. Depicting a nova planet with many concentric rings, the art has a vast scale unlike any before. On a technical level, this piece is amazing. The light streaking from each individual rock is realistically portrayed and has a sense of dynamic effect that it feels almost computer-generated.
Thematically, it works well with White-mana. Even in space, the planet’s rings form a concentric band of unity, holding each other in place despite the expansive void. It is also reminiscent of the many board-wipe spells White is known for, such as cleansing nova and Armageddon. Overall, it is a slam dunk in narrative and artistic style and would be well-suited to any White deck, especially those with control elements.
4Plains, By Alayna Danner
This Plains from All Will Be One demonstrates the stark perfection that Elesh Norn strives for in her controlled section of New Phyrexia and the future she strives for in all other planes. Unlike other Plains, this one is not open, nor is it inviting. It is simply a flawless reminder of the might of New Phyrexia.
There is a sort of eeriness in this picture, like something is quite wrong. The image, although technically flawless, feels sterile and empty. There is beauty in this piece, but also a sense of profound wrongness, and it is in this feeling that this Plains shines as a fantastic reminder of why New Phyrexia is so terrifying.
3Plains, By Christine Choi
It is odd to see a Plains so completely devoid of life that it feels more like a Swamp card, but here we see that in this Plains card by Christine Choi from the Archenemy: Nicol Bolas pack.
Set on Amonkhet after the Hour of Devastation, Nicol Bolas' pet plane is near deprived of all life, having only left the voracious dead in its wake.Bolas' monument is set far in the background, a standing testament to his victory, the Second Sun shining between its twisted horn.
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Nicol Bolas has won here. There are no survivors, no civilizations, and no hope. It is an eerie reminder one of the greatest villains in Magic, and is a testament to how he will go to any length to achieve power, even the complete destruction of an entire plane. It is a simple piece, but evokes strong feelings of despair. While perhaps ill-suited to the cheery mono-white decks, it is very well-suited to combo color decks, especially black/white.
2Plains, By Magali Villeneuve
Another card from Dominaria United, this full-art stained-glass Plains is a loving tribute to Benalia, the predominantly white-aligned kingdom of Dominaria. The white mana symbol forms a blazing sun, outstretching its welcoming light to those in Benalia and beckoning them towards the castle.
A trio of swords represents the Benalish knights who unerringly seek out evil. The feathers are a nice touch, as they hint to the angels of the plane that are also all White-aligned.
What makes this an even better homage is the splashes of color they use, which are also used by Benalish armed forces in enchanted glass shields and armor. Of all thestained-glass art, this one is perhaps the most apt, and could perfectly fit no other place more than Benalia.
1Plains, By John Avon
The simplest portrayal of Plains is often its best and this card definitely comes to mind when many think of Plains. From famous MTG land artist John Avon, this straightforward interpretation of Plains holds a quiet, calming beauty. A single path snakes forward into n endless sea of tall grass, brilliantly lit by a setting sun on the horizon.
The mix of colors from dark oranges to bright but subtle yellows frames the sunset so well and the image draws your eye to it no matter where you look. Overall, it’s so simple yet so effective. It is little wonder that this Plains is among the most popular out there and for good reason.
