Decoding Tarkir Clan Colors: A Comprehensive Guide to the Five Factions
The plane of Tarkir, a world steeped in martial tradition and ancestral spirits, is defined by its five powerful clans. Each clan, distinguished by its unique color combination and philosophy, offers a distinct approach to survival and dominance. Understanding the Tarkir clan colors is crucial for grasping the lore, strategy, and overall identity of this vibrant setting within the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. This guide delves into the intricacies of each clan, exploring their history, values, and the role their respective color identities play in shaping their destiny. We will examine the Tarkir clan colors, their unique playstyles, and how they interact within the plane’s complex ecosystem.
The History and Lore of Tarkir
Before diving into the specifics of each clan, it’s essential to understand the historical context of Tarkir. The plane was once ruled by dragons, majestic creatures that shaped the land and its inhabitants. However, a powerful khan named Sarkhan Vol, under the influence of Nicol Bolas, altered the timeline, erasing the dragons from existence and ushering in an era dominated by the five warring clans. This event, known as the Great Dragon Uprising, fundamentally changed the power dynamics of Tarkir and set the stage for the conflicts that define the plane.
Understanding Color Identity in Magic: The Gathering
In Magic: The Gathering, color identity is a fundamental concept that dictates the types of mana a card can produce and the types of cards that can be included in a deck. Each color represents a different philosophy, strategy, and set of strengths and weaknesses. Understanding color identity is crucial for deckbuilding and understanding the nuances of gameplay. The Tarkir clan colors leverage these identities to create unique and powerful strategies.
The Five Tarkir Clans and Their Colors
Each of the five clans of Tarkir embodies a unique combination of colors, reflecting their distinct philosophies and combat styles. Let’s explore each clan in detail:
The Abzan Houses (White, Black, Green)
The Abzan Houses, represented by the colors white, black, and green, value endurance, family, and tradition. They are known for their strong defensive capabilities and their ability to outlast their opponents. Their keyword mechanic, Outlast, reflects their patient and disciplined approach to warfare. They are masters of siege warfare, relying on fortified positions and unwavering loyalty. The Tarkir clan colors of the Abzan emphasize survival and long-term planning.
- White: Represents order, structure, and community.
- Black: Represents pragmatism, self-interest, and power.
- Green: Represents nature, growth, and tradition.
The Abzan’s strength lies in their ability to create resilient creatures and grind out victories through attrition. They are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, embodying the spirit of unwavering endurance. The combination of white, black, and green makes them a powerful force on Tarkir. Their Tarkir clan colors perfectly represent their values.
The Jeskai Way (White, Blue, Red)
The Jeskai Way, represented by the colors white, blue, and red, value cunning, enlightenment, and martial arts. They are known for their agile combatants and their mastery of both physical and mental disciplines. Their keyword mechanic, Prowess, rewards noncreature spells, encouraging a reactive and adaptable playstyle. The Tarkir clan colors of the Jeskai reflect their focus on skill, precision, and strategic thinking.
- White: Represents discipline, order, and morality.
- Blue: Represents knowledge, control, and manipulation.
- Red: Represents passion, impulse, and freedom.
The Jeskai’s strength lies in their ability to control the flow of battle and strike with precision. They are masters of evasion and disruption, using their agility and intellect to outmaneuver their opponents. The combination of white, blue, and red makes them a versatile and dangerous force. The Tarkir clan colors are a testament to their diverse skill set.
The Sultai Brood (Black, Green, Blue)
The Sultai Brood, represented by the colors black, green, and blue, value ruthlessness, wealth, and power. They are known for their necromantic practices and their use of cunning and deceit to achieve their goals. Their keyword mechanic, Delve, allows them to exile cards from their graveyard to reduce the cost of their spells, reflecting their willingness to sacrifice anything for power. The Tarkir clan colors of the Sultai emphasize ambition, manipulation, and the pursuit of dominance.
- Black: Represents ambition, self-interest, and power.
- Green: Represents growth, decay, and the cycle of life.
- Blue: Represents control, manipulation, and knowledge.
The Sultai’s strength lies in their ability to control the graveyard and overwhelm their opponents with powerful spells and creatures. They are masters of manipulation and corruption, using their dark magic to achieve their goals. The combination of black, green, and blue makes them a formidable and terrifying force. Their Tarkir clan colors reflect their sinister nature.
The Mardu Horde (Red, White, Black)
The Mardu Horde, represented by the colors red, white, and black, value speed, aggression, and honor. They are known for their lightning-fast raids and their unwavering commitment to their war code. Their keyword mechanic, Raid, rewards attacking with creatures, encouraging an aggressive and relentless playstyle. The Tarkir clan colors of the Mardu reflect their focus on speed, power, and unwavering loyalty to their horde.
- Red: Represents passion, impulse, and freedom.
- White: Represents honor, duty, and community.
- Black: Represents ambition, self-interest, and power.
The Mardu’s strength lies in their ability to overwhelm their opponents with swift and decisive attacks. They are masters of aggression and disruption, using their speed and ferocity to crush their enemies. The combination of red, white, and black makes them a relentless and unstoppable force. The Tarkir clan colors are a perfect representation of their warlike culture.
The Temur Frontier (Green, Blue, Red)
The Temur Frontier, represented by the colors green, blue, and red, value savagery, adaptation, and independence. They are known for their reliance on brute force and their ability to adapt to the ever-changing environment of the mountains. Their keyword mechanic, Ferocious, rewards having creatures with power 4 or greater, encouraging a creature-heavy and aggressive playstyle. The Tarkir clan colors of the Temur reflect their focus on strength, adaptability, and the power of the wild.
- Green: Represents nature, instinct, and growth.
- Blue: Represents knowledge, adaptation, and control.
- Red: Represents passion, impulse, and freedom.
The Temur’s strength lies in their ability to summon powerful creatures and overwhelm their opponents with brute force. They are masters of adaptability and resilience, using their connection to nature to survive in the harshest environments. The combination of green, blue, and red makes them a formidable and unpredictable force. Their Tarkir clan colors emphasize their connection to the wild and their untamed spirit.
The Role of Tarkir Clan Colors in Deckbuilding
When building a deck around one of the Tarkir clan colors, it’s important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each color combination. Each clan offers a unique playstyle and set of strategies, allowing players to tailor their decks to their preferred style of gameplay. Understanding the synergies between the colors and the available cards is crucial for creating a successful and competitive deck.
For example, an Abzan deck might focus on building a resilient board presence and grinding out victories through attrition, while a Mardu deck might focus on overwhelming their opponents with swift and aggressive attacks. The Tarkir clan colors provide a framework for deckbuilding, allowing players to create decks that are both thematic and powerful. [See also: Building a Five-Color Deck in Magic: The Gathering]
The Impact of the Dragonlords on Tarkir’s Clan Colors
When Sarkhan Vol traveled back in time, he restored the dragons to Tarkir, effectively erasing the clans as they were known. The colors shifted to represent the Dragonlords, each embodying a single color and a paired allied color. The Ojutai (White/Blue), Silumgar (Black/Blue), Kolaghan (Red/Black), Atarka (Green/Red), and Dromoka (White/Green) each championed different aspects of draconic power and altered the landscape of Tarkir. While the clans still existed in some form, their previous tri-color identities were shattered, replaced by the dominance of the Dragonlords and their respective color pairings. The original Tarkir clan colors became a memory of a timeline that no longer existed.
Conclusion
The Tarkir clan colors are a fundamental aspect of the plane’s identity, shaping its history, culture, and gameplay. Each clan offers a unique perspective on survival and dominance, reflecting the diverse philosophies and strategies of the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. By understanding the intricacies of each clan and their respective colors, players can gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of Tarkir. Whether you prefer the endurance of the Abzan, the cunning of the Jeskai, the ruthlessness of the Sultai, the aggression of the Mardu, or the savagery of the Temur, there is a clan that will resonate with your playstyle and your values.
The plane of Tarkir and its Tarkir clan colors offers a fascinating study in the interplay of color identity and cultural values within the Magic: The Gathering universe. Understanding the history and the nuances of each clan allows players to not only build more effective decks but also to appreciate the rich lore and storytelling that makes Magic: The Gathering such a compelling and enduring game. From the original five clans to the dragon-dominated timeline, the Tarkir clan colors continue to evolve and shape the destiny of this vibrant and dynamic plane. [See also: The Complete Guide to Magic: The Gathering Color Philosophy]
