I love cycles. Being able to check boxes satisfies me a little more than it should, and because of this one of my frustrations regarding Battle for Zendikar and Oath of the Gatewatch was the absence of explicit Emevera and Urnaav vampires, failing to expand the coverage from three to five vampiric families.

I was hoping Shadows over Innistrad wouldn’t fail in this aspect. I don’t expect to see legendary creatures from the four major bloodlines (Runo is enough), but I really wanted them to be represented were they weren’t in the original block, and I’m already excited with the few spoilers we have seen because we may finally have transforming vampires representing the four major Innistrad’s bloodlines!

Wait, you don’t care? Well, I’m aware most players couldn’t care less about such achievements, but if you do I would like to propose a toast while we feast on these satisfying images.

The Markov line has been fairly ambitious in its siring over the many centuries, and as a result the Markov vampires exist in all four of Innistrad’s provinces.

Additional hint: Bloodline Keeper was used to illustrate the Markov bloodline in A Planeswalker’s Guide to Stensia and Vampires.

Voldaren elders can more easily master magic that enables them to transform into animal forms, especially those of the bat, cat, and rat.

Additional hints: The spiralled curve in her hair (over her ear), the shamrock symbol near her elbow and her neck accessory resembles Steve Prescott’s concept art for a Voldaren vampire.

Falkenrath elders are more likely to master powers of flight than those of other lines.



Some Stromkirk elders have achieved the ability to transform themselves into mist.

Excerpts’ source.

Do you agree each bloodline’s strengths are covered by transforming cards? What do you think?