#i noticed one redundancy before posting and I'm glad I caught it

[abelzumi]

Magic: the Crypticing

So I may have been turned on to Cryptic Crosswords by an old friend of mine. And I may or may not have gotten a bit obsessed with making them. It takes a certain angle of brainerating, but for those who are curious (or already initiated), here's a general rundown of how these things work.

I also love puzzle engagement which is why I've foisted this upon everyone I can at my LGS to little to no avail. Hopefully the internet fares better. Reminder that (X, Y) means two words, the first of which is X letters long and the second of which is Y letters long.

This puzzle requires both constructing and deconstructing MTG lingo, jargon, and card history, as well as a general knowledge of Cryptic clues, acronyms, abbreviations, etc. Enjoy!

ACROSS

1. Promo for Kamigawa set: heretical sorcerer controls direction of plane. (3-4)

5. Change your mana after topping Wickerfolk's surveil. (7)

9. When mechanics first arrive, they appear to raise ethical question left unknown? (15)

10. Lands untapping cinches two points for Elves? (7)

11. Bottom-up sets anger rock singer. (5)

13. Belligerent takes arose? (6, 3)

16. Wildfire land sweep allows +2 from Chandra. (4)

17. Number after declaring Ascend could be zero? (2, 2)

18. Check legality of pitch sequence because fourth Force of Will could partner with Twin. (6, 4)

21. Landcycle Mardu finisher before Final Revels (5)

23. Toothed hunters sound doubly fishy? (7)

26. Only designer quality silver & diamonds top gown and royal handle. (7, 8)

27. Target changes east after red energy sweeper. (7)

28. Grounded still on a flyer? Victor wouldn't have... (4, 3)

DOWN

1. By the way, I'm piloting Rakdos Tokens. (4)

2. Auras make draw power sound mid; brew with one who shuffles. (3, 12)

3. Odd Commander goal after long set-up, say. (7)

4. Glimmerwasp heresy within the bounds of New Phyrexia. (7)

5. Shreds of Sanity doesn't use any P1P1 Wandering Mind effects. (4)

6. Large birds supposedly equip tokens. (5)

7. Where there's time to study erotica, many a lad exploded. (8, 7)

8. How to (historically) empower a deer/pony hybrid? (3, 3, 3)

12. Some of these indicators take a second—left stranded? (4)

13. Big rogue belly-up wearing some hat and risque clothing backwards. (9)

14. Powerless power for brewing black? (4)

15. Cut when head replaces knight. (3) 

19. Valakut makes this Eldraine legend from OTJ take the resolution. (7)

20. Elenda fears dance moves while firing. (7)

23. Salty beginner affirms combo with a second-turn Plains after initial misplay. (5)

24. "Gitaxian Probe, Putrid Leech...no attacks?" (4)

25. Even Hatebears beginner uses 3/2 Mindsparker to sideboard. (4)