CBR - Magic: The Gathering

River Song's Universes Beyond Doctor Who Magic Card Is A Complete Flavor Win

Alex Lenzini — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 23:00:41 GMT

Magic: the Gathering has been crossing over with other major franchises with its "Universes Beyond" initiative. This has allowed Magic to bring characters, items, and worlds from other franchises into the game of MTG. Beyond the novelty of seeing iconic characters in a popular game, it is fun to see the gameplay mechanics that emerge from the crossover, and guessing which characters and aspects from the franchise will appear in Magic is always a fun guessing game for players.

Should Magic: The Gathering Stop Creating New Sagas?

Ross Lombardo — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:00:28 GMT

With an influx of new Sagas in the new Doctor Who set, more on their way in Lost Caverns of Ixalan, and also in Wilds of Eldraine, Sagas have been getting a lot of support lately in Magic: The Gathering. Is it too much? Mechanics like Treasures, for example, can feel oversaturated when there's too much exposure to them in a relatively short amount of time. Exceptionally broken cards often end up coming out of archetypes and certain mechanics if they become too oversaturated, as the more cards being made means that the more chances that any individual card is broken. Fable of the Mirror Breaker and Urza's Saga are good examples of Saga cards that may be beginning to wear out their welcome.

MtG: Top 10 Red Cards in Wilds Of Eldraine Draft

Louis Kemner — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 23:30:26 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's latest expansion set, Wilds of Eldraine, isn't quite as powerful as the original Throne of Eldraine, but it still features plenty of great cards for various formats. Some Wilds of Eldraine cards are primed for Commander and Standard, while others are obvious must-haves for booster draft Limited.

Best Multicolored Cards in MtG Wilds Of Eldraine Draft

Shea Puent — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:20:26 GMT

The latest Magic: The Gathering release makes a return to the dreamlike plane of Eldraine post-Phyrexian invasion. In Wilds of Eldraine, where gingerbread cookies come alive and wicked enchantments befall all kinds of mythical creatures, what lies beyond the fairytale realm is revealed.

MtG: Best Green Cards in Wilds of Eldraine Draft, Ranked

Louis Kemner — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 23:30:25 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's newest expansion set, Wilds of Eldraine, has plenty of what made the original Throne of Eldraine set so flavorful and powerful. Wilds of Eldraine is a fairy tale set with cool gameplay mechanics like Bargain, Adventure, Food tokens, and enchantment Roles, which can help define games of booster draft Limited. Of course, draft players shouldn't forget the core basics of draft along the way.

MtG: Best Black Cards in Wilds of Eldraine Draft, Ranked

Louis Kemner — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 21:30:25 GMT

Wilds of Eldraine is Magic: The Gathering's newest fairy tale-themed expansion set, complete with fun, thematic mechanics such as enchantment Roles, Food tokens, and the Bargain mechanic to strike deals with fey creatures. These new mechanics are flavorful and fun, but of course, the basic rules and strategies for booster draft Limited still apply. Once players look past the fairy tale shenanigans, they must assess each color for its most essential tools.

Lightning Bolt Is One Of Magic: The Gathering's Best Cards

Ross Lombardo — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 17:40:24 GMT

There are a few cards in Magic: The Gathering's history which nearly any player can recognize on sight. There are fewer cards that even a new player could fully understand at a glance. There are even fewer cards that combine ease of use, iconic status, and a perfect match of flavor and function. In a game where new cards are constantly played and printed crystallized in amber through dozens of reprints, Lightning Bolt is still the best Burn spell ever printed. The few formats in which it sees play showcase why Bolt will never see printing in standard, because of its ruthless efficiency married to Swiss Army knife-like versatility. Bolt has etched itself into the history of Magic with the speed and impact of its namesake. Despite this, it may be overlooked compared to the more complex or flashy cards, especially by newer players.

Magic: The Gathering Artist "Disappointed" About New Card Copyright

John Dodge — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 16:01:27 GMT

Original Magic: The Gathering artist Jesper Myrfors has callsed into question publisher Wizards of the Coast's apparent changes to copyright stamps on cards.

The Best Magic: The Gathering Commanders This Month

Mitchell Bozik — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 20:06:22 GMT

Magic: the Gathering’s Commander format has had a swift uptick in players recently, especially with the large influx of Commander products being released with almost every set. Commander is one of the most difficult formats to transition into since almost every card in MtG’s history is legal in the format. Sometimes the best cards are frustrating to deal with when extensive card knowledge is not yet available.

10 Best Blue Cards In Magic: The Gathering Wilds of Eldraine Draft

Shea Puent — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:51:24 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's latest set is a return to the medieval realm of Eldraine. Leaning heavily into a nightmarish fairytale aesthetic, Wilds of Eldraine explores the magical plane in the wake of the Phyrexian invasion. This set features a handful of new and returning mechanics and centers primarily around the use of enchantments and adventures.

Magic: The Gathering — 10 Best White Cards In Wilds of Eldraine Draft

Shea Puent — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 20:16:29 GMT

Magic: The Gathering is known for its fascination with the delightfully absurd, and its latest release is no exception. Taking place in a cursed fairytale realm, the Wilds of Eldraine set has introduced a variety of exciting new cards and mechanics for fans to enjoy.

Aggro, Control, Combo, and Midrange: A Guide To Magic's Biggest Archetypes

Ross Lombardo — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 16:45:26 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has many deck archetypes, but four of these archetypes serve as the broadest categories of deck, informing its strategy and composition. Combo, Aggro, Midrange, and Control are four of the broadest MTG deck archetypes and are exceptionally useful in defining what a deck's main goal is.

Magic: The Best Wilds of Eldraine Cards for Commander

Louis Kemner — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 20:15:25 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's newest expansion set, Wilds of Eldraine, is more of what made the original Throne of Eldraine set so powerful, even if Wilds isn't quite as strong by comparison. Instead of turning the game upside down with busted cards like Oko, Thief of Crowns, Wilds of Eldraine offers some strong but fair cards that will benefit formats like Standard and Commander.

Magic: The Gathering — Why Do Players Hate Mill?

Ross Lombardo — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 18:50:24 GMT

If one thing is true of Magic: The Gathering, it's that the players can be very vocal if they don't like a particular deck or strategy. One strategy that gets a lot of negative attention is Mill. Whether it's Commander, kitchen table casual, or Modern, people don't like seeing their cards go into their graveyards. From the more innocuous mill decks like UB Mill to the titan of obnoxious milling Lantern Control, decks that mill opponents' cards get under players' skin.

MtG: Best Commanders in Wilds of Eldraine, Ranked

Louis Kemner — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 23:15:20 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's newest expansion set, Wilds of Eldraine, may not be quite as powerful as its notorious Throne of Eldraine predecessor, but it's still an exciting set with plenty of great cards to play with. Some cards stand out for booster draft Limited or might make waves in the Standard format, while other Wilds of Eldraine cards are definitely going to shine in the Commander format.

Magic: The Gathering Lost Caverns of Ixalan Full Previews List

Ross Lombardo — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:30:20 GMT

The next mainline Magic the Gathering set is The Lost Caverns of Ixalan, taking place in the adventurous world of dinosaurs, pirates, merfolk, and vampires that is Ixalan. After the Phyrexian invasion of March of the Machine, the powers of Ixalan are scrambling to reach the center of Ixalan and explore the underground world that exists underneath the plane, inhabited by the enigmatic Oltec. As the third set on the plane of Ixalan, Lost Caverns has a lot to live up to in terms of developing and expanding the world we have already seen in Ixalan and Rivals of Ixalan.

What Lorcana Can Learn From Other TCGs

John Dodge — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:30:20 GMT

In the short time since its release, Disney's Lorcana has taken game stores and players by storm. With only a single set under its belt so far, there will never be a better time for players to familiarize themselves with Lorcana and its mechanics. Like all living or collectible card games, the complexity Lorcana has to offer is only going to increase with time.

My Little Pony Returns To Magic: The Gathering In The Galloping 2

Nnamdi Ezekwe — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:34:29 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has brought back My Little Pony in Ponies: The Galloping 2.

MTG War of the Spark vs March of the Machine: A Retrospective

Ross Lombardo — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 23:30:20 GMT

Both War of the Spark and March of the Machine were the culmination years years-long Magic the Gathering story arcs with an explosive set featuring multiple worlds and a plethora of new, exciting cards. Both sets were also plagued with some controversy in terms of their storytelling and the cards released in the set.

Magic: The Gathering - Wilds of Eldraine vs. Throne of Eldraine

Ross Lombardo — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 17:51:17 GMT

Throne of Eldraine was one of the most notoriously powerful, even broken, sets of all time in Magic: The Gathering. It introduced a plethora of cards that were either too strong, too efficient or just too good when compared to all the other cards of the time. Eldraine blew nearly anything else that was released in a previous Standard legal set out of the water and began a new era of Magic defined by its increased power level.

The Best MtG Mechanics That Deserve A Comeback

Isaac Williams — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:20:20 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has many evergreen mechanics that reappear in every set. Flying creatures, counterspells, drawing additional cards, and more will never not be a core part of Magic: The Gathering. However, every set also has its own mechanics that give its decks a unique playstyle.

Magic: The Gathering Wilds of Eldraine's Best Enchanting Tales Cards

Isaac Williams — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:16:19 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has begun reprinting older cards alongside its Standard-legal sets. These additions, such as Strixhaven: Mystical Archive, bring back iconic spells in a distinctive art style without making them playable in standard. Wilds of Eldraine: Enchanting Tales is the latest version of this initiative.

Why is Food Good In Magic: The Gathering?

Ross Lombardo — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 17:50:18 GMT

Food has never been the strongest mechanic in Magic the Gathering at any given time, but Throne of Eldraine proved that Food can punch far above its weight. When Food was announced as a new mechanic and the cards that created Food were revealed, there were those who underestimated it at first glance. Food doesn't inherently do much to change one's board and it doesn't grant much in the way of card advantage without support. However, Food proved to be more powerful and useful than people initially gave it credit for. It isn't quite as broken as something like Delve or Cascade, but it has earned its place as a useful mechanic that can flex a surprising amount of power.

Wilds Of Eldraine Courts, Explained In Magic: The Gathering

Isaac Williams — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 19:00:19 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's Eldraine setting is a world inspired by fairy tales and Arthurian mythology in equal measure. The plane's first set Throne of Eldraine focuses on five great human courts and their devoted knights, while the more recent Wilds of Eldraine focuses on the untamed world in the aftermath of March of the Machine.

No Plans to Bring Modern to Magic: Arena, Says Wizards of the Coast

Aman Goyal — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:52:14 GMT

Wizards of the Coast recently released a report on the status of Magic: The Gathering Arena to mark the game's fifth anniversary

MtG Commander Format Creator Sheldon Menery Passes Away

John Dodge — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 19:52:32 GMT

Sheldon Menery, one of the most experienced Magic: the Gathering judges of all time and the creator of the fan-favorite Commander format, has passed away following a battle with cancer.

Best Creature Type Combos in MtG: Wilds of Eldraine

Ross Lombardo — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 16:00:19 GMT

Eldraine is a plane inspired by fairy tales, and in the latest set Wilds of Eldraine, Magic the Gathering is putting into play many of the more 'out there' elements of fairy tales. From witches covering the world in a curse to strange creatures like a Goose Hydra, this new Eldraine set pulls the world further from Arthurian Myth and more firmly into the more general realm of European folklore and Grim's fairy tales.

Teeuwynn Woodruff, MtG, Vampire: the Masquerade, and D&D Writer Obituary

John Dodge — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:41:01 GMT

Acclaimed Magic: The Gathering and tabletop game designer Teeuwynn Woodruff passed away on August 28th, 2023.

Magic the Gathering Wilds of Eldraine Draft Archetypes Guide

Louis Kemner — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 21:04:19 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's newest expansion set, Wilds of Eldraine, will unleash the power of fairy tales and eternal slumber when it releases on September 8th. Wilds of Eldraine takes place on the post-Phyrexian invasion plane of Eldraine, a world besieged by wicked witches and the nightmarish horrors of Ashiok the planeswalker. All the fairy tale action will unfold not just in Standard when this set releases, but also in Limited formats like draft and sealed.

10 Magic: The Gathering Cards That Need To Be Reprinted As Special Guests

Shea Puent — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 18:20:20 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's upcoming set The Lost Caverns of Ixalan will introduce an exciting new feature called Special Guests. These Special Guests are reprints of desirable cards with new art and updated flavor to match the theme of the corresponding set or plane. Ideally, this could make high-value cards more accessible and encourage players to keep an eye out for old favorites.

Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond: Fallout Cards & Deck Wishlist

Isaac Williams — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 15:20:18 GMT

Universes Beyond is the new Magic: The Gathering series that includes crossovers from other popular franchises and properties. Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond crossovers have ranged from conventional fantasy like Lord of the Rings to more unexpected choices like Transformers. 2024 will see a trip to post-apocalyptic America in Universes Beyond: Fallout.

The Rarest TCG Cards Of All Time

Kara Ketchum — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 16:30:19 GMT

Trading card games, or TCGs, have been around for decades and have amassed a huge following of both players and collectors over the years. These games have produced countless cards, some of which have become incredibly rare and sought after by collectors all over the world. Some of these cards are so scarce that some of them have fetched prices in the thousands or even millions of dollars.

The 10 Coolest MtG Planes, Ranked

Isaac Williams — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 17:10:14 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's technology levels vary drastically between its multiverse's many realms of existence. Some worlds, such as Theros or Amonkhet, resemble ancient civilizations when it comes to technology. The warriors wield swords and transport themselves by chariots. Others are more advanced, with Kaladesh and New Capenna having steampunk and even more modern aesthetics.

Controversial Magic: The Gathering Tournament Moments

John Dodge — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:20:14 GMT

While Magic: The Gathering's Pro Tour and similar tournaments have made competitive play popular for MTG's players, they've also led to some serious issues. Any time a game raises the stakes, it invites cheating and other bad behavior. It's not surprising that Magic has attracted its share of scandal and controversy in its 30 years of history.

MtG: The Pioneer Banlist, Explained

Ross Lombardo — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 23:30:17 GMT

As one of Magic the Gathering's youngest formats, Pioneer is changing and growing at an accelerated pace. Evolving alongside the meta of the format is the banlist, which was created to regulate the format. Some things were banned early on to help shape Pioneer's identity uniquely to differentiate between itself and Modern. Other things were banned as it was found they hurt the competitive diversity of the format or were simply too strong. Each card has its own reason, so being able to quickly reference Pioneer's dynamic banlist is helpful for MtG players.

MtG: The Modern Banlist, Explained

Ross Lombardo — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 17:10:18 GMT

Banning cards is one of the tools in Wizard's kit for ensuring card balance in Magic the Gathering. Often they will make sure that cards aren't too strong or hurting competitive variety by removing them from the format. In Modern the sometimes nebulous powerlevel of the format makes it oftentimes hard to gauge when a card should or will be banned. It also means that the existing cards on the ban list can sometimes be obviously too powerful, but in some cases, the reasons and context for their ban need to be explained.

MtG Cards That Should Be Reprinted In the Return to Lorwyn

Louis Kemner — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:21:11 GMT

Magic: The Gathering may be exploring a remarkable variety of new worlds in the Omenpath era in sets such as Outlaws of Thunder Junction and Duskmourn, but familiar planes will return as well, including the fairy tale plane Lorwyn. The game only visited that setting once in the late 2000s with the Lorwyn block, but in Q4 2025, fans will finally get a chance to revisit it. WotC also promised at Gen Con that plenty of what fans love about Lorwyn will definitely be there.

MtG: Wilds of Eldraine Complete Visual Spoiler

Declan Lowthian — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 00:01:18 GMT

The next big Magic: The Gathering set, Wilds of Eldraine, will pick up the storyline of the fairytale-inspired Throne of Eldraine set, a plane rife with mischievous fairies, noble knights, and witches and goblins galore. Eldraine has seen some major changes since the Phyrexian invasion of March of the Machine, and fans are chomping at the bit to see what the next installment has in store. In addition to brand-new cards and returning characters like Ashiok, Wilds of Eldraine features some beautiful new art for some of the best Magic cards in history. Standard, Modern, Commander, and Legacy players alike will find something to love in the Wilds of Eldraine.

MtG Card Sets With The Best Narratives

Isaac Williams — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 17:11:18 GMT

Magic: The Gathering is a card game first and foremost. Its creative decisions are driven by what will push the game to new heights and what will break new mechanical ground. However, the game has had a running story for years, grounding the cards and characters in an ongoing narrative.

15 Best Physical TCGs, Ranked

Samuel Sturgeon — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 19:31:16 GMT

Trading card games (or TCGs) are one of the best hobbies for meeting people in real life. Local game stores are fantastic meeting grounds for those who want to nerd out and share their love of games, all while competing for fun prizes and enjoying the nostalgic thrill of opening packs and trading cards.

Magic: The Gathering Cards Perfectly For Bloomburrow

Isaac Williams — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:21:19 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has announced its slate of new sets for 2023, 2024, and 2025 — including some planes never seen before in the game's history. One of the new planes, Bloomburrow is a fairy tale-inspired world reminiscent of Lorwyn-Shadowmoor. Bloomburrow has no humans, instead, advanced anthropomorphic animals dominate the plane.

10 Characters MtG Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy Needs To Include

Isaac Williams — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 13:26:59 GMT

Magic: The Gathering: Universes Beyond is a new initiative in the Magic: The Gathering card game. Most Magic sets take place in their own setting as part of the franchise's multiverse. Universes Beyond eschews this pattern in favor of crossovers, with cards themed after other franchises. One of the most recent announcements for this brand is Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy, due for a 2025 release.

MtG Cards That Should Be Reprinted In Outlaws of Thunder Junction

Louis Kemner — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 19:14:13 GMT

Magic: The Gathering is slated to release some highly flavorful and inventive expansion sets in the near future, according to the previews from WotC's recent Gen Con panel. These upcoming sets approach the game in all-new ways in the Omenpath era, including fresh themes such as the American Wild West. No new cards have been previewed yet for the Outlaws of Thunder Junction set, but there are some cool possibilities for reprints from throughout Magic history.

Why Magic:The Gathering Fans Can't Wait To Return To Lorwyn

Ross Lombardo — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 18:40:15 GMT

Lorwyn is one of the most beloved planes in the Magic the Gathering multiverse. Lorwyn is a whimsical plane that had many creatures of fae folklore, from boggarts to faeries. It also has the diminutive Kithkin creature type which hasn't seen very many cards since the set's release.

How Ravnica Became One Of The Most Popular Magic Planes

John Dodge — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 14:11:17 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has always captivated players with its sprawling stories set across fantastical planes, but not all of these mystical landscapes have left quite the same impression. While the likes of Eldraine and Innistrad have caught audiences up in their respective genre fueled trappings, only a few have become something of default settings for players to feel at ease in. Of those that have, Ravnica is absolutely the most recognizable.

Major Differences Between Duskmourn And Innistrad In Magic: The Gathering

Ross Lombardo — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 14:11:16 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has announced many new sets that experiment with genre. At Gencon 2023, Mark Rosewater announced many new MtG sets in the near and far future of the game. Among other new planes that will be debuting, Duskmourn was introduced as a world based in modern horror, coming out after Bloomburrow sometime in 2024. Magic has often dabbled in horror, with the Phyrexians as a major example, but their premier horror plane for the longest time has been the world of Innistrad, defined by conflicts between vampires, werewolves and zombies. Duskmourn promises to be very different.

A Guide To The Roles In MTG: Wilds of Eldraine

Joey Collins — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 19:44:15 GMT

Magic: the Gathering’s upcoming set Wilds of Eldraine is right around the corner, and it is already making players very excited. This set comes on the heels of March of the Machine and New Phyrexia’s invasion of the multiverse, which saw biomechanical monstrosities fighting iconic heroes. Wilds of Eldraine promises a return to classic “high-fantasy” settings, characters, and mechanics with a focus on fairy-tales and folklore for inspiration.

Every New & Returning MtG: Wilds of Eldraine Mechanics, Explained

Isaac Williams — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 18:10:18 GMT

Wilds of Eldraine is the first standard-legal Magic: The Gathering set to come out since March of the Machine and March of the Machine: The Aftermath. It's a return to the titular locale of Thrones of Eldraine, focusing even more on the plane's fairy tale inspiration and less on its King Arthur stylings.

How Omenpaths Will Effect the Future of Magic the Gathering

Ross Lombardo — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:53:15 GMT

Magic: the Gathering is experiencing a massive shakeup in its lore and story. Previously, only planeswalkers and a few rare exceptions could transport themselves through the planes. In the wake of March of the Machines, several portals between worlds called "omenpaths" have been opened. Originating on Kaldheim, omenpaths have been spread to many of the Magic planes by the invasion of the phyrexian-corrupted world tree.

Best MtG Cards That Should Be In Ravnica Remastered

Isaac Williams — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 18:14:15 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's Remastered sets are a new type of product that help players relive the past. Ravnica Remastered is the most recent announcement. It takes more after Dominaria Remastered than it does earlier examples like Tempest Remastered or Amonkhet Remastered. It intends to present a slice of every Ravnica-based block since the plane's introduction.

Eldraine, Lorwyn, and Bloomburrow Might Be Too Much Fairytale for MtG

Louis Kemner — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:50:16 GMT

Magic: The Gathering shook up its universe once again with the Phyrexian invasion in the March of the Machine set. The Phyrexian Grand Cenobite Elesh Norn used the Omenpaths of Kaldheim to connect all the planes of the Multiverse, but even after the Phyrexians fell, the Omenpaths remained. With the Multiverse so interconnected now, the characters and players can visit a stunning variety of planes. But even with that freedom, it seem like there's going to be some repeats.

Where Will The MtG Death Race Set Take Place?

Louis Kemner — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 14:24:14 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's gameplay and story are both entering a bold new era, one that launched in the March of the Machine: The Aftermath micro-set. After Elesh Norn's failed invasion of the entire Multiverse via the Omenpaths, the diverse planes are interconnected more than ever, creating exciting new possibilities for this game. Future story arcs will feature all-new concepts such as murder mysteries, the Wild West, and most intriguing of all, a death race storyline.

MtG: Modern Horizons 3 Fears & Expectations

Ross Lombardo — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 19:40:15 GMT

Modern Horizons and Mondern Horizons 2 have both introduced some of the most powerful cards in the history of Magic The Gathering. From format staples like Force of Negation to Urza's Saga, to boogymen like Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis and Arcum's Astrolabe the Modern Horizons sets have consistently produced highly relevant Modern cards. The termors of the set can even be felt in other formats. While Hogaak may be the most memorable banned Modern Horizons card, Arcum's Astrolabe broke both Pauper and Legacy. Even Commander wasn't unaffected as Urza, Lord High Artificer managed to introduce another brutal stax commander to the EDH format.

10 Magic: The Gathering Villains We Want to See In Outlaws of Thunder Junction

Isaac Williams — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 18:10:12 GMT

Magic: The Gathering is breaking new ground with its upcoming set Outlaws of Thunder Junction, expected to release in 2024. It's the card game's 100th set and a milestone celebration. Outlaws of Thunder Junction has two main storytelling themes. It's patterned after Western movies in its style while focusing on Magic: The Gathering's many villains.

MTG: The History of Tarkir Block and What a Return to Tarkir Might Mean

Ross Lombardo — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 15:51:13 GMT

Tarkir was a watershed moment for Magic: The Gathering, even if all the things the set has done are not fully remembered. The story and gameplay of the game as a whole were both affected by this set block going forward in ways that people may not even realize. Now it's been announced at Gencon 2023 that a new set, codenamed "Ultimate," will return Magic players to that set after eight years.

Murders at Karlov Manor: Can Magic: The Gathering Pull Off Murder Mystery Intrigue?

Ross Lombardo — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 14:11:12 GMT

Murder mysteries have been in vogue lately, with the surprising success of Rian Johnson-led projects like Poker Face, Knives Out, and Glass Onion. Now Magic: The Gathering is stepping up to the plate in their attempt to capture that genre in card form with the Murders at Karlov Manor set. Not only has Mark Rosewater promised that there will be mysteries in the set, but also that the players will be solving mysteries as part of the set's gameplay. This will be a tall order.

MtG: The History, Story, And Lore Of Eldraine

Mitchell Bozik — Sat, 12 Aug 2023 14:11:15 GMT

Magic: the Gathering’s next Premier set, Wilds of Eldraine is set to release on September 8th, 2023. This new set brings MtG players back to the titular plane, continuing the story from 2019’s Throne of Eldraine. The plane of Eldraine was popular among fans with its unique depictions of faeries and other classical storybook tropes, such as gingerbread people, long-haired princesses, and porridge-eating bears. The first three episodes of the Wilds of Eldraine story were released on August 9th, so players who are new to the world of Eldraine may want to get caught up on the stories that have taken place in the world so far.

10 Best Magic: The Gathering Planes, Ranked

Isaac Williams — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 18:11:14 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's storyline doesn't occur across just one world. To ensure endless variety for new cards and mechanics, its story follows Planeswalkers who travel throughout a vast multiverse. New sets introduce players to brand-new worlds with their own unique settings, inhabitants, storylines, and more.

Do We Need Any More Partner Commanders In Magic: The Gathering?

Ross Lombardo — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 15:50:14 GMT

Partner has been a mechanic in Magic the Gathering since the Commander 2016 set and has been controversial since its introduction. Partner allows for a Commander deck to have two commanders so long as they both have the keyword 'Partner'. Generally, people disliked Partner as the commanders with this skill provided free card advantage and access to a wide range of colors without the drawback of having a color-intensive cost. Later, a variant of the mechanic called 'Partner With' meant that these commanders could only be paired with specific partners. They also tried to release Partner cards that were mono-colored, limiting the number of colors that two partner cards could cover. More recently another version of the mechanic has come out with the new Doctor Who Universes Beyond set with the 'Doctor's Companion' mechanic, which allows cards with the mechanic to be paired with any Time Lord card in the command zone.

The Best Time Travel Mechanics In Magic: The Gathering History

Louis Kemner — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 19:10:15 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's next Universes Beyond product, a cycle of Doctor Who decks, will bring back time counters and introduce the Time Travel mechanic, which appears on the Tenth Doctor's legendary creature card. Fans of BBC's iconic sci-fi show will already be familiar with its many time-travel themes and storylines, but this is nothing new for MtG.

MtG: What Commander Masters Cards Are Now Legal In Pauper?

Louis Kemner — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 18:10:16 GMT

Magic: The Gathering recently released the incredible Commander Masters set, an expert-level draft set that reprinted hundreds of powerful cards for the Commander format. Some of those cards are rares or mythic rares that neede more cards in circulation, while others are mere uncommons or commons that can still find a home in Commander decks. Or, in certain cases, in Pauper decks instead.

MtG Universes Beyond: Doctor Who Complete Visual Spoiler

Joey Collins — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 17:35:00 GMT

Universes Beyond is a recently created sub-brand of Magic: the Gathering. They combine various IPs with the mechanics and gameplay of Magic. These cards come in many forms, from smaller Secret Lair drops to entire dedicated sets; the first Universes Beyond to be released was the Secret Lair The Walking Dead cards in 2020. The first set of pre-constructed decks was for Warhammer 40,000 in 2022 and the first overall set was The Lord of the Rings: Tales from Middle-Earth in early 2023. To the interest of many, the latest set (available in October 2023) will be for the iconic franchise Doctor Who.

Magic: The Gathering's Elusive One Ring Card Bought by Post Malone

Nivedita Dubey — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 21:51:50 GMT

Post Malone has purchased the coveted one-of-a-kind Magic: The Gathering card, Lord of the Rings' One Ring, for an undisclosed but likely huge amount.As per IGN, the card's previous owner, who had remained anonymous until now, captured the emotional moment on social media as they sold the card to the music sensation. The 13-second video shows Post Malone carefully evaluating the priceless artifact before making a decisive statement, "Yeah, I'll take it."RELATED: MtG: The Storied History Of Extended, Modern, & Pioneer

10 Magic: The Gathering Planechase Cards That Haven't Had Their Own Sets Yet

Louis Kemner — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 18:11:17 GMT

Magic: the Gathering has explored a stunning variety of planes (or worlds) across its 30-year history. Some planes have emerged as fan favorites, such as the city-plane Ravnica and the Gothic horror plane Innistrad, while other planes are less popular and might have appeared just once each. An easy way to explore all these planes outside regular expansion sets is the Planechase format, complete with special Planechase cards.

Is MtG: Commander Masters Overpriced?

Louis Kemner — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 15:51:15 GMT

Magic: the Gathering's various products are aimed at a wide variety of players, competitive and casual alike, and are usually priced accordingly. Premium products such as collector's booster boxes always cost more in return for fancy and rare cards, while other products, such as Commander precon decks, are meant to make the casual Commander format more accessible and affordable. Problems arise, however, when Wizards of the Coast blends premium and casual products.

Magic: Why Masters Sets Shift Rarity For Their Best Cards

Louis Kemner — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 14:10:13 GMT

Magic: the Gathering often reprints cards in specialty products like Commander Masters, and products like these are the perfect opportunity to modify and update those cards. This sometimes means getting new card art or special foil treatments, but the most substantial change is rarity shifting. Reprinted cards can be upshifted or downshifted in Masters and other draft-oriented products, and there are several good reasons for this.

MtG: Commander Masters Has A Ton Of Multiplayer Mechanics

Louis Kemner — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:15:19 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's newest Masters set, Commander Masters, is designed with multiplayer games of booster draft Limited in mind. The set has ten built-in archetypes and countless legendary creature cards to give players some signposts in how they should design their draft decks, while a variety of mechanics and keywords fill in the gaps for a well-rounded experience.

MtG: CBR's Official Commander Masters Draft Guide

Louis Kemner — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 21:15:17 GMT

The newest Magic: The Gathering draft set, Commander Masters, is a spiritual successor to the 2022 product Commander Legends and should offer a roughly similar experience. While some players can just buy the Commander Masters precon decks and start playing, skilled players will find it more rewarding to play booster draft Limited with this set with their friends. Commander Masters is finely balanced as a draft set, with even power levels and lots of exciting gameplay mechanics, which should lead to an outstanding Limited experience.

MtG: The Storied History Of Extended, Modern, & Pioneer

Ross Lombardo — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 19:40:16 GMT

Magic: The Gathering is defined by its formats. Playing in Standard is exceptionally different from playing in Legacy, to the point where it's sometimes hard to believe the two formats are part of the same game. For years, Wizards of the Coast has tried to bridge the gap between eternal formats and the cutting-edge of the latest sets.

These Gaps In Magic's Color Pie Need To Be Fixed

Louis Kemner — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:51:20 GMT

Magic: the Gathering's mana system is divided into five colors that constitute the color pie. Wizards of the Coast developed the color pie early on to give the game some cohesion and make decks feel distinct based on which color/s of the pie those decks use. From August 1993 to now, the color pie has served its purpose well, but WotC and MtG players alike still see some room for improvement.

New Magic the Gathering Slivers Don't Feel Like The Classics

Louis Kemner — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 14:11:13 GMT

Magic: the Gathering immerses players into its fantasy universe not just with cool planes to visit and iconic characters, but also unique creature types that only appear in this game. One of the most iconic of these are the Slivers, a hive-minded species that can be found on many planes and plenty of real-life sets and decks. Slivers are everywhere, but their presentation is not always consistent.

Grading Cards In Pokémon, Magic, And Other Collectible Card Games

Joey Collins — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 21:16:16 GMT

With over 30 years of history, trading card games have had an undeniable impact on the gaming community. The game genre is a fixture in the gaming scene, with many iconic products that even non-TGC players recognize immediately. The "Big Three" of TGCs are Pokémon TGC, Magic: the Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, and they all have a long and storied history along with massive player bases. Despite their overall recognizability, there are still several individual franchises and cards that stand out from the rest.

10 Magic: The Gathering Sets That Quickly Became Controversial

Isaac Williams — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 17:00:17 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has released multiple sets a year since its first appearance in 1993. In the decades since, it has amassed over 200. Even focusing on those most vital to the game, it's churned out new expansions at a steady pace. Naturally, not all of these sets are of the same high quality.

A New Player's Guide To Magic The Gathering

Alex Lenzini — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:10:15 GMT

Trading cards have been around for generations, and trading card games have been around for decades. While trading card games are not nearly as old as their progenitors, they have nonetheless been entertaining fans of all ages for many years. Trading card games go beyond collectability by creating a devoted community around trading cards. This is due in part to the game that is widely considered to be the first trading card game, Magic: The Gathering.

Why Magic the Gathering Cycles Get Unbalanced, And Why Some Work

Ross Lombardo — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 17:30:15 GMT

For years, Magic the Gathering has had a way of categorizing similarly designed cards called "cycles." These have historically been ways to distribute cards with some design symmetry among the five colors or across different archetypes or color pairs. Each member card of a cycle takes a basic template and skews it towards a particular color's philosophy or mechanics. As a result, each cycle has five to ten relatively unique cards that all manage to fit in different decks, while also being somewhat similar across colors.

The Most Entertaining Planechase Cards In Magic: The Gathering, Ranked

Isaac Williams — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 20:15:17 GMT

Planechase is a unique Magic: The Gathering variant designed for casual play. Planechase isn't its own format, instead being additional rules that players add to their game. It can be played as part of Standard, Commander, Modern, or even rarer Magic formats like Vintage or Legacy.

Magic Cards That Increased In Rarity With Commander Masters

Louis Kemner — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 19:10:15 GMT

Commander Masters is the first set in the Masters series to focus on Magic: the Gathering's ultra-popular Commander format. Like Commander Legends before it, the Commander Masters set is a complex and elegant blend of booster draft Limited and the chaotic fun of multiplayer. This means that Wizards of the Coast had to carefully choose which cards to put in Commander Masters for draft and reprint purposes alike, and that even meant changing card rarities, too.

A History of Time Travel in Magic: The Gathering

Ross Lombardo — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 14:11:14 GMT

Time travel is being introduced as a mechanic in Magic: the Gathering with the new Doctor Who Universes Beyond set based around the temporal hopping adventures of that universe. While Time Travel is a new mechanic in the game of Magic, time manipulation in general has been relevant throughout Magic's history as both a mechanic and a story element.

Most Expensive MTG: Commander Masters Reprints

Louis Kemner — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:00:15 GMT

Commander Masters is the newest entry in Magic: the Gathering's Masters series. Like other Masters products, the Commander Masters set is built with booster draft Limited in mind while also featuring dozens of high-value reprints for draft and Constructed games alike. These powerful reprint cards also raise the power level of Limited in Commander Masters, making it more rewarding for veteran players.

Best Magic MtG Sets Ever Released

Isaac Williams — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 18:10:16 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's sets have never been consistent. Each one presents a fresh angle on the game's lore alongside brand-new cards, mechanics, and rules to potentially upset the game's current meta. Historically, new Magic: The Gathering sets have been hit or miss. Each one risks dragging the entire game down.

How To Upgrade Magic the Gathering's Eldrazi Unbound Precon Deck

Mitchell Bozik — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:10:15 GMT

Magic: the Gathering’s newest set, Commander Masters, is set to release on August 4th, 2023. While the set serves as a spiritual successor to Commander Legends, utilizing the same draft format, Wizards of the Coast also released four preconstructed Commander decks to be used in the constructed side of the format.

MtG: How Commander Masters Reinvented the Partner Ability For Draft

Louis Kemner — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 11:30:18 GMT

Commander Masters is Magic: the Gathering's first Masters series set designed with the Commander format in mind. It's the second Commander product that can be used in booster draft Limited. MtG players will have a lot to juggle when drafting Commander Masters, such as finding the right legendary creatures to lead their decks and following the built-in draft archetypes. Two-color legends can ledae these decks, but so can a pair of mono-colored creatures.

How Does Doctor Who Change Suspend In Magic The Gathering?

Ross Lombardo — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 23:15:18 GMT

In Magic the Gathering, Suspend has always been an interesting mechanic. Suspend puts a card is put into exile with a number of Time Counters, and in each upkeep step, players remove a Time Counter from it. When the last Time Counter is removed, the spell is cast. It was the forebear of mechanics like Foretell, where declaring a spell in advance added a new dimension to the ongoing information war between Magic players. The loss of surprise and free information for opponents often comes with a significant tempo advantage, as Suspend cards could be cast for less mana.

Casual vs. Competitive Magic: The Gathering Gameplay Is Intense

Ross Lombardo — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 15:51:13 GMT

Magic the Gathering has a long and robust history as a very competitive game, with events and coverage to support the highest levels of the game. It also has a long and storied history of casual play, from kitchen table Magic between high schoolers to players coming up with their own goofy formats that serve more as group experiences than competitive gauntlets.

How to Upgrade The Enduring Enchantments Commander Masters Magic Deck

Mitchell Bozik — Sun, 23 Jul 2023 14:11:14 GMT

Commander Masters has been amazing players with its new and synergistic cards. Magic: the Gathering’s latest set is slated to release on August 4th, 2023. Enduring Enchantments is the third preconstructed Commander deck to be revealed, along with the other three: Sliver Swarm, Planeswalker Party, and Eldrazi Unbound.

The Most Powerful Creature Types In Magic the Gathering

Isaac Williams — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 19:10:16 GMT

Magic: The Gathering is a game built around synergies. As powerful as individual cards may be, they only get better when their effects work in tandem with others. Many decks, formerly called "tribal" decks and now more often called "typal" decks, are built around a specific type of creature that synergizes well with others of its kind.

MtG Mechanics So High on the Storm Scale They Won't Be Reprinted

Isaac Williams — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 18:10:19 GMT

Magic: The Gathering has had hundreds of mechanics over its decades-long lifespan. Some are part of the core functions of the game, such as drawing cards, losing life, the battlefield and the graveyard, and many more. There are also plenty of evergreen mechanics that appear on new cards every set, such as Flying, Scry, and Mill.

MtG: How To Upgrade the Planeswalker Party Commander Masters Precon Deck

Mitchell Bozik — Sat, 22 Jul 2023 14:10:16 GMT

Magic: the Gathering's newest product, Commander Masters, hits the shelves August 4th, 2023. The preconstructed Commander decks to be released with the set are already exciting fans with exciting new cards.

What Are The Magic: The Gathering Formats?

Ross Lombardo — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:10:14 GMT

All TCGs are plagued by the age-old problem: power creep. Card game creators want to release exciting new cards that will make people buy packs, so they often make the newer cards more powerful. As these cards are released, old ones are pushed out of the game in favor of the more powerful new cards. Magic the Gathering set up a system of formats to solve this problem. Formats are different ways of playing. Some, like Standard or Modern, have the same rules of Magic but with a different set of cards legal in the format. Others, like Commander, change how the game works on a fundamental level. Each format has a very different meta, and learning how these formats work is key to success in Magic.

10 Best Villains In Magic: The Gathering Lore

Louis Kemner — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 00:15:12 GMT

Magic: the Gathering's universe features some of the most exciting and memorable heroes and villains in all of fantasy. This trading card game truly comes to life when players can see heroes fighting powerful and terrifying villains on the cards. The best villains have great character arcs to match their strong legendary creature cards, like Yawgmoth and Elesh Norn.

MtG: Commander Masters 2023 Visual Spoiler

Louis Kemner — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 23:15:13 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's Masters sets tend to cater to experienced and invested players. Some, like Modern Masters, featured the staple cards of a particular format. Others, like Iconic Masters, were more focused on highlighting famous and rare cards from throughout Magic history. But the upcoming Commander Masters is the first-ever Masters set designed exclusively around Commander.

The Best Heroes In MtG Lore

Louis Kemner — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 18:10:16 GMT

Magic: the Gathering is a fantasy trading card game with a rich, episodic storyline with plenty of cool planes, monsters, and most of all, characters for fans to enjoy. These outstanding characters appear not just in MtG cards, but also in official tie-in novels and comic books. This includes powerful villains like Yawgmoth and Elesh Norn and legendary heroes like Gideon Jura and Chandra Nalaar.

Best Alternate Art Magic Cards in Commander Masters

Isaac Williams — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:10:22 GMT

Commander Masters is a new Magic: The Gathering set consisting entirely of reprints. It provides new versions of iconic and beloved cards with a firm place in Magic's Commander format. Most of the cards are exactly identical to their original versions, from their rules text to their presentation.

Upgrade Guide for Commander Masters' Sliver Swarm Deck

Mitchell Bozik — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:51:12 GMT

Magic: the Gathering's newest set, Commander Masters will be released on August 4th, 2023. Along with being able to be drafted, the set is being released with four new Commander Precons that showcase iconic deck types that have been popular over the years.

Cards MtG Downshifted In Rarity In Commander Masters

Isaac Williams — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:51:16 GMT

Commander Masters is an upcoming Magic: The Gathering set devoted to its popular Commander format. Commander Masters comprises popular commanders or other spells reprinted to make them more available for players. For the most part, these cards are exact copies of their older printings with no changes.

MtG Keyword Guide

Alex Lenzini — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 19:10:16 GMT

Magic: The Gathering is one of the oldest and most popular trading card games available. One of the major contributing factors to its popularity and longevity is its brilliant design. Each card has individual abilities that can allow players to bend and break the established rules of the game. Those abilities can then be stacked with other abilities to allow for even more player control, and it allows for some truly amazing card combos. It is this level of player involvement and open design that makes Magic one of the greatest games of all time.

MtG: How Drafting Commander Works

Louis Kemner — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 18:40:17 GMT

Magic: The Gathering's newest product, the Commander Masters set, is the second draftable Commander product and the first Commander-oriented set in the Masters series. Commander Masters combines everything MtG players love about the Commander format and the booster draft Limited format, making for a valuable, complex, and exciting set that any MtG player can enjoy.

MtG: Everything You Need To Know About Commander Legends

Louis Kemner — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 17:30:15 GMT

Commander Masters is the second draftable Commander product in Magic: The Gathering, and is the first Masters set for that format. Anyone who enjoyed 2022's Commander Legends set will find plenty to love about Commander Masters, but Commander Masters has even more features that Commander Legends did not. That includes more card frame types, new artwork styles, and more legendary creatures that didn't appear in Commander Legends.

MtG: Best Beginner Modern Decks

Ross Lombardo — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:11:17 GMT

Modern is not known for being a very beginner-friendly Magic the Gathering format. High deck prices, linear combo strategies, and the upgrade in complexity from most other formats make Modern a bit of a hard sell. Despite all that, Modern is a format well worth getting into. Unlike Standard, the shifts in the meta are much slower and a lot of decks have survived years with relatively minor alterations. Pioneer players would also be well suited to Modern, though they will have to adjust to an accelerated pace of play. Modern is one of Magic's best competitive formats, testing player skill and the limits of their deck knowledge.

MTG: 10 Planes We'll Probably Never See Again, and Why

Joey Collins — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 21:15:15 GMT

Magic: The Gathering is a long-time staple of the TGC community. With 30 years of history, it is undeniable that it has had a major impact on the industry. It is set apart from others not only by the nature of its impressive array of cards and formats but also its vast amount of in-game lore. As the oldest-known trading card game, Magic has an incredible amount of content within the franchise, including countless characters and multidimensional worlds. With so many locations to choose from and existing lore to keep track of, it can be a challenge for developers to select the proper one for an upcoming set.