One Magic: The Gathering Format is Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place in 2025

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Summary

  • 2025 brings new Magic: The Gathering products like three Magic Universe sets and three Universes Beyond sets.
  • Universes Beyond sets, once not for Standard, are now legal in all formats starting in 2025.
  • Players may struggle to manage six Standard sets released closely each time, affecting gameplay and financial investment.

As a long-time Magic: The Gathering enthusiast with over two decades of collecting and playing under my belt, I must say that the changes coming to the game in 2025 have left me both excited and a little apprehensive. On one hand, the addition of three Universes Beyond sets to the roster is intriguing – who wouldn’t want to see Spider-Man or Final Fantasy cards in action? But on the other, the decision to make these sets legal for all formats and release six Standard sets in a single year feels like a bit too much, even for this veteran Magic player.

2025 promises an abundance of fresh products and collectibles for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts, with several offerings on the horizon such as three Universe sets (Aetherdrift, Tarkir Dragonstorm, and Edge of Eternities) and Innistrad Remastered, alongside three Universes Beyond sets. However, it’s worth noting that Magic: The Gathering’s UB sets have stirred debate among players due to their design, as some crossovers may not align perfectly with the game’s established setting.

Currently, there are significant developments in the world of “Magic: The Gathering”. This transformation began in November with the debut of Foundations – a set that will remain in Standard rotation for at least five years, possibly indefinitely. Following this, Wizards of the Coast announced a shift from four Magic Universe sets and two UB sets to three and three. Simultaneously, they declared that Universes Beyond would now be legal across all formats. However, this change might disrupt some fans’ strategies since UB sets becoming Standard-legal means that players need to play through six sets in a year instead of the previous four to stay current with the format.

Why Magic: The Gathering May Be Shooting Itself in The Foot With Six Standard Sets

There’s a point of view that playing with six Standard-legal sets in Magic: The Gathering might pose challenges for players, considering both the constant influx of new content and financial strain due to the high cost of many cards. Consequently, collectors could find it challenging to decide which sets to invest in by purchasing packs or displays, potentially having to skip some or limit themselves to a few drafts. Additionally, the increase in the number of Standard sets may make it tougher for players to occasionally step away from the format while maintaining competitiveness.

It’s important to note that not everyone might appreciate the Universes Beyond sets due to their preference for Magic Universe sets based on setting, design, and storyline reasons. However, as these new sets become legal and are included in the release schedule more frequently, Standard decks will inevitably incorporate cards from them. For those who don’t enjoy seeing characters like Spider-Man or Final Fantasy in MTG, this could be a frustrating development. This issue is consistent across all UB sets, but with their increasing frequency and legality in every format, it will become increasingly challenging to avoid them.

Why Six Standard Sets May Be Difficult to Manage For New MTG UB Fans

From a movie buff’s perspective, diving into the world of Magic: The Gathering can be quite the challenge for novices who have recently taken an interest due to their beloved IP joining the fray and planning to engage in Standard play. Catching up on all the past expansions to build a competitive deck isn’t a walk in the park. Moreover, if these new players don’t gel with other IPs from Universes Beyond, they might find themselves losing steam not only in Standard but the game as a whole.

Aetherdrift is scheduled for a launch on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025. Following this, Tarkir Dragonstorms will arrive on April 11, then Final Fantasy UB on June 13. Edge of Eternities will be released on August 1. The release dates for the Spider-Man UB set and the unannounced UB set have not been determined yet, but they are expected to come out somewhere between September and October, and between November and December respectively.

Magic: The Gathering Release Schedule in 2025 May Be Too Tight

For both novice and experienced Magic: The Gathering players, transitioning to six sets per year could imply that buying individual cards might offer more convenience or trying to construct decks with minimal cards from each set could be advantageous. However, the fast pace of new releases in 2025, with only a few months between each one, may prove challenging for Standard players to keep up. In essence, the year 2025 promises an abundance of fresh products, but it might strain players, particularly those focusing on Standard play.

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2024-12-22 03:38