Magic: The Gathering Reveals New Horror Set

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Magic: The Gathering Reveals New Horror Set

Highlights

  • Wizards of the Coast is set to release Duskmourn, a modern horror-themed expansion for Magic: The Gathering.
  • Duskmourn departs from traditional sets by drawing inspiration from 1980s to present-day horror tropes.
  • The new set will be previewed at PAX West by Magic designers who delve into the lore, mechanics, and art.

As a seasoned Magic: The Gathering player with over two decades of deck-building under my belt, I must say that Wizards of the Coast’s upcoming Duskmourn expansion has piqued my interest like never before. Having played through countless sets from the classic Shivan Dragon to the modern Oath of the Gatewatch, I can confidently say that this horror-themed excursion into contemporary tropes is a fresh breath of air for the game.

Wizards of the Coast is preparing to offer a detailed glimpse at their upcoming expansion for Magic: The Gathering, which goes by the name Duskmourn. In the second half of 2024, Magic: The Gathering has an accelerated release schedule with four sets coming out in quick succession – Duskmourn being the fourth one following Bloomburrow, which was released early in August.

The wholly animal-inspired “Bloomburrow” has only been released for a fortnight, yet Wizards is eagerly preparing for “Duskmourn”. Unlike Magic’s typical sets, “Duskmourn” draws inspiration from the horror genre spanning the 1980s to the present. The game’s realm is set in an ominously expansive haunted mansion teeming with characters and occurrences reminiscent of modern horror tropes.

At PAX West on August 31, Wizards of the Coast will introduce the upcoming set, Duskmourn, signaling the commencement of its preview period. Key figures from WotC, including Executive Producer Mike Turian, Director of Communications Blake Rasmussen, Senior Art Director Ovidio Cartagena, and Senior Game Designer Annie Sardelis, will provide an in-depth exploration of the set’s history, gameplay mechanics, and stunning artwork during a panel discussion. The design team behind Magic: The Gathering often offers close glimpses at each new expansion, as many players are fascinated by the intricate processes and creative thought behind the making of each addition to the game.

Magic: The Gathering’s Duskmourn Set Is Make or Break For a New Approach

At MagicCon: Amsterdam in late June, a selection of cards from the upcoming set, Duskmourn, were unveiled. These previews show that this new expansion is drawing inspiration from modern horror films, television shows, and other contemporary fiction rather than relying on the classical Gothic influences seen in the Innistrad plane. This departure from traditional themes is a refreshing change for main Magic The Gathering sets, as they typically avoid contemporary real-world elements. However, the excitement among players is palpable as they eagerly await to see how WotC will execute this modern feel.

Regarding the topic of “Universes Beyond,” this contentious product line will continue to play a role in the future strategies for Magic: The Gathering, despite the Assassin’s Creed, Doctor Who, and Fallout-themed sets not achieving the massive success Wizards anticipated. Smaller releases like the Monty Python Secret Lair Drop have shown better results. Upcoming expansions for Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy, and Marvel universe are still in development, and the larger fan bases of some of these properties might be instrumental in sustaining the Universes Beyond concept.

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2024-08-15 04:44