Magic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond Sets Lacking One Card Type is a Blessing and a Curse

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As a seasoned Magic: The Gathering player with over a decade of deck-building and card-shuffling under my belt, I must say that the upcoming changes to Universes Beyond sets are both intriguing and somewhat disappointing. On one hand, it’s thrilling to see new IPs like Final Fantasy and Spider-Man joining the fold, but on the other, the absence of Planeswalker cards feels like a piece of the puzzle missing.

Starting November 15th, I’m excitedly preparing myself for a new era in my favorite game, Magic: The Gathering. Wizards of the Coast has announced that a new core Standard set will be released, serving as the foundation for the game’s formats for the next five years. But that’s not all! They’ve also revealed a significant change in the legality of their Universes Beyond sets, which will become tentpole, Standard-legal releases starting from 2025. Three different sets are planned, with one delving into the world of Final Fantasy, another focusing on Marvel’s Spider-Man, and a third yet to be unveiled. While these new products undoubtedly spark excitement among fans like me, it’s important to note that they will all lack a specific card type, potentially limiting our strategic options.

In a rare occurrence, Magic: The Gathering usually doesn’t introduce new card categories to the game, with March of the Machine’s Battles being the first and last introduction over 15 years ago. Although Duskmourn’s Rooms may seem novel, they are essentially enchantments with additional steps. Conversely, Battles have their own distinct set of rules like other card types such as Sorceries, Instants, Planeswalkers, and more. According to Magic: The Gathering’s Mark Rosewater, the upcoming 2025 Universes Beyond sets, along with any future ones, will likely forgo one of these card categories.

Why Magic: The Gathering Won’t Have Planeswalker Cards in Universes Beyond

In 2025, universes outside the Magic Multiverse will not include Planeswalker cards, based on Mark Rosewater’s statement. Although it would have been fitting to see characters like Dr. Strange from Marvel or Final Fantasy game characters as Planeswalkers in some Universe Beyond sets, fans won’t be able to play with this card type in their preferred universes outside Magic. This decision neither seems particularly positive nor negative, but rather a choice made to keep the unique character of the Magic Multiverse setting.

Previously, Ultra Boost shoes didn’t include Planeswalkers, but there was a possibility that things might alter following the shift in their legality for release.

The Pros and Cons of Magic: The Gathering UB Sets Not Having Planeswalkers

As an ardent Magic: The Gathering enthusiast, I’ve taken notice of the absence of Planeswalker cards in Universes Beyond sets. While this might seem like a shift, it’s actually a way for us to delve deeper into the rich universe of the game itself, exploring iconic characters that have graced the role of Planeswalkers throughout the years. Given the central role these characters play in MTG’s grand narrative, keeping them within their own realm seems fitting as we prepare for an influx of exciting crossovers.

From another perspective, crossover sets offer a great opportunity to introduce Planeswalkers into the game. This aspect is particularly crucial for new players who are drawn to Trading Card Game (TCG) primarily by their favorite intellectual properties (IPs). In Magic: The Gathering, Planeswalkers come with unique and engaging mechanics that can significantly impact game outcomes or add variety to decks. For instance, competitive Commander decks featuring Sisay, Weatherlight Captain frequently incorporate a flickering combo with Aminatou, the Fateshifter and Nicol Bolas, Dragon-God.

It’s intriguing to ponder how the return of “Doubling Season” in Magic: The Gathering’s Foundations set might have sparked a surge of Planeswalkers in the Standard format, given its 6-set release cycle. However, it’s not impossible that the three Magic Multiverse sets of 2025 will be rich in Planeswalker cards instead. The decision to exclude Planeswalkers from the more consistent Universes Beyond might seem odd, but it’s a choice that can be both understood and justified.

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2024-11-01 01:44