While Magic: The Gathering's recent high-profile crossovers with Final Fantasy and Spider-Man have been grabbing headlines, the excitement is building for the next set in the series, Tarkir: Dragonstorm. This expansion brings us back to the beloved plane of Tarkir, and we're thrilled to offer an exclusive sneak peek at five cards that are likely to become staples at the draft table next month. The set is now available for preorder on Amazon, so don't miss out on securing your copy early.
Scroll through the gallery below to explore all five cards, and continue reading to discover insights from Wizards of the Coast about their design and the overarching theme of the set.
Magic: The Gathering - 5 New Cards from Tarkir: Dragonstorm
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These five cards form what's known as a "cycle," with each card sharing common design elements across Magic's five colors. Specifically, they are all low-cost, common-rarity creatures with abilities linked to one of Tarkir's three-color clans, and they also feature a mechanic that allows you to convert mana into a color associated with that clan.
“Three-color limited environments need a lot of mana fixing at all rarities,” explains Wizards of the Coast Senior Game Designer Adam Prosak. “We aimed to ensure many decks could access mana fixing, so we developed several designs to address mana issues. These creatures are unique because they allow you to develop your board while simultaneously fixing your mana - a significant advantage over designs like tapped lands, which only provide mana and can cause you to fall behind.”
Preorder MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm Cards
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Play Booster Box
0$164.70 at Amazon
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Collector Booster Box
0$299.88 at Amazon
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Collector Booster
0$24.99 at Amazon
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Commander Deck Bundle - Includes All 5 Decks
0$224.95 at Amazon
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Abzan Armor
0$44.99 at Amazon
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Jeskai Striker
0$44.99 at Amazon
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Sultai Arisen
0$44.99 at Amazon
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Mardu Surge
0$44.99 at Amazon
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Temur Roar
0$44.99 at AmazonSenior Worldbuilding Designer Lauren Bond emphasizes that while the mechanical design of this cycle was the initial focus, common cards often serve as a canvas to depict the world of the set. In this case, they highlight the evolution of the clans since their last appearance. “We showcase the action-oriented monks of the Jeskai, the Temur's use of Whispers magic, the Sultai Nagas as guardians and avengers of the jungle, the diverse military roles within the Mardu (and the various forms dragons can take), and the Abzan clerics' efforts to regrow their kin trees.”
Some recent Magic sets have faced criticism for leaning too heavily on thematic gimmicks, even when revisiting established planes. However, Tarkir: Dragonstorm stands out with its straightforward approach to returning to Tarkir. Senior Worldbuilding Art Director Forrest Schehl acknowledges the importance of such feedback to Wizards of the Coast, but clarifies that “the top-level pitch for Tarkir was established well before the release of Murders at Karlov Manor and subsequent sets, and it remained unchanged thereafter.”“We aimed to blend Dragons and Clans in a way that hadn't been done before on Tarkir, with Dragonstorms being a defining element that shaped our approach to this ‘return-to’. Lauren and I felt the pressure to get it right from the start, and we were committed to crafting the next chapter of this cherished plane with authenticity and depth.”
Tarkir: Dragonstorm is now available for preorder, with the set slated for release in both physical and digital formats on April 11, and in-store prerelease events beginning on April 4. Dive into the full interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Adam Prosak, Lauren Bond, and Forrest Schehl to learn more.
