Wizards Presents: Magic the Gathering

I AM absolutely over the moon to be covering off the latest announcements from Wizards Presents  regarding what we as a community can expect to see and experience in the coming year (and onward) for Magic: The Gathering (MTG).

It’s shaping up to be one of my most anticipated years in TCG ever, with multiple sets that I intend to collect every single card for (despite what my bank account thinks about it). Since 1993, Magic: The Gathering has thrilled players and card collectors. With more than 50 million fans to date, Magic is a worldwide phenomenon in more than 150 countries.This article assumes you’ve played and have a basic understanding of Magic: The Gathering and it’s sets, so they’re won’t be an in-depth break-down on terminology (if you are interested, there’s a fantastic introductory guide from Wizards of the Coast available here).

To start off with, we got a first glimpse at what’s quickly becoming one of my favorite TCG product lines in recent history with: ‘Universes beyond’ (what can I say, I’m a sucker for for this specific kind of product), where further information on the upcoming Warhammer 40,00 commander decks was showcased, alongside a behind the scenes look at the four unique ‘Sol Ring’ art cards that will be included to aesthetically represent the factions of each deck (with Imperium of Man, Tyranids, Necros and Chaos). Additionally as an unexpected announcement, Wizards teased a Doctor Who themed Universes beyond collaboration, which is set to have a series of commander decks, set boosters and Secret lair drops available, to celebrate the 60-year history of the longest running action-adventure television series in the world, slated for release next year.

In addition to this, we additionally got to see & hear some updates on my most anticipated set to date; The Lord of the Rings:Tales of Middle‐earth, which is set to release in Q3 of 2023. There’s an abundance of truly exceptional artwork already teased for this set, which has the inner collector in me overly excited (and the outer home-owner mortified at the reality of how much money I’ll spend). Wizards have really found a way to pander to me specifically with a set collaboration with almost every single franchise I adore (if they ever manage to pull together a Star Wars themed set, I’ll be set for life).

I know for some, the ‘gimmick’ of collaborations with other franchises can leave a sour taste in the mouth, and at times can steal away from what truly makes MTG so special, which is why it’s so exciting to be heading back to where it all started later this year with Dominaria United. Home to the first Magic set that was released in 1993, and the centerpiece of storytelling for the first decade, Dominaria is the core of Magic’s multiverse, and for anyone who’s brand new to the game, wanting to jump back or in, or simply a frequently player; it’s an incredibly exciting to jump into (and on the verge of Magic’s 30th anniversary, is the perfect timing for it to come out).

Rounding the presentation Wizards of the Coast casually unveiled the remainder of their upcoming premier Magic: The Gathering set releases coming in 2023. Throughout the next 12 months we have all of these to look forward to: Brothers’ War, releasing in November, March of the Machine & March of the Machine: Aftermath in Q2 2023, Wilds of Eldraine in Q3 2023 and Lost Caverns of Ixalan in Q4 2023. Outside of the Secret Lairs, which I’ve never been the biggest fan of, there wasn’t a single announcement today that didn’t excite me and remind me why I love everything about my nerdy cardboard collecting.

2023 as a whole is set to be a triumphant year for Magic: The Gathering, as it celebrates the 30th anniversary of my (and a vast majority of the world’s) favorite trading card game. In the past few years, Wizards of the Coast have really outdone themselves in terms of the sheer amount of themes, collaborations and ways in which we’ve been able to experience Magic, which has really sparked a resurgence in the game and introduced a whole new world of players. I’m so excited and optimistic to see where my beloved MTG heads to next, and I can’t wait to experience everything the upcoming year has in store.