Magic: The Gathering has an enduring love affair with dragons, showcasing their grandeur in its lore, intricate card art, and occasionally even in dungeons—especially when collaborating with the Wizards of the Coast. As this iconic trading card game embarks on its next original expansion, it aims to transport players back to the beloved realm of Tarkir and immerse them in the primal essence of dragon lore. Get ready to delve into a world where dragons reign supreme in Tarkir: Dragonstorm.
Tarkir: Dragonstorm serves as the thrilling conclusion to the most recent saga of Magic, marking the middle chapter in a trilogy that has spanned from the heartfelt Bloomburrow release in August 2024 to an impending untitled set debuting in late next year. Returning to the vibrant environment of Tarkir—first explored in the 2014 block with Khans of Tarkir—the expansion unfolds amidst the chaos of uprisings against the five Dragon Lords who governed Tarkir, leading to the emergence of a novel and perilous type of dragon. In Dragonstorm, planeswalkers Elspeth and Narset unite to confront the escalating threat of dragons that have been emerging throughout the last couple of expansion narratives, while battling Sarkhan, who seeks to reinforce dragonkind’s authority over both Tarkir and the multiverse.
Dragons are not merely central to the narrative but are intricately woven into the card design and artistic elements of Dragonstorm. As players explore this set, they will encounter a plethora of dragons, including specially designed variant cards featuring unique draconic frames, collector-booster-exclusive lands focused on dragon eyes, and another set of lands showcasing iconic land types adorned with a looming dragon overhead.
Exciting Card Previews from Tarkir: Dragonstorm
With a focus on dragons in the gameplay mechanics of Dragonstorm, players can expect an abundance of dragon cards and formidable dragon creatures to enhance their decks. This expansion introduces two innovative mechanics: “Behold” and “Omen.”
New Mechanics: Behold and Omen
“Behold” represents an exciting addition to Magic’s extensive lexicon. According to Adam Prosak, a senior game designer for Magic, “This isn’t so much a mechanic; it’s more of an enhanced language for readability across the cards. We aim for players to ‘point to a dragon’ or ‘promise us you put a bunch of dragons in your deck’.” This mechanic allows players to utilize the presence of a dragon card already in their hand or on the battlefield to activate the abilities of other cards in their deck.
Moreover, many larger dragon cards in the set will introduce the “Omen” mechanic, enabling players to make the most of high-cost dragon creatures without compromising gameplay integrity. This ability allows them to draw additional cards while discarding the dragon used to activate “Omen,” shuffling it back into their library for future use, offering players dual benefits with a single card.
Commander Deck Highlights for Tarkir: Dragonstorm
Dragonstorm is not just a celebration of dragons but also a heartfelt return to the iconic clans first introduced in Khans of Tarkir. The five clans of Tarkir—Abzan, Mardu, Jeskai, Sultai, and Temur—will make their triumphant comeback, showcasing new mechanics and features that highlight the evolution of each clan since their last appearance.
Each clan introduces a unique mechanic: The Abzan clan presents “Endures,” empowering creatures to gain bonus power and toughness or spawning new spirit tokens. The Jeskai bring “Flurry,” which provides bonuses upon casting a second spell in a turn. The Mardu clan offers “Mobilize,” enabling cards to generate temporary 1/1 warriors, while Sultai adds “Renew,” an ability used from the graveyard to exile creatures for bonus counters. Finally, the Temur introduce “Harmonize,” allowing flashback casting of sorceries and instants for reduced costs, connecting their high-power creatures to spell casting.
Additionally, Dragonstorm features five distinct Commander decks, each focused on a specific Tarkir clan and synergizing with potential commanders—either clan leaders or their respective spirit dragons—capturing the thematic essence of this expansive set.
Tarkir: Dragonstorm, the 104th major expansion of Magic, will be available on April 11.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tarkir: Dragonstorm
What is the release date for Tarkir: Dragonstorm?
Tarkir: Dragonstorm is set to be released on April 11, 2025, bringing exciting new mechanics and card designs to Magic: The Gathering.
What new mechanics are introduced in Tarkir: Dragonstorm?
Dragonstorm introduces two primary mechanics: “Behold,” which allows players to activate abilities based on the presence of dragons in their decks, and “Omen,” which provides players with card-drawing capabilities while managing high-cost dragons.
Will there be Commander decks in Tarkir: Dragonstorm?
Yes, Dragonstorm will include five unique Commander decks, each themed around one of the major clans present in Tarkir.
What clans are featured in Tarkir: Dragonstorm?
The clans in Tarkir: Dragonstorm include Abzan, Mardu, Jeskai, Sultai, and Temur. Each clan will showcase their own unique mechanics and thematic elements tied to the expansion’s storyline.
How will dragons be represented in the game’s mechanics?
Dragons will play a crucial role in both the narrative and mechanics of Dragonstorm, featuring prominently in card designs, abilities, and game strategies throughout this expansion.