Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is experiencing a transformative year in 2025, marked by a blend
of nostalgic returns and bold crossovers. Following the success of “Tarkir: Dragonstorm,” the
game is poised to delve deeper into its Universes Beyond initiative, introducing sets that span
beloved franchises like Final Fantasy, Spider-Man, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. With each
release, Wizards of the Coast is pushing the boundaries of traditional MTG while striving to
retain the essence that has defined the game for over three decades.
—
The Resurgence of Tarkir
Released in April, “Tarkir: Dragonstorm” marked a triumphant return to the fanfavorite
plane of Tarkir. This set reimagines a timeline where the dragons once again reign
supreme, reversing the events that originally saw them disappear. Iconic characters like Ugin and
take center stage, with a narrative that explores the consequences of altered fate and lost power.
The set features dynamic new mechanics such as "Dragonkin Ascendancy" and revitalizes clanbased
gameplay, emphasizing the Temur, Jeskai, and Mardu philosophies. The Commander deck
"Temur Roar" particularly stood out for its thematic cohesion and strong synergy, becoming a
favorite among casual and competitive players alike. While the set was well-received for its rich
flavor and strong gameplay elements, it faced stiff competition for attention amid the growing
anticipation for the Universes Beyond crossovers.
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Final Fantasy: A Crossover for the Ages
Anticipation was high for the Final Fantasy set, and it didn’t disappoint. It broke sales records everywhere selling out in a flash! This
collaboration spans all 16 mainline Final Fantasy titles and brings a vast array of characters,
settings, and gameplay inspirations to MTG. Players love seeing iconic figures such as
Cloud Strife, Sephiroth, Terra Branford, Tidus, and Noctis reimagined as legendary creatures and
planeswalkers.
The set introduces several unique mechanics inspired by Final Fantasy's RPG roots. "Select a
Job" allows players to build around classic roles like Warrior, Mage, and Thief, adding an
additional layer of strategic depth. Another represents limit break-style
abilities that trigger under specific conditions. The set includes multi-faction synergies reflecting
the diverse worlds of Final Fantasy, with each color pair themed after a major game or era.
Commander players enjoy themed decks built around iconic parties and story arcs.
The artwork features collaborations with Square Enix artists, including special showcase
treatments styled after classic Final Fantasy menus, sprites, and cinematic scenes.
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Exploring New Frontiers: Edge of Eternities
Set to release on July 25th, 2025, “Edge of Eternities” is a major departure from traditional MTG
settings, embracing a full-blown science fiction theme. This set introduces the Sothera system, a
newly discovered region beyond the known Multiverse, and serves as a fresh narrative arc
distinct from existing planes.
The storyline follows the rogue artificer Tezzeret, who has re-emerged with mysterious motives
involving planar technology. Players will explore new planets, spacefaring civilizations, and
ancient artifacts of unknown origin. The set introduces mechanics and types such as “warp”, “void”, "station", “spacecraft” and “planets”!
It represents a bold experiment, aiming to redefine what a Magic set can look and
feel like while still integrating familiar gameplay principles.
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Web-Slinging into the Multiverse: Spider-Man
Later in 2025, Magic: The Gathering will debut its first full Marvel collaboration with a set
focused entirely on Spider-Man. This set is based on the original comic book source material
rather than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, offering a more grounded, character-driven
approach.
Players can expect to see key characters such as Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Otto Octavius, and
Eddie Brock depicted with intricate dual-faced designs that highlight their dual identities (e.g.,
Peter Parker/Spider-Man). The set explores themes of responsibility, identity, and transformation
through its mechanics, possibly introducing an "Alter Ego" mechanic that allows cards to flip or
transform mid-game.
Due to complex licensing agreements, the set will only be available in physical formats. It will
not be featured on Magic Arena or Magic Online. To provide digital players with access, Wizards
of the Coast plans to launch a parallel line called "Through the Omenpaths," which will include
digital-only versions of the cards with alternate names and artwork. This workaround has drawn
mixed reactions, with concerns about consistency, player confusion, and digital/physical
divergence.
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Bending Elements: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Scheduled for release in November 2025, the Avatar: The Last Airbender set brings the world of
elemental bending and spiritual conflict into the Magic: The Gathering universe. Drawing on the
rich lore of the series, the set will focus on the four elemental nations: Water, Earth, Fire, and Air,
each represented by unique mechanics and colour pairings.
Players will be able to build decks centred around iconic characters like Aang, Katara, Zuko,
Toph, and Uncle Iroh, with possible new keyword abilities tied to specific bending styles (e.g.,
"Flow," "Forge," "Root," and "Gale"). The storyline will likely align with major events from the
animated series, offering fans a narrative-driven game-play experience.
The set is expected to feature both traditional cards and full-art scene cards depicting memorable
show moments. Special attention is being paid to cultural representation and visual authenticity,
with the involvement of original series consultants. This release aims to appeal to both casual
fans and competitive players with its flavourful mechanics and powerful deck-building potential.
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Community Sentiment: Embracing or Resisting Universes Beyond?
The expansion of Universes Beyond has elicited mixed reactions within the Magic community.
On one hand, collaborations such as the Lord of the Rings and Final Fantasy sets have seen
tremendous success, attracting new players and creating crossover appeal. On the other hand,
concerns are growing over the dilution of MTG’s original IP, with longtime fans worried that
external franchises are overshadowing the game’s own lore and world-building.
The lukewarm response to sets like "Aetherdrift," which failed to capture player interest due to
underwhelming mechanics and generic sci-fi themes, illustrates the risks involved in diverging
too far from core Magic identity. Additionally, the decision to release some Universes Beyond
products exclusively in physical or digital formats complicates accessibility and undermines a
unified player experience.
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Looking Ahead: Balancing Innovation and Tradition
As Wizards of the Coast continues to expand the MTG universe through crossovers and original
content, the key challenge lies in balancing innovation with tradition. Sets like "Tarkir:
Dragonstorm" demonstrate the enduring value of returning to established planes with fresh
perspectives, while Universes Beyond offers a path for exciting, high-profile collaborations.
To maintain player engagement and loyalty, future sets must continue to offer compelling
storytelling, balanced mechanics, and clear integration with existing game-play structures. With
2025 shaping up to be one of the most ambitious years in MTG history, the choices made now
will influence the game’s trajectory for years to come.
What are your thoughts on the MTG-verse and Wizard’s expansion plan moving forward?
~Hassan
