Magic: the Gathering Articles

This category will try to bring you new content as it pertains to the card game of Magic: the Gathering. Decklists will be provided for various formats such as EDH, Standard and Legacy.

Happy Reading!

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ALTA FOX PROXY FIGHT FAILS

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51364/alta-fox-proxy-fight-fails

The Hasbro Board of Directors has been re-elected, defeating the effort by Alta Fox Capital Management to shake up its roster, Hasbro announced today, pending final ratification of the election results. After making a splash as it urged Hasbro to spin off Wizards of the Coast in February (see “Hedge Fund Urging Hasbro to Spin Off WotC”), Alta Fox proposed five of its directors for the board, then cut that to three (see “Funds Urge Compromise”), and finally to one, who was defeated in the shareholder vote announced today.

Although Alta Fox was able to pick up some support for its efforts, the win of the existing board slate was by “a substantial margin,” according to the company. “As the vote indicates, our highly skilled and recently refreshed Board possesses experience and expertise directly relevant to overseeing Hasbro’s world class portfolio of assets across multiple play and entertainment categories,” the company said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Our directors will be instrumental to [current Hasbro CEO, former WotC president] Chris [Cocks] as he undertakes a strategic review of the business and outlines our go-forward strategy to position Hasbro for long-term success and delivery of shareholder value.”

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WIZARDS OF THE COAST UNVEILED THE ‘SECRET LAIR JUNE 2022 SUPERDROP’

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51402/wizards-coast-unveiled-secret-lair-june-2022-superdrop

Wizards of the Coast unveiled Secret Lair June 2022 Superdrop, the next wave of Secret Lair sets for Magic: The Gathering, now on direct-to-consumer preorder.

This wave of Secret Lair sets showcases some cards that Commander players will want to get their hands on. The Special Guest: Kelogsloops has a Mystic Remora in it, a Commander staple card that has never been reprinted. Also of note, Artist Series: Livia Prima features a Mikaeus, the Unhallowed, which is a card that is a part of multiple game-winning combos.

The following sets will be offered in the June 2022 Superdrop:
Special Guest: Kelogsloops (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): Set comes with a Borderless Mystic Remora, a Borderless Retreat to Coralhelm, a Borderless Burgeoning, a Borderless Utopia Sprawl, and a MTG Redemption code.

Rule the Room (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): This set features a Borderless Brimaz, King of Oreskos, a Borderless Arcanis the Omnipotent, a Borderless Queen Marchesa, and a Borderless Savra, Queen of the Golgari.

The Tokyo Lands (MSRP $29.99; Foil Etched $39.99): Set highlights the scenes of Tokyo with a Full-art Plains, a Full-art Island, a Full-art Swamp, a Full-art Mountain, and a Full-art Forest.

Artist Series: Livia Prima (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): Comes with an Akroma, Angel of Wrath, a Mikaeus, the Unhallowed, a Glissa Sunseeker, an Olivia, Mobilized for War, and a MTG Redemption code.

Artist Series: Chris Rahn (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): Set contains a Kozilek, the Great Distortion, a Primeval Titan, a Huntmaster of the Fells, a Platinum Angel, and a MTG Redemption code.

Artist Series: Volkan Baga (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): This set has an Elspeth, Knight-Errant, a Patron Wizard, a Berserk, and a Verduran Enchantress.
This drop also can be purchased in three different bundles. The Non-Stop, Non-Foil Bundle comes with one of each of the entirely non-foil sets (6 total) for $148.99, and the Full-of-Foils Bundle comes with one of each of the entirely foil ones (6 total) for $198.99. The Bundle Bundle comes with all the sets in the drop for $328.99.

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WIZARDS OF THE COAST PARTNERS WITH REEDPOP FOR MAGIC 30

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51414/wizards-coast-partners-reedpop-magic-30

Wizards of the Coast has partnered with ReedPop for Magic 30, an event to kick off Magic: The Gathering’s 30th anniversary celebration, which will happen from October 28-30, 2022 at the EXPO at World Market Center in Las Vegas, NV.


Magic: The Gathering is approaching the 30th anniversary of its general release, which happened in 1993. They are kicking the celebration off a little early by launching a both in-person and virtual event in Las Vegas during Halloween weekend. The in-person event, run by ReedPop (see “ICv2 Interview”), will include a Modern tournament that finishes with a Top 8 draft where players will draft Beta edition cards and the Magic World Championship XXVIII event. There will also be Unfinity events hosted by lead designer Mark Rosewater, panel events, cosplay, and more. This event will also feature its own exclusive Secret Lair set.

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WIZARDS OF THE COAST ANNOUNCES ‘MAGIC: THE GATHERING’ ‘DOUBLE MASTERS 2022’ DELAYS

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51426/wizards-coast-announces-magic-the-gathering-double-masters-2022-delays

Wizards of the Coast announced that a portion of the Double Masters 2022 product line will be delayed.
Delays strike again (see “Product Delays”) as WotC says that a portion of Double Masters 2022 Collector Boosters will be delayed in North America for one to two weeks after the set release. The delays were blamed both on production challenges and the ongoing global supply issues. As a result, Collectors Booster will likely have a limited availability initially.

This could potentially be a major blow or boon for this product line. The Collector Booster displays for this set have only four packs each (see “‘Double Masters 2022′”), and are clearly aimed at customers with significant amounts of disposable income. A glut in supply lasting a week or more could put a damper on sales of this set as the FOMO on new Magic products tends to fade progressively after a set’s release.

Conversely, if the reprints and cards treatments in this set are desirable enough, a lack of product could also make card prices on the secondary market soar temporarily based on the rarity of Collector Boosters in the marketplace. This type of price action could create a second wave of enthusiasm for the boxes from singles card resellers and vest pocket singles sellers looking to flip the cards for profit.

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WIZARDS OF THE COAST UNVEILS MORE DEETS FOR ‘DOMINARIA UNITED’ RELEASE

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/51436/wizards-coast-unveils-more-deets-dominaria-united-release

Wizards of the Coast unveiled new details on the Dominaria United set, which will be headed to stores on September 9, 2022 (typo “June 11” corrected 6.20.2022; apologies).
Dominaria United is one of the most anticipated Standard sets of the year (see “Dominaria United”), and WotC has cooked up a few twists for prerelease events. One of the new event features will be that Collector Booster displays will be available for early sales at prereleases in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, retailers will be able to run prerelease events with the new Dominaria Jumpstart packs instead of Prerelease Packs. All stores will also receive a Jumpstart Booster display for free to use during the prerelease.

Scheduling for retailers was officially opened up on March 8 and the important dates for this set are as follows:

Distributor Selection Deadline: June 24, 2022

WPN Premium Deadline: July 1, 2022

Marketing Kits Delivered (North America and Latin America): Beginning August 2, 2022

Promo Cards Delivered: Beginning August 26, 2022

Prerelease: September 2-8, 2022

Launch Party: September 9-11, 2022

Game Day: September 17-25, 2022

WPN Premium Commander Party: September 30 – October 2, 2022

October 2022 Store Championships: October 15-23, 2022

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WIZARDS OF THE COAST ANNOUNCES ‘MAGIC: THE GATHERING’ ‘SECRET LAIR’ FEBRUARY SUPERDROP 2022

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50475/wizards-coast-announces-magic-the-gathering-secret-lair-february-superdrop-2022

Wizards of the Coast announced February Superdrop 2022, a new wave of Secret Lair sets for Magic: The Gathering, for preorder from February 18, 2022 to March 18, 2022.

WotC looks like it is making the February Superdrop an annual event (see “‘Secret Lair: Smitten Superdrop’“), as it churns out a new wave of Secret Lair DTC sets. This drop features the Secret Lair X Street Fighter set (see “‘Magic: The Gathering’ ‘Secret Lair x Street Fighter’“) as well as a set illustrated by Eisner-nominated artist Yuko Shimizu (see “2011 Eisner Award Nominees“). It also includes a manga-inspired set as well as Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty art treatment sets.

The following sets will be offered in this latest drop:

  • Secret Lair X Street Fighter (MSRP $39.99; Traditional Foil $49.99): 1 E. Honda, Sumo Champion, 1 Ryu, World Warrior, 1 Ken, Burning Brawler, 1 Blanka, Ferocious Friend, 1 Chun-Li, Countless Kicks, 1 Dhalsim, Pliable Pacifist, 1 Guile, Sonic Soldier, and 1 Zangief, the Red Cyclone.
  • Li’l Walkers (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): 1 Borderless Tamiyo, the Moon Sage, 1 Borderless Ajani, Mentor of Heroes, 1 Borderless Angrath, the Flame-Chained, 1 Borderless Ashiok, Dream Render, and 1 Borderless Sorin, Grim Nemesis.
  • Introducing: Kaito Shizuki (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): 1 Borderless Brain Freeze, 1 Borderless Bribery, 1 Borderless Snap, 1 Borderless Unmask, and 1 Borderless Shadow of Doubt.
  • Special Guest: Yuko Shimizu (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): 1 Borderless Hokori, Dust Drinker, 1 Borderless Kira, Great Glass-Spinner, 1 Borderless Eidolon of the Great Revel, and 1 Borderless Elvish Spirit Guide.
  • Showcase: Neon Dynasty (Neon Ink Foil MSRP $49.99): 1 Neon ink foil Ghostly Prison,  1 Neon ink foil Freed from the Real, 1 Neon ink foil Boseiju, Who Shelters, and 1 Neon ink foil Hall of the Bandit Lord.
  • Shades Not Included (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): 1 Hand-drawn Plains, 1 Hand-drawn Island, 1 Hand-drawn Swamp, 1 Hand-drawn Mountain, and 1 Hand-drawn Forest.
  • Pictures of the Floating World (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): 1 Windbrisk Heights, 1 Shelldock Isle, 1 Howltooth Hollow, 1 Spinerock Knoll, and 1 Mosswort Bridge.
  • Kamigawa: The Manga: The Cards (MSRP $29.99; Traditional Foil $39.99): 1 Idyllic Tutor, 1 Swords to Plowshares, 1 Solve the Equation, 1 Praetor’s Grasp, and 1 Veil of Summer.

This drop can be purchased in three different bundles. The Non-Stop, Non-Foil Bundle comes with one of each of the entirely non-foil sets (7 total) for $188.89, and the Full-of-Foils Bundle comes with one of each of the entirely foil ones (8 total) for $278.99. The Bundle Bundle comes with all the sets in the drop for $428.99.

These all look sooooo good!

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WIZARDS OF THE COAST PUSHES BACK ‘MAGIC’S’ ‘UNFINITY’

Source https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50243/wizards-coast-pushes-back-magics-unfinity

Wizards of the Coast has pushed back the release of the Unfinity set, for Magic: The Gathering, due to ongoing supply chain issues.
Unfinity, the latest Un-set, was set to release on April 1, 2022 (see “‘Magic: The Gathering’ ‘D&D’ and ‘Masters’ Sets”). The supply chain problems were specific to the Unfinity product line, thus WotC opted to push the set’s release off till the second half of 2022. Additionally, Unfinity promos will no longer ship with retailers’ Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty marketing kits, and will be sent out closer to Unfinity’s actual release date.

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WIZARDS OF THE COAST ANNOUNCES ‘MAGIC: THE GATHERING’ BRAND COLLABORATION WITH POST MALONE

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50033/wizards-coast-announces-magic-the-gathering-brand-collaboration-post-malone

Wizards of the Coast announced a Magic: The Gathering brand collaboration with singer Post Malone to promote the Friday Night Magic program.
The return of OP to gaming stores in 2021(see “U.S. In-Store Play Suspension for ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Will End Soon”) will be followed up by a year-long celebration of Magic’s return to stores involving a partnership with Magic celebrity super fan Post Malone. Although the full nature of the partnership has not been disclosed, it will involve promoting the FNM program as more stores return to OP as the pandemic winds down.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger fan of Magic: The Gathering than Post Malone,” said Nathan Stewart, Head of Franchise Marketing for WotC. “As a fan for years, he knows just how much Friday Night Magic means to players. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Posty in ways that will allow his signature style, talent and love of the game to combine in ways fans will never forget.”

Malone’s relationship with Magic, to this point, has been as a player, a collector, and a social influencer. Earlier this year, Malone was reported to have spent thousands of dollars at a Frank & Son Collectible Show (see “Post Malone Spends Thousands on ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Singles”). With this announcement, WotC now appears to be looking to leverage Malone’s star influence in a more official capacity to promote the Magic: The Gathering brand.

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SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES ‘FINAL FANTASY TCG: REBELLION’S CALL’

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50071/square-enix-announces-final-fantasy-tcg-rebellions-call

Square Enix announced Final Fantasy TCG: Rebellion’s Call, a new booster expansion, which will release in August 2022.
This new expansion introduces characters from Final Fantasy VII: Before Crisis into the game. Also, the Crystal game mechanic that first appeared in Crystal Dominion (see “‘Final Fantasy TCG’ Booster Expansion”) is back again in this expansion. There will be more Legacy cards in this set, which include Firion [6-019L], Veritas of the Dark [8-136L], and Y’shtola [12-119L]. The set will feature artwork by Ryoma Ito, Akira Oguro, Yukihiro Kajimoto, Gen Kobayashi, Toshitaka Matsuda, Fumio Minagawa, and Miki Yamashita.

Alongside this set, Square Enix will release Two-Player Starter Set: Golbez vs. Cecil. It comes with two preconstructed decks to play with, and there will be 10 new starter exclusive cards in the decks. Each starter exclusive card will have three parallels.

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WIZARDS OF THE COAST UNVEILS ‘KAMIGAWA: NEON DYNASTY’ BUY-A-BOX PROMO

Source: https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/50073/wizards-coast-unveils-kamigawa-neon-dynasty-buy-box-promo

Wizards of the Coast unveiled the Buy-a-Box promo for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty.
The foil Buy-a-Box promo is Satoru Umezawa, a legendary human ninja creature card. The card’s text is as follows:

Sarou Umezawa (Casting Cost: 1UB)

Legendary Creature – Human Ninja

Whenever you activate a ninjutsu ability, look at the top three cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order. This ability triggers only once each turn.

Each creature in your hand has ninjutsu 2UB. 2/4

This card offers card draw as well as an expedient way of putting Emrakul, the Aeons Torn or Griselbrand into play in Modern matches. It will likely be a surefire hit with customers, and can be given with the purchase of a Set, Draft, or Collector Display or if they buy 6 Prerelease Packs.