While Magic: The Gathering’s recent crossovers with franchises like Final Fantasy and Spider-Man have been making waves, the next set in the lineup is already on the horizon. Tarkir: Dragonstorm returns to Magic’s own plane of Tarkir, and we’ve got an exclusive first look at five cards that are likely to see plenty of action at the draft tables next month. (Preorders are live on Amazon.)
Flip through the gallery below to explore all five cards, and dive deeper into what Wizards of the Coast has to say about their design and the set as a whole.
Magic: The Gathering - 5 New Cards from Tarkir: Dragonstorm
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These five cards form what’s known as a “cycle,” where each card shares a similar design foundation while incorporating elements unique to Magic’s five colors. In this case, all five are low-cost, common-rarity creatures featuring abilities tied to one of Tarkir’s three-color clans, along with a mechanic allowing you to convert mana into a color from that clan.
“Three-color limited environments require significant mana fixing at all rarities,” explains Wizards of the Coast Senior Game Designer Adam Prosak. “We aimed to ensure that numerous decks could access mana fixing, so we crafted several designs specifically to address mana issues. Unlike other solutions like tapped lands, these creatures let you play actively while simultaneously developing your mana—ensuring you don’t fall behind.”
Preorder MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm Cards
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Play Booster Box
$164.70 at Amazon
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Collector Booster Box
$299.88 at Amazon
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Collector Booster
$24.99 at Amazon
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Commander Deck Bundle - Includes All 5 Decks
$224.95 at Amazon
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Abzan Armor
$44.99 at Amazon
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Jeskai Striker
$44.99 at Amazon
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Sultai A risen
$44.99 at Amazon
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Mardu Surge
$44.99 at Amazon
Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Temur Roar
$44.99 at Amazon
Senior Worldbuilding Designer Lauren Bond notes that while the mechanics took center stage for this cycle, common cards often serve as a canvas to highlight the world of a set—showcasing how these clans differ since players last visited Tarkir. “From the passionate monks of the Jeskai to the Naga protectors of the Sultai, the military prowess of Mardu, the Temur magic wielded by Whisperers, and the Abzan clerics restoring lost kin trees, each clan brings something distinct to the table.”
Some critics have pointed out an over-reliance on tropes in recent Magic sets, especially when revisiting old planes. However, Senior Worldbuilding Art Director Forrest Schehl emphasizes that feedback is vital to Wizards of the Coast. Still, the core concept for *Tarkir: Dragonstorm* was established long before the release of *Murder at Karlov Manor*. “Our goal was to blend Dragons and Clans in a way unseen before on Tarkir within the same set, drawing inspiration from the defining Dragonstorms of the plane. Authenticity and depth were priorities from day one.”Tarkir: Dragonstorm is available for preorder now, with its release planned for both physical and digital formats on April 11. In-store prerelease events begin on April 4. For more insights, check out our full interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Adam Prosak, Lauren Bond, and Forrest Schehl.
