The upcoming Magic: The Gathering set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, is set to release on April 11 and is available for pre-order now. This set brings players back to the plane of Tarkir, introducing a host of powerful new creatures, familiar faces, and fresh mechanics that are sure to invigorate deck-building strategies. As a proud owner of a Scion of the Ur-Dragon Commander deck, I can already envision the exciting upgrades I'll be making, much to the chagrin of my friends.
What to Expect From Tarkir: Dragonstorm
For those new to Tarkir, it's a plane where five clans, each defined by a unique playstyle and led by a Khan, are constantly battling ancient dragons. The clans include Abzan Houses (White, Black, Green), Jeskai Way (Blue, Red, White), Mardu Horde (Red, White, Black), Sultai Brood (Black, Green, Blue), and Temur Frontier (Green, Blue, Red). Wizards of the Coast has started to unveil the new mechanics these clans will employ, alongside teasers of the formidable dragons that are set to shake up the game.
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To ensure each clan feels distinct, Wizards has crafted unique mechanics exclusive to their three-color identities. Jeskai's Flurry rewards playing a second spell in a turn, regardless of whose turn it is. Sultai's Renew allows players to exile a card from their graveyard to grant various counters to surviving creatures. Mardu's Mobilize creates temporary creatures that vanish at the end of the turn, bolstering their aggressive tactics. Temur's Harmonize, reminiscent of Flashback, lets cards be replayed from the graveyard at a reduced cost by tapping creatures. Finally, Abzan's Endure triggers upon the death of a non-token creature, placing +1/+1 counters and other benefits, as exemplified by Anafenza, Undying Lineage, who either spawns a 2/2 flying Spirit token or grants additional counters.
True to its name, Tarkir: Dragonstorm introduces new mechanics for dragons with Omen and Behold. Omen, similar to Adventure cards, allows you to cast the card as a creature or as an instant or sorcery. If cast as a spell, it shuffles back into your deck for another chance to draw it later. If played as a creature, that option is lost. Behold triggers when you reveal a dragon from your hand or already control one on the battlefield. An example is Sarkhan, Dragon Ascendant, who generates a Treasure token upon being played and triggers Behold. Since these mechanics are not tied to a specific clan, they can appear across multiple colors, making them particularly versatile for deck-building.
MTG - Tarkir: Dragonstorm Preview - Art
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Of course, the dragons are the stars of the show. One highlighted card is Betor, Kin to All (2WBG), a formidable dragon that triggers different effects at the end of your turn based on the total toughness of creatures you control. These effects range from drawing a card to untapping all your creatures or even forcing opponents to lose half their life. With a base toughness of 7, Betor easily activates at least the card draw effect, and with heavyweights like Utvara Hellkite or Ancient Gold Dragon in play, the life loss effect becomes a real threat.
Ugin also makes a return as a colorless planeswalker in Ugin, Eye of the Storms (7), likely to be a staple in colorless decks, especially those focusing on Eldrazi. His passive ability exiles target permanents whenever you cast a colorless spell, and his -11 ability is game-changing: search your library for any number of colorless non-land cards, exile them, then cast them for free until end of turn. With seven starting loyalty and a +2 ability, reaching this powerful ultimate is within reach if properly protected.
Magic: The Gathering - 5 New Cards from Tarkir: Dragonstorm
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Aside from the Final Fantasy crossover set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm is my most anticipated Magic release this year. With less than a month until its launch, much of the set remains under wraps, but my Scion deck is already poised for a significant upgrade. I'm eagerly hoping for the return of legendary dragons like Atarka and Ojutai, or perhaps an exciting new five-color dragon. Either way, Tarkir: Dragonstorm is shaping up to be an exhilarating addition to Magic: The Gathering when it launches on April 11.
