The upcoming Magic: The Gathering set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, set to release on April 11 and available for pre-order now, promises to bring players back to the fascinating plane of Tarkir. This set introduces a variety of powerful new creatures, familiar faces, and innovative mechanics that are sure to revolutionize deck-building strategies. As someone who treasures their Scion of the Ur-Dragon Commander deck, I can hardly wait to see the enhancements I'll be able to make to it, much to the chagrin of my gaming circle.
What to Expect From Tarkir: Dragonstorm
Tarkir is a world where five clans, each with its own unique identity and strategy, are in a perpetual struggle against ancient dragons. The clans include the 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), each led by a Khan. Wizards of the Coast has begun unveiling the new mechanics that these clans will employ, along with tantalizing glimpses of the powerful dragons that will significantly impact the game.
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To enhance the uniqueness of each clan, Wizards has crafted exclusive mechanics that are specific to their three-color identities. For instance, Jeskai’s Flurry mechanic rewards players for casting 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 conjures temporary creatures that vanish at the end of the turn, bolstering their aggressive swarm tactics. Temur’s Harmonize, reminiscent of Flashback, enables cards to be replayed from the graveyard at a reduced cost by tapping creatures. Finally, Abzan’s Endure triggers when a non-token creature dies, providing +1/+1 counters and other advantages, exemplified by Anafenza, Undying Lineage, who can spawn a 2/2 flying Spirit token or grant additional counters.
Given that this is Tarkir: Dragonstorm, dragons are naturally in the spotlight with new mechanics like Omen and Behold. Omen operates similarly to Adventure cards, allowing you to cast the card either as a creature or as an instant/sorcery. If you choose to cast it as a spell, it shuffles back into your deck for another chance to draw it later. However, if you play it as a creature, that option is lost. Behold triggers when you reveal a dragon from your hand or already control one on the battlefield. A prime example is Sarkhan, Dragon Ascendant, who generates a Treasure token upon being played and triggers Behold. These mechanics, not bound to specific clans, can appear across multiple colors, adding intriguing layers to deck-building.
MTG - Tarkir: Dragonstorm Preview - Art
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The highlight of Tarkir: Dragonstorm is undoubtedly its dragons. One standout is Betor, Kin to All (2WBG), a formidable entity that activates 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 causing opponents to lose half their life. With a base toughness of 7, Betor easily triggers at least the extra card draw, and when combined with powerhouses like Utvara Hellkite or Ancient Gold Dragon, the life loss effect becomes a fearsome prospect.
Ugin returns as a colorless planeswalker in the form of Ugin, Eye of the Storms (7). He's set to become a staple in colorless decks, particularly Eldrazi builds, thanks to his passive ability that exiles target permanents whenever you cast a colorless spell. His -11 ability is nothing short of spectacular: you can search your library for any number of colorless non-land cards, exile them, and cast them for free until the end of the turn. With seven starting loyalty and a +2 ability, reaching that threshold is achievable if he's well-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 eagerly awaited Magic release this year. With just under a month until launch, most of the set remains a mystery, but my Scion deck is already in line for a significant upgrade. I’m hopeful for the return of legendary dragons like Atarka and Ojutai, or perhaps the introduction of an exciting new five-color dragon. No matter what, Tarkir: Dragonstorm is poised to be an exhilarating experience when it hits the shelves on April 11.
