Magic’s Final Fantasy reveal heralds big changes for the beloved TCG

Wizards of the Coast has lifted the curtain on its 2025 Magic: The Gathering launch calendar, together with a preview of artwork from a extremely anticipated crossover with Final Fantasy. However the writer additionally revealed some massive adjustments coming to the buying and selling card sport. A cascade of bulletins, made reside on the MagicCon Las Vegas fan conference, could even change the trajectory of the beloved TCG all the time.

By far the largest announcement is the truth that starting subsequent yr, all Universes Beyond releases produced going ahead will probably be authorized in all codecs, together with Commonplace. First launched in 2021, Universes Past options mental property from outdoors the normal Magic Multiverse, swapping characters like Jace Beleren and the Phyrexians for Stranger Things’ Eleven, Hatsune Miku, and Warhammer 40,000’s House Marines. Up to now, these crossovers have been segregated into different codecs. Starting in 2025 they’ll develop into a core a part of the franchise’s play expertise.

To make room within the subsequent calendar yr — and for the foreseeable future — there will probably be simply three Magic Multiverse-themed set launched annually. Wizards stated it expects the brand new Foundations set to fill that perennial hole, serving up needed playing cards till no less than 2029. In any other case followers ought to count on the “three-and-three” cadence to proceed, with three Magic Multiverse choices paired with three Universes Past units.

That’s not the one change coming to Magic, and followers are inspired to coach themselves at the official Magic website. Anticipate further evaluation right here on Polygon within the days and weeks to return.

In the meantime, listed here are all the brand new particulars on Magic: The Gathering’s 2025 launch calendar, plus commentary from the Magic group delivered in a non-public press briefing forward of as we speak’s announcement.

Prime billing goes to Magic: The Gathering – Closing Fantasy, a Universes Past set that launches on June 13, 2025. Wizards describes the set as the most important assortment of Closing Fantasy artwork ever launched in a single sport.

“Drawing from throughout the franchise,” stated head designer Mark Rosewater, “you’ll see art work from Magic artists together with the traditional illustrations from legendary Closing Fantasy artists, in addition to brand-new breathtaking items made particularly for this set.”

Magic: The Gathering – Innistrad Remastered brings collectively in style playing cards from a number of units of gothic horror classics in a brand new and refined product. This Magic Multiverse set, launching on Jan. 24, 2025, may even embrace 500 serialized copies of Edgar Markov.

The set is accessible for pre-order now.

Magic: The Gathering – Aetherdrift skids to a halt on Feb. 14, 2025. The Magic Multiverse set depicts a wild race throughout three totally different planes of existence. It additionally tells a really private story in regards to the pyromancer, Chandra, and her quest to return the magical Spark that her associate, Nissa, just lately misplaced.

“The thought is we’re simply making one thing [where] there’s 10 totally different groups for the totally different shade combos,” Rosewater stated, “so it’s only a actually enjoyable, thrilling race.”

On April 11, 2025, Magic: The Gathering – Tarkir: Dragonstorm, the second Magic Multiverse launch of the yr, brings again three-color decks and towering, lethal dragons in a aircraft that hasn’t been visited by designers in additional than a decade.

After Closing Fantasy in June, Magic: The Gathering – Fringe of Eternities takes the Magic Multiverse to outer area in an all-new setting.

“Through the years, Magic has explored a lot of totally different takes on fantasy and actually stretched the definition of what fantasy could be,” Rosewater stated. “[We’re] taking a look at taking numerous tropes from area fantasy — planets and aliens and all that — and actually making a brand-new, thrilling Magic world in contrast to something you’ve seen earlier than.”

The second Universes Past of 2025 would be the previously announced Magic: The Gathering – Marvel Spider-Man, which attracts inspiration from the Brooklyn-based webslinger’s wealthy historical past of comedian storylines.

Unannounced Universes Past launch

The yr will conclude with the third Universes Past launch, which has not but been introduced.