While Magic: The Gathering's recent high-profile crossovers with franchises like Final Fantasy and Spider-Man have been capturing the attention of fans, the upcoming set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, is set to bring us back to the rich, familiar world of Tarkir. We're excited to offer an exclusive sneak peek at five cards that are likely to become staples at the draft table next month. You can now preorder the expansion on Amazon.
Take a look at the gallery below to explore all five cards, and continue reading for insights from Wizards of the Coast on their design and the overarching theme of the set.
Magic: The Gathering - 5 New Cards from Tarkir: Dragonstorm
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These five cards form what's known as a "cycle," each sharing a common design element across all of Magic's colors. Specifically, these cards are inexpensive, common-rarity creatures, each with an ability linked to one of Tarkir's three-color clans, and another feature that allows you to convert mana into a color from that clan.
“Three-color limited environments need quite a bit of mana fixing, at all rarities,” explains Wizards of the Coast Senior Game Designer Adam Prosak. “We wanted to ensure that many decks could access mana fixing easily, so we crafted several designs to address mana issues. These creatures not only help you develop your mana but also allow you to play to the board simultaneously - a significant advantage over designs like tapped lands, which only produce mana and can put you at a disadvantage while fixing your mana.”
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 Arisen
$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 AmazonSenior Worldbuilding Designer Lauren Bond emphasizes that while the mechanical design was the starting point for this cycle, common cards often serve as a canvas to paint the world of a set. In this case, they highlight the unique aspects of the clans as they've evolved since players last saw them. “We've captured the essence of each clan: the dynamic, action-oriented Jeskai monks; the Temur using their magic in whispers; the Sultai's Nagas as guardians and avengers of the jungle; the Mardu's military strength, showcasing that dragons come in various forms; and the Abzan clerics working to regrow the lost kin trees.”
Some fans have critiqued recent Magic sets for leaning too heavily on thematic gimmicks or tropes, even when revisiting familiar planes. However, *Dragonstorm* stands out with its straightforward approach to returning to Tarkir. Senior Worldbuilding Art Director Forrest Schehl acknowledges the importance of such feedback to Wizards of the Coast. He notes, “The core concept for Tarkir was set long before *Murders at Karlov Manor* and subsequent sets, and it remained unchanged. Our goal was to blend Dragons and Clans in a fresh way, highlighting the iconic Dragonstorms. From the outset, Lauren and I felt the pressure to authentically and meaningfully expand this beloved plane's narrative.”Tarkir: Dragonstorm is available for preorder now, with the set's release scheduled for both physical and digital formats on April 11, and in-store prerelease events starting on April 4. Continue reading for a detailed interview with Wizards of the Coast's Adam Prosak, Lauren Bond, and Forrest Schehl.