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Play Boosters Unveiled
With the release of Zendikar Rising in 2020, Wizards introduced set boosters to the world in addition to draft boosters. The reasoning for this was that they found players were opening boosters mostly not for Limited, but just to open for fun. The addition of set boosters would allow players who just liked to rip wrappers an opportunity to have a better experience when opening their boosters. For better or worse, this move arguably ended up being too successful, and it led to draft boosters almost being canned. In an attempt to save Limited, Wizards announced play boosters over on DailyMTG.
Play Boosters will act as a replacement to both set and draft boosters, effectively merging the experience of both packs into a single booster. This was done with great care so as to best cater to both those who like Limited and those who enjoy the experience of set boosters. Wizards answered several questions in this Tuesday's Weekly MTG stream (which you can find a VOD of here) as well as on the official Magic: the Gathering Discord server. The announcement was met with a mixed reception. Some are concerned about the health of Limited going forward due to additional rares. Others seem cautiously optimistic, often noting past changes such as foils replacing a common in Time Spiral or bonus sheets like the Mystical Archives in Strixhaven for their additional rares.
Play boosters will first appear with the release of Murders of Karlov Manor early next year and will be used for every set going forward.
Banned And Restricted Updates Released
This week saw the release of the hotly anticipated Banned and Restricted announcement by Wizards of the Coast. Many players were hoping to see changes specifically in Modern and Pioneer across the internet. As Wizards previously noted that these updates would only be reserved for highly egregious situations like, say, Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis in Modern or Oko, Thief of Crowns in Standard, this is arguably in line with the philosophies previously laid out earlier this year.
Additionally, on behalf of the Pauper Format Panel (of which I am a part of, as a disclaimer), Gavin Verhey shared a format update video on his Good Morning Magic YouTube page. The format also saw no changes while acknowledging concerns over format health and an additional possible check-in before the year's end. The Pauper Format Panel functions separately - though also alongside - Wizards, hence why this announcement was released separate from the main update.
A Universes Beyond: Fallout First Look
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In a rare double up, a second Weekly MTG stream this week gave us our first look at Universes Beyond: Fallout releasing next year on March 8th. This showed us off several new cards, including the decks and their face commanders. Variants shown off include a Pip-Boy showcase frame, serialized bobbleheads, and borderless Vault Boy artworks for select cards. We've seen a number of fun series nods so far including PIP (for Pip-Boy) as the set code for this release and full art lands done in an isometric style reminiscent of the first two games in the series. Fans will no doubt love this set, and you'll be able to find out more when previews begin in earnest on February 20, 2024.
Preliminary Details For MagicCon Chicago Announced
Yesterday saw the reveal of some initial basic announcements regarding MagicCon Chicago. The event will take place from February 23rd through the 25th at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center. Rumors have been swirling about these details for weeks leading up to the event but this is the first time we've received this information officially. Further info is being held until next month, however applications are open for the New Perspectives Grant, Community Panels, the Cosplay Contest, and both Press and Creator badges. You can check out the website yourself here and bookmark it to check back as more information is revealed.
A New WPN Exclusive Secret Lair Is On The Way
In addition to covering several upcoming releases such as play boosters and Universes Beyond: Fallout, Wizards announced a new upcoming WPN-exclusive Secret Lair. This one is titled "Calling All Hydra Heads" and features several popular hydra cards, as well as a unique hydra token exclusive to this lair. This follows the More Borderless Planeswalkers Secret Lair that released earlier in the year that brought us special "what if?" versions of Ugin, Sorin, Sarkhan, and Nicol Bolas. Calling All Hydra Heads releases December 8th at your local game store.
Decklist of the Week
Four-Color Omnath | Modern | Benny Zeoli, 1st Place MXP Portland 20K RCQ
- Creatures (12)
- 1 Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
- 3 Fury
- 4 Omnath, Locus of Creation
- 4 Solitude
- Instants (5)
- 2 Prismatic Ending
- 3 Lightning Bolt
- Enchantments (8)
- 4 Leyline Binding
- 4 Up the Beanstalk
- Artifacts (4)
- 4 The One Ring
- Planeswalkers (8)
- 4 Teferi, Time Raveler
- 4 Wrenn and Six
Last weekend saw CommandFest Portland take place in Oregon. While CommandFests are generally places for chill and casual games of Magic, the event organizer, Laughing Dragon, also ran a separate competitive event known as MXP Portland alongside it. This event featured events for multiple formats including 5Ks for both Pioneer and Legacy, as well as a massive 20k for Modern. Benny Zeoli took down the big Modern event of the weekend piloting a Four-Color Omnath list. The deck is a powerful good-stuff deck relying on powerful removal spells to deal with opponents' boards, numerous ways to refill your hand, and close out the game with the help of the deck's namesake card.
If you're in Florida this weekend, make sure you check out CoolStuffInc's very own CommandFest Orlando happening starting today. You can find out more details here!
Paige Smith
Twitter: @TheMaverickGal
Twitch: twitch.tv/themaverickgirl
YouTube: TheMaverickGal
