Tarkir's Dragonstorm Unveiled in Magic: The Gathering Preview

The anticipation is building for Magic: The Gathering's latest set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, set to launch on April 11 and currently available for pre-order. This set revisits the enthralling plane of Tarkir, bringing with it a mix of powerful new creatures, beloved characters, and innovative mechanics that promise to revolutionize deck-building. As a proud owner of a Scion of the Ur-Dragon Commander deck, I'm already envisioning the thrilling additions I'll make that will leave my friends scrambling to keep up.

What to Expect From Tarkir: Dragonstorm

Tarkir, a realm where five clans—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)—wage eternal war against ancient dragons, is the backdrop for this set. Each clan, led by a Khan, boasts a unique playstyle. Wizards of the Coast has started unveiling the new mechanics these clans will harness, alongside tantalizing glimpses of the dragons set to dominate the battlefield.

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To ensure each clan stands out, Wizards has crafted exclusive mechanics tailored to their three-color identities. Jeskai's Flurry 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 bestow various counters on surviving creatures. Mardu's Mobilize generates temporary creatures that vanish at the end of the turn, bolstering their aggressive swarm tactics. Temur's Harmonize, echoing Flashback, enables cards to be replayed from the graveyard at a reduced cost by tapping creatures. Finally, Abzan's Endure activates whenever a non-token creature dies, distributing +1/+1 counters and other advantages, as exemplified by Anafenza, Undying Lineage, who either spawns a 2/2 flying Spirit token or grants additional counters.

Given the set's name, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, it's no surprise that dragons are receiving significant upgrades. The new mechanics, Omen and Behold, enrich their arsenal. Omen, akin to Adventure cards, allows you to cast the card as a creature or as an instant or sorcery. If you opt for the spell, it shuffles back into your deck for another draw opportunity later. Choose the creature, and that option is lost. Behold activates when you reveal a dragon from your hand or already have one on the battlefield. A prime example is Sarkhan, Dragon Ascendant, who creates a Treasure token upon being played and triggers Behold. These mechanics, not confined to a specific clan, can appear across multiple colors, adding a fascinating layer to deck-building.

MTG - Tarkir: Dragonstorm Preview - Art

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But the real stars of the show are the dragons. One highlight is Betor, Kin to All (2WBG), a formidable force that triggers various 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 triggers at least the card draw, and with heavyweights like Utvara Hellkite or Ancient Gold Dragon in play, the life loss effect becomes a daunting prospect.

Ugin also makes a return, this time as a colorless planeswalker. Ugin, Eye of the Storms (7) is 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 game-changing: search your library for any number of colorless non-land cards, exile them, then cast them for free until the end of the turn. With seven starting loyalty and a +2 ability, he can reach that threshold swiftly if properly defended.

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 less than a month until its launch, much of the set remains shrouded in mystery, but my Scion deck is already poised 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. Regardless, Tarkir: Dragonstorm is shaping up to be an exhilarating addition to the Magic: The Gathering universe when it arrives on April 11.