An avalanche of details for upcoming MTG sets have dropped as part of MagicCon in Barcelona, but the most eye-catching reveals were cards that reimagine characters better known for their role in Disney films.
'Wilds of Eldraine' takes place in a world inspired by classic fairy tales, and this allows the MTG team to play with its version of characters most Disney fans will recognise - Maleficent (though MTG's social account labels her as "the villain of the Sleeping Beauty story"), Snow White, and the Snow Queen that served as the basis for Elsa and a certain movie called Frozen. You may have heard of it.
Plenty of other fairy tale icons are given a twisted fantasy overhaul, too; Jack still seems to be stealing from beanstalks, though this one seems to be guarded by a multi-headed goose hydra, a badass take on Little Red Riding Hood is here, and the witch from Hansel and Gretel makes an appearance leading a cadre of sweet-based monsters (including some adorable gingerbread people). This is set is more whimsical than the last release set in this Plane, 2019's 'Throne of Eldraine' - that one emphasized Arthurian legend and knightly courts instead.
Along with MTG versions of those icons, Wilds of Eldraine also features cards with a unique style that wouldn't be out of place in a kid's storybook. You can check them all out in MTG's Twitter thread ahead of the set's launch this September 8. (And if you want to grab some of the cards for yourself, you can get them via Amazon).
Naturally, this wasn't the only set discussed during the MagicCon Barcelona panel; we also got more info about the Doctor Who Universes Beyond collection (with a better look at cards from each Commander deck) and The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. The latter offers a Lost World-style realm deep within the hollow planet of Ixalan, complete with dinosaurs, hidden civilizations that seem to ride on giant bats, and gods… one of which has a dinosaur head for a hand. This Mesoamerica-inspired set is due to land in November.
With these announcements, it's been one hell of a week for trading card games; alongside these MTG teases, press previews for Lorcana just dropped. You can check out what we think with my Disney Lorcana first impressions. We'll have to see if it can compete with MTG and the best card games long-term, but so far, things are looking good. If you'd like to know where to begin, here's my advice on which Disney Lorcana Starter Deck you should get.
For more from Magic, here's how MTG Lord of the Rings helped me rediscover the wonder of Middle-earth.
