Magic: The Gathering is continuous the place it left off in 2025, rolling out a whopping 4 crossover units underneath its Universes Past branding in 2026: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel Tremendous Heroes, The Hobbit, and Star Trek.
That’s fairly the combo, however at a time when followers are crying out for some consistency and continuity, Wizards of the Coast is about to make the identical mistake it made with final 12 months’s advertising cycle.
Briefly, it appears like it might’t wait to get Secrets and techniques of Strixhaven out of the way in which, forgetting why many individuals play Magic within the first place.
Magic’s Universes Past Units Shouldn’t Come At The Value Of Its Personal Identification
There’s a operating joke that Magic crossovers are the worst factor in regards to the sport till it’s a franchise you’re keen on, and as a longtime fan of Peter Parker’s adventures, I admit I purchased into the Spider-Man hype final 12 months.
It was straightforward to do, too, since Wizards began revealing playing cards and merchandise tremendous early, trampling over the Fringe of Eternities set within the course of. The remainder, as they are saying, is historical past: Spider-Man was inarguably Magic’s most disappointing set of a minimum of the final 12 months (perhaps longer), and Fringe of Eternities was way more well-received however invariably didn’t get its likelihood within the limelight.
Whereas I hoped that Wizards would take some classes from it, we’re now getting into a 2026 roadmap with seven full units deliberate. Lorwyn Eclipsed is nice, and solely simply launched, however that’s January’s set. Preorders are actually reside for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Secrets and techniques of Strixhaven, and even Marvel Tremendous Heroes.
That final set, by the way in which, is round 5 months from launch. Whereas I recognize that an organization wants a line on a graph to go as much as present success by bringing in new gamers, it’s beginning to really feel like Wizards of the Coast is trampling on Magic’s personal legacy in its desperation to speak about crossover units.
Lorwyn Eclipsed needs to be a celebration, an opportunity to return to a beloved Aircraft filled with traditional creature sorts, and as a substitute, we’re getting near the Turtles touchdown on retailer cabinets. Trying previous Strixhaven to a Marvel crossover, this early (and with the style of the Spider-Man set nonetheless lingering), is only a dangerous look.
Please, Wizards – don’t let Secrets and techniques of Strixhaven endure the identical method Fringe of Eternities is. It’s nearly unavoidable with such a packed launch calendar, however in the event you can’t pay sufficient time to your individual universes, those which have captivated gamers for over three many years, does that not let you know a change is required?
Truthfully, all of that is moot anyway – I’m a part of the issue. I’ve pre-ordered some Marvel Superheroes merchandise, and you’ll guess your Bilbo Baggins that I’ll be first in line for The Hobbit.
For extra on Magic’s present set, Lorwyn Eclipsed, remember to take a look at our checklist of the very best chase playing cards within the set proper now, in addition to a have a look at all eight creature sorts within the new set.
Lloyd Coombes is an skilled freelancer in tech, gaming and health seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and plenty of extra. He is an enormous fan of Magic: The Gathering and different collectible card video games, a lot to his spouse’s dismay.
