Return to Lorwyn: Lorwyn Eclipsed Brings Back the World of Dreams
Magic: The Gathering kicks off 2026 with a long-awaited return to one of its most beloved planes. On January 23, 2026, Lorwyn Eclipsed releases as the first Standard-legal set of the year, revisiting the whimsical yet dangerous world of Lorwyn — a land of fae tricksters, giant clans, and elves whose beauty is as deadly as their blades.
This marks Magic’s first full set return to Lorwyn since the original Lorwyn/Morningtide and Shadowmoor/Eventide block (2007–2008). Fans have been asking for years to see the plane again, and Wizards is finally delivering.
What Is Lorwyn?
For those newer to Magic:
Lorwyn is a plane defined by eternal midsummer, a place where every race embodies extreme versions of their traits — the elves are ruthless perfectionists, the faeries mischievous and cruel, the giants proud, and the kithkin communal and brave.
Back in the late 2000s, Lorwyn was paired with Shadowmoor, its “twilight reflection,” where bright midsummer twisted into an eerie, cursed night. Lorwyn Eclipsed seems poised to explore both sides of that duality.
What to Expect in Lorwyn Eclipsed
Thematic Mechanics: Expect a revival (or spiritual successors) to past Lorwyn mechanics like Changeling, Tribal synergies, and possibly Evoke for Elementals. With modern design sensibilities, these could return in fresh and competitive ways.
The Great Aurora Returns: Lore hints suggest the set will focus on the Aurora, the magical event that once transformed Lorwyn into Shadowmoor. Players can expect story cards and mechanics that showcase this cycle of light vs. dark.
Beloved Tribes: Lorwyn was famous for its tribal playstyles. Elves, Kithkin, Faeries, Merfolk, Giants, and Elementals will likely headline, with modern twists.
New Art Direction: The set is expected to combine Lorwyn’s original storybook charm with a darker “eclipsed” tone, reflecting the merging of Lorwyn and Shadowmoor aesthetics.
Release Details
Prerelease Events: January 16–22, 2026
Official Launch: January 23, 2026
Products: Draft Boosters, Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, Commander decks, Bundles
Format Legality: Standard, Pioneer, Modern, Commander, Legacy, Vintage
Why This Matters
Lorwyn holds a special place in Magic’s history. It was one of the most flavorful and mechanically unique blocks ever printed, remembered for its bold tribal focus and striking aesthetic. By bringing Lorwyn back in 2026, Wizards is tapping into nostalgia while also offering a fresh chance for new players to fall in love with the plane.
For competitive players, the return of tribe-centric strategies could shake up Standard in a big way. For lore lovers, Lorwyn Eclipsed promises a long-awaited continuation of one of Magic’s most enchanting — and haunting — stories.
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Set Code: [TBA]
Theme: Light vs. Shadow, Tribal Magic, The Aurora
Tagline: “When summer ends, the world will change.”
Whether you’re a longtime fan of fae mischief and elvish cruelty, or a newer player looking to explore Magic’s fairy-tale-gone-wrong setting, Lorwyn Eclipsed is the perfect way to start the new year.
Bend the Elements: Avatar Arrives in Magic: The Gathering
Get ready to master Water, Earth, Fire, and Air — Avatar: The Last Airbender is joining Magic: The Gathering in one of the most anticipated crossovers of the year. Set your sights on November 21, 2025, because that’s when the Avatar set officially hits paper. Arena & MTG digital platforms get it a few days earlier.
What’s New & Why It’s Exciting
Format Legality: This isn’t just for collectors or side formats — all cards in Avatar: The Last Airbender will be Standard-legal, meaning you can tear into it in regular MTG play immediately. That makes this crossover more than just fanservice; it’s a game changer.
Elements as Mechanics: The elemental bending powers from the Avatar universe are built into the set’s mechanics. Water-bending, Airbending, Earth, Fire — these aren’t flavor alone. Cards will reference bending actions, transformation (Aang becomes “Master of Elements”), and effects tied to the four nations.
Iconic Characters & Flavor: The Gaang is here: Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, and more. There are art variants, special foil treatments, Borderless frames, scene cards, and even a “Raised Foil Avatar Aang” card that transforms. If you’re a fan of the original series, there’s a lot to nerd out over.
Release Schedule & Key Dates
First Look / Reveal (Previews begin) August 12, 2025
Charge up previews / Card gallery posted November 7, 2025
Prerelease Events (Tabletop)November 14-20, 2025
Arena / Online release November 18, 2025
Tabletop release / Retail shelves November 21, 2025
Product Highlights & What You Can Buy
Avatar won’t just be one set of booster packs. Here’s what’s on deck:
Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, Jumpstart Boosters
Bundles, Scene Boxes, and a Beginner Box for newer or casual players
A special Raised Foil Avatar Aang card in the Collector Boosters (borderless, high-art, very collectible)
Why This One Matters
For one, building full Universe Beyond sets that are Standard legal changes the game. It’s no longer “just a crossover bonus” — it’s core product. If you play MTG, this is your chance to engage with an IP you love and see how it fits into regular play.
For Avatar fans, this crossover lets you revisit the world of bending, honor, friendship, and moral choices — but with deck-building and strategy. It’s narrative + tactical combo.
It also raises design challenges (and opportunities): how do you balance faithful flavor vs balanced gameplay? How do elemental bending mechanics mesh with existing MTG themes? There’s active discussion about how well the set can preserve the heart of Avatar while making everything work in a competitive card game.
What to Watch Out For / Tips
If you’re going to get into this set, mark your prerelease week. Those prerelease packs often yield cool promos or early art you won’t get otherwise.
Keep an eye on the First Look / previews around August and again in early November — sometimes the most interesting cards are spoiled early.
For newer players: the Beginner Box is likely the most welcoming way in. Thematic, simplified, good bang for buck without needing to chase rares just to enjoy playing.
Spider-Man Swings into Magic: The Gathering — Universes Beyond Set Release
Magic: The Gathering has teamed up with Marvel’s friendly neighborhood wall-crawler, and the result is one of the most exciting crossovers in recent memory. On September 26, 2025, Magic: The Gathering – Universes Beyond: Spider-Man officially releases worldwide, bringing Peter Parker, his allies, and his rogues’ gallery into the multiverse of MTG.
What Makes This Set Different?
Unlike previous Universes Beyond entries that focused mainly on supplemental formats like Commander, the Spider-Man set will be fully Standard-legal. That means the cards aren’t just for collectors or casual tables — they’ll be shaking up Friday Night Magic and tournament play right alongside core sets.
This marks a huge milestone: it’s the first time Marvel’s heroes will directly impact competitive play in the Magic ecosystem.
What to Expect
Iconic Characters: Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy/Spider-Gwen, Venom, Green Goblin, and more are swinging into card form. Expect designs that capture each character’s unique abilities — wall-crawling agility, web-slinging control, and the ever-present struggle between responsibility and temptation.
Marvel-Inspired Mechanics: Wizards of the Coast has teased that gameplay will reflect the themes of Spidey’s world. Think mechanics tied to “responsibility,” “duality,” and even “symbiosis” for Venom-style interactions.
Collectible Showcase Treatments: Alternate art cards will highlight iconic comic book covers, splashy foil treatments, and stylized frames that pay homage to decades of Spider-Man storytelling.
Pre-Release and Events
As with any Standard set, expect a full pre-release cycle the week before launch. Local game stores will be running sealed deck and draft events, letting fans get their hands on Spidey cards before they hit shelves. If you’re a collector, keep an eye out for exclusive promo cards tied to early participation.
Why It Matters
Spider-Man has always been about more than just superpowers — it’s the heart, humor, and humanity that make him stand out. By weaving those qualities into Magic: The Gathering, this set is more than a gimmick: it’s a chance for two massive fandoms to meet in a meaningful way.
For longtime Magic players, this is a shake-up worth paying attention to. For Spider-Man fans, it’s the perfect excuse to finally shuffle up and play.
Release Date: September 26, 2025
Format Legality: All formats (including Standard)
Availability: Draft Boosters, Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, Preconstructed Decks
Whether you’re here for the competitive edge or to collect your favorite web-slinger in card form, this Universes Beyond release promises to be a spectacular one.