2025 is the year Magic fully embraces the multiverse
The Big Shift: Universes Beyond Goes Mainstream
Starting in 2025, UB sets like Final Fantasy and Spider-Man will no longer use unique frames or security stamps, blending seamlessly with in-universe cards. More critically, they’re legal in all formats, including Standard (A first for UB!) This move aims to attract new players and unify the game’s aesthetics, but it also risks alienating veterans who cherish Magic’s distinct multiverse.
Key Implications:
Power Creep Concerns: UB cards designed for broader playability might warp competitive metas, as seen with The One Ring’s dominance
New Player Appeal: Crossovers like Spider-Man could draw Marvel fans into MTG, expanding the player base
Format Fragmentation: Imagine drafting Final Fantasy moogles alongside Tarkir dragons; a thematic clash that could disrupt immersion
Final Fantasy: A Match Made in High Fantasy Heaven
The Final Fantasy set, releasing June 13, leans into MTG’s strengths:
- Aesthetic Synergy: From Bahamut as a colossal dragon to Shiva as a frost-themed planeswalker, the art and mechanics mirror Magic’s high-fantasy roots
- Commander Focus: Four preconstructed decks (featuring Cloud and Sephiroth) cater to MTG’s most popular format, offering ready-to-play synergy and lore-driven gameplay
- Mechanical Innovation: “Limit Break” abilities (pay life to amplify effect) echo black’s risk-reward philosophy while staying true to Final Fantasy’s iconic mechanics
Why It Works: Final Fantasy’s epic scale and mythic creatures feel like a natural extension of MTG’s multiverse. It’s a crossover that respects both IPs’ identities.
Spider-Man: A Swing-and-a-Miss for Thematic Cohesion?
The Spider-Man set (September 26) faces steeper challenges:
- Setting Struggles: New York’s urban backdrop clashes with MTG’s planeswalking fantasy. Cards like Daily Bugle (a land that generates Clue tokens) feel jarring next to Breeding Pool or Sacred Foundry
- Missing Commander Support: Unlike Final Fantasy, Spider-Man lacks preconstructed decks, relying on a “Scene Box” with non-Standard-legal Commander cards.
- Color Pie Contortions: Spider-Man is cast as white-blue-green (altruism, science, and animalistic destiny), but villains like Green Goblin (red-black chaos) stretch the color pie’s logic
Community Backlash: Many players argue superheroes belong in Marvel Snap, not MTG. The lack of a cohesive mechanical identity for Spider-Man exacerbates this
The Standard Conundrum: Innovation vs. Identity
By making UB sets Standard-legal, Wizards risks diluting Magic’s lore-driven appeal:
Collector Fatigue: With Assassin’s Creed and Avatar: The Last Airbender sets looming, players may feel overwhelmed by crossover overload
PROS
Fresh Meta Dynamics: Final Fantasy’s “Summon” tokens or Spider-Man’s “Web Counter” mechanics could revitalize stagnant strategies
Long-Term Player Growth: Marvel fans might stick around for Tarkir or Eldraine after trying Spider-Man 5.
CONS
Thematic Whiplash: Standard decks could mash Jace, the Mind Sculptor with Peter Parker, The Spectacular
The 2025 UB experiment could redefine Magic or fracture its soul. Final Fantasy demonstrates how crossovers can enhance MTG’s DNA, while Spider-Man highlights the pitfalls of forced integration. For Wizards to succeed, they must:
- Prioritize Cohesion: Future UB sets should align with Magic’s fantasy roots (e.g., Elden Ring over SpongeBob).
- Double Down on Commander: Precons are UB’s strongest asset, abandoning them for Spider-Man was a misstep 14.
- Listen to the Community: Balance new player appeal with veteran loyalty.
Until next time: Life is a stack, and I’m here to clear it.
P.S. If Spider-Man swings into your Commander pod, just remember: “With great power creep comes great responsibility.”