In Magic: The Gathering, the world in which the game resides, along with the lore of creatures, planes, and Planeswalkers, is important and has actual effects on the game and the types of cards that are made. In more recent years, however, Wizards of the Coast have branched out, beginning to make crossover cards from other games, books, TV, movies, and many other sources. This expansion brings with it mixed feelings about these new cards and mechanics. Before delving into opinions on the matter, let’s explore the basic lore of the game.
MTG and Its Beginnings
When MTG first began, the cards were simple and, for the most part, underwhelming. Some, however, were misjudged, and their power levels have gotten them on the ban list. That being said, the actual lore of the game has remained fairly consistent. Some new players, and even veterans, may not know or remember, but in the game’s early days, the lore was that you, as the wielder of a deck, were a Planeswalker. This concept gave the game a bit of a negative stigmatism, but that is for another blog.
In its beginnings, the lore was basic, but as the game expanded, it utilized its lore to add new cards and mechanics. With these new cards and mechanics came the evolution of the game which some aspects have been loved and others hated. Tye evolution brought to the game multi-colored cards and new card types, most notably Planeswalkers. Since then, the mechanics, card art, and new cards have consistently aligned with the lore and the evolving world, or sometimes its destruction.
MTG and the Multiverse
Now, understanding the core and beginnings of Magic: The Gathering, let’s discuss its expansion into the multiverse. In recent years, they have continued adding new cards, but rather than solely expanding the MTG world, they have reached into the “nerdverse.” These cards are now refered to as Universes Beyond. Initially, this involved alternate art for existing cards. However, as time passed, these new universes began to collide with MTG, bringing entirely new cards and mechanics. While some disapprove, others love this development, and opinions vary widely.
My view is less about whether it’s good for the game and more about how these new cards align with the lore of the characters they’re based on. For example, the recent introduction of Lord of the Rings to MTG brought all the main characters into the game as cards. From Gandalf the White
as a mono-colored white legendary creature to Aragorn, the Uniter
excluding only black, their color combinations and abilities not only seem cool but also make sense. My knowledge of these characters, based on the movies (I know I need to read the books), aligns with how their cards were designed. Plus, a bonus to the Lord of the Rings set was that it had full art cards that combined to create a portrait. With all that being said I have enjoyed the newer cards from the “nerdverse” they have been adding.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, as long as they continue adding cards from the “nerdverse” that make sense within the game of Magic: The Gathering and align with the characters they represent, I see no issue. Sure, it might be a money grab to attract new customers, but ultimately, they are a business. Lastly, there aren’t many other games where you can have a clashing of Godzilla, Gandalf, Optimus Prime, and Rick from The Walking Dead and as nerds, isn’t that what we all want?
To read my take on politics in the game of EDH, click here.