The most exciting format in Magic is set to join Commander.
One of the most exciting ways to experience Magic: The Gathering is also one of the trickiest to get your hands on. For years, fans have been eagerly anticipating Mystery Booster 2, a unique set where each pack is a delightful mix of old, random cards alongside a few “playtest cards” that stretch the boundaries of the game’s design rules, playable only in this specific format.
Mystery Booster 2 is exclusively available at in-person events like MagicCon and during select times through the Secret Lair online store. While that won’t change anytime soon, the concept is expanding with a new set called Mystery Booster Commander.
Unveiled at MagicCon Amsterdam on July 17 and set to debut at GenCon in Indiana later this month, Mystery Booster Commander puts a fresh twist on the idea by centering around Commander.
Each pack of Mystery Booster Commander includes 20 cards, featuring a wealth of legendary reprints and 59 brand-new cards crafted specifically for Commander. Two of these new cards were revealed at MagicCon, the first being a nod to the 1995 set, Homelands.
Joven and Chandler is a legendary red creature focused on stealing and sacrificing artifacts, referencing several cards from Homelands, including the iconic characters Joven and Chandler.
“I’ve been playing for a very long time,” said a representative during a press briefing. “Homelands was one of my first sets, so there’s a bit of nostalgia here for Joven and Chandler.”
They also mentioned that some of the smaller items depicted in the artwork might serve as Easter eggs from Homelands.
The second card revealed introduces a brand-new mechanic called Rulebreaker, allowing players to bend one rule from Commander. In this case, Tolabow, Loch Rascal is a legendary blue otter that generates more otters whenever you cast an instant or sorcery. If Tolabow is your commander, you can choose an additional color besides blue to include instants or sorceries in your deck, opening up a wealth of exciting possibilities for deck-building, from classic blue-red spell-slinging to blue-green ramp and blue-white control.
Mystery Booster Commander features eight cards with Rulebreaker abilities, designed in collaboration with the Commander Format Panel.
“Each of the eight cards offers a unique deck-building ability that has never existed in Magic before,” they noted. “Plus, a cute otter—what’s not to love?”
Mystery Booster Commander is set to launch at GenCon, which kicks off on July 30.