Magic: The Gathering Gives Bilbo Baggins a Fresh, Attractive Twist

All the cards from Magic: The Gathering’s The Hobbit set have been unveiled. As I explored the set for intriguing mechanics, exciting card synergies, and stunning artwork, I had a moment of realization: they’ve captured Bilbo Baggins! While Bilbo has appeared in previous sets as the older, refined character from Lord of the Rings, this time he’s portrayed as the younger version from The Hobbit, and the artists have done a fantastic job, transforming him into a striking silver fox.

It’s that charming little gray streak in his hair that really embodies the “Oh no, he’s hot” vibe. There’s a certain debonair quality here that Martin Freeman’s portrayal didn’t quite capture. But since these are blue cards, and we all know how blue cards and their players are viewed, let’s take a look at what he brings to the table across the color wheel—oh wow.

He’s just so dashing! Bilbo’s dwarf companions also look sharp, including Fíli, Kíli, and Bofur, who have a different look from their movie versions. It’s amusing that Thranduil’s cards still make him resemble Lee Pace.

I know many players are feeling frustrated with the game lately, whether it’s due to the seemingly endless stream of releases or the prevalence of IP crossovers that are gradually turning the game into something akin to Fortnite with cards. However, The Hobbit gets a pass—not just because of the attractive Bilbo. The previous Lord of the Rings set was executed beautifully, and The Hobbit appears to follow suit. J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe blends seamlessly with MTG’s sword-and-sorcery aesthetic, and I’m hoping my friends and I can grab a box for our next draft night.