Tarkir: Dragonstorm marks a triumphant return to one of Magic’s most beloved planes. Released in April 2025 as a Standard-legal set, this installment revisits the iconic clans and dragons that defined the original Tarkir block. With a blend of nostalgia and fresh design, it appeals to both longtime fans and newer players.
Lore: A Confluence of Timelines
A decade after Sarkhan Vol saved Ugin and rewrote Tarkir’s destiny, Tarkir: Dragonstorm dives into the chaos of fractured timelines. Rather than a simple continuation, this set explores alternate realities—where the outcomes of clan wars, dragon dominion, and planeswalker influence diverge wildly.
Players can expect to see old characters like Sarkhan and Ugin in new lights, with story moments that reward those who remember Tarkir’s original arc, while still being accessible to newcomers.
Mechanics: Bridging the Past and Present
Several new mechanics debut in this set, each deeply tied to Tarkir’s themes:
- Omen: A new card type that lets players choose between casting a dragon as a creature or as an instant-speed effect. This adds flexibility and depth to deck construction.
- Behold: Rewards players for meeting specific board conditions or triggers, offering bonuses like card draw or temporary buffs. It supports tactical play and board awareness.
- Flurry: A Jeskai-aligned mechanic that triggers when multiple spells are cast in a turn. Ideal for spellslinger or prowess strategies.
- Endures: Found in Abzan colors, this mechanic generates value over time through tokens or buffs when your creatures survive or persist.
These mechanics offer fresh strategic opportunities while maintaining Magic’s traditional pacing and clarity.
Commander Decks: Clan-Based Powerhouses
Tarkir: Dragonstorm introduces five Commander precons, each representing one of Tarkir’s legendary clans:
- Abzan Armor (White-Black-Green) – Focuses on +1/+1 counters, lifegain, and long-term board development using the Endures mechanic.
- Jeskai Striker (Blue-Red-White) – A spellslinger deck that excels in tempo and quick combo turns using Flurry.
- Sultai Arisen (Black-Green-Blue) – Leverages graveyard recursion and resource denial for grindy, value-based control.
- Mardu Surge (Red-White-Black) – Aggressive and sacrificial, this deck rewards fast starts and battlefield manipulation.
- Temur Roar (Green-Blue-Red) – A dragon tribal deck that uses ramp and cost reduction to bring out massive threats early.
Each deck includes two foil legendary creatures with borderless art, ten brand-new Commander-legal cards, and a Collector Booster Sample Pack.
Collector’s Highlights: Treasures of Tarkir
For collectors and high-end players, Tarkir: Dragonstorm delivers some of the most impressive chase cards of the year:
- Serialized Retro Frame Mox Jasper – A new Mox, serialized to just 500 copies worldwide. Retro treatment and original-style art make this one of the most desired collector pulls.
- Ghostfire Treatments – Ten cards receive ethereal, Ugin-inspired art treatments available in traditional and halo foil.
- Dragonscale Foil Fetch Lands – All five enemy-color fetch lands are reprinted as Special Guests with premium foiling exclusive to Collector Boosters.
- Dragon’s Eye Lands – Gorgeous full-art basic lands themed after each dragonlord, available in regular and foil versions.
This visual diversity elevates the set’s collector appeal without compromising gameplay accessibility.
Product Breakdown
Tarkir: Dragonstorm is available in multiple formats, tailored to players and collectors alike:
- Play Booster Box – Includes 30 packs with 14 cards each. Packs contain one guaranteed foil and a chance at Special Guest reprints. Ideal for Limited play and casual drafts.
- Collector Booster Box – Contains 12 packs with 15 cards per pack, featuring exclusive foils, serialized cards, and premium alternate frames. Perfect for collectors seeking high-end pulls.
- Commander Decks – Five precons, each with 100 cards, two foil commanders, and a Collector Booster Sample Pack. Great for new Commander players and veterans looking to upgrade.
Community Reception
The MTG community has embraced Tarkir: Dragonstorm with enthusiasm, praising the set’s art direction, lore depth, and mechanical design. Players appreciate the flavorful callbacks to Khans of Tarkir and Dragons of Tarkir, and many have called this one of the best flavor-driven sets since Time Spiral Remastered.
The Commander decks, particularly Temur Roar and Jeskai Striker, have been highlighted for their value and synergy, while the collector products offer some of the year’s most desirable MTG treasures.
Some feedback has pointed out that the lore can be confusing for players unfamiliar with the original Tarkir arc, but overall reception is overwhelmingly positive.
Tarkir: Dragonstorm isn’t just a nostalgic nod—it’s a fully realized set that balances story, gameplay, and value. Whether you’re a Vorthos looking for deep lore, a Commander enthusiast seeking new staples, or a collector chasing exclusive foils, this set delivers across the board.
This is one of the strongest supplemental releases of the decade—both a return and a reinvention. Tarkir is back, and it’s better than ever.
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