Lock and load, saddle up and don’t forget your stirrups – with the impending release from Wizards of the Coast of the MTG Outlaws of Thunder Junction expansion, Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts are gearing up for a rootin’ tootin’ Wild West-themed adventure.
Scheduled to hit shelves soon, this next expansion set promises to inject something new to the world’s most popular collectible card game (CCG). Set to debut following the recent MTG Fallout release, Outlaws of Thunder Junction marks the first premier Magic: The Gathering installment since MTG Murders at Karlov Manor in February.
Notably, it’s the inaugural set in Magic’s history dedicated solely to the Western genre. Just as prior sets like Kamigawa and Ixalan were inspired by Japanese and Aztec culture, respectively, Outlaws of Thunder Junction saddles up for bringing a dose of Western flair to MTG.
Cowboys #MTGThunder pic.twitter.com/NTXiktGJDA
— Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) March 22, 2024
Instead of playing the role of the sheriff, players will find themselves immersed in a tale of villainy and daring heists. The narrative revolves around a posse of ne’er-do-wells from across the MTG universe aiming to pull off a major caper, taking advantage of the chaos after the armies of Phyrexia were defeated. Expect to encounter familiar characters reimagined with quirky Spaghetti Western twists.
The narrative of Thunder Junction takes place with the multiverse still recovering from the Phyrexian Invasion (which ended during the events of March of the Machine and March of the Machine: The Aftermath) and revolves around the quest for a legendary vault promising untold riches.
Led by the Planeswalker Oko, a band of desperados, including familiar faces like Vraska, Tiny Bones, and Rakdos, seeks to claim the vault’s treasures. Notably, Oko’s son, Kellan, faces a moral dilemma as he decides whether to join his father’s criminal pursuits or oppose him.
The story elements began rustling up at the official Magic: The Gathering website on March 18. Meanwhile, the actual release schedule for MTG Outlaws of Thunder Junction is as follows:
- Debut and previews: March 26
- Card gallery and previews completion: April 5
- MTG Arena release: April 16
- Tabletop release: April 19
In terms of formats, Outlaws of Thunder Junction offers Four Commander decks, Collector Boosters, and Play Boosters. As a ‘main’ set, it receives the full product treatment, featuring Commander decks, an array of boosters, and bundles, catering to various play styles.
The preconstructed Commander decks steal the spotlight, featuring four tricolor decks: Most Wanted, Quick Draw, Grand Larceny, and Desert Bloom. Each deck comprises 100 cards, alongside 10 tokens, a life counter, and a bonus Collector Booster Sample Pack, offering players a chance to acquire foils and alternate art cards.
For avid MTG collectors, Collector Boosters are a treasure trove, containing Rare cards, foils, and alternate art treatments, including exclusive textured foils. Play Boosters, on the other hand, provide access to unique card treatments such as the Breaking News and The Big Score bonus sheets, enhancing gameplay strategies.
The Magic: The Gathering Outlaws of Thunder Junction expansion set also introduces at least two new mechanics, including the Crime mechanic, which involves spells or abilities targeting opponents or their cards. This mechanic adds an element of risk and reward, aligning with the Wild West theme of the set.
Another mechanic is Plot, which is similar to Foretell and Suspend. Cards with Plot can be cast with an additional cost and placed into exile. That allows these cards to be cast again at a later turn as a sorcery without paying its cost. In addition to gameplay mechanics, Thunder Junction features five subsets, each denoted by a specific set code, catering to collectors and non-casual players alike.
With the release of MTG Outlaws of Thunder Junction imminent for both the physical and the popular digital Magic: The Gathering Arena game, now is the time to saddle up and embark on an unforgettable Wild West adventure.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector looking to expand your repertoire or a newcomer intrigued by the prospect of cowboy-themed gameplay, there’s something for any Magic: The Gathering player to sink their teeth into.
Pre-orders are available through the official MTG website and Amazon, but players should act fast; as popular decks often sell out quickly, as seen with recent sets like the Tales of Middle-earth and Fallout crossovers. Are you ready to join the posse and stake your claim in Thunder Junction’s untamed frontier?
