The Hobbit comes to Magic: The Gathering with the most special set we’ve had so far this year

Magic: The Gathering is at a very particular moment in its history. With a limited number of its own sets, it has many collaborations with external IPs. Some of these don’t feel like a good fit, disconnected from what is at the heart of the game. Even if they are fantasy. Because Magic isn’t just fantasy: it’s a very particular kind of fantasy. And not just anything fits inside its universe.

But The Lord of the Rings fits like a glove. Even though in Magic: The Gathering technology and magic have a much more prominent role, the sense of fantasy and the prominence of humans and the fascinating and terrifying nature of relics are shared. which gives them a similar tone. Which is why it shouldn’t surprise us that The Hobbit fits perfectly into its universe. Especially because both have something in common: a history of decades of collecting.

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Cards inspired by the book

The most interesting thing about The Hobbit set is the different card treatments. The most striking are, without a doubt, the book-cover cards. With four rares and six mythic rares in this style, these cards are inspired by the covers of fantasy books from the 50s and the 60s, imitating a retro style that makes them as charming as they are worth collecting. That makes them some of the most interesting cards in the set.

Other especially evocative cards are those that, save for a very few, people won’t even be able to read. Because five mythic rare cards in the set can appear written in Dwarvish. Appearing only in collector boosters, these cards are among the rarest in the set, but also among the most interesting.

Also, for those who prefer something more classic, there are two other treatments closer to what is expected from Magic: The Gathering. On the one hand, there will be forty mythic rare reprints from The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth illustrated by classic Middle-earth artists. On the other hand, the dragon’s hoard cards will have a treatment with draconic elements inspired by the imposing dragon Smaug so that your opponents truly fear what’s coming.

But if you want true exclusivity, Smaug the Magnificent is what you’re looking for. Because in its gleaming gold variant only 500 copies have been printed, only in English and only in collector boosters, all of them numbered. So if you find a copy count yourself lucky: it won’t be easy to find them.

A set of spectacular images

Although if what you want is to enjoy The Hobbit in all its splendor, appreciating all its details, the scene cards are the best option. Borderless cards that, when put together in a certain order, present a complete scene. There are two of them, The Five Armies Clash!, with nine cards and created by Denman Rooke, which illustrates the celebrated clash at the Lonely Mountain; and Fight with the Great Goblin, with six cards and created by Ted Nasmith, which centers on the power and bravery of Gandalf the Grey. Although to see them complete you’ll have to get all the cards, which won’t necessarily be easy.

Also, another detail, is that the basic lands, as in every Magic: The Gathering set, will depict specific places from the setting where the set takes place. And there are two pairs here: one following the company on foot across Middle-earth and another where we’ll see the Shire in its different seasons. Making it one of the most interesting details of the set.

Magic: The Gathering – The Hobbit will come, as usual, with play boosters, collector boosters, scene boxes, gift bundles and all the products one expects from a Magic: The Gathering set. If you only want to play, the set is already available on Magic: The Gathering Arena, but if you want to collect it, you’ll still have to wait a few days: it will go on sale on August 14. But judging by its quality, the wait will be worth it.