Everything you need to know about MTG Edge of Eternities, from mechanics to story

MTG Edge of Eternities is the next set for this long-running card game, and it does something new for Magic - it takes us to the stars.

Yep, we're taking a detour into sci-fi this time around. Or, more specifically, science fantasy; MTG Edge of Eternities is more Star Wars than Star Trek. Either way, it marks a big change for one of the best card games. Magic is better known for swords 'n' sorcery, so it feels like a big swing.

Want the full lowdown on how it'll work, what it brings to the table, and when the set is coming out? Here's everything you need to know about Edge of Eternities.

MTG Edge of Eternities essential info

• It's science fantasy, like Star Wars
• Takes place in an all-new, cosmic world
• It's a mainline, Standard-legal set

MTG Edge of Eternities release date

• Edge of Eternities is out now

MTG Edge of Eternities has now arrived in our solar system; it's available both in tabletop form and digitally via MTG Arena. That's because the paper version hit shelves this August 1, 2025, while the Arena version landed on July 29, 2025.

Edge of Eternities didn't just drop in a vacuum, though - it feels as if this set is getting a far bigger fuss made of it than usual. Alongside the usual story content, there's a host of tournaments and activities being run in its honor. This promises to keep Edge of Eternities on fans' minds long after release day.

Here's a full rundown of what's happening.

• Story & audiobooks: June 20 – July 7
• Debut: July 8
• Full card gallery: July 18
• Prerelease events: July 25 – 31
• Commander Box League: July 25 – 31
• MTG Arena release: July 29
• Tabletop release: August 1
• Magic Academy: August 1 – September 18
• Two-Headed Giant Commander Night: August 1 – September 18
• Standard Showdown: August 1 – September 18
• Commander Party, Round 1: August 15 – 21
• Store Championships: August 23 – September 14
• Commander Party, Round 2: September 5 – 11
• Pro Tour at MagicCon Atlanta: September 26 – 28

MTG Edge of Eternities products

• Two Commander decks
• Play & Collector Boosters
• Bundle & Prerelease

Because MTG Edge of Eternities is a mainline, Standard-legal set, publisher Wizards of the Coast is throwing its full weight behind the launch. That means Play and Collector Boosters are dropping alongside a couple of Commander Decks, bundles, and a prerelease box.

Here's a better look at what's on the way.

Commander decks

In direct contrast to sets like MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm, Edge of Eternities has just two Commander Decks. Although that's a little disappointing, it keeps things simple - particularly if you're just learning how to play MTG Commander.

World Shaper | View at Amazon
This black, green, and red deck is all about getting rid of your lands to grow back stronger, with assistance from the seedship Hearthhull. If you're a more defensive player that likes to bide their time, this is probably going to suit you.

Counter Intelligence | View at Amazon
As the title's play on words would suggest, this blue, red, and white deck favors sees you proliferating counters and buffing artefacts with the help of the starship Inspirit and its sentient computer navigator, Kilo.

Play boosters

As per usual, the backbone of this set is the Play Booster range. There are two ways to get them here; individually, or in a larger box.

Play Booster | View at TCGPlayer
Each pack you get for MTG Edge of Eternities features 14 cards and a guaranteed Shining Foil. You also get between 1 and 4 cards of rarity Rare or higher.

Play Booster Box | View at Amazon
If you want to build up your own Edge of Eternities decks or would simply like the most efficient way of gathering Play Boosters, this is the way to go. There are 30 of them here.

Collector boosters

As with most sets, MTG Edge of Eternities includes Collector Booster packs with special card art you won't be able to get anywhere else. Like the Play equivalent, you can grab Collector Boosters by themselves or in a box.

Collector Booster | View at Amazon
Each individual pack contains a total of 15 cards, 5 of which are rarity Rare or higher. You can also get between 0 and 3 Galaxy Foil cards, though that's not a guarantee.

Collector Booster Box | View at Amazon
You're getting 12 Collector Booster packs in each box, and as usual, every pack has 5 cards of rarity Rare or higher alongside a chance of up to 3 Galaxy Foil cards (though you might not get any, so bear that in mind).

Bundles and prerelease

Looking to get started on your galaxy-dominating deck as quickly as possible? You can pick up prerelease boxes at special prerelease events, followed by bundles that provide players with a handful of Play Boosters and accessories.

Bundle | View at Amazon
As per usual for Magic, the MTG Edge of Eternities Bundle include 9 Play Booster packs, 5 Traditional Foil and 15 nonfoil Basic Land cards, a die, and themed storage box.

Prerelease | View at TCGPlayer
If you attend a prerelease event for MTG Edge of Eternities (or get lucky browsing certain retailers online like Walmart), you can get your hands on the prerelease box with its 6 Play Boosters, a Traditional Foil Rare/Mythic card, and a spindown life counter.

MTG Final Fantasy mechanics

• 'Spacecraft' cards being introduced
• Shock lands are back
• Restrictions lifted on Commanders

We don't have loads of detail yet on what's new for MTG Edge of Eternities, but seeing as it introduces a radically different setting, I suspect more than a few new gameplay options are going to be available. Here's what we know so far.

1. Spacecraft: As is only right for a set concerning space, vessels to traverse the cosmos play a big part of this set. These act a bit like vehicles but use the 'station' rule, wherein you tap a creature to charge up your ship. The Spacecraft then becomes a powerful artefact creature... which can also lead your Commander deck.
2. Commander changes: With the addition of Spacecraft and their ability to head up your Commander deck, you can now choose any legendary card with a printed power and toughness to lead.
3. Shock lands return: We got our first glimpse of shock lands decades ago, and they're being given a fresh spin for Edge of Eternities. You can pay 2 life when they enter, or they must be put down tapped.

MTG Edge of Eternities story

• Features a vast new universe
• Incredibly in-depth worldbuilding
• A world of space travel & technology

As a vast new MTG setting, there's a lot to dive into when it comes to the Edge of Eternities story. To translate: prepare yourself for all-new planets, all-new factions to fight over them, and all-new characters we can fall in love with.

You can catch up with the official narrative via episode 1, but get your popcorn first. This is an exhaustive trip through exposition and world-building that gives us the barest hint of a vast universe. In terms of scale and tone, it reminds me of the Destiny video game series; it's very cerebral and interactive (you'll see what I mean when you visit episode 1) with just a whiff of humor. One of the main characters Sami, is on the hunt for their cat, for example.

In terms of a broad overview, the Sothera system's sun has gone supernova after the meddling of a black hole cult. This leaves Pinnacle - an alliance of spacefaring species, a bit like Star Trek's Federation - to pick up the pieces.

So far as familiar faces go, the only confirmed one so far is the villainous Tezzeret. He's somehow found his way to this universe (called 'the Edge' because it sits on the border of the multiverse), but his motivations are unknown.

MTG Edge of Eternities expert opinion

Even though we've not had the full lowdown from MTG Edge of Eternities yet, it's already clear that this is a big shakeup for the game. If nothing else, look at publisher Wizards of the Coast ripping up the rules on who can be your deck's Commander; it will totally upend how Commander decks are made, and opens the meta for new, previously impossible combinations. Almost as much as those recent MTG card bans...

The set is doing a great job of combining theme with mechanics, too. Take shock lands as an example. These lands (which cost you two life unless you want them to enter tapped) represent the volatile planets of the Sothera system, providing world-building that's intrinsically and, most importantly, logically tied to gameplay.

It's a similar story with Spacecraft. I'd honestly expected these to be glorified vehicles, but they feel like characters in their own right. I suppose that's only fitting; besides being treated as a member of the cast most of the time, ships in sci-fi are often festooned with all sorts of weaponry, shielding, autopilot, and more that allows them to hold their own. As such, it makes sense that they can come roaring onto the battlefield as artefact creatures once powered up and are able to lead your Commander deck.

Still, the thing I'm happiest about is the fact that we're going back to good old-fashioned world-building. Recent releases were criticized for being light on narrative substance, and many dubbed them 'hat sets' as a result (where existing characters basically put on different hats and costumes to play in a new genre, rather than establishing the Plane in any significant way). Edge of Eternities goes in the opposite direction for a setting that's incredibly dense, rich with lore, and brimming with possible conflicts. Welcome back, OG Magic storytelling; I've missed you.

MTG Edge of Eternities deals

Edge of Eternities has only just arrived, so significant discounts are unlikely at this point. Still, there is the possibility of price cuts this soon after release. I've set our price-matching software the task of watching out for discounts, and you'll find the results below.

For a better look at the latest savings, don't miss our guide to the best MTG deals.

Looking for something new you can play? It's worth dropping in on our guides to the best board games and the best tabletop RPGs.