Dominaria Remastered vs. Dominaria United: Unpacking the Differences
The world of Dominaria is central to the lore of Magic: The Gathering, and Wizards of the Coast has honored this rich history with not one, but two distinct sets: Dominaria Remastered and Dominaria United. While both share the name and setting, they offer vastly different experiences for players. The primary difference lies in their core design philosophy: Dominaria United is a standard legal set with predominantly new cards, while Dominaria Remastered is a compilation set made entirely of reprints from across Dominaria’s rich history. This single distinction fundamentally shapes each set’s value, appeal, and gameplay.
Core Differences: New Cards vs. Reprints
Dominaria United: A Fresh Chapter
Dominaria United is a brand-new, standard legal set featuring primarily new card designs, fresh mechanics, and a continuation of the ongoing Magic storyline. It focuses on expanding the game’s metagame with exciting new interactions, strategies, and iconic characters. Players diving into Dominaria United will find themselves exploring a set with new mechanics that feel both familiar and innovative, contributing to a dynamic and evolving gameplay experience. The set also emphasizes the thematic weight of Dominaria with characters and story beats woven into the card design.
Dominaria Remastered: A Walk Through History
Dominaria Remastered, on the other hand, is a curated collection of reprinted cards, pulled from 27 different sets spanning the entirety of Magic’s history on Dominaria. The set offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane, showcasing iconic cards from the past alongside potent reprints that are highly sought-after in formats like Commander and Modern. It’s a celebration of Dominaria’s lore and gameplay, providing access to powerful cards that may have been difficult or expensive to obtain. This set is primarily aimed at existing players looking to enrich their collections or experience a unique drafting environment with classic cards.
Key Distinctions Summarized
Here’s a quick breakdown of the core differences:
- Card Composition: Dominaria United features mostly new cards; Dominaria Remastered is entirely composed of reprints.
- Format Legality: Dominaria United is Standard legal; Dominaria Remastered is not.
- Primary Appeal: Dominaria United appeals to players seeking fresh gameplay experiences and standard play, while Dominaria Remastered appeals to collectors and players seeking valuable reprints for other formats.
- Draft Experience: Dominaria United offers a classic draft experience with new cards and synergies. Dominaria Remastered provides a unique and powerful draft environment with iconic cards from across Magic’s history.
- Booster Types: Dominaria United offers Draft Boosters and Collector Boosters, while Dominaria Remastered provides Draft and Collector boosters, but notably lacks a Set Booster option.
Understanding Each Set’s Value
Dominaria United provides a good jumping-in point for new players, as it introduces new cards and mechanics. This set is essential for those looking to engage in Standard format play. Dominaria Remastered, in contrast, is valued for the high-value reprints included in the set, such as Force of Will, Vampiric Tutor, and Sylvan Library. While these cards don’t contribute to the current Standard metagame, they hold tremendous value for Commander, Modern, and Legacy players. The price point for some of the singles within Dominaria Remastered reflects the demand for these impactful cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are Dominaria Remastered packs worth it?
Yes, Dominaria Remastered packs can be worth it due to the high number of valuable reprints, particularly for those playing formats like Commander, Modern, or Legacy. The chance of opening powerful cards like Force of Will or Vampiric Tutor make it a worthwhile set to consider. However, value is subjective, and if you are primarily a Standard player, its value may be diminished.
2. Is Dominaria Remastered all reprints?
Yes, Dominaria Remastered is entirely comprised of reprint cards. No new cards were introduced for this set. This is a departure from Standard legal sets like Dominaria United.
3. What is Dominaria Remastered?
Dominaria Remastered is a compilation set in Magic: The Gathering that consists of reprints from 27 different sets that feature the plane of Dominaria. It offers a nostalgic trip through Magic’s past while providing access to powerful cards. It was released in mid-January 2023.
4. Is Dominaria United good or bad?
Dominaria United is generally considered a good set due to its thematic depth, balanced power level, and engaging mechanics. While some players find the card designs to be a bit “vanilla”, the set successfully captures the spirit of Dominaria. The return to less obvious archetypes has also been well received.
5. What Planeswalker dies in Dominaria United?
Jaya Ballard is the Planeswalker who dies in the story of Dominaria United, marking a significant emotional moment in the narrative.
6. Is Dominaria Remastered a limited set?
Yes, Dominaria Remastered is legal for sanctioned Limited play upon its release date, making it possible to draft. However, the powerful nature of certain reprints makes for an unbalanced draft format.
7. What cards should I pick up from Dominaria Remastered?
Key cards to look for include Tutors (Vampiric, Worldly, Enlightened, Mystical), Force of Will, Sylvan Library, Urza, Lord High Artificer, Yawgmoth, Thran Physician, Birds of Paradise, Urza’s Incubator, and Decimate. These cards are highly valued for their power and demand.
8. How many rares are in Dominaria Remastered?
Dominaria Remastered contains 60 rare cards and 20 mythic rares. The set in total contains 271 cards: 101 commons, 80 uncommons, 60 rares, 20 mythic rares, and 10 basic lands.
9. Did Dominaria Remastered have set boosters?
No, Dominaria Remastered did not have set boosters. It was released with Draft Boosters and Collector Boosters only.
10. What are the most expensive cards in Dominaria Remastered?
The most valuable cards in Dominaria Remastered are typically Force of Will (in its different variations), followed by Vampiric Tutor (also in its various versions), and Sylvan Library. These cards are high in demand and thus have a high market value.
11. How many rares are in Dominaria United?
Dominaria United contains 60 rare cards and 20 mythic rares. The total card count is 281 including 101 commons, 80 uncommons, 60 rares, 20 mythic rares, and 20 basic lands.
12. What is in a Dominaria Remastered pack?
Each Dominaria Remastered Draft Booster contains 15 cards, including 1 rare or mythic rare, 2-4 uncommons, 9-11 commons, and 1 retro frame basic land card. A Traditional Foil of any rarity can replace a common in about 33% of the packs.
13. What is in a Dominaria United pack?
Each Dominaria United Draft Booster contains 15 cards and a token/ad card, including 1 card of rarity Rare or higher, 3 Uncommon cards, 10 Common cards and 1 Land card.
14. What are the best cards to pull in Dominaria Remastered?
Some of the most desirable pulls in Dominaria Remastered include Siege-Gang Commander, Serra Angel, Sylvan Library, Shivan Dragon, Swords to Plowshares, Vampiric Tutor, Force of Will, and Birds of Paradise.
15. What sets rotate out with Dominaria United?
With the release of Dominaria United, the following sets rotated out of the Standard format: Zendikar Rising, Kaldheim, Strixhaven: School of Mages, and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.
Conclusion
In summary, while both Dominaria Remastered and Dominaria United share a thematic connection to the plane of Dominaria, they serve entirely different purposes within the Magic: The Gathering ecosystem. Dominaria United is a new set geared toward standard play and introduces novel mechanics and storyline development, whereas Dominaria Remastered offers a curated experience centered around the valuable reprints of classic cards and the nostalgia for the plane’s history. Understanding these key differences can help players decide which set best suits their needs and preferences.