Will LOTR MTG Be Standard? Unpacking the Legality of Tales of Middle-earth
No, the Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (LOTR) set for Magic: The Gathering is not a Standard-legal set. It is designed primarily for the Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Commander, and other Eternal formats. While it introduces new cards and mechanics, it bypasses the Standard rotation.
Understanding Standard Legality in MTG
Before diving deeper, it’s crucial to understand what constitutes a Standard-legal set in Magic: The Gathering. Standard is a rotating format, meaning that only the most recent sets are permitted for play. This keeps the format fresh, encourages deck diversity, and prevents power creep from getting out of control. Typically, sets remain legal in Standard for about two to three years.
The sets that make up Standard rotate on a schedule, usually with the release of a new fall set. This “rotation” removes the oldest sets, ensuring a constantly evolving meta. Sets designed explicitly for Modern, Commander, or other eternal formats, like Modern Horizons or Commander Legends, are NOT legal in Standard.
Why LOTR MTG Isn’t Standard Legal
Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth falls into the category of sets designed for eternal formats, similar to Modern Horizons. This means it introduces cards directly into the Modern format without going through the Standard filter. There are several reasons for this decision:
- Power Level: These sets often contain cards designed to be powerful and impactful in established formats. Introducing them directly into Standard could warp the meta dramatically and create imbalances. Cards might interact in unforeseen ways with existing Standard strategies, potentially leading to overly dominant decks and a less enjoyable play experience.
- Format Focus: The set is tailored to appeal to players of formats beyond Standard, particularly fans of The Lord of the Rings. The set features cards designed to be synergistic with established Modern and Commander archetypes, bringing the flavor and mechanics of Middle-earth to these formats.
- Design Space: Bypassing Standard allows designers to explore more niche and powerful effects without worrying about the constraints of the Standard environment. They can create cards that are exciting and flavorful, even if they wouldn’t be balanced for Standard.
- Product Diversity: Wizards of the Coast (WotC) aims to cater to different player segments with varied product offerings. Standard sets have a broad appeal, while sets like LOTR MTG target players who prefer non-rotating formats or are fans of specific intellectual properties.
Implications for Players
The non-Standard legality of Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth has several implications for players:
- Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Commander, and Pauper Impact: These formats are where the set will primarily make its mark. Expect new strategies, card combinations, and archetype revitalizations.
- Price Fluctuations: Highly sought-after cards from the set, particularly those that become staples in Modern, Commander, and Legacy, will likely see significant price increases.
- Collection Value: The set has the potential to be highly collectible due to its unique theme and connection to The Lord of the Rings franchise, as well as the fact that the cards are legal in many formats.
- New Player Entry Point (For Eternal Formats): The set offers a relatively accessible entry point to the Modern format, especially for players already familiar with The Lord of the Rings.
Will Future IP Crossover Sets Be Standard Legal?
While Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth isn’t Standard legal, it does not necessarily set a precedent for all future IP crossover sets. WotC has stated that the decision to make a set Standard-legal or not depends on several factors, including the set’s design, power level, and intended audience. Future crossovers could potentially be designed with Standard in mind, but it’s not guaranteed. The Universes Beyond sets are more likely to be directly inserted into established formats.
Related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What formats is Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth legal in?
The set is legal in Modern, Legacy, Vintage, Commander, Pauper (depending on card rarity), and other Eternal formats. It is also legal in any format that allows the use of cards from those formats.
2. What are the key differences between a Standard-legal set and a Modern-legal set?
Standard-legal sets are designed to create a balanced and rotating environment. Modern-legal sets, like Modern Horizons and Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, are designed to directly impact the Modern format, often featuring higher power levels and mechanics not suitable for Standard. Standard rotates regularly, while Modern is a non-rotating format.
3. How will this set impact the Modern format?
The set is expected to significantly impact the Modern format by introducing new archetypes, bolstering existing strategies, and providing powerful new tools for established decks. Expect to see new cards making their way into top-tier decks.
4. Will there be any special events or promotions tied to the release of LOTR MTG?
Wizards of the Coast typically announces special events and promotions closer to the set’s release date. These may include pre-release events, release weekend celebrations, and potentially even Modern-focused tournaments showcasing the new cards.
5. Are the cards in this set considered “black-bordered”?
Yes, the cards in Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth are black-bordered, meaning they are legal in all formats where black-bordered cards are permitted. This distinguishes them from silver-bordered cards, which are designed for casual play and are typically not legal in sanctioned formats.
6. Can I use cards from this set in my Commander decks?
Yes, absolutely! Commander is one of the primary formats that Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is designed for. Expect many new Commander staples and exciting new commanders.
7. Will this set be available in both paper and digital formats (MTG Arena and MTGO)?
The set will be available in paper and on Magic Online (MTGO). It is not available on MTG Arena. MTG Arena does not support the direct injection of Modern-legal sets.
8. What is the overall theme and flavor of the Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth set?
The set is themed around J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, featuring iconic characters, locations, and events from the books. Expect to see cards representing Frodo, Gandalf, Sauron, The Shire, Mordor, and more. The mechanics and flavor of the set are designed to capture the epic scale and immersive world of Middle-earth.
9. Will the set include any new mechanics or keywords?
Yes, the set introduces several new mechanics and keywords that are designed to reflect the themes and events of The Lord of the Rings. These mechanics often interact with the set’s main themes and introduce new layers of gameplay.
10. How will the set affect the price of existing cards in Modern?
The introduction of new cards can impact the price of existing cards in Modern in various ways. Some older cards may become more valuable if they synergize well with new cards from the set. Others may decrease in price if they are outclassed by newer, more powerful options.
11. Will this set have any impact on the Pauper format?
Potentially. Although it is not the main target, it can impact the Pauper format. If common rarity cards emerge that are powerful enough to compete with existing strategies.
12. Where can I find spoilers and more information about the set?
Official spoilers and information about Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth can be found on the official Magic: The Gathering website, as well as on various MTG news sites, social media channels, and community forums.
13. What are the implications of Universes Beyond for the future of Magic: The Gathering?
Universes Beyond opens up exciting possibilities for future collaborations and crossovers with other popular intellectual properties. This allows Wizards of the Coast to reach new audiences and introduce fresh themes and mechanics to the game.
14. How does the release of non-Standard sets like LOTR MTG impact Standard?
Because the cards are not standard legal, standard doesn’t get a direct influence on the power level. But these non-rotating sets can revitalize interest in MTG as a whole, drawing more players, who may then also get into Standard.
15. If the LOTR MTG set isn’t Standard legal, what kind of MTG set will be standard?
The next Standard-legal set is Wilds of Eldraine which is scheduled for release in September 2023. The set will bring players back to the fairytale world of Eldraine.