The excitement is palpable as we gear up for the release of the latest Magic: The Gathering set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm, hitting stores on April 11 and now available for pre-order. This set transports us back to the dynamic plane of Tarkir, where the ever-present tension between the five clans and the ancient dragons promises to deliver thrilling gameplay with new creatures, mechanics, and strategies. As a proud owner of a Scion of the Ur-Dragon Commander deck, I'm eagerly anticipating the new additions that are sure to enhance my deck and keep my friends on their toes.

What to Expect From Tarkir: Dragonstorm

Tarkir is renowned for its five clans, each with its own distinct identity and strategy, led by their respective Khans: Abzan Houses (White, Black, Green), Jeskai Way (Blue, Red, White), Mardu Horde (Red, White, Black), Sultai Brood (Black, Green, Blue), and Temur Frontier (Green, Blue, Red). Wizards of the Coast has started unveiling the new mechanics that will define these clans, but the real buzz is around the formidable dragons that are set to dominate the battlefield.

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To ensure each clan stands out, Wizards has crafted unique mechanics tailored to their three-color combinations. Jeskai's Flurry mechanic rewards players for casting a second spell in a turn, regardless of whose turn it is. Sultai's Renew mechanic allows players to exile a card from their graveyard to bestow various counters on their creatures. Mardu's Mobilize mechanic creates temporary creatures that vanish at the end of the turn, bolstering their aggressive swarm strategy. Temur's Harmonize mechanic, akin to Flashback, enables cards to be replayed from the graveyard at a reduced cost by tapping creatures. Finally, Abzan's Endure mechanic activates when a non-token creature dies, distributing +1/+1 counters and other advantages, as exemplified by Anafenza, Undying Lineage, who can summon a 2/2 flying Spirit token or grant additional counters.

Of course, dragons take center stage in Tarkir: Dragonstorm, with new mechanics like Omen and Behold enhancing their impact. Omen, akin to Adventure cards, allows you to cast a card as either a creature or as an instant or sorcery. If chosen as a spell, it shuffles back into your deck for another draw opportunity later. If played as a creature, that option is forfeited. Behold, on the other hand, triggers when you reveal a dragon from your hand or have one on the battlefield. A prime example is Sarkhan, Dragon Ascendant, who generates a Treasure token upon entering play and triggers Behold. These mechanics, not limited to specific clans, add exciting versatility to deck-building across multiple colors.

MTG - Tarkir: Dragonstorm Preview - Art

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The dragons, as expected, are the stars of the show. One highlight is Betor, Kin to All (2WBG), a formidable creature that activates various effects at the end of your turn based on the total toughness of your creatures. These effects range from drawing a card to untapping all your creatures, or even causing opponents to lose half their life. With a base toughness of 7, Betor easily triggers the card draw, and when paired with heavyweights like Utvara Hellkite or Ancient Gold Dragon, the life loss effect becomes a game-changer.

Ugin returns as well, this time as a colorless planeswalker, Ugin, Eye of the Storms (7). He's poised to become a staple in colorless decks, particularly Eldrazi builds, thanks to his ability to exile target permanents when you cast a colorless spell. His -11 ability is exceptionally powerful: search your library for any number of colorless non-land cards, exile them, and cast them for free until the end of the turn. With seven starting loyalty and a +2 ability, he can reach that ultimate ability quickly if well-protected.

Magic: The Gathering - 5 New Cards from Tarkir: Dragonstorm

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Aside from the Final Fantasy crossover set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm is my most eagerly awaited Magic release this year. With just under a month until its launch, much of the set remains a mystery, but my Scion deck is ready for some serious upgrades. I'm hoping for the return of legendary dragons like Atarka and Ojutai, or perhaps the introduction of an exciting new five-color dragon. Either way, Tarkir: Dragonstorm is set to be an exhilarating addition to the Magic: The Gathering universe when it lands on April 11.