While recent *Magic: The Gathering* sets have dazzled fans with high-profile crossovers like Final Fantasy and Spider-Man, the spotlight is now shifting to a familiar yet reimagined world—Tarkir. With the upcoming release of *Tarkir: Dragonstorm*, Wizards of the Coast is returning to one of Magic’s most iconic planes, blending beloved elements of its past with fresh mechanics and storytelling. We’ve got an exclusive first look at five standout cards from the set that are poised to become staples in limited play starting next month. And if you're eager to get your hands on them early, preorders for *Tarkir: Dragonstorm* are already live on Amazon.
Flip through the gallery below to see all five cards
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These five previewed cards form what’s known as a “cycle”—a group of cards that share a similar design theme across each color of Magic’s mana spectrum. In this case, each card is a low-cost, common-rarity creature tied to one of Tarkir’s legendary three-color clans. Each also features an ability that taps into the identity of its clan by turning generic mana into a specific color associated with that faction.
According to Wizards of the Coast Senior Game Designer Adam Prosak, these types of cards were intentionally designed to support smoother gameplay in limited formats. “Three-color limited environments require robust mana fixing across all rarities,” he explains. “We wanted players to be able to build multicolored decks without falling behind, so we focused on creating tools that let you develop your mana while still contributing meaningfully to the board. Unlike tapped lands, which only fix mana but stall your progress, these creatures help you stay ahead.”
Preorder MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm Cards
### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Play Booster Box
$164.70 at Amazon### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Collector Booster Box
$299.88 at Amazon### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Collector Booster
$24.99 at Amazon### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Commander Deck Bundle - Includes All 5 Decks
$224.95 at Amazon### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Abzan Armor
$44.99 at Amazon### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Jeskai Striker
$44.99 at Amazon### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Sultai Arisen
$44.99 at Amazon### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Mardu Surge
$44.99 at Amazon### Magic: The Gathering Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Deck - Temur Roar
$44.99 at Amazon
Lauren Bond, Senior Worldbuilding Designer at WOTC, notes that while mechanical function was the driving force behind this cycle, it also provided an opportunity to highlight how much Tarkir has changed since players last visited. “Each clan reflects a unique evolution—whether it's the action-driven monks of the Jeskai, the Temur-influenced magic of the Whispers, the jungle-protecting Nagas of the Sultai, the disciplined might of the Mardu, or the spiritual resurgence of the Abzan clerics tending to the lost kin trees.”
In contrast to some of Magic’s more trope-heavy releases, *Tarkir: Dragonstorm* opts for a more grounded and thematic return to the plane. While some previous revisits have leaned heavily on nostalgic gimmicks, *Dragonstorm* builds on Tarkir’s established lore with a fresh twist—combining dragons and clans in a way that hadn’t been done before in the same set.Forrest Schehl, Senior Worldbuilding Art Director, shared that the creative direction for Tarkir: Dragonstorm was mapped out well in advance of more recent sets like Murders at Karlov Manor. “The core concept for this set was locked in early, and it wasn’t adjusted based on later feedback. Our goal was always to honor the legacy of Tarkir while pushing its story forward authentically. The Dragonstorms themselves became central to how we approached this return—we knew they were key to defining the tone and visual identity of the set.”
Preorder Tarkir: Dragonstorm today and prepare for launch on April 11, with in-store prerelease events kicking off April 4. Both physical and digital versions will be available, ensuring fans can jump into the action however they prefer. For more insights, read our full interview with Wizards of the Coast’s Adam Prosak, Lauren Bond, and Forrest Schehl below.