Full Speed Ahead into Aetherdrift

MTG's new set Aetherdrift brings fresh mechanics and storytelling elements to the multiverse. Hobby Lords delves into the fascinating world of Aetherdrift and some cards and mechanics to look out for.

Magic: The Gathering has always been known for its incredible worldbuilding across its in-game ‘Planes’. In the vast multiverse of MTG, new expansions and sets are constantly being introduced, each bringing fresh mechanics and storytelling elements. Magic’s newest set Aetherdrift is going to be no exception. This article delves into the fascinating world of Aetherdrift and some cards and mechanics to look out for.

Aetherdrift is a unique expansion set within the Magic: The Gathering universe, offering players a fresh experience filled with new cards, mechanics, and lore. The set is named after the aether, a powerful and mysterious energy source that flows through the multiverse. In Aetherdrift, players are introduced to a world where the manipulation and control of aether are central to the conflict and gameplay.

Aetherdrift introduces several innovative mechanics that add depth and complexity to the gameplay. One of the standout mechanics is Speed alongside its related mechanic Start Your Engines! which allows players to harness the power of speed to gain various advantages. The first time a permanent with the Start Your Engines! mechanic enters the battlefield you gain 1 speed, and this can advance to a max of 4, going up once on each of your turns when an opponent loses life. This mechanic encourages the use of Creatures that benefit from your Speed as seen in Streaking Oilgorger who gains Lifelink when you have Max speed.

Another notable type is Vehicles. If you have never played Vehicles in Magic: the Gathering before, these enter the battlefield simply as Artifacts, but using a Crew ability you can give your Vehicle a driver turning it into an Artifact Creature until the end of turn. To Crew your Vehicle all you have to do is tap creatures with power equal to or higher than the Crew amount required, this includes creatures that have just entered the battlefield this turn as the Crew ability does not use a tap symbol, meaning you can utilise creatures that have summoning sickness. Some Vehicles have abilities that allow them to be Artifact Creatures without Crewing also, as seen on Midnight Mangler who will automatically turn into an Artifact Creature on any turn other than yours.

Aetherdrift boasts an array of powerful and visually stunning cards that are sure to become staples in players' decks. Some of the standout cards include:

The Aetherspark: a Legendary Artifact Planeswalker that’s also an Equipment. This interesting new card alongside being very powerful as a Planeswalker with its ability to create 10 Mana of any 1 colour, has the Equipment type meaning when it is attached to a creature it stops opponents being able to attack it as a Planeswalker and allows you to gain loyalty points when the attacking creature deals combat damage.

Chrome Mox: this reprint is joining Aetherdrift as a Special Guest and is sure to be highly sought after and fetch a pretty penny. For 0 mana cost, you exile a nonartifact, nonland card from your hand and gain the ability to add 1 mana of any of the exiled card’s colours. This is a huge turn 1 play for gaining mana advantage as you have the ability in a 5 colour deck to exile a 5 colour card and create any colour mana on your first turn.

District Mascot: I feel this one has to be included just due to how much of a good boy he is. This Dog Mount costs 1 Green to cast and enters with a +1/+1 on it. You can gain more +1/+1 counters for District Mascot by Saddling it for 1 and attacking, then you can use these +1/+1 counters to destroy target artifacts. A great card for Green players who play proliferate decks, and an awesome removal tool that doesn’t have to go to the Graveyard after use.

Aetherdrift's lore is rich and immersive, drawing players into a world teeming with intrigue, conflict, and discovery. The storyline revolves around a group of planeswalkers who seek to harness the untamed power of aether while facing adversaries who seek to exploit it for their own gain. The set's narrative explores themes of balance, ambition, and the consequences of wielding such potent energy. Taking place across 3 planes, Ahmonket, Avishkar and Muraganda, competitors are taking part in the death-defying Ghirapur Grand Prix. Players follow Planeswalker Chandra Nalaar and Loot as they take on this Interplanar circuit race.

Magic: The Gathering's Aetherdrift expansion is certainly going to shake up Magic as we know it, and from what we’ve seen so far I think this is going to be a great thing. Bringing new and interesting mechanics, I can see a lot of these cards being slotted into decks I already own, and giving a breath of fresh air to decks I plan on building in the future.

You can pre-order Aetherdrift now at Hobby Lords for release on February 7th, I personally recommend the Finish Line Bundle for all around pack opening excitement.

 

Emma McDonald

Head of Marketing

Hobby Lords