Right now, Magic: The Gathering is very much looking to the future. Previews for Edge of Eternities are well underway, with new cards dropping regularly, for better or worse. This set is a big step into a more modern version of Magic, too, introducing sci-fi elements that may well become mainstays in the future. At the same time, things are also hearkening back to the past. The first of the Edge of Eternities Commander precons was revealed yesterday, bringing two new additions to decade-old land cycles.
These cycles are the Tango and Bicycle lands, first seen in Battle for Zendikar and Amonkhet, respectively. While not especially powerful, these are great budget options for Commander. They even pack the basic land types, for extra synergy with Fetchlands and Farseek effects. Until now, only the five enemy-color versions of these lands existed, but it looks like the rest will be on their way soon, starting with Edge of Eternities.
Older MTG Land Cycles To Be Finished In Commander Precons!
“Last year, we finally made enemy Odyssey filterlands. That went well – and other land cycles still need finishing up… So starting with #MTGEternities we’re gradually rolling out enemy cycling+tango lands in precons! Commanders and Cubers rejoice!”
Gavin Verhey, via Bluesky
The Cycling and Tango lands aren’t the most exciting dual lands in the world, but they do have their fans. The former are great in land recursion decks, or those that care about discarding cards. The latter are excellent for budget decks, since you’ll typically be running a higher basic land count than usual. That we’re finally getting more of each is fantastic news for those building Commander decks on a budget.
So far, we’ve only seen the Golgari additions to each cycle, both of which will be released in the World Shaper Commander deck. Verhey notes above that both of these land cycles will “gradually” be finished across different Commander precons, so we can expect to see the rest soon. The Jeskai-colored Counter Intelligence precon, for instance, will likely come with the Izzet and/or Boros ones.
“I’m happy that cycles 10 years in the making are being finished, and budget fetchables are good to have.”
LeekingMemory28, via r/MagicTCG
It’s great to see Wizards revisiting old land cycles like this. Half-finished cycles leave some color combinations with better options than others, which can result in skewed gameplay. Finishing up these cycles gives players more options and helps level the playing field. The enemy-colored Odyssey Filter lands from Fallout are another great example, cited by Verhey above.
If these new lands are well-received, it could lead to Wizards finishing more cycles in the future. The ‘reveal a land from your hand’ Checklands from Innistrad still only have their allied color versions. We’re also missing half of the Mirage tapped Fetchlands, and of course, the rest of the Horizon Canopy cycle. This new Commander precon approach lets Wizards plug these gaps without impacting Standard, so it’s a win-win.
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