For better or worse, the MTG release calendar in 2023 is full of products. Kicking off the year with Dominaria Remastered in early January, this set starts an almost nonstop thrill ride of new releases. As nice as it is to have new cards, unfortunately, this conjected release schedule can be difficult to keep up with. Thankfully, we’re here to be your trusty guides through it all, to help keep you in the know. That being said, this article won’t include a rundown of Secret Lair releases, as they’re not heavily teased, and there are a lot of them. In 2022 alone, for instance, Wizards of the coast released 70 Secret Lair Drops.
With that small caveat out of the way, let’s get into the MTG release calendar for 2023!
MTG 2023 Release Schedule
From what we know, there are currently nine major MTG releases on the 2023 release calendar. These releases span both platforms and formats, with MTG Arena sets, straight to Modern sets, and major Commander products included. Since 2023 has not formally begun, more products may be added to this release schedule as the year progresses.
- Dominaria Remastered – January 13th, 2023
- Phyrexia: All Will Be One – February 10th, 2023
- March of the Machine – April 21st, 2023
- March of the Machine: The Aftermath – May 12th, 2023
- Shadows over Innistrad Remastered – March 21, 2023
- The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth – June 23rd, 2023
- Commander Masters – August 4th, 2023
- Wilds of Eldraine – Q3 2023
- Doctor Who Commander Decks – Q4 2023
- The Lost Caverns of Ixalan – Q4 2023
It’s important to note, these release dates may be subject to change due to a variety of factors. Phyrexia: All Will Be One, for instance, was recently delayed by a week to appease concerned players. It’s also possible that these delays may be changed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While we’re hopefully coming toward the end of the pandemic, sets throughout 2022 have been affected by “ongoing supply chain disruptions.” Subsequently, delays may continue to affect the release of MTG products in specific regions.
Dominaria Remastered
Release Date: January 13th, 2023
As 2023’s first set, Dominaria Remastered kicks the year off with a bang. In a palatable celebration of MTG’s 30th Anniversary, Dominaria Remastered is an Eternal-legal draft set that features cards from throughout Magic’s history. Pulling from 27 different sets, each Dominaria Remastered card is set on the expansive plane of Dominaria. Uniquely, in an experiment, Dominaria Remastered was spoiled in only two days. This lightning-fast spoiler season revealed several $40 reprints sure to appease players. Unfortunately, this set is not releasing on MTG Arena for digital MTG players.
Phyrexia: All Will Be One
Release Date: February 10th, 2023
Returning to the plane of Phyrexia, formerly known as Mirrodin, Phyrexia: All Will Be One is 2023’s first Premier set. Promising Compleated Planeswalkers, as well as a lot of Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines, this upcoming set has a lot going on. Complimenting what we know from Wizards officially, Phyrexia: All Will Be One has been leaked time and time again. Subsequently, we know many of the mechanics that will be available in the set and key story details. You can read more about each of those topics below.
- New Phyrexia: All Will Be One MTG Mechanic Confirmed at Last?!
- Are the Phyrexia: All Will Be One Spoilers Any Good?
- More MTG Leaks Reveal Key Phyrexia: All Will Be One Details
- 10 Compleated Planeswalkers Revealed in MTG First Look!
March of the Machine
Release Date: April 21st, 2023
Launching in mid-April of 2023, many details about March of the Machine are still unknown. Due to its story significance, Wizards are playing their cards close to their chest. However, box art has revealed some interesting details. It appears, for instance, that the Phyrexian World Tree, Realmbreaker, will be activated, causing planes to collide. This has huge implications for the future of MTG’s multiverse. Thankfully, these loose ends are wrapped up in the unique follow-up set, March of the Machine: The Aftermath.
March of the Machine: The Aftermath
Release Date: May 12th, 2023
Unfortunately for curious players, March of the Machine: The Aftermath is 2023’s most mysterious set. As the capstone of the Phyrexian Arc that “ties up some loose ends,” this unique “micro set” has unparalleled story significance. According to Wizards, the set will show “how the multiverse of Magic has fundamentally changed” following March of the Machine. Unusually, March of the Machine will feature “Epilogue Boosters” that contain only five cards. Alongside these unique packs, Collector Boosters for the set will also be available.
Shadows over Innistrad Remastered
Release Date: March 21, -2023
As the name somewhat gives away, Shadows over Innistrad Remastered is a remastered version of the Shadows over Innistrad block from 2016. Launching on MTG Arena, this set, similar to past Remastered sets, will include a curated mix of cards from Shadows over Innistrad and Eldrich Moon. Currently, it is unclear which cards may be included in this set. However, it’s expected that Spell Queller and Meld cards will make the cut. For better or worse, it’s unclear if Emrakul, the Promised End, will be a part of the set.
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth
Release Date: June 23, 2023
As 2023’s straight to Modern Draft set, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth is a Universes Beyond product worth looking forward to. Featuring the franchise’s iconic heroes, villains, and locations, the Tales of Middle-Earth set uses J. R. R. Tolkien’s books as inspiration rather than the film and TV franchise. That is to say that some details may not be as you remember seeing on the silver screen. Launching in Q3, Tales of Middle-Earth is available as a Draft Set and accompanying Commander decks and Secret Lairs. Additionally, the set will launch on MTG Arena as an Alchemy set. Despite being an Alchemy set, the Arena release will be identical to the paper release.
Commander Masters
Release Date: August 4, 2023
Announced in February 2023, Commander Masters is the latest installment in the Masters’ set series of MTG. These are reprint sets tailored towards a specific way of engaging with the IP – in this case, Commander, Magic’s most popular format. Some incredible reprints, like Jeweled Lotus, have already been announced for this set.
Wilds of Eldraine
Release Date: Q3 2023
After resolving this epic battle between the Phyrexians and the entire multiverse, we’ll be taking some time to revisit some old planes! Eldraine is a fairy-tale-inspired set that was introduced to the world of MTG in late 2019. This set was famous in the MTG community, introducing multiple powerful cards banned in various formats. No one will forget the reign of terror that Oko, Thief of Crowns caused. Once Upon a Time was also incredible for keeping decks consistent at absolutely zero cost. Currently, very little is known about this return trip to Eldraine. However, it’s sure to be an eventful one following the events of the Phyrexian arc.
Doctor Who Commander Decks
Release Date: Q4 2023
Similarly to the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks from 2022, the Doctor Who Commander decks are a significant Universes Beyond release. Featuring, as the name suggests, Doctors, companions, villains, and locations from the series, this Commander product celebrates Doctor Who’s 60th Anniversary. As with the Warhammer 40,000 Commander decks, it is believed they will be comprised of both new cards and reprints. Alongside four Commander decks, this Universes Beyond product will also be available as Collector Boosters. As if that wasn’t enough, there will also be accompanying Secret Lair products for players to enjoy.
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
Release Date: Q4 2023
In a theme that is “farther away from the Phyrexians as can possibly be,” according to Wizards of the Coast’s Senior Communications Manager Liz Stewart, 2023’s final core MTG installment will have its players “spelunking for buried treasure.” In addition to this quirky twist, an allusion to Dinosaurs, one of Ixalan’s past calling cards, may also be featured in this set. We really do not know much about this set otherwise, but Dinosaur fans will be praising this one to the heavens regardless.
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