Magic: The Gathering Draft Sets Stage for Marvel-ous Crossovers Ahead

Magic: The Gathering Draft May Bring More Crossover Sets The latest Universes Beyond set has brought Marvel's Spider-Man to the popular card game, but it may be just the beginning of a new era in Magic: The Gathering crossovers. According to Magic senior game designer Corey Bowen, the introduction of the Pick Two Draft format is not only designed to help casual players and four-person groups, but also paves the way for smaller crossover sets. The Pick Two Draft, which sees players take two cards from their Play Boosters and pass them to their left and right, was introduced just before the latest Universes Beyond set hit shelves. Bowen explained that the developers chose this new format as a way to facilitate smaller crossover sets in the future. "How could we represent an amazing corner of the Marvel Universe without trying to fill over 300 card concepts?" Bowen asked. "If we were focusing only on Spider-Man, there are tons of great stories, characters, and depth, but not enough to meet the demanding threshold of a full Magic set." The new format has been met with excitement from players, who see it as an opportunity to experience more crossover content without the need for large sets. "It's a game-changer," said Emily Chen, a Magic: The Gathering player since 2018. "I've always loved the idea of crossovers, but they can be overwhelming when you're trying to learn new cards and strategies." The Universes Beyond set, which features Marvel's Spider-Man, has been a huge success for Wizards of the Coast, with over $10 million in sales in its first week alone. The set's popularity has sparked interest from other franchises, including DC Comics and Star Wars. Bowen believes that the Pick Two Draft format will allow for more partnerships and crossovers in the future. "We also believed solving this problem now would allow us to consider more partnerships that may not fill the shoes of a full Magic set," he said. The introduction of the Pick Two Draft format is just one part of Wizards of the Coast's efforts to make Magic: The Gathering more accessible and appealing to new players. With the success of the Universes Beyond set and the excitement around the new draft format, it seems that the future of Magic: The Gathering crossovers is looking bright. In related news, Wizards of the Coast has announced plans to release a new crossover set featuring characters from the popular TV show "Stranger Things." While details are still scarce, fans are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see their favorite characters come to life in the world of Magic: The Gathering. *Reporting by Gizmodo.*