Can you hear them? The Phyrexians are almost upon us and this week’s Arena Announcements are all about Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming March of the Machine set. We’ve got some details about how new mechanics will work on Arena, a look at how battle cards function, the last rotation of Shadows of the Past packs, and a look at upcoming Arena events.
Mechanics In Action
Incubate
Incubate are the first transforming tokens to be introduced to Magic: The Gathering Arena and while it is relatively straightforward mechanically, it can be a little tricky following on Arena. Thankfully the helper video released by Wizards of the Coast shows how Incubator tokens move from where Treasure and Powerstone tokens typically reside to the battlefield when transformed.
Battle
Battle cards are a little goofy since they are the first real horizontal cards to be introduced to the game. In your hand a battle card will show just like a regular vertical card, with the card’s name across the top and the mana value flowing just above it. Once you move to cast a battle card the orientation will change to resemble the card’s actual printing.
Once successfully cast, a battle card will move to your opponent’s side of the board, to better help the player visualize attacking it. After all counters are removed the card exiles itself and you are given the choice to cast it, but be careful because it does you the option to decline to cast it.
Backup
Backup is an enter the battlefield trigger that grants any creature a +1/+1 counter as well as any abilities the creature with backup has until end of turn. The video depicts the backup creature Boon-Bringer Valkyrie giving another creature flying, first strike, and lifelink temporarily.
If you’re looking to catch more of these cards and mechanics before the set is released on Arena then you can watch some of your favorite streamers and content creators during the Early Access event this April 13 and 14. Check out streamers and content creators on Twitch and YouTube to see drafts, constructed, and other events live.
Shadows Of The Past Final Theme: Abominable All Stars
Players enjoying the addition of Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered limited events can check out the final rotation of Shadows of the Past themes. This theme, called Abominable All Stars, features some of the best creatures not in the regular Remastered set including Snapcaster Mage and Avacyn, Angel of Hope.
Events And More
Midweek Magic
- April 11–13: Momir
- April 18–20: Jump In!
- April 25–27: March of the Machine Phantom Sealed
- May 2–4: March of the Machine Constructed
- May 9–11: Explorer
Drafts, Drafts, Drafts
- March 21–April 18: Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered Premier Draft
- March 31–April 14: Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Quick Draft
- April 6–10: Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Premier Draft
- April 14–28: Phyrexia: All Will Be One Quick Draft
- April 28–May 12: March of the Machine Quick Draft
Challenges And Festivals
- April 8–10: Explorer Metagame Challenge
- April 10–18: Tinkerer’s Cube
- May 1–6: Historic Artisan Festival
- May 6–11: Historic Brawl Festival