Finally, the new Magic: The Gathering set, Aetherdrift, is around the corner, and we are already seeing a lot of exciting cards with lots of potential. But first, let's cover some key elements from the latest MTG set.
When is the Aetherdrift release date?
The release date for Aetherdrift is February 14, 2025. Pre-release events will take place from February 7–13, 2025, giving players a chance to explore the set early.
Additionally, here are some other key dates to take into account:
- Full Card Image Gallery will be available on January 31, 2025.
- Early Access for MTG Arena Creators: February 5, 2025.
- Early Access for MTGO creators: February 6-7, 2025.
- Magic Academy and Standard Showdown will run from February 14 to April 3, 2025.
What is the Main Theme of Aetherdrift?
The main theme of Aetherdrift is high-speed racing across the multiverse, where competitors pilot advanced vehicles and use powerful magic to navigate dynamic, ever-changing racecourses. This set captures the thrill of competition, blending innovative mechanics with a focus on vehicles and fast-paced gameplay.
In other words, expect a fast, limited format, a boost on aggro decks, and tons of useful Vehicles introduced for most formats.
Here are some of the most promising:
What are the new Mechanics of Aetherdrift?
Aetherdrift will introduce two new mechanics to the game:
- Start Your Engines!
- Exhaust
Start Your Engines! is all about building up your Speed during the game. You start at Speed 1, and as long as you've got a permanent with Start Your Engines!, your Speed goes up by 1 each turn the first time you make an opponent lose life. Max Speed is 4, and when you hit it, a lot of cards give you awesome bonuses. It is pretty much similar to other mechanics like Ascend, which give you the City Blessing when you meet a certain requirement, in this case, Max Speed 4.
Exhaust, on the other hand, is a keyword action that can be activated by paying mana. The amount of mana spent and what it does can vary depending on the card, but I like to think about it as pushing the “Nitro” button on Fast & Furious.
One thing to note about Exhaust is that you can abuse it when paired with cards like Nurturing Pixie or Fear of Isolation to return an already exhausted card and replay it and activate the ability once more.
What are the Color Pair Themes for Aetherdrift?
The color pairs in Aetherdrift represent teams competing in the Ghirapur Grand Prix for the Aetherspark. These teams are based on themes, each inspired by specific planes in the multiverse.
While this is mostly relevant for Limited, here’s a breakdown of them.
- Guidelight Voyagers (Azorius): Artifacts
- Speed Demons (Dimir): Graveyard
- The Endriders (Rakdos): Speed
- Goblin Rocketeers (Gruul): Exhaust
- Alacrian Quickbeasts (Selesnya): Mounts/+1+1 Counters
- Champions of Amonkhet (Orzhov): Sacrifice
- The Keelhaulers (Izzet): Discard / Cycle
- The Speedbrood (Golgari): Self-Mill
- Cloudspire Racing Team (Boros): Vehicles
- Aether Rangers (Simic): Exhaust
Looking at the overall strategy of each color pair, you can get a better idea of what to combine. For example, since Dimir and Golgari both focus on graveyard-related themes, it's a good idea to draft Sultai. On the other hand, combining Izzet and Rakdos may not be as effective, as they have little in common.
While this can vary depending on the cards eventually released, the main strategy is to combine color pairs that share synergies rather than forcing three-color strategies with conflicting gameplay mechanics.
What else can we expect?
In addition to the new mechanics, this set, which revolves around racing, features a high density of Vehicles and Mounts, as well as cards that support them.
If that's what you were expecting, you're in for a treat! Some of the new Vehicles have powerful enter-the-battlefield abilities, like Voyager Glidecar and Possession Engine, while others, such as Boommobile, take advantage of new abilities.
Cycling also makes a soft return as a theme, with cards that trigger abilities when discarded using this mechanic.
Speaking of cycles, this set completes the Verge cycle that began in Duskmourn. These lands enter the battlefield untapped and can add another color of mana if you control one of two basic land types.
For Limited enthusiasts, this set introduces life-gain lands like Bloodfell Caves and Dismal Backwater, which help with manabase fixing.
Notably, there will be an uncommon cycle of lands that enter the battlefield tapped unless you control a Mount or Vehicle. One land from this cycle will be available in each color.
Additionally, there's a cycle of five mythic artifact creatures called "Gearhulks," which are two colors instead of one, as seen previously in Kaladesh (now known as Avishkar).
The set also includes three Raceways, which represent the three planes where the race takes place, in the form of lands.
There are ten uncommon dual-colored cards that represent the signposts for draft archetypes, as well as Gold Vehicles, one for each color pair.
Finally, the set features ten rare dual-colored legendary creatures that serve as leaders for each of the racing teams.
Best Cards So Far
While many cards are still to be released, the best ones are usually spoiled early on. The Verge cycle is a standout, completing the cycle started with Duskmourn. It can now help fix manabases in other decks, boosting the popularity of well-established archetypes like Boros Prowess in Standard.
Another notable card is a reprint: Bloodghast, which features new artwork. It pairs exceptionally well with another Standard card, Insidious Roots. All that's left is for a solid sacrifice outlet to emerge, which we can hopefully expect once the full set is released.
Pauper players will also be pleased with the introduction of new, usable Vehicles like Hulldrifter.
As always, expect some cards designed with Commander in mind, such as March of the World Ooze and Daretti, Rocketeer Engineer.
Aetherdrift Commander Products
As you'd expect, this new set also includes Commander preconstructed decks, each offering exciting themes and unique strategies.
Saheeli, Radiant Creator
A Temur Commander that centers around energy manipulation and creating copies of permanents you control.
Temmet, Naktamun’s Will
An Esper Commander that revolves around zombies and card looting.
Wrap Up
While Aetherdrift presents a solid concept with fun mechanics, its overall theme is unlikely to have a significant impact on Standard. This is especially true considering the set is centered around Vehicles and Mounts, which have historically struggled to gain traction in competitive play.
That said, we've seen strong cards like Smuggler's Copter in the past, which have had a major impact on formats, so we'll have to wait and see what the rest of the set holds.
What do you think? Do you like the set overall, or were you expecting more? Let us know in the comments!
Thank you so much for reading, and until next time, stay safe. I’ll see you in my next article!
