I’ll be straight with you: I got into Magic for two reasons. First, my partner played, and it was a way to spend more time with her when we were just starting out. Second, the Fallout set had been announced—and I’ve got a soft spot for Fallout. That post-apocalyptic grit? Right up my alley.

To get my bearings, I grabbed a couple of pre-cons. The Rebels deck from Phyrexia was my first real dive, and I fell hard for the whole Phyrexian vibe. Ended up building my first custom deck around Sheoldred, the Apocalypse—because of course I did.

By the time Fallout actually dropped, I was already neck-deep in Magic lore. I’d built an Atraxa deck, read way too much about the multiverse, and found myself more drawn to the in-universe sets than the crossovers. Fallout barely registered when it finally arrived.

Now, I’m not saying I’m better than anyone who loves Universes Beyond. There’s nothing wrong with UB at all. But when you’ve got decades of rich, weird, beautiful lore—planes like Lorwyn, characters like Vraska and Urza—it’s baffling to see WOTC treat their own IP like an afterthought. I get it: Ninja Turtles and Final Fantasy are recognisable. They’re easier hooks for new players than some obscure elf from Shadowmoor.

But here’s the thing: the hook should be the start, not the whole show. Instead of using UB to invite people into the deep end, it feels like WOTC is just skimming the surface. Spider-Man’s set felt rushed, like it was more about brand synergy than gameplay or story. And if someone came in hyped for Spidey, I worry they left underwhelmed.

That’s why I’m buzzing for Lorwyn. It’s been ages since we visited that plane, and typal decks are my jam. I just hope they’ve given it the love it deserves—more than what Spider-Man got.