MTG’s Bloomburrow steals show from next set with furries

With cute critters, fantasy bombast, and an unexpected Planeswalker surprise, Bloomburrow is shaping up to be a real hit for MTG.

There’s no question that 2024 is shaping up to be a big, busy year for Magic: The Gathering. The year’s early offerings have brought us multiple sets focused on the beloved plane of Ravnica, and there are more surprises yet to come. Universes Beyond sets like Fallout and Assassin’s Creed are just over the Horizon, Modern Horizons 3 will offer powerful options to players, and there are multiple brand-new planes to explore.

With such a stacked schedule ahead, few fans were expecting one particular set to steal the limelight. The unassuming set of Bloomburrow is quickly capturing MTG players’ attention following its first major group of reveals at Magic Con Chicago.

Bloomburrow offers huge adventure in a small package

WOTC

MTG has branched out into brave new genres recently, with its dip into cyberpunk with Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty being a particular success. Still, if there’s one thing Magic has been historically known for, it’s fantasy.

With so many fantasy-themed sets in the rearview mirror, it can be difficult for any new MTG fantasy plane to make its mark. But so far, Bloomburrow appears to be having immense fun by smashing together adorable woodland creatures and high fantasy, with lower-stakes adventures presented with all the grandiosity of a From Soft Souls game.

This contrast is hugely in the set’s favor, giving it a real standout flair. It’s hard to not be charmed by a smug frog sitting atop a throne, with the name “Glurb, Calamity’s Augur”, or a brave little mouse warrior titled “Mabel, Heir to Cragflame”.

Bloomburrow’s land covers all seasons

WOTC

It’s not just the cute critters that find fans flocking to Bloomburrow, the whole set has a distinctive, artistic flair. Following the grimness and gore that defined parts of the Phyrexian invasion arc MTG has been increasingly bringing vibrant colour and joy back to the planes. The recent Lost Caverns of Ixalan set was a particular highlight in that regard, and Bloomburrow feels like the peak of that trend so far.

The early reveal for Bloomburrow includes a focus on a standout land cycle. Bloomburrow’s borderless full-art lands have variants that cover all four seasons, and collection-focused players will likely have a field day cracking packs and putting together each of these lands.

Reddit user Rossmallo commented in favor of this land focus, stating:

“As a full art land collector, I am VERY happy with what they’re doing here. Not seen this many from a single set in a while.”

While only the seasonal variants for mountain lands have been revealed so far, it’s guaranteed that Islands, Swamps, Plains, and Forests will follow soon behind.

Bloomburrow gives visiting Planeswalkers a fursona

WOTC

Ever since the unveiling of the set’s title, players have known that Bloomburrow would be a Redwall-like plane, with tiny animals going on outsized fantasy adventures. However, Wizards has kept the Plane’s most original trick hidden up until now.

While it was first assumed that Bloomuburrow would focus exclusively on animal folk, as human Planeswalkers would come across as Eldrazi-esque destructive titans, it turns out this is not the case at all.

In a particular quirk of this plane, visitors from other worlds appear to take on a form suitable to Bloomburrow once they arrive. While it’s too early for us to have seen any cards featuring these planeswalkers’ abilities, we’ve at least been treated to a couple of early designs. Ral Zarek makes a charming otter, firmly supplanting Lutri the Spellchaser as an Izzet otter that can actually be used in legal MTG play.

What’s more, after his Compleation during the Phyrexian invasion and subsequent absence from Magic’s story, who would have guessed that Jace Beleren would next be seen as a cunning fox? Unfortunately, this isn’t a full step back into the story, but the upshot is that this foxy Jace variant is part of the Courageous Critters showcase treatment.

Through this special art treatment, famous Planeswalkers and Creatures from other planes are reimagined as if they visited Bloomburrow. In this way, MTG slyly steps around its current ‘one Planeswalker per set’ rule in order to have fun, and that’s the kind of rule-bending we’re in favor of.

MTG fans react to Bloomburrow

It’s not just Magic Con attendees that have been charmed by Bloomburrow, online reactions to the set have been trending positive too.

Reddit user therealflyingtoastr commented on Mabel, Heir to Cragflame’s reveal:

“So Bloomburrow really is just Redwall: The Set, huh?

“I am not displeased.”

The positive sentiment was shared by commenter EarnestCoffee in the same thread:

“You have no idea how unreasonably excited I am for this set. Cannot get enough of the aesthetic and visual design!”

With a while to go before Bloomburrow’s August 2 2024 release, this set will likely continue to pick up steam and impress MTG fans with its standout style.

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