Whether you find the crossover trend refreshing or exhausting, Wizards of the Coast is doubling down on its Universes Beyond initiative. This high-profile collaboration with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows in the footsteps of giants like Marvel, Final Fantasy, and Spider-Man. Scheduled to hit shelves on March 6, this comprehensive release features a diverse array of play and collector boosters, a specialized Commander deck, and rare chase cards designed for the most dedicated fans.
I recently attended a virtual deep dive with the design team to uncover the secrets behind this set, ranging from its narrative-driven artwork to a brand-new cooperative game mode. Here is everything we discovered about the impending mutant invasion of the Magic multiverse.
Narrative Design and Urban Aesthetics
Crystal Frasier, the lead narrative designer for the set, noted that the artistic team was fueled by a deep-seated passion for the TMNT mythos. This enthusiasm is palpable in the Vanish Lands series. These basic lands depict iconic New York City locales, but a closer inspection reveals traces of the brothers—a discarded pizza box or a lingering shadow—suggesting they vanished just moments before the viewer arrived. Conversely, the Rooftop Lands utilize full-art silhouettes of the turtles traversing the skyline, inspired by various eras of TMNT media.
Celebrating Every Era
The set refuses to be tied to a single version of the characters. The Turtles Forever card, for instance, showcases four distinct iterations of the team in one frame. Nickelodeon granted the design team significant creative freedom, allowing for a unique “Magic-styled” interpretation of the brothers alongside classic looks. To ensure every player finds their favorite, characters like Raphael appear in multiple rarities—from Common to Mythic—tracking their journey from “Tough Turtle” to the “Ninja Destroyer.”
Brotherhood and Rivalry
The set emphasizes the familial bond between the turtles through Team-Up cards. These pairings reflect their specific dynamics: the studious nature of Leonardo and Donatello vs. the chaotic energy of Raphael and Michelangelo. Fans can also look forward to the Turtle Van, a powerful new Artifact-Vehicle card ready to transport the team into battle.
On the antagonistic side, the focus shifts to Krang. His Rare blue card reflects his identity as a calculating mad scientist, while his Mythic “Utrom Warlord” variant showcases his sheer destructive potential. On the flip side, Casey Jones, Vigilante enters the fray as Raphael’s close ally, bringing a reckless energy to the board that perfectly complements the turtles’ discipline.
Fresh and Returning Mechanics
This expansion introduces the Sneak mechanic, perfectly encapsulating the stealthy nature of ninjutsu. Found on instants, sorceries, and creatures, Sneak allows for unpredictable combat maneuvers that can turn the tide of a match instantly. Additionally, Mutagen Tokens provide a new way to buff your forces, allowing players to sacrifice tokens to place +1/+1 counters on key units.
Returning mechanics have also been rebranded for thematic consistency. Revolt has been reimagined as Disappear, triggering whenever a permanent you control leaves the battlefield. The Alliance mechanic also returns, rewarding players for flooding the board with allies—a strategy that pairs exceptionally well with the new Sneak triggers.
New Ways to Play
Turtle Power Commander Deck
While the main set draws from various media, the Turtle Power Commander Deck is a love letter to the TMNT video games. It boasts 43 new-to-Magic cards, an unusually high number for a pre-constructed deck. The cards are packed with nostalgia, referencing everything from 8-bit classics to modern brawlers.
Turtle Team-Up: A Cooperative Experience
In a major shift for the franchise, the Turtle Team-Up bundle introduces a 2-4 player cooperative mode. Designed as an entry point for newcomers, players work together to survive a “Boss Deck” featuring Shredder’s most dangerous minions. It’s a challenge-based system where you and your friends either win together or fall to the Foot Clan.
The Pizza Bundle
Launching slightly later on March 27, this special edition comes in a literal pizza box. It includes nine play boosters, a collector booster, and the highly anticipated Pizza Lands. It even features a thematic reprint of the classic Food Chain card, now retooled for the TMNT universe.
Digital Integration and Chase Cards
For the collectors, the hunt is on for Borderless Signature cards by TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, alongside Pixel Art variants and Japanese Showcase editions. On the digital front, Magic: The Gathering Arena will receive a custom TMNT battlefield, themed sleeves, and most of the legendary creatures from the Commander deck, ensuring the turtles leave their mark on the digital meta as well.
This set represents a bold new chapter for Magic’s Universes Beyond. What do you think of the new co-op mode and the heavy focus on video game nostalgia? Let us know in the comments below!
