MTG Jumpstart: Phyrexian Unicorns???

MTG Jumpstart: Phyrexian Unicorns???

MTG Jumpstart: Phyrexian Unicorns???

        We all have different ways of enjoying Magic the Gathering.  Some of us feel empowered by optimized decks designed to win constructed events.  Some of us get deep into the lore and themes of the game.  Others still simply enjoy slapping together some cards that have vague synergies and see what happens.  Well on July 17 Magic players will have a new, wacky way to enjoy their favorite game: Jumpstart.
        Jumpstart is Magic’s take on a concept popularized by Keyforge; mixing the player experience of Limited and Constructed.  Jumpstart is a new booster set and offers a new way to play.  Each booster contains 20 cards that are connected by a theme.  Themes include connections to characters like Garruk, tribal synergies like Elves, and much more.  You will not know what theme you’re getting until you open the pack.  The idea is to take two boosters, shuffle them together, and voila! You now have a playable 40 card deck!  What will you be playing?  Spooky Cats?  Doctor Elves?  Unicorn Pirates?

The Breakdown

        So what exactly can you get from a Jumpstart pack?  Specific card includes are not yet available, but here’s a breakdown of what we do know about the set.

The Nitty-Gritty 

        Each pack contains a 20 card list centered on a theme from a pool of over 500 cards, you won’t know which theme you got until you open the booster.  Two packs of the same theme are not necessarily the same list.  Two Cat-themed packs could include two wildly different lists, this is true for all the themes (except Mythic Themes, keep reading).  Each booster comes with a Rare, but you have a 33.33% chance of opening an extra Rare! 

  • 500+ reprinted cards
  • 37 new cards
  • 1 rare per pack 
  • 33.33% of a bonus rare

Themes

        There are 46 themes split into two categories: Common and Mythic.  The Common themes have multiple variations of lists, altogether resulting in 121 possible combinations.  Here’s what we know so far.

        Common Themes.  We currently know of 12 of these:

    • Above the Clouds (flying)
    • Cats
    • Doctor
    • Eldrazi
    • Elves
    • Garruk
    • Goblins
    • Hounds
    • Pirates
    • Spooky
    • Vampires
    • Wizards

        Common Themes have multiple variations.  This means that two Pirate packs could contain completely different lists.

        Mythic Themes.  We only know of 3 of these so far:  

    • Phyrexians
    • Unicorns
    • Walls

         These themes have specific lists, no variations, and are more difficult to pull.

Basic Lands

        Hey man, got any more of that mana?  Well if you’re gonna mash two packs together to make a playable deck you’ll need some good ol’ lands.  That’s why each pack will contain 7-8 (of the 20 cards) basics.  Just like the rest of this set, even the basics follow a theme.

        One of these lands in each booster will be specific art related to that pack’s theme.  What in the world would Doctor Island look like?  Most of the rest will be brand new art created specifically for Jumpstart, although some will be thematically relevant art from Core Set 2021.

Legality

        Jumpstart is considered a specialty set, which means that the cards within it have format legality based on the individual card rather than the set as a whole.  Notably, Jumpstart is not a Standard set.  So if Dark Ritual is reprinted in Jumpstart, it will not become a Standard legal card.  It is a Legacy legal card, since it was already legal in that format.  And if Temple of Silence is reprinted then it will be Standard legal since it is already a part of Standard.  

        Jumpstart has Eternal legality, which means the set as a whole (including Jumpstart exclusives) will be legal in the following formats:

  • Legacy
  • Vintage
  • Commander

Arena?

        Jumpstart will be available to play on MTG Arena!  However, they will only be available for play in Historic.  

        We still don’t know how these cards will become available on Arena.  Will they be brought to the masses via an event?  Bundles?  All we know right now is the date - July 16, 2020.

Important Dates

        Originally scheduled for June, but pushed back to July due to the virus we know and loathe.  You can find the original announcement here from Wizards of the Coast.  

Here are the dates you need to know:

Event

Date

Jumpstart Paper Release

July 17, 2020

Jumpstart Arena Release

July 16, 2020

Jumpstart MTGO Release

July 25, 2020

 

Should You Buy?

        Jumpstart looks like a refreshing take on the world’s largest TCG.  It offers a dynamic play experience that harkens back to the good ol’ days before optimization became king.  If you’re someone who just likes to play Magic for the sake of doing so and having some fun along the way, or just want a break from the grind, then Jumpstart will be an easy and quick way to play a different kind of casual MTG.

        If you’re more competitively inclined, or just don't care for Limited play, then maybe this product isn’t for you.  Don’t worry though, Core Set 2021 will already be on the shelves by the time Jumpstart hops into the fray.

Fin

        That’s all the information we have for now.  As a mid-July release, spoilers and WPN updates on promotional materials should start coming out in early to mid-June.  

        We’ll update this article as more information becomes available.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up-to-date with all of Clockwork’s newest information and events.  Join our new Discord to stay connected with local players and contact staff directly.  And get all your newest, hottest Magic products on our new website

Good games to you all!

Gear Up, Game On!

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