The Gathering kicks off 2025 with a bang

Important takeaways

• Magic: The Gathering's 2025 editions will include valuable reprints and new “headliner” cards limited to 500 copies.
• The upcoming sets, such as Innistrad Remastered and Aetherdrift, will introduce exciting new concepts and engaging stories.
• The “Death Race” Aeterdrift Set launches on February 14th and promises an exciting experience for fans of the game.

Magic: The Gathering was marred by some controversy in the latter half of 2024, between the Commander bans and debacle that followed and the poorly received launch of Marvel Secret Lair drops, but things are likely looking up early next year. While 2025 may not be an entirely positive year for the game, mainly due to Magic: The Gathering's Universes Beyond sets are standard legal and the fact that this decision was met with backlash, a good change will happen. This is thanks to the re-release of a beloved set, the launch of a brand new expansion and a new type of card that can take the community by storm.

A lot will happen Magic: The Gathering next year, with a total of six Standard Legal sets coming out, possibly alongside other Eternal editions, which pre-engineered Commander decks. On top of that, January will continue the tradition of remastered sets, while also introducing the new “headliner” cards. Between Magic: The Gatheringis big Final Fantasy set and the new release schedule for Universes Beyond, including a Spider-Man expansion, will likely have many newbies approaching the game, so Wizards of the Coast needs to start 2025 off on the right foot.

MTG's Innistrad Remastered launches on January 24, 2025

Magic: The GatheringThe first set of 2025 will be Innistrad Remastered, which is a collection of reprints from the various Innistrad expansions and releases. This is a special set for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that Innistrad is one of the most beloved planes in the world Magic: The Gatheringthe whole story. Innistrad Remastered will include a new card type that will probably play in every release of 2025, and that is the new headliner cards.

Innistrad Remastered will include many valuable reprints, such as Liliana of the Veil and Meathook Massacre.

What to expect from Magic: The Gathering's Headliner cards in 2025

MTGs new headliner cards are serialized from 1 to 500, meaning that there will only be a total of 500 copies of that specific card and print for each set of headliners star in. In the case of Innistrad Remastered, the headliner will be a reprint of Edgar Markov, which in itself is an expensive card and good to draw, with a value of around $70. However, the headliner version of Edgar Markov will likely be one of the Magic: The Gatherings most valuable card given that only 500 copies will be printed, and it will be very rare to draw.

Magic: The Gathering's Death Race Set launches on February 14, 2025

While it may seem difficult to top the reprints of many popular Innistrad cards, Magic: The Gatherings new Aetherdrift expansion will be right around the corner to kick off 2025 in style as the year's first Standard-legal set. Defined by MTGs own Mark Rosewater, this set will take place on three different planes and will feature ten teams all competing in a death race to win the ultimate prize – the Aetherspark.

Based on the art shown so far, Aetherdrift will most likely take place in Kaladesh and Amonkhet, with the third plane still up in the air since it was never the main setting for any expansion.

In addition to Aetherdrift featuring this new concept of a tri-planar death race, it will also have its own headliner card, which is The Aetherspark itself. This card appears to be one MTG Planeswalker itself based on art, but details have yet to be confirmed. Still, the expansion seems full of popular characters and locations, so it could be a good release for longtime fans.