Alchemy
| Alchemy | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Alchemy logo.png}}|250px]] | |
| DCI Sanctioned | |
| Paper |
 |
| Magic Online |
|
| Magic Arena |
 |
| Rules | |
| Type | Constructed |
| Multiplayer |
|
| Add. rules | Best-of-one and Best-of-three |
Alchemy is a digital-only rotating format and play mode for Magic: The Gathering Arena that was introduced in December 2021 as a fast and ever-evolving experience.[1][2] It intentionally diverges from the metagame of Standard and other formats to provide an alternative experience to play.[3]
Description
Alchemy was built for digital-first players, who consume content more quickly but also want a metagame that stays fresh and evolves. As a digital-only format, Alchemy lets Wizards of the Coast add new cards after a set release, offer new mechanics that can only work in a digital game, and rebalance cards to keep the environment interesting.
Alchemy begins with all the cards in the Standard card pool and rotates on the same cadence, and then it adds in new features:
- Rebalanced cards.[5]
- Cards with digital-only mechanics, as released in supplemental digital sets.
The format can be played in Best-of-One and Best-of-Three matches, both ranked and unranked, and is also featured in special events. Alchemy cards, recognizable by the holofoil A stamp, are also used in other digital-only formats like Historic and Historic Brawl.
Alchemy was inducted as a tournament format starting with the Neon Dynasty Championship in 2022.[6]
In 2023, Alchemy kept a two year rotation, while Standard shifted to a three year rotation.[7]
Alchemy expansions
Starting with Innistrad: Crimson Vow, each Premier set features an adjacent Alchemy set of around 30 cards that is available about a month after the main set releases. These cards all rotate out of Alchemy with the set they are based on, though after rotation, they will continue to be playable in Historic. Additionally, some summer supplemental sets will have an associated full designed-to-draft set. These sets may contain reprints outside of Standard.
| Release | Name | Adjacent to |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-09 | Alchemy: Innistrad | Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Crimson Vow |
| 2022-03-17 | Alchemy: Kamigawa | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
| 2022-06-02 | Alchemy: New Capenna | Streets of New Capenna |
| 2022-07-07 | Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur's Gate |
| 2022-10-06 | Alchemy: Dominaria | Dominaria United |
| 2022-12-13 | Alchemy: The Brothers' War | The Brothers' War |
| 2023-02-28 | Alchemy: Phyrexia | Phyrexia: All Will Be One |
Set legality
Cards from the following sets are currently legal in Alchemy:[8]
| Sets | Legal until |
|---|---|
| Arena Base Set | Always legal |
| Innistrad: Midnight Hunt | Early Fall 2023 |
| Innistrad: Crimson Vow | |
| Alchemy: Innistrad | |
| Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | |
| Alchemy: Kamigawa | |
| Streets of New Capenna | |
| Alchemy: New Capenna | |
| Alchemy Horizons: Baldur's Gate | |
| Dominaria United | Early Fall 2024 |
| Alchemy: Dominaria | |
| The Brothers' War | |
| Alchemy: The Brothers' War | |
| Phyrexia: All Will Be One | |
| Alchemy: Phyrexia | |
| March of the Machine | |
| March of the Machine: The Aftermath | |
| Wilds of Eldraine* | Early Fall 2025 |
| The Lost Caverns of Ixalan* | |
| TBA* | |
| TBA* |
^* Not released yet.
Previously banned cards
Flavor text
Many Alchemy cards feature flavor text that is not visible on the cards themselves, but rather in a separate pop-up box.
References
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (December 2, 2021). "Introducing Alchemy: A New Way To Play MTG Arena". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (December 2, 2021). "MTG Arena: State - Alchemy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ David Humpherys (December 8, 2021). "Designing for Alchemy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (May 25, 2022). "MTG Arena Announcements, May 25, 2022". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Donald Smith (December 2, 2021). "Alchemy Rebalancing Philosospy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mani Davoudi (March 8, 2022). "The Neon Dynasty Championship Alchemy Primer". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (May 7, 2023). "Updates to Standard and Alchemy on MTG Arena". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast. "Alchemy Format". magicthegathering.com.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (July 5, 2022). "July 5, 2022 Banned and Restricted Announcement". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.