Magic: The Gathering Foundations

From MTG Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Magic: The Gathering Foundations
 
Beginner Box
 
Starter Collection
 
Card comparisons
 
Trivia
 
Art Series
 
Magic: The Gathering Foundations
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description A five-point star-shaped portal
Design Bryan Hawley (lead), Carmen Klomparens, Matt Tabak, Daniel Xu, Jeremy Geist, Annie Sardelis, Doug Beyer
Art direction Anthony Garzzona, Mari Hall and Dawn Murin.
Release date November 15, 2024
Plane Multiversal
Set size 292 + 438
Expansion code FDN[1]
Development codename Farmer
Standard
Duskmourn: House of Horror Magic: The Gathering Foundations Aetherdrift
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
Marvel Superdrop Magic: The Gathering Foundations Magic: The Gathering Foundations
Beginner Box
For the plane subtype, see Foundations (plane).
The set's expansion symbol.

Magic: The Gathering Foundations, or Foundations, is an entry-level Magic set designed to provide a common base for new and experienced players. It is a Standard-legal draftable set with additional fixed products, and was released on November 15, 2024.[2][3][4][5][6]

Set details

key art
“  Share Your Spark  ”

Foundations is a new type of set designed to carry through multiple Standard rotations. It contains mechanically unique card designs as well as "less-complex, clean and elegant" reprints, functioning similarly to an "evergreen Core set".[7][8] Unlike other Standard-legal sets, cards in Foundations will remain legal in Standard until 2029, at least.[9][5] Foundations is intended to be reprinted and released annually over that period.[10]

The set is approximately 50% reprints and 50% new cards (133/136), designed to be similarly straightforward. They are aimed to have resonance, flavor, and top-down designs to create maximum understandability for new players. Conceptually, the set is intended and designed to represent "what Magic: The Gathering is" fundamentally and includes key cards from the game's past that are functionally useful to many decks and archetypes while also being iconic to the game's history and mythos.[7] A big part of the set is a curated play experience designed for newcomers to the game (i.e. the Beginner Box and the Starter Collection), which is the most robust "learn to play" product yet.[4] While the set also contains staple cards targeted at more advanced players, these can only be found in the booster packs.[7] Thus, the products are split into different target audiences.

Foundations contains 292 regular cards (91 commons, 101 uncommons, 60 rares, 20 mythic rares, 20 basic lands), and includes randomly inserted traditional foil versions of all cards. The new cards are #1-133 and #730, and the reprints are #134-271. There are 20 basic land, including 10 full-art "face character" basic lands (#272-291). Alternate card frames have a different number than the original version.[11] Borderless cards are #292-361. Mana Foils are #362-421. Japan Showcase are #422-431, and #432-441 in fracture foil. Extended art cards are #442-487. The Beginner Box reprints are #488-564 and the Starter Collection reprints are #565-727. The promos are #728-729. The new cards Firespitter Whelp, Goblin Surprise, Starlight Snare, Dropkick Bomber, Dawnwing Marshal and Hinterland Sanctifier are out of order as #197, #200, #514, #537, #570 and #730 respectively.

While the cards in Magic: The Gathering Foundations are intended to be played and drafted by players of all experience levels, the designers have taken some measures to help clarify existing keyword mechanics for new and returning players. Specifically, they have added reminder text to even Magic's most common mechanics to ensure a fun and understandable play experience.[12] Additionally, to minimize confusion for new players, effects that force players to sacrifice one or more creatures they control are formatted with "of [that player's] choice" at the end of the effect, and the "forgettable" mechanics ferocious, formidable, and pack tactics are removed from cards that featured them on prior printings.

Changes

Starting with Foundations, the Nyx-frame is used for all non-creature enchantments as the default frame type to parallel the artifact frame.[7] In card formatting, Wizards of the Coast is moving from “CARDNAME” to “this <card type>” by default when the card is referring to itself (e.g. "when this creature enters").[13][12][14]

With the set's release, a functional rules change is made to the combat phase; specifically, the rules about the assignment of combat damage. When multiple creatures block or are blocked by a single creature, the single creature's controller no longer chooses a "damage assignment order" during the declare blockers step. Instead, the creature's controller assigns combat damage however they like among the multiple creatures during the combat damage step.[15][12]

Storyline

The set features characters and locations from many different planes and at different points in time.[16] Each color is represented by a planeswalker and a legendary creature as the "main characters" of the set. They also show up in promotional material, appear in sets released shortly after Magic: The Gathering Foundations' initial release, and are featured in the two cycles of full-art basic lands (see Trivia).[17][18]

Color Planeswalker Legendary creature
{W} Ajani Goldmane Giada
{U} Kaito Shizuki Zimone Wola
{B} Liliana Vess Tinybones
{R} Chandra Nalaar Kellan
{G} Vivien Reid Loot

Marketing

Foundations is marketed as the backbone for Magic's years to come as the quintessential Magic set.[19]

Foundations is available in Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, a Beginner Box, a Starter Collection and the Foundations Bundle.[20][4][7] Booster Fun includes extended art and borderless art. The set doesn't feature Commander decks.[21]

Play Boosters may contain FDN #1–361. Collector Boosters may contain FDN #1–271, 282–487. Fracture Foil Japan Showcase cards may appear in <1% of Collector Boosters.

Foundations (including the Starter Collection and Beginner Box) was released in tandem with Foundations Jumpstart as the Foundations product suite. Each of the products aims to help new players learn Magic and begin to build decks or their collection. Foundations will stay in print for as long as it is legal with an initial promise from Wizards of the Coast to keep the set in Standard until 2029 at the earliest.[5] If a new version would be made in 2029, there would be space between the two where Wizards of the Coast would stop selling the old set to have it roughly sell out before the new set goes on sale.[22][23]

In March 2025, it was revealed that Play Boosters, the Beginner Box and the Starter Collection were being reprinted, but that Collector Boosters and Bundles were not.[24]

Special Guests

Foundations features 10 Special Guests (SPG #74-83). These may be found in Play Boosters and may be played in Limited games. You'll find a non-foil Special Guests card in 1 out of 64 Play Boosters (1,5 %). Traditional foil Special Guests cards can be found in Collector Boosters. The Special Guests for this set showcase some previous plane-specific treatments. New for this set, the rarity of some of these Special Guests is adjusted only on Magic: The Gathering Arena to more closely match the rarity each card would ordinarily be printed at. This change only affects the types of wildcards required to craft these cards; they still appear at the same frequency to other cards in the set and to each other as they do in Paper.[25]

Japan Showcase

Foundations features 10 Japan Showcase cards (FDN #422-441).[11] Each card has been reimagined by Japanese artists and illustrators and have a special frame and style that pays homage to Japanese hobby shops. Unlike Special Guests they use the standard Foundations set code and expansion symbol (). Japan Showcase cards appear only in Collector Boosters. In Japanese Collector Boosters, Japan Showcase cards are always in Japanese. In non-Japanese Collector Boosters, they appear in English two thirds of the time and in Japanese one third of the time. One in ten Collector Boosters have a Japan Showcase card (9% traditional foil, 1% fracture foil).

Events

Promos

Magic: The Gathering Arena

Cards from the Starter Collection and Beginner Box are available on Magic: The Gathering Arena alongside cards from the main set.[32] Unlike with the main set, the Starter Collection and Beginner Box products are not available for purchase on the client and the exclusive cards can only be obtained by crafting wildcards. Those cards do not appear in Magic: The Gathering Foundations packs or Limited events. In the initial set announcement, Sol Ring was listed as becoming available on Arena in the Foundations card image gallery. This was subsequently clarified as a mistake and the card would not be added to the client for crafting.

Alongside the Magic: The Gathering Foundations release, eleven new half-deck packets featuring cards from the main set were added to the Jump In! roster on Arena.[33]

Magic Online

MTGO premium booster for Foundations.

To help support players acquiring premium and Booster Fun cards, Foundations is available to purchase on Magic Online in both regular Play Boosters and the MTGO-exclusive Premium Booster.[34] The premium boosters are ten card packs containing five rares/mythic rares and at least eight foils for $5.99. Similar to Magic: The Gathering Arena, the Starter Collection and Beginner Box products are not available for purchase on the client.

Players who purchase the Account Upgrade Kit receive one copy of each reprinted card from the Foundations Starter Collection – 103 cards in all – in addition to the Kit's regular contents.

The set's Japan Showcase Fracture foils, Bundle and Buy-a-Box Promos, and foil Special Guests are only available via Treasure Chests.

Tokens and emblems

Foundations has 31 tokens and two emblems.[35] Eight of these are only available through the Starter Collection.

  1. {W} 1/1 Cat creature for Arahbo, the First Fang; Cat Collector and Prideful Parent.
  2. {W} 1/1 Cat creature with lifelink for Regal Caracal.#
  3. {W} 2/2 Cat creature for Ajani, Caller of the Pride.
  4. {W} 2/2 Cat Beast creature for Felidar Retreat.#
  5. {W} 1/1 Dog creature for Release the Dogs.#
  6. {W} 1/1 Human creature for Stroke of Midnight.
  7. {W} 3/3 Knight creature for Guarded Heir.
  8. {W} 1/1 Rabbit creature for Hare Apparent.
  9. {W} 1/1 Soldier creature for Heroic Reinforcements and Resolute Reinforcements.
  10. {W} 1/1 Spirit creature with flying for Kykar, Zephyr Awakener.
  11. {U} 2/2 Drake creature with flying for Drake Hatcher.
  12. {U} 1/1 Faerie creature with flying for Faebloom Trick and Mischievous Mystic.
  13. {U} 1/1 Fish creature for Fishing Rod.
  14. {U} Koma’s Coil, a 3/3 Serpent creature for Koma, World-Eater.
  15. {U} 2/1 Ninja creature for Kaito, Cunning Infiltrator.
  16. {U} Scion of the Deep, a 8/8 legendary Octopus creature for Kiora, the Rising Tide.
  17. {B} 1/1 Rat creature for Revenge of the Rats.
  18. {B} 1/1 Rat creature with “This creature can’t block.” for Redcap Gutter-Dweller.#
  19. {B} 2/2 Zombie creature for Dread Summons; Liliana, Dreadhorde General; Maalfeld Twins and Suspicious Shambler.
  20. {R} 4/4 Dragon creature with flying for Dragon Trainer.
  21. {R} 5/5 Dragon creature with flying for Dragonmaster Outcast; Lathliss, Dragon Queen and Rite of the Dragoncaller.
  22. {R} 1/1 Goblin creature for Dragon Fodder; Goblin Negotiation; Goblin Surprise; Krenko, Mob Boss and Searslicer Goblin.
  23. {R} 1/1 Phyrexian Goblin creature for Ovika, Enigma Goliath.#
  24. {G} 3/3 Beast creature, for Primeval Bounty.#
  25. {G} 4/4 Beast creature, for Rampaging Baloths.#
  26. {G} 1/1 Elf Warrior creature, for Dwynen's Elite; Elfsworn Giant; Imperious Perfect and Lathril, Blade of the Elves.
  27. {G} 3/3 Raccoon creature for Sylvan Scavenging.
  28. {B/G} 1/1 Insect creature with flying for Infestation Sage.
  29. {C} Food artifact for Bake into a Pie; Cat Collector; Eager Trufflesnout and Midnight Snack.
  30. {C} Treasure artifact for An Offer You Can't Refuse; Brass's Bounty; Corsair Captain; Fake Your Own Death; Gleaming Barrier; Goldvein Pick; Involuntary Employment; Rapacious Dragon and Seize the Spoils.
  31. {C} Copy for Abyssal Harvester; Chandra, Flameshaper; Electroduplicate; Extravagant Replication; Homunculus Horde; Rite of Replication and Self-Reflection.#
  32. Emblem for Kaito, Cunning Infiltrator.
  33. Emblem for Vivien Reid.

^# Only available in the Starter Collection

Themes and mechanics

There are no new mechanics in Foundations. As an introductory product, more deciduous mechanics were utilized in this set than any previous (non-Time Spiral block) premier set.[36] Returning deciduous mechanics featured in the set are distributed over the colors as follows:[15][12][37]

Mechanic {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Flashback {Tick} {Tick} {Tick}
Kicker {Tick} {Tick} {Tick}
Landfall {Tick} {Tick} {Tick}
Morbid {Tick} {Tick} {Tick}
Prowess {Tick} {Tick}
Raid {Tick} {Tick} {Tick}
Threshold {Tick} {Tick}

The most ubiquitous predefined tokens, Food and Treasure, also make a return.

Counters

Foundations introduces Bait counters, Fellowship counters and Revival counters.

Limited archetypes

The details of the limited archetypes for Magic: The Gathering Foundations.

Magic: The Gathering Foundations features the following limited archetypes.[38] These are the most quintessential, recognizable themes of each respective color pair. This was designed to introduce novices to each color pair's usual strategies and to prime them for orthodox draft archetypes in future sets.

Cycles

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
"Main Character" Planeswalkers Ajani, Caller of the Pride Kaito, Cunning Infiltrator Liliana, Dreadhorde General Chandra, Flameshaper Vivien Reid
Five mythic rare monocolor planeswalkers with MM in their mana cost. They act as the "main characters" of the set, appearing in promotional material, a cycle of full-art basic lands, and sets released shortly after Magic: The Gathering Foundations' initial release.[18]
Mythic Rare Creatures Herald of Eternal Dawn Sphinx of Forgotten Lore Bloodthirsty Conqueror Twinflame Tyrant Quilled Greatwurm
Five mythic rare monocolored creatures.
Mythic Rare Noncreatures Valkyrie's Call Omniscience Rise of the Dark Realms Rite of the Dragoncaller Doubling Season
Five mythic rare noncreatures.
Cycle name {W} ({G}){U} {B} {R} {G}
"Main Character" Legendary Creatures Giada, Font of Hope Zimone, Paradox Sculptor Tinybones, Bauble Burglar Kellan, Planar Trailblazer Loot, Exuberant Explorer
Five rare or mythic rare legendary creatures. They act as the "main characters" of the set, appearing in promotional material, a cycle of full-art basic lands, and sets released shortly after Magic: The Gathering Foundations' initial release.[18] Although Zimone is {G}{U}, she is the {U} representative for this cycle, according to the aforementioned full-art cycle.

Double cycles

Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W} {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Gold Rares Kykar, Zephyr Awakener Consuming Aberration Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate Ashroot Animist Anthem of Champions Elenda, Saint of Dusk Thousand-Year Storm Lathril, Blade of the Elves Swiftblade Vindicator Koma, World-Eater
Ten rare dual-colored cards.
Gold Signposts Empyrean Eagle Dreadwing Scavenger Perforating Artist Ruby, Daring Tracker Good-Fortune Unicorn Fiendish Panda Balmor, Battlemage Captain Wardens of the Cycle Heroic Reinforcements Tatyova, Benthic Druid
Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes.
Gainlands Tranquil Cove Dismal Backwater Bloodfell Caves Rugged Highlands Blossoming Sands Scoured Barrens Swiftwater Cliffs Jungle Hollow Wind-Scarred Crag Thornwood Falls
Ten common taplands that enter tapped, gain the controller one life, and can tap for two different colors of mana.

Pairs

Mirrored Pairs Description
Gnarlid Colony
({G} - Trample) 		Inspiring Paladin
({W} - First strike) 		Two common Creatures that give all of their controller's creatures with a +1/+1 counter a keyword ability.
Mild-Mannered Librarian
({G} - Werewolf) 		Infernal Vessel
({B} - Demon) 		Two uncommon Human Creatures that undergo a permanent transformation that gives them two +1/+1 counters, another type, and is a form of card advantage. Their arts also depict an umbra that reflects their future self.

Changes in rarity

All Japan Showcase cards have the mythic rarity, which may differ from the rarity of the default printing.

Mythic Rare to Rare

Rare to Uncommon

Common to Uncommon

Uncommon to Common

^† New to the Pauper format as of this printing.

Notable cards

Gallery

Key art

Arena Avatars

External links

References

  1. ↑ Information below the text box
  2. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (June 28, 2024). "Foundations releases November 15th, and will be the new Foundation for Magic players.". Twitter.
  3. ↑ Announcing Magic: The Gathering Foundations. magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast (June 28, 2024).
  4. ↑ a b c Charlie Hall (June 28, 2024). "First look: Magic: The Gathering Foundations, the new set for beginners". IGN.com.
  5. ↑ a b c Wizards of the Coast (August 2, 2024). "A First Look at Magic: The Gathering Foundations". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Adam Styborski & Jubilee Finnegan (October 25, 2024). "The Foundations of Magic's Next Era". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ a b c d e Gavin Verhey, Max McCall, Bryan Hawley (June 28, 2024). "The Preview Panel - MagicCon: Amsterdam (Video)". Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.
  8. ↑ Mark Rosewater (July 3, 2024). "It’s a new take on core sets. What if we didn’t have to constantly reinvent them?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (June 28, 2024). "... the set will be Standard legal through at least 2029.". Twitter.
  10. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 28, 2024). "So you are considering a 5 year standard?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  11. ↑ a b Jubilee Finnegan & Max McCall (October 25, 2024). "Collecting Foundations, the Four Most Important Things to Know". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ a b c d Eric Levine (November 1, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 28, 2024). "Nine-Lives Familiar uses "This Creature" instead of "Card Name" in the text.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  14. ↑ Jess Dunks & Eric Levine (November 14, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations Update Bulletin". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. ↑ a b Matt Tabak (October 25, 2024). "Magic: the Gathering Foundations Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 21, 2024). "Can we take the reprinting of Vivien and Liliana in Foundations as confirmation that they've kept their sparks?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  17. ↑ Magic: The Gathering (October 25, 2024). "Each color is represented by a Planeswalker and a Legendary Creature from Magic.". Twitter.
  18. ↑ a b c The Preview Panel—Magic: The Gathering Foundations (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (October 25, 2024).
  19. ↑ Magic: The Gathering (October 25, 2024). "MTGFoundations is meant to create the foundation (pun intended) for your Magic collection.". Twitter.
  20. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (June 28, 2024). "Foundations has the expected Play and Collector Boosters but we've now added The Beginner Box and Starter Kits...". Twitter.
  21. ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 23, 2024). "Are there commander pre-cons for foundations?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  22. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 14, 2024). "We know that Foundations will be Standard legal for 5 years, but how long will it stay in print?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  23. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 15, 2024). "I'm curious what a new version of Foundations would even entail?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  24. ↑ Barry White (March 8, 2025). "WotC Provides Update on Foundations Printing, Confirms No More Bundles or Collector Boosters". MagicUntapped.com.
  25. ↑ Clayton Kroh, Jubilee Finnegan (November 4, 2024). "MTG Arena Announcements – November 4, 2024". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  26. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (August 6, 2024). "Dates & Details for Magic: The Gathering Foundations". WPN.
  27. ↑ Jubilee Finnegan (November 1, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations Prerelease Guide". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  28. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (April 22, 2024). "Announcing Cowboy Bebop Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  29. ↑ a b c d WPN (October 28, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations Events & Promos Overview". Wizards Play Network.
  30. ↑ a b Magic: The Gathering (October 25, 2024). "Last, but not least, let's take a look at some #MTGFoundations promos!". Twitter.
  31. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (November 22, 2024). "Score an Exclusive Collectible Pin at WPN Stores During Black Friday". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  32. ↑ Clayton Kroh, Jubilee Finnegan (November 4, 2024). "MTG Arena Announcements – November 4, 2024". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  33. ↑ Clayton Kroh (October 28, 2024). "MTG Arena Announcements – October 28, 2024". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  34. ↑ Magic Online Team (November 06, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations on MTGO". MTGO.com.
  35. ↑ Jubilee Finnegan (November 1, 2024). "The Tokens of Magic: The Gathering Foundations". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  36. ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 21, 2024). "Maro’s Foundations Teaser". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  37. ↑ Mark Rosewater (November 4, 2024). "Starting with a Good Foundations, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  38. ↑ Jubilee Finnegan (November 1, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations Prerelease Guide". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
Magic: The Gathering releases
 
M15 frame sets
Welcome & Core sets
Expansions
 
Special sets
Special series
Supplemental sets
Non-English Reprint sets
Other Box sets
Un sets
Commemorative sets
Retrieved from "https://mtg.wiki/index.php?title=Magic:_The_Gathering_Foundations&oldid=469583"