After a month of slow teasers and hints, the Kaldheim reveal stream is finally here. Although some cards, themes, characters, and mechanics had already been hinted at in spoilers, the reveal stream really pulls the curtain back and offers a closer look at what the next Standard legal Magic: The Gathering set is going to be all about.
Kaldheim is a Norse-inspired set that has a heavy viking influence and a very metal aesthetic. Players who want to learn as much about the set as possible before the pre-release events arrive, so they are poised to have an advantage, will be happy to learn that all of the new and returning mechanics for the next Magic: The Gathering set have now been revealed.
As always, this Magic expansion set is going to feature a mix of new and old returning mechanics in addition to the usual evergreen mechanics that appear in every set. As spoilers already revealed fan favorites like Saga and the recently introduced modal double-faced cards will be used in the set in addition to the new Foretell and Boast mechanics (and a few others!).
Competitive players should keep in mind that this article features a brief introduction to each mechanics, but not the full tournament rules. Be sure to double check those before heading off to any serious competitive tournaments where these mechanics will be used next month...
Foretell
"Any time during your turn, you can pay {2} and exile a card with foretell face down. Then, on a future turn, you can cast that card from exile by paying the foretell cost (the mana cost listed as part of the foretell keyword) rather than paying its mana cost. Pretty simple—set up the future, then watch it come to pass.
There are some important things to remember about casting the spell from exile. First, you can't cast it on the same turn you exile it. However, foretelling is optional, so you can always just cast the spell as normal if you're looking for a more immediate impact. Second, casting the spell from exile uses all the same timing rules the spell normally has. If you foretell an instant like Behold the Multiverse, you can cast it as soon as the next turn. If you foretell a creature like Augury Raven, you'll usually have to wait until your next turn to cast it."
Foretell immediately feels like a fan-favorite mechanic that is going to drive opponents crazy as they attempt to predict what might be awaiting them in exile. The threat of a mystery spell coming during a late turn keeps the pressure on opponents and it also helps protect players against hand disruption if that ends up being a strategy in this set.
Boast
"Boast abilities can be activated during combat or even after combat—any time in the turn after the creature was declared as an attacker. Unfortunately, this means a creature entering the battlefield attacking won't allow it to boast . . . but if it is worthy enough, it will survive to attack in a future combat, and then you can sing of its deeds!"
Boast abilities are activated abilities that can only be activated if the creature attacked this turn and can only be activated once per turn. That's a lot of requirements, which means that there are going to be times that these abilities sit on the table unused because of a board state that does not favor attacks. That said, when they are able to fire off, some of these Boast abilities do seem like they'll be pretty powerful.
Modal Double-Faced Cards
"The rules for modal double-faced cards haven't changed. If you're casting one, you choose which face you're casting. The same is true for playing a land face of a modal double-faced card. If you're putting one onto the battlefield without playing or casting it, you get the front face. Speaking of land faces, Kaldheim completes the popular "dual land" cycle started in Zendikar Rising."
MDFCs are back and players familiar with Zendikar Rising know exactly what to expect here. The versatility of these cards ends up being very powerful. Any time a player is able to decide how to use a card based on where they are in a given turn is a major advantage, so MDFCs end up being quite powerful in a lot of situations.
Snow
Snow is a returning supertype that's found on all sorts of cards. Snow doesn't really do anything by itself, but it can be referred to by other cards in various ways.
{S} is the snow mana symbol. A cost of {S} can be paid by any one mana from a snow source. Some of the most popular snow sources are the returning "Snow-Covered" basic lands.
Although it has been rarely used, Snow is a mechanic that has been arrived since the very early days of Magic: The Gathering (anyone else who was playing in the mid-90s will likely remember that). It's very interesting to see Snow and Snow-Covered Lands make a comeback in Kaldheim and players are going to need to see the full spoiler list before it's possible to really guage the power level of Snow or how relevant it will be to the Limited and Constructed metagame in the coming months.
Saga
"Sagas are enchantments that have multiple chapters, telling you how the story is going to play out. They enter the battlefield with a lore counter, which causes the first chapter's ability to trigger. At the beginning of your first main phase, add a lore counter and trigger the next chapter. After the story is complete (meaning the last ability resolves or otherwise leaves the stack), sacrifice the Saga"
Saga is yet another returning mechanic that many players are likely already familiar with. These enchantments can be very powerful and act as a great distraction or secondary threat to keep the pressure on opponents as a clock ticks against them. The last time Sagas appeared in a Standard set they become a key staple of Constructed decks, so don't be surprised if some of the more powerful ones end up gaining a bit of value as the format shifts to make room for Kaldheim strategies.
Changeling
"Kaldheim is home to Elves and Dwarves, Humans and Giants, and more than a few beings who are all the above. Changeling is a returning keyword ability that gives a creature or creature card all creature types, no matter where it is."
In the coming days, we should learn a ton more about Kaldheim spoilers, mechanics, and more. Start studying early so that you'll be prepared for a new standard era and the upcoming draft format.
Magic: The Gathering - Kaldheim releases February 2, 2021. Other Magic: The Gathering sets are available now at game shops or digitally in Magic Arena.