Reignite the spark!
Tarkir Dragonstorm is a return to form for Magic The Gathering’s worldbuilding that raises the stakes to exciting new heights with a treasure hoard of powerful spells and a new multiversal threat, marking the culmination of a decade-long wait.
But what sets Dragonstorm apart from previous Tarkir expansions? How does it stand in the pantheon of past Magic sets, and will it be friendly for newer players?
Read our full Magic the Gathering Tarkir Dragonstorm review below to learn more.
Magic the Gathering Tarkir Dragonstorm review
Tarkir Dragonstorm takes us back to the plane of Tarkir, where five clans struggle in a fight against wild draconic incursions after Ugin – an ancient and powerful spirit dragon of balance – left the plane.
Left to their own devices, Tarkir’s clans struggle against the scaly incursions that threaten to take over the plane by approaching the crisis in ways that reflect their faction’s identities.
The effort is led by two popular figures: the Jeskai leader Narset who focuses on protecting Tarkir’s peoples, and Elspeth, a planeswalker that seeks a solution to the dragonstorm’s multiversal spread.
Meanwhile, the ambitious Sarkhan Vol moves behind the scenes to harness the storm and regain his draconic powers in an effort to put dragonlords back in power.
Overall, Tarkir Dragonstorm’s story puts Magic fans back in familiar territory, and the cards shape its narrative nicely. But what’s more impressive was the sheer amount of hype it generated in the midst of Magic’s big Final Fantasy crossover. Here’s everything you can expect when you buy the set.
Chromatic conclaves
Tarkir Dragonstorm’s majestic menagerie of dragons are all up for grabs in each pack you open, but even if you miss out on some of them, the sheer versatility of dragonstorm’s new spells means you’ll find more than a few exciting additions to your favorite decks – especially when you’re building around kindred effects.
Standouts like the dragonstorm enchantments fit each color’s theme, while the new Harmonize keyword provides great recursion. Mistrise Village makes blue decks even more untouchable. Ugin, Eye of the Storms, is an absolute must-have for any colorless deck, and Dracogenesis lets you cast your dragon creature spells for free!
Mox Jasper is undeniably the best card of the set. This zero-mana Artifact taps for any color as long as you control a dragon, helping you get your scaly commanders out faster.
Speaking of commander, the latest Tarkir expansion features a whopping five precons (one for each clan), with each representing a three-color “Wedge” archetype that leans hard towards color mechanics.
I got to try out Narset’s “Jeskai Striker” precon, and I swear on my life as a Codie player, this deck comes with everything you need in a standard spellslinger deck alongside some pretty decent reprint value.
Striker also gives you the option to completely change directions with its badass monk “lieutenant” Elsha, Threefold Master, replacing copied spells with a swarm of monk tokens that get stronger with each non-creature spell you cast.
But if you’re looking for versatility, high synergy, and a consistent gameplan, look no further than Dragonstorm’s Sultai Arisen precon, which values recursion while giving you the best reprints of the set (e.g. Avenger of Zendikar, Conduit of Worlds, Ob Nixilis, the Fallen).
Tarkir Dragonstorm pits its monstrous intruders against powerful archetypes, shooting its general power ranking sky-high. But while the expansion delivers on powerful color combos, it subtly shifts the spotlight away from the storytelling depth that once defined Tarkir.
Mechanics dominate the story
Tarkir Dragonstorm forges its own path with well-designed additions that put stopping power and strategic depth front and center. But many may feel that power creep and the seemingly unexplained shift from clan themes also deprived fans of the plane’s rich lore, which feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.
Nostalgia matters, and a few pieces here and there that referenced past Tarkir plot points like the defeat of the old Dragonlords could have made for some notable chase cards. The cultural center of each clan also felt overshadowed by their respective wedge mechanics.
Furthermore, three-color decks may not be the best entry point for newcomers as their fiery complexity appeals more to experienced players. Effects like copying spells that only target permanents and players, exiling cards from the graveyard, and more, take a long time to get used to.
That said, the lack of callbacks and beginner-friendly play are minor flaws compared to Tarkir Dragonstorm’s contributions to the game.
Stormchasing strategies that reward high-level play
You know you’ve got a good set on your hands when it’s harder to think of its downsides. It’s been a while since Wizards of the Coast released such an all-around installment to a long-running set; even rarer to see my most skeptical pod-mates shower a modern lineup with so much praise.
Although it doesn’t innovate as bravely as the expansion that preceded it, Dragonstorm’s awesome arsenal alone makes it worth the buy, and might be your sign to finally build that dragon deck you’ve been putting off for months.
READ MORE: Tarkir Dragonstorm mechanics explained — all you need to know about MTG’s newest expansion
