Universes Beyond: Magic Meets Other Worlds

Universes Beyond is a series that merges the gameplay of Magic: The Gathering with the universes, characters, and narratives of other intellectual properties (IPs). This concept, reminiscent of the original Deckmaster idea, introduces a unique twist to the traditional Magic experience.

Branding and Card Design

The Universes Beyond series distinguishes itself through specific branding and a unique card design. The card frame is distinct, and each card features a triangular holofoil stamp. This stamp indicates that the cards are non-canon within the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. This holofoil stamp first appeared on cards from the Secret Lair Drop Series: The Walking Dead, which was subsequently included in the Universes Beyond series.

Announcement and Legality

Chris Cocks announced the Universes Beyond series in February 2021 during the Hasbro 2021 Investor Event. Initially, Mark Rosewater stated that these cards would not be legal in Standard format but would be permitted in eternal formats. However, in October 2024, a significant change was announced: starting with the Final Fantasy release in June 2025, Universes Beyond tentpole sets would be legal in all formats, including Standard.

The decision to make Universes Beyond sets Standard-legal was driven by a desire to simplify set legality and allow designers to create sets with Standard in mind. This consideration arose from the impact that direct-to-Modern Universes Beyond sets, such as The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth, had on eternal formats. It's important to note that this change did not affect the legality of Universes Beyond sets released before this decision.

Product Range and Associated Products

Universes Beyond products were initially available only through Secret Lair products. Now, they are sold across the entire range of Magic products. Wizards of the Coast occasionally releases associated Secret Lair products related to the main release, such as the Secret Lair Godzilla lands that accompanied the Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths set.

Read also: Best Universes Beyond Precons

In-Multiverse Versions and Reprints

Wizards of the Coast has the option to create in-multiverse versions of Universes Beyond cards. This might involve replacing property-specific terms with Magic terminology. According to Mark Rosewater, creating a Magic version for every new Universes Beyond card is not feasible, but R&D can create Magic versions of any Universes Beyond card if necessary.

Conversely, Universes Beyond sets may feature straight reprints from original Magic sets, using the same card name (but with new art) or mechanically identical cards with a new name. The decision depends on how well the name fits the IP. If an original card contains in-property words, R&D can print an in-universe version with substituted words and new art.

Any Universes Beyond mechanics are eligible for use in other sets. While Commander sets and large Universes Beyond draft sets are unlikely to receive 1:1 in-multiverse (Universes Within) versions, R&D reserves the right to create them for individual cards if the need arises.

Creature Types and Availability

If a Universes Beyond card with an IP-specific creature type (e.g., Astartes) were to be rebranded, it would receive a brand new creature type in the Magic version. The in-Magic versions can be made available on The List, found in Set Boosters as long as players are interested in opening them.

Players can only play four copies (or one copy) of either the Magic version or the Universes Beyond version in their deck, considering the non-canon cards and the canon cards' equivalent game pieces.

In February 2024, Set Boosters were replaced with Play Boosters. Mark Rosewater reaffirmed that Wizards of the Coast planned to ensure that mechanically unique Secret Lair cards, in some form, would find a home in randomized booster products. In November of that year, Rosewater explained that since The List and Set Boosters had been phased out, Wizards faced a conundrum: while they still wanted to create non-Secret Lair versions of mechanically unique cards, they could no longer guarantee that these would always be different from what the Secret Lair had offered.

Distribution Through Premier Sets

In 2022, some Universes Beyond cards were distributed through a premier set for the first time, advertising another Hasbro brand. Transformers cards could be found in The Brothers' War Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, and Bundles.

Set Types and Planeswalkers

Some IPs have enough content for a fully draftable set, such as The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth and Final Fantasy. Beyond Boosters were introduced for Assassin's Creed as a variant on Epilogue Boosters; these mini-boosters are not draftable.

Wizards of the Coast originally stated that Planeswalker cards in Universe Beyond sets would not represent actual planeswalkers, as that concept does not exist in most properties.

Featured IPs

The Universes Beyond series has featured a variety of IPs, including:

Transformers: Optimus Prime vs. New cards were inserted in The Brothers' War.
Jurassic World: Dr. Alan Grant. Mechanically unique booster inserts in The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. Skinned cards themed around Dinosaurs. Skinned cards themed around Dr.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Five mechanically unique cards across five Secret Lair drops.

Early Hasbro-owned cross-over products were the 2017 HASCON promos and 2019 Ponies: The Galloping. Crossovers that have the skin treatment can be part of Universes Beyond, but some are not.

Universes Beyond: Fallout - A Case Study

The Universes Beyond line has successfully adapted video games into Magic sets. Universes Beyond: Fallout offers players four specialty Commander Decks and special booster packs containing additional cards. This set introduces brand new mechanics, beloved characters, and redesigned popular Magic cards with a Fallout twist.

New Mechanics: Rad Counters and Junk Tokens

Universes Beyond: Fallout introduces two new mechanics: Rad counters and Junk Tokens. The radiation system, utilizing Rad counters, behaves differently from any existing token in Magic. Instead of being placed on other cards, Rad counters are placed on the players themselves. Each counter causes the player to put a card from their deck into the graveyard. Depending on the card removed, the player may take damage and remove a counter, or the counter may remain. This mechanic thematically represents radiation sickness or the use of Rad-Away.

The Junk Token mechanic maintains the Fallout vibe, providing a way to play a card from the top of the deck. While effective, some players may be hesitant to exile cards from their deck. The inclusion of Junk Tokens is thematically appropriate, reflecting the abundance of junk found in the Fallout games.

Commander Decks and Booster Packs

The commander decks, such as Scrappy Survivors and Mutant Menace, are fun to play straight out of the box. The set includes recognizable characters from the games, allowing players to reminisce about their memories with the games.

Special booster packs contain cards exclusively available in the packs. These packs include fun cards like “James, Wandering Dad,” and feature special “Pip-Boy” alternate art on cards. However, the cost of these packs is a significant issue. A box containing 12 packs of 15 cards is expensive, making each pack costly. The availability of foils and alternates is appealing, but the high price point may deter casual players.

Resources for New Players

For Fallout fans new to Magic, there are several resources available to learn the game, including the Tollarian Community College, the Command Zone, and the official MTG YouTube channels. Magic: The Gathering Arena, a free digital version of the card game, also offers a tutorial. However, the Fallout cards are not available to play on Magic: The Gathering Arena.

Overall Reception

Despite pricing concerns, Universes Beyond: Fallout has been well-received. The team at Wizards has successfully translated the look and feel of the games, and the new mechanics enhance the experience.

Deciding Which Properties to Adapt

The decision to adapt a property into a Universes Beyond product involves several considerations.

Business Sense

First, Wizards of the Coast assesses the business potential. This requires a combination of existing Magic players and prospective new players who are fans of the property, interested in new games, and willing to learn and play Magic through their love of the property. The primary question is whether there is a large enough potential audience for the product.

Card Type Fit

The property must have elements that fit all the card types. There need to be characters, creatures, objects, locations, and events that will make for compelling cards. The property should also align with the major actions in a Magic game, such as attacking, blocking, protecting, injuring creatures, disabling creatures, killing creatures, strengthening creatures, drawing cards, and healing.

Mana Values and Colors

The property needs to have elements to fill out the set at all different mana values and sizes. There should be small, medium, and large things. Additionally, the property should have aspects that fit all five colors, as Magic environments are designed to be color balanced. The Doctor Who example is all about outthinking his foes, using technology, traveling through space and time, all things that lean toward blue. In contrast, there are fewer things inherently green.

Gameplay

The property must have aspects that Magic requires to function as a game, such as evasion. If the property has the elements that would lead to making a good Magic game.

The amount of content available in the property also influences the type of product that can be made. Properties with only a few characters may be more suited for a Secret Lair, while fully fleshed-out environments may be better suited for a large draftable set.

Partnership with Licensor

A strong partnership with the licensor is essential for creating a good Universes Beyond product. Wizards of the Coast provides expertise on Magic, while the licensor provides expertise on the property. A good partnership results in a product that fans of Magic, fans of the property, and fans of both will enjoy.

Product Forms and Design Process

A Universes Beyond product can take many forms, including a Secret Lair drop with a small number of cards, overlays where cards appear in two forms (as part of the property and as part of Magic), mixing with a premier set, Commander decks, a small set, or a large draftable set. The architect for the product works with the R&D team to determine which product best enhances the strengths of the property.

Subject-Matter Experts and Design Teams

The design process involves subject-matter experts (SMEs) who are knowledgeable about the property. Ideally, the lead designers for the vision design and set design are experts on the property. The design team also collaborates with the licensor to ensure that the product captures the essence of the property.

Capturing the Essence of the Property

A key element of designing a Universes Beyond product is capturing what people love about the property. This varies from property to property but is crucial for a successful design.

Color Balance and Card Design

Color balance is a challenging aspect of Universes Beyond design. Normal Magic products aim for equal representation of each color. The design team must also consider how to represent characters and their relationships within the constraints of the card design.

Breaking Magic Rules

In some cases, the design team may need to deviate from normal Magic rules to accurately represent the property. One example is the card Weeping Angel, which has wings but cannot fly, contradicting the Magic rule that creatures with wings have flying.

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