In 2019, Magic released Modern Horizons: a set that redefined the Modern format. With brand-new card designs and carefully-curated reprints from pre-2003, Modern Horizons expanded Modern’s card pool and created new format archetypes and staples.
Now, a new direct-to-Modern set is on the horizon. Modern Horizons 2 is coming June 18, 2021, with the prerelease week happening June 11-17. Here’s all the info you need to know about the set.
Update 5/6/2021: Spoilers begin! Box art is out in the wild!
Spoilers
Black Lotus token anyone?
Plus, with Time Spiral Remastered leading the way, we were confident that the retro frame treatment would be a big hit. Thanks to Modern Horizons 2, you don’t have to wait long for even more of your favorites to return to the past.
In fact, the Buy-a-Box promotional card for Modern Horizons 2 not only adds to Modern’s repertoire but also features a retro frame treatment—this time, a new-to-Modern Legacy powerhouse originally from Conspiracy: Take the Crown: Sanctum Prelate.
Modern Horizons 2 continues the precedent from Modern Horizons of adding powerful existing cards to the Modern format. In fact, there’s one of 42 new-to-Modern reprints from Magic‘s past in each Draft Booster!
But there’s one common request we’ve heard since the beginning of the format. For those of you who have felt like you’re out on an island alone, casting out messages in bottles to someday reach us: we got them—and you’ll just need to get to your second Island first to enjoy it.
One of Magic‘s most iconic spells—all the way from its initial 1993 release in Limited Edition Alpha—is joining Modern this summer. “Two untapped Islands” is already a dangerous amount of mana for an opponent to have, and those of you wishing for the original way to say “no” will have it in Modern.
We even added a cooler borderless version that can appear in the same spot instead to show off in its format debut.
Modern Horizons 2 also continues the theme of adding entirely new—and sometimes entirely wild—cards to Magic and Modern. Take, for example, a card so far apart from the original Counterspell, it’s something that can only exist in the Magic we have today. Meet Urza’s Saga—the card.
It’s an enchantment. It’s a land. It’s a Saga. It helps you with artifacts. It combines the themes and flavors of the original Urza’s Saga release in a package that adds another card with a set “named after” it. Magic is always moving forward, evolving with new rules, mechanics, and cards—in new combinations of all those things.
Explaining how all these things came together may require sketching things out—which we have covered, too.
For Modern Horizons 2, we wanted to add a special frame treatment that speaks to what goes into making Magic come to life. Sketch cards feature a unique frame treatment and the artist’s sketch of the card artwork showing the whimsy and work-in-progress effort that goes on behind the scenes.
Plus, for select sketch frame cards, instead of flavor text, we’ve taken lines from the art description sent to artists when creating each card’s artwork. You’ll see what we mean when previews begin on May 24.
PURCHASE INCENTIVE
Starts June 18
Beginning June 18, or when sanctioned play returns to local stores near you, purchase $50 USD or greater of sealed Magic product to find this promo in your hands! Whether you’re picking up an online order curbside, shopping the latest releases in store, or sitting down to draft with friends after grabbing a Draft Booster box, you can receive your promotional copy of a foil retro frame Fabled Passage at participating WPN stores around the world.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM MH2?
Modern Horizons 2 will contain a mix of reprints and new cards designed specifically for Modern. However, while the 2019 set pulled all its reprints from sets that were not legal in Modern, Modern Horizons 2 will contain reprints of cards that are already Modern-legal. When they announced Modern Horizons 2 on their Zendikar Rising stream last fall, Wizards of the Coast confirmed that the five Zendikar fetchlands — Arid Mesa, Marsh Flats, Misty Rainforest, Scalding Tarn, and Verdant Catacombs — would be reprinted in the set.
MODERN HORIZONS 2 PRODUCTS
Speaking of booster boxes, the WPN has provided us some info on what products we can expect from MH2.
In addition to Draft Booster Boxes, Modern Horizons 2 will also feature Set Boosters and Collector Boosters. We’re excited to see what special treatment we’ll see on some of those Collector Booster cards!
- Preorder Collector boxes are $399.99
- Preorder Set boxes are $314.99
- Preorder bundles are $99.99
MODERN HORIZONS 2 PRERELEASE EVENTS
Modern Horizons 2 will also have its own Prerelease Week events. Prerelease packs will include six booster packs of Modern Horizons 2, as well as a promo card. You also have the option to purchase a kit that includes 2 extra packs, at a discount off the eventual individual pack price. This is a good deal, and many players will want to take advantage of this prerelease special pricing.
Modern Horizons 2 Prerelease events begin June 4th at 3:00 PM local time and will last through the set’s release on June 11th. Game stores will receive MH2 product to allow player to play at home, and Wizards will be hosting Prerelease events on SpellTable for players to attend remotely.
For more info on MH2 Prerelease, check out this article from the WPN.
