The Complete Guide to Magic: The Gathering Collaborations

The Complete Guide to Magic: The Gathering Collaborations

(Universes Beyond, Secret Lair & What’s Next)

Magic: The Gathering has always been about epic battles, incredible lore, and endless creativity. But in recent years, Wizards of the Coast has supercharged the game with crossovers into iconic universes. From The Lord of the Rings to Warhammer 40,000, and now Final Fantasy, Spider-Man, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the rumored Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, these collaborations—branded under Universes Beyond—are reshaping the game’s identity and reach.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• Major Magic collaborations to date
  
• Their impact on players and collectors
  
• Why Final Fantasy has already blown up
  
• What to expect from Spider-Man, Avatar, and TMNT
  
  

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What Are Magic: The Gathering Collaborations?

MTG collaborations come in two main types:

• Secret Lair Crossovers – Limited-time drops with unique art or mechanics (e.g., The Walking Dead, Street Fighter, Stranger Things).
• Universes Beyond Sets – Full-scale booster products themed around beloved outside franchises (e.g., LOTR, Warhammer, Final Fantasy, Spider-Man, Avatar).
  
  

These sets don’t just reskin cards—they integrate external IPs into MTG’s rules, gameplay, and worldbuilding.

A Look Back: The First MTG Collaborations

Secret Lair Beginnings

Starting with The Walking Dead (2020), then moving into Fortnite, Street Fighter, and Stranger Things, Secret Lair proved that crossovers draw massive attention from both players and collectors.

Universes Beyond Takes Off

• Universes Beyond delivered larger, fully playable products:Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks (2022) — huge success
• The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (2023) — record-breaking booster sales
• Doctor Who Commander Decks (2023)
  
• These set the stage for MTG’s biggest collaborations yet.

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Why Collaborations Matter

• Expanded Audience – Fans of partnered franchises get pulled into MTG.
• Creative Mechanics – Designers get to translate iconic abilities and storylines into real gameplay.
• Collector Demand – Crossovers create massive hype, especially for sealed product.

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Final Fantasy Has Already Exploded—And It’s Just the Beginning

Final Fantasy (Released June 13, 2025)
The Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set became one of the most talked-about Magic releases of the year.

Key highlights:

• First Universes Beyond set that is Standard-legal.
• Sold-out preorders at major retailers within days.
  
• Massive appeal across all Final Fantasy titles, featuring Cloud, Sephiroth, Terra, Y’shtola, Bahamut and more.
  
• Huge surge in new players and collectors who normally don’t buy MTG but couldn’t resist FF cards.
  
  

This set set a new bar for crossover success—showing that MTG can capture entire fandoms outside the TCG world.

Marvel’s Spider-Man (September 26, 2025)

The Marvel’s Spider-Man Universes Beyond set releases on September 26, 2025. While highly anticipated, the set has sparked discussion for reasons beyond raw power.

Community Perspective and Issues

1. Underpowered Cards

Contrary to some early speculation, the Spider-Man set is generally considered underpowered rather than overpowered.

• Most cards are unlikely to impact competitive formats like Standard, Modern, or Pioneer.
• The mechanics are mostly self-contained and do not integrate strongly with existing top-tier decks.
• A few cards, like Spider-Man himself or villains such as Doctor Octopus, Master Planner, may see play in casual Commander, but they are not game-breaking.
  
  

2. Limited Meta Impact

Because the set is designed around Marvel-themed mechanics, it is unlikely to warp the broader MTG meta. Players can enjoy the set for fun, flavorful decks without worrying it will dominate competitive formats.

3. Design & Reception

Much of the discussion around the set focuses on perceived rushed design and flavor inconsistencies, rather than the cards being too powerful. Some cards excel at capturing Marvel themes, while others feel underdeveloped or inconsistent.

4. Licensing Limitations

Like other Universes Beyond collaborations, Marvel’s Spider-Man may face:

• Limited print runs due to licensing agreements.
• Restricted reprint opportunities are making collector demand high and long-term availability uncertain.
  

Overall Takeaway:
The Spider-Man set is casual- and collector-focused, with limited competitive impact, design criticisms, and strong Marvel-themed appeal. It’s still one of the most talked-about Universes Beyond releases of 2025.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (November 21, 2025)

Releasing just weeks after Spider-Man, Avatar: The Last Airbender drops on November 21, 2025—and the hype is already enormous.

Why Avatar Is Pulling Attention

• Elemental bending maps perfectly to MTG’s color pie:
  
  Fire = Red
  Water = Blue
  Earth = Green
  Air = White
  
  Iconic characters like Aang, Katara, Zuko, Toph, Sokka, and Azula are expected to translate beautifully into gameplay.
• Community excitement is already rivaling Final Fantasy levels of buzz.
• The set is attracting non-MTG fans, drawing collectors and casual players alike.
  
  

Many believe Avatar could become the biggest Universes Beyond hit since Final Fantasy, combining nostalgia, competitive fun, and collector appeal.

Looking Ahead: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) Collaboration

Rumors are circulating about a possible Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universes Beyond set, and fans are already excited about what it could bring to Magic. TMNT has a strong nostalgic fanbase across comics, cartoons, and movies, making it a natural candidate for a crossover.

Why TMNT Could Be Huge

• Iconic characters – Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and villains like Shredder could translate into unique gameplay mechanics.
  
• Creative design potential – TMNT’s martial arts, teamwork, and pizza-fueled antics could inspire fun, thematic card abilities.
  
• Collector appeal – With a multigenerational fanbase, TMNT could attract both new players and longtime collectors, similar to the hype Final Fantasy generated.
  
  

Challenges to Consider

• Licensing limitations – Print runs may be restricted, and reprints could be limited, making the set potentially scarce.
• Integration with MTG – Designers will need to balance TMNT’s cartoonish, action-packed world with Magic’s rules and color pie.
• Competitive impact unknown – Depending on mechanics, TMNT could be casual-focused, collector-focused, or a combination of both.
  
  

Even though details are still speculative, TMNT is already generating buzz, and fans are eager to see if the turtles will swing into battle in full Universes Beyond style.

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The Future of Magic Crossovers

Final Fantasy proved that a Universes Beyond set can explode in popularity.
Spider-Man demonstrates that even underpowered or design-controversial sets can generate discussion and collector interest.
Avatar is poised to bring another wave of new fans, potentially matching or exceeding Final Fantasy in hype.
TMNT hints at the next generation of nostalgia-driven crossovers, ready to attract longtime fans and new collectors alike.

Licensing limitations will likely continue to shape availability, creating scarcity and collector value for future crossover sets.

One thing is certain: Magic: The Gathering has become the ultimate platform for crossovers, and Universes Beyond is here to stay.