Magic: The Gathering is diving back into the Marvel universe for its third collaboration, "Darkhold Destiny." Unlike previous sets that focused on specific characters like Spider-Man, this new collection aims to weave Marvel's heroes and villains into Magic's own multiverse with an original narrative.
Set to launch in April 2027, "Darkhold Destiny" shifts away from a grounded New York setting to explore a more magical conflict. The story centers on Dormammu and Hela wielding the powerful Darkhold to invade realities, forcing characters such as Doctor Strange and Thor to unite against them. Wizards of the Coast has developed this narrative in-house, allowing for greater creative freedom in character design and storytelling.
This freedom is evident in the artistic direction, with characters like Scarlet Witch depicted in a style that blends her iconic look with Magic: The Gathering's aesthetic, making her feel more integrated into the game's multiverse than a simple crossover guest. The set will feature distinct "schools" of magic: Arcane, associated with Doctor Strange and his allies; Divine, wielded by Asgardian characters; and Dark magic, primarily used by villains but also by heroes like Ghost Rider.
The set will heavily emphasize spellcasting, with a focus on instants, sorceries, and unique enchantments. Notably, "Darkhold Destiny" will reintroduce the Arcane subtype for instants and sorceries, a mechanic not seen since the "Saviors of Kamigawa" set in 2005. However, the "Splice Onto Arcane" ability will not be returning.
"Darkhold Destiny" will offer a range of products typical of recent Magic: The Gathering releases, including Booster Packs and Collector Boosters. Additionally, four Commander decks will be available: Strange Academy (White/Blue/Black), Gods of Asgard (White/Red/Green), Midnight Sons (White/Black), and Lords of Hel (Black/Red). Each Commander deck will also have a foil-enhanced collector's edition. The release will also include two scene boxes, each featuring six mechanically unique cards, and both the standard and Gift Bundles will come with a mechanically unique promo card.
Wizards of the Coast will preview the original Marvel story through a comic produced with Image Comics in February, with a second comic set to release closer to the set's April 2027 debut.