Magic: The Gathering's next set, Reality Fracture, is set to conclude a three-year narrative arc and the 19-year saga of the iconic character Jace Beleren. Now operating as The Theorist, Jace aims to reshape reality into his own image by creating a parallel multiverse known as the Echoverse. The designers have integrated Jace's influence throughout the set, which will feature three newly revealed cards that highlight his conflict with other Planeswalkers attempting to protect the world.
One such card is the blue sorcery Cruel Calculations, illustrated by Francis Tneh with a new Sculptor's Stronghold frame that will appear on 25 cards in the set. This frame is intended to visually represent Jace's oversight of the Echoverse. The card is linked to the Theorix school at Hexhaven, the Echoverse's altered version of Strixhaven, serving as The Theorist's base of operations. Narrative lead Meris Mullaley explained that the art for Cruel Calculations depicts the dangers associated with the forbidden reality-bending mathematics and physics taught at Theorix, noting that while elite students can manipulate reality, many of their peers fail.
Cruel Calculations is designed to synergize with prepared spells like Omit Variables, found on cards such as the uncommon Paradox Shaper, which allows players to mill three cards for one black or blue mana. Principal game designer Yoni Skolnik described the card as an epic Theorix spell, with placeholder names including "Evil Math" and "Absolute Value." He stated that the design of Theorix cards is a tribute to players who enjoy the mathematical and malevolent aspects of the game. Beyond supporting Reality Fracture's self-mill strategy, Cruel Calculations is expected to be viable in constructed decks focused on milling opponents. Skolnik noted that its cost of 2U was considered aggressive but reasonable, requiring an additional card for activation, and that a two-card combo without immediate board impact is typically manageable for the metagame. During internal testing, Exhibition Tidecaller from Secrets of Strixhaven proved effective in enabling Cruel Calculations, though its creature-based nature suggested potential vulnerabilities.
The set introduces Empower Jace, a mechanic that builds upon the amass mechanic from War of the Spark. It allows players to add loyalty counters to an existing Jace token or create a blue Jace planeswalker token. This token can spend one loyalty to surveil 1 or three loyalty to draw a card. Head designer Mark Rosewater stated that Empower Jace originated in exploratory design and was present from the set's initial vision, receiving positive feedback throughout playtesting. Its importance in making Jace's presence felt in limited play led to its inclusion in all five colors, though it is most prominently featured in blue, Jace's native color, offering better rates. He also mentioned that the set will feature eight Planeswalkers in total, including Jace Beleren, both regular and Echoverse versions of Ajani, Chandra, and Garruk, plus one unrevealed character.
Polygon also exclusively revealed the red instant Violent Echoes, which deals six damage to a creature or planeswalker and grants loyalty tokens to Jace based on any excess damage dealt. Skolnik commented that Empower Jace introduces significant card advantage and selection, providing a consistent foundation for limited decks while enabling control strategies focused on protecting Jace and facilitating combos. He added that the ability for opponents to attack Jace and disrupt these plans creates a dynamic limited environment that reflects the set's narrative.
Additionally, a borderless version of the red sorcery Face Yourself was revealed. This card, a color-shifted take on the Khans of Tarkir sorcery Clone Legion, generates a token copy of each creature a player controls, granting them haste. These tokens are sacrificed at the end of the turn unless a planeswalker is controlled. Rosewater noted that this expansion of red's design space includes temporary stealing effects with durations longer than a single turn, contributing to a chaotic feel. Together, these new cards and mechanics emphasize Jace's central role in Reality Fracture, impacting its artwork, core mechanics, and even transforming familiar elements into strategic tools.