Wizards of the Coast is releasing a new set for Magic: The Gathering based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. This expansion follows the successful Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth set and introduces several new mechanics and familiar items. The set is set to prerelease from August 7–13, with a digital release on August 11 and a full tabletop release on August 14.
The set features multiple cards for iconic elements such as Sting and the One Ring, each with distinct mechanics reflecting their different narrative roles. For instance, there are now three distinct cards for Sting, the magic sword. The Lord of the Rings set included an artifact card named Sting, the Glinting Dagger, and an instant spell called Hobbit's Sting. The new Hobbit set adds Sting, Bilbo's Sword, which utilizes the 'hone' mechanic, allowing equipped creatures to gain +1/+0. This mechanic is primarily featured on dwarf cards, aligning with the prevalence of dwarves in The Hobbit.
Similarly, the One Ring is represented by multiple cards. The Lord of the Rings set featured Bilbo's Ring and The One Ring in its final form, alongside a spell, Slip on the Ring. The new Hobbit set introduces My Precious, depicting the Ring from Gollum's perspective. While each card is mechanically unique and draws from different aspects of Tolkien's story, the distinction between these cards and those from the previous set may not warrant a full separate release for some fans.
New Mechanics in The Hobbit Set
The Hobbit set introduces new gameplay mechanics tailored to its source material. The 'hone' mechanic, as seen on Sting, Bilbo's Sword, primarily benefits dwarf creatures. Dwarves also gain access to the 'storied' condition, which activates when a dwarf has three or more artifacts, legendary permanents, or Sagas. The consequences of being storied vary depending on the dwarf, with Dáin, Lord of the Iron Hills, for example, imposing a mana cost on opponents for each creature they wish to attack with if the player meets the storied condition.
Humans from Laketown are represented with the 'recruit' mechanic, allowing players to draw a card and then discard one. If a nonland card is discarded this way, it creates a 1/1 human soldier token. The 'amass' mechanic, previously used for orc armies in The Lord of the Rings set, returns to create goblin armies, fitting for The Hobbit's depiction of its monstrous hordes.
The set also incorporates new adventure cards and Saga cards that are based on songs from The Hobbit, adding a whimsical element. This tonal shift is reminiscent of the planned Bloomburrow set, featuring elements like dancing bears and trolls turning to stone. Despite its charm, the set is a smaller release compared to the expansive Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, a scale that felt more appropriate for the breadth of The Lord of the Rings narrative.