Magic: The Gathering players are currently busy mastering the Limited and Constructed formats at Strixhaven, but the next Standard legal set's spoiler season is just around the corner. As part of Dungeons and Dragons kick off to the Summer of Drizzt, DnD and Magic just teamed up to reveal the first handful of cards from the summer crossover set.
Adventures in the Forgotten Realms won't arrive until July, but spoiler season is right around the corner. As many Magic: The Gathering fans expected, it seems like the heroes and villains of the Icewind Dale novels are going to be some key players in this set. Between the upcoming video game, DnD's Rime of the Frostmaiden, and now this Magic set; Drizzt and the Icewind Dale region are definitely making a major comeback this year.
The first handful of cards confirm Drizzt (no big surprise there), along with one of his near constant party companions and an iconic villain from Dungeons and Dragons history. One of the cards is also a planeswalker, but that doesn't mean that she truly has a planeswalker spark as far as MtG lore and canon are concerned.
Drizzt Do'Urden
As far as five drop creatures go, Drizzt seems like a bit of a powerhouse. A 3/3 Double Striker is no joke, but entering the battlefield alongside a 4/1 token with Trample really takes things to the next level. And that is all before any value from the "when a creature dies" part even comes into consideration...
Bruenor Battlehammer
Bruenor definitely seems at home in the Red/White archetype and has some pretty solid stats for a four drop. The real power level of this card will largely depend on what sort of Equipment cards are available in the set. Oftentimes Equipment strategies don't work out so well in Limited formats, but never say never until a full set spoiler has been revealed.
Lolth, Spider Queen (planeswalker)
Lolth definitely seems powerful enough to warrant an iconic planeswalker card and her abilities are very flavorful considering her role in DnD history. In terms of raw power, she's may seem like a build around, but don't overlook the power of that 0 ability. Draw a card and losing 1 life is always a powerful ability and the option to spit out some 2/1 Spiders to protect her is very nice, as well. Adding loyalty back will obviously be the challenge and could depend on what sort of sacrifice outlets are available to Black in the format.
Be sure to check back for additional spoilers, updates, and guides as the release of Adventures in the Forgotten Realms approaches later this summer.
Magic: The Gathering Adventures in the Forgotten Realms releases on July 23, 2021.