Returning back to the Multiverse of Magic after a quick trip to Middle-Earth of the Universes Beyond, Commander Masters is a new compilation set coming after Universes Beyond: The Lord of the Rings: Tales from Middle-earth. Here is everything you need to know about this upcoming Magic the Gathering product.

Commander Masters Release Date: August 4, 2023

Commander Masters will be coming on August 4, 2023.

Like other Masters sets, Commander Masters cards are meant for the format that the set is named after: Commander (EDH). As such, the entire set is composed of important and staple Commander Cards, reprinted from previous sets, such as The Ur-Dragon, Jeweled Lotus, and Capture of Jingzhou. The set will also arrive with four new Commander Sets featuring ten new cards each, including new Commander cards to lead these decks.

Commander Masters as a set contains 436 regular cards: 130 commons, 135 uncommons, 135 rares, 35 mythic rares, and 1 special (Prismatic Piper). Draft packs will not have Basic Lands and will instead contain Prismatic Pipers in what will usually be taken up by the Basic Land slot.

Commander Masters will come in the following product  types:

Draft Booster Packs – 21-card packs: 1 Token, 3 Nonfoil Legendary Cards, plus the possibility of a Traditional Foil Legendary card of rarity Uncommon or higher, 2-4 Rare or higher cards, at least 1 Rare or Mythic Rare Legendary Card, 1 guaranteed Borderless card, and 1 guaranteed Traditional Foil card of any rarity. Playing Draft with Commander Masters also enacts the special Commander Draft rules: Players draw two cards at a time and then build a 60-card deck including one Commander that is a Legendary Creature whose color identity dictates deckbuilding. You may play as many copies of a card as you draft of it, and players may always use one or more Prismatic Pipers as a commander, even if they didn't draft one. Players can also use Commanders as if they had Partner.

Set Booster Packs – 17-card packs: 1 Art, 1 Land, 6 Themed Commons and Uncommons, 1 Showcase Common or Uncommon, 2 Cards of any Rarity, 1 Rare or Mythic Rare, 1 Foil of any rarity, 1 Token.

Collector Booster Packs – 15-card packs, containing exclusive Textured Foils and Foil Etched versions of cards. 1 Traditional Foil Double-Sided Token, 5 Cards Rare or Mythic Rare, 2-5 Uncommons, 4-7 Commons, 1 Land.

Commander Decks – Four new decks featuring brand-new Commander Cards, with each deck featuring ten new cards:

CMM Limited Archetypes

For both Sealed and Draft, players can build based on deck archetypes that emerge from the card mechanics found in the set's card effects.

  • WU Artifacts
  • UB Reanimator
  • BR Sacrifice/combo
  • RG Power matters
  • WG Counters/go wide
  • WB Sacrifice tokens
  • BR Spells
  • BG Tokens
  • WR Equipment
  • UG Ramp

CMM Cycles

Some cards fill an archetype that exists in one card for each color. Called cycles, these cards allow for flexibility in the limited environment, allowing players to bridge their colors and improve consistency in deck construction.

  • Free Spells – All originating from Commander 2020, these five rare instants can be cast as long as the player controls their Commander.
  • Undaunted Spells – All originating from Commander 2016, these spells get one colorless mana discount for each opponent.
  • Confluence Spells – All originating from Commander 2015, these spells have three selectable effects, and players choose three effects to use. Choosing the same mode multiple times is allowed.
  • Planeswalker Spells – All originating from Commander 2014, these planeswalker spells have the special ability that allows them to be used as Commanders.
  • Medallions – All originating from Tempest, these valuable rocks allow players to cast spells of a specific color with a 2-colored mana discount when they're on the field.
  • Temptation Spells – All originating from Commander 2013, these sorceries have a primary effect for the player casting it, with additional effects that can be triggered by other players that will benefit both the caster and the player.
  • Tricolored Commanders – Ten tri-colored Legendary Creatures that can be used as Commander.

CMM Previews and Spoilers

Promo Cards

The following cards are only obtainable by joining Magic events or by completing specific tasks.

Disrupt Decorum – Borderless Art for Launch Party

Special Card Treatments

  • Borderless Art cards appear in every booster pack.
  • Borderless Frame Brake Art cards may take up the Borderless Art card slot in a pack.
  • Some Legendary Creatures are printed with the new Borderless Profile treatment.
  • Collector Booster packs may contain Textured Foil and Foil Etched cards.
  • Retro Frame Basic Land cards may appear in Collector Booster Packs.

Commander Masters Important Dates

Of course, the road to the release of a new set is always just as exciting as the release itself, and that starts with the preview season. Here are all of the dates you need to watch out for heading to the Commander Masters release:

July 11 – Preview Season Begins

July 28-30 – Prerelease Weekend

August 4 – Release

August 4-6 – Launch Party

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