Magic: The Gathering's latest set, Foundations, has now been out for nearly a month, and it’s clear that Wizards of the Coast has put a lot of effort into crafting a set that appeals to both new players and veteran Magic enthusiasts alike. With this set, they’ve sought to offer cards that not only help shape the current metagame—especially Standard—but also offer reprints of key cards from across Magic's history, each with varying levels of complexity. These reprints, along with a selection of new and popular cards, are designed to define the metagame for the next five years, until Foundations rotates out of Standard.
Before diving into my personal thoughts on the set, it’s worth exploring whether Foundations has succeeded in delivering what is, in essence, a new core set—especially for those who remember the annual core sets of years past. The set’s approach has been to give players a toolkit of cards that enhance popular archetypes, ensuring that both new and established strategies are represented. For example, Foundations offers significant support for tribal strategies, particularly elves, while also reinforcing Blue-Red spell-slinging decks, a tried-and-true archetype. Of course, as is often the case, Mono-Red Aggro is poised to dominate competitive play once again, with cards like Boltwave and reprints of Burst Lightning signalling that aggressive strategies will remain a powerful force.
The card choices for Foundations were clearly selected with careful consideration to how they would impact the metagame, and you can see that reflected across multiple formats. In Limited, the set offers straightforward yet interesting archetypes for each colour pair, allowing for a variety of engaging strategies while remaining accessible to newer players. Meanwhile, in Constructed formats, Foundations introduces a slew of exciting new Commanders, making this set a particularly exciting addition for Commander players, a format known for its social dynamics and fun, interactive gameplay. For those who enjoy the communal aspect of Magic, Foundations looks set to offer plenty of new ways to experience the game in local game stores and casual settings.
Looking ahead, I expect that many of the cards introduced in Foundations will have a significant impact on the metagame during its five-year rotation in Standard, with some cards rising and falling in prominence as the competitive scene evolves. While some cards are already making waves, others may not reveal their full potential until newer sets are released in the coming years, making them hidden gems that could become more powerful over time as additional support is introduced.
That said, while I don’t claim to know exactly how the metagame will evolve or how Foundations will ultimately be regarded in the long term, I do feel strongly that it was carefully designed to complement a wide range of formats, from Standard to Commander to even Modern and beyond. There’s no question that this set will leave a lasting impact on the game, and if you haven’t already, I highly recommend getting your hands on some of these cards sooner rather than later, as they’ll be integral to the Magic landscape in the years to come.
In conclusion, Foundations is shaping up to be a foundational set (pun intended) for Magic, offering a perfect balance of reprints, new cards, and exciting archetypes that will undoubtedly leave a mark on the game for years to come. Whether you're a competitive player, a Commander enthusiast, or a new player looking to dive into Magic, this set is one you won’t want to miss.