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Magic: The Gathering Foundations
 
 
 
 
 
 

Magic: The Gathering Foundations
Foundations
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description A five-point star-shaped portal
Design Bryan Hawley (lead), Carmen Klomparens, Matt Tabak, Daniel Xu, Jeremy Geist, Annie Sardelis, Doug Beyer
Release date November 15, 2024
Plane Multiversal
Set size 291 + 433
Expansion code FDN[1]
Standard
Duskmourn: House of Horror Magic: The Gathering Foundations Aetherdrift
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
Marvel Superdrop Magic: The Gathering Foundations Magic: The Gathering Foundations
Beginner Box
FDN expansion symbol

The set's expansion symbol.

Magic: The Gathering Foundations, or Foundations, is an entry-level Magic set designed to provide a common base for new and experienced players. It is a Standard-legal draftable set with additional fixed products, and will be released on November 15, 2024.[2][3][4][5][6]

Set details[ | ]

FDN key art

key art

“  Share Your Spark  ”

Foundations is a new type of set designed to carry through multiple Standard rotations. It contains mechanically unique card designs as well as "less-complex, clean and elegant" reprints, functioning similarly to an "evergreen Core set".[7][8] Unlike other Standard-legal sets, cards in Foundations will remain legal in Standard until 2029, at least.[9][5] Foundations is intended to be reprinted and released annually over that period.[10]

The set is approximately 50% reprints and 50% new cards (133/148), which are designed to be similarly straightforward. They are aimed to have resonance, flavor, and top-down designs to create maximum understandability for new players. Conceptually, the set is designed to represent "what Magic: The Gathering is" fundamentally and includes key cards from the game's past that are both functionally useful to many decks and archetypes while also being iconic to the game's history and mythos.[7] A big part of the set is a curated play experience designed for newcomers to the game (i.e. the Beginner Box and the Starter Collection), which is the most robust "learn to play" product yet.[4] While the set also contains staple cards targeted at more advanced players, these can only be found in the booster packs.[7] In this way, the products are split into different target audiences.

Foundations contains 291 regular cards (80 commons, 101 uncommons, 60 rares, 20 mythic rares, 20 basic lands, 10 dual lands), and includes randomly inserted traditional foil versions of all cards. The regular cards include 10 full-art "face character" basic lands (#282-291). The new cards are #1-133, and the reprints are #134-281. Alternate card frames have a different number than the original version.[11] Borderless cards are #292-361. Mana Foils are #362-421. Japan Showcase are #422-431 and #432-441 in fracture foil. Extended art cards are #442-489. The Beginner Box reprints are #490-565 and the Starter Collection reprints are #565-727. The promos are #728-734.

Changes[ | ]

Starting with Foundations, the Nyx-frame will also be used for all non-creature enchantments as the default frame type to parallel the artifact frame.[7] In card formatting, Wizards of the Coast is moving from “CARDNAME” to “this <card type>” by default when the card is referring to itself (e.g. "when this creature enters").[12]

With the set's release, a functional rules change is made to the combat phase; specifically, the rules pertaining to assignment of combat damage. When multiple creatures block or are blocked by a single creature, the single creature's controller no longer chooses a "damage assignment order" during the declare blockers step. Instead, the single creature's controller assigns its combat damage however they like among the multiple creatures during the combat damage step.[13]

Storyline[ | ]

The set features characters and locations from many different planes and at different points in time.[14] Each color is represented by a planeswalker and a legendary creature as the "main characters" of the set. They also show up in promotional material, appear in sets released shortly after Magic: The Gathering Foundations' initial release, and are featured in the two cycles of full-art basic lands (see Trivia).[15][16]

Color Planeswalker Legendary creature
{W} Ajani Goldmane Giada
{U} Kaito Shizuki Zimone Wola
{B} Liliana Vess Tinybones
{R} Chandra Nalaar Kellan
{G} Vivien Reid Loot

Marketing[ | ]

FND Play Booster
FND Collector Booster

Foundations is marketed as the backbone for Magic's years to come as the quintessential Magic set.[17]

Foundations is available in Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, a Beginner Box, a Starter Collection and the Foundations Bundle.[18][4][7] Booster Fun includes extended art and borderless art. The set doesn't feature Commander decks.[19]

Play Boosters may contain FDN #1–361. Collector Boosters may contain FDN #1–271, 282–487. Fracture Foil Japan Showcase cards may appear in <1% of Collector Boosters.

On the same day as the main set, the Foundations Jumpstart set is released.

Special Guests[ | ]

Foundations features 10 Special Guests (SPG #74-83). These may be found in Play Boosters and may be played in Limited games. You'll find a non-foil Special Guests card in 1 out of 64 Play Boosters (1,5 %). Traditional foil Special Guests cards can be found in Collector Boosters. The Special Guests for this set showcase some previous plane-specific treatments.

Events[ | ]

Promos[ | ]

Tokens and emblems[ | ]

The main set of Foundations has 31 tokens and two emblems.[24]

  1. {W} 1/1 Cat creature for Arahbo, the First Fang; Cat Collector and Prideful Parent.
  2. {W} 1/1 Cat creature with lifelink for Regal Caracal.
  3. {W} 2/2 Cat creature for Ajani, Caller of the Pride.
  4. {W} 2/2 Cat Beast creature for Felidar Retreat.
  5. {W} 1/1 Dog creature for Release the Dogs.
  6. {W} 1/1 Human creature for Stroke of Midnight.
  7. {W} 3/3 Knight creature for Guarded Heir.
  8. {W} 1/1 Rabbit creature for Hare Apparent.
  9. {W} 1/1 Soldier creature for Heroic Reinforcements and Resolute Reinforcements.
  10. {W} 1/1 Spirit creature with flying for Kykar, Zephyr Awakener.
  11. {U} 2/2 Drake creature with flying for Drake Hatcher.
  12. {U} 1/1 Faerie creature with flying for Faebloom Trick and Mischievous Mystic.
  13. {U} 1/1 Fish creature for Fishing Rod.
  14. {U} Koma’s Coil, a 3/3 Serpent creature for Koma, World-Eater.
  15. {U} 2/1 Ninja creature for Kaito, Cunning Infiltrator.
  16. {U} Scion of the Deep, a 8/8 legendary Octopus creature for Kiora, the Rising Tide.
  17. {B} 1/1 Rat creature for Revenge of the Rats.
  18. {B} 1/1 Rat creature with “This creature can’t block.” for Redcap Gutter-Dweller.
  19. {B} 2/2 Zombie creature for Dread Summons; Liliana, Dreadhorde General; Maalfeld Twins and Suspicious Shambler.
  20. {R} 4/4 Dragon creature with flying for Dragon Trainer.
  21. {R} 5/5 Dragon creature with flying for Dragonmaster Outcast; Lathliss, Dragon Queen and Rite of the Dragoncaller.
  22. {R} 1/1 Goblin creature for Dragon Fodder; Goblin Negotiation; Goblin Surprise; Krenko, Mob Boss and Searslicer Goblin.
  23. {R} 1/1 Phyrexian Goblin creature for Ovika, Enigma Goliath.
  24. {G} 3/3 Beast creature, for Primeval Bounty.
  25. {G} 4/4 Beast creature, for Rampaging Baloths.
  26. {G} 1/1 Elf Warrior creature, for Dwynen's Elite; Elfsworn Giant; Imperious Perfect and Lathril, Blade of the Elves.
  27. {G} 3/3 Raccoon creature for Sylvan Scavenging.
  28. {B/G} 1/1 Insect creature with flying for Infestation Sage.
  29. {C} Food artifact for Bake into a Pie; Cat Collector; Eager Trufflesnout and Midnight Snack.
  30. {C} Treasure artifact for An Offer You Can't Refuse; Brass's Bounty; Corsair Captain; Fake Your Own Death; Gleaming Barrier; Goldvein Pick; Involuntary Employment; Rapacious Dragon and Seize the Spoils.
  31. {C} Copy for Abyssal Harvester; Chandra, Flameshaper; Electroduplicate; Extravagant Replication; Homunculus Horde; Rite of Replication and Self-Reflection.
  32. Emblem for Kaito, Cunning Infiltrator.
  33. Emblem for Vivien Reid.

Themes and mechanics[ | ]

There are no new mechanics in Foundations. As an introductory product, more deciduous mechanics were utilized in this set than any previous (non-Time Spiral block) premier set.[25] Returning deciduous mechanics featured in the set include flashback, kicker, landfall, morbid, prowess, raid, and threshold.[13][26]

The most ubiquitous predefined tokens Food and Treasure also make a return.

Counters[ | ]

Foundations introduces Bait counters, Fellowship counters and Revival counters.

Limited archetypes[ | ]

FDN Draft Archetypes EN

The details of the limited archetypes for Magic: The Gathering Foundations.

Magic: The Gathering Foundations features the following limited archetypes.[27] These are the most quintessential, recognizable themes of each respective color pair. This was designed to introduce novices to each color pair's usual strategies and to prime them for orthodox draft archetypes in future sets.

Cycles[ | ]

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
"Main Character" Planeswalkers Ajani, Caller of the Pride Kaito, Cunning Infiltrator Liliana, Dreadhorde General Chandra, Flameshaper Vivien Reid
Five mythic rare monocolor planeswalkers with MM in their mana cost. They act as the "main characters" of the set, appearing in promotional material, in a cycle of full-art basic lands, and in sets released shortly after Magic: The Gathering Foundations' initial release.[16]
Mythic Rare Creatures Herald of Eternal Dawn Sphinx of Forgotten Lore Bloodthirsty Conqueror Twinflame Tyrant Quilled Greatwurm
Five mythic rare monocolored creatures.
Mythic Rare Noncreatures Valkyrie's Call Omniscience Rise of the Dark Realms Rite of the Dragoncaller Doubling Season
Five mythic rare noncreatures.
Cycle name {W} ({G}){U} {B} {R} {G}
"Main Character" Legendary Creatures Giada, Font of Hope Zimone, Paradox Sculptor Tinybones, Bauble Burglar Kellan, Planar Trailblazer Loot, Exuberant Explorer
Five rare or mythic rare legendary creatures. They act as the "main characters" of the set, appearing in promotional material, in a cycle of full-art basic lands, and sets released shortly after Magic: The Gathering Foundations' initial release.[16] Although Zimone is {G}{U}, she is the {U} representative for this cycle, according to the aforementioned full-art cycle.

Double cycles[ | ]

Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W} {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Gold Rares Kykar, Zephyr Awakener Consuming Aberration Alesha, Who Laughs at Fate Ashroot Animist Anthem of Champions Elenda, Saint of Dusk Thousand-Year Storm Lathril, Blade of the Elves Swiftblade Vindicator Koma, World-Eater
Ten rare dual-colored cards.
Gold Signposts Empyrean Eagle Dreadwing Scavenger Perforating Artist Ruby, Daring Tracker Good-Fortune Unicorn Fiendish Panda Balmor, Battlemage Captain Wardens of the Cycle Heroic Reinforcements Tatyova, Benthic Druid
Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes.
Gainlands Tranquil Cove Dismal Backwater Bloodfell Caves Rugged Highlands Blossoming Sands Scoured Barrens Swiftwater Cliffs Jungle Hollow Wind-Scarred Crag Thornwood Falls
Ten common taplands that enter tapped, gain the controller one life, and can tap for two different colors of mana.

Changes in rarity[ | ]

All Japan Showcase card have the mythic rarity, which may differ from the rarity of the default printing.

Mythic Rare to Rare[ | ]

Rare to Uncommon[ | ]

Common to Uncommon[ | ]

Uncommon to Common[ | ]

^† New to the Pauper format as of this printing.

Notable cards[ | ]

Gallery[ | ]

External links[ | ]

References[ | ]

  1. Information below the text box
  2. Wizards of the Coast (June 28, 2024). "Foundations releases November 15th, and will be the new Foundation for Magic players.". Twitter.
  3. Announcing Magic: The Gathering Foundations. magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast (June 28, 2024).
  4. a b c Charlie Hall (June 28, 2024). "First look: Magic: The Gathering Foundations, the new set for beginners". IGN.com.
  5. a b Wizards of the Coast (August 2, 2024). "A First Look at Magic: The Gathering Foundations". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Adam Styborski & Jubilee Finnegan (October 25, 2024). "The Foundations of Magic's Next Era". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. a b c d e Gavin Verhey, Max McCall, Bryan Hawley (June 28, 2024). "The Preview Panel - MagicCon: Amsterdam (Video)". Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.
  8. Mark Rosewater (July 3, 2024). "It’s a new take on core sets. What if we didn’t have to constantly reinvent them?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  9. Wizards of the Coast (June 28, 2024). "... the set will be Standard legal through at least 2029.". Twitter.
  10. Mark Rosewater (June 28, 2024). "So you are considering a 5 year standard?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  11. Jubilee Finnegan & Max McCall (October 25, 2024). "Collecting Foundations, the Four Most Important Things to Know". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. Mark Rosewater (June 28, 2024). "Nine-Lives Familiar uses "This Creature" instead of "Card Name" in the text.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  13. a b Matt Tabak (October 25, 2024). "Magic: the Gathering Foundations Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. Mark Rosewater (October 21, 2024). "Can we take the reprinting of Vivien and Liliana in Foundations as confirmation that they've kept their sparks?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  15. Magic: The Gathering (October 25, 2024). "Each color is represented by a Planeswalker and a Legendary Creature from Magic.". Twitter.
  16. a b c The Preview Panel—Magic: The Gathering Foundations (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (October 25, 2024).
  17. Magic: The Gathering (October 25, 2024). "MTGFoundations is meant to create the foundation (pun intended) for your Magic collection.". Twitter.
  18. Wizards of the Coast (June 28, 2024). "Foundations has the expected Play and Collector Boosters but we've now added The Beginner Box and Starter Kits...". Twitter.
  19. Mark Rosewater (October 23, 2024). "Are there commander precons for foundations?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  20. Wizards of the Coast (August 6, 2024). "Dates & Details for Magic: The Gathering Foundations". WPN.
  21. Wizards of the Coast (April 22, 2024). "Announcing Cowboy Bebop Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  22. a b c d WPN (October 28, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations Events & Promos Overview". Wizards Play Network.
  23. a b Magic: The Gathering (October 25, 2024). "Last, but not least, let's take a look at some #MTGFoundations promos!". Twitter.
  24. Jubilee Finnegan (November 1, 2024). "The Tokens of Magic: The Gathering Foundations". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  25. Mark Rosewater (October 21, 2024). "Maro’s Foundations Teaser". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  26. Eric Levine (November 1, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  27. Jubilee Finnegan (November 1, 2024). "Magic: The Gathering Foundations Prerelease Guide". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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