Aetherdrift, the latest expansion, introduces a vibrant racing vehicle theme with striking visuals reminiscent of Foundations. It revives vehicle cards, allowing creatures to pilot them, and introduces new mechanics like Ignite the engines! and mounts with the Saddle ability. Players can enjoy a range of unique designs inspired by a post-apocalyptic vibe, alongside classic cards. With endless deck-building possibilities, Aetherdrift promises excitement for Magic: The Gathering fans across various gameplay formats.
Note: In this article, you may encounter some spoilers due to our advance access to a selection of booster packs and visuals of various cards across different rarities. We understand some of you might prefer to discover these cards on your own.
Rev Up Your Engines!
The latest expansion, Aetherdrift, bursts onto the scene with a vibrant array of colors and eye-catching designs. The new cards are strikingly recognizable, reminiscent of the visual aesthetic found in Foundations. It quickly becomes clear that this expansion is themed around racing vehicles, featuring lands that reference imaginative circuits created by Wizards of the Coast, such as Avishkar Race Track. This land introduces a fresh ability: Ignite the engines!, which should not be confused with the ritual card of the same name!
One of the most exciting elements of Aetherdrift is the revival of vehicle cards, first introduced in Kaladesh back in 2016. These cards function like traditional artifacts, yet they can be piloted by creatures. The distinction lies in the fact that, with their pilots, vehicles gain access to abilities that were previously off-limits, allowing them to act as formidable monsters on the battlefield. Importantly, the fate of a pilot and their vehicle is separate; if one is destroyed, the other remains in play. However, to pilot a vehicle, the pilot must be tapped, meaning they cannot attack during the activation turn.
Aetherdrift introduces a remarkable variety of vehicles, showcasing unique designs ranging from fantastical beasts to mechanical contraptions that evoke a Mad Max vibe. The influence of George Miller’s film is evident, as many cards channel a “post-apocalyptic race” aesthetic, including End of the Rowers, Foot to the Floor, Broken Wings, Adrenaline Jockey, and Drown the Engine.
Mounts and Mechanics
Vehicles aren’t the only returning feature; Aetherdrift also heralds the arrival of mounts, which come equipped with the ability Saddle, similar to Piloting. To utilize this ability, players must tap a specific number of creatures whose combined power meets or exceeds a certain threshold. For instance, with Gloryland Lynx, you must tap creatures totaling at least 2 power. If successful and the creature attacks, you can search your library for a basic plains card, reveal it, and add it to your hand. The key difference between mounts and vehicles is that mounts can operate independently of their pilots, while vehicles require a pilot to be functional.
On the mechanics front, Aetherdrift introduces a new ability called Ignite the engines!, which functions in multiple stages. Players start at speed 1, and upon reaching maximum speed, which is 4, they can trigger the associated abilities of their cards. For instance, with the artifact Perilous Collar, you can place a +1/+1 counter on any creature you control. Notably, you don’t need your card to be on the battlefield to benefit from the speed gained; cards like Leonine Inspector can be exiled from your graveyard for a cost of 3 mana when you reach maximum speed, allowing you to draw a card. Given that players can gain speed during each of their turns, provided an opponent has lost life, speed can accumulate quickly.
Moreover, Aetherdrift isn’t solely focused on introducing new concepts; it also features classic cards that remain valuable for deck building. Expect to see familiar faces like zombies and rats, including the formidable Engine Rat, which possesses Deathtouch and can deal 2 damage to all opponents for five colorless and one black mana. Additionally, Embalmed Ascendant creates a 2/2 black zombie token upon entering the battlefield and benefits from both Ignite the engines! and Maximum Speed, dealing 1 damage to opponents and gaining you 1 life whenever one of your creatures dies. Lastly, Kalakscion, Tyrant of Hunger, a legendary black creature costing only three mana, boasts an impressive power of 7/2, making it a noteworthy addition to any deck.
For this article, we were fortunate to receive several preview items, including a pack that allowed us to explore numerous boosters, including two collector boosters. This provided a fantastic opportunity to discover a variety of cards and notice the attention to detail in the full-art editions. Standout cards like Elite Starcatcher, Grid Engine Rosstronaut, and District Mascot have etched themselves into our memories with their unique designs, reminiscent of a blend between Tex Avery and Fluide Glacial. Additionally, Aatchik, Emerald Radiant and Engine of Salvation are nothing short of breathtaking. Players with a passion for collecting will find themselves captivated by Aetherdrift, and we wish them luck in their booster openings!
Aetherdrift offers a wealth of opportunities for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts. With the return of vehicles, the introduction of mounts, and new abilities like Ignite the engines! and Maximum Speed, the possibilities for deck creation are endless. Whether your preference lies in standard formats, Commander, or any other type of gameplay, Aetherdrift has something to offer. The intriguing mix of colorful worlds, unconventional vehicles, and post-apocalyptic racing is sure to entice players. We are certainly excited!