The highly anticipated collaboration between Magic: The Gathering and Marvel will not debut on Magic: The Gathering Arena. Set to roll out over the next few years, this exciting crossover features multiple Marvel-themed expansions, beginning with a Spider-Man set slated for release in September. However, in a surprising move, Wizards of the Coast has confirmed that these sets will be limited to physical collectors, leaving digital players unable to access them through Magic: The Gathering Arena or Magic: Online.
According to a recent announcement from Wizards of the Coast, this news was part of a broader update regarding their Universes Beyond initiative for 2025. Instead of the anticipated Spider-Man set, players on the digital platforms will receive a mechanically similar set titled Through the Omenpaths, showcasing characters and creatures unique to the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. More insights into this new set are expected to be revealed in the near future.
MARVEL SETS AREN’T COMING TO ARENA (We will get mechanically same Universes Within versions instead) by u/Meret123 in MagicArena
Why Magic: Arena Is Skipping the Marvel Sets
Potential Competition from Marvel Snap
This announcement has left many surprised, especially considering the role of Magic: Arena in Wizards of the Coast’s business model. As the primary platform for Standard play and a significant revenue generator, its omission from the Marvel sets may hinder new player interest in acquiring Spider-Man-themed cards. While the Through the Omenpaths set provides an equivalent gameplay experience, the absence of Marvel-themed cards is likely to disappoint potential newcomers.
Although Wizards of the Coast did not specify the reasons behind this decision, licensing conflicts may be a significant factor. Upper Deck currently owns a successful digital trading card app featuring Marvel characters, and with the existence of Marvel Snap—another competitive digital card game—it’s plausible that these factors influenced their decision to exclude these sets from Magic: Arena. Nevertheless, the exact details remain unclear.
Our Analysis: Could There Be a Resurgence in Physical Collecting?
Marvel Sets May Attract a New Wave of Physical Players
The response from the Magic community to the upcoming Through the Omenpaths sets will be intriguing to observe. With multiple Marvel-themed expansions anticipated across the coming years, the exclusivity of these sets may incite renewed interest in physical card play. Given that a significant portion of gaming activity occurs on Magic: Arena, it is surprising that Wizards of the Coast couldn’t secure arrangements to feature Marvel cards digitally, as this could represent a critical turning point for the future of the Magic: The Gathering franchise.
Source: Magic: The Gathering, Meret123/Reddit