Out with the capes and in with the… cloaks? With the hype of Magic: The Gathering’s last set Marvel Super Heroes dimming, a new Universes Beyond set isn’t far behind it. Now, it’s not the first time Tolkien’s iconic works have appeared in Magic. That original set back in 2023 opened 2 awe-inspiring fantasy IPs from different spaces – tabletop games and novels up to each other. I’d go as far as to credit that first set for lighting the way for further crossovers like we’ve seen today.
So where were we… Magic: The Gathering: The Hobbit is a welcome return to that familiar fantasy, only elsewhere in the timeline of Tolkien’s beloved universe. MTG The Hobbit sees players returning to Bilbo’s initial hesitant adventure after a wizard and thirteen dwarves met in his home. Joined by cunning elves, trolls to outsmart, and a dragon on the horizon, this set is a hearty return to fantasy many will welcome with open arms.
From the outset, I feel like this is a very exciting set because not only does that Tolkien world have the opportunity to shine through a new set of MTG cards but it also brings to life many more iconic characters and even a few villains. From bitter-eyed Gollum to the Bilbo, Gandalf and a collective troop of dwarves. The Hobbit expansion feels like an adventure into the mountain, maybe you’ll find the Arkenstone… or maybe desolation in the flames of a wicked dragon?
The Art of The Hobbit
Cracking into this set, it’s impossible to deny that the set treatments are out in force. They’ve even included surge foil cards for that extra special shine. Leading the set is none other than Smaug as the set’s headliner in a stunning golden foil treatment. Of all the MTG headliner cards we’ve had so far I feel like this one is my favourite so far. He looks alive – menacing, as his gaze becomes the last thing you see before getting roasted.
Calling back to it’s paperback roots, this treatment gives that feeling of an old book that’s passed through many hands. Wear and tear won’t harm the story within – fire maybe! These Book Cover Cards are incredibly thematic while feeling like that exclusive Secret Lair vibe I wish MTG toyed with more. I am seriously hoping i get my hands on more of these exquisite treatments.
Do you happen to speak Dwarvish? These cards will require a lot more that Duolingo to decode but my is it surreal seeing these cards. The Dwarvish Language cards once again feel perfectly intertwined with the source material.
Smaug’s horde is said to be an endless treasure and these Dragon Hoard Cards instantly feel precious. With a range of softer artworks among the illustrations, this border feels like a dragon has coiled around it. While I didn’t pull one, I did see The Arkenstone at my LGS and boy does the surge foil shine.
And finally, Bilbo’s Hobbit hole in it’s season glory graces the plains cards. Seeing the seasons shown off this way with a limited line feels so meaningful as a location that’s instantly recognisable. Such a gorgeous set of seasons.
The Hobbit Mechanics
So what of the mechanics in MTG The Hobbit? From dwarfs telling stories to uncontrollable goblins, the set definitely plays it a little bit safer than I was expecting.
Storied
Tolkien, being no stranger to a good tale see’s many cards from the set carrying the Storied keyword which relies on the player having 3 or more artifacts, legendaries, and/or Saga. If you do, you have an enduring story for the rest of the game that gives you access to another ability that can be very useful. Anything from doubling triggered abilities to warding cards. Once an enduring story is earned, it’s yours for the rest of the game.
Recruit
Cards that call on you to recruit allow you to draw a card, then discard a card. If you discard a nonland card, you may create a 1/1 white human soldier creature token. This is quite a useful way to get some blockers out around the early/mid game. The Queen of Dale also allows you to recruit more than just when the card enters, but every turn a player casts their first noncreature spell.
Hone Counters
Now, rushing into battle with a dull blade is sure to end badly, so you’d better hone your approach. Hone counters buff the creatures you’ve equipped them to for +1/+0 for each attached. Cards that allow you to gain more hone counters are a quick way to make some very pointy objects your opponents won’t enjoy!
Adventure
“I’m going on an adventure!” see’s players choosing as they play cards how they wish for them to play out. You may either cast the card as usual and ignore the adventure, or play just the adventure half of the card. These give you some nifty utility.
Amass
Goblins and orcs are no laughing matter, and for good reason. Amass has you creating an army of goblins by adding +1/+1 counters for each amass point leading to some possible problems should they be left unchecked.
MTG The Hobbit Set Vibes
As a Universes Beyond theme, The Hobbit set definitely fits the bill perfectly as a return to the classic fantasy MTG does so well. Each pack feels like an adventure in itself as well, with dwarves leading the charge from each pack. From Bag End to The Lonely Mountain, returning to Middle-earth in MTG feels long overdue, yet I really would’ve liked to feel a bit more of the story coming through in the design.
While mechanics like Storied and Adventure in particular do this, others feel a little safe. This is a grand adventure, and I wanted to see a bit more of that in the way the cards play. Even with the dwarfs, running a white-red deck in draft only had me looking to gain storied for those extra benefits, but it lacked camaraderie on the battlefield. There were few cards that actually looked at other dwarf cards. Kili the Pathfinder was a great example of what I wanted to see more of. He rewarded playing those other nontoken dwarf cards, while others didn’t engage nearly enough. Where are my dwarf team-ups or even a way to partner them?
Amass at least was very broad across the goblin cards, but it wasn’t really a mechanic I would instantly go – that’s The Hobbit! Still in play, it feels a little bit slow in practice, and hordes are meant to be uncontrollable.
For me it’s all the familiarity this set brings with it that pulls me in more. I want to collect the dwarves and those paperback covers especially. More than anything, the art direction of this set is what pushes it to be a favourite and something I want to keep collecting.
I do also feel like there was a missed opportunity here to revisit Tolkien’s world in Commander as well. Who could resist a Smaug deck that rewards you for hoarding treasure like Smaug the Magnificent? Given how popular The Lord of the Rings preconstructed decks have been, it feels like they could’ve expanded the themes here.
MTG The Hobbit is definitely an adventure of a set, however it has a tricky time catching up to its predecessor and left me wanting a bit more of the source material showing through in the way the cards played. Really, it’s the art and treatments that bring it home as a fun welcome return to Middle-earth.
Final Thoughts
As the Lonely Mountain draws near, my resounding thoughts around Magic: The Gathering – The Hobbit are that I wish there was a little more to this set. Sure, the fantasy side hits the mark and seeing the troop of dwarves come to life is equally great, along with other familiar folks and foes from the source material. Yet, it’s the art that has me clawing for more of this set, and I won’t deny that greed. Still, any excuse to explore Tolkien’s iconic stories through MTG is a welcome one, even if it doesn’t quite hit expectations.
Magic: The Gathering – The Hobbit is available now at your local game store or TCG stockist.
NextPlay received a selection of Magic: The Gathering – The Hobbit products for the purposes of this review.
