Welcome, cowpokes and card slingers, to the untamed frontier of Thunder Junction, where magic and mayhem collide. Outlaws of Thunder Junction was Magic: The Gathering's first trip into the Wild West, and as the 100th expansion in Magic's history it brought a tale of villainy, treachery and high-stakes showdowns. Before release, we looked at which classic cards might return as reprints, and here's that list.
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Looking for the newest Magic: The Gathering releases? Outlaws of Thunder Junction released on April 19, and new Magic sets have followed, with the next ones already on pre-order. See Magic: The Gathering pre-orders or read our latest guide: Magic: The Gathering — Nauctis: The Sunken Realm Pre-Orders. |
Welcome to Thunder Junction
In the heart of Thunder Junction, outlaws from across the Multiverse converge for a clash of titanic proportions. Led by the nefarious Oko, Rakdos, Tinybones and Vraska, these villains came to stake their claim amid the dusty streets and rocky mesas of this mystical frontier. But alliances are fleeting, and betrayal lurks around every corner.
Outlaws of Thunder Junction introduced new mechanics and themes inspired by the rugged landscapes and larger-than-life characters of the Wild West. From duels at high noon to daring train heists, every card tells a story of cunning, courage and chaos.
Potential Reprints for Outlaws of Thunder Junction
Before the set released, we dug into Magic's rich history for reprints that could fit Outlaws of Thunder Junction, from iconic cards that suit the Wild West theme to hidden gems that could add a new twist to gameplay. These were our pre-release predictions, not an official card list.
The existing card pool is full of cards that match the setting. A card like "Lightning Bolt" could be reimagined as a "Six-Shooter Showdown," with a cowboy taking aim at an opponent, and "Wrath of God" could become "Dust Storm Devastation," with a tornado tearing through a frontier town.
New illustrations and flavor text are key to capturing the set's spirit. Talented artists can bring the rugged landscapes, dusty towns and iconic characters to life, while flavor text adds snippets of dialogue and story that pull players into Thunder Junction.
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Trading Post
Trading Post is a much-loved artifact that had been absent from Standard-legal sets for quite some time, and Outlaws of Thunder Junction offered a glimmer of hope for a comeback.
It fits the set thematically, facilitating shady deals and gruesome transactions that reflect its villainous tone. Its ability to sacrifice creatures also lines up with the sacrifice and creature-death effects expected in the expansion.
Getaway Car
With its ties to villainy and its first appearance in a set built around nefarious deeds (Streets of New Capenna), Getaway Car was a natural reprint candidate. In a desert where horses may not be enough, a vehicle like Getaway Car could be essential for crossing hostile terrain.
With its sleek frame and silent wheels, it promises escape and untold riches to anyone bold enough to take the wheel, offering both salvation and peril to rival desperados.
Revel in Riches
Revel in Riches reflects the plunder and treasure-hunting themes of the Wild West. It could introduce a Treasure token subtheme and offer an alternate win condition that captures the spirit of train robbers and gold hunters.
First forged on Ixalan's pirate-infested shores, its golden gleam would fit right in among Thunder Junction's dusty streets and ramshackle saloons.
Rivals' Duel
Rivals' Duel evokes the classic high-noon showdown and adds both flavor and useful gameplay. Its long absence from Standard-legal sets made it a compelling reprint, giving players a thematic removal spell that suits the set's diverse creature types.
Picture two figures at opposite ends of a dusty street, hands hovering over their holsters. First seen in Morningtide, it's a showdown as old as the frontier itself.
Crested Sunmare
Horses are central to Wild West imagery, so Crested Sunmare could be a fitting reprint, potentially a game-winning bomb that works with new and returning horse-themed cards. Its ability to boost other creatures offers flexibility without falling back on outdated mechanics like Horsemanship.
First bred on Amonkhet's sun-scorched sands, its blazing mane embodies the spirit of the Wild West.
Big Score
Despite its recent appearance in Streets of New Capenna, Big Score remained a flavorful choice for its themes of theft and ill-gotten gains. Its graveyard-fueling effect could also support graveyard themes in the set, fitting a story of rival villains fighting over valuable treasure.
Vault Robber
In a setting built around legendary villains and stolen treasure, Vault Robber captures the robbery and illicit dealings of Thunder Junction. It might lack the power for Standard decks, but it offers strategic value in Limited and evokes classic Wild West bank heists.
First seen in Kaldheim, its name conjures midnight heists and daring escapes, where fortunes are made in the blink of an eye.
Desert's Hold
Reflecting the harsh, arid terrain of the Wild West, Desert's Hold could find a thematic home in the set despite its origins in the Amonkhet block. Downshifted to common, it could serve as flavorful removal in Limited and support the expected desert subtheme.
Under Thunder Junction's scorching sun, where every gust of wind carries sand and dust, it's a potent reminder of the harsh realities of frontier life.
Grafdigger's Cage
Grafdigger's Cage isn't tied to Wild West tropes, but it could still earn a place, both for flavor that nods to iconic Western films and for its utility if the set had a strong graveyard theme.
Western films are full of death, redemption and the relentless pursuit of justice, and the Cage fits that story. In a setting where graves of fallen heroes and villains litter the landscape, it becomes a powerful tool for controlling the forces of life and death.
Raiders' Wake
Drawing parallels with the treasure-seeking adventures of Ixalan, Raiders' Wake offers thematic and gameplay synergy for the set. Its lawless plundering and aggression match the villainous setting, making it a strong reprint contender.
In a land where the only law is the law of the gun, Raiders' Wake is a fitting tool for anyone looking to carve their name into the annals of infamy.
Prerelease and Release Dates
The showdown began on April 12 with Prerelease events at participating Wizards Play Network stores, and the official release followed on April 19. Prerelease events gave players their first chance to open the new cards, test the mechanics and compete for glory.
With its captivating theme, new mechanics and legendary characters, Outlaws of Thunder Junction opened a new chapter in Magic history. Explore the Play Booster display, Collector Boosters, Bundle, Prerelease Pack and Commander decks.
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