Get ready to rev your engines! Magic: The Gathering’s latest set, Aetherdrift, is here to take you on a wild ride! But this isn’t your average race; it’s a multiversal death race across three distinct worlds – Avishkar, Amonkhet, and Muraganda.
Move over Monaco, Wizard’s of the Coast are coming out swinging in 2025.
READ MORE: Win one of three Magic the Gathering: Aetherdrift prize packs!
Aetherdrift: New Mechanics
Aetherdrift introduces some new mechanics to amp up the gameplay. “Start Your Engines” brings in a speed mechanic, where you gain ‘speed’ when an opponent loses life during your turn. When you reach the “Max Speed” of 4, your creatures unlock their Max Speed powers.
It’s an interesting ability, somewhat akin to other progressing player statuses like ‘The Ring Tempts You’. Unlike progressive benefits, you only gain the effect after four turns when you reach Max Speed. The effect only triggers on your turn, once each turn, so there’s no way to accelerate the process either.
There are some synergies to be found. At Max Speed, Vnwxt, Verbose Host tells you to draw two cards whenever you would draw a card. The Speed Demon allows you to draw cards at the beginning of your end step equal to your speed. Combined at Max Speed this combo allows you to draw 8 cards – excessive? Maybe. But Vnwxt, Verbose Host also has an ability where you no longer have a maximum hand size…
Aetherdrift also introduces “Exhaust”. A one-time effect for those crucial moments — or maybe when you have some unspent mana to burn. You can only cast each Exhaust ability once.
Many Exhaust abilities are straightforward — ‘Pay X, get X +1/+1 counters’. On their own, they seem a little dull. But in a deck with Doubling Season, a personal favourite, they become much more exciting! Pair it with Kalonian Hydra to double the counters again — now we’re starting to cook with gas.
There are some other interesting Exhaust effects that aren’t just centred on counters. Greasewrench Goblin has some nice synergy with Vnwxt, Verbose Host and The Speed Demon to keep drawing from your library.
Redshift, Rocketeer Chief is a blast. Paying 12 mana and then being able to play any number of permanents from your hand — ridiculous in the right deck. Generating 12 mana is made easier thanks to its other effect: tap and gain mana equal to Redshift’s power. Running it with Forgotten Ancient or The Ozolith to shift across some +1/+1 counters will help speed this up.
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A Multiverse of Racers
Ten unique racing teams are vying for the Aetherspark, including some familiar faces. The legendary Planeswalker Chandra is hitting the track, and Amonkhet’s champions, Basri Ket and Zahur, are teaming up. Check out the full list of legends on MTGStory.com to learn more about the drivers and their motivations. Will you be rooting for Chandra, the speed-obsessed goblins, or the mysterious Mendicant Core?
Collectibles and Card Treatments
Aetherdrift isn’t just about racing; it’s about looking good doing it. Keep an eye out for special card treatments like the Serialised Full-Art, Borderless Foil Aetherspark (only 500 printed!), First-Place Box Toppers, Borderless Graffiti Giants, and returning Japan Showcase cards. There’s plenty to collect and admire as you tear across the finish line.
READ MORE: Magic: The Gathering | Card Reveal: Aetherdrift ‘Canyon Vaulter’
Where to Get Your Gear
Aetherdrift is available in Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, Commander Decks, Prerelease Packs, Bundles, and Finish Line Bundles. Aetherdrift is available now at your local game store and online retailers.
So, buckle up, grab your deck, and get ready to experience the thrill of the Ghirapur Grand Prix. And remember… in Aetherdrift, it’s only a death race if you die!
Quest Daily was supplied with a Commander Deck and boosters of the Aetherdrift set for the purpose of this article.
