We’re back in the planes of Tarkir for Magic: The Gathering’s latest set, Tarkir: Dragonstorm. The set brings players back to the plane of Tarkir — known for its iconic clans, shifting timelines, and, of course, dragons! It’s a setting fondly remembered by players and after almost a decade we’ve finally returned. Let’s take a look at how we got here, and what this new release brings to the table!
READ MORE: Check out the new mechanics in MTG Tarkir: Dragonstorm
A Brief History of Tarkir
First introduced back in 2014 (um, how is that ELEVEN years ago?), Tarkir spanned three distinct sets: Khans of Tarkir, Fate Reforged and Dragons of Tarkir. Together, these three sets formed a single narrative arc that centred on Sarkhan Vol, a planeswalker who altered the fate of his home world through time travel.
Tarkir was originally a war-torn plane where dragons had gone extinct, and five powerful human-led clans vied for dominance. Sarkhan’s antics through time led to the resurrections of the dragons, resulting in a rewritten timeline where the khans were replaced with dragonlords. Each of the three sets represented a different point in that story.
- Khans of Tarkir introduced the five three-color clans and their unique mechanics.
- Fate Reforged served as the pivot point — set in the past, showing the moment when history changed.
- Dragons of Tarkir depicted the new timeline where dragons ruled and the clans had evolved into their dragon-aligned forms.
Tarkir was notable for how it structured Limited play. Each set had a unique draft format:
- Khans of Tarkir: traditional three-pack draft
- Fate Reforged: one pack of Fate, two of Khans
- Dragons of Tarkir: one pack of Fate, two of Dragons
Drafting mirrored the narrative. As the timeline shifted, so did the packs! This type of narrative-based draft is something we don’t see anymore. Partially because of the rise in popularity of Commander, but also because blocks aren’t something we’ve seen since the release of Ixalan in 2018.
Why the Return Matters
Tarkir remains one of the most well-received settings in Magic’s history. Players appreciated its strong faction identity, draft innovations, and the way it handled narrative through gameplay. While other planes have received multiple visits, Tarkir was left untouched for nearly a decade.
Tarkir Dragonstorm is a Standard-legal set, and offers a focused return that emphasises what made the plane memorable — high-impact dragons, three-color factions, and dragons-galore.
For players who missed the original Tarkir block, this is a good entry point. And for those who’ve been asking for a return to the plane since 2015, it’s a welcome one.
Tarkir: Dragonstorm: What’s New?
Tarkir: Dragonstorm isn’t a direct continuation of the story we left behind with the release of Dragons of Tarkir, but it does revisit the plane’s key themes. Dragons are now front and center, both mechanically and thematically.
The set offers five pre-constructed Commander decks, each tied to one of the original clans. Each deck is three-coloured, consistent with the clans original identities. The clans are now fully aligned with their dragonlord, with each pre-con offering two commanders — a dragon and non-dragon.
I’ve tested out the Mardu set with Zurgo Stormrender as my commander. I had a lot of fun mobilising countless 1/1 Warriors to chip away at my poor opponent. Overall, the deck was fun — but I’m keen to play again soon with Neriv, Crackling Vanguard, the alternate dragon commander!
When can I check it out?
Tarkir: Dragonstorm is out now, with Play and Commander boosters available, alongside Bundles and the aforementioned Commander decks. Demand for the set has been high, so it might be best to check it out sooner rather than later!
Quest Daily was supplied with a Commander Deck and boosters of the Tarkir Dragonstorm set for the purpose of this article.
