| Outlaws of Thunder Junction | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Set Information | |||||
| Set symbol | |||||
| Symbol description | A cowboy hat | ||||
| Design | Mark Rosewater (lead), Annie Sardelis, Dan Musser, Dave Humpherys, Doug Beyer, Graeme Hopkins, Jeremy Geist, Michelle Roberson, Mike Mearls | ||||
| Development | Dave Humpherys (lead), Jeremy Geist, Ben Weitz, Eric Engelhard, Ian Duke, Glenn Jones, Bryan Hawley, Andrew Brown, Chris Kvartek, Jadine Klomparens, Daniel Xu | ||||
| Art direction | Taylor Ingvarsson | ||||
| Release date | April 19, 2024 | ||||
| Plane | Thunder Junction | ||||
| Themes and mechanics | Villains, Committing a crime, "Deserts matter" | ||||
| Keywords/ability words | Plot, Saddle, Spree | ||||
| Set size | 276 + 98 | ||||
| Expansion code | OTJ[1] | ||||
| Development codename | Quilting | ||||
| Outlaws of Thunder Junction Standard | |||||
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| Magic: The Gathering Chronology | |||||
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Expansion symbol
Outlaws of Thunder Junction is the 100th Magic expansion. It was released on April 19, 2024.[2][3]
Set details[ | ]
| “ | Rustle Up Some Trouble | ” |
Outlaws of Thunder Junction key art
Outlaws of Thunder Junction is a top-down designed set based on Wild West tropes. It is a frontier fantasy where outlaws come to seize their futures — and make a fortune doing it.[4] This showcase set is dedicated to villains, focusing on an "Outlaw vs. Outlaw" theme. It was even designed first as a villains set, second as a Western genre set.[5]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction contains 276 regular cards (91 commons, 100 uncommons, 60 rares, 20 mythic rares, 5 basic lands), and includes randomly inserted traditional foil versions of all cards.[6] The regular cards include 5 full-art "Western landscape / negative space" basic lands (#272-276). Alternate card frames have a different number than the original version. The Bundle Basics lands are #277-286, the thirteen Showcase "Wanted Poster" cards are #287-299. Borderless cards and #300-306, extended art cards and #307-367 and the promos are #368-374.
This set includes Nathan Steuer's Player Spotlight card, Duelist of the Mind.[7]
Storyline[ | ]
Set Collector Booster Box depicting a showdown between Oko and Kellan
Outlaws of Thunder Junction is the final set in the Omenpath Arc and the end of the first act in the Metronome storyline. The set features villains from across the Multiverse, who have traveled through omenpaths to find their fortunes and battle it out at Thunder Junction.[2][8][9] Oko has formed a gang with the Multiverse's most wanted (a.o. Tinybones, Vraska, Rakdos and Annie Flash) to pull off a heist of epic scale. An ancient vault has been discovered in Thunder Junction, and it's rumored to hide untold riches and power. Everyone wants a slice of the pie, but Oko and his rip-roaring team aim to be the first inside. Oko's son, Kellan, has at last tracked down his wayward father, but his schemes threaten to sweep Kellan into the role of a villain.
This set features Story Spotlights.[10] The cards that represent them are:
Magic Story[ | ]
Marketing[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction is sold in Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, four Commander decks and the Outlaws of Thunder Junction Bundle.
Breaking News[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction has two bonus sheets. The first is a Crime bonus sheet of cards that help you commit crimes in the set. You'll find them in Play Boosters (1 card per booster) and Collector Boosters, and exclusively in Collector Boosters you can open textured foil versions of Breaking News cards. The Breaking News bonus sheet does not affect set legality, they will only be legal in constructed formats where those cards are already legal to play, as well as limited Outlaws of Thunder Junction play.
The Big Score[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction was originally planned to have a follow up Epilogue Booster pack called The Big Score. However, due to negative feedback on March of the Machine: The Aftermath, the planned cards from The Big Score were incorporated as an extra bonus sheet in the regular Play Boosters. They replace The List cards for Outlaws of Thunder Junction.[11] Cards from The Big Score retain their unique set symbol, set code (BIG), and a unique showcase card frame — the "Vault" frame. Special Guests cards share the vault frame treatment. A further legacy of the original plan to be released in an Epilogue Booster is that all 30 of The Big Score cards are Standard legal.
Special Guests[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction features 10 Special Guests (SPG #29-38). These are incorporated in The List of the Play Boosters and may be played in Limited games. You'll find a non-foil Special Guests card in 1 out of 64 Play Boosters. Traditional foil Special Guests cards can be found in Collector Boosters.
The List[ | ]
You'll find cards from The List more frequently in Outlaws of Thunder Junction Play Boosters than in Murders at Karlov Manor Play Boosters. You can find a card from The List in 1 out of 5 Play Boosters. The List for OTJ has 40 cards: 30 cards from The Big Score and the 10 Special Guests.[12]
Events[ | ]
- Prerelease: April 12–18, 2024[13]
- MTG Arena release: April 16, 2024
- Open House: April 19–21, 2024
- Commander Party: April 26 – May 2, 2024
- Store Championship: May 4–12, 2024
- Friday Night Magic: April 19 – July 19, 2024
- Standard Showdown: April 19 – July 25, 2024
Promos[ | ]
- Prerelease: a stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare of Outlaws of Thunder Junction.
- The seasonal dark-frame promos are: Frontier Seeker, Scorching Shot, Honest Rutstein, Make Your Own Luck, Ruthless Lawbringer.
- Buy-a-Box: alternate art Magda, the Hoardmaster.
- Open House: Retro frame Diabolic Tutor.[14]
- Bundle promo: alternate art The Key to the Vault.
- Store Championship: Blazing Rootwalla (participation), Hollow One (Top 8), full art textless Vengevine (winner).[14]
- Commander Party: retro frame Costly Plunder.[14]
- "Get the Gang Together" in-store promotion: alternate art Oltec Matterweaver and Transmutation Font.[14]
- Standard Showdown: five cards with Cowboy Bebop crossover art: Ossification, Disdainful Stroke, Go for the Throat, Lightning Strike and Snakeskin Veil.[15][16][17]
Tokens and markers[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction has eighteen tokens one helper card[18]:
Copy for Breeches, the Blastmaker; Calamity, Galloping Inferno; Double Down; Ghired, Mirror of the Wilds; Jace Reawakened; Kaervek, the Punisher; Kambal, Profiteering Mayor; Oko, the Ringleader and Three Steps Ahead.
3/3 Angel creature with flying for Seraphic Steed.- 2/2 Ox creature for Bovine Intervention and Bruse Tarl, Roving Rancher.
- 1/1 Sheep creature for Bridled Bighorn.
- 2/2 Spirit creature with flying for Phantom Interference and Wrangler of the Damned.
Beau, a */* legendary Ox creature with "This creature’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of lands you control." for Bonny Pall, Clearcutter.- 1/1 Bird creature with flying for Riku of Many Paths.
1/1 Vampire Rogue creature with lifelink for Baron Bertram Graywater.
3/1 Dinosaur creature for Scalestorm Summoner.- 1/1 Mercenary creature with "
: Target creature you control gets +1/+0 until end of turn. Activate only as a sorcery." for At Knifepoint; Brimstone Roundup; Ertha Jo, Frontier Mentor; Form a Posse; Hellspur Posse Boss; Lassoed by the Law; Mourner's Surprise; Nezumi Linkbreaker; Prickly Pair; Prosperity Tycoon; Rakish Crew; Selvala, Eager Trailblazer; Unfortunate Accident and Wanted Griffin. - 4/4 Scorpion Dragon creature with flying and haste for Magda, the Hoardmaster.
*/* Elemental creature for Dance of the Tumbleweeds and Tumbleweed Rising.- 3/3 Elk creature for Oko, the Ringleader.
- 2/1 Varmint creature for Rise of the Varmints.
2/2 Zombie Rogue creature for Geralf, the Fleshwright; Gisa, the Hellraiser; Outlaw Stitcher and Rictus Robber.- Clue artifact for Malcolm, the Eyes.
- Meteorite, an artifact with “When Meteorite enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to any target.” and “: Add one mana of any color.” for Roxanne, Starfall Savant.
- Treasure artifact for Boneyard Desecrator; Fake Your Own Death; Gold Pan; Gold Rush; Goldvein Hydra; Great Train Heist; Hell to Pay; Jolene, Plundering Pugilist; Luxurious Locomotive; Magda, the Hoardmaster; Mine Raider; Patient Naturalist; Reckless Lackey; Redrock Sentinel and Treasure Dredger.
- Plot marker.
In addition, Outlaws of Thunder Junction Play Boosters and Collector Boosters may include an additional 11 tokens from the two bonus sheet sets.[18] Each of these tokens features its set's expansion symbol and set code.
Breaking News
2/1 Human Cleric creature with lifelink and haste for Outlaws' Merriment.- 1/2 Human Rogue creature with haste and "When this creature enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to any target." for Outlaws' Merriment.
- 3/1 Human Warrior creature with trample and haste for Outlaws' Merriment.
1/1 Pest creature with "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life." for Pest Infestation.- Food artifact for Oko, Thief of Crowns.
The Big Score
- 2/1 Bat creature with flying for Greed's Gambit.
- 0/0 Construct artifact creature with “This creature gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control.” for Simulacrum Synthesizer.
- 1/1 Gnome artifact creature for Oltec Matterweaver.
- 3/3 Golem artifact creature for Legion Extruder and Sandstorm Salvager.
- Blood artifact for Transmutation Font.
- Food artifact for Bristlebud Farmer and Transmutation Font.
- Map artifact for Worldwalker Helm.
Themes and mechanics[ | ]
MTG Arena icon for cards that grant a bonus when you commit crimes.
Outlaws of Thunder Junction introduces the concept of crimes.[19] Any spell or ability that targets an opponent, or their stuff (spells, permanents, hand, library) is committing a crime. Since this is a plane of outlaws, committing crimes is incentivized, not punished.[20] In the villain set, you get to be the villain.[21]
The set also introduces the plot mechanic. It's similar to both foretell and suspend. When you pay a card's plot cost, it goes into exile, and you can cast it on a later turn without paying its mana cost (as a sorcery). Plot can be used to hold cards up for explosive turns, but your hand's on the table: opponents can see the plotted cards and plan around them.
Saddle is a keyword ability associated with the new Mount creature type. In a similar way to the Crew ability, it is activated by tapping any number of creatures you control with total power equal to or greater than the saddle value. Creatures with saddle, unlike Vehicles, can still attack and block like normal, but they have powerful abilities that only trigger when they become saddled or attack while saddled.
The plus icon indicating the mandatory additional cost of a card with Spree.
Finally, spree is a keyword found on instants and sorceries that grants them modality in a very similar way to escalate. Spells with spree have several effects, each with an additional cost. However, these costs can be different from each other. A spell with spree can have a very different impact when it's cast in the early game using cheaper effects than when it's cast as a finisher going all-out on expensive effects. To help players identify cards with Spree when fanned in the hand, a new icon that modifies the right-hand side of the title bar was added.[22] The black triangle with a white "plus" icon is placed next to the mana cost of the spell to identify that additional costs need to be payed before the spell can be cast.
Card types[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction introduces a new typal coupling term, Outlaw, a way to collectively refer to the Assassin, Mercenary, Pirate, Rogue and Warlock creature types. It also introduces the Armadillo, Coyote, Mount, Possum, and Varmint creature types, while Beaver and Porcupine are seen for the first time on eternal cards. Also, as of this set, Viashino is no longer a distinct creature type, and has been rolled into Lizard.
The set further sees the return of the Desert land type, with a small "Deserts matter" theme.
Counter types[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction introduces Loot counters.
Limited archetypes[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction features the following limited archetypes. [23]
- : "No spells cast" Plot
- : Crime control
- : Outlaws
- : “Ferocious”
- : Mounts & Vehicles
- : Attrition
- : Two or more spells
- : Recursion
- : Mercenary aggro
- : Big mana plot
Cycles[ | ]
| Cycle name | 
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monocolored rare mounts | Fortune, Loyal Steed | Archmage's Newt | Caustic Bronco | Calamity, Galloping Inferno | Ornery Tumblewagg |
| Five rare mount creatures. | |||||
| Monocolored spree spells | Final Showdown | Three Steps Ahead | Insatiable Avarice | Great Train Heist | Smuggler's Surprise |
| Five mythic rare and rare modal spells with with spree and a mana cost of M. Each has at least one mode that costs mana of the card's color. | |||||
| Common Plotters | Stagecoach Security | Loan Shark | Blacksnag Buzzard | Irascible Wolverine | Freestrider Commando |
| Five common creatures with Plot and a build-around enters-the-battlefield effect. | |||||
| Cycle name |
|
|
|
|
|
| Enemy-colored fast lands | Concealed Courtyard | Spirebluff Canal | Blooming Marsh | Inspiring Vantage | Botanical Sanctum |
| Five rare enemy colored taplands, reprinted from Kaladesh. The borderless versions form a panorama. | |||||
Double cycles[ | ]
Flavor-based cycle[ | ]
Outlaws of Thunder Junction features an irregular, flavor-based cycle.[25]
| Cycle name |
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Join up" rares | Tinybones Joins Up | Vraska Joins Up | Kellan Joins Up | Annie Joins Up | Rakdos Joins Up |
| Five rare legendary Enchantments representing Oko's gang. Each has an enters the battlefield effect and a second effect that is triggered by legendary creatures. The mana values of each card in the cycle increases from one through to five. | |||||
Pairs[ | ]
| Matched pair | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Breeches, the Blastmaker ()
|
Malcolm, the Eyes ()
|
Two rare red and blue pirates that care about artifacts and the second spell cast. |
| Cunning Coyote ()
|
Resilient Roadrunner ()
|
Two uncommon 2/2 creatures with mana cost  and haste, referencing the cartoon characters Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.
|
| Mirrored pair | Description | |
| Archmage's Newt ()
|
Caustic Bronco ()
|
Two rare Mount creatures with 1M mana cost and Saddle 3, with an attack trigger that improves if it is mounted. They are the only mono-color mounts in and .
|
| Outlaw Stitcher ()
|
Rictus Robber ()
|
Two uncommon creatures with 3M mana cost and plot, that create a Zombie Rogue token. |
| Aloe Alchemist ()
|
Longhorn Sharpshooter ()
|
Two uncommon creatures that are the only ones in the set that trigger when they become plotted. |
| Failed Fording ()
|
Desert's Due ()
|
Two common instants with 1M mana cost that generate an extra effect if you control a desert. |
| Steer Clear ()
|
Throw from the Saddle ()
|
Two common spells that generate an extra effect if you control a mount. |
| Boneyard Desecrator ()
|
Mine Raider ()
|
Two common creatures that create a Treasure if you control an outlaw. |
| Take the Fall ()
|
Outlaws' Fury ()
|
Two common instants that generate an extra effect if you control an outlaw. |
Reprinted cards[ | ]
- Archangel of Tithes, first printed in Magic Origins, last seen on The List.
- Corrupted Conviction, first printed in March of the Machine.
- Fake Your Own Death, first printed in Streets of New Capenna.
- Skulduggery, first printed in Ixalan.
- Snakeskin Veil, first printed in Kaldheim, last seen in Commander Masters.
- Take Up the Shield, first printed in Dominaria United.
- Terror of the Peaks, first printed in Core Set 2021.
- The enemy Fast lands: Concealed Courtyard, Spirebluff Canal, Blooming Marsh, Inspiring Vantage, and Botanical Sanctum, first printed in Kaladesh.
Preconstructed decks[ | ]
Outlaws features four Commander decks released as a regular part of a set's product line.
| Theme deck name |
Color Identity | Commander | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
| Desert Bloom | W | R | G | Yuma, Proud Protector | ||
| Quick Draw | U | R | Stella Lee, Wild Card | |||
| Most Wanted | W | B | R | Olivia, Opulent Outlaw | ||
| Grand Larceny | U | B | G | Gonti, Canny Acquisitor | ||
Gallery[ | ]
Bundle
Fast land panorama
Key art[ | ]
Featuring Oko's crew by Lie Setiawan.
Cactus-themed planeswalker symbol.
Featuring Oko's crew.
Featuring Oko's crew.
Featuring Kellan squaring off against Oko.
Featuring Oko squaring off against Kellan by David Rapoza.
Outlaws of Thunder Junction: The Movie poster for MTG-JP April Fools.
Arena Avatars[ | ]
Kellan.
Rakdos.
Vraska.
External links[ | ]
- Official product page.
- WPN product page.
- Mark Rosewater (March 26, 2024). "Outlaw of the Land, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (April 1, 2024). "Outlaw of the Land, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (April 8, 2024). "Outlaw of Thunder Junction Vision Design Handoff Document, Part 1". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- Mark Rosewater (April 15, 2024). "Outlaw of Thunder Junction Vision Design Handoff Document, Part 2". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
References[ | ]
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 22, 2024). "Outlaws of Thunder Junction Arrives April 19, 2024". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b 30th Anniversary Panel at GenCon – A Recap of MTG's Past, Present & Future (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (August 5, 2023).
- ↑ Clayton Kroh and Adam Styborski (February 23, 2024). "A First Look at Outlaws of Thunder Junction". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ WPN (August 7, 2023). "Magic at GenCon: Celebrating 30 Years and Casting Foresee on Years Ahead". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 7, 2024). "Is OTJ more of a villains set or a Wild West set?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Max McCall (March 26, 2024). "Collecting Outlaws of Thunder Junction". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (February 25, 2024). "The Duelist of the Mind: Nathan Steuer". Magic.gg.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (August 6, 2023). "It’s two main themes are villains and top-down western genre". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (October 10, 2023). "The set is first a villain set, and second a Western-themed set, but there’s plenty of both.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Natalie Kreider (March 29, 2024). "Story Spotlight Cards for Outlaws of Thunder Junction". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Blake Rasmussen, Max McCall, Zakeel Gordon (February 13, 2024). "Epilogue on Epilogue (Video)". Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (April 5, 2024). "What's New on The List for Outlaws of Thunder Junction". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March 26, 2024). "Whre to Plat Outlaws of Thunder Junction for Fun and Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c d WPN (March 27, 2024). "Outlaws of Thunder Junction Events & Promos Overview". Wizards Play Network.
- ↑ Cowboy Bebop promotion. Magic: the Gathering Japan (April 19, 2024).
- ↑ [JP Official] Cowboy Bebop x Magic: The Gathering Opening Homage Trailer (Video). Wizardsmtgjp. YouTube (April 19, 2024).
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (April 22, 2024). "Announcing Cowboy Bebop Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Kendall Pepple (April 5, 2024). "The Tokens of Outlaws of Thunder Junction". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Matt Tabak (March 26, 2024). "Outlaws of Thunder Junction Mechanics". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 7, 2024). "the "Commit a Crime" stuff looks like it is going to be treated like Gotcha by the players.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 10, 2024). "In OTJ, who is rewarded when I commit a crime?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
- ↑ Gavin Verhey (April 3, 2024). "The Problem with Kicker (And How We Fixed It) (Video)". Good Morning Magic. YouTube.
- ↑ OTJ Draft Archetypes (WeeklyMTG). Reddit (April 2, 2024).
- ↑ a b Mark Rosewater (March 4, 2024). "Nuts & Bolts #16: Play Boosters". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Mark Rosewater (March 29, 2024). "How would you describe the "Join up" cycle?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
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