top of page

Early Reactions to MTG Lorwyn Eclipsed, and Why Nostalgia Still Wins

Magic: The Gathering group comment sections have been flooded lately, and you have probably seen it. Someone says “Lorwyn Eclipsed,” and suddenly half the community turns into that Leonardo DiCaprio meme pointing at the screen.


For longtime players, Lorwyn was not just a plane. It became a vibe. Kithkin Tribal decks everywhere. Weird little creatures. Art that felt straight out of a storybook you probably lost in middle school. So when Lorwyn Eclipsed was revealed, it was less of a product announcement and more of a collective emotional event for long time players.


Let’s talk about how the MTG community's reaction to Lorwyn Eclipsed seems positive and why Wizards of the Coast should absolutely be paying attention.


What Is Lorwyn Eclipsed?

Lorwyn Eclipsed is Wizards dipping back into one of Magic’s most beloved planes. Lorwyn originally launched in 2007 and instantly carved out a place in player hearts. Kithkin, Faeries, Goblins, Merfolk, Elves. If it had a tribe, it probably got support.


Twisted trees on a vibrant fantasy landscape split into two: a dark, swirling left side and a bright, rocky right with a tower and flying creature.

The new release is not a reprint set, but it clearly pulls on the heartstrings of that era. Familiar creature types, callbacks in card names, and art direction that feels intentionally old school. It is not subtle. And that is the point.


The MTG Community Reactions to Lorwyn Eclipsed

The reaction online was immediate and loud. Not polite loud. Internet loud.


Within minutes of the reveal, timelines were flooded with side-by-side comparisons of old Lorwyn cards and the new designs. People were digging through binders and posting photos of their dusty tribal decks like they had just found a time capsule.


Reddit threads exploded with titles like “Lorwyn was my childhood” and “I cannot believe they actually brought this back.” Entire comment chains turned into group therapy sessions where players shared their first FNM stories and the exact moment they learned how champion worked the hard way.


Two cartoon characters discuss "Lorwyn Eclipsed" previews at a computer. One says it's good, the other responds with a pun. Simple room setting.

On Twitter, it was memes. So many memes. Screenshots of Bitterblossom. Faeries staring menacingly. Someone even posted a photo of their 2008 decklist written on notebook paper. The engagement was unreal.


Discord servers did what Discord servers do best. Immediately started brewing. People argued over whether certain tribes would be viable again, how the new cards stack up to the originals, and whether Wizards would finally give Kithkin the respect they deserve. Justice for Kithkin, by the way.


Content creators jumped in fast. Reaction videos, deck techs, speculation streams. You could tell this was not just another preview season. This one mattered.


A tweet from Saffron Olive expressing mixed emotions about "Lorwyn Eclipsed," feeling both happy and sad. Text on a black background.

The most telling part was not hype about power level. It was emotional. Players were not asking, “Is this broken?” They were saying, “This feels like Magic again.”


That kind of response is rare. You cannot fake it. You cannot manufacture it with a flashy crossover or a pushed mythic. It only happens when you tap into something real.


Nostalgia Is Not a Gimmick

Some people hear “nostalgia” and think it is lazy design. A cheap way to cash in on old memories.


But that is not what is happening here.


Nostalgia works because Magic has a deep history. Players form real emotional connections to sets. To decks. To the exact card that won them their first FNM.


When Wizards revisits a plane like Lorwyn, they are not just selling cardboard. They are reminding players why they fell in love with the game in the first place.


And judging by the reaction, it's working.


Wizards Should Lean Into This

Magic has been around for over 30 years. That is a gift. Most games would kill for that kind of legacy.


Wizards has already seen success with returns to planes like Ravnica, Dominaria, and Kamigawa. Every time they go back, players show up. They buy packs. They talk about it. They care.


Lorwyn Eclipsed proves there is still a huge appetite for older planes that have been sitting on the bench. Players are begging for returns to places like Alara, Mercadia, and even the rebirth of Mirrodin. Yes, again. Do not pretend you did not love Besieged and New Phyrexia.


This is not about reprinting the same cards forever. It is about capturing the spirit of what made those worlds special and updating it for modern Magic, adding to the lore.


Why New Players Benefit Too

Nostalgia sets are not just for veterans.


New players get to experience traditional Magic and planes they missed. They hear older players talk about “back in my day” and now they can finally see what all the hype was about.


It also creates shared culture. When everyone knows what a Faerie tribal deck looks like, it becomes part of the Magic language. That matters for a game built on community.


The Risk of Ignoring the Past

Magic is constantly trying new things. Universes Beyond. New mechanics every set. Crossovers everywhere.


That is fine. Innovation keeps the game fresh.


But if Wizards ever forgets its roots, players will notice. Fast.


Lorwyn Eclipsed is proof that people still crave classic Magic worlds. The kind with their own stories, aesthetics, and inside jokes.


You can only sell so many crossover sets before players start asking what happened to traditional Magic.


What This Means Going Forward

If Wizards is smart, they will treat Lorwyn Eclipsed as more than a one-off.


They should:

  • Revisit older planes more often

  • Keep the original flavor intact

  • Support beloved tribes and mechanics

  • Balance nostalgia with modern design


This does not mean living in the past. It means respecting it.


Magic works best when it feels like Magic. Not just a card game, but a world you actually want to spend time in.


Final Thoughts

The reaction to Lorwyn Eclipsed says a lot about the Magic community.


Players want to feel something. They want to recognize cards. They want to smile when they open a pack and see a familiar face.


Nostalgia is not a weakness. It is one of Magic’s biggest strengths.


Wizards should absolutely lean into it. Because sometimes, looking back is the best way to move forward.


Now, if you excuse me, I need to go rebuild my Faerie deck and pretend it is still 2007.

Comments


  • Threads
  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
The Cardboard Chronicles Logo

© 2025 The Cardboard Chronicles. All Rights Reserved.

bottom of page