Mystical Tutor: What's the Deal With MTG's Universes Beyond?

Once upon a time, Magic: The Gathering lived in its own little multiverse. You had goblins, elves, wizards, and planeswalkers doing magical things on magical worlds. Then Wizards of the Coast looked across the table at their giant pop culture shelf and said, “What if Gandalf fought Liliana?”And just like that, MTG's Universes Beyond was born.

If you’ve ever wanted to attack with Optimus Prime, cast a spell with Eleven from Stranger Things, or have Frodo as your Commander, Universes Beyond is your golden ticket.

Let’s dig into what these wild crossovers are, how they work, and why it’s not the end of Magic as we know it.

What Is Universes Beyond?

Universes Beyond is a product line in Magic: The Gathering that brings in characters, settings, and stories from outside Magic’s core multiverse. Instead of being set on Dominaria or Ravnica, these cards are themed around popular franchises like:

• The Lord of the Rings

• Warhammer 40,000

• Doctor Who

• Final Fantasy

• Assassin’s Creed

• Fallout

• And even My Little Pony if you count the earlier promos

  
  

Think of it as Magic’s version of fan fiction, but with actual licensing agreements and much better card frames.

How Does It Fit Into the Game?

You might be thinking, “Wait, how do I play a Fallout Super Mutant in the same game as a Selesnya Elf?” The short answer is: pretty easily.

Most Universes Beyond cards are fully legal in Commander, Legacy, and Vintage. Some get special treatments like entire Commander decks or full expansion sets (like The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth). These sets are designed to function mechanically like any other Magic cards, just with new characters and art from beloved franchises. And now, all future Universes Beyond sets will be legal in standard!

So yes, Frodo can absolutely wield a Lightning Greaves. Sauron can be your commander. Gandalf can cast board wipes. And no one can stop you from quoting the movies while doing it.

What’s the Deal With “Universe Within” Versions?

This is Magic’s way of meeting traditionalists halfway. Some cards originally printed with franchise-specific names—like Eleven, the Mage from Stranger Things—have been reprinted with “Magic-ified” names in what's called the Universe Within.

So Eleven might become Zerthra, Psychic Mage in a Magic version. Same card, different name, possibly fewer waffles.

This helps people who want to enjoy the mechanics of the card without needing to have watched every Netflix show or sci-fi epic released in the last decade.

Why It’s Cool

• Fresh Flavor: Playing cards from familiar universes adds new flavor and fun. Whether you’re a fan of 40K or Doctor Who, seeing those characters come to life in Magic is a nerd dream come true.

• Deckbuilding Inspiration: Universes Beyond cards open up new archetypes. Want to build a food deck around Samwise Gamgee? A cartoon deck featuring SpongeBob Squarepants? Go wild.

• Great for New Players: These crossovers attract fans from other fandoms and help introduce them to Magic. It's a lot easier to convince a Tolkien fan to play if you show them Aragorn is literally on a card.

  
  

Why Some People Side-Eye It

Not everyone is thrilled. Some veteran players feel that Universes Beyond "breaks immersion" or moves Magic too far from its fantasy roots. Seeing a Fallout Power Armor next to a Llanowar Elf can cause mild plane confusion.

Others worry about accessibility. Some cards from Universes Beyond were initially only available through special products or Secret Lairs, which raised concerns about scarcity and cost. Higher premiums on some full sets can also take players out of the arena, making it more pay to play than it already is.

But the game remains fully functional whether you're playing with franchise crossovers or sticking to old-school cards. The multiverse is a big place. There’s room for Aang (yes, the Last Airbender is coming) and Jace.

MTG Universes Beyond Expands the Game

Universes Beyond is like Magic’s ultimate cosplay event. It might not be for everyone, but it’s undeniably fun, weird, and creative. If the idea of a giant robot fighting a wizard while a vampire assassin watches sounds like your kind of Thursday night, this product line is for you.

And in the end, Magic has always been about imagination. Whether your battlefield features dragons and goblins or Xenos and space marines, it’s still the same game underneath. Just with a little extra flavor and a lot more pop culture references.