When Wizards of the Coast announced they were partnering with Marvel to bring Spider-Man into the world of Magic: The Gathering, it sounded like the kind of collaboration that would get even a non-Magic player swinging into their local card shop. The web-slinger, with his universal appeal, seemed a perfect fit to draw in new players while thrilling veteran fans with fresh, thematic experiences. However, the reality of this much-anticipated team-up turned out to be a mixed bag—a dazzling spectacle for collectors, but a potential miss for those hoping for deep, engaging gameplay.
The initial buzz surrounding the Magic x Marvel’s Spider-Man set was palpable—a crescendo of anticipation that seemed poised to crescendo into packed prerelease events and bustling game stores. But somewhere along the way, that excitement fizzled into hushed gatherings and whispers of discontent. Card shop owners lamented the sky-high prices, citing a Marvel fatigue that has crept up over time, and noted that players appeared to be shifting their investments towards other releases. This dichotomy between hype and reality forms the backdrop for everything we’ll dive into today.
The set’s struggle with identity can be traced to some midstream shifts in design philosophy. According to insights from Wizards, the original plan was to present a compact, Commander-focused supplemental set of around 100 cards—never intended for drafting. When similar mini-releases didn’t perform as expected, the decision was made to expand Spider-Man into a 188-card, draftable, Standard-legal set. The challenge of expanding the scope under an unchanged deadline resulted in a product that, unsurprisingly, shows its seams.
With 188 cards, the set feels surprisingly lean, particularly when juxtaposed with other recent Standard offerings. Draft formats here have been trimmed from the usual ten archetypes to a sparse five, stunting the replay value. Moreover, the roster includes a plethora of Spider Human Hero legends that, while appearing distinct in theory, blur into one another in practice, allowing the novelty to diminish more rapidly than desired. This leaves us with a Limited environment that feels eerily repetitive and a Constructed card pool that struggles to feel comprehensive.
Adding another layer of complexity is the digital rendition of the set in “Magic: The Gathering Arena,” which supposedly features alternate card names and artwork to maneuver through intricate licensing laws. But for players who enjoy both paper and digital versions, this presents an unnecessary and frustrating inconsistency, like getting tangled in your own web.
For collectors, however, the set is a veritable treasure trove. Headlining the release is the Soul Stone, an indestructible two-mana artifact boasting the ability to resurrect a creature from the graveyard each turn—a guaranteed centerpiece on the battlefield and in collectors’ binders alike. The card’s Cosmic Foil edition is especially elusive, already commanding prices in the four-figure range, feeding into the classic lottery allure expected from branded blockbusters.
Beyond the glitz of these prize cards, there are designs that strike a promising chord without being mere eye candy. Anti-Venom, Horrifying Healer, fits seamlessly into white and black Commander constructions that focus on reanimation and life gain. Electro, Assaulting Battery, empowers red decks with its flexible mana and reach attributes. Gwenom, Remorseless, is likened to a creature version of Bolas’s Citadel, enabling the conversion of life into spells plucked straight from the library. Meanwhile, the Spectacular Spider-Man card, offering flash and a safeguard capability that protects your team with hexproof and indestructibility, channels a level of interactivity and dynamism that one could argue saves the set from feeling like a total lost cause.
But not every card sticks the landing. The extended lineup of similar Spider variants dilutes the legendary status of these characters, and several nameplates fail to make an impact. Morbius, for instance, presents as clunky and awkward, while Peter Parker’s flagship card feels surprisingly underwhelming for someone of his reputation. Color pie choices aimed at supporting specific mechanics sometimes jar with the established perceptions of characters, such as Miles Morales being awkwardly placed into green, which seems at odds with his usual portrayal.
Draft formats thrive on distinct archetypes underscored by clear signposts, particularly at the common and uncommon levels, along with sufficient variability to keep repeated sessions feeling fresh. Unfortunately, this Spider-Man set truncates archetypes, echoes mechanical tropes, and fails to imbue commons with the necessary depth to craft evolving drafts. Players abandon narrow formats quickly, leaving stores with an unsold supply targeted towards months-long draft leagues, a fate that appears all too possible here.
Crossover sets have demonstrated that they can meet lofty expectations. Recent entries such as The Lord of the Rings and Final Fantasy have successfully married source material mechanics with independent, stand-alone formats. Regrettably, while Spider-Man excels in terms of brand appeal and collectible allure, it falls short of ascending the gameplay heights set by its predecessors.
In the end, it’s high-end collectors, sealed-box speculators, and Spider-Man’s most ardent devotees who stand to gain the most from this release. The chase cards are stellar, and the variation in rarity caters to those with a penchant for collecting with abandon. Players on tighter budgets, however, particularly those who savor Draft and Sealed formats, may find themselves feeling shortchanged. While dedicated Commander enthusiasts will uncover a smattering of cards destined for long-term homes in their decks, the selection is notably limited.
For those contemplating what to do with their own dollars, the smart play is to focus on singles. Curate a shortlist of the cards that enrich your decks or collection and pick them off one by one. Should you decide to engage in the thrill of the chase, enter with the understanding that real value is sequestered in the ultra-rare variants of a select few cards. While Collector Boosters will maintain the set’s financial backbone, they remain a rollercoaster ride at best for most buyers.
The notes I’m jotting down for my personal reference? Navigate this draft experience with restraint, be discerning about high-potential cards like The Soul Stone, and expect that most Arena users will encounter some friction between digital and physical editions.
For those on the hunt for an engrossing, layered Limited set, this package might feel sparse. But if you’re seeking just a few monumental cards to enrich your Commander or casual 60-cards lineup, you’ll find what you need without committing to mountains of sealed product.
