Magic The Gathering: Fallout's cards & mechanics are rad, here's when you can get them

2024 is here, and after murder mysteries, dinosaurs, fairytales, and Doctor Who last year, you may be wondering where Magic The Gathering is going next.

As it happens, we're dipping back into the growing Universes Beyond branding to find a fresh crossover, and this one is taking us to the Wasteland.

That's right, it's finally time for the long-awaited Fallout crossover, and there are some fantastic new cards and reprints alike to be found in this set.

So, whether you're new to Magic The Gathering, already slinging spells, or are just here for Fallout, here's what you can look forward to.

What is Universes Beyond: Fallout in Magic The Gathering?

As with the Lord of the Rings or Doctor Who crossovers, Wizards of the Coast is leaning on another IP to help bring new players to Magic The Gathering.

That means fresh mechanics, as well as a series of new Commander decks for that format, all themed around the Fallout universe.

Expect Pip Boys, Deathclaws, and pretty much anything else you can expect to find in the world of the long-running RPG series.

When does Universes Beyond: Fallout launch?

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Wondering when you can step foot into the wasteland? You don't have to wait long to leave the vault, as Universes Beyond: Fallout arrives in Magic The Gathering on March 8, 2024. That means it's just short of a month after the Murders at Karlov Manor set.

Magic The Gathering Fallout card spoilers

Check out a whole host of new cards in the gallery below.

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In terms of reprints, there are some great additions that line up nicely with Fallout's lore. For example, Puresteel Paladin now has a Brotherhood of Steel version, while Mechanized Production is now reprinted with Nuka-Cola art.

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Perhaps most exciting is how the card art reaches as far back as the older, Interplay games. For example, Guardian Project has art inspired by Fallout 1.

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Mechanics

Naturally, Radiation is a problem in Fallout's world, so a new mechanic has been devised to convey how difficult it is to survive in a post-apocalyptic scenario.

Radiation triggers at the first main phase if a player has a Rad Counter on them (these are rolled out via card effects). Players mill a card for each counter, and every non-life card milled makes them lose one life.

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Bobbleheads are also present, acting as Artifacts with varying abilities, like the Perception Bobblehead above.

Energy and Proliferate mechanics also return.

Commander Decks

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While Collector boosters will be available, you'll find plenty of the cards shown here in the four Commander precons. We've got a full rundown, but here's a quick look:

• Hail, Caesar - White, Black, Red - Commander: Caesar, Legion's Emperor
• Mutant Menace - Blue, Black, Green - Commander: The Wise Mothman
• Science! - White, Blue, Red - Commander: Dr. Madison Li
• Scrappy Survivors - White, Red, Green - Commander: Dogmeat, Ever Loyal

Let's be honest, we're all picking Dogmeat, right? Such a good boy.

For more on card games, check out our rundown of the best digital card games in 2024. GGRecon uses affiliate links, if you purchase any products from our links we may earn a commission.