Season's BeatingsSeason's Beatings | Art by Kev Walker

Seasons Greetings!

This week, we're going back in time and covering everything that came out for Universes Beyond! Here, we'll be giving an in-depth review for each of the major releases this year (Secret Lairs get their own section). This'll be a long article, so let's save my word count, and Commence the EndgameCommence the Endgame!

Release #1: Final Fantasy

For this year, we begin with a bang so loud it could be heard across the world. The Final Fantasy set took the community by storm, becoming the fastest-selling set before it was even released!

In addition, this set had something for everyone. Commander, as a whole, got plenty of goodies from the main set, to the bonus sheet, to the Secret Lairs (more on those in that section). I even set out to write an article featuring only cards from this release, which you can read about here. Many cards, including the new additions from the precons, are still being played in the format.

Even though he's banned in Standard, Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier is still sending chills down the spines of players everywhere. Meanwhile, Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIERSephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER is perhaps the most powerful Blood ArtistBlood Artist effect ever printed, and on a commander option no less.

However, I can't say this was all a bed of roses. The set had a higher power level than usual, including Vivi, who has traumatized Standard players everywhere, and thus may react when we use a deck for him.

Speaking of Standard, this set was the first in the Universes Beyond product line to be Standard legal, a decision I don't endorse. Maybe the next set will be better, no?

Release #2: Spider-Man

...Okay, maybe not.

This set was met with quite the negative reception. Sure, this release drew in some people, but even I admit that this was the worst Universes Beyond set this year. This is true especially when we compare it to the other releases.

The highlight card is The Soul StoneThe Soul Stone, a card with Commander usage, and some long-term implications. Many were quick to point out a new plane in the Multiverse, named New York City (this is a joke, by the way). While I could go on about how it was received, it's not to say its Commander applications were useless.

Aside from The Soul Stone, we got our mitts on some tri-color commanders, like Gwen StacyGwen Stacy, and a five-color option in Cosmic Spider-ManCosmic Spider-Man. If you asked me what I did with this set, I'd tell you nothing, but I did plan on making Cosmic Spider-Man with cards mostly from this set. We also got a lot of new Spider support, including Mary Jane WatsonMary Jane Watson, who's certainly going on a date with Shelob, Child of UngoliantShelob, Child of Ungoliant.

...Wait a minute. Nah, it's probably nothing.

Release #3: Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA)

To out my thoughts shortly: Spider-Man walked, so ATLA could run.

There's no mistaking it. People were excited for this set, and for good reason. While we did get yet another five-color option in Avatar AangAvatar Aang, his design was actually more creative than what we got with Cosmic Spider-Man.

Plus, we also got as plethora of unique and interesting two and three-color commander choices. One of the most popular of these is Fire Lord AzulaFire Lord Azula, who'll be copying spells left and right. Meanwhile, Fire Lord ZukoFire Lord Zuko is another take on an exile deck that'll give Prosper, Tome-BoundProsper, Tome-Bound decks a new color.

The heavy presence of Ally cards really bolstered the creature type, even giving it a couple of new commanders in Katara, the FearlessKatara, the Fearless and Sokka, Tenacious TacticianSokka, Tenacious Tactician. General TazriGeneral Tazri decks will never be the same again, I assure you.

While this set wasn't on the same power level as Final Fantasy, the flavor and unique mechanics makes it a major competitor for Universes Beyond Set of the Year.

Bonus: The Secret Lair Drops

To wrap up this review, we have ourselves a myriad of Secret Lair Drops that gave us some new IPs to work with.

Kicking this off was Marvel, again. This time, with Deadpool, Trading CardDeadpool, Trading Card. Great card, if you want to give judges a headache.

Secondly, the SpongeBob SquarePants Superdrop, which brought us reskins of existing cards. Nothing too special about these drops beyond that, unless you were lucky enough to pull a Smothering TitheSmothering Tithe.

Next, we had the aforementioned Final Fantasy drops, which were jam-packed with strong reprints to go with the main release. On a personal note, I remember this release destroying my mental health so badly that it took me months to recover (There's a part of me that hasn't).

Later in the year, we got the next batch of drops in the form of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. These featured mechanically unique legends in one of the drops, while the rest were reskins of existing cards. There was chatter about Shadow the HedgehogShadow the Hedgehog making waves in higher brackets, but I don't know if that's still true.

After that was a Superdrop themed around Spider-Man, but I remember the Venom-related drops being the most prominent of the lot.

Next, we had a big surge in IPs, from The Office to various PlayStation games and, eventually, to Monster Hunter. The PlayStation ones were all mechanically unique with several interesting new commanders. In the midst of it all was the ATLA superdrop, which featured ATLA-themed reprints for those wanting to play with the IP.

...Whew. That was a long list.

Ride Unto a New Dawn

And that's a wrap for this year's Universes Beyond releases.

With next year featuring four sets, plus loads of Secret Lair drops, it'll be interesting to see if I can contain it in one article.

Originally, this week was supposed to be for a deck tech, but a hiccup in the scheduling has moved it into next year. This is better for me, because it meant that I can avoid the awkward situation of ruining my advent calendar to write up my articles, especially in the middle of the month. Good thing I got a second box for this purpose.

Speaking of which, tune in next time where I explain the rules of my shenanigans, and kick off the festivities.

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