MTG: Passed from Thought – Don’t Give Up on ‘Tales of Middle-Earth’
Just because the Ring has been found doesn’t mean you should give up on this set!
Tales of Middle-earth has been one of the best-selling sets of Magic in recent years, and for good reason. Wizards printed a single serialized copy of the One Ring, and hid it in a Collector’s Booster. The incredible worth of this rare Lord of the Rings MtG card drove sales through the roof, with players hoping to snag the high-value card.
Then, at long last, the card was found, and there seemed to be a collective exhale of both happiness and disappointment. Without the great treasure, many players are asking what good the set has left. After all, if you aren’t a fan of Lord of the Rings, there isn’t any point, right? Well…not entirely. This set brought a lot of exciting things to the game, and it’s worth a look even without the looming One Ring. While I might be a little biased as a huge fan of Tolkien, the set has a ton to offer for every fan of the game.
Powerful New Legends
Fans of the Commander format are always looking for new legends to lead their decks, and Tales delivered. Mighty heroes and deadly villains clash on the fields of battle from Pelennor to the Shire. These cards have empowered the format, and powerhouses like Aragorn, jolly Tom Bombadil, and Sauron are reshaping the face of the commander. Even if the Ring isn’t out there anymore, the forces that defined Middle-Earth are still worth the hunt.
Amazing New Mechanics
In every format, the keywords on a card can take mediocre pieces to high-power auto includes. A 3/3 for four isn’t great, but a 3/3 for four with deathtouch and lifelink is a bargain. Tales introduced a few new keywords and mechanics that make otherwise low-value pieces into format breakers. Amass isn’t new, but the Orc flavor is fun in a Lord of the Rings setting, and of course, the temptation mechanics are amazing. Turning a tiny token into an unblockable powerhouse that gives card advantage is nothing to scoff at. Plus, there are so many new mechanics with Food now; old favorites like Witch’s Oven and Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar are more viable than ever.
The (Other) One Ring
Just because the One of One Ring is off the shelves doesn’t mean the OTHER One Rings aren’t still worth some scratch. Several surge foil and alternate art One Ring cards are still in circulation, featuring altered art, enhanced lettering, and a gorgeous finish. While they don’t hold the rather hefty price tag of the true One Ring, they’re still worth trying to hunt for. After all, there’s more than one treasure in Middle-Earth.
