Magic: The Gathering's Lord of the Rings Set Is Full of Precious Art

Linda Codega
·4-min read
Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Next month Magic: The Gathering heads to Middle-earth for an all-new set based on the world of The Lord of Rings. While we’d previously gotten hits at some of the new artwork coming in the set, lead art director Ovidio Cartagena has now lifted the lid on even more of Tales From Middle-earth’s glorious new art.

Created in collaboration with Middle-earth Enterprises, the new artwork for Tales From Middle-earth was commissioned over the course of three years while the set was in development.

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Some interesting standouts include Rohan and the Rohirrim as red aggro attackers, a special rule that allows nine Nazghûl cards to appear in a single deck, and a ton of green/white synergy with Aragorn and Gondor-themed cards. Across all the cards is a new mechanic—temptation. Befitting its duplicitous nature, the Ring of Power can tempt a creature card and an emblem will be put into play; that creature will become the Ring-Bearer. Each time the temptation activities, the Ring emblem, much like a saga in current Magic rules terminology, will continue to activate new abilities.

There’s also a massive 18-card interconnected scene where, if you line up all the cards, they depict a single image. Taylor Jacobson illustrated the Battle of Pelennor Fields, the last great battle for freedom in Middle-Earth as the forces of Rohan rode to the aid of Minas Tirith’s besieged forces. You can see the full art included in this the slideshow. Additionally, there will be a Secret Lair drop alongside the Magic: The Gathering, Universes Beyond: The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth set. Yes. That is the full name of this set.

Click through to see the new cards revealed from the Lord of the Rings set from Magic: The Gathering, ahead of its full release on June 23.

The One Ring

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

The Ring Emblem

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

The Battle of Pellenor Fields

Image: Wizards of the Coast | Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson
Image: Wizards of the Coast | Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson

Card Backs

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Aragorn and Arwen, Wed

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Aragorn, the Uniter

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Aragorn, the Uniter Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Bag End Porter

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Ballistic Boulder

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Banishing Light

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Barad-dûr

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Forest

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Forest

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Island

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Island

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Mountain

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Mountain 

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Plains

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Plains

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Swamp

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Land - Swamp

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Bilbo’s Ring

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Bill the Pony

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Bombadil’s Song

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Boromir, Warden of the Tower

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Boromir, Warden of the Tower - Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Bridge of Khazad-dûm

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Butterbur, Bree Innkeeper

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Cast into the Fire

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Dúnedain Blade

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Dunland Crebain

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

East-Mark Cavalier

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Easterling Vanguard

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Eastfarthing Farmer

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Ent’s Fury

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Éomer, Marshal of Rohan

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Éowyn, Fearless Knight

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Éowyn, Shieldmaiden

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Evolving Wilds

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Feed the Swarm

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Field of Ruin

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Fire of Orthanc

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Fires of Mount Doom

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Food

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Food

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Food

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Foray of Orcs

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Frodo, Adventurous Hobbit

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Frodo, Determined Hero

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Galadhrim Bow

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Galadriel, Elven-Queen

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Galadriel, Gift-Giver

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Gandalf the White

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Gandalf the White - Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Gandalf, White Rider

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Generous Ent

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Gimli, Mournful Avenger

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Gimli, Mournful Avenger - Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Goblin Assailant

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Goblin Fireleaper

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Gollum, Scheming Guide

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Gothmog, Morgul Lieutenant

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Graypelt Refuge

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Grishnákh, Brash Investigator

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Hew the Entwood

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Knight of the Keep

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Knights of Dol Amroth

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Landroval, Horizon Witness

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Last March of the Ents

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Legolas, Master Archer

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Legolas, Master Archer - Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Long List of the Ents

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Many Partings

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Mauhúr, Uruk-hai Captain

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Meriadoc Brandybuck

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Merry, Esquire of Rohan

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Merry, Esquire of Rohan - Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Minas Tirith

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Mind Stone

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Mirkwood Bats

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Mordor Trebuchet

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Mushroom Watchdogs

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nasty End

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Nazgûl

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Oliphaunt

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Olog-hai Crusher

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Orc Army

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Orc Army

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Orcish Bowmaster

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Paths of the Dead

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Peregrin Took

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Pippin, Guard of the Citadel

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Pippin, Guard of the Citadel - Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Pippin’s Bravery

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Prince Imrahil the Fair

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Protector of Gondor

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Quickbeam, Upstart Ent

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Rising of the Day

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Rosie Cotton of South Lane

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Sam, Loyal Attendant

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Samwise Gamgee

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Samwise Gamgee - Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Saruman of Many Colors

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Sauron, Lord of the Rings

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Sauron, the Dark Lord

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Sauron, the Dark Lord - Alternate

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Sauron, the Lidless Eye

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Second Breakfast

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Shadow of the Enemy

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Shelob’s Ambush

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Shire Terrace

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Snarling Warg

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Stew the Coneys

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Storm of Saruman

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Swarming of Moria

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

The Balrog, Flame of Udûn

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

The One Ring

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Treason of Isengard

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Uglúk of the White Hand

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Voracious Fell Beast

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Westfold Rider

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Witch-king of Angmar

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering


Wose Pathfinder

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

You Cannot Pass

Image: Magic The Gathering
Image: Magic The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond: Lord of the Rings - Tales of Middle-earth Collector Boosters

Image: Wizards of the Coast
Image: Wizards of the Coast

They are really pulling out all the stops on this one. It’s the perfect set to do it—a fan favorite with a rich lore and with strong ties to the fanbase. Sure, it’s fanservice to the max, but it’s pretty, and surely we’ve all forgotten about the unpleasantness last month, right?

The full set will release June 23.


Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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