The 5 MTG Cards Players Want in Wilds of Eldraine

A faerie good time.

Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming fall 2023 Standard set is Wilds of Eldraine. With a global release on September 8th, Wilds of Eldraine revisits the plane of Eldraine after Phyrexians invaded it during the events of March of the Machine. Upon returning to Eldraine, players will experience more of its locations, creatures, characters, and whimsical charm.

Wizards of the Coast’s first look at Wilds of Eldraine previewed a handful of new cards, including Talion, the Kindly Lord, Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator, and Restless Fortress. These spoilers hint at trouble brewing as the Wicked Slumber, used to stop the Phyrexian invasion, affected those who call Eldraine home. While players wait patiently for Wilds of Eldraine’s spoiler season to start on August 15th, there are several cards they hope to see in the expansion.

#5 Return of Adored Characters

Torbran, Thane of Red Fell

Throne Of Eldraine | Rare

Throne of Eldraine featured multiple Leegndary creatures across the five colors of Magic: The Gathering. Torbran, Thane of Red Fell is one such Red Legendary creature from a cycle of mono-color Rares. Torbran, Thane of Red Fell is best known for adding two additional damage to the amount of damage red sources you control would deal to an opponent or permanent they control. In Commander, Thane of the Red Fell sees considerable play in decks led by Zurzoth, Chaos Rider, Toralf, God of Fury, and Purphoros, God of the Forge. A new Torbran card would be exciting for many Red players.

Emry, Lurker of the Loch

Commander: Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | Rare

Emry, Lurker of the Loch is another fan-favorite Legendary creature from Throne of Eldraine. Emry, Lurker of the Loch is a potent inclusion in Legacy’s 8-Cast, Modern’s Jeskai Breach, and artifact-themed Commander decks. Allowing players to cast an artifact card from their graveyard by tapping Emry, Lurker of the Loch is terrific. Introducing players to another artifact-synergizing version of Emry would be fantastic.   

#4 Adventuring Legendary Creatures

Cruel Somnophage

Wilds Of Eldraine | Rare

During Wilds of Eldraine’s first look, Wizards of the Coast (WotC) spoiled a multicolor adventure card called Cruel Somnophage. For one generic and Blue mana, you may cast Can’t Wake Up to have a player mill four cards. Paying one generic and Black mana provides Cruel Somnophage, a Nightmare creature with power and toughness equal to the number of creature cards in all graveyards. Moreover, WotC could take the evolution of adventure cards one step further.

It would be reasonable for WotC to print Adventure cards featuring Legendary creatures. The desparking of Rowan and Will means they will now appear as Legendary creature cards or maybe creature cards with the adventure mechanic. Rowan could deal three damage to a creature and come into play as a damage-dealing mage. Turning a creature into a 0/3 and losing all abilities is a spell that would align well with Will. It would also behoove WotC to print a creature version of Will capable of drawing cards.

Other Legendary creatures on Eldraine that survived the Phyrexian invasion could become Adventure cards too. Gadwick, the Wizened, and Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig are legendary creatures from Throne of Eldraine and are potential front runners for Wilds of Eldraine. New legendary creatures could appear as Adventure cards, particularly the three unnamed witches working with Talion, the Kindly Lord.  

#3 Desparked Planeswalkers

Market Price: $13.54

WotC hinted Rowan and [[Will Kenrith] will return as desparked Planeswalkers in Wilds of Eldraine. However, they are not the only Planeswalkers last seen on Eldraine. Oko and Garruk were planeswalker inclusions in Throne of Eldraine. Although Oko and Garruk’s whereabouts were unknown following Throne of Eldraine’s storyline, they may have returned to Eldraine to help defend it against the Phyrexians. It is plausible that one or both planeswalkers are now wandering through the Wilds.

#2 Enchanting Tales Inclusions

Market Price: $39.17

Market Price: $63.29

Market Price: $16.20

Excitedly, Wilds of Eldraine will feature a bonus sheet of 63 Enchantment reprints. Like The Brothers’ War, the Wilds of Eldraine’s bonus sheet (called Enchanting Tales) will feature non-Standard legal cards at various rarities in Draft, Set, and Collector Booster. Interestingly, 20 of the 63 Enchantment reprints will have Anime Borderless versions. Smothering Tithe, Rhystic Study, Doubling Season, and several other fan-favorite Enchantments got spoiled as bonus sheet inclusions, but what other cards do players want to see?

Guardian Project

Ravnica Allegiance | Rare

Market Price: $9.38

Guardian Project could be an excellent addition to Wilds of Eldraine’s bonus sheet. Guardian Project is a popular Commander deck inclusion thanks to its ability to draw cards from nontoken creatures entering the battlefield under your control. Also, drawing cards in Draft is helpful too.

Aura Shards

Commander | Uncommon

Market Price: $15.43

Another Enchantment due for a widespread reprint is Aura Shards. Initially printed in Invasion, Aura Shards enables you to destroy an artifact or Enchantment when a creature enters the battlefield under your control. Having a copy of Aura Shards on your battlefield is handy when an opponent decides to cast Smothering Tithe or Rhystic Study.

Kindred Discovery

Commander Legends: Battle For Baldur’s Gate | Rare

Market Price: $10.90

Kindred Discovery is a five-mana blue enchantment previously reprinted in Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate. When Kindred Discovery enters the battlefield, you choose a creature type. Furthermore, whenever a creature you control of the selected type enters the battlefield or attacks, you draw a card. Wilds of Eldraine is sure to include many creature types, such as Golem, Nightmare, and Faerie.

Bitterblossom

Double Masters 2022 | Mythic

Market Price: $21.80

It would behoove WotC to ensure Bitterblossom made it on the Enchantment bonus sheet for Wilds of Eldraine. With Bitterblossom under your control, you lose one life and create a 1/1 Black Faerie Rogue creature token with flying at the beginning of your upkeep. Bitterblossom is a nostalgic and quintessential card for Faerie-themed Commander decks and a fantastic bonus sheet addition for Wilds of Eldraine.  

#1 Faerie Reprints

Market Price: $8.23

Speaking of Faeries, Wilds of Eldraine is likely to include multiple Faerie creature cards. Talion, the Kindly Lord is probably one of many new Faerie cards in the set. Additionally, Wilds of Eldraine creates an opportunity for WotC to introduce older Faerie cards to new formats. Spellstutter Sprite and Sprite Noble appear safe enough for Standard and Pioneer. If format legality is an issue, notable Faerie reprints may end up in Wilds of Eldraine’s Fae Dominion Commander Precon. Glen Elendra Archmage, Scion of Oona, or Mistbind Clique would be fantastic additions to the ninety-nine of Fae Dominion.