Doctor Who Is Now Magic: The Gathering

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Use code TOLARIANCOMMUNITY130 to get $130 off Factor at bit.ly/3pm6Rpr!

[@sparkydammit8734]

Oh op

[@CanuckMonkey13]

I thought this was going to be an ad for a certain anti-union meal delivery company, and I was pleasantly surprised when it wasn't! Thanks Prof for switching sponsors. I don't know anything about Factor yet but I will be looking into them!

[@Tupiaz]

When you choose to support and buy the cards how will you expect WotC to stop making the cards. You are buying a product you don't want. If the players don't buy the cards WotC will stop making them (if we are assuming random fans of the properties don't buy them which is a big if).

[@creativehunter6863]

"Never frozen" *proceeds to heat said product in microwave because it's frozen*

[@melonyfbb]

im hyped for lotr and warhammer set but not dr who sorry (personal preference)

[@MrDEtheridge]

This video feels like someone coming to the “Acceptance” stage of Grief.

[@KeeperOTG]

Please dont capitalize the G in Grief. PTSD lol

[@sm2747-j3k]

thumbs up? :(

[@aaronfrick7217]

Damn, this comment is the perfect for how I'm feeling about the game. Thank you.

[@nathans1787]

I hear what the Prof is saying, and I don’t think he’s wrong, but for me personally, I just can’t stomach the IP mish-mash that Magic has become.

[@Kerpaint]

@@lunisinko7498 Even though the Professor tries to be stoic, and his advice in life is good from a general point of view (don't get mad cause things change). Not always things change for the better. I agree with you, mtg is a giant billboard and everyone who pays can have its share. I was ok with godzilla "official alternate arts" sort of cards, but this is preposterous. And why can't we get mad that our game is being destroyed? (by this and other wotc practices) we have to be stoic and just deal with it?. It's like telling a tolkien fan that the lord of the rings is old and that we are gonna change it for the better, with more diversity and modern standards, because its better, trust me.

[@travisweik955]

I love that Eccleston is The Professor’s favorite Doctor. Never skip 9.

[@seasikberry7120]

We just started watching from eccleston and are on smith now and i like them all and obviously Tennet is amazing but i loved Eccleston a lot, his vibe was so good

[@Autism3.0]

I dont really want to watch the first 8, they are sooo much better from eccleston onwards

[@Hirroth]

My favorite Doctor.

[@GraemeGunn]

He was the BEST Doctor, I wish he was everyone's favourite!

[@stevewacker7865]

Great Doctor

[@miguelalmendras3126]

My Professor's favorite quote: "It is ok not to love everything about things that you still do love." Well said Professor! ❤️

[@kmaru80]

It's also ok to let go of things that are no longer the thing you loved originally. Sadly, I think that's where I'm at.

[@miguelalmendras3126]

@@kmaru80 I feel you bro ♥️

[@enricomassignani]

I think we've reached a point where we need to send a strong message to WotC.

[@zachariahpoltergeist4516]

This is a perfect illustration of patriotism vs nationalism. A patriot says, "I love it, but I see its flaws and want to correct them." A nationalist says, "Doesn't matter, it's the best no matter what and doesn't need to change."

[@mufasafalldown8401]

There does come a point, however... Prof is the only magic channel I still bother to watch. Terrible decisions from WotC over the past few years.

[@ridgetownsend1010]

Christopher Eccleston is a very underrated Doctor and doesn’t get enough love. Kudos to you for being a man of taste and paying homage to him

[@robertrucker9210]

Amen townsend

[@HailtotheKiin]

My boy literally took down Satan, how can people not love him?

[@torinnbalasar6774]

@@HailtotheKiin I thought David Tennant was the one to face Satan on the Impossible Planet. Has it been so long since I've seen the 9th that I forgot an earlier faceoff with another devil?

[@DarrinCalvinRoenfanz]

@@torinnbalasar6774 No you're correct, it was David's 10th Doctor. (I'm in the middle of re-watch and I saw that episode maybe a couple weeks ago)

[@Sicho84]

ninth doctor, best doctor IMO. He and Billie brought the series into a new generation, so he might even be the "most important" doctor in a sense.

[@justindao9140]

I don't see enough comments on this, so let me just add - your creativity adding mixes of the different Doctors' lines throughout was marvelous and a nice treat for DW fans.

[@toamatau8785]

Not even a Doctor Who fan and I recognized one or two, lol. Prof's scripts are always great.

[@hyoroemongaming569]

More like you dont add enough thumb up to such comments and just want to stand out among such comments

[@Loki-]

@@hyoroemongaming569 ???

[@kellybyrd2090]

Trust me. No one is happy with the new doctor. 14 is going to destroy one of the 3 things I enjoy about this world. I’ll always have mtg and Guinea pigs

[@dartdeity7919]

​@@toamatau8785 out of curiosity, which one's? I'm guessing,"I don't wanna go".

[@PinkSparklyGamer]

I was fine with the godzilla cards. I actually quite liked them, since they were basically like wizards-sanctioned alter art cards. However, the reason why they work is because it's optional on whether you want to play magic normally or if you'd rather show off something you love.

[@newflesh666]

this is 100% my feeling too, and it's part of why I stopped playing(except with close friends) and buying products around the release of the walking dead secret lair.

[@Thespqr1997]

same. Universes Beyond just makes me sigh with a little bit of frustration every time. i just hope that for example most of those cards have that "alter-treatment" will come to most of those cards as their higher frequencies with godzilla, dracula & that league of legends thing.

[@dakelpoandgames2593]

Id also like to point out that the Godzilla card is just an alt art of another card that exist in magic already. As with the walking dead cards, some of those special unique mechanics are broken in practice.

[@Thespqr1997]

@@dakelpoandgames2593 probaly the reason we can accept that kinds of cards without even blinking

[@OnlySamCan]

It’s still optional on if you want to play MTG “normally”

[@nickagentblue]

"You can love something and still be critical of it." A simple piece of wisdom not enough of the more vocal people of internet have yet to grasp.

[@lancejburns]

I'd argue you can't love something without also being critical of it. Anything else is a surface level fascination.

[@omagadpourquoi3940]

For the majority you HAVE to be ALL for an opinion, OR the opposite, hearing this is a fresh breath of faith in humanity

[@jek__]

@@lancejburns I very much agree with that. Too often we mistake fanaticism for genuine love

[@bcdfezz]

Personally, the kind of crossover I like to see is where magic planes are inspired by other universes rather than a direct copy. Examples include Throne of Eldraine and Strixhaven. It still feels like MTG while at the same time you can see the inspiration.

[@ryanvm9728]

Maybe they did try for a Harry Potter crossover that didn't push through, and we ended up with Strixhaven. We may never know...

[@spencerp6190]

@@ryanvm9728 Rumor was that WoTC was too cheap to pay for the Harry Potter IP so the deal didn't go through. Thank God...

[@enricomassignani]

@@spencerp6190 Thank God indeed

[@spencerp6190]

@@enricomassignani Like, what would Ron Weasley's activated ability be, whine?

[@FR0STBL0D]

@@spencerp6190 ... maybe, just maybe WotC didn't like some the themes of the HP books (granted: they are 20 years old books that didn't age too well): Harry Potter and ... ... cruelty to animals ... the annoying girls ... the unhealthy relationships ... bullying being OK For more ... take a look at the article "Harry Potter und 20 problematische Dinge" published at alpakawolken. Google translate can help with the German. And besides that: What would have been the point in using an IP by J.K. Rowling ... while cutting ties with Terese Nielsen and stopping to use her artwork. Anyway ... I suppose the "schools of magic" being far more reasonable in Strixhaven ... for them being tied to approaches to magic and magical interests rather than the personality traits of its students (like being humble, hard-working, patient or being wise, witty, studious).

[@capt_howdy]

I’ve described this channel to people as “The Doctor enthusiastically talks about mtg” without knowing you were a fan. 😂

[@God_is_a_High_School_Girl]

We should've guessed with how he dresses XD

[@donovanberserk4993]

The professor? Professor who?

[@GoodMorningMagic]

Hey Prof! I watched the whole thing (despite the disclaimer to turn it off 😛) and just wanted to say I really appreciated the video. Thanks for all the kind words, and I totally understand the perspective. If nothing else I hope you will find some of these cards amusing to read and look at - some of the art is UNREAL and gives me tingles down the spine as a Who fan. One thing I will say: the 4-deck biodome is a great way to have that immersive experience of being in Doctor Who. Unlike individual cards being slotted in somewhere, there's an immersive play experience. Not trying to convince you of anything here, just something I can definitely recommend if folks are interested in a all-Who experience. But really, and most of all, GREAT job working in an oncoming storm of Doctor Who references in your script. I see what you did there! 😄

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

[@ChaosGodofDestruction]

Please please marvel themed set

[@MetroidKing790]

@@TolarianCommunityCollege honestly we have the same opinions on this and worlds beyond, even the same opinion on alchemy and I am glad that someone who shares the same opinions as me has a platform to voice those opinions and allow us to be heard… I also approve of opinions other than my own to be voiced as long as they don’t invalidate other opinions themselves…

[@taylorlynch3405]

*an

[@yarrrthekraken]

I don't mind the commander stuff as much, but Jesus Christ can we please keep them out of Modern? Please? I can rule 0 UB cards in commander. I can't do that in a competitive Modern tournament.

[@hybridmoments333]

I can sum up the Professor’s feelings with a quote from George Costanza: “This is not good. Worlds are colliding!”

[@dailydose1729]

Stop you are going to give Magic the idea to collab with Seinfeld

[@zachariahpoltergeist4516]

You're killing Independent Professor!

[@davestier6247]

@@dailydose1729 too late, Soup Nazi commander precon incoming.

[@Loki-]

@@dailydose1729 * *funky guitar plays* *

[@swordrush]

I don't want my favorite fandom to be cut out and grafted onto Magic. I want Magic to use other fandoms as inspiration to make something that is wholly Magic through-and-through.

[@whyisdiscostevetaken]

sort of like strixhaven's flavor being a harry potter knockoff but not being connected to the wizarding world cannon?

[@retro.7673]

What I wouldn’t give to see PROFS original reaction to this announcement.

[@eric4946]

*Insert Michael Scott no meme here.*

[@timothygerbig875]

What I wouldn't give to see NerdWine become a reality!

[@clothandleather2838]

but why? all you would see is a smile (maybe) and a meh.

[@logananderson5261]

He would have had to be high on crack to be excited in anyway.

[@RocketDragons]

He seems like a pretty reasonable person, and Doctor Who isn't the first UB product, so it was probably a lot like what he expressed in the video.

[@PlayfulOtter]

Your feelings resonate with my own. When I saw the Street Fighter Secret Lair my heart sank. Two IPs that I adore, two works of fiction and entertainment that I consume whenever something new comes about. I felt an incredibly sadness and simply couldn't bring myself to show my support of the crossover. In simpler terms, I enjoy ice cream, and I enjoy tuna fish. I would not enjoy Tuna fish Ice Cream.

[@Sheriff_K]

I'm the type of mad man that would want to still try tuna fish ice cream, to see if it could work.. Maybe that's why I like these mixing IPs? lol.

[@PlayfulOtter]

@@Sheriff_K truly you are an elevated being, your bravery shall be made into legend.

[@shuckahoseerazzle8486]

canned tuna? man thats shits gross af looks and smells like cat food....fresh ahi is pretty good tho, that sounds like it would mix with ice-cream honestly

[@modx5534]

I have nothing but respect for you prof; that was some very well-done critique about universes beyond. Personally, I LOVE warhammer40k but space marines as magic cards are a bit silly. There is indeed „too much of a good thing“ and I get your opinion about seeing dr who in magic. Lets hope wizards keeps this „universes beyond“ thing to a minimum 😂. The mix-up with other franchises kinda dilutes magic‘s uniqueness in my opinion.

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

I appreciate this comment a lot. Thank you.

[@TheTrueLeafless]

But I kinda appreciate the Necrons...they are eternalized similar to Bolas' army in a certain way (but with more personality)

[@ich3730]

how are space marines silly but ali baba and actual chinese warlords are ok?

[@michaelrudolph7003]

And these comments from Magic players show their inability to understand what this is all about. These are directed at people interested in OTHER THINGS THAN MAGIC and attempting to get them to try it. These aren't primarily directed at existing Magic players. Can you consider it from another angle one time? They are trying to bring more new players in and the old guard are there trying to actively keep new people out in order to protect the great nostalgia that is the old days of Magic. You guys don't even like the new sets of actual Magic cards that come out anymore. It's so weird and bipolar and dumb honestly. I agree with the Professor that you don't have to like everything, but do any of you like anything about this game? It seems like most Magic players only like it because they got into it decades ago and remember it fondly, but none of that has anything to do with what is happening now and you just can't quit something you now actively hate because you used to love it. It's just sad really. And if the game truly does suck, and I'm not saying it doesn't, then you should quit. But all I hear is itching and moaning about how bad literally everything is.

[@epicgamer-ny4fj]

I fully get that! Honestly I can respect why other my not want it, but to me, what makes a magic card Magix is that it was mana and can be played legally in commander

[@jds061981]

As a casual player I’m looking forward to both the Dr. Who precons and the Lord of the Rings draftable set. I’m looking forward to having a game nights of Dr. Who commander and Drafting Lord of the Rings. I’m also looking forward to collecting both these sets as well. However I totally understand your feelings of these cards mixing into other Magic formats. Personally I will always just play with them as separate games. Kind of like a Magic the Gathering Spin-off.

[@gilby123]

I'm actually happy about the Doctor Who stuff. I love the series. It's great combining two things I like.

[@AlanChatham]

Kind of interesting to think of how many of these Universes Beyond sets they're doing, and how it goes way back to the original Deckmaster concept of a bunch of different sets of collectible cards from different worlds that can also be compatibly played with each other. Would have been interesting if these sets had started trickling out 15 years ago, especially when the story was shifting to planes other than Dominaria, and MTG wasn't such a lore/flavor juggernaut

[@tagmata1872]

i dont think that would of made anything more interesting, itd just weaken the lore of every fandom it touched

[@dietdrshredder]

Can't imagine it's easy to voice these opinions knowing that your friends worked hard on the product. Thank you, as always, for putting integrity first.

[@spookytanooky]

“It is okay not to love everything about things you still do love.” Truer words have never been said, Professor.

[@jek__]

"uncertainty exists" there you go, truer words! lol

[@donovanberserk4993]

Excellent marriage advice

[@violetlazuli3998]

I have pretty much the same feelings on UB. Something that upsets me too is that this is supposed to be the start of the 30th anniversary year, and In it we have warhammer, lotr and doctor who all coming out instead of actually celebrating the game we love properly. I can accept skins like Dracula and godzilla, and secret lairs now that they'll get magic versions because they are ultimatrly just alters, don't take up much time and can lead to cool designs. But these big releases actually do take away space for regular magic. Lotr could have been conspiracy 3, warhammer could have been some nostalgia themed commander decks maybe around original invasion or the nation's of ice age. I've been feeling burned out on magic a lot lately and universes beyond is really just accelerating it. Once the current Phyrexia storyline wraps up with Aftermath it may be the perfect time for me to take a break.

[@ifoundz]

I've gotten to the burnout stage too. I was spending 4 or 5 figures on magic in years past. Quite a few of my playgroup feel similarly. They're killing the golden goose if it isn't dead already

[@anthonyconvery4331]

It's so sad to think this is a 30 year old game and wotc has not tried to bring the old in with the new. This is a game I enjoy playing with my kids bc I played when I was a teen. Now it's so saturated I've dialed back my money going into this, extremely addictive, hobby and will enjoy the pre release and buying singles... I need to figure out proxies so I'll spend even less money haha

[@JerryScrewis]

The ongoing conflict with phyrexia and the possibility of emrakul returning are the only things keeping me interested at this point

[@KingBobXVI]

My biggest gripe with Universes Beyond is that they missed out on a perfect opportunity for a very elegant organizational system with their branding, lol - imagine if they'd leaned into the "Deckmaster" label by making UB products more or less their own things but that existed under the Deckmaster brand, and moving the core rules _into_ Deckmaster. Then they'd have what are technically a large portfolio of card game products, which are at the same time both distinct _and_ compatible. What if LotR takes off and becomes a regular thing? They could have LotR events and tournaments and whatnot, and it would just happen to be compatible with MTG for the purposes of, say, Deckmaster's Commander. And it would have avoided all the controversy over shoehorning everything into MTG, but oh well.

[@magica3526]

@@ifoundz and you're certain you wouldn't get fatigued if they hadn't changed their style?

[@commanderfocus4940]

Totally agree with everything you've said, Professor! Loved Dr Who growing up! Less into the new-age episodes from Chris Eccleston onward, but still have a lot of childhood nostalgia about the series. The first thing I did was message my Dad who I know would approve of Tom Baker being on a magic card. At the time though, I assumed we were just talking about Secret Lair skins. Now I'm dumbfounded. I could almost see myself playing and collecting the set as a standalone forgotten universe that isn't legal elsewhere. But I hate the thought of random Doctors mixing with my "normal" EDH experience, especially if a doctor-themed commander card at the power level of Teferi's Protection, Smothering Tithe, or Rift - or even just any efficient new ramp, draw or removal - were to get inadvertently printed without an equivalent skin. Even though I'll choose not to play the cards myself, I won't mind coming up against Who themed pre-cons, and I'll never ask anyone not to play Whovian cards, but the Vorthos inside me will inwardly cringe at every flavour fail that could start popping up in non-Whovian decks everywhere. I could almost stomach the thought of LotR cards being format-legal, due to their being 'fantasy adjacent', and the DnD cards have been a much easier pill for my internal Vorthos to swallow, 40K is a bit more of a stretch, but Who just seems a bridge too far - especially from set designers that always drew the line at having a Western set because conventional gun tech was supposedly a bridge too far for them.

[@jml6263]

As always, an excellent example of being able to have opinions and feelings while simultaniously respecting and enjoying the company of those who feel differently. As someone who personally loves several of these crossovers (I'm a huge fighting games and Street Fighter fan and was over the moon to see those crossover cards myself), it really makes me willing and open to listening to know that the respect is mutual and that the disagreement is just that. A disagreement. It doesn't need to be anything further. Love you Professor.

[@TolarianCommunityCollege]

Thank you very much!

[@fernandobanda5734]

Very ironic considering the stickers video said that nobody wants them

[@e2blu]

@@fernandobanda5734 nobody wants stickers

[@meathookmassacre2438]

@@e2blu just call me nobody cause i like stickers lol

[@JD-wu5pf]

@@meathookmassacre2438 My 5 year old also likes stickers. Do you wanna be pals?

[@TheAlois1997]

I compleatly agree, as much as i love Stranger Things "Cecily, Haunted Mage" is a way cooler looking and way better fitting card then "Eleven". As much as i love Lord of the Rings "Elminster" already is better then any "Gandalf" they could design and each Elf Ranger a better "Legolas". Putting Characters from other universes into MTG will just always tear me out of the Universe of MTG. But this may not appear for everyone and so you cann all have your Elevens as long as i still get my Cecilys.

[@zachariahpoltergeist4516]

I'm mostly ok with it as long as it "makes sense" for the settings of Magic. Like for the D&D sets, they could have not mentioned that they were a collaboration and I wouldn't have even noticed, since I don't really know anything about D&D. But something like Stranger Things would stick out like a sore thumb. I feel like Lord of the Rings is at least a compatible world with MtG.

[@jek__]

>compleatly RED ALERT SOMEBODY CALL DAWN WE HAVE AN OIL SPILL OVER HERE

[@FnrrfYgmSchnish]

I find it weird that you're using Elminster, who's a D&D character and *not* part of the universe of Magic, as an example here.

[@johndoriansmith]

My biggest hope is that Wizards is able to reprint these cards when they lose the license. I don't want to have to shell out 300 bucks for a UB card that's legal in modern a few years down the road just because it's on a new licensed property neo-reserve list.

[@AC-mb2kp]

They cab print Magic versions of these cards. The original printing will likely not get a reprint ever.

[@Stinkoman87]

They reserve the right to do a universes within version of any UB card, and when they do the UB version will be erratad to have a second name. They do this as a matter of course for any Secret Lair UB card, and can do it for any other one that is sought after.

[@Ratchetfan321]

They already do....

[@rejected1s]

This is my greatest concern. There's room with the alternative prints such as those we got with the Stranger Things cards, but I'm left wondering for how long that will be good enough? For example, the new Warhammer cards will carry creature types new and native to the Warhammer IP. Will WotC be able to reprint a magic friendly version of the new "Astartes" creatures, or will they struggle with expired agreements and copyright infringement? I wonder if these new cards are effectively going to go strait into the reserve list given enough time.

[@Scantronimus466]

They can just errata the creature types,. Like when they retroactively made all “Hounds” into “Dogs”, they could make “Astartes” into “Humans” or whatever Magic equivalent would be appropriate.

[@BenMarcWilliams]

9:10 Y'know, there actually _is_ an official Doctor Who & Star Trek crossover. It's a comic book, but still. It doesn't involve Ghostbusters or X Files, though.

[@santuli_91]

I play magic because I love the worlds and characters that come with it. I love the magic property. I do not play magic to instead secretly play doctor who, or street fighter, or whatever else. Universes Beyond, I feel, just undermines the value of Magic itself as a property. That said, I so want to watch Prof review Doctor Who episodes while drinking wine!!

[@Skrotislol]

Same. The D&D sets are real duds for me because they are not connected to Magic's world and lore.

[@casteanpreswyn7528]

@@Skrotislol yes, they actually are. Both take place in the same multiverse.

[@bye1551]

I loved the DND tie in but aside from that I agree. I love most of the properties we've had come into the game but I hate that they're mixed in with magics characters. At least dnd makes sense since ravnica is canonically a realm within DnD so logically the forgotten realms should also be a Plane within MTG

[@violetlazuli3998]

@@casteanpreswyn7528 ? The d&d sets don't take place in the magic multiverse

[@casteanpreswyn7528]

@@violetlazuli3998 the Magic universe and the d&d universe take place in the same multiverse. It's possible it's always that way, however it has been cemented as such over the last few years.

[@adam029]

Awesome video Prof. You nailed it. Magic is for everyone, regardless of whether you like Dr Who mtg cards or not. What a genuinely terrific message. Personally, I love Dr Who and I’m excited for the cards.

[@PhazonOmega]

I've always been split on this topic, and for me it comes down to "does it even make sense?". Something Lord of the Rings or Warhammer still have similar feelings to the fantasy and phyrexian themes of Magic, but what does Doctor Who and Street Fighter have to do with it? Some Universes Beyond ideas seem like a fun crossover, while others feel completely arbitrary. I can't say I'm against it all, especially since I plan to get the Warhammer stuff, but I want it all to be tasteful and not overwhelm the core of the game.

[@vampyweekies]

I think Warhammer fantasy would've made a lot more sense, but I'm still kinda here for it

[@chrismanuel9768]

Time Travel kind of speaks for itself, and asking what Street Fighter has to do with Magic is kind of silly when it's a franchise with giant space babies, dragon gods, Arthurian legends, Arabian Nights, Phyrexian machine gods, ghosts, vampire churches, mutants, zombies, Lovecraftian elder things, alchemy, barbarians, librarians, dinosaurs, rat ninjas, and hot soup.

[@naquinn5745]

@@chrismanuel9768 Imo a big pot of a lot of things does not have to contain everything.

[@kabobawsome]

So, the way I regard it is that a fine Universes Beyond follows the same rules that to me makes an *idea* for a plane. It gets a little bit of leniency not being actually canon, but still has to follow the concepts. I currently have 2 criteria: 1. Does it take itself, it's world, and it's characters seriously? This is pretty simple, and yet some have already failed this metric. Street Fighter falls at the first hurdle for me, and so does Transformers (this one hurts, because a lot of the cards are VERY well-designed, I really like the Living metal keyword design-wise, but really they shouldn't exist). 2. Is it high-tech, high-magic, and/or magi-tech? A little bit more complicated, but largely fairly self-explanatory. The only extra stipulation is that obviously something we'd call magic has to exist on some level for the very concept to work. This is where The Walking Dead and Stranger Things fail for me. The Walking Dead is modern-tech and no magic, while Stranger Things is modern-tech and way too low magic. To me, Warhammer passed these criteria easily, even if I do think Warhammer Fantasy would have made more sense. D&D also pretty easily crossed this barrier. I suspect Lord of the Rings will, as well. Doctor Who is yet to be seen. It's a universe that often takes itself seriously, but also doesn't always. It has high-tech, but very low magic (it does exist via psychics and weird time stuff, though, so it doesn't *necessary* fail the second criteria). It depends on set design, at this point.

[@dilbert719]

I find myself drawing a dividing line with Universes Beyond on the basis of legality. Legacy and Vintage not being formats I will ever be able to engage with, I can only ever see most of these cards in Commander, a fairly explicitly casual format, and that seems like a perfect place for them. Modern, as a supported format that people can at least theoretically attempt to compete in at the sub-$1K per deck level, feels like a bridge too far for me. I think I'm going to have a lot more of a problem with LotR than I have with Doctor Who or Warhammer, as a result. As for the DW cards themeselves, I'm going to be a complete sucker and buy most of what comes out, because I also love Who, and even if I don't ever bring it to the table, it's going to be a neat collectible (and the art they've spoiled so far is brilliant.) That said, I do wish they'd be more judicious, instead of overwhelming the release schedule with UB properties. It's starting to feel less like a coherent product, and more like they're just throwing out the next set of Funko Pops.

[@nicksnrub]

Magic and Dr. Who is like nacho cheese on brownies. Two great tastes that taste great apart.

[@digrenmtg]

I see huge parallels with LEGO. I LOVED classic LEGO space, i.e. the 1980s LEGOLAND space sets with the multicolored minifigs with often broken helmets. When LEGO licensed Star Wars in 1998, their home-grown space set lines all but died, with little to nothing released since that resembles anything similar. And yet, LEGO almost went out of business in the late 1990s. That Star Wars license saved the company. So while I'm sad about the loss of the classic line I loved, I understand why they made the switch. There's just so much more money around licensed products. So that brings us back around to Magic. I love classic Doctor Who, and I'm likely to buy all of these new Doctor Who MTG products. But as collectibles, not as playthings. If you want to explore where Universes Beyond might go, I encourage you to look at the last 20 years of LEGO history. Wizards isn't breaking new ground, they are walking along an aged path trodden by other companies decades ago.

[@amazedalloy]

I miss when franchises felt they could stand on their own without the need for crossovers

[@AdamJorgensen]

Yup :-/

[@Twafflejc]

Blame Marvel

[@seamusdaniels1185]

It can but every time a new set drops everyone complains cards are too weak or too strong. No matter what wizards do the fanbase has a meltdown they dont know what they want.

[@Zomburai45]

Marvel is absolutely the wrong thing to blame, seeing as the Cinematic Universe hasn't engaged in any cross-IP crossovers and the Comics Universe has had one crossover with another IP (and only for as long as Marvel was publishing that IP, and it was one that had already been a part of the continuity since the 70s) since the early 2000s. Blame... I dunno, capitalism? Crossovers have been a staple of TV for 80 years, musical acts guest on each others' albums constantly and have for decades, crossover IPs have become a cornerstone of video games. If you really need a target to blame, don't hate the player, hate the game.

[@JakeDude21]

They can, it's the corporate level that makes these crossovers

[@mikotagayuna8494]

It's perplexing how easy it is for all these IPs to find their way into Magic yet it's so hard for Magic to promote itself in other IPs. It's as if Wizards is secretly ashamed of their product or something.

[@Doofindork]

Again, just because you love two different things doesn't mean they have to necessarily mix. Would I have a happy little jump in my heart to see Diablo-flavored MTG cards? I totally would. But I would also be frustrated because I want Magic The Gathering to be Magic The Gathering. I want the MTG lore and stories to matter and not be overshadowed and have MTG turn into a kind of Fortnite game; An amalgam of a bunch of different IPs. I think the only crossover I cared for was Dungeons and Dragons, because of how close the two are.. and because they are owned by the same company, so it's not as big of a stretch I suppose.

[@Weaver_Games]

For me the flavour and theme of the mixin universe is a big deal. Mechanically I actually really don't like the D&D cards much, but they fit MTG pretty well. Elves, goblins, swords, etc. I'm much more forgiving of LotR, D&D, and 40k as established fantasy/science-fantasy IPs and I feel they'll fit in a bit better. Some modern human from present day earth in the case of The Walking Dead and Stranger Things is just weird as hell. The line is fuzzy, but there is definitely a line.

[@derrickpaulson3093]

Well said!

[@magicalgirl1296]

I feel the same. As another commentator said, I prefer when MtG takes inspiration from something and puts their own spin on it rather than just having a bunch of crossovers wholesale.

[@Hemlocker]

But the MTG lore and stories are still there. Universes Beyond is not encroaching into that territory, it's an extra thing on the side that you can either engage with or not. Standard sets are still very much within the MTG universe. The sets they've announced for the next 2 years prove this. This feels very much like ordering a steak in a restaurant, enjoying it, then seeing someone else order a burger and getting angry that the restaurant didn't just bring you more steak instead. Universes Beyond is not for you, and that's fine. But it's also not taking away from what you're already getting. This is not a zero-sum situation.

[@SirRanSax]

@@Hemlocker This is exactly how I feel too. So I feel like I'm missing something when people get upset at the UB sets. Like it's a separate side set crossover, its not Jace and Teferi using the TARDIS to time travel, 🤷🏾‍♂️ if it were, I would then better understand their grievances.

[@pawesmyk1578]

I always appreciate professor's approach.. "be kind" that's all we need

[@jek__]

beacon'd

[@helmutlvx]

The Prof's favorite Doctor being Eccleston means he's hardcore.

[@Weaver_Games]

Tom Baker forever

[@justinwhite2725]

Also an Ecclestone fan. Followed by Peter Davison

[@kainhighwind2]

Magic in 2024: I equip Sonic Screwdriver to Gandalf, tapping all your creatures, and attack with Drizzt and Nissa, finishing you off with Hadoken.

[@DimentioX7896]

I just don't like most crossovers in general, in any medium I can think of whether it be video games, books, movies, or card games. One of my favorite things about a fictional universe is that it's very coherent, everything goes together from the style to the stories that are told to the way characters look. Blending different franchises just feels too corporate and it doesn't look too nice to me. I like Star Trek, and I like Magic the Gathering. I wouldn't enjoy seeing a captain Picard planeswalker card, nor would I enjoy seeing a Star Trek episode where they play an ancient earth game played with pieces of cardboard. I see the appeal, though. However, I wish ALL the crossover cards had alternate MTG themed counterparts because I would very much dislike playing modern where some Rick and Morty card is a meta threat

[@casteanpreswyn7528]

Magic is one of the, if not the, least coherent fictional universes ever. Let's not forget that our own universe is part of the multiverse and we could just as easily see a card for Abraham Lincoln or Dale Earnhardt Jr. as easily as a Street Fighter character or Dr. Who character.

[@TechDragon1]

@@casteanpreswyn7528 Mark Rosewater has explicitly and definitively stated that Earth is not in the Magic multiverse.

[@HurjaZac]

I like universes beyond stuff because I am really not invested in magic story so blending it whit stories like Doctor who that I do like and am invested in makes me happy and building my own Doctor who themed commander deck sounds like so much fun

[@liltone9614]

That’s the same for me im not invested in the magic lore but like crossovers.

[@zellcrs]

really don't want these in magic, like, yeah it's neat for a rando promo that's silly, but a whole set, jeez. mtg has it's own lore and it's pretty good

[@kainhighwind2]

As someone who adores a good crossover (Doctor Who and Star Trek *have* crossed over!), I'm really excited for these!

[@michellee1190]

Those comic books were fun, the art was a little weird… Except for the flashback part. Two thumbs up

[@mbogs5814]

My thought exactly, i think there is just going to be too many of these cards. I figured Dr Who was going to come to universes beyond eventually, but i was hoping it would have just been a secret lair with just alt arts. having all those commander decks and collector boosters and secret lair drop i think is just way way too many. I do want to collect them, but just hearing how many cards are coming with it is just too overwhelming

[@deramoa]

Please never stop making these types of videos. Your insight and critiques are imperative to keeping Magic more honest.

[@GreenGearStudio]

I've been somewhat distant of MtG for the last few years. Let me say, of the many, *many* of the odd decisions that made me feel weird about the game, the crossover card skins feel the weirdest to me. I started playing magic because I fell in love with the multiverse. I fell in love with the story. When I play magic, I want to think about magic. If I was feeling like I wanted to delve into the world of doctor who, I'd watch the show again, or read the novels, or listen to the audio adventures. It feels like these two properties I love for different reasons are clashing against each other, and I don't know how to feel about that

[@ich3730]

the whole lore of mtg is set up to include any setting. Thats why planes and the blind eternity exist. So WOTC can go "yo lets do a pirate set and after that lets do cyber japan and after that lets go mafia". Is it really that crazy to mix in a british guy who time travels? When the whole point of the story is not to tell great narratives or create characters, but to allow anything to be included in it? Its fair to say cross-overs are what MTG was always made for ( Rasputin and ali baba are already canon characters in MTG ). Chinese warlords are characters we got like 20 years ago. Why is it just *now* that this kind of stuff is bad?

[@Drako9823]

@ich3730 Because those planes are i n themselves WotC IPs. They were created with MtG's universe in mind. Not an external IP. Don't justify corporate greed.

[@michaelrudolph7003]

Any new player isn't going to start playing for any of the reasons the OLD players did and your inability to understand and/or accept that is going to be the demise of the game you say you love. It isn't the 90's anymore and you can love or hate that, but its over and you guys are stuck back there in 8th grade or whatever. Join us in the real world that exists now and see the world as it is not a fantasy of old. And I honestly think its fine to love the 90's, it was an almost idyllic time in many respects and worthy of respect, but you can't live your life there, reality is in the here and now. Maybe you can make now like it was then or even better! You won't know until you stop living in nostalgia though.

[@fastpuppy2000]

@@michaelrudolph7003 I feel like the argument you aught to be making is just to not take things so seriously, but you speak like a god damn holy man to the unwashed masses. Join us in the real world? Fuck off. It's one thing to be realistic about the direction the game is going in. It's another to be a pretentious asshole to people who miss the way something they loved was when they most loved it.

[@Weaver_Games]

​@@michaelrudolph7003 "Any new player isn't going to start playing for any of the reasons the OLD players did" What do you mean by this? I'm sure most old timers just started playing cause their friends did, or they were at a game store as a kid saw the cards and they looked fun so they bought a deck and learned to play. For me I was with my dad and we both bought decks. Are you saying new players won't just try out MTG because the game looks fun? That they need it to be a Fortnite crossover or they won't even consider it? That makes no sense to me. The data doesn't back this up either. MTG was not only the first TCG, but it is consistently, year over year, the most popular and profitable TCG. If it hasn't had any problem attracting new players all this time, why now would it have a problem with it? This is anecdotal but when I'm at my LGS and there's a magic draft or tournament on, most people are like teens or maybe in their 20s. The mid 30s guys like myself are a minority of players and even though I now have tons of money I could hypothetically buy cards with, I'm much more preoccupied with other stuff in my life to be super serious about magic. Just my 2 cents I guess. And I don't hate Universes Beyond at all. I'm also a 40k fan, I think the 40k decks are cool and I'll be getting them.

[@claytevebaugh1100]

As someone who loves DnD particularly the forgotten realms setting I can saw I have loved those crossovers. That being said it’s very magic adjacent as a setting. I can see the further it gets from fantasy rubbing me the wrong way but honestly I have way less issues with IP crossovers. I would not love if something became a format staple from universes beyond. Like if I have to buy a sonic screwdriver for every commander deck for eternity that’s gonna rub be the wrong way.

[@Lilly-Lilac]

Also DnD isn’t a competitive game so the crossovers are just another option your DM can allow.

[@nicolaim4275]

If the same company mixes up their long-time franchises in non-intrusive ways, then it doesn't really affect either. Magic and D&D have obviously worked as inspirations in both directions for a long time, so while a set with forgotten realms as a theme felt a little gimmicky, it seemed more like a tribute. All the other inclusions are just metaverse-level cannibalisations of the card game to sell more in the short term.

[@dude11579]

Universes Beyond should, by my consideration, essentially be exceedingly well made and themed proxies. The attempt to shoehorn in intentionally mechanically unique cards that they intend to remain unique is, in my opinion, at best a cash grab.

[@TheSkullPanda]

"It is ok not to love everything about things that you still love". That's some deep and crisp wisdom, a good extraction from these events. I also have a deep love for both old Magic, and old Dr Who, and though I feel like both franchises have stumbled at times, I'm still holding out for them to rekindle some of that same love. And even when they change and don't come back to the original level, we don't lose those past experiences or products, though it's frustrating that so few will experience or understand them the way we did. I'm with ya, Prof. My Doctors are 4 (Baker) and 10 (Tennant), my favorite sets are still Tempest and Dominaria, but we're out here with you, holding on for new good times and art to share that we can love as much as we once did. It gets harder as we get older, but we have to keep ourselves open to the possibilities of new, good things.

[@isawakumo]

As someone who has been a Doctor Who fan for-EVER, I was loving all the subtle Doctor quotes you were dropping in :D

[@benjaminlehman3221]

Wotc: we have finally done what you have been asking for forever Us: no more reserved list? Modern on arena? $4 per pack masters sets!? Wotc: teletubbie commander decks that are standard legal.

[@holdyourfire74]

I'm torn on some of this. I love Stranger Things and built a Chief Jim Hopper/Max, the Daredevil clues deck. As a deck it plays well and I get enjoyment seeing the ST artwork. I think the flavor as Magic is lost though. I took it to my lgs the other night for the first time. No one objected, but I did get some looks. So I'm thinking of just holding on to the cards in a binder and picking up the Universes Within versions for play. It just doesn't feel right playing them in a deck that contains traditional magic cards.

[@Rael199327]

The announcement of doctor who commander precons didn’t made me want to go back and watch the show as much as seeing the professor’s sincere love for the series. Also, really cool third doctor suit

[@ghastlyhooligan9155]

I'm with you on this Prof. Love Star Wars and heck I really like Street Fighter, but have never been a fan of having bleed over. It reminds me of TV shows having mixed characters, like Batman and the TMNT or Scooby Doo. Those episode were always the most skipped over or forgettable for me. But I love the idea of being kind to one another about our tastes. Our critical lens should really just be towards WotC as they find more and more ways to continue to be greedy.

[@shaunvirtue4556]

I'm very split minded about this, because those episodes were always my favorite. The Scooby Doo episode of Supernatural for example I felt was amazing. If the Doctor really landed on the Enterprise and had a crossover adventure, I'd would absolutely be over the moon, that sounds amazing. But it only really works for me when it's two or more IPs that I already enjoy, and since I didn't really like walking dead or Warhammer, those never really spoke to me. I love Doctor Who, however, and I'd love to play with Doctor Who themed cards, but I know not everyone does, and when your opponent starts playing with themed cards from another IP you have no interest in...it just feels like you're playing two different games at that point. That's the part I don't like. Silver borders were an excellent solution to this, like with the my little pony and transformers cards. It seems like the absolute worst decision to get rid of that

[@michaelrudolph7003]

Or God forbid bring in new players who are interested in other things.

[@zackkelley2940]

I've seen all the Scooby Doo crossovers and they are kind of hit and miss. Some don't work at all (The Globetrotters episode had me scratching my head. They're fun but what on earth are you gonna have em do for solving mysteries?) and some work great. The Batman crossovers were actually fun. One was with the Adam West Batman (i.e. campy and silly) and the other was with the Brave and the Bold Batman (Slightly more serious but still prone to bouts of camp and silliness and teaming up with other heroes was a recurring thing anyway). They picked exactly the right Batmans for the job, it wouldn't have worked at all if they tried it with any of the more 'serious' ones.

[@ghastlyhooligan9155]

​@@michaelrudolph7003 I mean I feel it's rare that someone got into Magic because of a crossover IP, but I would assume there's gotta be someone out there that has.

[@DarthCool99]

"The Dr. takes Picard back in time to help Fox Mulder solve an X-File" fucking slayed me.

[@flowerboogerface]

I'd watch it.

[@knowdudegamingshow2962]

I can't lie, I have too many friends who are into Warhammer and Lord of the Rings to not be hyped about those two products. I'm just so excited, because I know a ton of people who ARE going to have a blast with them. For the LotR set, it's partially for myself as well.

[@brianp6859]

What a fascinating take. I fell in love with your channel over your product reviews and appreciate your trading card tips. I've recently jumped into playing pokemon and used to play magic the gathering many years ago. I think my take on Magic is rather opposite of yours on this issue. I really never could get connected to the magic the gathering universe but i really loved the mechanics of the card game. As a warhammer 40k fan (and games workshop hater lol) I initially didn't think much of the magic the gathering cross over. However after learning they would be commander releases with entirely themed decks that got me pretty excited because now there is a version of magic the gathering mechanics set in a universe I enjoy. The beauty of it as well is there are other of these themed decks i had not previously heard about and am now excited about. In closing, sorry for your loss on these but I am very excited and hey, atleast there's still lots of "regular" magic releases for you to enjoy :)

[@Piversity]

Magic becoming a crossover focused game has really killed my interest as it gets more and more common. I love magic and its world and wish it wasn't dampened by all these money focused decisions. I have been play less and less and have quit buying all together. I think my time with magic is come to an end.

[@igorgracchia5788]

Crossover focused? I highly disagree, universes beyond is just one new product with barely two printings a year

[@JoelBurger]

​@@igorgracchia5788 And you'd have to be incredibly naïve to think that they won't accelerate the amount of Universes Beyond products per year, in the same way they have done with everything else.

[@the_dreamwriter]

@@igorgracchia5788 Crossovers announced this year: Hatsune Miku; Fortnite; LotR; Warhammer 40k; Doctor Who; Baldur's Gate and Streetfighter. And it's only August.

[@johnbuscher]

@@the_dreamwriter Baldur’s Gate is less of an issue.

[@Mwarrior1991]

@@johnbuscher less of an issue *to you

[@lukassaunders7420]

Yo I've just been rewatching all of 'New' Who with a couple friends and I've been pointing out that he says "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry" (or variations thereof) really often, then you come out with a title like this... I'm just happy to be justified lul (:

[@austinturgoose]

I in general prefer Magic’s own characters for the game, though I don’t think there is anything inherently wrong with Universes Beyond cards as long as Wizards doesn’t back off of their own IP. Most of them haven’t interested me, but there will be occasional releases that I will participate in, like the LotR set, since it was my favorite book series growing up and remains one of my favorite fantasy universes. The 16 card scene idea seems really cool from a collector’s standpoint!

[@greenwave819]

@happy 6 They have to make money

[@mindlightwave]

The LOTR set will have little to nothing to do with Tolkien or the books, just like the new amazon series, it's just Wokeism piggybacking on the IP

[@duane6386]

@@mindlightwave ??????

[@casteanpreswyn7528]

@@mindlightwave touch grass.

[@casteanpreswyn7528]

@happy 6 "they're just trying to make money" like every set that has ever been released since Alpha? Lol

[@cesartrujillo1928]

Man, you just said in a row all the goodbye phrases of the modern-age-era doctors and i couldn´t be happier about it The Matt Smith´s goodbye will always hit me the most, and it´s true! You´ve got to keep going, keep changing, always remembering who you were before

[@RoughToughTonkasGotTheStuff]

I'm with you 100% prof. When I play magic I love to get immersed in the world they've created. It doesn't upset me in anyway, but the universes beyond don't feel like an extension of the Magic world. They seem out of place when I see them. I'm not sure I like that this trend is picking up in the gaming industry in general, though either. It makes games feel less unique, somewhat ironically.

[@SirRanSax]

Totally understand what you're saying and you're right they dont feel like extensions of the Magic world because they are quite literally not, nor are they attempting to be. In the simplest terms its Magic's way or creating alternate art cards in the form of popular IPs. Its has nothing to do with encroaching on lore or story or flavor, it's just cards with alternate artwork 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Sheriff_K]

This kinda reminds me of that skit with his dad talking about the good old days of Magic; now the Professor is doing the same. Everything that has happened before, shall happen again.

[@Grinthex]

The fact that Gavin was willing to do that skit really makes me think he is a pretty cool dude.

[@WCOBDisorder]

I got to play with him at commandfest and he is a pretty cool dude

[@Purplesquigglystripe]

I have had two experiences with him that cancel out to a neutral opinion

[@3nertia]

@@Purplesquigglystripe Could we hear about both, please?

[@ivaniawren5014]

3:15 the way he says "Buckle up" and the look in his eyes... Prof you're *scaring* me why are you threatening me I'm just here to love and support your content T.T

[@apjapki]

"I'm not here to Yuck anyone's Yum." MLD socially acceptable in commander now. You heard it here first.

[@pokenutter]

My thought process is as follows: My parents won't play Magic. Maybe they can be talked into something Doctor Who-themed.

[@geenman2]

Hope we get capt. Jack Harkness with the regenerate keyword and an enchantment saga called miracle day that gives all creatures undying or regenerate for the duration. the sonic screwdriver as equipment with either an untap effect of gives unblockable. Weeping angel as a card dealing damage to tapped creature. How about a card the exiles opponent 's creatures to create empty children tokens (like an oblivion ring effect)

[@TLG1255]

Very respectful and well framed response! I love listening to you talk about stuff even if I don’t agree, I only got into magic a few years ago and ive learned a ton from your channel! Thanks for the respect and tutelage About this product I hope they will include normal magic cards with sweet new dr who themed art! Some of this new artwork released is gorgeous, and I would love to see commander staples reprinted with new art!

[@dionisiosmarinos4285]

got to love how positive Brian is even about topics he has strong negative opinions on

[@greenwave819]

it's a very likable quality in humans

[@dionisiosmarinos4285]

Yeah but sometimes it feels like no one has it anymore☹

[@magicalmovies4363]

Thanks for another excellent video. You're thoughts on Universes Beyond is what I've now realized about my current relation with MTG. Let me explain: I was very hesitant with an opinion following UB - I needed some time to think. I've played MTG for since original Ravnica/Time Spiral and been a judge since M10. Only last January, I decided it was time for a break - mainly to focus on making films (another interest I've had, about the same amount of time as MTG). Since January, I haven't played a single game of MTG (though still have my collection) and just recently beginning to look into, perhaps, purchasing some Unfinity cards. Though I've very hesitant, because I feel MTG has changes since before Covid. Secret Lairs, Universe Beyond, Collector Boosters, "Short Printed" sets (2X2, TSR), Booster Fun variations, price increase on product, WotCs greed and business practices. Your video made me realize, that my biggest problem (currently) might be the endless amount of UB, because MTG in no longer the game i remember. While I've since Covid discovered I'm a great horror fan (and likes fantasy sometimes), I love the many unique Magic worlds - because they're uniquely Magic. Because we now mix other IPs into this, it muddles the game for me (I don't mind people owning or playing the UB cards at all). I just no longer know, what "Magic: The Gathering" is to me - even though I very much still love the game, its characters, the rules system and the people I've met through it.

[@ChaosLordHavoc]

I’m conflicted on the Universes Beyond sets. I was excited when I heard about Warhammer, I love & play Warhammer as often as I can, but 40K doesn’t fit well with M:TG. That and the faction that would be the most fun isn’t getting a Commander set: Orks. I may get Tyranids & Necrons, but they’re not a priority.

[@steveheist6426]

I was *very* disappointed Orks got reduced to a couple SLDs. They could've been an excellent Gruul Stompy EDH deck xD

[@Shenaldrac]

2:50 To anyone who assumes you'll have that attitude, allow me to give this analogy. I like tuna fish. I like chocolate ice cream. That does not mean I want chocolate ice cream mixed in with my tuna fish. You can like something and still not want it shoved into something else. I like Warhammer 40k. That doesn't mean I want it in MTG.

[@seleswilderchan]

I feel like the original set of these with D&D worked really well, and to me it made sense - the crossover between those two seemed natural, likely in part because they’re owned by the same company. But having these massive crossovers - especially beyond a simple set of Secret Lairs- is just way too much. Especially since MTG already has its own lore and characters that people enjoy, so it seems unnecessary. Also, they went from having really exciting yearly commander deck releases to having commander decks for every single set + yearly releases + universes beyond decks + commander specific sets with decks and…it’s just too much. I ONLY play commander, and it’s too much. We don’t need commander decks for literally everything. It cheapens each release and floods the format way too often, making it difficult to keep up with my existing decks. It’s exhausting, really.

[@ryanswanson5057]

I've watched your Channel since forever, never really feeling the need to subscribe, as you always seem like you're doing just fine without one more subscriber who doesn't have much to say, and likes a light, witty, or playful show that never required me to invest my personal opinions in it. This show, though. Wow. I'm subscribed, now, invested too. I'm not surprised the message did resonate so strongly, but I am surprised I agree with you so fully. Thank you for your channel. You're incredible.

[@xChikyx]

I'll instantly scoop if you even attempt to play any of the walking dead cards until wizards makes it available for everyone like they did with stranger things. Besdies that, I'm okay with the rest i guess, at least for now also, ngl, part of me would like phyrexians winning and ending the mtg story forever, and after that just universes beyond, that way i can finally stop playing the game... but the part of me that wants to play really dislikes the idea of other IPs in the game...

[@MrLucky5001]

for someone like me who can only play digitally and since I only play on Arena, if it's not on Arena, it doesn't exist. yay for me!

[@BustaChimes]

for someone like me that played magic for years and didnt even know there was a story. Magic to me is the mechanics of the game and I think that might be the reason why I get excited for universes beyond. I think the poor job of wotc making the players aware of the story like 10 years ago is what in turn allowed me, without a second thought to accept these cards.

[@Weaver_Games]

The "fat packs" back in the day came with mini booklets in them that explained the story and the characters.

[@BustaChimes]

@@Weaver_Games oh nice didn’t know that. I’ve generally just bought a single box of every set and singles. Guess I missed out on those :(

[@Weaver_Games]

@@BustaChimes Yeah for sure. It's a shame that Wizards kind of just gave up on trying to spin a story within a block and instead just said "Whatever, we're doing cyberpunk Edo Japan and a gangster planet". I'm sure there was a lot of lore somewhere in the background but - just like you said - WotC does a terrible job now even attempting to introduce people to the lore. I'm sort very similar to you in that I really value the mechanics of a card over the lore, but it was sort of nice to get a high level look at the lore just to nerd out a bit. For example, the new Borderless Art for Crucible of Worlds in 2X2 depicts Serra creating her Realm and the flavour text is a Canto from the Song of All and - as something of a big nerd myself - I think it's just kind of a beautiful tribute to the lore of the game. That said, MTG's lore by and large isn't super fleshed out (at least IMO). It's decently interesting, but if you're a fantasy buff you'll probably find it somewhat lacking. In comparison something like Warhammer 40k even has supplemental material that touches on things like the tax structure on various imperial planets, or how their agriculture system works, etc. So in that regard, MTG does not go super deep. But it puts a compelling enough bow around the themes of the game to make the references fun to look for.

[@liampbjray5562]

0:57 took me second to realize, but oh my god i cant stop laughing now

[@ncc28983A]

Great episode! I totally enjoyed all the Doctor Who references and word play in this episode.

[@Teddy-od7lp]

I haven't really gotten deep into Magic yet as I've only actually started playing just a week ago or so, but I've been experiencing similar issues lately with the game I mainly play, namely Cardfight Vanguard, so I can relate to this personal frustration. Collab cards in Vanguard aren't entirely a new thing, we've always had them, but they were always few and far between. Occasionally, though, we would get entire decks on some franchises, but again, few and far between. That would change with the last two years of Vanguard after its last rotation (which is intended to be the last as an eternal format) where we have gotten a whopping 4 entire collaboration decks. My frustration with this is similar to yours, they would always feel place from the lore's rich world and that they have unique mechanics and playstyle that would rarely get support if at all. But my overall stance is, while I do not have a problem with people enjoying them, and, sure, the game is still as good as it is even with these kinda whatever decks, I just really see it as a lack of integrity to the game's design and would rather they'd just stop doing them completely and instead put in more resources in more content for the game that isn't just the current Standard format in a similar way MTG does with supporting multiple formats regularly. One of my favourite parts about Vanguard are the reveal seasons and I just really dislike how there would be some months of reveals coming from sets that I and most other people are just not interested in. It may seem better to just commit to these collab decks and keep supporting them (two of them have already been given further support) as to just not leave them as a relic of the game, but I'd rather have that than further making me bored with their mere existence, especially considering they're literally from the same company that made Weiss Schwarz, literally the same game you referenced for being a IP collab spaghetti.

[@nerdrollgaming]

im personally excited to see sets like this, tho i completely understand peeps opinions that are against it, as its odd to see so many names and themes that are not in the magic world. but i always personally felt that the sets that come out like this are not canon and are simply fun spins on the game (tho its hard to ignore the sure fact that its really just another way to make money through recognition of the ip's used)

[@alexandrebelair4360]

They could just make alter of existing cards. No need to make them new cards.

[@nerdrollgaming]

@@alexandrebelair4360 I heard they were gonna do that and plan to for future cards, as well as making new ones

[@adeancousland2404]

@@alexandrebelair4360 I disagree I kind of would like the idea of them being new cards instead. Makes them feel more unique and not just skins.

[@EricBoisen]

As someone who has only recently gotten into Magic as a game (within the last 2 years) my favorite part of the game is the card designs and how they interact in a deck. I have very little interest in the lore behind the cards. I love those who do love the lore, but for me, I enjoy it more as a deck-building and playing game. With that said, I think these new IPs will continue to bring in new fans who will like the IP and then either find joy in the game as a way to play a new interesting game, or a way to get into lore that goes back decades. Great video.

[@warninja288]

Still wishing they made a separate game with these using the MTG ruleset but I can respect that a lot of people will enjoy this and Wizards didn't want to go in that direction.

[@Twilord_]

Imagine if Wizards had said: "New game, but cross-compatible with Magic!" I wonder what the equivalent of Lands would be... "Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Urban, Comedy, and History!" *Play Doctor Daniel Jackson for 2 Sci-Fi, 1 Urban*

[@enricomassignani]

Actually, that was the original plan for Magic back in 1993. The only remnant of that project is the "Deckmaster" logo on the card back that will be stuck there forever bcs all cards must look the same when shuffled into a deck.

[@Weaver_Games]

Unironically magic as Richard Garfield intended. The idea was the mtg base system could be used for multiple different "Deckmaster" games. Sort of like the original D&D "Open Game LIcense".

[@dumatrising2421]

Kinda sad we didn't get the professor's doctor who review channel now

[@B_a_h]

Magic has just become... too much. Too much money, too much time, too many products, too many formats, too many bans, too many super rare collector cards, too many crossovers. The joy I once had for the game feels like it's been squeezed out of me for Hasbro's bottom line.

[@StevenLong]

I know a lot of people share this perspective and it's always interesting to me, as the "too much money" and "too much time" parts don't click with me. I see people have opportunity to spend a lot more money on Magic now, but little driving it. The top tier cards drive a premium and to remain very competitive can be (and has always been) very expensive. But so much of the paper/card economy is driven by people that want one particular foil for their decks. As for too much time, that one I don't understand. Too much time to read everything or follow all the products? I'm curious.

[@B_a_h]

@@StevenLong The explosion of both the amount of products and formats that have become pretty normal has definitely increased both the time and money the average player invests in the game. If you look at just the rise in commander alone, the amount of time needed to be competent and knowledgeable has increased dramatically. I'm basically at the point where kitchen table magic with some equally oblivious friends and lot of proxies are all I'm down for.

[@alexandrebelair4360]

You don't have to buy everything? You don't havew to play every format?

[@alexandrebelair4360]

@@B_a_h I think you are being melodramatic. You don't have to have knowledge on every card out there for commander or for any format really.

[@ollimetalolli]

This is such an interesting topic, and I thought a lot about this since the announcement of "Universes Beyond". This comes from a very casual MTG player. Most of my MTG paper play happens at pre-releases. I have an on/off relationship with MTG Arena, that's in an "off" state at the moment. I really enjoy the new Spellslingers game right now, but that's a different topic, and it's also an original game, and not MTG. I'm not a huge fan of Commander, and since that's basically the only format that's played in my local community, I felt for years that there's nothing interesting, that MTG has to offer for me and played various other card games instead, until I settled with Flesh & Blood. As a pop culture fan, collector, and card gamer mostly outside of MTG, several of these produdcts actually appeal to me. I'm really looking forward to put together a battle box of the 40k decks, and play them in their vacuum. Who knows, it might even spark my interest in regular Commander again, and I'll dust off my old regular Commander decks and bring them to my local stores at nights were the FaB community doesn't play. I'm really interested in collecting the LotR set, this might be the first time that I ever purchase a MTG booster box. I think that I most likely would be a fan of Doctor Who, if I had ever watched it. And now it is likely that I might start watching the show, because the "Universes Beyond" feature made me curious. And there you have it: a casual player that's not heavily invested in MTG might become a new customer, that might spent more on MTG prodcuts in the next year than they ever have. From a business perspective WotC seems to have made the right decisions. On the other hand I absolute understand the feeling of the players, that don't want these themes in MTG. I also had these feelings with the Walking Dead cards, that I felt to be a massive thematic breach. But then came Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, and I absolutly loved this set and setting. For me this really pushed the boundaries of what I thought MTG can be, and which themes and flavors can feel "natural" in the internal worlds of Magic. I would really love to see them go even more sci-fi, maybe with a fantasy infused space opera setting. Maybe a "D&D Spelljammer" set... and yeah, from there it wouldn't be far to a Star Wars "Universes Beyond" set. A deck of Magic cards was always also a way for every player to express their personality. It might sound shallow, but "being a fan" or "being a part of one or more fandoms" is a huge part of the self-perception of many of us "nerds". Fortnite allows people to express their affiliation with several fandoms in a cohesive way. A curated collection of Funko Pops does this as well. And now a personal deck of Magic cards can contain this aspect, too. For people who really don't what these themes, flavors, IPs at their table there's at least a (kind of) simple solution in Commander: Rule 0. There's a simple solution in Standard: all of this doesn't affect Standard at all. But I get that players of modern and legacy are nervous. For these formats for now there only seems to be the hope, that the WotC designers create these Universes Beyond cards as collectibles, and flavourful, fun game pieces for fans of these IPs first, with power levels that won't affect the most competitive players. And if they do, I hope that they sanction these cards in official play. I think that Magic will broaden its appeal a lot for many new players with these releases. More than ever, MTG has something to offer for everyone. But if this means that many established players won't feel at home in their community and game any longer, I think the cost is much to high. Please WotC, be very sensible with these products, and respectful to your new and established players.

[@kwoloon13]

At first i was excited for this but after just imagining coming to a lgs or my playgroup with a doctor who deck is... weird and surreal.

[@narvuntien]

It is the current corrperate fad to create "metaverses" where everything is inside a single ecosystem. Right now Magic the Gathering is the most successful metaverses, with a few others doing well such as Multiverses and Legendary. It is important to corperations to own the system that people play in. Then people choose to play whatever theme they want. I am certainly uncomfortable with it but having great magic setting stories is also is taking the edge off it. My concern is that the fad will end and we would have a weird system with all sorts of IPs mixed together and it would be hard to start again with just magic stories.

[@Direwolf9818]

They should do an Elder Scrolls crossover if they could. I think that would be bad ass

[@corybrewer9586]

I appreciate your focus on the purpose of Magic: to have fun. Thanks for giving a real, sincere call to work together for our best magic community and world. This is very in the spirit of the Doctor. At first pass I would have pegged you for Peter Capaldi's doctor: all that glorious cheek! Regardless, you sir are fantastic!

[@marauder340]

Not a fan, myself, and I can already imagine the day the comic becomes reality and have decks that contain no cards from MtG's actual setting. I feel for Warhammer the same sentiments Prof has about Doctor Who. I collect space marines and I don't really feel great about my immersion being broken by sudden sci-fi themed cards. Even worse because Age of Sigmar exists and would have been a more seamless setting to mix into MtG.

[@Sazenami]

Prof's subtle doctor who references made in the wording of his advice and feelings toward the product makes my day 😂 Gotta say i feel much the same as him, though i may allow myself to play with these cards in the end. Im a huge doctor who and lord of the rings fan, so with all of this universes beyond product coming and even the rising amounts of collab secret lairs... i think i may end up deciding to evolve with the game and making the best of this new climate. Will have to see how i feel when it comes to that. But over all, hope people can be happy with SOME aspect of the game as all these new products start to drop. Everyone deserves to feel that way in the game they love.

[@t0nberry]

"It's ok guys, this is not a sign that Wizards would rather lazily cash-in on meaningless crossovers than do the hard work and build on MTG's rich lore and flavor." You may have convinced yourself Prof, but I know how you really feel xD Seeing how hard they are pushing Alchemy on Arena and how badly they've been balancing the recent Limited Sets, there's very little room for optimism.

[@KalamShellaby]

I love Doctor Who (My favorite Doctor being Matt Smith) and I cannot wait for the MTG cards and I love how the Prof will respect my decision.

[@DopeyDragonz]

Thank you for this video Professor. As a massive, lifelong Doctor Who fan, you summarized my feelings pretty well. I would also add that I think from a thematic point if view, I feel like Doctor Who doesn't quite jive with Magic as a combat oriented game. Sure, the Doctor DOES fight people, but that is never his goal and killing your opponent is the goal of every Magic game.

[@AcePlaysTCGs]

I was completely prepared to be all "Prof can't mix his chocolate with this peanut butter", but after that seamless integration of the Doctor Who lines, I had to give this more thought than that. First of all, thank you for calling off the hounds. You're a strong voice in this community and having this footage on video is enough to say at least you tried to keep the purists from burning down the town when things start to change. This type of thing could be exactly what the company needs to get even more people to consider playing. It's the least we can do to enjoy it enough for others, plus we don't even know what they're going to do. It seems a little cart before the horse to write them off without seeing how they're gonna play or how many *gasp* reprints sets like this could end up justifying just because it's some harmless non-Standard way to fit them in. By fitting these products to established formats, it warrants their chances of being cards everyone can use even if you're not into the crossover concept. To me, UB serves a very similar purpose to Un-sets. Yes, that's Wizards mocking itself, but they exist in a side pocket of Magic's design space just like the Un-sets. It's just one more way to get someone into the game or bring them back. We don't need more gatekeepers. We need more people saying exactly what you're saying here, "It may not be ideal, but I'll try my best to enjoy it if it means not ruining someone else's day." I think all of fandom needs that. My mentality about Universes Beyond is "The cards you'll never touch can't hurt you", but that thought process needs to be applied to a bunch of other fandom things too. There's toxicity everywhere and a little less negativity - not even more positives just less negatives - can go a long way. My relationship with Magic is a bit of a rough one. I go in and out of playing all the time. Sometimes it's Commander. Sometimes Modern. Lately I've been pre-con exclusive and just run those against friends. At times I miss the challenge of counter play and doing stuff on someone else's turn, but other times that's the worst concept known to man and I just want to at least feel like I played the game even if I'm gonna lose. Anyway, this comment has gone on for too long. It's unfortunate your peanut butter and chocolate can't mix, but I'm curious what you'll say once the cards start getting leaked especially if these UB sets include reprints of staples with unique art. They certainly have my attention with Doctor Who, but as far as I'm concerned it's a totally different animal compared to the Phyrexian "main line" stuff. I guess you could call it a spin off like Torchwood.

[@joshuaeverett9887]

In a few more years, I feel like they'll start doing "Influencer" Commander decks, where every card represents or references an MTG KZbinr, streamer, or blogger.

[@kraxosOBK]

Prof will be a tax card

[@RaisingJackal]

Hush. As true as that might it would be scary to live in that world.

[@joshuaeverett9887]

@@kraxosOBK Or he'd have a signature enchantment, "Buy Singles" 3UB, "If you would draw a card other than the first card you draw in a turn, instead search your library for a card, reveal it and put it into your hand. You lose life equal to that card's mana value."

[@joshuaeverett9887]

@@RaisingJackal Absolutely. Would they sell? Probably. That's the scarier part to me.

[@amethystrose3480]

I’ve only recently gotten on the doctor who fan train starting with the beginning of the newer generation. It’s been a wild ride so far and I’m actually excited for these. I’m so picking up a box or 2

[@Vote4Drizzt]

I dont feel like Magics lore was ever consistent and clear enough that new breaks anything for me. If I have to read outside literature to know who Memnarch is and figure out who Squee is supposed to be, I just dont feel a loss when someone plays something *else* I dont know or recognize. Im a worldbuilding guy, I really do enjoy creative backstories and concepts but Magic is by far the hardest one to learn about. Im not saying folks are wrong to not be excited about the new stuff coming in, I just think its clearly a matter of preference and Ive seen so many people speak as if theres something objectively wrong about these cards and I just dont accept that argument.