Last updated on December 26, 2024
Llanowar Elves | Illustration by Kev Walker
Sometimes it helps to get back to basics. If that phrase scares you, you play too many non-basic lands in Commander. But we’re not here to focus on 100-card Magic formats. No, let's instead take a look at Foundations, the evolution of beginner-friendly Magic sets, and how it profoundly impacts Standard for the foreseeable future.
I get both excited and apprehensive about Foundations. Let’s take a look at what Wizards established in this new-player-focused set.
Foundations Basic Information
Armasaur Guide | Illustration by Loïc Canavaggia
Set Details
| Set Symbol |  |
| Set Code | FDN |
| Hashtag | #MTGFoundations |
| Number of Cards | 271 (Main Set) |
| Rarities | Common, Uncommon, Rare, Mythic |
| Mechanics | Flash, Flashback, Kicker, Landfall, Prowess, Raid, Threshold |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Previews Start | June 28, 2024 |
| Full gallery available | November 1, 2024 |
| Available on Draftsim's Draft Simulator | Right now! |
| Available on Arena Tutor | November 12, 2024 |
| Release on MTG Arena/Magic Online | November 12, 2024 |
| Prerelease Weekend | November 8-10, 2024 |
| Paper release date | November 15, 2024 |
What Is Foundations?
Foundations is a Standard-legal set released on November 15, 2024. In the MagicCon: Amsterdam preview panel, the developers described it as a set that encompasses the basic, core elements of Magic. If a theoretical set was simply named “Magic: The Gathering,” this is what it would look like.
Foundations is marketed as a cornerstone of Magic for the next few years. These cards are Standard-legal and will remain so up to 2029. They form the backbone of Standard design for that period of time. It has similarities to the old Core Set experiences, with an intentional push to invite new players, and still reward veteran players.
The set is roughly a 50/50 split of new cards and reprints, with plenty of new additions riffing on well-known Magic cards. As far as flavor and worldbuilding is concerned, Foundations takes the old Core Set approach of “checking in” on popular MTG planes across different points in time. There are plenty of references to fan-favorite characters and settings. Anywhere on Magic's story timeline is fair game, so you get less emphasis on lore and long-term storytelling.
Who Is Foundations For?
Foundations is for players to learn the game, an onboarding set to Draft, or get into Standard. Foundations is a “new evolution of how we approach learn-to-play products for Magic,” according to the head designer. Words like “exciting,” “simplicity” and “approachability” are thrown around to describe the set, which sounds like a breath of fresh air to anyone who agrees Magic is quite complicated these days.
How Long Is Foundations Legal in Standard?
The cards in Foundations are legal until “at least 2029,” according to Wizards. That’s at minimum five years that these cards are legal in Standard, though the designers also stated that the set would be legal “semi-indefinitely.” The intention is to keep these cards in the Standard rotation beyond 2029, but they’ll adapt to the needs of the Standard format in the future and reassess if the product’s legality will continue or be cut off.
Is Foundations All Reprints?
No, though many cards feel familiar, there are lots of new-to-Magic cards in Foundations.
Is Foundations Draftable?
Midnight Snack | Illustration by Kai Carpenter
Yes, Foundations is a draftable set. Practice FDN on Draftsim for free.
You can also check our Foundations Limited Set Review (where we rate all the cards), our ranking for Foundations Best Commons and Uncommons, our comprehensive Foundations Sealed guide, and our Ultimate Foundations Draft Guide.
MTG Foundations Mechanics
Foundations has an emphasis on simple evergreen mechanics, with keyword abilities that already see plenty of printings.
Flash
Flash is back, as in some cards can be played like instants during combat, in response to a powerful activated ability, or on your opponent's end step just to name a few occasions. Watch your opponent's upheld mana for Herald of Eternal Dawn, Wildborn Preserver, and Harbinger of the Tides.
Flashback
Flashback is a fan-favorite mechanic that lets you cast an instant or sorcery a second time from your graveyard. It's appeared many times before and gives cards inherent card advantage, and is excellent for spells-matter archetypes.
Kicker
Save the spell for later or use it earlier. Kicker is sometimes a tough decision, or a welcome option on cards like Rite of Replication, Nullpriest of Oblivion, and Burst Lightning.
Landfall
When you play Magic, you play lands! Tatyova, Benthic Druid, Rampaging Baloths, and Felidar Retreat are some of the best payoffs for landfall.
Morbid
Creatures die and go to the grave in almost every game of Magic, Needletooth Pack, Tragic Banshee, and Wardens of the Cycle are a few of the cards that benefit you if morbid triggers.
Prowess
Prowess is a simple spell-based mechanic that gives a creature +1/+1 until end of turn when you cast a noncreature spell. It's a way to convert spells into damage, and the showcase card they used to demonstrate how it works is Lightshell Duo, a reprint from Bloomburrow‘s commons and uncommons.
Raid
Raid is the combat-oriented mechanic of the set. Raid gives your cards a bonus if you've attacked with a creature that turn. This might be a bonus attached to a creature in play, or an extra effect on an instant or sorcery. Either way, it promotes aggression and rewards you for attacking.
Threshold
Threshold is the “graveyard mechanic” of the set, and should be pretty familiar especially for players that saw the mechanic return in Bloomburrow. Threshold cards get some sort of bonus once you have seven or more cards in your graveyard, which promotes a lot of self-mill and trading off.
Full Card Gallery
White
Blue
Black
Red
Green
Multicolored
Colorless
Lands
Notable Cards
Liliana, Dreadhorde General
Lili is one of the game's most recognized characters, an inspiration for outfits, and cosplayers. As a card, Liliana, Dreadhorde General is desirable for many Commander decks that include black, and it's a bomb in Foundations Limited. This zombie-themed planeswalker returns to Standard for the first time since War of the Spark.
Llanowar Elves + Day of Judgment + Boros Charm
Wizards has said in the past that 1-mana accelerants like Llanowar Elves and efficient sweepers like Day of Judgment were unlikely to ever be printed in a Standard set again, and yet here we are, with both of these cards solidly in Standard for the coming years.
Elves ensure there’s always a viable ramp deck in green, and Day of Judgment immediately puts to shame all of the Wrath-lite variants like No Witnesses and Depopulate we’ve seen over the last few years. Boros Charm is the only guild-named charm in the set and is a favorite across many formats for its utility. They’re scary cards to push into Standard for such an extended period of time, and we’ll have to see how they play out.
Doubling Season and Game Warping Cards
Doubling Season, Leyline Axe, and Bloodthirsty Conqueror tilt the game in one direction, so if you play tokens/planeswalkers, artifacts/voltron commander, or life gain/drain/Sanguine Bond combos, these cards are massively important for all players to be aware of.
Win the Game and Lose the Game Cards
Demonic Pact, Maze's End, and Herald of Eternal Dawn represent you win the game moments or losses if you meet, or make your opponent meet certain conditions.
Rebecca Guay Lands
Foundations sees the reprint of Rebecca Guay basic lands, which used to only be given to players as promos for various in-store events.
Available Products
Foundations has play boosters, collector boosters, and a Jumpstart experience. Safe to say this Magic set has nearly everything we associate with most modern-day Standard releases, though there are no Commander precons there are a few specific Commander staples found in the Foundations Starter Collection.
If you played in a prerelease, don't forget the code offered in the kit, Arena codes are no joke, one of our favorite things around here, especially if you make use of Arena Tutor to track your collection.
The helpful Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices return to Wizards of the Coast Magic products with this set.
Beginner Box – $29.99
The Magic: The Gathering Foundations - Beginner Box lets you start to play Magic right away, and instead of picking a starter kit or preconstructed deck, you get a little say in how you play. You jam together two Jumpstart theme boosters, one might be cats, and another vampires, and you may end up with some great lifegain synergies. Either way, use the tools given in this box to help you learn how to play and you can learn Magic with this single purchase.
A sample of the Jumpstart themes for the Beginner Box include:
- Elves
- Healing
- Inferno
- Pirates
- Wizards
Arcane Epiphany is one showcased card from the wizards Jumpstart pack.
- THE BEST WAY TO LEARN MAGIC—Your Magic journey begins in this box. Get the essentials for your first games of Magic: The Gathering, including two different guided deck experiences, reference booklets, playmats, and bonus packs for easy jump-in play with a friend. All you need to do is start.
- WELCOME TO THE GATHERING—Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game that weaves deep strategy, gorgeous art, fantastical stories, and a thriving fan community all together into a card game experience like no other
- GUIDED LEARN-TO-PLAY EXPERIENCE—Start by playing a tutorial game with two 20-card decks (Cats and Vampires), each with a step-by-step guide booklet that will walk you through your first five turns
- SHUFFLE and PLAY WITH THEMED DECKS—Once you’ve learned the basics, grab 2 of the 8 curated theme decks each, shuffle them together for full 40-card decks, and let the Magic begin; mix and match themes and colors for endless fun
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAY—This Beginner Box includes everything you and a friend need to play, including 2 Playmats that will show you where to place your cards, 2 Spindowns to track your life totals, and 1 Rules Reference booklet to answer any questions you have along the way
Starter Collection – $59.99
The Foundations Starter Collection reminds me a lot of an old deck builder's toolkit that gives you a ton of cards to work with, a little variety in the randomized boosters, and some build-arounds that Wizards knows can help your deck. The Starter Collection includes over 350 total cards and three Foundations play boosters, as well as a bunch of exclusive cards that aren't in the main set.
The starter collection includes cards with the code FDC that are not legal in Standard, many of them are still Standard-legal. Here are some its highlight cards:
We also see reprints of the entire 10 scry land/Temple land cycle:
The goodies included here are practical and useful no matter how long you play Magic, and the click wheel life counter is one of the best accessories you can find.
The starter collection also comes with a textless Gigantosaurus!
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SUCCEED—Gain an instant Magic collection. This truly astounding box boasts over 350 cards with essential staples for any color and any way you want to play.
- BORDERLESS CARDS and FULL-ART LANDS—Crown your collection with cards featuring gorgeous pieces of alternate art that fill each card; the Foundations Starter Collection includes 6 Borderless cards and 10 Full-Art Land cards
- RARES and SHINING FOILS—Collect coveted Rare and Mythic Rare cards and cards that gleam with a beautiful foil treatment; this collection includes 75 cards of rarity Rare or higher and 26 Traditional Foil cards (8 of which are Rare or Mythic Rare), plus you’ll find more in the included Play Boosters.
- 3 PLAY BOOSTERS—Whether you want to draft with friends or open packs just to see what you get, Play Boosters are specially balanced for play and fun to open, with 1–2 foil cards and 1–4 cards of rarity Rare or higher in each pack, plus the possibility of an Art card showcasing a piece of art from the set
- DECKBUILDING GUIDE—Learn how to construct your own decks with expert tips and recommendations in the included Deck Builder’s Guide booklet
Bundle – $49.99
Magic: The Gathering Foundations bundle is a side step from the starter collection because it includes more play boosters rather than raw numbers of cards. You celebrate with more full art lands and foil cards, a promo foil, and a decent storage box.
- THE PERFECT GIFT FOR BEGINNERS AND EXPERTS ALIKE—Whether you’re treating yourself or a lucky fan in your life, you can’t go wrong with a Foundations Bundle full of cards and accessories
- A GAME THAT FUSES ART, STORIES & STRATEGY—Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game that weaves deep strategy, gorgeous art, fantastical stories, and a thriving fan community all together into a card game experience like no other
- WELCOME TO THE MULTIVERSE—Meet Magic’s most popular characters, raise zombies or cats, and strategically command armies or ancient power; this set covers Magic’s greatest hits and it’s the perfect way to start playing with your friends
- 9 BOOSTERS FOR PLAYING WITH FRIENDS—Construct a deck out of your favorite color combinations with boosters specially balanced for play; they’re also fun to open, with at least one shiny foil card in every pack
- FULL-ART LANDS & SPECIAL ALTERNATE-ART CARD—Each Bundle also comes with 1 shiny foil promo card featuring exclusive alternate art, plus 40 Land cards to build decks, 20 of which feature stunning art that fills the entire card
Play Booster – $5.25
You get 36 packs in a Foundations play booster box and if you don't draft with them, you're banned. Just kidding, but seriously, do the math, three packs per drafter equals up to 12 people that can draft from one of these boxes and it's one of the originally intended ways to play Magic.
The play boosters blend draftability and fun collectible cards, with the possibility for up to 4 rares, non-foil Special Guests and borderless cards.
- WELCOME TO THE MULTIVERSE—Meet Magic’s most popular characters, raise zombies or cats, and strategically command armies or ancient power; this set covers Magic’s greatest hits and it’s the perfect way to start playing with your friends
- A GAME THAT FUSES ART, STORIES & STRATEGY—Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game that weaves deep strategy, gorgeous art, fantastical stories, and a thriving fan community all together into a card game experience like no other
- BEST BOOSTERS FOR PLAYING WITH FRIENDS—Construct a deck out of your favorite color combinations or draft packs with friends, Play Boosters are specially balanced for any way you like to play
- SIMPLY THE BEST CARDS—Play with cards that made Magic what it is today and open packs that may contain beautiful Borderless cards that put the card’s art on full display, including fan-favorite reprints with new art
- COLLECT RARE & MYTHIC RARE CARDS—Each Play Booster contains 1–4 cards of rarity Rare or higher, including the possibility of a Special Guest Mythic Rare card featuring a beautiful alt-frame treatment from Magic’s history
Collector Booster – $24.99
Magic: The Gathering Foundations Collector Boosters are a way to celebrate some of the most storied cards in Magic. The Foundations set is already about staple cards, so you're sure to get cards that people have wanted for years and will continue to want for many years.
This edition of collector boosters has the makings of a sneaky good investment, but I'm no MTG finance expert. I do know that outside of buying singles, this is the most assured way to get cards with special treatment, art, and foil versions. There are at least three extended art cards in each collector booster, and at least five rares or better.
Foundations has over 70 borderless cards!
Collector boosters are also the only way to obtain the “Mana Foil” variants, which feature the five colored mana symbols imposed on the card art, with a special foiling process.
Japan Showcase Cards
And finally, we see the return of Japan Showcase cards, which debuted in Duskmourn: House of Horror. These 10 cards are exclusive to collector boosters and have a chance of being in English or Japanese. You can also open very rare fractured foil versions of these cards, definitely exclusive to collector boosters.
- WELCOME TO THE MULTIVERSE—Meet Magic’s most popular characters, raise zombies or cats, and strategically command armies or ancient power; this set covers Magic’s greatest hits and it’s the perfect way to start your Magic card collection
- PLAY A GAME THAT FUSES ART, STORIES & STRATEGY—Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game that weaves deep strategy with art and mechanics that explore the themes of a particular world and story—whether you want to play a casual game with friends, collect cool cards, or get competitive, Magic welcomes you to The Gathering
- THE FINEST CARDS FOR PLAY AND DISPLAY—Collector Boosters gather all the coolest stuff in one place, with packs full of gorgeous special card treatments, shiny foil cards, and mighty Rares and Mythics well-positioned to become your collection’s new crown jewels
- COLLECT SPECIAL ALT-FRAME CARDS—Collect beautiful Borderless or Extended-Art cards that put a card’s art on full display with at least 3 in every pack, including the possibility of fan-favorite Borderless cards reprinted with new art
- EXCLUSIVE FOIL TREATMENT—Foundations Collector Boosters are the only packs that may contain a Borderless Rare or Mythic Rare card featuring a special foil treatment introduced for the very first time
Jumpstart Booster – $5.49
The packaging might not scream “2025” on it, just know that Foundations Jumpstart 2025 Boosters are a celebration of 46 different themes you can enjoy in 2025 and beyond. That's a lot to cover with just 24 booster packs per box.
Yes, you get lands as part of the 20-card boosters, those are so you can shuffle two packs together and play. The last time I played with Jumpstart boosters, my friends (old Magic players) were re-introduced to Magic cards, and they had a blast.
- BEST BOOSTERS TO JUMP RIGHT IN—Jumpstart Boosters are a fast, fun way to jump into a Magic game; just grab two boosters, shuffle them together, and you’re ready to go!
- A GAME THAT FUSES ART, STORIES & STRATEGY—Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game that weaves deep strategy, gorgeous art, fantastical stories, and a thriving fan community all together into a card game experience like no other
- ANIME-INSPIRED CARD IN EVERY PACK—Every Foundations Jumpstart Booster contains 1 card with anime-inspired art and includes 1–2 cards or rarity Rare or higher to jumpstart your collection
- 46 THEMES FOR WILD MASHUPS—Goblins, Dinosaurs, Ninjas, and Ne’er-do-wells, each pack has 1 of over 46 possible themes. Mix and match for creative carnage!
- BATTLE FRIENDS IN 2-PLAYER GAMES—With instant deckbuilding and delightful theme combos, Jumpstart is great for a quick game with a friend or fun way to teach friends and family to play Magic
Wrap Up
Banner of Kinship | Illustration by Olena Richards
Remember that the key to building a sturdy structure is a strong foundation. Foundations looks like Magic’s attempt to provide the building blocks for the future of Magic, at least as far as Standard is concerned. You may have a few questions about future Standard rotations, but at the very least it’s refreshing to see a simple Core Set-adjacent experience.
Where do you stand on Foundations? Who needs to play it with you? Is there still room for a simple new-player experience in the complex world of Magic these days? Let me know in the comments or over in the Draftsim Discord or on Twitter/X.
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