1. What is it?
2. Release date
3. Products
4. Mechanics
5. Story
6. Deals
MTG Aetherdrift is drifting onto store shelves as we speak, and fans are getting to grips with this racing-themed set now that it's upon us. What makes it stand out from other Magic: The Gathering releases, though? And is it worth betting on?
Our team is here to give you the lowdown on this multiversal death race, from the exact release date to new mechanics being introduced for MTG Aetherdrift. We've also included the full product lineup and where to get the goods for less (our price-matching software is always on the lookout for deals, so any bargains will appear below).
Basically, this is a pitstop for anyone wanting to swot up on all things Aetherdrift. We'll update this page with tips from our in-house experts as we approach the finish line too, so keep an eye out if you're looking to master one of the best card games.
What is MTG Aetherdrift?
- The first main set of 2025
- Racing-themed
- Visits multiple MTG worlds
Aetherdrift is the first major, main-line Magic set of 2025. That means it includes a couple of premade Commander decks, a Bundle, and alongside the usual Play and Collector Boosters.
In terms of what it's about, this is a racing-themed product that draws on everything from Mario Kart to Mad Max. That means you'll find racers from multiple worlds we've visited before in MTG lore, not to mention a few we haven't. Plenty of existing characters are skidding onto the racetrack for MTG Aetherdrift as well; Chandra and Loot are amongst the returning faces we'll see behind the wheel.
MTG Aetherdrift release date
MTG Aetherdrift has screeched past the finish line and arrived in both paper and digital formats, which means you can dive in now regardless of how you play. Indeed, it finally arrived in tabletop form on Valentine's Day. Who says romance is dead?
Here's the exact release schedule, including the launch window for MTG Arena.
- Story: January 14, 2025
- Debut: January 21, 2025
- Card previews: January 21 - 31, 2025
- Pre-release: February 7 - 13, 2025
- MTG Arena release: February 11, 2025
- Tabletop release: February 14, 2025
MTG Aetherdrift products
- Two Commander decks
- Play & Collector boosters
- Bundle & Pre-release
As the first major set of 2025 (and unlike MTG Innistrad Remastered), Aetherdrift gets everything publisher Wizards of the Coast can throw at it. That means Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, Commander decks, a Bundle, and more.
Want the full lowdown? Here you go.
Commander decks
MTG Aetherdrift includes Commander decks like all other main releases, but it breaks the mold by having two instead of the usual four. It's not clear why Wizards of the Coast have stripped things back, but perhaps this will avoid one particular deck being so popular it becomes wildly overpriced while the others languish in its shadow.
Oddly, neither of these decks focus on driving or racers to any great degree.
Play Boosters
As always, Play Boosters are available for this MTG set. They're perfect for Limited formats like Draft and Sealed, though you can of course use them to build up decks.
Collector boosters
As the name would suggest, these are made for the collectors amongst you thanks to including cards you won't get anywhere else. However, they're more expensive as a result.
Bundles & Prerelease
If you want the best possible kickoff to Aetherdrift or are buying a present for the Magic fan in your life the following options will be perfect:
MTG Aetherdrift mechanics
As the first 'main' set of 2025, MTG Aetherdrift introduces a raft of new and returning mechanics to spice up your games. Unsurprisingly, these are all racing themed. Here's a brief overview.
- Speed: Appropriately, the biggest addition for Aetherdrift is Speed. You gain a point of Speed whenever an opponent loses life during your turn, and if you reach Max Speed (a score of 4), certain abilities might trigger. 'Streaking Oilgorger' gains lifelink at Max Speed, for example.
- Start Your Engines: Cards with this ability allow you to start building up Speed.
- Exhaust: This is all about giving you a much-needed boost, representing the old saying "pedal to the metal." However, it can only be used once per card.
- Vehicle: Unsurprisingly, a set about racing includes vehicles. This returning mechanic introduces cars and more that can be crewed by other cards for specific effects.
- Mount & Saddle: These aren't new mechanics, but they are appropriate for this set's high-speed theme. Saddling a mount (by tapping cards) usually gives that creature a bonus.
- Cycling: Racing along on your... bicycle? Here's another returning mechanic that lets you discard a card and draw another one.
MTG Aetherdrift tips
So, what should you be looking out for when it comes to Aetherdrift? If you're a fan of precons, check in with our guide to Magic: The Gathering Aetherdrift Commander decks. It'll let you know how to use them and what you can add to increase their power.
I also pinned down our Magic expert James Bentley to find out what the best MTG Aetherdift cards are. He says that "Aetherdrift feels like a bit of a lull in between iconic sets to me, though that doesn't mean there aren't still some greats to be found. You won't see revelatory combos changing the shape of the game, but you can find a nice new Commander to build around or a value engine to throw into that deck you've been building that just doesn't have enough card draw. Here's what I recommend keeping an eye out for..."
- Ketramose, the New Dawn: "I think I've found my next graveyard hate Commander. It draws you cards and loses you life when you exile cards from graveyards, but also gains that back through the deadly combo of menace, lifelink, and indestructible. Swing out every turn and overwhelm your foes through card advantage."
- Loot, the Pathfinder: "Aetherdrift's version of Loot is not only a strong attacker but super versatile, with the ability to draw cards, do direct damage, and add mana. Its tap abilities only go off once but blinking it or recasting resets the exhaust. This makes it a great combo piece but also just a standout addition for its one-off abilities."
- Sab-Sunen, Luxa Embodied: "If Ketramose isn't your thing but you still want an Aetherdrift god, Sab-Sunen, Luxa Embodied is a great Simic (green/blue) card. A reach indestructible trampler, it can only attack or block with an even amount of counters but it also gets a counter at the start of your first main phase every turn. When it lands on an uneven number of counters, you draw two cards. Win-win."
- The Speed Demon: "Black is well known for trading card draw for life loss and that's what The Speed Demon is all about. At every end step, you draw x cards and lose x life where x is speed. At max speed, this means you draw a minimum of five cards every single turn. Just get a bit of life gain in there to avoid dying to The Speed Demon."
- The Aetherspark: "The first planeswalker equipment in Magic: The Gathering history ended up pretty solidly, even though it's a little bit squishy. You can hide it from enemy soldiers by attaching it to your own creatures, gain loyalty by doing combat damage, and then dump those loyalty counters to get 10 mana. It's a great ramp piece and relatively cheap to cast."
- Monument to Endurance: "For just three colourless mana, Monument to Endurance is a solid and versatile artifact. Every time you discard a card, you can either draw a card, create a treasure token, or make each opponent lose three life. You can only choose each option once a turn but you can blink it out to do it again, making an already good card even better."
MTG Aetherdrift story
- Story revisits Kaladesh, now called Avishkar
- Involves a death race across the multiverse
- Prize is an Aetherspark which can make anyone a Planeswalker
Because this is Magic's first major set of 2025, a multi-part story is available to provide context for all the shenanigans you'll be getting up to over the next few months.
Things kick off on Avishkar (a steampunk plane that used to be called Kaladesh) following a revolution that deposed the former, corrupt government. As a way to usher in this fresh start, the new rulers are throwing the multiversal Ghirapur Grand Prix - a legitimized version of a once-illegal street race. The winner earns the 'Aetherspark,' a mystical treasure that turns its bearer into a Planeswalker (AKA someone with the ability to travel the multiverse at will).
Numerous characters from Magic: The Gathering history are approaching the start line, including Chandra Nalaar, an interdimensional critter known as Loot, and Winter - a survivor from the horror-themed realm of MTG Duskmourn. All of them have a reason to seek out the Aetherspark, but only one can get there first. You can catch up on the official plot here.
Best MTG Aetherdrift deals
Hoping to save on Aetherdrift? Not a problem. Our price-matching software is always on the lookout for the lowest possible price, and you'll find these displayed below.
If you're new to the hobby, don't miss our guide on how to play Magic: The Gathering. For those wanting to break into the game's premier match type, be sure to check out this feature on how to play MTG Commander as well.
