The release of the next thematic set for Magic: The Gathering, set for April 24, will go through some changes to prevent people from crowding in local game stores.
Little is known about Ikoria, Lair of Behemoths since the last time we speculated about its content. While Wizards of the Coast still keep its secrets from players, their coronavirus prevention policy is quite clear.
In a recent article named Event Guidelines And Accommodations, the makers of Magic had this to say to the public:
“The health and safety of our players is our utmost priority. As the world grapples with COVID-19, we are committed to doing our part to help stop its spread. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution and a regard for the health and safety of our players, we are adjusting our policies surrounding WPN in-store play and our Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Prerelease events.”
Wizards promise to monitor health regulations and good practices for “as long as the situation warrants” and will be adjusting the organization of sanctioned Magic events accordingly.
The prerelease weekend for Ikoria, Lair of Behemoths (usually a week before release) will follow new rules. Wizards will allocate product and organize events in a manner that discourages players from congregating in tight spaces, such as your normal card shop.
Wizards Play Network locations (WPN’s) are advised to monitor and follow the instructions of local health authorities, while players are encouraged to take the games home and run their own tournaments - a task made easier with the recent release of the MTG Companion app.
Of course, there’s a silver lining here. Like all things Magic, every mishap regarding the tabletop aspect of the game is a boon to the digital version. Prereleases in MTG Arena won’t be suffering from the global coronavirus threat. On the contrary, more players encouraged to stay home means more MTGA players online and possibly more competitive ladder during the hazardous period.
