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Magic: The Gathering is taking another bold step into pop culture with the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man, arriving September 26, 2025. Unlike the smaller crossover drops that players have seen in the past, this one is designed as a full-scale set that can be drafted and played in Standard right from launch. Wizards of the Coast is betting big on one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes to draw in a brand-new wave of players while keeping long-time fans invested.
The Universes Beyond line began cautiously back in 2020 with a Secret Lair tied to The Walking Dead. That product sparked controversy but also opened the door to the idea that Magic could borrow from other franchises. The massive popularity of The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth in 2023 proved that the idea was not only viable but wildly successful. It attracted many new fans who had never picked up a Magic card before.
The downside was that The Lord of the Rings went straight into Modern, bypassing the game’s most popular rotating format. That made it harder for new fans to transition into the core Magic experience. Wizards has taken that lesson to heart. Beginning in 2025, marquee Universes Beyond sets like Spider-Man will be designed specifically for Standard, giving both veteran players and newcomers a common ground.
This is more than just a crossover. It is a deliberate move to use cultural icons like Spider-Man as a bridge for new players, making their entry point smoother and keeping them engaged longer.
Marvel’s Spider-Man will roll out with a broad product lineup. Play Boosters will cover both drafting and casual collecting. Collector Boosters will aim squarely at the high-end market, with premium foils, alternate frames, and exclusive treatments.
Bundles and Gift Bundles will also be available, including full-art Spiderweb basic lands and unique promo cards. Prerelease events start a week earlier, on September 19, with Prerelease Packs for those who want to jump in before the set hits shelves.
One notable change is the absence of Commander decks. Instead, Wizards is offering new Welcome Decks. These are simple, ready-to-play 60-card builds that ease beginners into the game, further underscoring the set’s focus on accessibility. On the opposite end of the spectrum, collectors can look forward to the Scene Box, which features six borderless foil cards that combine into a single panoramic piece of art.
Spider-Man introduces several mechanics tied closely to the characters. Web-slinging works as an alternate cost, letting you return a tapped creature to your hand to cast a spell. It has shades of Ninjutsu but is broader in its application. Mayhem gives a second chance to cards discarded earlier in the turn, echoing the feel of the older Madness mechanic while being easier to use.
Another flavorful choice is the use of Modal Double-Faced Cards. Many of the heroes can be played either in their civilian identity or flipped into their more powerful superhero form. This approach lets players experience both sides of characters like Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy in a single card.
Early previews have confirmed that the set dives deep into the Spider-Verse. Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy headline as double-faced cards. Alongside them are fan favorites such as Spider-Punk and even the cartoonish Spider-Ham, Peter Porker.
Of course, a hero is only as strong as the villains they face, and the set brings in a rogues’ gallery that includes different versions of Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Venom, and Carnage. The mechanics are designed to capture their personalities, giving the set a strong top-down design that feels true to the source material.
Collectors will find plenty to chase beyond the main set. The centerpiece is The Soul Stone, the first of the Infinity Stones to appear in Magic. An ultra-rare, textless Cosmic Foil edition will appear only in Collector Boosters, making it one of the biggest chase cards of 2025.
The set also embraces comic-inspired treatments. Borderless Panel Cards replicate the look of comic book art, while Borderless Iconic Cover Cards borrow classic Marvel covers. There are also Web-slinger frames unique to this release and full-art basic lands featuring intricate spiderweb designs.
One lingering mystery is whether the Sinister Six will appear in full. Several villains have been confirmed, but not the entire lineup, leaving fans guessing. The debut of The Soul Stone hints at bigger things on the horizon, with Avengers and X-Men sets likely to follow as part of an ongoing partnership between Magic and Marvel.
What makes Spider-Man stand out is not just the crossover appeal, but the way Wizards has positioned it to pull newcomers into Standard right away. By blending approachable products like Welcome Decks with premium collector items, the set aims to capture every corner of the audience.
For long-time players, it is another ambitious Universes Beyond experiment. For new fans, it may be the first step into the multiverse of Magic. Either way, Marvel’s Spider-Man is swinging into stores this fall, and it looks set to leave a big impact on both the hobby and the game itself.
