Saddle up, Magic players, and welcome to the lawless frontier of Outlaws of Thunder Junction! This *Magic: The Gathering* set takes you to a Wild West-inspired plane where villains from across the Multiverse converge for a high-stakes heist. With tumbleweeds rolling and six-shooters blazing, Thunder Junction delivers a posse of new mechanics dripping with outlaw swagger.
New Mechanics: Crime, Plot, and Spree
Outlaws of Thunder Junction introduces Crime, Plot, and Spree—mechanics that embody the set's themes of villainy, scheming, and reckless ambition, all wrapped in a rootin'-tootin' Western vibe.
Crime: Breakin' the Law
Crime turns your dastardly deeds into rewards, encouraging you to target your opponents and their stuff like a true outlaw.
How It Works: Committing a Crime happens whenever you cast a spell or activate an ability that targets an opponent, their permanents, spells, graveyard, or hand. Cards in Thunder Junction trigger bonuses when you commit a Crime, making mischief profitable—but only once per turn for most effects.
Plot: Schemin' for the Score
Plot lets you plan ahead like a mastermind, setting up explosive turns by stashing cards for later.
How It Works: Pay a Plot cost to exile a card from your hand. On a future turn, cast it from exile as a sorcery without paying its mana cost. It's a strategic gamble—your opponents see your plans, but the payoff can be a game-changer.
Spree: Go Big or Go Home
Spree brings versatility to your spells, letting you pick and choose effects for a price—perfect for outlaws who don't settle for less.
How It Works: Spells with Spree have multiple modes, each with an additional cost. Choose one or more when casting (no repeats), paying the base mana cost plus the extras. It's a modular mechanic for early plays or late-game finishers.
More Mechanics: Saddle and Outlaw
Thunder Junction rounds out its arsenal with Saddle and Outlaw, adding frontier flair and typal synergy to the mix.
Saddle: Ride 'Em Out
Saddle brings Mounts to the battlefield, letting you ride your creatures into combat with a tap of your posse.
How It Works: As a sorcery, tap creatures you control with total power equal to or greater than a Mount's Saddle number. Once saddled, the Mount gains bonuses until end of turn. It's like Crew, but with hooves and horns!
Outlaw: Rogues' Gallery
Outlaw unites the shadiest creature types—Assassins, Mercenaries, Pirates, Rogues, and Warlocks—into a typal powerhouse.
How It Works: Outlaw isn't a keyword action but a batching term. Cards reference "Outlaws" to trigger effects when these types enter or act, making it a flexible synergy tool across formats.
Best Cards from Thunder Junction
Beneath its dusty trails, Thunder Junction hides some high-value loot. Here are the top cards players are gunning for:
1. Bristly Bill, Spine Sower
A formidable creature that sows chaos on the battlefield, Bristly Bill is a must-have for any deck looking to dominate.
2. Terror of the Peaks
This dragon brings fear to the skies, dealing damage whenever another creature enters your battlefield.
3. Goldvein Hydra
A hydra that grows with each attack, Goldvein Hydra is a powerhouse that can overwhelm opponents quickly.
4. Three Steps Ahead
A strategic spell that lets you plan your next moves with precision, ensuring you stay ahead of your opponents.
5. Tinybones, the Pickpocket
A mischievous rogue that thrives on your opponent's misfortune, Tinybones is perfect for decks that disrupt and control.
6. Railway Brawler
A brawler that dominates the battlefield with its sheer strength and resilience, Railway Brawler is a force to be reckoned with.
Ready to Ride the Junction?
Outlaws of Thunder Junction lassos you into a world of crime, cunning plots, and high-stakes Spree. Whether you're saddling up Mounts or rallying Outlaws, this set delivers a wild ride through the Multiverse's roughest frontier. Draw your deck and join the heist!
