Outlaws of Thunder Junction Review!

Howdy pardner and Magic player! The lastest Magic: The Gathering set from Wizards of the Coast, Outlaws of Thunder Junction, has hit the deserts and game stores with a new Western-themed plane! It was released on April 19th with boosters, collector boosters, Commander decks, and bundle sets. The world of Thunder Junction reminded me of a fantasy version of the cartoon, Bravestarr. It is also similar to the steampunk/horror Western roleplaying game, Dead Lands, (there already is a card game based on it) so much so that I thought Wizards should have licensed it, but Thunder Junction stands on its own with mechanics and world. The description of the set is called “frontier fantasy.” 

The Omenpath arc that started with Wilds of Eldraine is finished with this set. Omenpaths are ways to travel across the different planes of Magic: The Gathering multiverse. We get a look at the Thunder Junction world in the “It’s Good to be Wanted” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2McuaOFVvuE. The storyline starts with Episode 1 An Offer of Revenge, check it out at: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/magic-story/episode-1-an-offer-of-revenge. It follows the outlaw and planeswaker, Oko, who is a fae shapeshifter. Oko was a thief introduced in Throne of Eldraine. He has gathered a team to enter a legendary vault in the town of Tarnation, home of the dreaded Hellspurs gang. There is Kellan, the Kid, a Human Faerie Rogue, introduced in Wilds of Eldraine. 

Annie Flash, the Veteran, a Human Rogue, she debuted in this set. Vraska, the Silencer, is a Gorgon assassin, snake-haired like Medusa. She was introduced in Return to Ravnica (2012). Rakdos, the Muscle is a Demon Mercenary, from Murders at Karlov Manor. Tinybones, the Pickpocket, is a tiny Skeleton Rogue introduced with Outlaws of Thunder Junction. The other members of the team includes Breeches, the Blastmaster, a Goblin Pirate introduced in The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. His teammate also from the same set is Malcolm, the Eyes, a winged Siren. Gisa, the Hellraiser, a Human Warlock who can summon Zombie Rogues! She first appeared in the horror themed Innistrad. They are all seen in Wanted poster versions of their cards which makes them especially collectible. I didn’t get any Wanted cards in two Bundles. 

The Story Spotlight cards feature parts of the adventures of Oko and his outlaws. The only rare card is in Episode 2, Annie takes “One Last Job” working with Okko’s gang to find the key that will open the vault. They find it on a train along with the scholar, Nolan, in a train heist. Next in Episode 2, Kellan uses his “Mythical Tether”, a common card, to hold the train and evacuate passengers. In “Seize the Secrets”, another common card, the mysterious Ashiok takes the location of the vault from Nolan’s mind. Episode 4, after getting the map of Tarnation, Okko begins to “Plan the Heist”, an uncommon card. The last part, Episode 6, features the uncommon card, “Betrayal at the Vault.” Then, we have “Getaway Glamer”, uncommon, that involves Kellan. 

The new mechanics are fun, outlaws include cards from past sets; Assassins, Mercenaries, Pirates, Rogues, and Warlocks. The Mounts like "Trained Arynx" are a great mechanic, they have abilities when saddles, Saddle takes 2 mana and lasts until end of the turn. When you target an opponent or whatever they control is commiting a crime which activates many game effects! Some of the crimes like “Murder”, “Destroy target creature” has cards that have Breaking News cards that has artwork from the newspaper, Prosperity Post. Very funny are creatures like “Holy Cow” and “Loan Shark” which have use in the game. There is also the “Resilient Roadrunner” and “Cunning Coyote” as nods to Wiley E. Coyote and Road Runner! After I opened the second Bundle, the cards just became piles of extras after twelve packs or so, the collaltion is weak. Outlaws of Thunder Junction is an excellent Magic: The Gathering set has a Western style in a M:TG world that have you round up a posse of players!  

Five Thunder Rifles out of Five! 

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