Part of what keeps MTG one of the best card games is its strong competitive scene and the balancing of its formats is a vital element of that. Straight-to-Modern sets like Modern Horizons 3 are created with the aim of introducing powerful, versatile cards to Modern without disrupting the Standard metagame. 

Previews have just begun and we’ve already seen plenty of exciting new additions and valuable reprints that are set to be included in the release. So, now is the perfect time to roundup everything we know about MTG Modern Horizons 3 including its release date, products, new mechanics, and more.

MTG Modern Horizons 3 release date

Debut and previews begin: May 21
Card image gallery and previews complete: May 31
MTG Arena launch: June 11
Global tabletop launch: June 14

Debuts and previews for MTG Modern Horizons have already started and will continue until the end of May. Two weeks after previews complete, we’ll see the full release of the Modern Horizons 3 set including the Modern Horizons 3 Commander decks. 

MTG Modern Horizons 3 products

• Commander decks 
• Collector boosters
• Play boosters

While Modern Horizons 3 is a primarily booster-focused product line, it does have a set of Commander decks releasing alongside it. As usual, you can pick up cards from this set in Collector Boosters or Play Boosters, both of which are available as singular packs or as part of a box or bundle. 

Commander Decks

Despite the Modern Horizons name, these Commander decks are not Modern-legal. Like the Commander decks that have been released alongside Standard-legal sets, these pre-cons are meant to be played and enjoyed in the ever-popular casual format of Commander. 

As with most Commander releases, Modern Horizons 3 has four pre-con decks available to purchase. However, you can also pick up Collector’s Editions of each one too. These Collector’s Editions have a special Ripple Foil treatment on all 100 cards and each deck has a Borderless Profile of two Legendary Creature cards. Not to mention, they also have really, really pretty box art. 

Collector Boosters

If you’re on the hunt for shiny foils and special alternate arts, Collector Boosters are for you. Each Collector Booster has 15 cards in it with 10-12 Traditional Foils as well as a chance to draw an Etched Foil, Textured Foil, or even a serialized card. Collector Boosters can be picked up as a single or as part of a box of 12 (180 cards total).

Play Boosters

Play Boosters are primed for use in Draft. Each Play Booster contains 14 cards, 1-5 of which are of Rare or higher rarity and 1-2 of which are Traditional Foil cards. Play Boosters come in single packs, boxes of 36 Boosters (504 total cards), or in bundles. 

MTG Modern Horizons 3 story

We haven’t yet received full confirmation of Modern Horizons 3’s place within the Magic Story, if any. However, the return of the Eldrazi titans Emrakul, Ulamog and Kozilek does imply some continuation from the Zendikar storylines. Although whether or not their return in Modern Horizons 3 has larger canonical implications is yet to be seen. 

MTG Modern Horizons 3 mechanics

All in all, there are 40 returning mechanics coming to the Modern Horizons 3 set. Depending on your history with the game, these will probably elicit reactions ranging from “nice, they’re finally bringing that back” to “wait, what does that one even do?” Thankfully, cards in the set will likely have helpful reminder text to

If you’re keen to do a bit of research in advance though, the other abilities and actions included in Modern Horizons 3 are: Adapt, Annihilator, Affinity, Afterlife, Ascend, Bestow, Collect Evidence, Connive, Cycling, Devoid, Devotion, Dredge, Emerge, Energy, Entwine, Escalate, Eternalize, Evoke, Evolve, Extort, Fabricate, Flashback, Kicker, Kindred, Living Weapon, Madness, Mentor, Modified, Morbid, Outlast, Overload, Proliferate, Prototype, Flashback, Reconfigure, Reinforce, Shield Counters, Spelunking, Storm, Support, Umbra Armor, and Unearth.

MTG Modern Horizons 3 spoilers

We’ll see plenty of developments in MTG Modern Horizons 3 spoilers, particularly this month while we’re receiving a continuous influx of preview cards. For now, these are all the cards we’ve gotten a look at. 

Modern Horizons 3 Commander spoilers

MTG Modern Horizons 3 deals

To save you a bit of time, I've rounded up the headlines. Here's all the cool stuff you might have missed from the Warhammer Preview Show, and what I think is the most exciting as a Warhammer nerd – and why. 

Necromunda

• New dungeon-crawling spin-off
• Explore a gnarly, bombed-out city
• Really creepy new Genestealer models

This reveal was saved until last, though for my money, it's the most exciting. Necromunda is Warhammer's post-apocalyptic spin-off where bands of misfits conquer the wasteland, but Necromunda: Hive Secundus takes us beneath it all to a quarantined city everyone would rather forget. Once home to a spot of ill-advised research on Tyranid Genestealers (AKA alien sleeper cells), the settlement became overrun with these monsters and was pummeled from orbit as a result. Now its remains lie beneath kilometers of rubble, so – naturally – gangs are eager to get in and loot whatever's left. Unfortunately, the city's inhabitants have been twisted into gnarly mutants that don't really like visitors. In other words? You'll be running through a connected series of missions to get as much loot as you possibly can, much like Gloomhaven (which is arguably one of the best board games, so I'm not complaining).

Both the theme and grungy model range are spot on, if you ask me. You're basically exploring sci-fi Moria where the inhabitants delved too greedily and too deep, and it's suitably creepy as a result – some of the artwork we've seen so far feels as if it's been taken from a secret Alien film. Plus, those Genestealer models… well, I don't think we've ever had more horrific-looking Tyranids. They're properly horrible, even by Tyranid standards. Just look at those wonky, bug-like eyes.

Luckily, you won't need the full Necromunda game to play Hive Secundus either; it's a standalone entry that has everything you need in one box, described as a "self-contained dungeon crawl." While I was anticipating a new starter set for the game instead, I'll happily take this one because it feels so distinct. I'm surprised they didn't slap a 'Warhammer Quest' tag to the front as per Cursed City or Blackstone Fortress, honestly. It's unlikely to be as deep as those, but should still be an atmospheric few game nights for your table regulars.

We don't know when it'll be arriving, of course, but apparently it'll drop alongside new Zone Mortalis terrain and a fresh book. Will this be the next setting for Necromunda, like Bheta-Decima is for Kill Team? I hope so, because I'm digging it.

Warhammer 40K

• New Codex, Battleforce, & Combat Patrol for Adepta Sororitas
• New Codex, Battleforce, & Combat Patrol for Genestealer Cults
• New leader models for both factions

Seeing as Age of Sigmar had its day in the sun recently, now it's time for the grimdark future to get a go. While there weren't many new miniatures on show, fresh Codexes, Battleforces, and Combat Patrol boxes were on display. Here, treat yourself – have a breakdown of those reveals.

Adepta Sororitas

The faction formerly known as 'Sisters of Battle' have returned for the latest edition of 40K, bringing with them a revised Codex and a new model to lead your armies – the Canoness with Jump Pack. Getting a single new model might not seem like much, but this battlefield commander fills an important gap; before now, anyone wanting an HQ to head up an airborne Adepta Sororitas army was limited to one named character. Because the Canoness comes with a variety of variant pieces and can be armed with both close and mid-range weapons, you can tailor the model to your own style.

Speaking of airborne armies, the 'Army of Faith' Battleforce (which offers your first opportunity to grab the Canoness) is almost entirely made up of flying units. Alongside the Canoness and 15 Seraphim or Zephyrim, it includes the wonderfully bizarre Exorcist that is essentially a tank with a pipe organ slapped on top. Except instead of firing out holy tunes, this one launches rockets. See, this is why Warhammer's great.

I wish the Combat Patrol had as much personality. While it's certainly a fitting tribute to the Adepta Sororitas with its heavily-armed, quasi-medieval infantry and flagellants, the flying Battleforce feels that much more distinct. 

Still, moving on. If previous Battleforce boxes are anything to go by, Army of Faith will feature a unique cover for the Codex as well. However, the book will still have all the same content – including four Detachments, details for the faction's Combat Patrol, new Crusade rules, and revised datasheets.

We don't have a release date yet, but judging by the wording of the reveal, it's at least a couple of months out.

Genestealer Cults

Being called a brainiac suddenly doesn't feel like such an insult… The Genestealer hordes just got a new leader in the very big-brained Benefictus, who is featured in the 10th-edition Codex and 'Biosantic Broodsurge' Battleforce. Capable of condensing psychic energy into "beams of raw telekinetic force that rival a lascannon for sheer destructive power," it sounds like an intimidating addition to the lineup at the very least. The Warhammer team described it as an anti-tank unit in the livestream, so the likes of the Astra Militarum should watch out.

As for the army he leads, that Battleforce is pretty intimidating – alongside the classic Genestealers and 10 Neophyte Hybrids, you're getting two massive vehicles and the brutish Abominant/Aberrants. This group is based on one of five Detachments featured within the Codex (which I imagine will have a unique cover, as per other Battleforces), and it emphasizes these mutant powerhouses who hit a fair bit harder than their Tyranid masters.

Personally, I prefer the new Combat Patrol though. This incredibly fast-moving band revolves around mobility, with bikes and buggies taking up the majority of the space. This gives the box a really distinct purpose and play-style, something I'm a big fan of. It fits very well into the theme of guerilla war that defines the faction.

Again, it's unclear when any of these are coming out – I'd put it down to a couple of months.

Horus Heresy & Legions Imperialis

• Refresh of the Mechanicum models for Horus Heresy
• Campaign rules for Legions Imperialis
• A host of new tanks for Legions Imperialis

The two games set during the galaxy's most iconic conflict both enjoyed updates in the Warhammer Preview Show, though one was a little beefier than the other. 

First up, the Mechanicum got a full plastic refresh for the Horus Heresy system, seen here via the Mechanicum Battle Group box. While they've been kicking around for a while as resin miniatures, they've been given an overhaul in plastic with new, more lore-friendly looks in some cases. 

As an example, the Tech-thralls that make up the bulk of the faction's infantry are much more desiccated and zombified than before – something matching their description in the Horus Heresy novels, and a real step up from what we had before if you ask me.

Naturally, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Chunky cyborg walkers with more complex plastic weaponry were spotlighted as well, alongside an enormous centerpiece tank – the Triaros Armored Conveyor. This feels awash with new details that weren't on the original resin model, and that feels true of the Mechanicum Battle Group as a whole. These updates have taken what was a serviceable but clunky force and turned it into something much more impressive.

Next, the small-scale Legions Imperialis received a campaign book detailing the 'Devastation of Tallarn,' where the Iron Warriors legion invaded and made a thorough mess of things. This includes info on how to run campaigns in Legions Imperialis, alongside rules for new vehicle units. We've seen some before, but ones we haven't glimpsed until now are the Space Marine Sabre Strike Tank and Sicaran Arcus/Sicaran Punisher. The Solar Auxilia also received some Leman Russ variants with different – but equally hard-hitting – weapon loadouts. 

These are very cool, don't get me wrong, but the Mechanicum stole this section of the show for me. They're such a bizarre, eerie faction, so it's nice to get models like the new Tech-thralls that really hammer it home.

Want to dive into something different? Check out the best tabletop RPGs, or these board games for adults.

Scarlet & Violet, which kicked off in 2023, is the current series of Pokemon TCG and its content draws heavily from the game of the same name. Its subsequent expansions have been adding content from the game’s DLC, ensuring that Pokemon like Ogerpon get their appearance in one of the best card games.

Due to release August 2 2024, Shrouded Fable will be the latest addition to the Pokemon TCG and contain cards from the Japanese Night Wanderer set translated for a western audience. 

Among the over 95 cards in this special set, we’ll see the Pokemon TCG debut of Pecharunt, and the return of the Loyal Three (Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti) who will all appear in the set for the first time as Pokemon ex. 

Speaking of special cards, Shrouded Fable will see its fair share of Pokemon ex, tera Pokemon, and rare cards. All in all, the next Pokemon TCG will contain:

• 3 ACE SPEC rare Trainer cards
• 5 Pokemon ex and 1 Tera Pokemon ex
• 10 ultra rare Pokemon ex, Tera Pokemon ex and Supporter cards
• 15 illustration rare Pokemon
• 5 hyper rare gold etched cards
• 5 special illustration rare Pokemon and Supporter cards

Like any special set, Shrouded Fable products won’t be available to purchase as a single booster. Instead, you can pick up an Elite Trainer Box, a booster bundle, a mini tin, a three-booster pack, or an illustration collection.

Shrouded Fable has three different illustration collections available — Greninja ex, Kingdra ex, and Kingambit — and I have to admit they’re probably one of my favourite products in the set thanks to the promo cards they come with, which all have a Ukiyo-e (woodblock) look. In case you’re opening up another tab to Google: Ukiyo-e was a style popular in 17th to 19th Japanese art, so all three cards are channelling big Great Wave off Kanagawa vibes.

This certainly isn’t the first time the Pokemon TCG has had a brush with the world of art history. Just look at the wildly popular Pokemon Van Gogh collab, for example. But given that the in-game area of Kitakami is so inspired by Japan (specifically the Tohoku region), it’s a really charming detail to have the set’s special illustrations be so heavily inspired by this art style.

If you want to get your hands on these or any of the other cards in Shrouded Fable expansion, you can pre-order them now and look forward to receiving them in time for the August 2 release.

For recommendations on what to play next, check out our guide to the best board games. Looking for presents, on the other hand? Don't miss these essential gifts for gamers.

This enormous set isn't for the faint of heart. Containing 74 miniatures, terrain, hefty hardback books, cards, and a double-sided board to play on, Skaventide is jam-packed enough to give the likes of Gloomhaven (a notoriously massive RPG that dwarfs the best board games) a run for their money. While we don't know exactly when Warhammer players will be able to get their hands on it, we know it'll be soon – publisher Games Workshop keeps saying that the revised edition of the Age of Sigmar wargame is nearly here.

In terms of specifics, you're getting two complete armies for the new Spearhead game mode (which is the fantasy equivalent of Warhammer 40K's quicker, more concise Combat Patrol) within the box. That's 1,200 points of models apiece, with 24 of the knightly Stormcast Eternals and 50 Skaven ratmen. You're also getting the rules for Spearhead, which allows you to play with any of the other 23 factions as well. 

What I assume is a special edition of the core rulebook is included here too – if the Warhammer 40Ks Leviathan launch box for 10th Edition is any indication, it'll be the same as standard one but with a unique cover you'll only find in Skaventide. When combined with the featured matched play cards, it gives you the tools you need to play Age of Sigmar at many different levels.

Personally, I'm impressed with what we've gotten with Skaventide. For starters, it's made me interested in the Stormcast Eternals for the first time. These fantasy Space Marines are very cool to look at and have great lore (they're essentially Guardians from Destiny who are revived whenever they die), but they didn't grab me because they were a little too straight-laced. This new force, though? Besides having a cool backstory of Stormcast on what may as well be their 'last life,' they're a little rougher around the edges. As someone who grew up with the grunge of the old Warhammer Fantasy Battles, that appeals enormously.

And boy, those Skaven. I've always been a fan of the ratlings ever since they exploded in popularity in the '90s, and these new sculpts really do the twisted monsters justice. The models are properly gnarly, and it's been way too long since the range was given a refresh. More rat ogres, wonky snipers, and hordes of chittering warriors? Games Workshop definitely understood the assignment here.

Yes, there's a lot of 'stuff' in the box to get excited about (including terrain we don't normally get in launch sets). But because I've just had a baby and am shorter on time than I once was, the Spearhead match type is also very appealing to me. A quicker, hour-long session that can be played on a coffee table? Perfect. And seeing as you're getting the full Spearhead rules along with two armies here, the value-for-money of this box shoots up. 

Sure, we don't know how much it'll be yet (judging by previous sets, I'd guess around $250 / £150), but if you can go in halves with a friend who wants one of the forces, you're getting much more than you would if you waited for the normal, sold-separately Spearhead boxes. No matter whether you want to stick with Spearhead or try the full game, it's got everything you need in one place (which doesn't always happen with Warhammer box sets).

In essence, it feels like this is the best jumping-on point we've had for a while. With that in mind, I suspect Skaventide will fly off shelves like previous edition launch sets – I'd suggest keeping a very close eye to avoid disappointment.

Want something to play in the meantime? Check out these board games for adults or the best card games.

MTG Assassin’s Creed is the next Universes Beyond crossover in our crosshairs so we’ve rounded up all the info you’ll want to be privy to for this set of hidden blades and haste.

Sure, there hasn’t been a whole lot of fresh rumblings since we received our first look back in February. However, with the release date quickly approaching, we reckon it's high time we catch you up with everything we do know so far about the MTG Assassin’s Creed Universes Beyond.

If you have your eye on this collab, you might be a long-time MTG player or an Assassin’s Creed fan drawn to one of the best card games for the first time. Either way, we’re here to run you through its release date, mechanics, and new booster formats. That way, when the time comes, you’ll have your targets set on exactly what product to snatch up (stealthily and while looking really cool, of course).

What is MTG Assassin’s Creed?

• Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond crossover set based on the Assassin’s Creed series 
• Confirmed to contain characters from Assassin’s Creed I, II, Revelations, Valhalla, Origins, and more
• Assassin’s Creed: Shadows likely won’t be included … unless?

In what is the third Universes Beyond release of 2024, Magic: The Gathering is crossing over with Ubisoft’s long-running video game series, Assassin’s Creed. AC has been around since 2007 and in that time has become one of the highest-grossing video game franchises of all time. So, with that in mind, we doubt it needs too much introduction. 

Cards in this set feature members of the Assassin Brotherhood, including protagonists like Ezio, Altaïr, and Eivor. As a result of the Animus time-jumping in Assassin’s Creed, you can also expect to see plenty of iconic historical figures, Da Vinci and Cleopatra among them. And of course, any master assassin knows that a haystack is the most flawless escape plan, so that makes an appearance too. 

What about the possibility of MTG cards linked to the upcoming Assassin’s Creed game? Well, Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t set to release until a couple of months after the MTG Assassin’s Creed set comes out. So, it’s very unlikely we’ll see any ninja-type creatures from this Ancient Japanese setting included in the set. That doesn’t mean they won’t see an MTG x Assassin’s Creed: Shadows crossover eventually (more information on that later). 

MTG Assassin’s Creed release date

Debut and previews begin: June 18
Card image gallery and previews complete: June 21
Global tabletop launch: July 5

From June 18, debuts and previews of MTG Assassin’s Creed will take place as part of WeeklyMTG, a segment on the Magic: The Gathering YouTube channel. These previews, alongside updates to the card image gallery, will continue until June 21. 

A few weeks after that, we’ll get the full global launch of MTG Assassin's Creed on July 5. Although, I’m afraid there’s no digital release this time around (sorry, MTG: Arena fans).

MTG Assassin's Creed products

• Starter Kit
• Collector Boosters
• Beyond Boosters
• Secret Lair 

Like last year’s Lord of the Rings set, MTG Assassin’s Creed is a booster-based release. So, don’t expect an Ezio precon Commander deck to come your way anytime soon. Instead, the only premade decks are the two included in the Starter Kit. Outside of this, you can build your collection of MTG Assassin’s Creed cards by picking up Collector Boosters or the new Beyond Boosters. As usual, these boosters come as individual packs, in boxes of 24, or as part of a bundle. 

Starter Kit

As the name suggests, Starter Kits are made specifically with beginners in mind. Alongside two 60-card ready-to-play decks, you even receive a little printed guide on how to play Magic: The Gathering. Sure, if you’re an experienced player, this how-to-play guide will be instant paper waste but if you’re a big Assassin’s Creed fan that is using this release to get into MTG for the first time, it’ll serve you well.

Unlike its Lord of the Rings counterpart, there doesn’t seem to be a clear narrative or theme for the Assassin's Creed Starter Kit– well, at least not yet. While LOTR’s starter decks were rocking a very apparent good vs. evil divide, the blue-black and red-white decks in MTG: AC’s Starter Kit so far seem to have more in common with each other than you’d expect. For a start, the face cards for both decks are protagonists of Assassin’s Creed games. 

Collector Boosters

Buying a Collector Booster for MTG Assassin’s Creed is the number one way to get your hands on Rare and Mythic Rare cards, extended arts, and both etched and textured foils. In fact, a number of these alternate treatments are totally exclusive to Collector Boosters. Another appeal of the Collector Boosters are the serialized versions of historical figure cards which appear in their respective native languages. 

You might have noticed that the MTG Assassin’s Creed Collector Boosters have only 10 cards each as opposed to the 15-card standard. This is even fewer than were found in the MTG Fallout Collector Boosters.

This won’t be the new standard for Collector Boosters as far as we can tell (so you can put down your pitchforks for now). Judging by Bloomburrow and Modern Horizons 3 having 15 cards in their Collector Boosters, MTG Assassin’s Creed is a total outlier. Hopefully the reduced number of cards in these Boosters will translate to better drop rates.

Beyond Booster

Beyond Boosters are a new format that Wizards of the Coast are experimenting with. More specifically, you could argue it’s a result of a previous failed experiment – namely the poorly received Epilogue Booster format. Thankfully, the Beyond Booster does chonk up the offering slightly by delivering 7 cards instead of 5 and has a better drop rate of higher rarity cards.

As you can probably guess, these packs aren’t suitable for Draft; however, you will still get the fun of cracking a pack and they do a solid job of adding cards to your pool of Assassin’s Creed-themed Magic: The Gathering.

Each booster contains:
1 basic land (or non-foil borderless scene card)
3 Uncommon cards
1 Rare or Mythic Rare card
1 Traditional foil Uncommon, Rare, or Mythic Rare Card

1 Showcase Uncommon, Rare, or Mythic Rare card 

Secret Lair

According to Wizards of the Coast, we’ll see a MTG Assassin’s Creed Secret Lair “later in 2024”. While this doesn’t provide a whole lot in the way of information about what the drop entails, we have a couple of threads to go off that can guide speculation. For a start, having a Secret Lair go on sale in the latter part of the year coincides suspiciously well with the Assassin’s Creed Shadows release date. So, there’s a reasonable likelihood that we’ll see AC: Shadows characters like Yasuke included somewhere in this trove of cards.

MTG Assassin’s Creed story

As with any Universes Beyond release, the story of MTG Assassin’s Creed has no link to the current Omenpath Arc, the Dragon Storm Arc, or the Magic Story as a whole.

Instead, the set follows the same general narrative of the 13 Assassin’s Creed games. Card art, names, and flavor text are all an ode to the adventures players experience throughout the franchise. For example, one Artifact included in the set is the Animus – which in every game allows the various protagonists to experience and interact with history through their ancestors’ genetic memory.

MTG Assassin’s Creed mechanics

Universes Beyond sets aren’t always that heavy on delivering new mechanics. However, we have already gotten a glimpse of one mechanical addition made by MTG Assassin’s Creed.

Freerunning is an alternate cost mechanic seen in the preview card Ezio Auditore di Firenze. You may cast a spell for its freerunning cost provided that you’ve done combat damage with an Assassin or your Commander that turn. Alternate cost mechanics are always useful and this super Assassin-focused set should give you plenty of opportunity to trigger this mechanic.

MTG Assassin’s Creed spoilers

MTG Assassin’s Creed spoilers are an area that’ll develop quickly, especially in June when we start to get previews and additions to the card image gallery. For now, these are the cards we’ve gotten a look at. 

MTG Assassin's Creed treatments

Not only do you need to get to grips with 100 new MTG Assassin's Creed cards, but you also need to keep track of the varying aesthetic treatments those cards can have. While the difference between foiled cards and borderless cards won't phase a casual player, it means a lot more to collector. A card's treatment has a direct effect on its value in the resale market too — particularly if you can get your hands on a serialized card.

The treatments in this set are: 

• Standard
• Extended art
• Borderless
• Traditional foil
• Etched foil
• Textured Foil
• Showcase (Memory Corridor)
• Serialized 

MTG Assassin’s Creed deals

You might have plans for Friday Night Magic, but what about the other six days of the week? Fill them with more tabletop fun by picking up one of our choices for the best board games. Alternatively, if you prefer your games to require a few more dice, check out the best tabletop RPGs. 

While the Kickstarter campaign page for Blade Runner: Replicant Rebellion may not go live until May 28, we have already gotten a sneak peek of what we can expect from the release and I have to admit I’m impressed. 

For those out of the loop, Blade Runner RPG is a TTRPG adaptation of the 1982 film, Blade Runner that is published by Free League – the folks behind some of the best tabletop RPGs like The One Ring and The Walking Dead RPG. Like Deckard and K, players in the base Blade Runner RPG take up the position of a blade runner. They’re faced with wrestling internal moral contradictions, pondering questions of humanity … or just wiping out those fugitive Replicants out with reckless abandon, I guess. That’s up to you.

But in Replicant Rebellion, the script has totally flipped. This time round, you embody the role of a rogue Replicant within the Replicant Underground, tasked with evading Blade Runners and building a revolution against the powers that be who wish to see your kind quietly ‘retired’.

Alongside the team that worked on the core Blade Runner book, Replicant Rebellion brings in the talents of Dune RPG artist Eren Arik, and Johan Nohr of Mork Borg (cast your eyes on our Mork Borg review if you need an idea of the kind of TTRPG pedigree we’re working with there). So, all this spells good things. 

We’ve also gotten a glimpse at some of the book’s stunning art. These atmospheric pieces capture all the neon-soaked, neo-noir goodness of its source material while still feeling fresh and unique in its own right. So yeah, Free League seems to be continuing their streak of having some of the prettiest tabletop RPG books on the market. 

Needless to say, I am very excited to give Replicant Rebellion a try. In my view, the appeal of cyberpunk settings isn’t just the glowing cities and cybernetically-enhanced anti-heroes. These kinds of hyper-consumerist dystopias create great narrative tension and make for really engaging underdog stories – what better backdrop for an adventure? 

Replicant Rebellion has the potential to be something along the lines of a slightly grittier Detroit: Become Human, but brought to your tabletop rather than your PlayStation. That sounds like a winner in my book. If that sounds like your bag too, I’d recommend hopping over the Kickstarter page for the project and backing it soon, so you can receive the finished PDF months in advance of its full release and even score yourself some sweet Kickstarter-exclusive bonuses.

If you’re on the lookout for more top-notch TTRPG releases, be sure to take a peek at our picks for the best D&D books. Alternatively, if you prefer meeples to minis, our list of the best board games could be right up your alley.

The massive booster box has been discounted by an impressive 17% ahead of the May 24 Pokemon Twilight Masquerade release date, and if price comparison software is anything to go by, the bundle has never been cheaper. More specifically, you can get it for $107.99 at Amazon instead of $129.99. That's a drop of $22.

This isn't the only discount flying around for one of the best card games. You can save up to $12.50 on older cards at Best Buy right now - a decent shout if you want to boost your collection or grab some accessories like storage tins. The more recent Temporal Forces Elite Trainer box has also hit an all-time low at Amazon, at least so far as I've seen – it's now $37.88 rather than $48.99.

Should you buy the Twilight Masquerade Booster Box?

So far as whether you should buy the booster box goes, I think it comes down to a couple of things. Do you want the best possible value on new Pokemon cards? This box is what you should go for, because you're getting 36 packs in total with 10 cards each. That's 360 cards in total, which would cost you $161-ish if you were to buy individual boosters.

Do you want to make a new deck/add to an old one and guarantee at least some duplicates? This is the way to do it. The sheer number of cards you're getting here gives you the best chance of doubling up on certain Pokemon, items, or Trainer cards.

Sure, this box will inevitably dip in price again – perhaps when the Prime Day board game deals roll around. But that's at least a couple of months away, so if you want to get in the door on release day, this is your best bet. Plus, there's no guarantee that we'll see another record low like this for a while. 

If you're wondering what to look out for, I've seen some buzz surrounding the 'Unfair Stamp' Trainer card. Should one of your Pokemon be knocked out in a round, it forces both players to shuffle their hand into their decks. You then draw five, while your opponent draws two. Nasty.

Greninja EX is also a hard-hitting option to keep an eye out for. For starters, its Shinobi Blade attack only costs on energy but deals 170 damage. Furthermore, it allows you to search your deck for a card, put that card in your hand, and then shuffle the deck once you've found whatever it is you're looking for. That's a powerful move.

For more offers, check out our page of board game deals. As for something else to play, why not drop in on the best board games?

While larger plushies certainly have their own appeal, these fun-sized 3-inch stuffed charms are super portable and can follow you on your MTG journey from browsing your LGS to attending MagicCon. What’s more, each plushie charm will come with a code that unlocks unique digital card sleeves featuring your pet and a discount on buying that pet in the MTG Arena store. 

If you fancy getting your paws on any of these plushie charms (and bagging their digital bonuses) make sure to get your pre-order in at your local game store or the WizKids site. They’ll release online and in-store in October 2024, though. That should give you plenty of time to perfect your ‘Mabel, Heir to Cragflame’ deck.

Looking for more great tabletop gaming fun? Don't miss the best tabletop RPGs or the best board games. If you're struggling to put a full party together, board games for 2 players are awesome too.

Whereas previous editions of the book showed off nameless adventurers, this version of the D&D Player's Handbook depicts established heroes from across the game's 50-year history. Warriors that started life as 1980s action figures stand shoulder to shoulder with a character from one of its first settings, for example.

As seen in an exclusive reveal by Game Informer, the revised book features members of the band known as Valor's Call (who recently appeared in The Wild Beyond the Witchlight campaign, but started life as toys in 1983) fighting alongside Yolande the Elven Queen. The latter got her start in Greyhawk, which was an early campaign world for D&D created in 1972. In a nod to the game's 50th 'gold' anniversary, these warriors are also being protected by a gold dragon as the party faces off against kobolds and a villainous red dragon. And before you ask, yes: it appears they are in a dungeon.

If the style looks familiar, that's because players have seen the artist's work many times before. The front and rear covers were handled by Tyler Jacobson, a longtime D&D illustrator who's been working on the game since 2009 (they were responsible for the previous Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide).

Speaking of the rear cover, that has also been unveiled. Even though it features original adventurers going on a quest (as is only right for one of the best tabletop RPGs), the new Player's Handbook seems more intent on spotlighting characters we know. According to Game Informer's piece, many of the chapter openers throughout the book will include iconic heroes. As D&D studio art director Josh Hartman says, "a lot of our chapter openers are famous heroes… Almost every chapter opening features a different hero, or group of heroes in a different setting. So, you've got Dragonlance, and other ones, like Ravenloft; you’ve got a whole suite of them."

As a case in point, one page depicts grown-up versions of the 1980s D&D cartoon characters exploring a ruin as well-known monsters lurk nearby.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the artwork and the core rulebooks' more cohesive aesthetic in general - judging by what we've seen so far, at least. Besides celebrating the game's long history with characters fans have come to love, the focus on worlds other than the Forgotten Realms (a traditional fantasy universe which became something of a default setting for D&D during the last couple of editions) is no bad thing. Don't get me wrong, I love the Forgotten Realms. But when you have a multiverse full of astral oceans with flying galleons, gothic kingdoms plagued by Dracula-esque vampires, and steampunk robots, why not show them off? D&D doesn't have to be classic swords 'n' sorcery, so underlining the diverse backdrops on offer reminds players that they have options.  

The heroes used here better reflect the game's incredibly diverse player-base as well. That's a refreshing contrast to previous editions, or even the last Player's Handbook, so does a good job of letting everyone who sees it know that D&D is for everyone.

This article revealed some details about the other core rulebooks, too. While the Player's Handbook focuses on heroes to better represent the player experience, the Dungeon Master's Guide will instead look at the game's many villains. DMs spend a lot of time working out what their parties will cross blades with, after all, so that makes sense.

As for the Monster Manual, the new core rulebooks offered an opportunity to revise beloved monsters. For instance, Herman tells Game Informer that "we went through all 10 [dragon types]. We have new designs for all of those and there will be a lot of that in the Monster Manual for sure. We are trying to update those designs to be something in which players could see that dragon's personality or what biome they live in, or where they fit in the cast of all of the dragons.”

You'll be able to pre-order the new core rulebooks as of June 18, and each book will apparently cost $49.99. Alternate covers are going to be available for these, and while we don't know much about them, the Player's Handbook variant will apparently feature "a gorgeous scene of elves and a sinuous gold dragon, all printed in a gold foil treatment."

With the core rulebooks starting to arrive in September, hopefully we'll get a better look at the Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual soon. As soon as details emerge, you'll find them here!

For an idea of what to play while you wait for the new rulebooks, check out our guide to the best Dungeons and Dragons books and the best board games.

As detailed in our Gloomhaven review, this epic co-op dungeon crawling adventure game has all the fun and strategy that you’d look for in the best board games while simultaneously factoring in the satisfying continuity and progression of a tabletop RPG campaign. So what does Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion offer that the original Gloomhaven doesn’t? Well, other than a far more modest price tag, it brings players a new band of adventurers, new locations, 25 new scenarios, and an experience that is a nigh perfect balance of depth and accessibility. 

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion - Features & Design

The contents of Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion come housed in a box of a pretty imposing size. Sure, it's less than half that of the original Gloomhaven, but there’s little compromise made on content. Let me break the news to you right now: the first 45 minutes of your time with Gloomhaven will not be spent slaying baddies and looting treasure. It’ll instead be spent rifling through and organising the many sheets of pop-out tokens and tiles. 

Depending on how much of a fidgeter you are, this experience will either be painfully tedious or oddly relaxing. As someone firmly in the latter camp, the set-up for the Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion felt like a game in and of itself. Cardboard ASMR aside, the rigorous set-up process has a practical purpose too. The folks at Cephalofair Games are keenly attuned to the more unpleasant realities of playing a long-form board game and work to ease that pain for new players. In part, this is done through providing baggies for each and every monster type, and a shielded compartment for each token. Each element of the game has a defined home within the box too, making it a breeze to pack away between each session.

As well as this, the order in which each component is to be unboxed is laid out with exceptional care. As a Level 1 adventurer, you’re not meant to be privy to late-game secrets so these are holed away in sealed boxes that the starter guide very clearly diverts you away from. While anyone who has a lot of experience with games in the vein of Gloomhaven might find the whole set-up tutorial a tad too hand-holdy, it’s an incredibly useful resource for those who are new to adventure board games. 

Jaws of the Lion by no means feels like a ‘Junior’ or ‘Travel’ version of Gloomhaven – the quality of the components is still excellent. Cards feel great in the hands, character sheets are well laid out, and the sculpt on player minis reveal a surprising amount of detail and character. Though perhaps my favourite component of the game is the map with its hardy, durable cardboard, and beautifully illustrated landmarks. This is where one of the legacy elements comes in play with stickers, which are used to mark your progress on the map. 

While I found the stickers to be a satisfying way to mark my progress, I know some players will find the idea of defacing part of their lovely $50 board game practically sacrilegious. So, you’ll be glad to know that you can buy reusable stickers, a handy extra that fully cements the fact that Jaw of the Lion’s campaign isn’t strictly a one-and-done affair. With sufficient care – and those aforementioned stickers – you can reset your progress and start the entire campaign anew. As there isn’t any real emphasis on puzzles or really anything worth spoiling, there’s not much to be lost on the second playthrough. As a matter of fact, there’s a whole lot of value to found in replaying scenarios with different classes and novel approaches. 

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion - Gameplay

The tutorial for Jaws of the Lion weaves between the ‘how to play guide’ and the scenario book itself. By choosing to scare new players off checking the in-depth Glossary for their first session or so, Jaws of the Lion succeeds in feeding players the rules in wholly manageable chunks. This way, the game can appear simple at first but also unravel into enough mechanical complexity to keep adventurers’ mind alight over 15+ gameplay sessions. 

Action in each of these sessions doesn’t take place on a tiled modular map like it did previously. Instead, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion has its scenario book serve as your play space which as you can imagine, massively cuts down on set-up / tear down time. This is yet another decision that removes potential barriers to more casual players. Not to mention the illustrated hex tiles allow for greater variety in map composition and layout.

In another deviation, far from the 17 playable classes in the original Gloomhaven set, Jaws of the Lion has a much more digestible four classes. These four — being Demolitionist, Voidwarden, Hatchet, and Red Guard — are all well-balanced and all have viable builds worth exploring. This is done through tactically choosing ability cards, which are your central way of attacking and moving around each map. Of course, as you level up your abilities evolve and develop, aiding in creating a rewarding sense of progression and growth in your character. I was like a proud parent by the time my little Demolitionist hit the later levels and not just because he became a total killing machine.

Fans of any of the best tabletop RPGs will be familiar with the concept of initiative, which plays a key role in Jaws of the Lion too, being a central stat established before combat which determines where in a turn order your character acts. The catch being you only have a very limited ability to preplan moves, meaning you have to guess at part of your friends (and enemies) moves before locking in your own. In this sense, going first can be both a huge advantage and disadvantage. 

The game asks that you communicate your battle strategy to your fellow players in vague statements like “I’m playing offensive” rather than “I’m going to play Power Pitch next turn”. Sure, this is a rule you can bend (who am I to stop you) but it’s a whole lot more rewarding to stick to it and have those wonderful moments where you and your party’s actions synergize organically. 

This is part of what makes playing Jaws of the Lion’s solo mode feel less fulfilling. While going through the campaign alone, you’re tasked with taking control of two characters which makes your commitment to build progression feel slightly diluted. In my view, it’s far more gratifying to focus on one singular character and really embrace the game’s RPG elements. Although, with a little meddling, I’m sure particularly committed players could rebalance combat encounters to allow for single players.

The backbone of the combat system in Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion are ability cards. With all cards having multiple abilities and initiative stats, you are incentivized to choose the right move not only to progress your board but to cement your place in the action order. After using a card, it is put into a discard pile and you draw two each turn until you can no longer do so. Then, one card is exhausted, removing it from this combat, and you continue fighting. These cards serve the dual purpose showing your available abilities and being a kind of stamina system. As a board develops, you’ll chip away at your enemies' health and your own pool of cards, resulting in exhaustion (basically a KO) if you don’t finish the combatant before your cards run out. 

Managing the turns of enemies is fairly intuitive too, as they each come with easy-to-interpret stat blocks and require little more drawing than from their attack and modifier piles to cause some real ruckus. While your opponents are mechanically simple, they – along with various hazards on the map – do pose quite the challenge at times. Additionally, you have a whole host of variables like elemental essences, modifiers, and status effects that can work for or against your progress. So, occasionally, you’ll find yourself legitimately stumped attempting to strategize the best way for you, your party, and your treasure to make it out safely.

There are a few trade-offs you have to make as part of Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion’s relative simplicity (though simple feels like a ridiculous accusation to levy against a 30-hour board game). For one, the story is more linear than that of its predecessor. There is a narrative that drives your party from one scenario to the next (one which the included one-shot comic helps to flesh out beautifully) but don’t expect it to hold a candle to anything found in the likes of the best D&D books. There’s certainly charm and humor in the short blurbs that introduce and conclude each scenario, but there’s simply nowhere close to the same space for world-building and characterization. 

I'm hardly complaining however, as in place of these extra side quests and branching narratives, you get a far more accessible gameplay experience. It’s still by no means a game to randomly bust out at a party of acquaintances, but it’s a little closer to something you could pitch to adventure board game newbies who are ready to commit to a couple of sessions. Trust me, they're guaranteed a whole lot of fun if they do.

Should you buy Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion?

While the original Gloomhaven feels like a must-have for all those a little too into tabletop gaming, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is a must-have for everyone else. It’s still obviously nowhere near as portable as Gloomhaven’s most recent spin-off, Buttons and Bugs. However, it’s a great middleground for those who have a burgeoning appetite for more complex, involved board game experiences but aren’t ready to sacrifice an entire row of their bookshelf (and a whole lot of time) to the original Gloomhaven.

If the original Gloomhaven was your bag and you won’t feel like you’re gotten your fill of adventures, you’ll still find a whole lot to love in Jaws of the Lion. While it's a slightly lighter title, it still delivers the same core of quality, complexity, and fun. 

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How we tested Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

This review is the product of weeks of hands-on testing including playing through the campaign as a multiplayer party and as a solo player. Alternate scenarios which weren’t included in my initial playthrough were also explored as well in order to get the most complete picture of how the game can develop narratively and mechanically in any given campaign.

You can find out more in our guide to how we test board games and tabletop RPGs, or the general GamesRadar+ reviews policy page.