Magic The Gathering Commander Masters set revealed: Here's what's included

If you hadn't realised, Magic The Gathering is having something of a resurgence. The card game that's been around since the '80s is enjoying another chance at the zeitgeist, buoyed by the excellent Lord of the Rings collaboration.

We'd argue that there's never been a better time to jump in, and one of the most popular formats for doing so is Commander. Easy to get into thanks to preconstructed decks, the mode is getting a shot in the arm with an additional set arriving next month - Commander Masters.

• For more Magic The Gathering, check out our interview with one of the artists behind Sauron's card

Magic The Gathering Commander Masters gets release date

According to Magic The Gathering's official site, the set will feature "powerful reprints, returning legends, and four ready-to-play decks" when it debuts on August 4.

The set will contain 130 commons, 135 uncommon, 135 rates, and 35 mythic rares, with 15 mythic rares and 53 rares being legendary.

Commanders are getting a visual overhaul this time around, with new borderless artwork. Borderless cards will be in every booster.

Click to enlarge

If you've been playing a lot of Marvel Snap, you'll no doubt enjoy new borderless frame break variants, like the one below - there are 12 to collect.

Click to enlarge

Collectors can also expect other borderless variants, including reprints of cards that haven't been seen in years. These include Personal Tutor, as well as textured foil variants, and perhaps most excitingly of all, retro land cards.

As for Commander Decks, players can expect the following options:

• Eldrazi Unbound - Colourless - Commander is Zhulodok, Void Gorger (7/4)
• Enduring Enchantments - White/Black/Green - Commander is Anikthea, Hand of Erebos (4/4)
• Planeswalker Party - White/Blue/Red - Commander is Commodore Guff (5)
• Sliver Swam - White/Blue/Black/Red/Green - Commander is Sliver Gravemother (6/6)

Here are the key dates to look out for with the Magic The Gathering: Commander Masters rollout, as per Wizards of the Coast:

• Debut and Previews Begin: July 11
• Commander Deck Previews: July 17–20
• Card Image Galleries Complete: July 21
• Pre-Prerelease with LoadingReadyRun: July 22
• WPN Premium Store Preview Events: July 28–30
• Command Zone Podcast's Extra Turns Gameplay: August 2
• Global Tabletop Launch: August 4