Dig Through Time – Illustration by Ryan Yee
Dig Through Time | Illustration by Ryan Yee
MTG Arena has become an undeniable force in the Magic: The Gathering universe. With premier formats like Standard heavily leaning into the digital realm, it’s almost impossible for MTG enthusiasts to ignore. Pioneer, as a non-rotating format, offers a unique appeal. It boasts a card pool comparable to Explorer, but at a more accessible price point than the beloved Modern format in Magic.
Recognizing Pioneer’s growing popularity and the desire to bring it fully to MTG Arena, Wizards of the Coast delved into the format’s key cards from Pioneer Regional Championships. They also looked back to the extensive history of Magic Online to curate a set that would bridge the gap and introduce Pioneer to Arena in a draftable format.
This is how Pioneer Masters was born! If you’re eager to know when you can get your hands on this set and dive into Pioneer on MTG Arena, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore everything you need to know about the Pioneer Masters release date and what this set brings to the table.
Pioneer Masters: Key Information and Release Date
Set Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Set Symbol | (Symbol Placeholder – Check Official MTG Source) |
| Set Code | PIO |
| Number of Cards | 398 |
| Rarities | Common, Uncommon, Rare, Mythic |
| Key Mechanics | Awaken, Battalion, Bestow, Cipher, Delve, Devoid, Devotion, Gates, Heroic, Monstrosity, Spell Mastery, and more |
Pioneer Masters Release Date and Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Previews Start | November 25, 2024 |
| Streamer Event | December 5-6, 2024 |
| Available on Draftsim’s Draft Simulator | Already Available! |
| Release on MTG Arena | December 10, 2024 |
| Available on Arena Tutor | December 10, 2024 |
| Planeswalkers Bonus Sheets | December 10-24, 2024 |
| Spells Bonus Sheets | December 24 – January 7, 2025 |
| Devotion Bonus Sheets | January 7-21, 2025 |
As you can see, the Pioneer Masters release date on MTG Arena was December 10, 2024. This marked the day players could officially access the set on the platform and start engaging with Pioneer format in a more comprehensive way.
The Story Behind Pioneer Masters
Unlike some expansion sets, Masters sets like Pioneer Masters typically don’t have an overarching narrative of their own. Instead, they draw upon the rich history and lore already established within Magic: The Gathering. Pioneer Masters pulls cards and mechanics from various planes, with a notable representation from fan-favorite locations such as Ravnica, Theros, and Zendikar. This blend of familiar elements creates a set that feels both nostalgic and strategically diverse.
Mechanics Featured in Pioneer Masters
True to the spirit of Masters sets, Pioneer Masters is packed with a wide array of mechanics, offering something for every play style. While some mechanics might only appear on a few cards, several key mechanics are featured more prominently, becoming defining elements of the set:
Awaken
Part the Waterveil
Awaken provides a powerful versatility, allowing spells like Part the Waterveil to not only deliver their primary effect – in this case, an extra turn – but also to animate a land into a creature. This animated land gets +1/+1 counters equal to the awaken value, creating a substantial threat on the board.
Battalion
Legion Loyalist
Battalion rewards aggressive, creature-heavy strategies. Cards with battalion, such as Legion Loyalist, trigger powerful effects when you attack with at least three creatures. This mechanic encourages players to commit to the board and press the attack for maximum impact.
Bestow
Chromanticore
Bestow offers flexibility and resilience. Creatures with bestow, like the potent Chromanticore, can be cast as creatures normally or as Auras enchanting another creature. If the enchanted creature dies, the bestow card becomes a creature, providing a built-in safeguard against removal.
Cipher
Hidden Strings
Cipher is a unique and strategic mechanic. Spells with cipher, like Hidden Strings, are encoded onto a creature dealing combat damage to a player. Whenever that creature deals combat damage, you can cast a copy of the ciphered spell for free, generating card advantage and repeated effects.
Delve
Tasigur, the Golden Fang
Delve is a graveyard-centric mechanic that reduces the mana cost of spells. Cards with delve, such as Tasigur, the Golden Fang, allow you to exile cards from your graveyard to pay for their generic mana cost. This rewards graveyard filling strategies and enables powerful spells to be cast earlier than usual.
Devoid
Void Shatter
Devoid is a simple but relevant mechanic that makes cards colorless, regardless of their mana cost. Void Shatter, for example, is a blue counterspell that is also colorless due to devoid. This can be relevant for cards that care about colorless spells.
Devotion
Purphoros, God of the Forge
Devotion, featured on cards like Purphoros, God of the Forge, counts the number of mana symbols of a specific color among permanents you control. High devotion unlocks powerful abilities and can even animate gods into creatures, making it a key mechanic for monocolored and color-focused decks.
Gates
Maze’s End
Gates are a land subtype that synergizes with specific strategies. The inclusion of Maze’s End and the full cycle of Guildgates in Pioneer Masters signals the viability of Gates-themed decks. Even decks of other archetypes can benefit from including a few gates for mana fixing.
Heroic
Phalanx Leader
Heroic triggers when a creature with heroic becomes the target of a spell. Creatures like Phalanx Leader and Slickshot Show-Off become significantly more powerful when targeted by spells, rewarding players for using targeted buffs and protection spells.
Monstrosity
Polukranos, World Eater
Monstrosity is an activated ability that makes a creature larger and often grants additional abilities. Polukranos, World Eater is a prime example, becoming an even more formidable threat once its monstrosity ability is activated.
Spell Mastery
Dark Petition
Spell mastery abilities trigger when you have two or more instants and/or sorceries in your graveyard. Dark Petition, for example, becomes significantly more powerful with spell mastery, adding a burst of mana reminiscent of Dark Ritual. This mechanic rewards spell-heavy decks and strategic graveyard management.
Notable Cards in Pioneer Masters
Pioneer Masters is packed with impactful cards that are sure to shake up the Pioneer format on MTG Arena.
Hidden Strings stands out due to its crucial role in Lotus Field combo decks. Its ability to untap lands like Lotus Field can lead to explosive mana generation and game-winning turns.
The double-faced planeswalker Liliana, Heretical Healer is another highlight. Her transformation into Liliana, Defiant Necromancer is easily triggered, providing a powerful planeswalker that can quickly take over a game.
Rarity Shifts to Note
Pioneer Masters also features several notable rarity shifts, impacting both Limited and Constructed play. Bile Blight, Ash Zealot, and Anax and Cymede are examples of cards that have shifted down in rarity, making them more accessible in draft and potentially influencing budget deck builds. Keep an eye out for these and other rarity changes as you explore the set.
Bonus Sheets: Planeswalkers, Spells, and Devotion
Premier Draft of Pioneer Masters with an arrow on Current Bonus Sheet: Planeswalkers
Adding an extra layer of excitement to Pioneer Masters are the bonus sheets. These rotating bonus sheets, focusing on Planeswalkers, Spells, and Devotion themes, are inserted into packs and offer a chance to open powerful and synergistic cards beyond the main set. For example, during the Planeswalker bonus sheet period, you might find cards like Garruk, Caller of Beasts or Xenagos, the Reveler in your Pioneer Masters packs.
How to Acquire Pioneer Masters
Arena Packs
The primary way to acquire Pioneer Masters cards is through Arena packs. These packs can be purchased in the Arena store using gold or gems. You can also use wildcards to craft specific Pioneer Masters cards you need for your decks.
Arena Limited Events
For the most engaging experience with the set, dive into Arena Limited events. Draft and Sealed events are excellent ways to build your Pioneer Masters collection while testing your deckbuilding and gameplay skills in a fresh format.
The Significance of Pioneer Masters
Gurmag Angler | Illustration by Yw Tang
Pioneer Masters is more than just another set release on MTG Arena; it’s a pivotal moment for the platform and the Pioneer format itself. It’s designed to complete the integration of Pioneer onto Arena, potentially leading to the retirement of the Explorer format as Pioneer becomes fully supported.
By bringing Pioneer to MTG Arena, Wizards of the Coast aims to broaden the format’s player base and increase participation in digital Pioneer events. Some speculate that this could position Pioneer as a potential successor to Modern in the long run, especially within the digital sphere.
Ultimately, Pioneer Masters is a crucial set for the growth and evolution of both Pioneer and MTG Arena, promising a vibrant future for digital Pioneer play.
In Conclusion
Jungleborn Pioneer card image
Jungleborn Pioneer | Illustration by Scott Murphy
Pioneer is a format known for its powerful card pool, featuring iconic cards like Thoughtseize and a diverse range of strategies. Pioneer Masters injects a fresh wave of cards and players into the format on MTG Arena, solidifying its presence in the digital landscape.
With the Pioneer Masters release date on December 10, 2024, having already passed, players are now fully immersed in exploring the set and its impact on the Pioneer format. What do you think about Pioneer on Arena? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And while you’re here, be sure to explore more of our content for all things Magic: The Gathering.
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Thank you for reading, and if you’re passionate about MTG Arena, don’t forget to check out Arena Tutor, our free tool designed to enhance your MTGA experience across all formats. Have fun playing Pioneer Masters!
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