Magic: The Gathering's tentpole Marvel sets will not be coming to a Spider-Man-themed set due for release in September. However, Wizards has stunningly announced that these sets will only be available to physical collectors and not to players of the Magic: The Gathering Arena or Magic: Online digital clients.

Wizards of the Coast confirmed the news in an announcement posted to its website as part of a wider announcement about its Universes Beyond plans for the rest of 2025. Instead of the Spider-Man set, Magic: The Gathering Arena and its sister client Magic: Online will get a mechanically identical set called Through the Omenpaths that will feature characters and creatures native to Magic: The Gathering's multiverse. More details about the Through the Omenpaths set will be announced at a later time.

Why Magic: Arena Is Possibly Skipping Out On The Marvel Sets

Marvel Snap And Other Digital Card Apps Could Be Why

Today's announcement is something of a stunner, simply because of how central Magic: Arena is to the Magic business model. A majority of Standard play occurs through Magic: Arena and it remains a top moneymaker for Wizards of the Coast. While Through the Omenpaths ensures that players can keep using relevant cards, Magic: Arena almost assuredly won't see a surge in interested newcomers looking to snatch up Spider-Man cards.

Wizards of the Coast did not elaborate as to why Magic: Arena and Magic: Online were skipping over the Marvel sets, which will almost certainly be major sellers. However, it's likely a licensing rights issue. Upper Deck currently runs a popular digital trading card app that uses Marvel characters, and Marvel Snap is a digital card game that competes directly with Magic: Arena in the digital card game space. It's possible that Marvel Snap is the reason for the hold-up, although we may never know the exact reasons.

Our Take: A Resurgence In Physical Magic Cards ?

The Marvel Sets Could Lead To A Resurgence In Physical Play

It will be interesting to see how the Magic community reacts to the new Through the Omenpaths sets on Magic: Arena. Since Marvel-themed Magic cards are likely on the schedule for multiple years, we'll see if the physical exclusivity drives new interest in the physical game. Given how much play takes place on Magic: Arena, I'm honestly shocked that Wizards couldn't work out a deal to get Marvel cards onto their digital platforms, and it could mark a major shift in Magic: The Gathering.

Source: Magic: The Gathering, Meret123/Reddit