Exploring New Mechanics in MTG Aetherdrift: Speed, Exhaust, Saddle, and More Explained

Magic: The Gathering is set to introduce its latest expansion, the Aetherdrift set, which includes an array of new mechanics designed to enrich the gameplay experience as players engage in an exhilarating interplanar race. This article delves into the exciting mechanics of Speed, Exhaust, and Saddling, offering insights to help players navigate this thrilling new environment.

The Aetherdrift set is the first major release in a jam-packed 2025 lineup from Wizards of the Coast, promising a bounty of cards for players to collect and incorporate into their decks. To gain a competitive edge, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the innovative mechanics introduced in this set.

You can explore all the details directly from Wizards of the Coast, but here’s a comprehensive overview of each new mechanic, complete with strategies for effective use.

The Need for Speed in MTG Aetherdrift

MTG Aetherdrift New Mechanics Start Your Engines and Speed — Image Credit: Wizards of the Coast/dexerto

The Aetherdrift expansion places a strong emphasis on racing, motivating the development team at Wizards of the Coast to implement the Start Your Engines and Speed mechanics. These new elements aim to immerse players in the exhilarating atmosphere of the Ghirapur Grand Prix.

When players activate the Start Your Engines keyword, they can gain Speed by dealing damage to their opponents through attacks or direct damage spells. Players are limited to increasing their Speed once per turn, with a maximum speed cap of four; interestingly, developers have confirmed that there are no mechanisms in place to exceed one level of Speed in a turn.

Specific cards will offer additional benefits at maximum Speed, such as the card Vnwxt, Verbose Host, which allows players to draw two cards instead of one when at Speed level four. Other cards might feature effects that scale with current Speed, such as dealing damage corresponding to the Speed level. As players focus on maintaining and maximizing their Speed, it is equally crucial to monitor their opponents, as they will undoubtedly attempt to reduce each other’s momentum.

Exhaust: Shifting Gears in MTG Aetherdrift

Continuing with the racing motif, the Exhaust mechanic introduces powerful one-time-use abilities that metaphorically represent shifting gears to overtake opponents. Various creatures, artifacts, and enchantments may possess multiple Exhaust abilities; however, each ability can only be utilized once per card.

An exemplary card featuring the Exhaust mechanic is Loot, the Pathfinder, which boasts three potent Exhaust options. Each option requires a single mana expenditure and tapping Loot, providing effects akin to Black Lotus and Ancestral Recall—allowing players to tap into powerful mana generation or card draw.

MTG Aetherdrift New Mechanics Exhaust — Image Credit: Wizards of the Coast/dexerto

The Exhaust mechanic holds immense potential, especially with certain color combinations that favor card recursion. Cards that are flickered (returned to hand and replayed) or played from the graveyard are treated as new instances, thereby resetting their Exhaust abilities and circumventing the ‘once-per-game’ limitation. For instance, if Loot was your Commander and returned to the Command zone after exhausting his abilities, replaying him would provide access to those abilities once again, opening avenues for innovative tactics.

Saddling: A Returning Mechanic in MTG Aetherdrift

While the Saddling mechanic first appeared in the 2024 Outlaws of Thunder Junction set, its presence in Aetherdrift is more pronounced, with enhancements that build upon the original concept.

In Aetherdrift, vehicles play a pivotal role, yet a variety of Mount Creatures are also featured, showcasing a more organic approach to racing. Unlike vehicles, mounts do not require crewing to attack, and the Saddle mechanic functions similarly to the Crew ability, imparting additional enhancements to a mount’s attack.

For example, Lagorin, Soul of Alacria necessitates a Saddle cost of one, which means a creature with at least one power must be utilized for saddling. Once saddled, Lagorin can provide a +1/+1 boost to two creatures—including itself—when it attacks.

The Aetherdrift set also includes various cards that enable players to saddle mounts at no cost, fostering increased attacker freedom and broadening board presence.

MTG Aetherdrift New Mechanics Saddling — Image Credit: Wizards of the Coast/dexerto

These newly introduced and refined mechanics promise to reshape the gameplay experience in Magic: The Gathering’s Aetherdrift expansion. Each mechanic has the potential to become a focal point for newly evolving deck archetypes, making it intriguing to observe how these innovations impact the competitive landscape.

For further details on upcoming MTG content in 2025, or to explore theories about a possible Avatar: The Last Airbender set, check out more on the topic and see if it persuades you to become a believer in the possibilities!

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