Draftsim's Staff Picks: The Hobbit

Eli Weinberg 2 hours ago MTG News

Last updated on August 4, 2026

An Unexpected Party | Illustration by Matt Stewart

Folks, The Hobbit is nearly upon us. I think it's safe to say that MTG players are stoked to be returning to Middle-earth, The Lord of The Rings was a resounding success back in 2023. We asked our staff to submit Hobbit cards they're most excited about.

The answers we got span multiple formats, from Commander, to Standard, all the way to Peasant Cube. Let's dive in.

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Eli Weinberg: The Queen of Dale

As Draftsim’s resident Orzhov enthusiast, I love any sort of low cost card selection that can go in the 99. The fact that The Queen of Dale can help build your board thanks to the new recruit mechanic is just a cherry on top. It’ll stop you from stalling out on card draw, it creates sac fodder, and it can be reanimated with budget spells like Recommission. I plan on putting it in most of my Wx Commander decks.

Jackson Wong: Chief Warg's Company

Chief Warg's Company does so much on its own, with such little investment. It more than powers ferocious, let's not forget it can block right away and creating a 2/2 creature each turn is good for going wide. Plus, that token is perfect for sacrifice strategies, which you know GB feeds on.

Trevor Galvin: Bilbo's Gambit

I think it's going to be so satisfying to stop a board wipe or major combo play the turn before you can secure victory. I'm a big flash/instant player, so anything to frustrate the broken Badgermole Cub and Tablet of Discovery shenanigans

Brian Truman: Bard, Heir of Girion

Getting a card draw on attack in the colors where there are plenty of flyers and creatures with vigilance is good. Plus I get vigilance and reach on 4/4 body (on a card that is not green) is pretty good value. Oh wait, also +1/+1 for my other creatures. There’s nothing I don’t like about this card. There’s so much value when paired with Bilbo, Luckweaver; Bard becomes a must-destroy.

Pedro Furtado: Settle the Wreckage

Settle the Wreckage is an incredible reprint for Standard, one of my most played formats. Between this and Erode, I plan on giving a lot of tapped lands to my opponents. I'm even happier because I'm usually not on the side that gets Wrecked. Maybe they'll reprint The Wandering Emperor next, who knows?

Tim Zaccagnino: Pinecone Strike

It’s not a flashy card at all, but the Peasant Cuber brain in my has to say Pinecone Strike is the card that excites me most from The Hobbit. It’s such a great design as a 2-for-1 removal spell that only really works against other 2-for-1s, and therefore isn’t broken by any means. And hey, Commander’s so token-dense right now that I wouldn’t write this off there either. I don’t remember the lore behind what’s going on in this card, but I enjoy the implications that hurling some pinecones has a canonically stronger effect than getting hit by a Lightning Bolt. Magic’s fun sometimes.

Craig Maas: Inside Information

love taking risks and I love stealing things. Inside Information has both in spades. How much life are you willing to lose and can you stabilize after that? This card seems like so much fun in both Limited and Commander. Is it good? Who knows, but it's definitely fun!

Jake Henderson: Thranduil's Decree

I love counterspells with ridiculous mana costs. They always have some stupid effect to make up for the fact you may spend 2-3x the mana your opponent did. This one isn't as exciting as Counterlash, but I'm still looking forward to blowing somebody out in HOB Limited with it.