2024 Alchemy Rotation: Current Sets and Exactly How It Works

Last updated on March 29, 2024

Consider | Illustration by Zezhou Chen

To keep the formats fresh and balanced, WotC rotates the sets that are legal in Standard and Alchemy every few years. That’s a much-needed measure to change the best strategies and to prevent a certain deck from being dominant.

Alchemy rotation is right across the corner, so here’s all the relevant info on the rotation. Will you be able to keep playing your favorite cards? What’s getting out and what stays?

Fear not, because we’ve got you covered.

Does Alchemy Rotate? How Often?

World Shaper | Illustration by Raymond Swanland

Alchemy rotates each year in September, and each set is valid in the format for two years. For example, Wilds of Eldraine was released on September 5, 2023, and stays in Alchemy until September 2025, when it rotates out. Sets that rotated out with the entrance of WOE were legal in Alchemy since 2021, and so on.   

When Is the Next Alchemy Rotation?

The next Alchemy rotation will happen in September 2024.

What’s In Alchemy: Current Sets

These sets are all currently legal in Alchemy in addition to the Arena Base Set:

• Dominaria United
• Alchemy: Dominaria
• The Brothers’ War
• Alchemy: The Brothers’ War
• Phyrexia: All Will Be One
• Alchemy: Phyrexia
• March of the Machine
• March of the Machine: The Aftermath
• The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth
• Wilds of Eldraine
• Alchemy Eldraine
• The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
• Alchemy The Lost Caverns of Ixalan
• Murders at Karlov Manor
• Alchemy: Murders at Karlov Manor

Why Does Alchemy Rotate?

Blur | Illustration by Dave Greco

Alchemy is a format developed with digital-first players in mind to provide a fresh experience with constant rebalances. The digital-only aspect of the format allows WotC’s designers to have more creative freedom with card design and to shake up the format more frequently. Also, with constant rotation, designers have more tools to balance a format, to see what’s working and what isn’t, and to take the necessary actions like errata.

Alchemy Rotation vs. Standard Rotation

Initially, Standard and Alchemy had the same rotation rules. However, WotC gave Standard sets more room to breathe, and the Standard rotation rules were altered. Now, each set in Standard is legal in the format for three years, while each set is valid for two years in Alchemy.

Both Alchemy and Standard are rotating formats, but Standard keeps the sets MID, VOW, NEO, and SNC for a little longer, until the next rotation. You can also see that Alchemy has up to eight full sets (not considering special Alchemy sets with exclusive cards), while Standard has at most 12 sets.

Why Is Alchemy Rotation Different Than Standard Rotation?

Baleful Beholder | Illustration by lars Grant-West

WotC made the rotations different to cater Alchemy to players who put in a lot of hours on Arena, and want regular changes to the meta. Before May 2023, Alchemy and Standard rotation happened at the same time. Alchemy stays the same, so sets in Alchemy rotate every two years. Alchemy doesn’t need to match tabletop MTG or MTGO, so it makes sense that Alchemy has its own rules.

What Is Alchemy Renewal?

Refuse to Yield | Illustration by Josh Hass

Renewal is a way that MTG Arena helps players, especially new players that have smaller collections, to keep playing Standard and Alchemy, and that’s achieved via gifts. Players get new Starter Decks with all the cards included, and there are changes in the sets that are available for drafting, Jump In! pack contents, and more.

If you log into MTG Arena before the rotation, you’ll also be able to open the Renewal Egg, which will contain the following benefits:

• 10 ICR (Individual Card Rewards)
• Five rares from non-rotating sets
• Four rares plus a mythic rare from the newest set

How to Use Alchemy Cards After Rotation

Errant, Street Artist | Illustration by Justine Cruz

Even though these cards aren’t available in Alchemy anymore, you can play them in a bunch of formats, notably the Historic and Timeless formats on MTG Arena.

Timeless

In Timeless, all cards on Arena are available including Arena-exclusive cards. This format is the landing place for the most powerful cards in MTGA.

Historic

The Historic format accepts nearly every single card that has been released on MTG Arena thus far. Even if you can use your cards in Standard Alchemy, you can use them in Historic. Not all cards legal in Standard Alchemy can be used in Explorer though, only the cards that are equal in Standard and Standard Alchemy.

Historic Brawl

You can also use the Alchemy cards in Historic Brawl. Historic Brawl is a 100-card singleton format where you choose a legendary creature to be your commander.

Other Formats

You’ll be able to use Alchemy cards in specific temporary formats, like the ones in Midweek Magic. Casual formats that are sometimes available like Gladiator, Historic Pauper, and Peasant let you play with your Alchemy cards.

Wrap Up

Otawara, Soaring City | Illustration by Alayna Danner

Alchemy rotated with the release of Wilds of Eldraine. For people who like to brew and test new ideas, the weeks surrounding rotation are usually a very exciting time. And if Alchemy isn’t your cup of tea, you’ll get to settle with Standard for a while longer. Don’t forget the nice rewards for each season on MTG Arena!

And with some exceptions, your Standard decks are usually somewhat playable in Alchemy too, so you’ll have two formats to decide which one you prefer best. Are you looking forward to the next Alchemy rotation? Let me know in the comments section below, or let’s discuss it in the Draftsim Discord.

Stay safe folks, and may MTG Arena bless you with nice rewards on the rotation.