Last updated on October 16, 2023

Sorin Markov art - Illustration by Magali Villeneuve

Sorin Markov print | Illustration by Magali Villeneuve

Co-authored by Max Wu-Blouin

It’s an interesting time for Standard sets in Magic. Rotation hit us with Midnight Hunt, which means one of the most influential (and sometimes controversial) sets left us. We also got a unique treat this year: the next set after rotation has been released way sooner than normal.

That’s right, Innistrad: Crimson Vow was released on November 19, just two short months after its wolfish predecessor on September 24. I was (and still am) super excited for the Innistrad twins, so I’m more than happy to get on my soapbox about the whole thing and tell you everything you need to know about the second-born.

Let’s just dive right in!

Innistrad: Crimson Vow Basic Information

Innistrad Crimson Vow art - Illustration by Lenka Šimečková

Innistrad: Crimson Vow art | Illustration by Lenka Šimečková

Set Details

Set SymbolInnistrad Crimson Vow set symbol
Set CodeVOW
Hashtag#MTGCrimson and #MTGInnistrad
Number of Cards412
Rarities100 commons, 83 uncommons, 64 rares, 20 mythic rares, 10 basic lands
MechanicsBlood tokens, cleave, daybound/nightbound, disturb, exploit, transform, training, vampires

Important Dates

EventDate
Previews startOctober 28, 2021
Available on Draftsim's draft simulatorNovember 5, 2021
Draftsim Limited Set Review and Standard Set ReviewNovember 9, 2021
Release on MTG ArenaNovember 11, 2021
Available on Arena TutorNovember 11, 2021
Prerelease weekNovember 12 to 19, 2021
Paper release dateNovember 19, 2021
Launch partyNovember 19 to 21, 2021

About the Set: The Story

Rakish Heir - Illustration by Winona Nelson

Rakish Heir | Illustration by Winona Nelson

Together, Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Crimson Vow revisit what we learned first about Innistrad, showing us again why the wisest humans there never stop fearing nightfall.

WotC

Crimson Vow continues the story that started in Midnight Hunt: humans battling against things that go bump in the night. An ultra-exclusive wedding, eternal night, and every spooky classic-monster-movie creature you can think of. It sounds like a grand old time, doesn’t it?

The heart-stopping event surrounds the union between the Markov and Voldaren bloodlines as they scheme to take over Innistrad, together. Olivia Voldaren is our blood-sucking bride and her husband-to-be is none other than Edgar Markov, the founder of the Markov bloodline. Since Edgar is no longer quite the vampire he used to be, Olivia is poised to become the most powerful vampire on Innistrad.

One person who isn't too pleased about Olivia's pursuit of power is Arlinn Kord. Helping her at the party are two planeswalkers we've seen before:

That's right, both Kaya and Chandra will be attending Olivia's wedding! Let's just say that things aren't expected to settle peacefully.

Getting back on track, the humans of Innistrad are turning to rituals to aid them, and there’s also a fun festival going on: Harvesttide! Olivia is known for throwing the best parties, so I’m sure the whole thing will turn out to be a biting good time.

Set Mechanics

All right, enough vampire puns. Let’s get to the nitty-gritty of the set: the mechanics! There’s going to be vampires. Obviously. But what else?

Let's take a look!

Blood Tokens

Blood Token

Blood tokens are like Clue tokens, only slightly little less powerful. Rather than just drawing you a card, they also require you to discard a card.

As was the case with Clues, some cards in Crimson Vow directly benefit from owning Blood tokens. Check out Voldaren Bloodcaster / Bloodbat Summoner:

Voldaren Bloodcaster incentivizes you not to crack your Blood tokens right away. If you can accumulate enough of them, it’ll transform into the powerful Bloodbat Summoner, which turns those cycling artifacts into a powerful army of 2/2 flying Bats with haste!

Cleave

When Mark Rosewater said there would be a new mechanic that removes something never removed before, he was talking about cleave. Cleave is an alternative cost you can pay to remove text in square brackets. That may sound confusing, so let’s just look at an example first:

Dig Up

Dig Up allows you to search for a basic land card and put it in your hand when played for its regular cost. If you pay the cleave cost, though, you can pick any card from your deck and you don’t have to reveal it.

Training

Training is another brand-new mechanic entering Crimson Vow. A creature’s training ability triggers when that creature attacks with another creature that has greater power. A creature gains a +1/+1 counter when it trains.

Some cards with training benefits from additional effects when they train, like Savior of Ollenbock:

Savior of Ollenbock

My prediction is that training will be a rather difficult ability to trigger. It looks too easy for opponents to play around, but only time will tell whether this is a good mechanic or not.

Exploit

Exploit is a returning mechanic that was first featured in Dragons of Tarkir. Whenever a creature with exploit enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice a creature. Doing so triggers a bonus ability, as you can see with Overcharged Amalgam:

Overcharged Amalgam

With all the cards in Midnight Hunt that generate zombies with decayed, creatures with exploit will often find some cheap, expendable creatures to sacrifice. Exploit could turn out to be a very powerful mechanic if we see enough token generators in this set.

Daybound/Nightbound

Daybound/nightbound was first introduced in Midnight Hunt and it's staying for Crimson Vow. These transforming double-faced cards enter on one side or another depending on whether it's day or night. Day becomes night if a player casts no spells during their turn and night becomes day if a player casts two or more spells during their turn.

Disturb

Just like daybound/nightbound, disturb is returning from Midnight Hunt. You can cast a creature from your graveyard for its disturb cost. If you do, that creature enters the battlefield transformed.

Notable Cards

Dracula Series

Don’t worry, this isn’t another Secret Lair. These Dracula Series cards are only aesthetically different from existing cards in Crimson Vow. They’re foil, borderless, and feature art inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula. You can find them in single-card box topper boosters and collector boosters.

Voldaren Estate buy-a-box promo (Castle Dracula)

Plus, there's this awesome alternate art for Voldaren Estate (a.k.a., Castle Dracula) that's only available through buy-a-box promos, so make sure to grab one while supplies last.

Slow Lands Return

In Midnight Hunt, we got five dual-color lands that require you to have two or more other lands to enter untapped. Crimson Vow includes the other five lands, rounding out the cycle.

Eternal Night

The eternal night treatment for full-art basic lands continues in Crimson Vow.

Thalia, Guardian of Thraben Eternal Night

This black-and-white horror-style treatment is also available for legendary creatures. It looks awesome on this new Thalia, Guardian of Thraben reprint!

Borderless Treatment

All Crimson Vow planeswalkers and rare dual lands, along with select rare and mythic cards, are available in borderless form.

Fang Frames

Since Crimson Vow is all about vampires, it's only fair that they get some special treatment! Some vampires (and vampire planeswalkers) have these scary-looking frames for aesthetic effect.

White

Adamant Will

Adamant Will
Angelic Quartermaster

Angelic Quartermaster
Arm the Cathars

Arm the Cathars
Bride's Gown

Bride's Gown
By Invitation Only

By Invitation Only
Cemetery Protector

Cemetery Protector
Circle of Confinement

Circle of Confinement
Dawnhart Geist

Dawnhart Geist
Estwald Shieldbasher

Estwald Shieldbasher
Fierce Retribution

Fierce Retribution
Fleeting Spirit

Fleeting Spirit
Gryff Rider

Gryff Rider
Gryffwing Cavalry

Gryffwing Cavalry
Hallowed Haunting

Hallowed Haunting
Heron of Hope

Heron of Hope
Heron-Blessed Geist

Heron-Blessed Geist
Hopeful Initiate

Hopeful Initiate
Lantern Flare

Lantern Flare
Militia Rallier

Militia Rallier
Nebelgast Beguiler

Nebelgast Beguiler
Nurturing Presence

Nurturing Presence
Ollenbock Escort

Ollenbock Escort
Parish-Blade Trainee

Parish-Blade Trainee
Piercing Light

Piercing Light
Resistance Squad

Resistance Squad
Sanctify

Sanctify
Savior of Ollenbock

Savior of Ollenbock
Sigarda's Imprisonment

Sigarda's Imprisonment
Sigarda's Summons

Sigarda's Summons
Supernatural Rescue

Supernatural Rescue
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
Traveling Minister

Traveling Minister
Unholy Officiant

Unholy Officiant
Valorous Stance

Valorous Stance
Vampire Slayer

Vampire Slayer
Voice of the Blessed

Voice of the Blessed
Welcoming Vampire

Welcoming Vampire

Blue

Alchemist's Retrieval

Alchemist's Retrieval
Cemetery Illuminator

Cemetery Illuminator
Chill of the Grave

Chill of the Grave
Cobbled Lancer

Cobbled Lancer
Consuming Tide

Consuming Tide
Cradle of Safety

Cradle of Safety
Cruel Witness

Cruel Witness
Diver Skaab

Diver Skaab
Dreadlight Monstrosity

Dreadlight Monstrosity
Dreamshackle Geist

Dreamshackle Geist
Fear of Death

Fear of Death
Geistlight Snare

Geistlight Snare
Geralf, Visionary Stitcher

Geralf, Visionary Stitcher
Hullbreaker Horror

Hullbreaker Horror
Inspired Idea

Inspired Idea
Lunar Rejection

Lunar Rejection
Necroduality

Necroduality
Overcharged Amalgam

Overcharged Amalgam
Patchwork Crawler

Patchwork Crawler
Repository Skaab

Repository Skaab
Scattered Thoughts

Scattered Thoughts
Screaming Swarm

Screaming Swarm
Selhoff Entomber

Selhoff Entomber
Serpentine Ambush

Serpentine Ambush
Skywarp Skaab

Skywarp Skaab
Steelclad Spirit

Steelclad Spirit
Stitched Assistant

Stitched Assistant
Stormchaser Drake

Stormchaser Drake
Syncopate

Syncopate
Syphon Essence

Syphon Essence
Thirst for Discovery

Thirst for Discovery
Wanderlight Spirit

Wanderlight Spirit
Wash Away

Wash Away
Whispering Wizard

Whispering Wizard
Winged Portent

Winged Portent
Witness the Future

Witness the Future
Wretched Throng

Wretched Throng

Black

Aim for the Head

Aim for the Head
Archghoul of Thraben

Archghoul of Thraben
Bleed Dry

Bleed Dry
Blood Fountain

Blood Fountain
Bloodcrazed Socialite

Bloodcrazed Socialite
Bloodvial Purveyor

Bloodvial Purveyor
Cemetery Desecrator

Cemetery Desecrator
Courier Bat

Courier Bat
Demonic Bargain

Demonic Bargain
Diregraf Scavenger

Diregraf Scavenger
Doomed Dissenter

Doomed Dissenter
Dread Fugue

Dread Fugue
Dreadfeast Demon

Dreadfeast Demon
Dying to Serve

Dying to Serve
Edgar's Awakening

Edgar's Awakening
Falkenrath Forebear

Falkenrath Forebear
Fell Stinger

Fell Stinger
Gift of Fangs

Gift of Fangs
Gluttonous Guest

Gluttonous Guest
Graf Reaver

Graf Reaver
Grisly Ritual

Grisly Ritual
Groom's Finery

Groom's Finery
Headless Rider

Headless Rider
Hero's Downfall

Hero's Downfall
Mindleech Ghoul

Mindleech Ghoul
Parasitic Grasp

Parasitic Grasp
Path of Peril

Path of Peril
Persistent Specimen

Persistent Specimen
Pointed Discussion

Pointed Discussion
Rot-Tide Gargantua

Rot-Tide Gargantua
Skulking Killer

Skulking Killer
Sorin the Mirthless

Sorin the Mirthless
Toxrill, the Corrosive

Toxrill, the Corrosive
Undead Butler

Undead Butler
Undying Malice

Undying Malice
Unhallowed Phalanx

Unhallowed Phalanx
Vampire's Kiss

Vampire's Kiss
Wedding Security

Wedding Security

Red

Abrade

Abrade
Alchemist's Gambit

Alchemist's Gambit
Ancestral Anger

Ancestral Anger
Belligerent Guest

Belligerent Guest
Blood Hypnotist

Blood Hypnotist
Blood Petal Celebrant

Blood Petal Celebrant
Bloody Betrayal

Bloody Betrayal
Cemetery Gatekeeper

Cemetery Gatekeeper
Chandra, Dressed to Kill

Chandra, Dressed to Kill
Change of Fortune

Change of Fortune
Creepy Puppeteer

Creepy Puppeteer
Curse of Hospitality

Curse of Hospitality
Daybreak Combatants

Daybreak Combatants
Dominating Vampire

Dominating Vampire
End the Festivities

End the Festivities
Falkenrath Celebrants

Falkenrath Celebrants
Flame-Blessed Bolt

Flame-Blessed Bolt
Frenzied Devils

Frenzied Devils
Honeymoon Hearse

Honeymoon Hearse
Hungry Ridgewolf

Hungry Ridgewolf
Into the Night

Into the Night
Kessig Flamebreather

Kessig Flamebreather
Kessig Wolfrider

Kessig Wolfrider
Lacerate Flesh

Lacerate Flesh
Lightning Wolf

Lightning Wolf
Magma Pummeler

Magma Pummeler
Manaform Hellkite

Manaform Hellkite
Markov Retribution

Markov Retribution
Olivia's Attendants

Olivia's Attendants
Pyre Spawn

Pyre Spawn
Reckless Impulse

Reckless Impulse
Rending Flame

Rending Flame
Runebound Wolf

Runebound Wolf
Sanguine Statuette

Sanguine Statuette
Stensia Uprising

Stensia Uprising
Sure Strike

Sure Strike
Vampires' Vengeance

Vampires' Vengeance
Voldaren Epicure

Voldaren Epicure

Green

Apprentice Sharpshooter

Apprentice Sharpshooter
Ascendant Packleader

Ascendant Packleader
Bramble Armor

Bramble Armor
Bramble Wurm

Bramble Wurm
Cartographer's Survey

Cartographer's Survey
Cemetery Prowler

Cemetery Prowler
Cloaked Cadet

Cloaked Cadet
Crawling Infestation

Crawling Infestation
Crushing Canopy

Crushing Canopy
Cultivator Colossus

Cultivator Colossus
Dawnhart Disciple

Dawnhart Disciple
Dig Up

Dig Up
Flourishing Hunter

Flourishing Hunter
Glorious Sunrise

Glorious Sunrise
Hamlet Vanguard

Hamlet Vanguard
Hiveheart Shaman

Hiveheart Shaman
Howling Moon

Howling Moon
Laid to Rest

Laid to Rest
Massive Might

Massive Might
Moldgraf Millipede

Moldgraf Millipede
Mulch

Mulch
Nature's Embrace

Nature's Embrace
Packsong Pup

Packsong Pup
Reclusive Taxidermist

Reclusive Taxidermist
Retrieve

Retrieve
Rural Recruit

Rural Recruit
Sawblade Singer

Sawblade Slinger
Sheltering Boughs

Sheltering Boughs
Snarling Wolf

Snarling Wolf
Spiked Ripsaw

Spiked Ripsaw
Splendid Reclamation

Splendid Reclamation
Spore Crawler

Spore Crawler
Sporeback Wolf

Sporeback Wolf
Toxic Scorpion

Toxic Scorpion
Witch's Web

Witch's Web
Wolf Strike

Wolf Strike

Multicolor

Ancient Lumberknot

Ancient Lumberknot
Anje, Maid of Dishonor

Anje, Maid of Dishonor
Bloodtithe Harvester

Bloodtithe Harvester
Eruth, Tormented Prophet

Eruth, Tormented Prophet
Grolnok, the Omnivore

Grolnok, the Omnivore
Halana and Alena, Partners

Halana and Alena, Partners
Kaya, Geist Hunter

Kaya, Geist Hunter
Markov Purifier

Markov Purifier
Markov Waltzer

Markov Waltzer
Odric, Blood-Cursed

Odric, Blood-Cursed
Old Rutstein

Old Rutstein
Olivia, Crimson Bride

Olivia, Crimson Bride
Sigardian Paladin

Sigardian Paladin
Skull Skaab

Skull Skaab
Torens, Fist of the Angels

Torens, Fist of the Angels
Vilespawn Spider

Vilespawn Spider
Wandering Mind

Wandering Mind

Colorless

Blood Servitor

Blood Servitor
Boarded Window

Boarded Window
Ceremonial Knife

Ceremonial Knife
Dollhouse of Horrors

Dollhouse of Horrors
Honored Heirloom

Honored Heirloom
Investigator's Journal

Investigator's Journal
Lantern of the Lost

Lantern of the Lost
Wedding Invitation

Wedding Invitation

Double-Faced Cards

Distracting Geist

Distracting Geist
Clever Distraction

Clever Distraction
Drogskol Infantry

Drogskol Infantry
Drogskol Armaments

Drogskol Armaments
Faithbound Judge

Faithbound Judge
Sinner's Judgement

Sinner's Judgment
Katilda, Dawnhart Martyr

Katilda, Dawnhart Martyr
Katilda's Rising Dawn

Katilda's Rising Dawn
Kindly Ancestor

Kindly Ancestor
Ancestor's Embrace

Ancestor's Embrace
Panicked Bystander

Panicked Bystander
Cackling Culprit

Cackling Culprit
Radiant Grace

Radiant Grace
Radiant Restraints

Radiant Restraints
Twinblade Geist

Twinblade Geist
Twinblade Invocation

Twinblade Invocation
Wedding Announcement

Wedding Announcement
Wedding Festivity

Wedding Festivity
Binding Geist

Binding Geist
Spectral Binding

Spectral Binding
Biolume Egg

Biolume Egg
Biolume Serpent

Biolume Serpent
Gutter Skulker

Gutter Skulker
Gutter Shortcut

Gutter Shortcut
Jacob Hauken, Inspector

Jacob Hauken, Inspector
Hauken's Insight

Hauken's Insight
Lantern Bearer

Lantern Bearer
Lantern's Lift

Lanterns' Lift
Mirrorhall Mimic

Mirrorhall Mimic
Ghastly Mimicry

Ghastly Mimicry
Mischievous Catgeist

Mischievous Catgeist
Catlike Curiosity

Catlike Curiosity
Soulcipher Board

Soulcipher Board
Cipherbound Spirit

Cipherbound Spirit
Bloodsworn Squire

Bloodsworn Squire
Bloodsworn Knight

Bloodsworn Knight
Catapult Fodder

Catapult Fodder
Catapult Captain

Catapult Captain
Concealing Curtains

Concealing Curtains
Revealing Eye

Revealing Eye
Desperate Farmer

Desperate Farmer
Depraved Harvester

Depraved Harvester
Henrika Domnathi

Henrika Domnathi
Henrika, Infernal Seer

Henrika, Infernal Seer
Innocent Traveler

Innocent Traveler
Malicious Invader

Malicious Invader
Ragged Recluse

Ragged Recluse
Odious Witch

Odious Witch
Restless Bloodseeker

Restless Bloodseeker
Bloodsoaked Reveler

Bloodsoaked Reveler
Voldaren Bloodcaster

Voldaren Bloodcaster
Bloodbat Summoner

Bloodbat Summoner
Alluring Suitor

Alluring Suitor
Deadly Dancer

Deadly Dancer
Ballista Watcher

Ballista Watcher
Ballista Wielder

Ballista Wielder
Fearful Villager

Fearful Villager
Fearsome Werewolf

Fearsome Werewolf
Ill-Tempered Loner

Ill-Tempered Loner
Howlpack Avenger

Howlpack Avenger
Lambholt Raconteur

Lambholt Raconteur
Lambholt Ravager

Lambholt Ravager
Volatile Arsonist

Volatile Arsonist
Dire-Strain Anarchist

Dire-Strain Anarchist
Voltaic Visionary

Voltaic Visionary
Volt-Charged Berserker

Volt-Charged Berserker
Weary Prisoner

Weary Prisoner
Wrathful Jailbreaker

Wrathful Jailbreaker
Avabruck Caretaker

Avabruck Caretaker
Hollowhenge Huntmaster

Hollowhenge Huntmaster
Dormant Grove

Dormant Grove
Gnarled Grovestrider

Gnarled Grovestrider
Hookhand Mariner

Hookhand Mariner
Riphook Raider

Riphook Raider
Howlpack Piper

Howlpack Piper
Wildsong Howler

Wildsong Howler
Infestation Expert

Infestation Expert
Infested Werewolf

Infested Werewolf
Oakshade Stalker

Oakshade Stalker
Moonlit Ambusher

Moonlit Ambusher
Ulvenwald Oddity

Ulvenwald Oddity
Ulvenwald Behemoth

Ulvenwald Behemoth
Weaver of Blossoms

Weaver of Blossoms
Blossom-Clad Werewolf

Blossom-Clad Werewolf
Wolfkin Outcast

Wolfkin Outcast
Wedding Crasher

Wedding Crasher
Brine Comber

Brine Comber
Brinebound Gift

Brinebound Gift
Child of the Pack

Child of the Pack
Savage Packmate

Savage Packmate
Dorothea, Vengeful Victim

Dorothea, Vengeful Victim
Dorothea's Retribution

Dorothea's Retribution
Edgar, Charmed Groom

Edgar, Charmed Groom
Edgar Markov's Coffin

Edgar Markov's Coffin
Runo Stromkirk

Runo Stromkirk
Krothuss, Lord of the Deep

Krothuss, Lord of the Deep
Foreboding Statue

Foreboding Statue
Forsaken Thresher

Forsaken Thresher

Lands

Deathcap Glade

Deathcap Glade
Dreamroot Cascade

Dreamroot Cascade
Evolving Wilds

Evolving Wilds
Shattered Sanctum

Shattered Sanctum
Stormcarved Coast

Stormcarved Coast
Sundown Pass

Sundown Pass
Voldaren Estate

Voldaren Estate
Eternal night Plains

Eternal night Plains
VOW Plains 1

Eternal night Plains
VOW Island 1

Eternal night Island
VOW Island 2

Eternal night Island
VOW Swamp 1

Eternal night Swamp
VOW Swamp 2

Eternal night Swamp
VOW Mountain 1

Eternal night Mountain
VOW Mountain 2

Eternal night Mountain
VOW Forest 1

Eternal night Forest
VOW Forest 2

Eternal night Forest

Mark Rosewater's Teaser

As always, Magic chief designer Mark Rosewater released a list of tidbits with minor spoilers/teasers about the new set. Here's what he revealed before we got the full thing:

New Set Features

• The following counter types: bloodline, croak, invitation, judgment, omen, slime, and suspect
• A new mechanic that removes something never removed before
• A popular and powerful creature card from an Innistrad set gets reprinted
• A new artifact token, along the lines of Clue, Food and Treasure
• A card that makes red Dragon Illusion creature tokens with flying and haste
• A mechanic that first appeared as a faction mechanic returns
• A new legendary creature card that combines two characters that previously each had their own legendary creature card
• A new card that lets you cast certain cards off the top of your library
• A new mechanic which is a mirror of an already existing mechanic
• A legendary character returns, but now as a Vampire

New Rules Text

• “Choose a number between 0 and 13.”
• “with mana value less than or equal to the number of Vampires you control”
• “If it’s red, you may cast it this turn.”
• “Zombies you control have flying.”
• “At the beginning of your upkeep, any opponent may sacrifice a creature.”
• “Kraken, Leviathan, Octopus, or Serpent”
• “twice that many of those tokens are created instead.”
• “Whenever a Human you control dies,”
• “equal to the number of permanents you control that are Spirits and/or enchantments.”
• “Then if you control exactly thirteen permanents,”

Creature Types

• Creature – Human Ranger Werewolf
• Creature – Angel Soldier
• Creature – Zombie Scorpion
• Creature – Serpent Egg
• Creature – Eye Horror
• Legendary Creature – Human Peasant
• Legendary Creature – Spirit Warlock
• Legendary Creature – Slug Horror
• Legendary Creature – Kraken Horror
• Legendary Creature – Vampire Noble (two new ones)

Available Products

This is where you'll find booster boxes, preconstructed Commander decks, and all that good stuff. There are plenty of products to choose from so pick whatever suits you best!

Draft Boosters

Crimson Vow Draft Booster Box

A pack of 16 cards that’s curated around Limited play. You can buy individual packs or a box of 36 boosters. Wizards usually offers buy-a-box promos with exclusive cards if you opt for the bigger purchase. The Crimson Vow draft booster packs feature art of the vampiric planeswalker Sorin Markov.

VOW draft boosters contain:

  • 1 double- or single-faced rare/mythic
  • 1 double- or single-faced uncommon
  • 1 double-faced common
  • 2 single-faced uncommons
  • 9 single-faced commons
  • 1 Eternal night basic land
  • 1 double-faced helper card
  • 1 marketing card / token card
Magic: The Gathering Innistrad: Crimson Vow Draft Booster Box | 36 Packs + Dracula Box Topper (541 Magic Cards)
  • 36 Innistrad: Crimson Vow MTG Draft Boosters
  • 1 foil Dracula Series box topper card
  • 15 Magic cards per Draft Booster, including 1 Showcase Eternal Night Land
  • At least 2 double-faced cards in every pack
  • Return to the gothic horror plane of Innistrad for a sumptuous vampire wedding—as honored guest or delicious entrée

Set Boosters

Crimson Vow Set Booster Box

Set boosters are the bread-and-butter of set products, hence the name. These 14-card packs are targeted to players that aren’t particularly interested in Limited. You can also buy a box of 30 of these instead of individual packs, with their own buy-a-box promo as incentive. The Crimson Vow set boosters feature art of the legendary Olivia Voldaren as a vampiric bride.

VOW set boosters contain:

  • 1 art card (foil-stamped in 5% of packs)
  • 1 foil double- or single-faced card
  • 2 double- or single-faced cards
  • 1 double- or single-faced rare/mythic
  • 2 double- or single-faced uncommons/commons
  • 2 single-faced uncommons
  • 3 single-faced commons
  • 1 Eternal night basic land (foil in 15% of packs)
  • 1 token, marketing, helper, or The List card
Magic: The Gathering Wizards of The Coast Innistrad: Crimson Vow Set Booster Box | 30 Packs + Dracula Box Topper (361 Magic Cards)
  • 30 Innistrad: Crimson Vow Set Boosters
  • 1 foil Dracula Series box topper card
  • 12 Magic: The Gathering cards per booster
  • 1 foil or nonfoil Showcase Eternal Night Land in every pack
  • 1–4 Rares and/or Mythic Rares in every pack

Collector Boosters

Crimson Vow Collector Booster Box

These packs are for the collectors out there. If you’re looking for unique and aesthetic cards to add to your collection, this is the product for you. Just like the set and draft boosters, you can get a box of these instead of buying individual packs. The Crimson Vow collector boosters feature a stylized depiction of a vampiric wedding.

VOW collector boosters contain:

Quick note: “Special” cards refer to Dracula series, showcase, borderless, and extended art cards.

  • 1 foil special rare/mythic
  • 1 special rare/mythic
  • 1 foil Dracula series uncommon or showcase common/uncommon
  • 1 Dracula series uncommon or showcase common/uncommon
  • 1 extended art Commander rare/mythic
  • 1 extended art rare/mythic
  • 1 showcase common/uncommon
  • 1 foil rare/mythic
  • 2 foil uncommons
  • 4 foil commons
  • 1 foil Eternal night basic land
  • 1 foil double-sided token
Magic: The Gathering Innistrad: Crimson Vow Collector Booster Box | 12 Packs + 2 Dracula Box Toppers (182 Magic Cards)
  • 12 Innistrad: Crimson Vow MTG Collector Boosters
  • 2 foil Dracula Series box topper cards
  • 15 Magic cards plus 1 foil token in each booster
  • Total of 8 cards with special treatments in every pack—including 1–3 Dracula Series cards
  • 5 Rare and/or Mythic Rare cards per pack

Theme Boosters

Crimson Vow theme boosters (leaked image)

Theme boosters are my personal favorite product from each set. They’re aimed towards players who value deckbuilding over all else, curating a selection of cards that follow a theme to go straight into a deck or be built around. Flavor-lovers will also appreciate these.

Each set usually comes with five different theme boosters, either by color or color pair if there’s a clear theme of the combos within the set. It seems like Crimson Vow is (unsurprisingly) going to follow in Midnight Hunt‘s footsteps and provide us with six theme boosters. We'll get five mono-colored boosters and one 5-color pack themed around the set's primeval monster: vampires!

Theme boosters contain 35 cards. The rarities vary between each pack with mostly commons and uncommons plus a handful of rares or mythics.

Prerelease Packs

Innistrad Crimson Vow prerelease

Prerelease packs are available during prerelease events. I know, the naming conventions for these products are so unexpected, right? The idea behind this product is to give new players a look at the set and what to expect from it, plus just giving out some goodies. The Crimson Vow prerelease packs feature art of a scene from a vampiric get-together, assumingly the set’s main event.

VOW prerelease packs contain:

Crimson Vow Bundle

Crimson Vow Bundle

Set bundles are what you want if the set really speaks to you. This has everything you need to get started in a new format, add to your collection, or enjoy a new set with your friends! The Crimson Vow bundles feature art of Olivia Voldaren in her vampiric-bride persona, same as the draft packs.

VOW bundles contain:

  • 8 set boosters
  • 20 basic lands
  • 20 foil basic lands
  • 1 foil alternate-art Sigarda's Summons
  • 1 oversized spindown life counter
  • 1 card storage box
Magic: The Gathering Innistrad: Crimson Vow Bundle | 8 Set Boosters + Accessories
  • 8 Innistrad: Crimson Vow MTG Set Boosters
  • 1 foil alt-art promo card—Sigarda’s Summons
  • 40 basic land cards (20 foil plus 20 nonfoil)
  • Spindown life counter plus card storage box
  • Return to the gothic horror plane of Innistrad for a sumptuous vampire wedding—as honored guest or delicious entrée

Crimson Vow Gift Bundle

Crimson Vow Gift Bundle

Gift bundles are pretty similar to set bundles, with a few minor tweaks. Obviously these are meant to be purchased as gifts for your Magic-loving friends, or if you want to treat yourself. There’s a bit more to them than the regular bundles but the thought is the same. The Crimson Vow gift bundles feature art of the lovely Olivia Voldaren looking like she’s ready to host the party of the century.

VOW gift edition bundles contain:

  • 8 set boosters
  • 1 collector booster
  • 20 basic lands
  • 20 foil basic lands
  • 1 foil alternate-art Sigarda's Summons
  • 1 oversized spindown life counter
  • 1 card storage box
Magic: The Gathering Innistrad: Crimson Vow Gift Bundle | 8 Set Boosters | 1 Collector Booster | Accessories
  • 1 Collector Booster full of the coolest cards from Crimson Vow—with rares, shining foils, and decadent alternate-art
  • 8 Innistrad: Crimson Vow Set Boosters—the best MTG packs to open just for fun
  • 1 foil alt-art promo card—Sigarda’s Summons
  • Bundle-exclusive accessories—40 basic land cards (20 foil 20 nonfoil), 1 Spindown life counter 1 foil card storage box
  • Invite an honored guest to a sumptuous vampire wedding on Magic: The Gathering’s gothic horror plane of Innistrad

Commander Decks

Crimson Vow Both Commander Decks

Looking for more EDH fun? You're in luck! Crimson Vow rounds out our Commander precon selection with two more decks, this time focusing on spirits and vampires. Let's take a look at what we've got in store for us this time.

Magic The Gathering Innistrad: Crimson Vow Commander Deck Bundle – Includes 1 Vampiric Bloodline + 1 Spirit Squadron
  • Bundle of 2 Innistrad: Crimson Vow Commander Decks—Vampiric Bloodline + Spirit Squadron
  • Both ready-to-play MTG decks contain 100 Magic cards (2 traditional foil + 98 nonfoil)
  • Each deck comes with 1 foil-etched Display Commander, 10 tokens, 1 life tracker + 1 deck box
  • Decks include a total of 30 MTG cards not found in the main set—15 in each deck
  • Reduced-plastic packaging

Spirit Squadron

Crimson Vow Spirit Squadron Commander precon

This almost feels too easy. I mean, obviously this deck is going to focus on flying! I’m only partially joking. Spirits are going to be at the helm for sure, and lots of spirits can fly.

Spirit Squadron is commanded by Millicent, Restless Revenant, an Azorius () creature that costs less to cast for each spirit you control. This effect becomes particularly useful as commander tax comes into play.

Magic The Gathering Innistrad: Crimson Vow Commander Deck – Spirit Squadron (White-Blue)
  • 100-card ready-to-play Innistrad: Crimson Vow Commander deck
  • Deck includes 2 traditional foils plus 98 nonfoil cards
  • 1 foil-etched Display Commander
  • 10 double-sided tokens plus life tracker and deck box
  • Introduces 15 MTG cards not found in the main set

Vampiric Bloodline

Crimson Vow Vampiric Bloodline Commander precon

Vampires are everywhere in this set, so it’s no surprise that we’re getting a vampiric precon. This one is led by Strefan, Maurer Progenitor, a Rakdos () commander who cares about life loss and Blood tokens.

Strefan, Maurer Progenitor‘s ability to put vampires directly from your hand onto the battlefield makes it synergize especially well with high-cost, high-power vampires, so expect to see lots of those in Vampiric Bloodline.

Magic: The Gathering Innistrad: Crimson Vow Commander Deck – Vampiric Bloodline (Black-Red)
  • 100-card ready-to-play Innistrad: Crimson Vow Commander deck
  • Deck includes 2 traditional foils plus 98 nonfoil cards
  • 1 foil-etched Display Commander
  • 10 double-sided tokens plus life tracker and deck box
  • Introduces 15 MTG cards not found in the main set

Innistrad: Double Feature

Innistrad double feature

Bryan covered this new product in his Midnight Hunt feature, but I’ve got you covered in case you missed it. The two Innistrad sets are inextricably linked in both story and in flavor, and Wizards is adding draft to that list now. These products boast a unique draft experience by mixing Midnight Hunt and Crimson Vow together in one-of-a-kind draft boosters.

The Innistrad sets feature clear occult themes and a vibe reminiscent of old monster movies (which were just in time for Halloween), and the Double Feature products take that one step further. We’ll be getting unique art inspired by classic black-and-white monster movies on all of the cards selected to partake in this dangerous, gloomy product.

Combining the two sets in this way is very reminiscent of the old “block” style sets where Wizards would release several thematically and mechanically linked sets in a row. The sets would be combined for draft, often with two packs of one set and one pack of another.

The last time we saw that was Rivals of Ixalan and Ixalan.

Wrap Up

Crimson Vow art - Illustration by Justyna Gil

Innistrad: Crimson Vow art | Illustration by Justyna Gil

What are your thoughts on the Innistrad twins now that they're both fully released? Are you more eager to get your hands on Midnight Hunt or Crimson Vow, or are neither of them your cup of tea? I’m really excited for the whole what-goes-bump-in-the-night theme we’ve got going on between the two sets. I’m especially pumped for Innistrad: Double Feature and the mixed draft that it’ll bring.

I have nothing more for you. Not here, at least. Our infamous blog is the go-to spot if you’re jonesing for more content. It’s where we store all of our set pieces! Oh, and make sure you’re prepped for our return to Innistrad on MTGA with Arena Tutor. Track your matches using Draftsim’s signature AI, check out your stats, get help with draft picks, and more.

I’ll see you all in the next set guide. Stay safe, stay healthy, and (most importantly) stay thirsty!

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2 Comments

  • Avatar
    Forger November 2, 2021 2:07 am

    “Cleave is an additional cost you may pay to remove text in square brackets.”
    It’s an alternative cost. It’s not kicker.

    • Avatar
      Dan Troha November 3, 2021 8:41 am

      Thanks for pointing this out, we’ll get it fixed ASAP.

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