Last updated on October 18, 2023
Shadowspear (The Lord of the Rings Commander decks) | Illustration by Campbell White
Box toppers return in The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, and they’re back with a vengeance. Taking the opportunity both to visit some iconic places and artifacts of Middle-earth and to reprint some sought-after and expensive cards, Wizards have really hit a double whammy here!
What Are Realms and Relics Cards in LotR?
The Great Henge (The Lord of the Rings Commander Decks) | Illustration by Jeremy Paillotin
Realms and Relics is a set of box toppers (bonus cards included in draft, set and collector booster boxes) that showcase iconic locations and artifacts with reprints of sought-after and collectible MTG cards. They have what’s become known as the “Godzilla treatment” from Ikoria, existing MTG cards that have had their names changed to fit in the lore of Lord of the Rings.
How Many LotR Realms and Relics Cards Are There?
There are a total of 30 Realms and Relics cards that you can get in your Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth boosters.
LotR Realms and Relics Complete List and Gallery
- The Great Henge
- Cloudstone Curio
- Ensnaring Bridge
- The Ozolith
- Rings of Brighthearth
- Shadowspear
- Sword of Hearth and Home
- Sword of the Animist
- Ancient Tomb
- Bojuka Bog
- Boseiju, Who Shelters All
- Cabal Coffers
- Castle Ardenvale
- Cavern of Souls
- Deserted Temple
- Gemstone Caverns
- Homeward Path
- Horizon Canopy
- Karakas
- Kor Haven
- Minamo, School at Water's Edge
- Mouth of Ronom
- Oboro, Palace in the Clouds
- Pillar of the Paruns
- Reflecting Pool
- Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
- Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth
- Wasteland
- Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth
How Do You Get LotR Realms and Relics Cards?
As box toppers, the Realms and Relics cards can be found in foil included in a special pack in each draft, set, and collector box of Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. Non-foils can also be found in collector booster packs roughly one third of the time, and surge foils can be found in collector packs around 1% of the time.
What Are the Rarities of Each Realms and Relics Card?
The Realms and Relics cards are reprints of cards that have come in all rarities in their original printings. They all come with orange “Mythic” rarity symbols in this set and are all found at the same rates.
What About in Collector Boosters?
Realms and Relic cards can be found in collector boosters in non-foil roughly one-third (31.3%) of the time. Surge foil Realms and Relics cards can be found in collector boosters around 1% of the time.
- MAGIC MEETS THE LORD OF THE RINGS—Experience the beloved story of The Lord of the Rings through the gorgeous art and thrilling gameplay of the Magic: The Gathering collectible trading card game
- JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP—Immerse yourself in Middle-earth with unique game mechanics and stunning art that draw you into this epic tale
- BEST BOOSTERS FOR COLLECTORS—Collector Boosters are a shortcut to the coolest cards in a set, with packs full of Rare cards, shiny foil cards, and special alt-art, alt-frame cards
- FIND YOUR OWN RING OF POWER—Collector Boosters are the only boosters that may include Serialized Elven, Dwarven, or Human Sol Ring cards. These cards have the same play mechanics as their non-serialized versions. The Serialized 1 of 1 Ring was originally in an English Collector Booster but was found on June 30, 2023.
- COLLECT BORDERLESS SCENE CARDS—Every Collector Booster contains at least 1 Scene card with Borderless art that’s one piece of a larger, multi-card scene; collect them all to piece together a full view of the most iconic moments from The Lord of the Rings
Are All Realms and Relics Reprints?
Yes, all 30 Realms and Relics cards are reprints.
Are All Realms and Relics Foil?
No, not all Realms and Relics cards are foil. The Realms and Relics cards you get as box toppers always come in foil, while non-foils and surge foils are available in Lord of the Rings collector boosters.
What Is a Surge Foil?
Surge foil is a relatively new type of foil treatment, previously only seen in the collectors editions of the Warhammer 40k Commander decks.
What Is Set Code LTC?
LTC is the set code of the Lord of the Rings Commander set. Realms and Relics has this set code so that they don’t become Modern legal with this printing, which they would if they had the LTR code of the main set.
Are Realms and Relics Standard Legal? Alchemy? Historic?
Realms and Relics won’t become Alchemy or Historic legal, although cards that are already legal in those formats may get a cosmetic on MTGA.
What Formats Are Realms and Relics Legal In?
Realms and Relics don’t change the legality of any of the cards included. They’ll still be legal in any formats they were legal in before the printing.
Will the Realms and Relics Be on MTGA?
It doesn’t appear that Realms and Relics will be coming to Arena. However, any cards currently on the client will likely have cosmetics made available.
Are These Cards Part of Universes Within? Universes Beyond?
Realms and Relics are part of Universes Beyond because they’re part of the Lord of the Rings release. They also have the Universes Beyond holo-stamp.
Are Realms and Relics Valuable?
Some of the Realms and Relics cards are very sought after and come with a hefty price tag. The most expensive one right now is The Great Henge at around $50.
Wrap Up
Deserted Temple (The Lord of the Rings Commander Decks) | Illustration by Calder Moore
Wizards are definitely always on the lookout for new ways to reprint cards, and this slot, in my opinion, is a great way to include some fun reskins of already popular cards. None of the cards seem to miss the mark, with even the less valuable ones being popular cards that are winning in their flavor.
What do you think about the Realms and Relics cards? Any misses, or notable absences? Would you want to see more cards with this style of reskinning? As always, I love to hear speculation in the comments below, and over in Draftsim's official Discord.
Thanks for reading, and stay safe!
Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase, you’ll help Draftsim continue to provide awesome free articles and apps.
Follow Draftsim for awesome articles and set updates:
Add Comment