With the next Magic: The Gathering set just weeks away, many players are starting to ask the same question: why have we seen so little of Lorwyn Eclipsed so far?
Despite its upcoming release, Lorwyn Eclipsed has received far fewer previews than Universes Beyond: Marvel Super Heroes—a set that isn’t scheduled to launch until later in the year. That imbalance has understandably raised eyebrows. After all, prerelease season thrives on information, speculation, and preparation. Without meaningful reveals, players are left wondering how they’re supposed to get excited, brew decks, or prepare for Limited.
So what’s going on?
Why have there been more reveals for Marvel Super Heroes than Lorwyn Eclipsed?
Right now, Lorwyn Eclipsed remains largely a mystery. We know it marks a return to Lorwyn and explores the darker Shadowmoor side of the plane, alongside confirmed mechanics like hybrid mana matters and the return of -1/-1 counters. Beyond that, Wizards of the Coast has been unusually quiet.
Meanwhile, previews for Universes Beyond: Marvel Super Heroes continue to surface, even though that set is scheduled for later in the year. Naturally, that contrast has frustrated Lorwyn fans eager to return to one of Magic’s most beloved planes.
However, this silence may be far more intentional than it appears.
A key factor is the recent success of the Avatar: The Last Airbender Universes Beyond set. That release was received extremely well by both longtime players and newcomers, praised for its strong flavor, cohesive mechanics, and respectful adaptation of the source material. With that goodwill still fresh, it makes sense for Wizards of the Coast to avoid snuffing out that momentum too quickly. From a marketing perspective, letting Avatar enjoy its victory lap before shifting attention elsewhere is simply smart timing.
It’s also important to note that Lorwyn Eclipsed’s preview schedule isn’t actually abnormal for an in-universe set. Earlier this year, Tarkir: Dragonstorm followed a very similar pattern, with meaningful reveals only beginning about two weeks prior to prerelease. In that context, Lorwyn Eclipsed appears to be right on schedule. Its quieter lead-up only feels unusual when compared directly to Marvel’s early and aggressive preview rollout.
That contrast, however, may be the point.
Is this damage control after Marvel’s Spider-Man?
A big factor may be the mixed reaction to Universes Beyond: Marvel’s Spider-Man. That set left a sour taste for some players, both in terms of design constraints and overall execution. Notably, Spider-Man was never intended to be a full standalone set, which likely limited development time and design flexibility. While it still delivered some standout thematic commanders, many felt the set needed more polish.
By contrast, the early Marvel Super Heroes reveals feel far more confident. Cards like Bruce Banner // The Incredible Hulk immediately signal stronger mechanical identity and power, with aggressive lines that don’t feel rushed or half-baked. These previews seem carefully chosen to reassure players that Marvel-branded sets can still deliver solid Magic design.
In that context, the heavy focus on Marvel Super Heroes makes sense. Wizards doesn’t need to “sell” players on Lorwyn since they know fans are already on board. A return to Lorwyn is inherently exciting. Marvel, on the other hand, needs a bit of image repair after Spider-Man. Early, strong reveals function as crowd control, sending a clear message: Marvel does not automatically mean bad set design.
Will Lorwyn Eclipsed be delayed?
No, Lorwyn Eclipsed is still officially scheduled to release on January 23rd.
While the lack of previews is unusual, it’s unlikely to signal a delay. If anything, it suggests that Wizards is confident the set will speak for itself once preview season begins in earnest. Expect reveals to ramp up soon, and once a full card list is available, we’ll be ready with our Limited guide ahead of prerelease weekend.
For now, the wait continues. But if history is any indication, Lorwyn’s return will be worth it.
Final Thoughts
While the lack of early previews for Lorwyn Eclipsed may feel frustrating at first glance, the bigger picture suggests this is less about neglect and more about confidence. Between the strong reception of recent releases, a marketing focus on reassuring players about upcoming Universes Beyond sets, and a reveal cadence that mirrors earlier in-universe launches, there’s little reason to believe anything is amiss. Lorwyn doesn’t need to prove itself, it just needs its moment, and that spotlight is likely coming very soon.
If you’re itching for more Magic coverage in the meantime, check out our 2025 Magic set ranking to see how your favorites compare to ours.
