The most powerful cards from each MTG set released in 2024

There are many sets and cards released in 2024. Magic: The Gathering. There are standard sets, modern sets, commander deck sets, and more. No matter which format you play in Magic, there are a number of cards released that you can play with and upgrade your deck (or in some cases, they've created entirely new decks).

Each set has cards that stand above the rest of the sets they contain. Not all cards are powerful, and while some cards fall by the wayside, others become key elements that define the meta that will be played in the coming months and years.

This list does not include reprint-only sets like Ravnica: Remastered, as none of the cards included are new to the game.

Murders at Karloff Manor: Vein Ripper

Runner-up: Surveil Lands

Murders at Karlov Manor wasn't the most well-received set in 2024. This set had a mixed identity that did not match the established tone of previous Ravnica sets. It wasn't the most impactful set, with few cards receiving attention in various formats. Sentinel lands have become a staple as a one-off card in Fetchlands due to their land type, but Vein Ripper is the overall best card in the set.

Vein Cutter was the star of one of Pioneer's best decks before the mighty Bloodlord Thorin (used to cheat Vein Cutter's mana cost by not paying it) was banned. Static effects and wards deal burn damage quickly, and a 6/5 on turn 3 is nothing to scoff at.

Ravnica: Clue Edition: Hunger of the Swarm, Dark Lord

Runner-up: Headliner Scarlett

Ravnica: Clue Edition is a small side set released alongside Murders At Karlov Manor. We used an alternate format that was heavily inspired by the board game Clue (also known as Cluedo). Although this set is primarily a reprint, it does contain some original cards, the best of which is Amzu, Hunger of the Swarm.

Amzu is an amazing card for the Insect creature type. Insects move in and out of the graveyard frequently, making Amzu the perfect support card for this. Because it's legendary, you can run it as a dedicated insect commander, or as a commander who simply interacts with the graveyard and acts like a token commander.

Fallout: Pre-War Suit

Runner-up: Power Fist

Fallout is a set of four Commander decks that are part of Magic's Universes Beyond line. This included a mix of new cards and reprints with new art treatments. The card's legality only included Eternal Formalwear, and one of the cards that broke into Legacy as the standout star of Fallout was Pre-War Formalwear.

The pre-war suit revives cheap creatures from the graveyard thanks to the gear's practical effects, while also improving their stats and abilities. Prewar Suit is a staple of Legacy Death and Taxes decks as a way to maintain creatures, as most decks feature creatures with a mana value of 3 or less.

Outlaws of Thunder Junction: Showing off the Slickshot

Runners-up: Bristly Bill, Spine Sower

Outlaws of Thunder Junction has a ton of cards to choose from, most notably The Big Score card. Three Steps Ahead, Bristly Bill, and Slickshot Show-Off are the three most noteworthy cards in the set, but out of all of them, Slickshot Show-Off was slightly more influential in earning the title of best card in the set.

Slickshot Show-Off is a staple of many red decks in Standard, Pioneer, and Modern. It can deal explosive damage, and in the right circumstances, it can win the game with just one attack while your opponent is at full health.

Modern Horizons 3: Winged Wisdom Nadu

Runner-up: Psychic Frog

Psychic Frog has the most impact across a variety of formats (available in Modern, Legacy, and even Vintage), but it's impossible to give Nadu, Winged Wisdom the title of best card in Modern Horizons 3. Nadu was responsible for Nadu Summer, a competitive season in which Nadu dominated all Modern events. It only lasted for a few months before being banned in both Modern and Commander.

Nadu's abilities are amazing. As long as you can create new creatures, you can constantly utilize them. With many effects that don't require mana to activate, it's not easy for Nadu to pull off his entire deck.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Regalia

Runner-up: Basim ibn Ishaq

Assassin's Creed is a miniatures set containing just over 100 cards. This set was designed for Modern, but few cards found Modern success. Basim Ibn Ishaq has seen some very niche play, but ultimately the best of Assassin's Creed is Brotherhood Regalia.

Brotherhood Regalia is one of the best gear for Voltron-based strategies (decks that try to stack gear and Aura on one creature). Wards provide protection and can take damage if set to unblockable. Discounted equipment costs make it especially powerful against legendary creatures.

Bloomborough: Heartfire Hero

Runner-up: Fountainport

Bloomburrow has a lot of amazing cards. The talent cycle is fantastic, and many of the support cards for specific creature types like rabbits and bats are also great. Bloomburrow's red card is particularly good, and Heartfire Hero is the star of the show.

The Heartfire Hero can grow his stats very quickly and burn for that power whenever he dies. Throwing it at your opponent essentially deals double damage, making Heartfire Hero incredibly explosive. With so many cards to target with your abilities each turn, growing your Heartfire Hero is very easy. If you don't die that turn, you'll often run away from the game.

Duskourn: House Of Horror: Oculus Abomination

Runner-up: Unholy Annex // Ritual Room

Duskourn: House of Horror is one of the strongest sets of the year, with several cards quickly becoming staples. The Verge lands, Unholy Annex // Ritual Chamber, and Unstoppable Slasher are all great, but Abhorrent Oculus is where he's had the most success in Standard, Modern, and Legacy.

Abhorrent Oculus is rarely actually cast normally and instead resurrects from the grave as a 1 mana spell. The effect triggers depending on the opponent's upkeep, so unless the opponent immediately removes the speed, they will utilize the effect of Oculus of Abomination. It's a card that grows like a snowball if you don't answer, and why is it such a good card?

Basics: Kiora, Rising Tide

Runner-up: Boltwave

Foundations is a set designed to serve as the backbone of Standard, with the cards lasting 5 years instead of the typical 3 years. Designed for a standard power level, the card is on the weak side, but Kiora the Rising Tide is by no means weak.

Kiora, Rising Wave is a great card in any deck that fills the graveyard. This turns Kiora's attack into an 8/8 Octopus token spawn. The effect helps the two set up the graveyard, making Kiora the perfect card for a reviver deck to fill up the graveyard to bring another big threat to the battlefield.

Basic Jumpstart: Dionus, Elvish Archdruid

Runner-up: Scythe Kitten

Foundations Jumpstart, unlike the other Jumpstarts attached to the set, is a full release rather than just a handful of themes (similar to Jumpstart and Jumpstart 2022). The best card in Foundations Jumpstart is Dionus, the Elvish Archdruid (although Rev, Tithe Extractor, and Scythecat Cub are strong contenders).

If you play an Elf deck, you'll want to play Dionus, the Elvish Archdruid. Many elves add a lot of mana by tapping themselves, and Dionus gives you the opportunity to rebuild that mana while increasing your stats. When an elf attacks, he always untaps (assuming he hasn't already untapd before) and can very quickly lead to a very threatening elf board.