Outlaws of Thunder Junction

Outlaws of Thunder Junction is the one hundredth Magic expansion. It was released on April 19, 2024. 
==Set details==
Outlaws of Thunder Junction is a top-down designed set based on Wild West tropes. It is a frontier fantasy where outlaws come to seize their futures — and make a fortune doing it. This showcase set is dedicated to villains, focusing on an "Outlaw vs. Outlaw" theme. It was even designed first as a villains set, second as a Western genre set.
Outlaws of Thunder Junction contains 276 regular cards , and includes randomly inserted traditional foil versions of all cards. The regular cards include 5 full-art "Western landscape / negative space" basic lands (#272-276). Alternate card frames have a different number than the original version. The Bundle Basics lands are #277-286, the thirteen Showcase "Wanted Poster" cards are #287-299. Borderless cards and #300-306, extended art cards and #307-367 and the promos are #368-374.
This set includes Nathan Steuer's Player Spotlight card, <c>Duelist of the Mind</c>.
===Storyline===
Outlaws of Thunder Junction is the final set in the Omenpath Arc and the end of the first act in the Metronome storyline.
The set features villains from across the Multiverse, who have traveled through omenpaths to find their fortunes and battle it out at Thunder Junction. Oko has formed a gang with the Multiverse's most wanted (a.o. Tinybones, Vraska, Rakdos and Annie Flash) to pull off a heist of epic scale. An ancient vault has been discovered in Thunder Junction, and it's rumored to hide untold riches and power. Everyone wants a slice of the pie, but Oko and his rip-roaring team aim to be the first inside. Oko's son, Kellan, has at last tracked down his wayward father, but his schemes threaten to sweep Kellan into the role of a villain.
This set features Story Spotlights. The cards that represent them are:
===Magic Story===
Title	Author 	Publishing date	Set 	Setting (plane) 	Featuring
 	Akemi Dawn Bowman	2024-03-11 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Archie Dixon, Akul, Annie Flash, Mr. Towning, Oko, Kellan, Ral Zarek
 	Isaac Fellman 	2024-03-12 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Capenna, Thunder Junction 	Yuma, Elnor, Shadress, Kirri
 	Akemi Dawn Bowman	2024-03-13 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Annie Flash, Tinybones, Breeches, Malcolm Lee, Oko, Geralf Cecani, Gisa Cecani, Eriette, Vraska, Ashiok, Rakdos, Kaervek, Satoru Umezawa, Ral Zarek, Kellan
 	H. E. Edgmon 	2024-03-14 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Annie Flash, Jody Carpenter, Tommy, Bo and Mira
 	Akemi Dawn Bowman	2024-03-18 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Akul, Oko, Kaervek, Annie Flash, Vraska, Gisa Cecani, Geralf Cecani, Eriette, Malcolm Lee, Breeches, Satoru Umezawa, Tinybones, Kellan, Ashiok, Nolan
 	Akemi Dawn Bowman	2024-03-19 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Nashi, Obeka
 	Akemi Dawn Bowman	2024-03-20 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Oko, Kellan, Rakdos, Kaervek, Nolan, Breeches, Malcolm Lee, Tinybones, Vraska, Eriette, Ashiok, Annie Flash, Satoru Umezawa, Gisa Cecani, Geralf Cecani, Twist Fandango, Akul
 	Seanan McGuire 	2024-03-21 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Geralf Cecani, Gisa Cecani, Stella
 	Akemi Dawn Bowman	2024-03-22 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Oko, Kellan, Akul, Annie Flash, Vraska, Ral Zarek, Tinybones
 	Akemi Dawn Bowman	2024-03-25 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Thunder Junction 	Oko, Breeches, Annie Flash, Tinybones, Rakdos, Satoru Umezawa, Geralf Cecani, Gisa Cecani, Kaervek, Akul, Vraska, Malcolm Lee, Eriette, Kellan, Ral Zarek, Jace Beleren, Loot, Amalia Benavides Aguirre
 	Alison Lührs 	2024-04-01 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	New Phyrexia, Vryn, Ravnica 	Jace Beleren, Kaya Cassir, Kaito Shizuki, Elesh Norn, Tyvar Kell, Vraska, Ranna Beleren
 	Alison Lührs 	2024-04-02 	Outlaws of Thunder Junction	Vryn, Ravnica, Eldraine, Ixalan, Thunder Junction	Jace Beleren, Vraska, Ranna Beleren, Tezzeret, Tamiyo, Eriette, Breeches, Malcolm Lee, Alquist Proft, Etrata, Izoni, Loot
===Marketing===
Outlaws of Thunder Junction is sold in Play Boosters, Collector Boosters, four Commander decks and the Outlaws of Thunder Junction Bundle.
====Breaking News====
Outlaws of Thunder Junction has two bonus sheets. The first is a Crime bonus sheet of cards that help you commit crimes in the set. You'll find them in Play Boosters (1 card per booster) and Collector Boosters, and exclusively in Collector Boosters you can open textured foil versions of Breaking News cards. The Breaking News bonus sheet does not affect set legality, they will only be legal in constructed formats where those cards are already legal to play, as well as limited Outlaws of Thunder Junction play.
====The Big Score====
Outlaws of Thunder Junction was originally planned to have a follow up Epilogue Booster pack called The Big Score. However, due to negative feedback on March of the Machine: The Aftermath, the planned cards from The Big Score were incorporated as an extra bonus sheet in the regular Play Boosters. They replace The List cards for Outlaws of Thunder Junction. Cards from The Big Score retain their unique set symbol, set code (BIG), and a unique showcase card frame the "Vault" frame. Special Guests cards share the vault frame treatment. A further legacy of the original plan to be released in an Epilogue Booster is that all 30 of The Big Score cards are Standard legal.
====Special Guests====
Outlaws of Thunder Junction features 10 Special Guests (SPG #29-38). These are incorporated in The List of the Play Boosters and may be played in Limited games. You'll find a non-foil Special Guests card in 1 out of 64 Play Boosters. Traditional foil Special Guests cards can be found in Collector Boosters.
====The List====
You'll find cards from The List more frequently in Outlaws of Thunder Junction Play Boosters than in Murders at Karlov Manor Play Boosters. You can find a card from The List in 1 out of 5 Play Boosters. The List for OTJ has 40 cards: 30 cards from The Big Score and the 10 Special Guests.
====Events====
*Prerelease: April 12–18, 2024 
*MTG Arena release: April 16, 2024
*Open House: April 19–21, 2024
*Commander Party: April 26 – May 2, 2024
*Store Championship: May 4–12, 2024
*Friday Night Magic: April 19 – July 19, 2024
*Standard Showdown: April 19 – July 25, 2024
====Promos====
*Prerelease: a stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare of Outlaws of Thunder Junction.
**The seasonal dark-frame promos are: , , , , .
*Buy-a-Box: alternate art .
*Open House: Retro frame .
*Bundle promo: alternate art .
*Store Championship: (participation), (Top 8), full art textless (winner).
*Commander Party: retro frame .
*"Get the Gang Together" in-store promotion: alternate art and .
*Standard Showdown: five cards with Cowboy Bebop crossover art: , , , and .
==Tokens and markers==
Outlaws of Thunder Junction has eighteen tokens one helper card:
# Copy for <c>Breeches, the Blastmaker</c>; <c>Calamity, Galloping Inferno</c>; <c>Double Down</c>; <c>Ghired, Mirror of the Wilds</c>; <c>Jace Reawakened</c>; <c>Kaervek, the Punisher</c>; <c>Kambal, Profiteering Mayor</c>; <c>Oko, the Ringleader</c> and <c>Three Steps Ahead</c>.
# 3/3 Angel creature with flying for <c>Seraphic Steed</c>.
# 2/2 Ox creature for <c>Bovine Intervention</c> and <c>Bruse Tarl, Roving Rancher</c>.
# 1/1 Sheep creature for <c>Bridled Bighorn</c>.
# 2/2 Spirit creature with flying for <c>Phantom Interference</c> and <c>Wrangler of the Damned</c>.
# , a */* legendary Ox creature with "This creature’s power and toughness are each equal to the number of lands you control." for <c>Bonny Pall, Clearcutter</c>.
# 1/1 Bird creature with flying for <c>Riku of Many Paths</c>.
# 1/1 Vampire Rogue creature with lifelink for <c>Baron Bertram Graywater</c>.
# 3/1 Dinosaur creature for <c>Scalestorm Summoner</c>.
# 1/1 Mercenary creature with ": Target creature you control gets +1/+0 until end of turn. Activate only as a sorcery." for <c>At Knifepoint</c>; <c>Brimstone Roundup</c>; <c>Ertha Jo, Frontier Mentor</c>; <c>Form a Posse</c>; <c>Hellspur Posse Boss</c>; <c>Lassoed by the Law</c>; <c>Mourner's Surprise</c>; <c>Nezumi Linkbreaker</c>; <c>Prickly Pair</c>; <c>Prosperity Tycoon</c>; <c>Rakish Crew</c>; <c>Selvala, Eager Trailblazer</c>; <c>Unfortunate Accident</c> and <c>Wanted Griffin</c>.
# 4/4 Scorpion Dragon creature with flying and haste for <c>Magda, the Hoardmaster</c>.
# */* Elemental creature for <c>Dance of the Tumbleweeds</c> and <c>Tumbleweed Rising</c>.
# 3/3 Elk creature for <c>Oko, the Ringleader</c>.
# 2/1 Varmint creature for <c>Rise of the Varmints</c>.
# 2/2 Zombie Rogue creature for <c>Geralf, the Fleshwright</c>; <c>Gisa, the Hellraiser</c>; <c>Outlaw Stitcher</c> and <c>Rictus Robber</c>.
# Clue artifact for <c>Malcolm, the Eyes</c>.
# , an artifact with “When Meteorite enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to any target.” and “: Add one mana of any color.” for <c>Roxanne, Starfall Savant</c>.
# Treasure artifact for <c>Boneyard Desecrator</c>; <c>Fake Your Own Death</c>; <c>Gold Pan</c>; <c>Gold Rush</c>; <c>Goldvein Hydra</c>; <c>Great Train Heist</c>; <c>Hell to Pay</c>; <c>Jolene, Plundering Pugilist</c>; <c>Luxurious Locomotive</c>; <c>Magda, the Hoardmaster</c>; <c>Mine Raider</c>; <c>Patient Naturalist</c>; <c>Reckless Lackey</c>; <c>Redrock Sentinel</c> and <c>Treasure Dredger</c>.
#Plot marker.
In addition, Outlaws of Thunder Junction Play Boosters and Collector Boosters may include an additional 11 tokens from the two bonus sheet sets. Each of these tokens features its set's expansion symbol and set code.
Breaking News
* 2/1 Human Cleric creature with lifelink and haste for <c>Outlaws' Merriment</c>.
* 1/2 Human Rogue creature with haste and "When this creature enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to any target." for <c>Outlaws' Merriment</c>.
* 3/1 Human Warrior creature with trample and haste for <c>Outlaws' Merriment</c>.
* 1/1 Pest creature with "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life." for <c>Pest Infestation</c>.
* Food artifact for <c>Oko, Thief of Crowns</c>.
The Big Score
* 2/1 Bat creature with flying for <c>Greed's Gambit</c>.
* 0/0 Construct artifact creature with “This creature gets +1/+1 for each artifact you control.” for <c>Simulacrum Synthesizer</c>.
* 1/1 Gnome artifact creature for <c>Oltec Matterweaver</c>.
* 3/3 Golem artifact creature for <c>Legion Extruder</c> and <c>Sandstorm Salvager</c>.
* Blood artifact for <c>Transmutation Font</c>.
* Food artifact for <c>Bristlebud Farmer</c> and <c>Transmutation Font</c>.
* Map artifact for <c>Worldwalker Helm</c>.
==Themes and mechanics==
Outlaws of Thunder Junction introduces the concept of crimes. Any spell or ability that targets an opponent, or their stuff (spells, permanents, hand, library) is committing a crime. Since this is a plane of outlaws, committing crimes is incentivized, not punished. In the villain set, you get to be the villain.
The set also introduces the plot mechanic. It's similar to both foretell and suspend. When you pay a card's plot cost, it goes into exile, and you can cast it on a later turn without paying its mana cost (as a sorcery). Plot can be used to hold cards up for explosive turns, but your hand's on the table: opponents can see the plotted cards and plan around them.
Saddle is a keyword ability associated with the new Mount creature type. In a similar way to the Crew ability, it is activated by tapping any number of creatures you control with total power equal to or greater than the saddle value. Creatures with saddle, unlike Vehicles, can still attack and block like normal, but they have powerful abilities that only trigger when they become saddled or attack while saddled.
Finally, spree is a keyword found on instants and sorceries that grants them modality in a very similar way to escalate. Spells with spree have several effects, each with an additional cost. However, these costs can be different from each other. A spell with spree can have a very different impact when it's cast in the early game using cheaper effects than when it's cast as a finisher going all-out on expensive effects. To help players identify cards with Spree when fanned in the hand, a new icon that modifies the right-hand side of the title bar was added. The black triangle with a white "plus" icon is placed next to the mana cost of the spell to identify that additional costs need to be payed before the spell can be cast.
===Card types===
Outlaws of Thunder Junction introduces a new typal coupling term, Outlaw, a way to collectively refer to the Assassin, Mercenary, Pirate, Rogue and Warlock creature types. It also introduces the Armadillo, Coyote, Mount, Possum, and Varmint creature types, while Beaver and Porcupine are seen for the first time on eternal cards. Also, as of this set, Viashino is no longer a distinct creature type, and has been rolled into Lizard.
The set further sees the return of the Desert land type, with a small "Deserts matter" theme.
===Counter types===
Outlaws of Thunder Junction introduces Loot counters.
===Limited archetypes===
Outlaws of Thunder Junction features the following limited archetypes. 
*: "No spells cast" Plot
*: Crime control
*: Outlaws
*: “Ferocious”
*: Mounts & Vehicles
*: Attrition
*: Two or more spells
*: Recursion
*: Mercenary aggro
*: Big mana plot
==Cycles==
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Monocolored Rare Mounts 	 	 	 	 	
Monocolored Rare Mounts 	Five rare mount creatures. 	Five rare mount creatures. 	Five rare mount creatures. 	Five rare mount creatures. 	Five rare mount creatures.
Monocolored Spree Spells	 	 	 	 	
Monocolored Spree Spells	Five mythic rare and rare modal spells with with spree and a mana cost of M. Each has at least one mode that costs mana of the card's color.	Five mythic rare and rare modal spells with with spree and a mana cost of M. Each has at least one mode that costs mana of the card's color.	Five mythic rare and rare modal spells with with spree and a mana cost of M. Each has at least one mode that costs mana of the card's color.	Five mythic rare and rare modal spells with with spree and a mana cost of M. Each has at least one mode that costs mana of the card's color.	Five mythic rare and rare modal spells with with spree and a mana cost of M. Each has at least one mode that costs mana of the card's color.
Common Plotters 	 	 	 	 	
Common Plotters 	Five common creatures with Plot and a build-around enters-the-battlefield effect. 	Five common creatures with Plot and a build-around enters-the-battlefield effect. 	Five common creatures with Plot and a build-around enters-the-battlefield effect. 	Five common creatures with Plot and a build-around enters-the-battlefield effect. 	Five common creatures with Plot and a build-around enters-the-battlefield effect.
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Enemy-colored Fast Lands	 	 	 	 	
Enemy-colored Fast Lands	Five rare enemy colored taplands, reprinted from Kaladesh. The borderless versions form a panorama. 	Five rare enemy colored taplands, reprinted from Kaladesh. The borderless versions form a panorama. 	Five rare enemy colored taplands, reprinted from Kaladesh. The borderless versions form a panorama. 	Five rare enemy colored taplands, reprinted from Kaladesh. The borderless versions form a panorama. 	Five rare enemy colored taplands, reprinted from Kaladesh. The borderless versions form a panorama.
===Double cycles===
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gold Enabler Signposts	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gold Enabler Signposts	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype. 	Ten uncommon dual-colored cards, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are enablers, which support the playstyle of the archetype.
Legendary Gold Payoff 
Signposts	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Legendary Gold Payoff 
Signposts	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.	Ten uncommon dual-colored legendary creatures, each a signpost for one of the draft archetypes. These are payoffs, which reward the playstyle of the archetype.
Crime Deserts 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Crime Deserts 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent. 	Ten common Desert dual lands that enter the battlefield tapped and deal 1 damage to target opponent.
===Flavor-based cycle===
Outlaws of Thunder Junction features an irregular, flavor-based cycle.
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
"Join up" Rares	 	 	 	 	
"Join up" Rares	Five rare legendary Enchantments representing Oko's gang. Each has an enters the battlefield effect and a second effect that is triggered by legendary creatures. The mana values of each card in the cycle increases from one through to five.	Five rare legendary Enchantments representing Oko's gang. Each has an enters the battlefield effect and a second effect that is triggered by legendary creatures. The mana values of each card in the cycle increases from one through to five.	Five rare legendary Enchantments representing Oko's gang. Each has an enters the battlefield effect and a second effect that is triggered by legendary creatures. The mana values of each card in the cycle increases from one through to five.	Five rare legendary Enchantments representing Oko's gang. Each has an enters the battlefield effect and a second effect that is triggered by legendary creatures. The mana values of each card in the cycle increases from one through to five.	Five rare legendary Enchantments representing Oko's gang. Each has an enters the battlefield effect and a second effect that is triggered by legendary creatures. The mana values of each card in the cycle increases from one through to five.
===Pairs===
Matched pair 	Matched pair 	Description
 	 	Two rare red and blue pirates that care about artifacts and the second spell cast.
 	 	Two uncommon 2/2 creatures with mana cost and haste, referencing the cartoon characters Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.
Mirrored pair	Mirrored pair	Description
 	 	Two rare Mount creatures with 1M mana cost and Saddle 3, with an attack trigger that improves if it is mounted. They are the only mono-color mounts in and .
 	 	Two uncommon creatures with 3M mana cost and plot, that create a Zombie Rogue token.
 	 	Two uncommon creatures that are the only ones in the set that trigger when they become plotted.
 	 	Two common instants with 1M mana cost that generate an extra effect if you control a desert.
 	 	Two common spells that generate an extra effect if you control a mount.
 	 	Two common creatures that create a Treasure if you control an outlaw.
 	 	Two common instants that generate an extra effect if you control an outlaw.
==Reprinted cards==
*, first printed in Magic Origins, last seen on The List.
*, first printed in March of the Machine.
*, first printed in Streets of New Capenna.
*, first printed in Ixalan.
*, first printed in Kaldheim, last seen in Commander Masters.
*, first printed in Dominaria United.
*, first printed in Core Set 2021.
*The enemy Fast lands: , , , , and , first printed in Kaladesh.
==Preconstructed decks==
Outlaws features four Commander decks released as a regular part of a set's product line.
==Gallery==
File:OTJ Bundle.png|Bundle
File:OTJ Panorama.jpg|Fast land panorama
===Key art===
File:Outlaws key art.jpg|Featuring Oko's crew by Lie Setiawan.
File:OTJSymbol.png|Cactus-themed planeswalker symbol.
File:OTJKeyArt2.jpg|Featuring Oko's crew.
File:OTJKeyArt5.png|Featuring Oko's crew.
File:OTJKeyArt3.png|Featuring Oko, Vraska, and Rakdos.
File:OTJKeyArt4.png|Featuring Kellan squaring off against Oko.
File:OTJKeyArt6.png|Featuring Oko squaring off against Kellan by David Rapoza.
File:OTJMoviePoster.jpg|Outlaws of Thunder Junction: The Movie poster for MTG-JP April Fools.
===Arena Avatars===
File:Fblthp MTGA avatar OTJ.png|.
File:Kellan MTGA avatar OTJ.png|Kellan.
File:Oko MTGA avatar OTJ.png|.
File:Rakdos MTGA avatar OTJ.png|Rakdos.
File:Vraska MTGA avatar OTJ.png|Vraska.
==External links==
*Official product page.
*WPN product page.
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==References==