 prepares to cast its long shadow across the realm, we’re excited to unveil one of the most approachable and most ominous ways to step into 

next chapter: the Prophets of Doom Preconstructed Decks.

These are no ordinary decks. The Gothic preconstructed decks, Prophets of Doom, are four all-new theme-forward precons, designed to give you a taste of 

darkest flavors, with cards that ooze story, synergy, and strategic depth. Each deck is dual-element and centered around, of course, a powerful Avatar. 

. Cast out corruption and accuse the damned with the 

. Or stand as a shield for the innocent, with the 

Today, we’re taking a look at one of these prophets….one who sees the world not as it is, but as it could be: Rotten and waiting to be remade.

The Necromancer is an avatar of vision. A collector of corpses, sure, but also a scholar of the soul’s last gasp. And they’re not here to let the dead go to waste.

As your Avatar, the Necromancer brings a simple, yet sinister ability to the table: Once per turn, you may summon an Undead token.

That’s right. Every turn, another bony minion claws its way into the realm. These 1-power Skeleton tokens may not seem like much, but what they lack in toughness, they make up for in inevitability. A steady stream of Undead swarming the board, turn after turn.

Of course, there’s a catch. Skeletons can’t move to defend. But they act as a resource for the necromancer to overwhelm your opponent with the weight of the undead. They’re not exactly known for agility, after all. But when it’s your turn, they’ll lurch forward with terrifying purpose.

Decked Out in Death: The Necromancer Precon

The Necromancer Preconstructed Deck is designed to go head-to-head with the 3 other Prophets of Doom, providing the storytelling moments that players around the world have come to love and expect from

. Expect minions that love the cemetery, spells that manipulate the dead, and tools that reward your ever-growing horde.

The creepy carrion construct that is Fowl Bones is a perfect example of how the Necromancer precon rewards patience, preparation, and a steady supply of skeletons. Once discarded or defeated, Fowl Bones won’t stay “dead” for long. With a simple ritual, sacrificing one of your Skeleton tokens, you can summon it

directly from your cemetery. It’s Airborne, too, meaning it can swoop over the battlefield to strike from where it’s least expected.

But, sometimes, you don’t need an overflowing horde of expendable undead; sometimes you need…

Bone Spear turns your Undead minions into a projectile of concentrated calcium. It’s a little macabre, but it’s exactly the kind of tool you’d expect in a deck built on bone. With Bone Spear at your disposal, your reach extends just a bit further, ensuring no foe is safe.

Within the Necromancer preconstructed deck, you’ll also find plenty of support for playing from the cemetery, harvesting fallen friends, and commanding a relentless advance. This isn’t just a deck... it’s an invitation to adventure in the realm from a darker point of view. 

And if a few bones break along the way? That’s just part of the charm.

Prophets of Doom: An Invitation to the Realm

The Necromancer is one of four Avatars featured in 

 Prophets of Doom Preconstructed Decks - a perfect entry point for players looking to step into 

 Each deck is built to be matched against the others, making them ideal for learning the game alongside a friend.

 Each of the Four Prophets showcases a distinct playstyle with a 36-card Spellbook and 16-card Atlas. This offers a guided, thematic experience while leaving room to expand, customize, and refine your deck as you grow as a player.

Each deck contains two elements, allowing for a wider range of strategies and opening the door to Sorcery’s rich, more dynamic gameplay, ensuring every match feels distinct and full of possibility.

The Avatars in the Prophets of Doom Preconstructed decks feature alternative artwork by Dan Seagrave, a treat for players and collectors alike.

The First Prophet of Doom, But Not the Last

For the Necromancer, death is just the beginning. So too are the Prophets of Doom: each deck offers its own twisted flavor and strategies to explore. We’ll be back to visit the remaining Prophets of Doom in the lead-up to the launch of Gothic on December 5th, but first, we’ll dive back into looking at some of the darker denizens and designs you will find within 

Gothic arrives December 5th. Prepare to contest the realm like never before.


Prophets of Doom: Meet the Necromancer

Darker forces shroud the realm, but the darkness lifts as we herald the forthcoming launch of 

The official Gothic trailer has premiered exclusively on TCGplayer’s YouTube Channel. Get your first glimpse at the horrors soon to arrive in the realm!

Darkness Descends: The Gothic Trailer Revealed

Lindsey Crummett

set invites players into a world of shadowed woods and whispered horrors. But not all is darkness. Even in 

 there are moments of radiance and hope, however small and fleeting.

We've been having a blast giving a glimpse into the mechanics behind 

and today, we’re honored to take a look at some of the set's art with the reveal of 

 Founder and Creative Director, Erik Olofsson.

“The prompt was that it was to be much like the famous painting of the same name,” Lindsey explains, referencing the Italian painter Sassoferrato, “but also have a magical effect coming from the hands clasped in prayer.”

Sassoferrato painted more than one version of the Virgin, one looking downward, the other gazing to the heavens. Lindsey considered both before settling on the expression that she felt captured the tone of 

“I tried to capture a serenity in her expression, a gentle softness in how she holds her hands together, and maybe a little melancholy since (as we see in 

) there is a lot of darkness in the world.”

That contrast, light amid the looming darkness, provided a welcome reprieve from the darker characters she painted in the set. “It was lovely,” Lindsey shares, “I love character pieces, and this seemed a good opportunity for it. I loved the subtlety as opposed to some of the hit-your-over-the-head evil characters I've done,”

Plus, it allowed her to recruit a friend to serve as a reference photo. After staging an elaborate photo shoot with her friend as the model, the resulting reference images helped her capture not just the spirit of the piece, but the intricate textures and lighting that bring 

“I draped cloth over her in just the right way, and moved the lighting around to get the shapes I wanted…she did a great job doing what I asked of her!”

 stretches from the brooding to the beautiful, she can’t really pick a favorite, especially in a set like 

“It’s really difficult to choose, I feel like it’s different aspects of my own personality!” she says. “I’ve always loved villains - when I was 5 years old, I memorised Darkness’s monologue from the 1985 fantasy film, 

Much like Darkness says in the film, ‘What is light, without Dark? … I am a part of you all.’ I have to agree with him! We all have the capacity for both, so I honestly love playing with both.”

It’s a perspective that resonates deeply in 

a set defined by contrast, where even the purest light feels more vivid when cast against the shadow of 

This October, Lindsey will travel to Melbourne for PAX Australia, where she will showcase original art from 

 at the Sorcery booth, part of a collaboration with our friends at 

Join us for learn-to-play demos, card signings, and an unforgettable celebration of traditional fantasy art. Whether you’re a seasoned Sorcerer or just discovering the Realm, we can’t wait to see you at PAX!


Tickets for PAX Australia can be purchased 

Light in the Darkness: Lindsey Crummett Reveals Virgin In Prayer

set doesn’t just delve into shadowy new themes; it also brings long-brewing gameplay updates into the light. During development, our team tackled a simple, but critical design question: Does 

 need a sideboard? And if so…how do you build one that works in a best-of-one world without feeling like it wandered in from another game?

This question led us to something new - something flavorful, flexible, and wholly 

a perfectly flavorful word that in plain English (and casual play) literally means the cards you own that aren’t in the game. In more formal settings, such as tournaments, the collection is a set of 10 cards that you’ve selected to complement your main decks. If your Spellbook and Atlas are the tomes you carry with you, your collection is the vast library at home, or those couple of spare scrolls that you tucked into your belt “just in case.”

In gameplay terms, that means some cards, especially those debuting in 

, can now reference your Collection. Rather than being limited to what’s already on the table, you can summon specific allies, tools, or horrors directly from this curated reserve.

The Collection allows us to create a wide variety of evocative effects, without relying on generic tokens. Cards like Troubled Town and Eltham Townsfolk can point to specific characters. And because 

 is nothing if not stylish, this allows us to avoid bogging cards down with a lot of technical information. Instead of “Cast an Ordinary 1-cost 2-power Mortal Earth minion,” we get to say things like: “Cast a Townsfolk from your Collection.”

Because the Collection exists outside the game, it gives players an active sideboard, a flexible toolbox of up to 10 cards that can be accessed mid-game. This leans into 

best-of-one identity while opening up room for more adaptive counterplay. Whether you’re packing a Silver Bullet or a clutch support piece, the Collection encourages tight, thoughtful deckbuilding. It’s not just what’s in your hand - it’s what's hidden up your sleeve!

being our biggest set yet, the time is right for us to move to our intended deck sizes. After a year of extensive testing, deck brewing, and listening to feedback, we’ve determined that the ideal place to land for the decks is 60 cards for the Spellbook and 30 cards for the Atlas. Combine that with a small 10-card collection and you'll be ready to contest any realms you so desire!

 didn’t include a mention about deck sizes. That’s because we need the card pool to reach a certain depth to support the change, so with that in mind, 

this final deck size change will go into effect with the release of 

The Collection mechanic represents a new way to think about flexibility in 

 It’s not just about hard counters or deep meta reads, it’s about 

Your deck is your journey. Your Collection? That’s your rucksack of mysterious odds and ends, full of things that might save the day…or doom it.

So, as you prepare for the creeping dread of 

ask yourself: What are you bringing with you?

What You Carry With You: A First Look at the Collection and Deck Sizes in Gothic

They say no one rests easy in the Realm…and in 

releasing later this year, that’s especially true.

In the dark corners of the Realm, the dead don’t stay buried for long, and in today’s 

 spotlight, we're digging deeper and unearthing what you can expect from the cemetery, both narratively and mechanically. 

 would be a set that deals in death, and not the polite rest-in-peace kind. The cemetery isn’t just for the dearly departed anymore. It’s a living, breathing (sort of) zone of opportunity…and danger. That meant reimagining how players interact with the cemetery, not just as a resting place for the fallen, but also as a dynamic space full of potential. A record of what’s been lost, sure, but also a resource to be harvested. A dark engine, waiting to be turned back on.

Let’s lift the lid on how the cemetery comes to life

Sometimes, it’s not about bringing things back. It’s about 

Take Search Party, for example, a deceptively simple minion that grows stronger for each of its predecessors that have vanished into the unknown. Each time another Search Party goes missing, the next one grows more desperate… and more determined.

It’s a thematic way to capture the creeping dread of loss and the power and desperation that it creates. A stack of corpses becomes more than a warning, they’re a call to action. 

(Note: Generally, stacks of corpses should still be seen as a warning…)

For those who look to the darkness for power, what if your spells didn’t end when you cast them? Increased cemetery interaction also opens up new mechanical options for our design team.

With a card like Second Wind, we can introduce simple effects but with a sinister twist: casting it a second time from the cemetery. This means twice the impact, whether you go back-to-back for brutal efficiency or hold off for a surprise resurgence. It’s more than just recursion, it’s a decision point. Cash in now, or strike when your opponent least expects it?

just because something’s in the cemetery doesn’t mean it’s dead. Unlike the Undead, a topic we’ll shamble back to another day, some spells let you return what’s buried to the Realm in more natural ways.

Return to Nature is one such spell. Whether you're replenishing your own resources or disrupting your opponent’s plans, it’s a clean counter to a variety of cemetery shenanigans, and a reminder that not every solution requires raising the dead. Sometimes, protecting nature's balance, rather than dabbling in the dark arts, can be just as powerful!

Some spells simply tap into the cemetery. Others grab a shovel and dig right in. Carrionette is one of the latter.

This Exceptional Magic lets you summon an undead minion from 

cemetery, pulling your favorites back into the fight, or possibly borrowing from your opponent’s dearly departed. 

(They probably weren’t going to be using them anyway, right?)

It’s a strong synergy piece for necromancers everywhere, especially when paired with minions that pack a punch but don’t always stay down. That lone copy of a clutch minion you sacrificed earlier? Now it's back, with some minor strings attached.

And the art? Well, let's just say it’s not your typical necromantic ritual. But it is exactly the kind of nightmare fuel the 

If left untouched, the dead will usually be discovered by some hungry Carrion Beetles. Of course, if one player is actively dredging up the dead, you might want to speed up the natural order of things.

So, for those who like to proclaim “not on my watch,” there’s always the option to dig a few Plague Pits to slow the spread of undeath. After all, you can never be too careful when corpses won’t stay put!

As the cemetery grows in importance, denial becomes more than just a niche tactic, it's a viable counter strategy. Whether you’re banishing key cards from the cemetery, neutralizing recursion effects, or simply applying enough pressure to end the game before the horrors can rise, there are plenty of tools for keeping things that are dead…well, dead.

But suppose no such Plague Pits have been dug and the bodies of the fallen are starting to pile up on both sides. What then?

 It would be a shame to let all those pieces go to waste, so why not put them to good use? Remove enough of them from the cemetery, and you can bring a Stitched Abomination to unlife. This grim creation is literally the sum of its parts, so make sure you find some good material before building.

It’s messy, it’s macabre, and yet…oddly satisfying.

aren’t locked behind a single strategy. Whether you’re digging through bones to fuel the dark or sanctifying the dead to keep them buried there’s plenty of room to get your hands dirty.

So the next time something dies in the Realm, don’t breathe easy just yet, ask yourself: is it 

What Lies Beneath: First Look at Gothic’s Cemetery Mechanics

Something darker. Monstrous shapes shifting through the mists. The scent of brimstone hanging in the air.

brings those eerie elements out of the shadows… and it’s time we started talking about it!

In this series, we’ll be sharing a closer look at some of the cards, art, and mechanics you can expect from 

If you spent any time in the Realm, you know we’re all about flavor-first design. We don’t just toss mechanics on cards and call it a day. We want each card to pull you further into the Realm, whether through thematic abilities, world class art, or an overall deepening of the 

And what better way to start our descent into 

 than with a mechanic that ties its darkest forces together?

For too long, wicked things have crept through the Realm, unnamed and unchallenged.

 always had its share of darker themes, but with 

 we’re taking things to a whole new level. A day of judgement has come, and 

 marks a real tonal shift for the Contested Realm, with the introduction of the new keyword Evil as one powerful expression of that transformation.

We gave you an early glimpse of the Evil keyword through our

 but today we’re delving into the big question, “what is Evil, anyway?”

, mechanics are more than just function, they’re part of the story. In the case of Evil, they serve as a unifying force.

Evil is a batched keyword that brings together Undead, Demons, and Monsters, creatures that rise from graveyards, storm sanctuaries, and claw through nightmares to terrorize the mortals of the Realm. When a card references “Evil,” it’s checking for 

of those types. That means cleaner text, tighter design, and more room for thematic gameplay.

Hellhounds, Horrible Hybrids, and Ghouls. On their own, they may seem manageable. Creepy, sure, but nothing a brave soul can’t handle.

But where darkness is allowed to gather, evil grows in power. And for those willing to make the necessary sacrifices, that dark power can be…well, tempting.

Decks built around Evil may revel in recursion, battlefield attrition, or a host of sinister strategies. Some raise vast legions of Undead that just won’t stay down. Others lean into the raw, bone-crushing strength of Monsters from the forgotten corners of the Realm… and beyond. And then there are those who strike unholy pacts with Demons, cunning forces whose twisted abilities let you warp the pace and shape of the game itself.

Whether you choose to channel a single dark force or embrace Evil in all its terrible forms, one truth remains: power often comes at a price.

 for example, a card that allows players to sacrifice itself to untap adjacent Evil minions. In the right deck, that can mean explosive tempo swings, combo setups, or relentless pressure. Pair it with sacrifice or recursion mechanics, and you’ve got a dark little engine that never rests.

But where there’s darkness, there’s always resistance.

Consecrated Ground is one such bastion of hope. Its text is short, powerful, and straight to the point: “Evil has no power here.”

No towering wall of rules. No need to squint through conditions. Just clean, evocative design, backed by stunning art and steeped in theme. It’s a perfect example of how 

 blends narrative and mechanics to help keep you immersed in the Realm.

Evil has arrived, and it’s not going anywhere.

As long as Undead, Demons, and Monsters continue to rise from the shadows, so will the synergies that bind them. And because the Evil keyword applies to all cards with those types, not just the ones from 

, the cards from this set will remain relevant for years to come.

Whether you’re building a deck steeped in darkness, or preparing to defend the forces of good, Evil has carved out a foothold in the Realm.

It has a name. Its horrors have shape. Its plans are in motion.

So now the question is….will you stand and face it? Or embrace the coming darkness?

Evil Stirs in the Realm: First Look at Gothic’s Flavor and Mechanics

David O'Connor

In worlds of magic and myth, a mirror is never just a mirror. It can reveal distant lands, hidden truths, and glimpses of realms beyond reach.

Today, we're honored to welcome an artist who has long captured such mysteries in paint -  David O'Connor joins the roster of world-class talent contributing to 

Renowned for his oil paintings, rich with atmosphere and fine detail, David brings his traditional touch to our upcoming 

 set. It's a homecoming in many ways not only for the artist, but for the timeless traditions he's helped shape.

And he arrives with a vision forged in the golden age of fantasy illustration...

David’s professional journey began in the 1970s and quickly blossomed into a celebrated career. His evocative covers for Stephen Donaldson's fantasy novels became iconic, while his 17-piece project on Egyptian mythology for publisher Peter Lowe revealed the scope his his mythic imagination. Later, he lent his talents to 

during its formative years, before the rise of digital tools reshaped the landscape of fantasy art.

, David returns to the tactile realm of traditional illustration. 

“It is such a delight to be painting again,” David shares. “I now combine illustration and graphic work very happily and I hope to produce paintings for as long as there is demand for my work.”

 and fantasy art alike, will be eager to see what he brings to the realm next!

Today's particular illustration is stepped in story and legacy. Originally commissioned in 1987 as a book cover for 

, the second novel in Stephen Donaldson’s fantasy duology, it now finds new life in

A striking blend of mystery and classic fantasy grandeur, in many ways David's work reflects the soul of Sorcery's vision of hand-painted art that evokes the spirit of fantasy's golden age.

See how illustrations like David's become foil cards in Sorcery: Contested Realm.

We’re proud to feature one of David’s classic works today, and Sorcerers can look forward to more of his art woven throughout 

. You can explore David works on his website 

Looking to find out more about Sorcery's talented artists? Explore our full roster of artists 

Welcome to Sorcery, David O'Connor!

Jeff A. Menges

We’re thrilled to announce that celebrated fantasy illustrator 

With a career spanning over three decades, Jeff Menges has captivated fantasy fans worldwide, from his iconic work as one of the original twenty-five 

This year at Gen Con 2025, Jeff will showcase a curated selection of his work, including never-before-seen illustrations from our upcoming set 

booth throughout the week, signing cards, chatting with fans, and sharing how he's helping bring 

 to life...or perhaps we should say, undeath?


Whether you’ve followed Jeff’s work for years or are simply curious about what’s coming next, we can't wait to see you at Gen Con 2025!

Gen Con's event calendar will go live on Sunday, May 4th, and with it, our full lineup of offerings:  learn-to-play events,  gameplay experiences, and our first-ever  

Even more news is getting ready to hatch for 


Mark your calendars for Gen Con 2025 and join the conversation in our dedicated #gencon channel on the 

We look forward to seeing you at Gen Con!

Gothic Shadows Stir - Jeff A. Menges Returns to Gen Con 2025

Drew Tucker

, we’re offering an exciting preview of not only the future of Organized Play but also an early look at upcoming cards from 

Today we're diving deeper into the captivating artwork for Swap, the Community Champions reward included in our 

. Each Cornerstone Kit will feature three copies of this special promo card, which are designed to recognize and reward community champions who've played a pivotal role in building vibrant local Sorcery communities.

Now, of course, it wouldn’t truly be a 

 card reveal without appreciating the mesmerizing art behind it!

When Drew Tucker puts brush to paper, the outcome is typically an evocative blur of movement, emotion, and texture, something more conjured than merely painted. True to form, his latest piece for 

’s Gothic set, titled Swap, brilliantly exemplifies this signature style.

“This is a crazy piece for me,” Drew says. “I imagined that the spell causes all the creatures to panic.”

Indeed, through his depiction, viewers are hurled headfirst into a whirlwind of magical chaos with creatures scattering, colliding forms, and dynamic lines barely holding together the scene. It’s pure chaos distilled onto canvas, yet somehow harmoniously captivating.

Drew Tucker is widely celebrated for his atmospheric and often dreamlike approach, and this hallmark mood shines vividly in this piece.

“That’s a rabbit hole of a question,” Drew laughs when asked about how he creates such ambiance. “But in short, it’s often through saturated color and something close to tonal painting. I also contrast calm and energetic brushstrokes, and play with the subconscious language of color, marks, and shapes.”

He adds, with a wink: “Maybe the truest answer is that my glasses are almost always a bit smudgy - sort of like Monet’s cataracts.”

Mechanically, Swap opens up intriguing opportunities for surprising plays that are sure to delight or confound players, depending on if they are on the receiving end or not! 

Visually, Drew embodied that energy by exploring an equally surprising set of reference photos. With sources, ranging from vintage photographs of mosh pits and police riots to playful explorations of shadows cast on his backyard fence.

The end result? An artwork practically vibrating with motion, every stroke racing toward escape.

“The emotion I was aiming for is that frantic, panicked energy. Pure, visceral chaos," Drew shares.

And with Swap, Drew Tucker captures exactly that, transforming disorder into art in a way uniquely his own.

We're honored to work with such incredibly talented artists such as Drew Tucker. Find out more about our Sorcery artists 

Keep an eye out for more reveals and insights as we continue to unveil what’s in store!

Discover more about Drew Tucker’s artistic process in our 

Products

Coming soon...

Prophets of Doom: Meet the Necromancer

Darkness Descends: The Gothic Trailer Revealed

Light in the Darkness: Lindsey Crummett Reveals Virgin In Prayer

What You Carry With You: A First Look at the Collection and Deck Sizes in Gothic

What Lies Beneath: First Look at Gothic’s Cemetery Mechanics

Evil Stirs in the Realm: First Look at Gothic’s Flavor and Mechanics

Evil Stirs in the Realm: First Look at Gothic’s Flavor and Mechanics

Welcome to Sorcery, David O'Connor!

Welcome to Sorcery, David O'Connor!

Gothic Shadows Stir - Jeff A. Menges Returns to Gen Con 2025

Gothic Shadows Stir - Jeff A. Menges Returns to Gen Con 2025

Unleashing Chaos: Drew Tucker's Vision for Swap

Unleashing Chaos: Drew Tucker's Vision for Swap