Hell is empty, and the devils are here.
Well… they will be at least. Erik’s curiosa, the creators of the Sorcery: Contested realm TCG have announced the release date of their eagerly anticipated full-set expansion. In an ecosystem where release fatigue is the topic of the day, this set has been a long time coming for fans of Sorcery. One expansion a year is to me at least, is a healthy and disciplined choice, but man, am I getting itchy.
The Second full release after Arthurian Legends in October 2024, Gothic offers a huge bolster of 440 cards to the still evolving card roster, and welcome nearly doubling of the total card list. Purgatory may be at an end for both saints and sinners alike. Although I and others are fairly suspicious they would have preferred Halloween, the 05 December 2025 date is more than welcome compared to what many feared would be a 2026 release.
You can follow the details as they come here, but for now, let’s dim the lights, get out the Ouija board and wildly speculate on the release. If I am a little off, well, no Psalm done.
The Devil you know
What can we say is safe to expect from the Gothic release? Well the early previews are giving us some welcome reassurance. With Sorcery staying true to its core design ethos, the art continues to be staggeringly impressive, all physical art from artists that proves a welcome release from the digital art ubiquity. The art is distinctive, varied and instant classics. They make ‘em like they used to.
They are also expanding the mechanics and opening up the gameplay with a few trailer teased elements, ‘wards’ will be… something? I am picturing a ‘power of Christ compels you!’ Moment with an army of evil spirits rebuffed by my twice sanctified McMuffin. There is also definitely an obvious angel’s and devils type theming. The Archangel Samael card for example is an instant chase card for me. In foil. Is it competitive? Who knows, but it looks amazing.
The release also comes with a new set of pre-constructed decks which look great. The Avatars list (think MTG Commanders) is expanding, and the flavouring looks Michelin star. Do we know what an Inquisitor deck will look like? Again, no. Is it compelling and tweaking at the dials of my hyper-fixation, yes.
Finally, we can see some more of the progression as the company itself finds it’s feet. Those who have been following will notice things like the continual evolution of the product quality. The arguably uninspiring exterior of the beta boxes, progressing into the visually dynamic boxes of Arthurian Legends and now with Gothic being a clearly polished product. They appear to possibly have moved to the rigid boxes with magnetic lid closure that the Dragonlord release enjoyed.
The Devil you don’t
We cannot mention the previous releases without talking about the risks, laid fairly justifiably at the door of Erik’s Curiosa. Mainly, can they sort out their global distribution and scale to keep tempo with demand? Whilst I don’t agree with some commentators saying Arthurian Legends was over-printed (it was good for collectors and investors both, at this stage of game progression). The Dragonlord was a mini-set released just a few months ago where distribution was far below demand, especially in Europe. Granted, the playability of the cards wasn’t extreme, but the Art being made by MTG hero Ed Beard Jr. made it a mini-set that appealed to the core demographic of S:CR.
We also don’t know how the new card-set will balance with existing cards. At the moment the deck variability is fun, diverse and balanced-ish (outside of some Black Lotus Aka Philosopher’s stone shenanigans). They are clearly doing some balancing, making -for example- a new card an counter to the current always pick ‘Ring of Morrigan’. They are also changing the deck structure to a 60 (Spells) – 30 (Sites) – 10 (Sideboard) structure, which will be an improvement in my eyes, but we will need some time to test that prediction.
Finally, on a more meta-strategic question for Erik’s, can they deal with the increased player base that may accompany this expansion? It is the perfect time for emigrating Magic players fleeing Universes Beyond set fatigue, or Pokémon collectors after cool art they don’t have to fist-fight scalpers for in Tesco. Being in the UK especially, I would love to see more organised play outside of London, and a presence at a UK card show. (Please, I desperately need those promos).
A Cult Following
If there is one thing the Sorcery: Contested Realm is promising it’s small but ramping following, it is the commitment to a bedrock of fantasy elements and tone. This is an expansion in the truest sense of the word. It is exactly the selling points Sorcery built itself upon, but with a new styling that appeals to both the angels and devils on our shoulder. I am verging on a religious fervour at the prospect of opening a booster box, and will try and nab myself a play mat if I can.
The price point is also looking respectable. Will I have to sell my soul to get a box? Maybe, but probably not a kidney. I’ll make sure to post a unboxing review when I get some, but until then, lets count our blessings, and our days, until release.
