Magic: The Gathering has big plans for Universes Beyond in 2026 with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek, but before then, there’s the small matter of the game’s Avatar: The Last Airbender set.
With the discount, a box of 30 packs is now $149.95 instead of $209.70, a steep drop but perhaps not unexpected.
After all, the Spider-Man set saw a similar sort of drop within days. The difference, however, is that this set feels much more cohesive and enjoyable to play than its Marvel counterpart.
At the standard list price, you’re essentially paying $6.99 per Play Booster pack, but with this discount it drops to $4.99 per pack.
Each pack has 14 cards, so you’re getting 420 with this deal, and while they’re less likely to be the alternative art treatments you’d find in a (grossly overpriced) Collector Booster pack, you could easily pull enough to build an Avatar deck around – or have plenty to trade with.
The set marks the last of Magic: The Gathering’s 2025 offerings, but there will be even more sets next year starting with Lorwyn Eclipsed. Preorders are already live for the 2026 curtain-raiser.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.
One of 2025’s unlikeliest game announcements was Spellcasters Chronicles, a 3v3 MOBA in development at erstwhile singleplayer specialists Quantic Dream. It’s a three-lane magic-slinger starring a selection of flying mages, with an emphasis on summoning creatures to do your structure demolition work for you, and I’ve now played a couple of games ahead of its closed beta on December 4th-8th.
I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about Spellcasters based on the original reveal. And after two games of mostly bodyguarding other, bigger, cooler magical beings, I’m still not convinced. That said, it wasn’t as bad as I’d feared: it makes bold, maybe even brave departures from wizard fight genre conventions, some of which pay off rather nicely.
Magic: The Gathering gets a lot of new Commander Decks each year, but it’s been a while since Wizards of the Coast printed some ‘Starter’ decks.
The last time was 2022, and those decks are getting harder to find. Thankfully, one of them can be found in Amazon’s Black Friday deals, with a whopping saving of over 50% on a deck I hold near and dear to my heart – Draconic Destruction.
This Epic Commander Deck Is $25 Right Now
Amazon is offering this Red/Green deck for just $25, a steep drop from the $53.38 MSRP – although these decks were always meant to be affordable.
But, because they haven’t been printed for a while, and because this one is actually a pretty cohesive preconstructed offering, it’s hard to find new.
Draconic Destruction, as the name suggests, is all about Dragon cards, and it’s a great deck for players who want to cast big dragons and through an army of them at their opponents.
It’s a deck that plays fantastically out of the box, but can be pretty swiftly upgraded, too. Its Commander, Atarka, World Render, is super cheap these days to buy on its own, but its ability to give your dragons double-strike (when they’re already flying) is a potential game-ender.
This was actually my first Commander deck, so I have fond memories of playing my first games in the format with it, and that makes it a shame its hard to find nowadays. With this deal, though, it’s an easy one to recommend.
Lloyd Coombes is an experienced freelancer in tech, gaming and fitness seen at Polygon, Eurogamer, Macworld, TechRadar and many more. He’s a big fan of Magic: The Gathering and other collectible card games, much to his wife’s dismay.
Just three weeks after its release, Nintendo is already bringing more goodies to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment later this week in the form of a free update.
Available on 27th November 2025, the update will add new weapons, a brand new Sync Strike for Zelda and fan-favourite Korok Calamo, and other goodies. Being typically coy there, Nintendo! The game already has a ton to unlock, including maxing out characters and finding all of those pesky Koroks, even if it’s a little brisker than Age of Calamity.
New ROG Xbox Ally Updates: Default Game Profiles Available in Preview
Roanne Sones, CVP Gaming Devices and Ecosystem, Xbox
Handheld gaming just keeps getting better. You, our players, are shaping the future of handheld gaming by providing feedback to Xbox, Windows, and ASUS, and we’re listening and delivering updates to enhance the way you play. Since the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, we’ve been hard at work, listening to level up your experience – and today, we’re excited to share what’s new, what’s improved and what’s coming up next, as we continue to raise the bar on gaming experiences.
What’s New
Default Game Profiles (Preview)
Spend more time playing and less time fine-tuning. Default Game Profiles, available in preview starting today, automatically balance frame rate (FPS) and power consumption for 40 supported games at launch, including Fortnite,Gears of War: Reloaded, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and others, with more coming soon. This means smoother, more enjoyable gameplay and extended battery life, without requiring manual adjustments. For example, in Hollow Knight: Silksong, the Default Game Profile can add nearly an hour of battery life compared to Performance mode while still delivering smooth 120 FPS gameplay.
Default Game Profiles are hand-crafted per-game and only apply when on battery. When you launch a supported game, the system automatically applies a tailored game profile, which sets recommended power (TDP) and a FPS limit specific to the game.
If the game falls short of its target FPS, the game profile is designed to boost power to help reach the target FPS, trading a bit of battery life for a smoother gameplay experience.
If a game is performing above the target FPS, the game profile is designed to limit FPS at the target rate to save power.
Players can turn these settings on or off in the game using the Armoury Crate Command Center Gare Bar widget, where Game Profiles appear at the top of the widget with an ON/OFF toggle.
You can experience Default Game Profiles in preview mode for supported games, including these first party games, and more:
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Call of Duty: Warzone
DOOM Eternal
DOOM: The Dark Ages
Forza Horizon 5
Gears 5
Gears of War: Reloaded
Gears Tactics
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Minecraft
Sea of Thieves
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4
Additional Improvements
We’ve also made several updates to deliver a smoother, faster, and more reliable experience on the Xbox ROG Ally based on your feedback. This includes:
Improved Gamepad response after login
Quicker Library loading, especially for players with large game libraries
Improved Cloud Gaming page performance, loading more quickly and more responsive
New Game Gallery filter by Performance Fit, helping you see how well games will run on your device
Bug fixes and performance enhancements for improved stability and responsiveness
To experience Default Game Profiles (Preview), and all the latest improvements, make sure you’ve installed the latest updates for Armoury Crate SE, the Xbox PC app, and Windows 11. Check out our essential tips for getting started to learn how to stay up to date.
Xbox Game Pass Benefits
As we shared at launch, players in select markets will also receive three months of Xbox Game Pass Premium* (where available) with the purchase of an ROG Xbox Ally or ROG Xbox Ally X handheld. Game Pass Premium offers unlimited Xbox Cloud Gaming, access to PC titles, and a library of over 200 great games like Forza Horizon 5,Hogwarts Legacy, Minecraft, and more, to jump into anytime, anywhere. Learn more at Xbox.com.
Looking Ahead
Based on early feedback from players, we’re actively investing in enhancements like sleep and wake reliability, improved formatting options for microSD cards, and more. Early next year, ROG Xbox Ally X will also introduce exciting AI-powered features such as Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) and highlight reels, giving players more ways to enjoy and share their gaming moments.
Game Save Sync Indicator Coming Next Week
We’re rolling out the Game Save Sync Indicator next week, a feature designed to give you peace of mind when switching between devices. With clear status updates, you’ll know exactly when your progress has synced to the cloud, whether you’re wrapping up on your PC or powering down your handheld. No more guessing or lost progress, just seamless, stress-free play across devices.
Powered by Windows 11 and inspired by the streamlined console experience, the Xbox full screen experience is purpose-built for gaming. On handhelds, it minimizes background activity and defers non-essential tasks, so more system resources are dedicated to gameplay.
This is just the beginning. We’re continuing to listen to your feedback, and excited to deliver even more new features and options that elevate the handheld experience. We’re building a new way to make sharing your input with us even easier, and we’ll have more to share on that soon. In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you directly in the feedback hub.
Thanks for being part of the Xbox community. We’re excited to keep building the future of gaming together. Stay tuned for more updates.
* Claim within 30 days of device activation. Valid payment method required. Subscription continues automatically at regular monthly price unless cancelled. Subject to xbox.com/subscriptionterms. Eligible existing Essential membership(s) will upgrade to Premium. For existing Ultimate members, the code will convert at a ratio. See xbox.com/code-conversion. Terms and exclusions apply. Game catalog varies over time, by region, device, and plan. xbox.com/gamepass.
Helldivers, high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Defense have accused you of being the best. And if you’re the best, then you’re going to need to be outfitted with the best, which is why the Ministry has fast-tracked the deployment of the Python Commandos Premium Warbond*–arriving to your Super Destroyers on December 2!
Weapons & Stratagems
Let’s talk firepower first. Python Commandos is loaded with three brand new stratagems and a new primary.
The Ministry of Defense received thousands of requests from squad commanders for a minigun and we’re excited to finally give our Helldivers access to the M-1000 Maxigun! Belt-fed with ultra-high ammo capacity, this one is sure to make those bugs bleed.
This Warbond also includes another addition to the line-up of faithful sidekicks for your Helldiver: the AX/FLAM-75 “Guard Dog” Hot Dog. This drone is equipped with a flamethrower to coat your foes in the fires of freedom before returning to your backpack to refuel.
But if you don’t want to burn the jungle down, consider doing your deforestation with the CQC-9 Defoliation Tool. If the machete doesn’t cut it–whether it’s a tree or an enemy–surely this will!
And finally, Python Commandos has a new and unique primary weapon: a combination assault rifle and grenade launcher called the AR/GL-21 One-Two. Heavy to wield, but the damage dealt is heavy too, making your primary slot more versatile than ever with two guns in one!
Armors & Capes
Python Commandos features two armor sets and, like Viper Commandos before it, they both let you get those guns out for some fresh air.
First up is the RS-20 Constrictor light armor set. It’s also the official uniform for the League of Patriotic Arm Wrestlers, so it’s guaranteed to give your squad bigger and more rippling biceps to intimidate the enemy. But if you’re carrying the team, maybe you need the RS-40 Best of Prey: a heavy armor set patterned after legendary Helldiver, Ronald Mambo and his famously powerful and burly physique.
Both of these armors are equipped with the Rock Solid passive, which makes your Helldiver more steadfast against staggering and ragdolling attacks.
You’ll also have two capes and coordinating player cards available: Foe Rent Asunder, which is pre-tattered to give a battle-worn appearance, and Mark of the Constrictor, for Helldivers who strangle out any anti-democratic behavior they encounter.
Patterns & Emotes
Along with all this, you’ll get access to the Front-Leaning Rest Position emote–now you can drop and give ‘em 20 anytime!
Python Commandos also includes the Chameleon Camo pattern for your FRV, Exosuit, Hellpod, and Shuttle.
The finishing touch is to get the whole team coordinated with the Python Commando player title and organize a swift strike on anything that stands between you and extraction.
The Python Commandos Premium Warbond is dropping in on December 2, divers. Get ready to deliver the venom of Liberty directly into the heart of evil!
Download the image
*Requires base game, paid purchase of Super Credits, and game progression to unlock.
Helldivers 2 is finally getting a minigun and other weapons fans have long-called for as part of the jungle-themed Python Commandos Warbond.
Due out December 2, the Python Commandos Premium Warbond adds new armor and weapons to Arrowhead’s explosive third-person action game. As well as the new minigun, which Helldivers 2 has been crying out for since launch, the warbond includes a chainsword and a flame dog.
But it’s the minigun that’s the star here, and this, coupled with the jungle theme rekindles memories of the original Predator movie, in which Jesse Ventura fired a minigun called ‘Old Painless’ at hapless enemy soldiers as well as a Yautja, while uttering the iconic line: “I ain’t got time to bleed.”
Of course, if you’re fighting back against the Automatons, perhaps Helldivers 2’s new minigun will give off Terminator 2 vibes. After all, Arnold Schwarzenegger was partial to the occasional minigun, wasn’t he? At least he kept those cops alive.
In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Katherine Baskin, Social Media and Community Manager at Arrowhead, leaned into the long overdue arrival of the minigun with a fun, in-universe message to players:
“The Ministry of Defense received thousands of requests from squad commanders for a minigun and we’re excited to finally give our Helldivers access to the M-1000 Maxigun! Belt-fed with ultra-high ammo capacity, this one is sure to make those bugs bleed.”
The AX/FLAM-75 “Guard Dog” Hot Dog, meanwhile, is a drone equipped with a flamethrower “to coat your foes in the fires of freedom before returning to your backpack to refuel.” And then there’s the CQC-9 Defoliation Tool, aka a chainsaw. The new primary weapon is a combination assault rifle and grenade launcher called the AR/GL-21 One-Two. “Heavy to wield, but the damage dealt is heavy too, making your primary slot more versatile than ever with two guns in one,” Arrowhead explained.
The armor, too, leans into the Predator vibes. The RS-20 Constrictor light armor set is the official uniform for the League of Patriotic Arm Wrestlers, Arrowhead said, “so it’s guaranteed to give your squad bigger and more rippling biceps to intimidate the enemy.”
And here’s a fun Rambo reference: “but if you’re carrying the team, maybe you need the RS-40 Best of Prey: a heavy armor set patterned after legendary Helldiver, Ronald Mambo and his famously powerful and burly physique.”
Both of these armors are equipped with the Rock Solid passive, which makes your Helldiver more steadfast against staggering and ragdolling attacks.
You’ll also have two capes and coordinating player cards available: Foe Rent Asunder, which is pre-tattered to give a battle-worn appearance, and Mark of the Constrictor, for Helldivers who strangle out any anti-democratic behavior they encounter.
If you’re hunting for the best offers this week, we’re actively rounding up the strongest Black Friday deals on video games, tech, and more. You can find all our top picks and price drops in our full Black Friday hub, or check out our relevant pages for PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox deals.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
I get no joy from skills and gear in games that tweak back of house stats. An upgrade that adds 0.5% to explosion radii. A helmet that multiplies your base ‘luck’ total. A god’s blessing that increases your character’s attack rate by 4%. On paper these boosts change a game, but I often find them unsatisfyingly intangible in practice. I am but a simple editor of words and, as such, numbers confuse me. If I had wanted to be up to my chin in numbers, I would have followed my uncle into the abacus-making business. (For one thing, I’m glad my house isn’t filled with loose beads waiting to be painfully trod on while barefoot.)
Which is why I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying Monsters Are Coming, a game that if you lifted up and shook would rattle with invisible numbers like a rainstick.
Activision has revealed significant changes to the Call of Duty battle pass for Season 1 of Black Ops 7 that should make progression a lot quicker.
The battle pass has been the subject of much debate in recent years, with Call of Duty players often bemoaning how long it takes to unlock all its content — even if you pay for the premium version and, on top of that, the more expensive BlackCell version.
In a new blog post, Activision said it had “taken learnings” from Black Ops 6 battle pass completion times and made tuning adjustments for “a more satisfying journey.” The result is each season’s battle pass in Black Ops 7 should be “more rewarding for your time spent in-game, no matter where you’re playing across all parts of the game.”
So, how does this work? Earlier pages in the Black Ops 7 battle pass can now be completed faster with fewer tiers needed to unlock High-Value Target (HVT) content at the end of the page, while later pages in the battle pass will contain more rewards. This means players will earn more HVT content sooner across all 100 tiers, Activision said.
And, for the first time, Activision is adding the ability to earn battle pass tokens through completing daily challenges, which are now available not only in Multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone, but also Co-Op Campaign and Endgame. On certain days in the season, completion of your bonus daily challenge will grant you a battle pass token, which can be used right away to unlock a tier.
Call of Duty players who regularly grind through the battle pass will welcome these changes, particularly the addition of earning tokens via challenges. That should speed things up by default, but it remains to be seen how progression overall will feel now the later pages of the battle pass have more content to work through.
The Season 1 battle pass includes up to 1,100 COD Points, 11 operator skins, 26 blueprints and weapons, and 119 total rewards, 23 of which are free to earn, including two new base weapons. You can buy the battle pass for 1,100 COD Points, or get the battle pass bundle for 2,400 COD Points, which also grants you 20 Tokens to use.
If you’re hunting for the best offers this week, we’re actively rounding up the strongest Black Friday deals on video games, tech, and more. You can find all our top picks and price drops in our full Black Friday hub, or check out our relevant pages for PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox deals.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
The original 256GB LCD version of Valve’s Steam Deck is 20% off till 1st December, knocking it down to around $319.20 or £279.20 in the UK. It’s all part of this year’s Blackening of Friday, whereby whimpering price tags are shoved partway into sausage machines for the benefit of the first Xmas shoppers.
“That’s a chunk of cheddar,” whistled our new editorial director Julian, a choice of words I choose to take literally, mostly because he’s just ruined my sausage machine analogy. According to the UK’s Office of National Statistics, cheddar was 873p a kilogram as of January 2025, the last recorded figure. Assuming that average holds true, the Steam Deck is currently worth 32 kilograms of classic farmhouse cheese. That is a chunk of cheddar. Good work, Julian! This is why they handed you the big boss trousers.
