- Scene Boxes: Two distinct sets available—Cracked Plates and Treasures of Smaug.
- Contents: Each box includes 3 Play Boosters, 6 Art Cards, 6 Foil Scene Cards, and a display easel.
- Display: Cards form a panoramic image; Art Cards are recommended for display to preserve playable Foils.
- Price: Retail price is approximately $41.99 USD.
- Theme: Features iconic moments like Bag End banquets and Smaug's treasure hoard.
Product Overview
The Magic the Gathering The Hobbit Scene Boxes are premium collector products designed to capture iconic moments from Middle-earth. Unlike standard Collector Boosters, these boxes focus on aesthetic display and narrative storytelling through specialized card treatments. Each box is curated around a specific scene, allowing players to assemble a panoramic image using either the foil treatment cards included or the art card variants provided.
Video Highlights:
- See the exact contents of both the Cracked Plates and Treasures of Smaug boxes.
- Visual guide to assembling the panoramic scene using the included easel.
- Comparison of Foil Scene Cards versus Art Cards for display purposes.
While the foil scene cards are playable and tournament-legal, we recommend using the included Art Cards for the permanent display setup. This keeps your foil cards in pristine condition for deck building while still showing off the full artwork on the easel.
Box Contents Breakdown
Both Scene Boxes—Cracked Plates and *Treasures of Smaug—*follow a similar content structure, though the specific cards and art differ. Below is a detailed breakdown of what you can expect to find inside.
| Component | Quantity | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play Boosters | 3 | Standard boosters from the Hobbit set | Drafting or opening for value |
| Foil Scene Cards | 6 | Unique foils forming a connected image | Gameplay or Display |
| Art Cards | 6 | Thick card stock with art backs | Display (Recommended) |
| Display Easel | 1 | Plastic stand for the assembled scene | Showcase |
| Punch-Outs | 1 Sheet | Dividers/Decorations | Deck box organization |
The punch-out sheets included are designed to fit specific deck box sizes. Handle them carefully when removing them from the cardboard frame to avoid bending the delicate tabs.
Cracked Plates Box
- Theme: The party at Bag End.
- Key Cards: Gandalf, Thorin, Bilbo, Fili & Kili.
- Vibe: Warm, chaotic, and food-focused.
- Scene: Dwarves stacking plates and eating.
Treasures of Smaug Box
- Theme: The Lonely Mountain treasure hoard.
- Key Cards: Smaug, Bilbo's Burgling, Necklace of Girion.
- Vibe: Gold, fire, and dragon scales.
- Scene: Bilbo amidst the dragon's gold.
Cracked Plates Card List
The Cracked Plates scene box focuses on the unexpected party at Bilbo's home. The scene captures the chaos and joy of the Dwarves' arrival. When assembling the scene, the cards generally flow from left to right, depicting the dwarves and Gandalf interacting.
Foil Scene Cards:
- Fili and Kili, Joyous: Features the two young dwarves celebrating.
- Gandalf, Party Guest: The wizard enjoying the festivities.
- Thorin, King of Durin's Folk: The leader looking regal yet weary.
- Bilbo, Fellow Conspirator: Bilbo caught up in the moment.
- Bag End Banquet: A wide shot of the food and chaos.
- Ori, Plate Stacker: Depicts Ori struggling with a tower of dirty plates.
Notable Play Booster Pulls: In addition to the scene cards, the boosters contain cards relevant to the set's mechanics, such as "Bilbo's Deadly Slice," "Goblin Army," and various Bear cards ("Little Bear," "Gigantic Bear").
The "Ori, Plate Stacker" card is a deep cut reference to the book, where Ori is often tasked with menial chores, contrasting with his later role as a scholar and historian.
Treasures of Smaug Card List
The Treasures of Smaug box shifts the tone to the perilous depths of the Lonely Mountain. The art style here is darker, focusing on the glint of gold and the looming threat of the dragon.
Foil Scene Cards:
- Long-lost Lances: Ancient weapons lying in the hoard.
- Dragon-cursed Halls: The architecture of the mountain under the dragon's influence.
- Smaug the Impenetrable: The dragon himself, resting on his gold.
- Bilbo's Burgling: Bilbo in stealth mode, interacting with the treasure.
- Dragon's Desire: A close-up of gold and artifacts.
- Necklace of Girion: A specific artifact of great lore significance.
Notable Play Booster Pulls: This box may yield cards like "Sting" (Bilbo's sword), "Smaug, the Great Calamity," and "Radagast of Rhosgobel."
| Card Name | Rarity | Type | Lore Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smaug the Impenetrable | Rare/Mythic | Creature | Primary Antagonist |
| Sting | Rare | Artifact | Iconic Weapon |
| Necklace of Girion | Common | Artifact | Ties to Lake-town Backstory |
| Bilbo's Burgling | Common | Creature | The "Invisible" Scene |
Assembly and Display Guide
Setting up your Scene Box display is straightforward, but doing it correctly ensures the best visual result. The included easel is designed specifically to hold the six cards in a landscape orientation.
Sort Your Cards
Separate the Foil Scene Cards from the Art Cards. Decide if you want to sacrifice the foils for the display or use the Art Cards. We suggest using the Art Cards.
Plan the Layout
Lay the cards out on a flat surface in numerical order (usually 1 through 6 based on the narrative flow) to ensure they align perfectly to form the panoramic image.
Secure the Cards
Once aligned, carefully place them onto the easel. The easel typically has a groove or a plastic clip mechanism to hold the edges.
Position the Easel
Place the assembled easel in a location with indirect lighting to avoid glare on the foil or art cards, enhancing the visibility of the detailed artwork.
Opening Checklist:
- Verify box seal and corner integrity
- Locate the Play Boosters (3 total)
- Identify the Scene Card pack (6 foils)
- Find the Art Card pack (6 art cards)
- Check for the Display Easel and Punch-out sheet
FAQ
Q: Can I use the Foil Scene Cards in a tournament deck?
Yes, the Foil Scene Cards are legal Magic: The Gathering cards with standard backs. They are fully playable in formats where the original card is legal.
Q: Are the contents of the Scene Boxes randomized?
Partially. The 3 Play Boosters inside are randomized like any other booster. However, the 6 Scene Cards and 6 Art Cards are fixed for each specific box type (Cracked Plates or Treasures of Smaug).
Q: What is the difference between the two Scene Boxes?
The *Cracked Plates* box depicts the party scene at Bag End with Dwarves and food. The *Treasures of Smaug* box depicts the dragon hoard scene inside the Lonely Mountain. They contain different fixed art cards.
Q: Do the Art Cards have the game card face on the back?
No, Art Cards typically have a standard Magic back or a specialized art back, but they are often thicker and not intended for sleeve-heavy play, making them ideal for the display easel.