Deck View: 3rd Dominion (Alien Edition) Playing Cards

Futuristic. Abstract. Mysterious.

3rd Dominion's Area51 (Alien Edition) Playing Cards leans fully into its sci-fi theme, inspired by the mystery of Groom Lake and extraterrestrial lore. This red coloway deck pushes beyond traditional design, featuring surreal interpretations of the facility’s hidden “levels.” 

The card backs use an abstract, platform-like structure, giving the deck a distinctly otherworldly feel. Aces and courts follow suit, showcasing strange flying devices and geometric forms that reinforce the alien narrative. The tuck box is equally unconventional, shaped and styled around UFO-like forms, finished with striking red foil and cryptic symbols that enhance the sense of secrecy and intrigue.

Printed by Noir Arts Playing Card Company, the deck combines experimental design with usability, offering a bold departure from classic playing card aesthetics.

Creators: Stockholm17 Art for "Magic: The Gathering"

Lorenzo Gaggiotti, known for his work under Stockholm17, brings his distinctive style to Magic: The Gathering with four Mystical Archive cards for the Secrets of Strixhaven release.

Originally approached by Wizards of the Coast in 2024, Lorenzo’s first assignment was Smallpox, followed by Shamanic Revelation, Sheoldred’s Edict, and Monstrous Rage. Each piece required balancing detailed briefs with his signature illustrative style... blending intricate symbolism and narrative composition.

Highlights include the complex staging of Sheoldred’s Edict, depicting a judgment scene within tight spatial limits, and the conceptual design of Monstrous Rage, where a triangular arrangement of skulls represents stages of transformation. His work on Smallpox and Shamanic Revelation draws clear inspiration from his acclaimed deck, The House of the Rising Spade.

This collaboration marks a full-circle moment for Lorenzo, a longtime MTG player turned official contributor, merging his roots in custom playing cards with one of the world’s most iconic trading card games.

Alabaster Playing Cards by TCC Fashion

Alabaster Playing Cards by TCC Fashion reimagines classical sculpture through a luxury playing card collection centred on texture, light, and relief-inspired craftsmanship.

Building on the success of the David and Venus playing cards series, Alabaster transforms iconic figures such as Athena, David, Michelangelo, and Venus into fully custom playing card designs inspired by gypsum sculptures and museum-grade classical art. 

The decks use intricate embossing techniques to recreate the tactile feel of carved alabaster, enhanced by carefully engineered lighting and shadow effects throughout the tuck boxes and card faces.

The White Special Edition focuses on the purity of alabaster aesthetics, featuring deeply embossed relief textures, elegant European-style carvings, and subtle cold foil accents that enhance the sculptural detail without overpowering it. The court cards form a unified “silent portrait” of classical figures, while the Jokers depict ornate Baroque-inspired architectural scenes.

Alongside it, the Holo Edition introduces iridescent holo foil elements that bring a contemporary dimension to the collection. Flowing colour effects interact with the sculptural artwork across the card faces and backs, creating a dynamic contrast between classical form and modern visual treatment.

Both editions feature fully custom artwork, symmetrical sculptural back designs, and optional gilded collector versions. The collector set package the decks in elaborate embossed gift boxes that continue the collection’s focus on texture, craftsmanship, and presentation.

Pledge starts at $20 on Kickstarter.

Fortnite Playing Cards by Theory11

Theory11's Fortnite playing cards bring the energy and personality of the iconic battle royale game into a collectible deck built for game nights and fans alike. 

Inspired by classic Fortnite locations such as Loot Lake and Tilted Towers, the deck features vibrant colours, recognizable imagery, and fan-favourite characters drawn from the game’s long-running history. 

The design leans heavily into Fortnite’s playful visual identity, packing the colorful cards with references, easter eggs, and nods that longtime players will instantly recognize. 

Created as both a functional deck and a collectible accessory, the cards celebrate the social side of Fortnite culture.... whether you’ve been playing since launch or just earned your first Victory Royale. 

From “thanking the bus driver” to hidden in-game references scattered throughout the artwork, the deck captures the humour, chaos, and nostalgia that define the Fortnite experience. Available now for $12.95 on Theory11.