List Of Magic The Gathering Sets In Order
Since its inception in 1993, Magic: The Gathering has released a plethora of card sets, each with its unique theme, mechanics, and art. With so many sets available, it can be overwhelming to keep track of them all. This article aims to provide you with a comprehensive list of Magic: The Gathering sets in order of release to help you navigate the vast world of Magic.
Alpha
Released in 1993, Alpha was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering set. It consisted of 295 cards and introduced the basic mechanics and concepts of the game. Alpha is considered a rare and valuable set among collectors because of its limited print run.
Beta
Beta was released in 1993 and was essentially a reprint of the Alpha set with a few corrections and fewer cards. Like Alpha, Beta is regarded as a rare and valuable set among collectors.
Unlimited
Unlimited was released in 1993 and was a reprint of the Alpha and Beta sets. It featured the same cards as the previous sets with a few minor differences, such as an updated card frame. Unlike Alpha and Beta, Unlimited was printed in much larger quantities, making it more accessible to players.
Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights was released in 1993 and was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering expansion set. It introduced 92 new cards and featured a Middle Eastern theme. Arabian Nights is significant for introducing the concept of a "block" - sets with a unified theme and storyline.
Antiquities
Antiquities was released in 1994 and was the second set in the Antiquities block. It introduced 100 new cards and featured an artifact theme. Antiquities is notable for introducing the Urza storyline, which would continue to play a significant role in Magic's lore for years to come.
Legends
Legends was released in 1994 and was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering expansion set to introduce legendary creatures. It featured 310 cards and had a fantasy theme. Legends is significant for introducing the concept of multiplayer games to Magic, allowing for three or more players to play at once.
The Dark
The Dark was released in 1994 and was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering expansion set to have a horror theme. It introduced 119 new cards and featured mechanics that centered around the use of black mana. The Dark is notable for introducing the concept of "lands matter" - cards that have effects based on the number or type of lands a player controls.
Homelands
Homelands was released in 1995 and was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering expansion set to have a storybook theme. It introduced 140 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of white mana. Homelands is considered by many to be the least popular expansion set because of its weak cards and lack of impact on Magic's overall storyline.
Ice Age
Ice Age was released in 1995 and was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering expansion set to have a snow-covered theme. It introduced 383 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of blue mana. Ice Age is significant for introducing the concept of "cumulative upkeep" - a mechanic where a player must pay an increasing cost to keep a card in play.
Alliances
Alliances was released in 1996 and was the second set in the Ice Age block. It introduced 144 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of red mana. Alliances is notable for introducing the concept of "banded" - a mechanic where creatures with the ability can combine to form a more powerful creature.
Mirage
Mirage was released in 1996 and was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering expansion set to have an African-themed setting. It introduced 350 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of green mana. Mirage is significant for introducing the concept of "phasing" - a mechanic where cards temporarily leave and re-enter play.
Visions
Visions was released in 1997 and was the second set in the Mirage block. It introduced 167 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of black mana. Visions is notable for introducing the concept of "flanking" - a mechanic where creatures with the ability deal damage to the defender's creatures in combat.
Weatherlight
Weatherlight was released in 1997 and was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering expansion set to have a story-driven theme. It introduced 167 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of white mana. Weatherlight is significant for introducing the Weatherlight storyline, which would continue to play a major role in Magic's lore for years to come.
Tempest
Tempest was released in 1997 and was the first-ever Magic: The Gathering expansion set to have a storm-themed setting. It introduced 350 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of blue mana. Tempest is notable for introducing the concept of "shadow" - a mechanic where creatures with the ability can only be blocked by other creatures with shadow.
Stronghold
Stronghold was released in 1998 and was the second set in the Weatherlight block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of red mana. Stronghold is significant for concluding the Weatherlight storyline and introducing the concept of "flavor text" - short snippets of text on cards that add depth to the game's lore.
Exodus
Exodus was released in 1998 and was the third and final set in the Tempest block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of green mana. Exodus is notable for introducing the concept of "sacrifice" - a mechanic where a player can destroy their own cards for a strategic advantage.
Urza's Saga
Urza's Saga was released in 1998 and was the first set in the Urza's block. It introduced 350 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of artifacts. Urza's Saga is significant for introducing the concept of "enchantments matter" - cards that have effects based on the number or type of enchantments a player controls.
Urza's Legacy
Urza's Legacy was released in 1999 and was the second set in the Urza's block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of blue mana. Urza's Legacy is notable for introducing the concept of "echo" - a mechanic where a player must pay an additional cost to keep a creature in play.
Urza's Destiny
Urza's Destiny was released in 1999 and was the third and final set in the Urza's block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of black mana. Urza's Destiny is significant for concluding the Urza storyline and introducing the concept of "legendary lands" - lands that have effects based on the number or type of legendary creatures a player controls.
Mercadian Masques
Mercadian Masques was released in 1999 and was the first set in the Mercadian Masques block. It introduced 350 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of red mana. Mercadian Masques is notable for introducing the concept of "rebel" - a mechanic where creatures with the ability can search a player's deck for other rebel creatures.
Nemesis
Nemesis was released in 2000 and was the second set in the Mercadian Masques block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of black mana. Nemesis is significant for introducing the concept of "threshold" - a mechanic where cards have increased effects when a player has seven or more cards in their graveyard.
Prophecy
Prophecy was released in 2000 and was the third and final set in the Mercadian Masques block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of white mana. Prophecy is notable for introducing the concept of "shroud" - a mechanic where a creature cannot be targeted by spells or abilities.
Invasion
Invasion was released in 2000 and was the first set in the Invasion block. It introduced 350 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of green mana. Invasion is significant for introducing the concept of "multicolored" - cards that require multiple types of mana to cast.
Planeshift
Planeshift was released in 2001 and was the second set in the Invasion block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of blue mana. Planeshift is notable for introducing the concept of "split cards" - cards that have two different spells printed on them and can be cast as either one.
Apocalypse
Apocalypse was released in 2001 and was the third and final set in the Invasion block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of red mana. Apocalypse is significant for concluding the Invasion storyline and introducing the concept of "gold" - multicolored cards that require two or more different types of mana to cast.
Odyssey
Odyssey was released in 2001 and was the first set in the Odyssey block. It introduced 350 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of black mana. Odyssey is notable for introducing the concept of "flashback" - a mechanic where a player can cast a card from their graveyard for an additional cost.
Torment
Torment was released in 2002 and was the second set in the Odyssey block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of green mana. Torment is significant for introducing the concept of "threshold" - a mechanic that was first introduced in Nemesis.
Judgment
Judgment was released in 2002 and was the third and final set in the Odyssey block. It introduced 143 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of white mana. Judgment is notable for introducing the concept of "cycling" - a mechanic where a player can pay a cost to discard a card and draw a new one.
Onslaught
Onslaught was released in 2002 and was the first set in the Onslaught block. It introduced 350 new cards and featured mechanics that revolved around the use of red mana. Onslaught is significant for introducing the concept of "tribal" - cards that have effects based on the creature type