Magic The Gathering Sets In Order Of Release
Magic The Gathering sets are a popular collectible card game that has been around since 1993. Over the years, there have been numerous Magic sets released, each with its own unique theme and mechanics. In this article, we will be discussing the Magic The Gathering sets in order of release.
Alpha
Alpha was the first Magic The Gathering set released in 1993. It consisted of 295 cards and introduced players to the game's core mechanics, including the five colors of magic, spells, creatures, and mana. The set was printed in limited quantities, making it a rare and valuable collectible.
Beta
Beta was released later in 1993 and was essentially a reprint of the Alpha set with some minor changes. It had the same 295 cards and was also printed in limited quantities. The Beta set is also highly sought after by collectors and players alike.
Unlimited
Unlimited was released in 1993 as an attempt to meet the high demand for Magic cards. It was essentially a third printing of the Alpha/Beta sets and had a larger print run. Unlimited also introduced two new cards that were not in the previous sets.
Revised
Revised was released in 1994 and was a reprint of the Unlimited set with some minor changes. It had a larger print run than the previous sets, making it more widely available. Revised also introduced several new cards and made some minor rule changes.
Fourth Edition
Fourth Edition was released in 1995 and was another reprint of the earlier sets with some minor changes. It had a larger print run than the previous sets and introduced some new cards. Fourth Edition also featured updated card frames and designs.
Chronicles
Chronicles was released in 1995 and was a reprint set that included cards from the earlier sets as well as some new cards. It had a large print run, making it widely available. Chronicles also caused controversy as it caused the value of some cards to drop significantly.
Fallen Empires
Fallen Empires was released in 1994 and was a standalone set that introduced several new mechanics, including banding and the use of tokens. It had a smaller print run than the previous sets, making it less widely available. Fallen Empires is also notable for being the only Magic set to not include any rare cards.
Homelands
Homelands was released in 1995 and was another standalone set that introduced new mechanics and flavor to the game. It had a small print run and is considered one of the least popular Magic sets.
Ice Age
Ice Age was released in 1995 and was a standalone set that introduced several new mechanics, including cumulative upkeep and snow-covered lands. It had a large print run and is one of the most popular sets from this time period. Ice Age also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Alliances
Alliances was released in 1996 and was a standalone set that continued the story from Ice Age. It introduced the concept of "enemy colors" and had several new mechanics, including phasing and banding. Alliances had a smaller print run than Ice Age, making it a collectible set.
Mirage
Mirage was released in 1996 and was a standalone set that introduced the African-themed plane of Jamuraa to the Magic universe. It had several new mechanics, including phasing, flanking, and echo. Mirage also had a larger print run than the previous sets.
Visions
Visions was released in 1997 and was a standalone set that continued the story from Mirage. It introduced several new mechanics, including "kicker" and "flamboyant" creatures. Visions had a smaller print run than Mirage, making it a collectible set.
Weatherlight
Weatherlight was released in 1997 and was a standalone set that continued the story from Mirage and Visions. It introduced several new mechanics, including "sacrifice" and "fading" creatures. Weatherlight also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Tempest
Tempest was released in 1997 and was a standalone set that introduced the plane of Rath to the Magic universe. It had several new mechanics, including "shadow" and "flanking" creatures. Tempest had a larger print run than the previous sets.
Stronghold
Stronghold was released in 1998 and was a standalone set that continued the story from Tempest. It introduced several new mechanics, including "fortifications" and "wall creatures." Stronghold also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Exodus
Exodus was released in 1998 and was a standalone set that concluded the storyline from Tempest and Stronghold. It introduced several new mechanics, including "enchant world" and "buyback." Exodus had a smaller print run than Stronghold, making it a collectible set.
Urza's Saga
Urza's Saga was released in 1998 and was the first set in the Urza block. It introduced the character of Urza and his storyline, which would continue through the next two sets. Urza's Saga had several new mechanics, including "echo" and "squirrel creatures."
Urza's Legacy
Urza's Legacy was released in 1999 and was the second set in the Urza block. It continued the storyline from Urza's Saga and introduced several new mechanics, including "flash" and "protection from artifacts."
Urza's Destiny
Urza's Destiny was released in 1999 and was the final set in the Urza block. It concluded the storyline of Urza and introduced several new mechanics, including "fading" and "enchant creature."
Mercadian Masques
Mercadian Masques was released in 1999 and was a standalone set that introduced the plane of Mercadia to the Magic universe. It had several new mechanics, including "rebel" and "spellshaper" creatures. Mercadian Masques also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Invasion
Invasion was released in 2000 and was a standalone set that introduced the plane of Dominaria to the Magic universe. It had several new mechanics, including "kicker" and "domain." Invasion also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Planeshift
Planeshift was released in 2001 and was the second set in the Invasion block. It continued the storyline from Invasion and introduced several new mechanics, including "split second" and "echo."
Apocalypse
Apocalypse was released in 2001 and was the final set in the Invasion block. It concluded the storyline from Invasion and Planeshift and introduced several new mechanics, including "prowl" and "morph."
Odyssey
Odyssey was released in 2001 and was a standalone set that introduced the plane of Otaria to the Magic universe. It had several new mechanics, including "threshold" and "flashback." Odyssey also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Torment
Torment was released in 2002 and was the second set in the Odyssey block. It continued the storyline from Odyssey and introduced several new mechanics, including "threshold" and "madness."
Judgment
Judgment was released in 2002 and was the final set in the Odyssey block. It concluded the storyline from Odyssey and Torment and introduced several new mechanics, including "spellshapers" and "shadow."
Onslaught
Onslaught was released in 2002 and was a standalone set that introduced the plane of Dominaria to the Magic universe. It had several new mechanics, including "morph" and "kicker." Onslaught also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Legions
Legions was released in 2003 and was the second set in the Onslaught block. It continued the storyline from Onslaught and introduced several new mechanics, including "morph" and "vanishing."
Scourge
Scourge was released in 2003 and was the final set in the Onslaught block. It concluded the storyline from Onslaught and Legions and introduced several new mechanics, including "storm" and "affinity."
Mirrodin
Mirrodin was released in 2003 and was a standalone set that introduced the plane of Mirrodin to the Magic universe. It had several new mechanics, including "artifact lands" and "modular." Mirrodin also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Darksteel
Darksteel was released in 2004 and was the second set in the Mirrodin block. It continued the storyline from Mirrodin and introduced several new mechanics, including "indestructible" and "equip."
Fifth Dawn
Fifth Dawn was released in 2004 and was the final set in the Mirrodin block. It concluded the storyline from Mirrodin and Darksteel and introduced several new mechanics, including "sunburst" and "artifact creatures."
Champions of Kamigawa
Champions of Kamigawa was released in 2004 and was a standalone set that introduced the plane of Kamigawa to the Magic universe. It had several new mechanics, including "soulshift" and "splice onto arcane." Champions of Kamigawa also had a storyline that tied in with other Magic sets.
Betrayers of Kamigawa
Betrayers of