List Of Magic The Gathering Sets In Chronological Order
If you are a Magic: The Gathering fan, you know that the game has been around for over 25 years. In that time, there have been numerous expansions and sets released, each introducing new cards, mechanics, and themes. Keeping track of all the different sets can be a daunting task, so we have compiled a comprehensive list of Magic: The Gathering sets in chronological order.
Alpha
Alpha was the first Magic: The Gathering set, released in 1993. It contained 295 cards, including some of the most iconic cards in the game's history, such as Black Lotus, Mox Sapphire, and Ancestral Recall. The cards in Alpha are extremely valuable today, with some selling for thousands of dollars.
Beta
Beta was released later in 1993 and was almost identical to Alpha, with the exception of some minor changes to the card borders and wording. While Beta cards are slightly less valuable than Alpha cards, they are still highly sought after by collectors.
Unlimited
Unlimited was released in 1993 as a reprint of the Alpha set. It contained the same 295 cards as Alpha, but with white borders and an unlimited print run. Unlimited cards are less valuable than Alpha and Beta cards, but still command a high price due to their rarity.
Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights was the first expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1993. It contained 78 cards inspired by Middle Eastern folklore and mythology. Some notable cards from Arabian Nights include Shahrazad and Juzam Djinn.
Antiquities
Antiquities was the second expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1994. It contained 100 cards, most of which focused on the theme of ancient artifacts. Notable cards from Antiquities include Mishra's Workshop and Candelabra of Tawnos.
Revised
Revised was a reprint of the Unlimited set, released in 1994. It contained the same 306 cards as Unlimited, with some minor changes to the card borders and wording. Revised cards are significantly less valuable than Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited cards, but are still popular among players and collectors.
Legends
Legends was the third expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1994. It contained 310 cards, many of which featured legendary creatures and heroes from various mythologies. Notable cards from Legends include The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale and Mana Drain.
The Dark
The Dark was the fourth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1994. It contained 119 cards, many of which focused on the themes of darkness and horror. Notable cards from The Dark include Maze of Ith and Blood Moon.
Fallen Empires
Fallen Empires was the fifth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1994. It contained 187 cards, most of which focused on the theme of warring factions and empires. Fallen Empires is generally considered one of the weakest sets in Magic: The Gathering history.
Ice Age
Ice Age was the sixth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1995. It contained 383 cards, most of which focused on the theme of a frozen wasteland. Ice Age introduced the concept of snow-covered lands and several new mechanics, such as cumulative upkeep.
Alliances
Alliances was the seventh expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1996. It contained 144 cards, most of which focused on the theme of alliances and politics. Alliances introduced several new mechanics, such as phasing and cumulative upkeep.
Mirage
Mirage was the eighth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1996. It contained 350 cards, most of which focused on the theme of an African-inspired desert world. Mirage introduced several new mechanics, such as flanking and phasing.
Visions
Visions was the ninth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1997. It contained 167 cards, most of which focused on the theme of dreams and visions. Visions introduced several new mechanics, such as fading and cumulative upkeep.
Weatherlight
Weatherlight was the tenth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1997. It contained 167 cards, most of which focused on the theme of the skyship Weatherlight and its crew. Weatherlight introduced several new mechanics, such as flanking and shadow.
Tempting Fate
Tempting Fate was the eleventh expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1998. It contained 143 cards, most of which focused on the theme of fate and destiny. Tempting Fate introduced several new mechanics, such as spellshapers and changelings.
Urza's Saga
Urza's Saga was the twelfth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1998. It contained 350 cards, most of which focused on the story of Urza Planeswalker and his quest for power. Urza's Saga introduced several new mechanics, such as cycling and echo.
Urza's Legacy
Urza's Legacy was the thirteenth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1999. It contained 143 cards, most of which continued the story of Urza Planeswalker and introduced more of his inventions and artifacts. Urza's Legacy introduced several new mechanics, such as rampage and forecast.
Urza's Destiny
Urza's Destiny was the fourteenth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1999. It contained 143 cards, most of which focused on the final confrontation between Urza Planeswalker and his nemesis, Yawgmoth. Urza's Destiny introduced several new mechanics, such as buyback and threshold.
Mercadian Masques
Mercadian Masques was the fifteenth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 1999. It contained 350 cards, most of which focused on the story of the plane of Mercadia and its conflicts between the ruling class and the rebels. Mercadian Masques introduced several new mechanics, such as rebels and mercenaries.
Nemesis
Nemesis was the sixteenth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 2000. It contained 143 cards, most of which focused on the story of the Phyrexian invasion of the plane of Rath. Nemesis introduced several new mechanics, such as slivers and spellshapers.
Prophecy
Prophecy was the seventeenth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 2000. It contained 143 cards, most of which focused on the story of the struggle for power on the plane of Jamuraa. Prophecy introduced several new mechanics, such as graft and landcyclling.
Invasion
Invasion was the eighteenth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 2000. It contained 350 cards, most of which focused on the story of the Phyrexian invasion of the plane of Dominaria. Invasion introduced several new mechanics, such as kicker and domain.
Planeshift
Planeshift was the nineteenth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 2001. It contained 143 cards, most of which focused on the story of the struggle for power between the guilds of Ravnica. Planeshift introduced several new mechanics, such as graft and landcyclling.
Apocalypse
Apocalypse was the twentieth expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 2001. It contained 143 cards, most of which focused on the story of the final battle between the forces of good and evil on Dominaria. Apocalypse concluded the Invasion storyline and introduced several new mechanics, such as split cards and card-cycling.
Odyssey
Odyssey was the twenty-first expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 2001. It contained 350 cards, most of which focused on the story of the plane of Otaria and its inhabitants. Odyssey introduced several new mechanics, such as flashback and threshold.
Torment
Torment was the twenty-second expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 2002. It contained 143 cards, most of which focused on the story of the plane of Otaria and its descent into darkness. Torment introduced several new mechanics, such as madness and threshold.
Judgment
Judgment was the twenty-third expansion set for Magic: The Gathering, released in 2002. It contained 143 cards, most of which focused on the story of the final conflict between the forces of light and darkness on Otaria. Judgment introduced several