Introduction
Magic: The Gathering is a collectible card game that has been around since 1993. It has become one of the most popular trading card games in the world, with millions of players worldwide. The game has been through many changes and evolutions over the years, and each new release of cards brings new challenges and opportunities for players. In this article, we will go through the Magic: The Gathering card series in order, starting from the very beginning.
Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited
The first Magic: The Gathering card series began with the release of the Alpha set in 1993. This set consisted of 295 cards, including some of the most iconic cards in the game's history, such as Black Lotus, Mox Sapphire, and Ancestral Recall. The Beta set was released shortly after Alpha and was almost identical in content, with a few minor changes. The Unlimited set followed, which had the same cards as Beta but without the limited print run.
Arabian Nights and Antiquities
The Arabian Nights set was the first expansion set released for Magic: The Gathering. It introduced cards with new mechanics and themes, such as flying creatures and spells that could affect multiple targets. This set also included iconic cards like Juzam Djinn and Library of Alexandria. The Antiquities set followed, which introduced the concept of artifacts and had some of the most powerful artifacts ever printed, such as Mishra's Workshop and The Rack.
Legends and The Dark
The Legends set was released in 1994 and was the first set to introduce legendary creatures. These creatures had unique abilities and could only have one of each in play at a time. The Dark was released later that year and had a darker, more sinister theme. It introduced new mechanics like fear and horsemanship and included powerful cards like Maze of Ith and Blood Moon.
Fallen Empires and Ice Age
The Fallen Empires set was released in 1994 and was the first set to focus on creature tokens. It also introduced the concept of colorless creatures and had a tribal theme with cards like Goblin Grenade and Thrull Retainer. The Ice Age set was released in 1995 and had a wintry theme with snow-covered lands and creatures. It also introduced the multicolored card mechanic and contained powerful cards like Necropotence and Force of Will.
Homelands and Alliances
Homelands was released in 1995 and was the smallest set to date, with only 115 cards. It had a gothic horror theme and introduced new creature types like vampires and werewolves. Alliances was released later that year and had a Nordic theme with powerful multicolored cards like Force of Will and Counterbalance. It also introduced the concept of cumulative upkeep.
Mirage and Visions
The Mirage set was released in 1996 and had an African-inspired theme with powerful multicolored cards like Birds of Paradise and Wrath of God. It also introduced the concept of phasing and had a cycle of powerful legendary creatures called the Primordials. Visions was released later that year and had a more mystical theme with powerful cards like Natural Order and Goblin Recruiter. It also introduced the concept of flanking.
Weatherlight and Tempest
The Weatherlight set was released in 1997 and had a nautical theme with powerful multicolored cards like Meddling Mage and Null Rod. It also introduced the concept of crewing vehicles and had a cycle of powerful legendary creatures called the Weatherlight crew. Tempest was released later that year and had a stormy theme with powerful cards like Tolarian Academy and Wasteland. It also introduced the concept of slivers.
Stronghold and Exodus
The Stronghold set was released in 1998 and had a dungeon-crawling theme with powerful multicolored cards like Volrath's Stronghold and Recurring Nightmare. It also introduced the concept of shadow and had a cycle of powerful legendary creatures called the cycle of dragons. Exodus was released later that year and had an Egyptian theme with powerful cards like City of Traitors and Show and Tell. It also introduced the concept of fading.
Urza's Saga, Urza's Legacy, and Urza's Destiny
The Urza's Saga set was released in 1998 and had a time-traveling theme with powerful multicolored cards like Yawgmoth's Bargain and Tolarian Academy. It also introduced the concept of the "Urza lands," which could produce multiple mana of a single color. Urza's Legacy was released in 1999 and had a focus on artifacts with powerful cards like Metalworker and Gilded Drake. Urza's Destiny was released later that year and had a powerful multicolored theme with cards like Academy Rector and Yawgmoth's Will.
Mercadian Masques and Nemesis
The Mercadian Masques set was released in 1999 and had a merchant theme with powerful multicolored cards like Rishadan Port and Tangle Wire. It also introduced the concept of rebels and had a cycle of powerful legendary creatures called the Weatherlight crew. Nemesis was released later that year and had a focus on the color blue with powerful cards like Misdirection and Propaganda. It also introduced the concept of "shields," which could protect a player from damage.
Prophecy and Invasion
The Prophecy set was released in 2000 and had a focus on the color green with powerful multicolored cards like Rootwater Shaman and Rhystic Study. It also introduced the concept of "rangers," which could search a player's library for specific types of cards. Invasion was released later that year and had a powerful multicolored theme with cards like Phyrexian Altar and Radiant, Archangel. It also introduced the concept of "kicker," which allowed a player to pay extra mana to get additional effects.
Planeshift and Apocalypse
The Planeshift set was released in 2001 and had a focus on the color blue with powerful multicolored cards like Mystic Snake and Voidmage Prodigy. It also introduced the concept of "shards," which could be used to pay for spells of specific colors. Apocalypse was released later that year and had a powerful multicolored theme with cards like Decimate and Spiritmonger. It also introduced the concept of "domain," which allowed a player to get additional effects based on how many different basic land types they controlled.
Odyssey, Torment, and Judgment
The Odyssey set was released in 2001 and had a graveyard theme with powerful multicolored cards like Cabal Therapy and Patriarch's Bidding. It also introduced the concept of "threshold," which gave a player additional effects if they had seven or more cards in their graveyard. Torment was released later that year and had a focus on the color black with powerful cards like Chainer's Edict and Cabal Coffers. Judgment was released in 2002 and had a powerful multicolored theme with cards like Mirari's Wake and Mystic Enforcer.
Onslaught, Legions, and Scourge
The Onslaught set was released in 2002 and had a tribal theme with powerful multicolored cards like Goblin Warchief and Gaea's Cradle. It also introduced the concept of "morph," which allowed players to play creatures face-down and flip them over later. Legions was released later that year and had a focus on creature types with powerful cards like Akroma, Angel of Wrath and Aether Charge. Scourge was released in 2003 and had a powerful multicolored theme with cards like Pernicious Deed and Mirrodin's Core.
Mirrodin, Darksteel, and Fifth Dawn
The Mirrodin set was released in 2003 and had an artifact theme with powerful multicolored cards like Arcbound Ravager and Sword of Fire and Ice. It also introduced the concept of the "affinity" mechanic, which allowed players to reduce the cost of spells based on how many artifacts they controlled. Darksteel was released later that year and had a focus on equipment with powerful cards like Darksteel Colossus and Skullclamp. Fifth Dawn was released in 2004 and had a powerful multicolored theme with cards like Doubling Cube and Beacon of Immortality.
Champions of Kamigawa, Betrayers of Kamigawa, and Saviors of Kamigawa
The Champions of Kamigawa set was released in 2004 and had a Japanese-inspired theme with powerful multicolored cards like Sensei's Divining Top and Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker. It also introduced the concept of the "flip" mechanic, which allowed players to play creatures face-down and flip them over later. Betrayers of Kamigawa was released later that year and had a focus on the color black with powerful cards like Yawgmoth's Agenda and Kokusho, the Evening Star. Saviors of Kamigawa was released in 2005 and had a powerful multicolored theme with cards like Umezawa's Jitte and Kodama of the North Tree.
Ravnica: City of Guilds, Guildpact, and Dissension
The Ravnica: City of Guilds set was released in 2005 and had a powerful multicolored theme with cards like Dark Confidant and Doubling Season. It also introduced the concept of the "guilds," which were ten different factions that each had their own theme and mechanics. Guildp
