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{{Infobox set
{{Infobox set
   |name = Limited Edition Alpha
   |name = Limited Edition/Alpha
   |image = MTG.jpg
   |image = MTG.jpg
   |symbol_description = The letter “A”
   |symbol_description = The letter “A”
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   |art = [[Jesper Myrfors]]
   |art = [[Jesper Myrfors]]
   |release = August 5, 1993
   |release = August 5, 1993
   |plane = [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]]
   |plane = [[Multiverse|Multiversal]]
   |mechanics = ''Magic: The Gathering'',<br />[[Ante]],<br />[[Dexterity card]]s
   |mechanics = ''Magic: The Gathering'',<br/> [[Ante]], [[Dexterity card]]s
   |keywords = [[Banding]],<br />[[First strike]],<br />[[Flying]],<br />[[Landwalk]],<br />[[Protection]],<br />[[Regeneration]],<br />[[Trample]]
   |keywords = [[Banding]], [[First strike]], [[Flying]], [[Landwalk]], [[Protection]], [[Regeneration]], [[Trample]]
   |size = 295<br /><small>(10 basic lands, 74 commons, 95 uncommons, 116 rares)</small>
   |size = 295 cards<br/>{{curmb|74|95|116||10}}
   |code_expansion = LEA
   |code_expansion = LEA
   |code_expansion_ref=<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-august-2004-2004-08-02|Ask Wizards - August, 2004|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|August 02, 2004}}</ref>
   |code_expansion_ref= {{DailyRef|ask-wizards-august-2004-2004-08-02|Ask Wizards - August, 2004|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|August 02, 2004}}
   |code_development =  
   |code_development =  
   |series = [[Core set]]s
   |series = [[Core set]]s
   |first = '''Limited Edition Alpha'''
   |first = Alpha{{!}}Limited Edition Alpha
   |second = [[Beta|Limited Edition Beta]]
   |second = Beta{{!}}Limited Edition Beta
   |third = [[Unlimited Edition]]
   |third = Unlimited Edition
   |next = [[Beta|Limited Edition Beta]]
   |next = Beta{{!}}Limited Edition Beta
}}
}}
'''''Limited Edition Alpha''''', commonly known as '''''Alpha''''', is the first print run of ''[[Limited Edition]]'', the first [[core set]] of ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]''. ''Alpha'' contains 295 [[border|black-bordered]] [[card]]s and was released on August 5, [[1993]].<ref name="Crystal Keep">[http://www.crystalkeep.com/magic/products/limited.php ''Magic'': ''Limited Edition''] {{Em}} Crystal Keep</ref><ref name="ABU">[http://www.wizards.com/magic/advanced/1_2_3e/ABUnlim.asp ''Alpha'', ''Beta'', and ''Unlimited Editions''] {{Em}} Wizards of the Coast</ref>  
'''''Limited Edition Alpha''''', commonly known as '''''Alpha''''', is the first print run of ''[[Limited Edition]]'', the first [[core set]] of ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]''. ''Alpha'' contains 295 [[border|black-bordered]] [[card]]s and was released on August 5, [[1993]].<ref name="Crystal Keep">[http://www.crystalkeep.com/magic/products/limited.php ''Magic'': ''Limited Edition''] {{Em}} Crystal Keep</ref><ref name="ABU">[http://www.wizards.com/magic/advanced/1_2_3e/ABUnlim.asp ''Alpha'', ''Beta'', and ''Unlimited Editions''] {{Em}} Wizards of the Coast</ref>  


''Alpha'' is actually a nickname, but widely accepted as the name for this print run of ''Limited Edition''.
''Alpha'' is actually a nickname, but is widely accepted as the name for this print run of ''Limited Edition''.<ref>{{DailyRef|ask-wizards-june-2008-2008-06-02|Ask Wizards, June 2008|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|June 2, 2008}}</ref>


==Set details==
==Set details==
''Alpha'' was designed by [[Richard Garfield]]  and the Limited Edition design and development team ([[Charlie Cateeno]], [[Skaff Elias]], [[Don Felice]], [[Tom Fontaine]], [[Jim Lin]], [[Joel Mick]], [[Chris Page]], [[Dave Pettey]], [[Barry Reich]], [[Bill Rose]], and [[Elliott Segal]]).<ref name="The Original Magic Rulebook">{{DailyRef|feature/original-magic-rulebook-2004-12-25|The Original ''Magic'' Rulebook|[[John Carter]]|December 25, 2004}}</ref>
''Alpha'' was designed by [[Richard Garfield]]  and the Limited Edition design and development team ([[Charlie Cateeno]], [[Skaff Elias]], [[Don Felice]], [[Tom Fontaine]], [[Jim Lin]], [[Joel Mick]], [[Chris Page]], [[Dave Pettey]], [[Barry Reich]], [[Bill Rose]], and [[Elliott Segal]]).<ref name="The Original Magic Rulebook">{{DailyRef|feature/original-magic-rulebook-2004-12-25|The Original ''Magic'' Rulebook|[[John Carter]]|December 25, 2004}}</ref>


''Alpha'' cards can easily be distinguished from ''Beta'' and all other cards by their more rounded corners. Early tournament rules required that all cards must appear unmarked without the use of protective sleeves, and the unique corners of ''Alpha'' cards originally made them [[marked card]]s in a deck not entirely comprised of ''Alpha'' cards. This initially made them less desirable and thus less valuable than ''Beta'' and even ''[[Unlimited]]'' cards.  
''Alpha'' cards can easily be distinguished from ''[[Beta]]'' cards by their more rounded corners. The ''Alpha'' corner radius is about 2&nbsp;mm instead of the subsequent 1&nbsp;mm standard for all other tournament-legal cards.<ref name="1999 rulings summary">Stephen D'Angelo (February 2, 1999) "[[Card Rulings Summary (02/17/99)|Card Rulings Summary]]". Usenet.</ref> Early tournament rules required that cards must appear unmarked without the use of protective sleeves.  Due to the different corners, ''Alpha'' cards were considered [[marked card|marked]] unless the deck comprised only ''Alpha'' cards. This initially made them less desirable and thus less valuable than ''Beta'' and even ''[[Unlimited]]'' cards.  


Due to the printing process, it is possible to get land cards in a rare, uncommon, or common card slot. The chance is approximately 4.13% for rares, 21.5% for uncommons and 38.84% for commons. This is because they put lands on all three [[print sheet]]s. However, as part of the idea to keep players from guessing rarities, the only lands on the rare sheet were five copies of <c>Island</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/revising-base-set-2002-10-31|"Revising" the base set|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 31, 2002}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{DailyRef|25-random-things-about-magic-2009-02-16|25 Random Things About Magic|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 16, 2009}}</ref>
''Alpha'' cards were printed using three different [[print sheet]]s - one for [[Rare|rares]], one for [[Uncommon|uncommons]], and one for [[Common|commons]].  As part of Richard Garfield's plan to keep players from guessing rarities, [[Basic land|basic lands]] were included on all three sheets. The chance of getting a basic land instead of another card is approximately 4.13% for rares, 21.5% for uncommons and 38.84% for commons. The only lands on the rare sheets were five copies of <c>Island</c>.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/revising-base-set-2002-10-31|"Revising" the base set|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 31, 2002}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{DailyRef|25-random-things-about-magic-2009-02-16|25 Random Things About Magic|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 16, 2009}}</ref>


''Alpha'' contained a number of errors that were fixed in the second, or ''[[Beta]]'' release: <c>Circle of Protection: Black</c> and <c>Volcanic Island</c> were accidentally left out of the set entirely.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-oops-iii-2002-04-10|Alpha "Oops…" III|[[Magic Arcana]]|April 10, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-oops-v-2002-07-12|Alpha "Oops…" V|[[Magic Arcana]]|July 12, 2002}}</ref>  Additionally, only two versions of each [[basic land]] with unique artwork were included.
Numerous ''Alpha'' cards have errors that were fixed in the second, or ''Beta'' release. Two cards,  <c>Circle of Protection: Black</c> and <c>Volcanic Island</c> were accidentally left out of the set entirely.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-oops-iii-2002-04-10|Alpha "Oops…" III|[[Magic Arcana]]|April 10, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-oops-v-2002-07-12|Alpha "Oops…" V|[[Magic Arcana]]|July 12, 2002}}</ref>  Additionally, only two versions of each [[basic land]] with unique artwork were included.


===Design and development===
===Design and development===
''Magic: The Gathering'' received its "The Gathering" subtitle for two reasons. First, "Magic" was thought to be too generic a name to trademark. Second, it left open the possibility for future expansions to have other subtitles, such as "Magic: Arabian Nights".
''Magic: The Gathering'' received its "The Gathering" subtitle for two reasons. First, "Magic" was thought to be too generic a name to trademark. Second, it left open the possibility for future expansions to have other subtitles, such as "Magic: Arabian Nights".


The names of many cards were initially very generic, such as "Angel" instead of <c>Serra Angel</c> and "Skeletons" instead of <c>Drudge Skeletons</c>. Adding these descriptors created more flavor on the cards and allowed other types of angels, skeletons, and everything else to appear in future expansions.
The names of many cards were initially very generic, such as "Angel" instead of <c>Serra Angel</c> and "Skeletons" instead of <c>Drudge Skeletons</c>. Adding descriptors created more flavor on the cards and allowed other types of angels, skeletons, and everything else to appear in future expansions.


The rarity of many cards was based on the idea that players would have a limited set of cards in a particular area, such that there would only be a few copies of <c>Mox Sapphire</c> or <c>Black Lotus</c> in a particular area, thus naturally restricting the power of these cards. The rapid popularity of the game created a much larger community of players than initially considered, allowing players to amass large collections of these powerful cards.
The rarity of many cards was based on the idea that players would have a limited set of cards in a particular area, such that there would only be a few copies of <c>Mox Sapphire</c> or <c>Black Lotus</c> in a particular area, thus naturally restricting the power of these cards. The rapid popularity of the game created a much larger community of players than initially anticipated, making it possible for players to amass large collections of these powerful cards.


The rule limiting only four copies of all cards except basic lands in decks did not exist in the earliest rules but was rapidly adopted from tournament play.
The rule limiting decks to a maximum of four copies of any card except basic lands did not exist in the earliest rules but was rapidly adopted from tournament play.


Under the original rules, players with life less than 1 were not considered to have lost until the end of the current [[:Category:Turn structure|phase]], giving that player a chance to find a solution.
Under the original rules, players with less than 1 life were not considered to have lost until the end of the current [[:Category:Turn structure|phase]], giving that player a chance to find a solution.


[[Ante]] was an optional part of the original game of Magic that remained a part of the game until after the ''[[Homelands]]'' expansion.
[[Ante]] was an optional part of the original game of Magic that remained a part of the game until after the ''[[Homelands]]'' expansion.


There were originally three types of [[artifact]]s: [[mono]] artifacts, [[poly]] artifacts, and continuous artifacts. Mono artifacts have activated abilities that can only be used once and tap the artifact with its use. These now have [[errata]] adding "T" to the [[activation cost]]. Poly artifacts have activated abilities that do not have "T" as part of the activation cost and can be used multiple times. Continuous artifacts have a continuous effect that does not require activation. Continuous artifacts were also understood to be "turned off" when tapped, and newer versions of some of these original artifacts now have this restriction printed on them. These three types were removed following the ''[[Antiquities]]'' expansion and before the ''[[Revised Edition]]''.
There were originally three types of [[artifact]]s: [[mono]] artifacts, [[poly]] artifacts, and continuous artifacts. Mono artifacts had activated abilities that could only be used once and required tapping the artifact when used. These now have [[errata]] adding the [[Tap|Tap symbol]], {{Tap}}, to the [[activation cost]]. Poly artifacts had activated abilities that did not require tapping as part of the activation cost and could be used multiple times. Continuous artifacts had a continuous effect that did not require activation. Under the original rules, continuous artifacts were "turned off" when tapped.  Under modern rules, this only occurs if stated in the card's [[rules text]]. These three types were removed following the ''[[Antiquities]]'' expansion and before ''[[Revised Edition]]''.


[[Interrupt]]s were similar to instants, only "faster." This meant that when an interrupt was played, only other interrupts could be played in response. The timing rules of interrupts caused some other cards (such as <c>Red Elemental Blast</c>) to be interrupts for them to work properly under these rules.
[[Interrupt]]s were similar to modern [[instant]]s, only "faster." This meant that when an interrupt was played, only other interrupts could be played in response. The timing rules of interrupts required errata for some cards (such as <c>Red Elemental Blast</c>) for them to work properly under these rules.


[[Wall]] was the only [[creature type]] with a rule associated with it: Walls can't attack (after errata, they have [[defender]]). This rule remained a part of the game until the ''[[Champions of Kamigawa]]'' expansion.
[[Wall]] was the only [[creature type]] with a rule associated with it: Walls can't attack. This rule remained a part of the game until the ''[[Champions of Kamigawa]]'' expansion, when all Walls were given errata to have the [[Defender]] ability.


From a modern developer's viewpoint, some of the cards in ''Alpha'' were grossly miscost and others were complicated implementations of ideas that could be made into cards more simply.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/developing-alpha-2009-06-19|Developing Alpha|[[Tom LaPille]]|June 19, 2009}}</ref>
From a modern developer's viewpoint, the mana costs of some of the cards in ''Alpha'' are grossly incorrect.  The rules text of many cards were complicated implementations of ideas that could be expressed more simply.<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/developing-alpha-2009-06-19|Developing Alpha|[[Tom LaPille]]|June 19, 2009}}</ref> Conversely, many other cards and abilities are phrased in a looser way, sometimes describing abilities in flavorful rather than mechanical terms, which resulted in convoluted rules text when their [[Oracle|oracle text]] was converted using more modern and precise rules templating.


===Marketing===
===Marketing===
[[File:Alpha booster.jpg|right|Alpha booster.]]
[[File:Alpha booster.jpg|right|Alpha booster.]]


''Alpha'' was released at Origins in July/August 1993 with a small run of 2.6 million cards. Cards were sold in 60-card [[starter deck]]s and 15-card [[booster]]s. The set did not receive much exposure beyond the west coast of the United States.
''Alpha'' was released at Origins in July/August 1993 with a small run of 2.61 million cards.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.facebook.com/peter.adkison/posts/pfbid02E7Vha1ZLWhtzAy2MiLioSi9kH1u2LfZ4KdYMLuWjymdsweGtLkyMrbPBPd7rPfZzl|title=Magic: The Gathering print runs from 1993|author=[[Peter Adkison]]|date=March 5, 2021|publisher=[[Wikipedia:Facebook|Facebook]]}}</ref> Cards were sold in 60-card [[starter deck]]s and 15-card [[booster]]s. The set did not receive much exposure beyond the west coast of the United States. Cards were available from late August 1993 through late September 1993.<ref name="1999 rulings summary"/>


The 32-page rulebook (added to the starter decks) had <c>Bog Wraith</c> on the cover and contained "[[Worzel|Worzel's Story]]" by [[Richard Garfield]].<ref name="The Original Magic Rulebook"/>
The 32-page rulebook (included only with starter decks) has <c>Bog Wraith</c> on the cover and contains "[[Worzel|Worzel's Story]]" by [[Richard Garfield]].<ref name="The Original Magic Rulebook"/>


===Storyline===
===Storyline===
''Alpha'' did not have a specific storyline, although the cards had a lot of flavor built into them based on the premise that [[player]]s took on the role of a [[planeswalker]] who [[summon]]ed [[creature]]s and cast [[spells]] in a [[duel]] against another planeswalker.
''Alpha'' did not have a specific storyline, although the cards had a lot of flavor built into them based on the premise that [[player]]s took on the role of a [[planeswalker]] who [[summon]]ed [[creature]]s and cast [[spells]] in a [[duel]] against another planeswalker. Additionally, [[flavor text]] on the cards described the character of many people and places of [[Dominaria (plane)|Dominaria]] and elsewhere, and names established in Alpha were expanded upon in future stories and expansions, most notably [[Urza]] and [[Mishra]].


==Themes and mechanics==
==Themes and mechanics==
As the first edition of ''Magic'', ''Alpha'' introduced many [[mechanic]]s and themes. [[Keyword]]ed [[ability|abilities]] introduced in this set include [[banding]], [[first strike]], [[flying]], [[landwalk]], [[protection]], [[regeneration]], and [[trample]]. The [[defender]], [[fear]], [[haste]], [[indestructible]], [[reach]], and [[vigilance]] mechanics were also introduced, but were not keyworded until later. Cards with these mechanics have since received retroactive errata. Many other game mechanics were also introduced in this set but are too numerous to be listed here.
As the first edition of ''Magic'', ''Alpha'' introduced many [[mechanic]]s and themes. [[Keyword]] [[ability|abilities]] introduced in this set include [[banding]], [[first strike]], [[flying]], [[landwalk]], [[protection]], [[regeneration]], and [[trample]]. The [[defender]], [[fear]], [[indestructible]], [[reach]], and [[vigilance]] mechanics were also introduced, but were not keyworded until later. Cards with these mechanics have since received retroactive errata. Many other game mechanics were also introduced in this set but are too numerous to be listed here.


The set contains multiple [[hoser]]s, which are cards that negatively affect one (or sometimes two) specific color(s) or basic land type associated with that color: <c>Karma</c>, <c>Blue Elemental Blast</c>, <c>Deathgrip</c>, <c>Flashfires</c>, <c>Tsunami</c>, <c>Conversion</c>, <c>Lifetap</c>, <c>Gloom</c>, <c>Red Elemental Blast</c>, and <c>Lifeforce</c>.
The set contains multiple [[hoser]]s, which are cards that negatively affect one specific color or basic land type: <c>Karma</c>, <c>Blue Elemental Blast</c>, <c>Deathgrip</c>, <c>Flashfires</c>, <c>Tsunami</c>, <c>Conversion</c>, <c>Lifetap</c>, <c>Gloom</c>, <c>Red Elemental Blast</c>, <c>Lifeforce</c>, {{Card|Volcanic Eruption|3=LEA}}, and {{Card|Northern Paladin|3=LEA}}


===Creature types===
===Creature types===
[[Creature type]]s were originally intended only to express flavor on creature cards, like [[flavor text]]. Thus, the intentional use of creature types to classify different races was not considered until around the design of the ''[[Fallen Empires]]'' [[expansion]], despite cards like <c>Lord of Atlantis</c> that cared about a creature's race in this set.
[[Creature type]]s were originally intended only to express flavor on creature cards, like [[flavor text]]. Thus, the intentional use of creature types to classify different races was not considered until around the design of the ''[[Fallen Empires]]'' [[expansion]], despite cards like <c>Lord of Atlantis</c> that cared about a creature's race in this set.


The creature types introduced in this set are: [[Angel]], [[Assassin]] (later changed to [[Human]] Assassin), [[Avatar]], [[Basilisk]], [[Bear]], Bodyguard (later changed to Human), [[Cleric]], Clone (later changed to [[Shapeshifter]]), [[Cockatrice]], [[Demon]], [[Djinn]], Doppelganger (later changed to Shapeshifter), [[Dragon]], [[Dwarf]], [[Elemental]], [[Elf]], Enchantress (later changed to Human [[Druid]]), [[Faerie]], Force (later changed to Elemental), Fungusaur (later changed to Fungus Dinosaur), Gaea's Liege (later changed to Avatar), [[Gargoyle]], Ghoul (later changed to Zombie), [[Giant]], [[Goblin]], Goblin King (later changed to Goblin [[Lord]]), Hero (later changed to Human [[Soldier]]), [[Hydra]], [[Imp]], [[Knight]], Lion (later changed to [[Cat]]), [[Lord]], Lord of Atlantis (later changed to Merfolk Lord), Mammoth (later changed to [[Elephant]]), Mana Bird (later changed to [[Bird]]), [[Merfolk]], [[Minotaur]], [[Nightmare]], Nymph (later changed to [[Dryad]]), [[Ogre]], [[Orc]], Paladin (later changed to Knight), [[Pegasus]], Phantasm (later changed to [[Illusion]]), [[Rat]], [[Roc]], [[Serpent]], [[Shade]], Shadow (later changed to [[Spirit]]), Ship (later changed to Human [[Pirate]]), [[Skeleton]], [[Specter]], [[Spider]], [[Treefolk]], [[Troll]], [[Unicorn]], [[Vampire]], [[Wall]], Will-O'-the-Wisp (later changed to Spirit), [[Wizard]] (later changed to Human Wizard), [[Wolf]], [[Wraith]], [[Wurm]], and [[Zombie]].
The creature types introduced in this set are: [[Angel]], [[Assassin]], [[Avatar]], [[Basilisk]], [[Bear]], Bodyguard (later changed to Human), [[Cleric]], Clone (later changed to [[Shapeshifter]]), [[Cockatrice]], [[Demon]], [[Djinn]], Doppelganger (later changed to Shapeshifter), [[Dragon]], [[Dwarf]], [[Elemental]], [[Elf]], Enchantress (later changed to Human [[Druid]]), [[Faerie]], Force (later changed to Elemental), Fungusaur (later changed to Fungus Dinosaur), Gaea's Liege (later changed to Avatar), [[Gargoyle]], Ghoul (later changed to Zombie), [[Giant]], [[Goblin]], Goblin King (later changed to Goblin), Hero (later changed to Human [[Soldier]]), [[Hydra]], [[Imp]], [[Knight]], Lion (later changed to [[Cat]]), [[Lord]] (now obsolete), Lord of Atlantis (later changed to Merfolk), Mammoth (later changed to [[Elephant]]), Mana Bird (later changed to [[Bird]]), [[Merfolk]], [[Minotaur]], [[Nightmare]], Nymph (later changed to [[Dryad]]), [[Ogre]], [[Orc]], Paladin (later changed to Knight), [[Pegasus]], Phantasm (later changed to [[Illusion]]), [[Rat]], [[Roc]] (later changed to Bird), [[Serpent]], [[Shade]], Shadow (later changed to [[Spirit]]), Ship (later changed to Human [[Pirate]]), [[Skeleton]], [[Specter]], [[Spider]], [[Treefolk]], [[Troll]], [[Unicorn]], [[Vampire]], [[Wall]], Will-O'-the-Wisp (later changed to Spirit), [[Wizard]], [[Wolf]], [[Wraith]], [[Wurm]], and [[Zombie]].
 
===Counter types===
''Alpha'' edition included seven cards that use [[Counter (marker)|counter]]s: three use [[+1/+1 counter]]s, {{card|Clockwork Beast||LEA}} uses [[Counter (marker)/Full_List#+1/+0 counter|+1/+0 counters]], and three used generic counters which were not given any name in the card text. The latter three cards were later given [[errata]] that provided names for [[Corpse counter]]s ({{card|Scavenging Ghoul||LEA}}), [[Mire counter]]s ({{card|Cyclopean Tomb||LEA}}), and [[Vitality counter]]s ({{card|Living Artifact||LEA}}).


===Cycles===
==Cycles==
''Alpha'' has seven [[cycle]]s and three [[vertical cycle]]s.
''Alpha'' has eight horizontal [[cycle]]s and a double cycle, as well as one [[vertical cycle]]. Two cycles are each missing a card, which was corrected in ''[[Beta]]''.
{| class="wikitable wrapped-table"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! Cycle name  
! Cycle name  
! Description and notes
! {{W}}
! {{W}}
! {{U}}
! {{U}}
Line 85: Line 90:
! {{G}}
! {{G}}
|-
|-
|'''Basic lands'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Basic lands'''
| The five [[basic]] [[land]]s were introduced in ''Limited Edition''.
|{{card|Plains||LEA}}
|{{card|Plains||LEA}}
|{{card|Island||LEA}}
|{{card|Island||LEA}}
Line 93: Line 97:
|{{card|Forest||LEA}}
|{{card|Forest||LEA}}
|-
|-
|'''[[Boon]]s'''
|colspan="5"|The five [[basic]] [[land]]s were introduced in ''Limited Edition''.
| Each of these [[instant]]s has a [[mana cost]] of M and an effect involving the number 3. This cycle is asymmetric in that <c>Ancestral Recall</c> is [[rare]], while the other members are [[common]].
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Mox]]es'''
|{{card|Mox Pearl||LEA}}
|{{card|Mox Sapphire||LEA}}
|{{card|Mox Jet||LEA}}
|{{card|Mox Ruby||LEA}}
|{{card|Mox Emerald||LEA}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Each of these [[rare]] artifacts has a mana cost of {{0}} and "{{T}}: Add M".
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Lace]]s'''
|{{card|Purelace||LEA}}
|{{card|Thoughtlace||LEA}}
|{{card|Deathlace||LEA}}
|{{card|Chaoslace||LEA}}
|{{card|Lifelace||LEA}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Each of these rare instants permanently changes the color of a permanent.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Boon (slang)|Boons]]'''
|{{card|Healing Salve||LEA}}
|{{card|Healing Salve||LEA}}
|{{card|Ancestral Recall||LEA}}
|{{card|Ancestral Recall||LEA}}
Line 101: Line 124:
|{{card|Giant Growth||LEA}}
|{{card|Giant Growth||LEA}}
|-
|-
|'''[[Lace]]s'''
|colspan="5"|Each of these [[instant]]s has a [[mana cost]] of M and an effect involving the number 3. This cycle is asymmetric in that <c>Ancestral Recall</c> is [[rare]], while the other members are [[common]].
| Each of these rare instants permanently changes the color of a permanent.
|{{card|Purelace||LEA}}
|{{card|Thoughtlace||LEA}}
|{{card|Deathlace||LEA}}
|{{card|Chaoslace||LEA}}
|{{card|Lifelace||LEA}}
|-
|-
|'''[[Lucky charm]]s'''
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Lucky charm]]s'''
| Each of these [[uncommon]] [[artifact]]s has a [[triggered ability]] that allows the controller pay {{1}} to gain 1 life when a spell of a given color is cast.
|{{card|Ivory Cup||LEA}}
|{{card|Ivory Cup||LEA}}
|{{card|Crystal Rod||LEA}}
|{{card|Crystal Rod||LEA}}
Line 117: Line 133:
|{{card|Wooden Sphere||LEA}}
|{{card|Wooden Sphere||LEA}}
|-
|-
|'''[[Mox]]es'''
|colspan="5"|Each of these [[uncommon]] [[artifact]]s has a [[triggered ability]] that allows the controller pay {{1}} to gain 1 life when a spell of a given color is cast.
| Each of these [[rare]] artifacts has a mana cost of {{0}} and "{{T}}: Add M".
|{{card|Mox Pearl||LEA}}
|{{card|Mox Sapphire||LEA}}
|{{card|Mox Jet||LEA}}
|{{card|Mox Ruby||LEA}}
|{{card|Mox Emerald||LEA}}
|-
|-
|'''Top-down cycle'''
|rowspan="2"|'''Top-down cycle'''
| Each of these rare cards was designed at the last minute before the release of ''Alpha''. They were never playtested and were designed to fit pieces of unused artwork. <ref>{{DailyRef|alpha-top-down-cards-2003-06-13|Alpha Top-Down cards|[[Magic Arcana]]|June 13, 2003}}</ref>
|{{card|Island Sanctuary||LEA}}
|{{card|Island Sanctuary||LEA}}
|{{card|Stasis||LEA}}
|{{card|Stasis||LEA}}
Line 133: Line 142:
|{{card|Birds of Paradise||LEA}}
|{{card|Birds of Paradise||LEA}}
|-
|-
|'''[[Ward]]s'''
|colspan="5"|Each of these rare cards was designed at the last minute before the release of ''Alpha''. They were never playtested and were designed to fit pieces of unused artwork.<ref>{{DailyRef|alpha-top-down-cards-2003-06-13|Alpha Top-Down cards|[[Magic Arcana]]|June 13, 2003}}</ref>
|Each of these uncommon [[white]] [[Aura]]s with [[enchant]] creature grants protection from a given color.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Ward]]s'''
|{{card|White Ward||LEA}}
|{{card|White Ward||LEA}}
|{{card|Blue Ward||LEA}}
|{{card|Blue Ward||LEA}}
Line 140: Line 150:
|{{card|Red Ward||LEA}}
|{{card|Red Ward||LEA}}
|{{card|Green Ward||LEA}}
|{{card|Green Ward||LEA}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Each of these uncommon [[white]] [[Aura]]s with [[enchant]] creature grants protection from a given color.
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''Circles of Protection'''
|{{Card|Circle of Protection: White|3=LEA}}
|{{Card|Circle of Protection: Blue|3=LEA}}
|{{Card|Circle of Protection: Green|3=LEA}}
|{{Card|Circle of Protection: Red|3=LEA}}
|
|-
| colspan="5" |Each of these common white enchantments with mana cost {{1}}{{W}} allows its controller to pay {{1}} to prevent damage from a source of the named color.  {{Card|Circle of Protection: Black|3=LEB}} was omitted from the ''Alpha'' common sheet.
|}
===Double cycle===
{| class="wikitable"
! Cycle name
! {{W}}{{U}}
! {{U}}{{B}}
! {{B}}{{R}}
! {{R}}{{G}}
! {{G}}{{W}}
! {{W}}{{B}}
! {{nowrap|{{U}}{{R}}}}
! {{B}}{{G}}
! {{R}}{{W}}
! {{G}}{{U}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''[[Dual land]]s'''
|{{card|Tundra||LEA}}
|{{card|Underground Sea||LEA}}
|{{card|Badlands||LEA}}
|{{card|Taiga||LEA}}
|{{card|Savannah||LEA}}
|{{card|Scrubland||LEA}}
|
|{{card|Bayou||LEA}}
|{{card|Plateau||LEA}}
|{{card|Tropical Island||LEA}}
|-
|colspan="10"|[[Rare]] [[Nonbasic land|nonbasic]] lands that each produce two [[color]]s of mana. The original ten dual lands are some of the most powerful and valuable lands ever printed, since they count as both of their [[basic land]] types with no drawbacks, unlike subsequent dual lands. {{card|Volcanic Island||LEB}} ({{nowrap|{{U}}{{R}}}}) was missing from the ''Alpha'' print run, but this was corrected in ''[[Beta]]''.
|}
|}


===Vertical cycles===
===Vertical cycles===
*'''Goblins''': Each of these [[red]] [[Goblin]] creatures exists at a different level of rarity {{-}} <c>Mons's Goblin Raiders</c>, <c>Goblin Balloon Brigade</c>, <c>Goblin King</c>.
{| class="wikitable"
*'''Red three-drop humanoids''': Each of these 2/2 red creatures has a mana cost of {{2}}{{R}} and increasingly powerful abilities {{-}} <c>Gray Ogre</c>, <c>Uthden Troll</c>, and <c>Sedge Troll</c>. <c>Granite Gargoyle</c> might also be considered part of this group, though it doesn't fit the theme of monstrous human-like creatures.
! Cycle name
*'''Pingers''' {{-}} Each of these permanents has "{{T}}: [This] deals 1 damage to target creature or player" {{-}} <c>Prodigal Sorcerer</c>, <c>Rod of Ruin</c>, and <c>Pirate Ship</c>.
! [[Common]]
! [[Uncommon]]
! [[Rare]]
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Red three-drop humanoids'''
|{{card|Gray Ogre||LEA}}
|{{card|Uthden Troll||LEA}}
|{{card|Sedge Troll||LEA}}
|-
|colspan="3"|Each of these 2/2 red creatures has a mana cost of {{2}}{{R}} and increasingly powerful abilities. {{card|Granite Gargoyle||LEA}} might also be considered part of this group, though it doesn't fit the theme of monstrous human-like creatures.
|}


===Mirrored pairs===
===Pairs===
''Alpha'' has 26 [[mirrored pair]]s.
<!-- This section should probably be treated as nearly a mirror of the corresponding section from Revised, given that there is a nearly 1-to-1 match between LEA/LEB/2ED/3ED among the 48 proposed pair cards in those sets, with only 1 exception when Timetwister was cut from Revised. Appropriate and justified edits are most certainly welcome, but they should be done in both this page and the Revised page, and if there is discussion to be had, it should probably be on this talk page/changelog/edit notes, since Revised is literally just a revised version of this set (and Beta/Unlimited).-->
''Alpha'' has 24 [[Pair|pairs]].


*<c>Ankh of Mishra</c> and <c>Dingus Egg</c> are both rare artifacts that deal damage when a land enters or leaves play.
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
*<c>Air Elemental</c> and <c>Earth Elemental</c> are both uncommon [[Elemental]]s with a mana cost of {{3}}MM and a [[power]] of 4.
! colspan="2"|Pairs
 
!Description
*<c>Benalish Hero</c> and <c>Timber Wolves</c> are both 1/1 creatures with banding and a mana cost of M.
|-
 
|{{card|White Knight||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
*<c>Castle</c> and <c>Orcish Oriflamme</c> are both uncommon [[enchantment]]s that conditionally affect a creature's power or toughness.
|{{card|Black Knight||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
 
|Uncommon [[knight]]s with a mana cost of MM, power/toughness of 2/2, [[first strike]] and protection from the other's color.
*<c>Crusade</c> and <c>Bad Moon</c> are both rare enchantments with a [[converted mana cost]] of 2 and an effect to give all creatures of its color +1/+1.
|-
 
|{{card|Holy Strength||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
*<c>White Knight</c> and <c>Black Knight</c> are both uncommon [[Knight]]s with a mana cost of MM, power/toughness of 2/2, first strike and protection from the other's color.
|{{card|Unholy Strength||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
 
|Common [[Aura]]s with [[enchant]] creature that give a mirrored bonus to the enchanted creature's [[power/toughness]].
*<c>Blue Elemental Blast</c> and <c>Red Elemental Blast</c> are both common instants (formerly interrupts) with a mana cost of M and with a [[modal]] ability to either destroy a permanent of the other's color or counter a spell of the other's color.
|-
 
|{{card|Crusade||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
*<c>Braingeyser</c> and <c>Mind Twist</c> are both rare [[sorcery|sorceries]] that cause [[target]] [[player]] to [[Drawing a Card|draw]] or [[discard]] cards.
|{{card|Bad Moon||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
 
|Rare [[enchantment]]s with a [[converted mana cost]] of 2 and an effect to give all creatures of its color +1/+1.
*<c>Gaea's Liege</c> and <c>Cyclopean Tomb</c> are both rare cards with an [[activated ability]] that can permanently change a land's type.
|-
 
|{{card|Serra Angel||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
*<c>Deathgrip</c> and <c>Lifeforce</c> are each uncommon enchantments with an activated ability to counter a spell of the other's color for MM.
|{{card|Sengir Vampire||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
 
|Uncommon 4/4 [[flying]] [[creature]]s with a mana cost of {{3}}MM and a combat-related ability.
*<c>Earthquake</c> and <c>Hurricane</c> are both sorceries that have a mana cost of {{X}}M and deal X damage to all non-flying or flying creatures and each player.
|-
 
|{{card|Blue Elemental Blast||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
*<c>Fear</c> and <c>Invisibility</c> are both common [[Aura]]s that make the enchanted creature more difficult to block.
|{{card|Red Elemental Blast||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
 
|Common [[instant]]s (formerly [[interrupt]]s) with a mana cost of M and with a [[modal]] ability to either destroy a permanent of the other's color or counter a spell of the other's color.
*<c>Feedback</c> and <c>Wanderlust</c> are both uncommon Auras that deal 1 damage to the controller of the enchanted permanent during each of their [[upkeep]]s.
|-
 
|{{card|Air Elemental||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
*<c>Water Elemental</c> and <c>Fire Elemental</c> are both uncommon Elementals with a mana cost of {{3}}MM and a power/toughness of 5/4.
|{{card|Earth Elemental||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
 
|Uncommon [[Elemental]]s with a mana cost of {{3}}MM, a [[power]] of 4, and element names which traditionally oppose each other. This pair and the even more closely mirrored Water/Fire Elemental pair form a group of creatures representing each of the four [[Wikipedia:Classical elements|classical elements]].
*<c>Holy Strength</c> and <c>Unholy Strength</c> are both common Auras with enchant creature that give a mirrored bonus to the enchanted creature's power/toughness.
|-
 
|{{card|Water Elemental||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
*<c>Living Lands</c> and <c>Kormus Bell</c> are both rare cards that turned lands of a particular type into 1/1 creatures.
|{{card|Fire Elemental||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
 
|Uncommon Elementals with a mana cost of {{3}}MM, a power/toughness of 5/4, and element names which traditionally oppose each other. This pair and the Air/Earth Elemental pair form a group of creatures representing each of the four classical elements.
*<c>Lord of Atlantis</c> and <c>Goblin King</c> are both rare [[Lord]]s that give +1/+1 and landwalk of its color to its creature type.
|-
 
|{{card|Lord of Atlantis||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
*<c>Manabarbs</c> and <c>Power Surge</c> are both rare red enchantments that deal damage to a player based on the number of lands he or she does or does not tap.
|{{card|Goblin King||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
 
|Rare [[lord]]s that give +1/+1 and [[landwalk]] of its corresponding [[basic land type]] to its [[creature type]].
*<c>Mons's Goblin Raiders</c> and <c>Merfolk of the Pearl Trident</c> are both 1/1 common creatures with creature types that are affected by Lord of Atlantis and Goblin King.
|-
 
|{{card|Merfolk of the Pearl Trident||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
*<c>Phantom Monster</c> and <c>Roc of Kher Ridges</c> are both 3/3 creatures with flying.
|{{card|Mons's Goblin Raiders||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
 
|1/1 common [[vanilla]] creatures with creature types that are affected by their respective lords (Goblin King and Lord of Atlantis).
*<c>Serra Angel</c> and <c>Sengir Vampire</c> are both uncommon 4/4 flying creatures with a mana cost of {{3}}MM and a combat-related ability.
|-
 
|{{card|Phantom Monster||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
*<c>Smoke</c> and <c>Winter Orb</c> both allow players to only untap one of a type of permanent each turn.
|{{card|Roc of Kher Ridges||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
 
|3/3 creatures with flying and a mana cost of {{3}}M.
*<c>Timetwister</c> and <c>Wheel of Fortune</c> are both rare sorceries that cause all players to draw a new hand of 7 cards.
|-
 
|{{card|Timetwister||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
*<c>Tsunami</c> and <c>Flashfires</c> are both uncommon sorceries that have a mana cost of 3M and destroy lands of a particular enemy type.
|{{card|Wheel of Fortune||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
 
|Rare [[sorcery|sorceries]] costing {{2}}M that cause all players to draw a new hand of 7 cards.
*<c>Wall of Bone</c> and <c>Wall of Brambles</c> are both Walls with regeneration and a mana cost of {{2}}M.
|-
 
|{{card|Wall of Water||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
*<c>Wall of Water</c> and <c>Wall of Fire</c> are both 0/5 Walls illustrated by [[Richard Thomas]] with a silouetted figure behind a wall and the activated ability "M: [this] gets +1/+0 until end of turn."
|{{card|Wall of Fire||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
|Uncommon 0/5 [[wall]]s illustrated by [[Richard Thomas]] with a silhouetted figure behind a wall, mana cost {{1}}MM, and the activated ability "M: [this] gets +1/+0 until end of turn."
|-
|{{card|Wall of Bone||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
|{{card|Wall of Brambles||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
|Uncommon walls with [[regeneration]] and a mana cost of {{2}}M and a combined power/toughness of 5.
|-
|{{card|Deathgrip||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
|{{card|Lifeforce||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
|Uncommon enchantments with an [[activated ability]] to [[counter]] a spell of the other's color for MM.
|-
|{{card|Orcish Oriflamme||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
|{{card|Castle||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
|Uncommon enchantments that conditionally affect its owner's creatures' power or toughness. Both cost {{3}}M, although Orcish Oriflamme was misprinted as {{1}}M.
|-
|{{card|Wanderlust||LEA}} <br /> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
|{{card|Feedback||LEA}} <br /> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
|Uncommon Auras that deal 1 damage to the controller of the enchanted permanent during each of their [[upkeep]]s.
|-
|{{card|Braingeyser||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{U}})}}
|{{card|Mind Twist||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
|Rare sorceries that cause target player to [[draw]] or [[discard]] cards.
|-
|{{card|Earthquake||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
|{{card|Hurricane||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
|Sorceries which have a mana cost of {{X}}M and deal {{X}} damage to all non-flying or flying creatures and each player.
|-
|{{card|Flashfires||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
|{{card|Tsunami||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
|Uncommon sorceries that have a mana cost of {{3}}M and destroy [[land]]s of a particular enemy type.
|-
|{{card|Timber Wolves||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
|{{card|Benalish Hero||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
|1/1 creatures with [[banding]] and a mana cost of M.
|-
|{{card|Manabarbs||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
|{{card|Power Surge||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
|Rare red enchantments that deal damage to a player based on the number of lands they do or don't [[tap]].
|-
|{{card|Ankh of Mishra||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{C}})}}
|{{card|Dingus Egg||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{C}})}}
|Rare [[artifact]]s that deal damage when a land enters or leaves the battlefield.
|-
|{{card|Kormus Bell||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{C}})}}
|{{card|Living Lands||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{G}})}}
|Rare [[permanent]]s which cost 4 mana and turn lands of a specific subtype into 1/1 creatures.
|-
|{{card|Winter Orb||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{C}})}}
|{{card|Smoke||LEA}} <br/> {{nowrap|({{R}})}}
|Rare permanents which cost 2 mana and only allow players to [[untap]] one of a specific type of permanent each turn.
|}


==Notable cards==
==Notable cards==
*The [[Power Nine]] are some of the most valuable and powerful cards ever printed.<ref>{{DailyRef|power-nine-2003-10-15-0|The Power Nine|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 15, 2003}}</ref>
*The [[Power Nine]] are some of the most valuable and powerful cards ever printed.<ref>{{DailyRef|power-nine-2003-10-15-0|The Power Nine|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 15, 2003}}</ref>
 
*The original ten [[dual land]]s are some of the most powerful and valuable lands ever printed.
*The original ten [[Dual lands]] are some of the most powerful and valuable lands ever printed.
 
*<c>Armageddon</c> forms the basis of the [[Erhnamgeddon]] [[control]] deck. It would later be included in the beginner-oriented sets ''[[Portal]]'' and ''[[Portal Second Age]]'' and functionally reprinted as <c>Ravages of War</c> in the ''[[Portal Three Kingdoms]]'' set, yet it was removed from the [[core set]] after ''[[Sixth Edition]]'' for being too powerful.
*<c>Armageddon</c> forms the basis of the [[Erhnamgeddon]] [[control]] deck. It would later be included in the beginner-oriented sets ''[[Portal]]'' and ''[[Portal Second Age]]'' and functionally reprinted as <c>Ravages of War</c> in the ''[[Portal Three Kingdoms]]'' set, yet it was removed from the [[core set]] after ''[[Sixth Edition]]'' for being too powerful.
 
*<c>Balance</c> was initially underestimated, as were many [[symmetrical effects]], but quickly proved to be a very powerful card.
*<c>Balance</c> was initially underestimated, as were many [[symmetrical effects]], but quickly proved to be a very powerful card and is now on the [[Restricted List]].
*<c>Berserk</c> was once considered powerful enough to be added to the first [[Banned and restricted cards|Restricted List]] in January 1994. It was removed from the Restricted List in April 2003 because its relative power decreased as newer cards were printed. After the restriction, the card was removed from the [[core set]] for being a "spoiler," or too good. [[Richard Garfield]] explained its absence from the ''[[Revised]]'' set in [[The Duelist]] Supplement thus: "Anything that multiplies is potentially abusive. Failure to have a <c>Fog</c> should not warrant 80 damage."  
 
*<c>Birds of Paradise</c> is one of the best [[Mana fixing|mana fixers]] ever printed.
*<c>Berserk</c> was once considered powerful enough to be added to the first Restricted List in January 1994. Berserk was removed from the Restricted List in April 2003 because it has decreased in power as a result of the variety of cards now available in [[Vintage]]. After the restriction, the card had been removed from the [[core set]] for being a "spoiler," or too good. [[Richard Garfield]] explained its absence from the ''[[Revised]]'' set in [[The Duelist]] Supplement thus: "Anything that multiplies is potentially abusive. Failure to have a <c>Fog</c> should not warrant 80 damage."  
*<c>Black Vise</c> was far too powerful, especially when played on the first turn.
 
*<c>Braingeyser</c> was also once considered powerful enough to be added to the Restricted List. It was removed in September 2004 due too for being expensive, slow, and worse than other cards in [[Vintage]].
*<c>Birds of Paradise</c> has proven itself to be one of the best [[Mana fixing|mana fixers]] ever printed.
 
*<c>Black Vise</c> was far too powerful, especially when played on the first turn, and is also found on the Restricted List.
 
*<c>Braingeyser</c> was also once considered powerful enough to be added to the Restricted List. It was removed from it in September 2004 for being expensive, slow, and worse than other cards in [[Vintage]].
 
*<c>Channel</c> is one of many cards that is overpowered because of its ability to trade one [[resource]] for another at a low cost, in this case life for mana. It was a key component of the fabled Channel–<c>Fireball</c> first-turn win in combination with <c>Black Lotus</c> and a source of red mana.
*<c>Channel</c> is one of many cards that is overpowered because of its ability to trade one [[resource]] for another at a low cost, in this case life for mana. It was a key component of the fabled Channel–<c>Fireball</c> first-turn win in combination with <c>Black Lotus</c> and a source of red mana.
 
*<c>Chaos Orb</c> is the first of the "[[dexterity card]]s", which require some physical skill to achieve maximum effect.  All dexterity cards have been placed on the [[Timeline of DCI bans and restrictions|Banned List]].
*<c>Chaos Orb</c> is the first of a class of "[[dexterity card]]s" that required some physical skill to achieve maximum effect, and like all dexterity cards and ante cards, are now on the [[Timeline of DCI bans and restrictions|Banned List]].
 
*<c>Contract from Below</c> is an insanely powerful card that allows its caster to draw 7 cards at the price of adding to the [[ante]], but the effect is powerful enough to make the added risk very acceptable. Some even consider this the most powerful card ever printed.
*<c>Contract from Below</c> is an insanely powerful card that allows its caster to draw 7 cards at the price of adding to the [[ante]], but the effect is powerful enough to make the added risk very acceptable. Some even consider this the most powerful card ever printed.
*<c>Dark Ritual</c> enabled many black decks to accelerate powerful cards into play quickly, especially <c>Hypnotic Specter</c>.
*<c>Dark Ritual</c> enabled many black decks to accelerate powerful cards into play quickly, especially <c>Hypnotic Specter</c>.
*<c>Demonic Tutor</c> is another powerful effect with a small mana cost that has found its way onto the Restricted List.
*<c>Demonic Tutor</c> is another powerful effect with a small mana cost that has found its way onto the Restricted List.
 
*<c>Fastbond</c> allows a player to quickly access more mana.
*<c>Fastbond</c>, like many other cards on the Restricted List, allows a player to quickly access more mana.
*<c>Hypnotic Specter</c> was originally thought to be too powerful, but the real problem was eventually identified as its combination with Dark Ritual.
 
*<c>Hypnotic Specter</c> was originally thought to be too powerful, and indeed it is powerful, but the real problem was eventually revealed to be its combination with Dark Ritual.
 
*<c>Icy Manipulator</c> was used in many control decks to slow the opponent down.
*<c>Icy Manipulator</c> was used in many control decks to slow the opponent down.
 
*<c>Illusionary Mask</c> later gained fame for its ability to get <c>Phyrexian Dreadnought</c> into play without triggering its drawback.
*<c>Illusionary Mask</c> later gained fame for its ability to get <c>Phyrexian Dreadnought</c> into play quickly and cheaply.
 
*<c>Lightning Bolt</c> is a very powerful (and common) direct damage spell that still sees play.
*<c>Lightning Bolt</c> is a very powerful (and common) direct damage spell that still sees play.
*<c>Mind Twist</c> proved to be very powerful, especially with all the mana acceleration available in ''Alpha''. Like Black Vise, it quickly put an opponent at a great disadvantage and was added to the Restricted List.
*<c>Mind Twist</c> proved to be very powerful, especially with all the mana acceleration available in ''Alpha''. Like Black Vise, it quickly put an opponent at a great disadvantage and was added to the Restricted List.
 
*<c>Nevinyrral's Disk</c> was especially useful in mono-colored black decks with no access to artifact and enchantment destruction.
*<c>Nevinyrral's Disk</c> was especially useful in monocolored black decks with no access to artifact and enchantment destruction.
 
*<c>Red Elemental Blast</c> is a common anti-blue card that still sees play today.
*<c>Red Elemental Blast</c> is a common anti-blue card that still sees play today.
 
*<c>Regrowth</c>, like Demonic Tutor, has a powerful effect with a small mana cost, especially when combined with any number of other powerful cards.
*<c>Regrowth</c>, like Demonic Tutor, is a powerful effect with a small mana cost, especially when combined with any number of other powerful cards and is now found on the Restricted List.
 
*<c>Savannah Lions</c> is considered one of the best [[White Weenie]] cards.
*<c>Savannah Lions</c> is considered one of the best [[White Weenie]] cards.
*<c>Serra Angel</c> was used to finish many games in control decks and is one of the iconic creatures of the game. It was once considered too powerful and left the [[core set]] for a time.
*<c>Serra Angel</c> was used to finish many games in control decks and is one of the iconic creatures of the game. It was once considered too powerful and left the [[core set]] for a time.
*<c>Sinkhole</c>, with a converted mana cost of 2, is considered to be far too cheap for the damaging effect of [[land destruction]], especially as a common card.
*<c>Sinkhole</c>, with a converted mana cost of 2, is considered to be far too cheap for the damaging effect of [[land destruction]], especially as a common card.
 
*<c>Sol Ring</c> is yet another card great at accelerating mana, and is also on the Restricted List.
*<c>Sol Ring</c> is yet another card great at accelerating mana and is also found on the Restricted List.
 
*<c>Swords to Plowshares</c> is the iconic white creature removal card.
*<c>Swords to Plowshares</c> is the iconic white creature removal card.
 
*<c>Time Vault</c> has had numerous changes to its oracle text in order to make it work as intended.  
*<c>Time Vault</c> has had numerous changes to its function in order to make it work as intended. In 2006 the function at the time led to an infinite damage combo with <c>Flame Fusillade</c>.
*<c>Wheel of Fortune</c> is on the Restricted List due to the power of drawing 7 cards.
 
*<c>Wheel of Fortune</c> is on the Restricted List for the power of drawing 7 cards.
 
*<c>Wrath of God</c> has been a tournament staple since players learned that powerful symmetrical effects can be good.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/design-times-2005-02-21|Design of the Times|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 21, 2005}}</ref>
*<c>Wrath of God</c> has been a tournament staple since players learned that powerful symmetrical effects can be good.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/design-times-2005-02-21|Design of the Times|[[Mark Rosewater]]|February 21, 2005}}</ref>


===Misprints===
===Misprints===
There were numerous errors in ''Alpha'', including the accidental omission of the cards <c>Circle of Protection: Black</c> and <c>Volcanic Island</c>. Many of these errors were corrected in ''[[Beta]]'', although most of the misspellings of [[Douglas Shuler]]'s name persisted through ''Beta'' and ''[[Unlimited]]'' before finally being corrected in ''[[Revised]]''.
There are numerous errors on ''Alpha'' cards, including the accidental omission of the cards <c>Circle of Protection: Black</c> and <c>Volcanic Island</c>. Many of these errors were corrected in ''[[Beta]]'', although most of the misspellings of [[Douglas Shuler]]'s name persisted through ''Beta'' and ''[[Unlimited]]'' before finally being corrected in ''[[Revised]]''.
* Every instance of the artist [[Douglas Shuler]]'s name was misspelled as "Schuler". (These include: {{card|Animate Artifact||LEA}}, {{card|Benalish Hero||LEA}}, {{card|Circle of Protection: White||LEA}}, {{card|Contract from Below||LEA}}, {{card|Demonic Tutor||LEA}}, {{card|Drain Life||LEA}}, {{card|Drain Power||LEA}}, {{card|Dwarven Warriors||LEA}}, {{card|Force of Nature||LEA}}, {{card|Frozen Shade||LEA}}, {{card|Glasses of Urza||LEA}}, {{card|Hypnotic Specter||LEA}}, {{card|Icy Manipulator||LEA}}, {{card|Mountain||LEA|#=292}} (#292) {{card|Mountain||LEA|#=293}} (#293), {{card|Northern Paladin||LEA}}, {{card|Power Surge||LEA}}, {{card|Prodigal Sorcerer||LEA}}, {{card|Psionic Blast||LEA}}, {{card|Righteousness||LEA}}, {{card|Serra Angel||LEA}}, {{card|Tranquility||LEA}}, {{card|Unholy Strength||LEA}}, {{card|Unsummon||LEA}}, {{card|Uthden Troll||LEA}}, {{card|Veteran Bodyguard||LEA}}, {{card|Volcanic Explosion||LEA}}, and {{card|Weakness||LEA}}.)
*Every instance of the artist [[Douglas Shuler]]'s name was misspelled as "Schuler". (These include: {{card|Animate Artifact||LEA}}, {{card|Benalish Hero||LEA}}, {{card|Circle of Protection: White||LEA}}, {{card|Contract from Below||LEA}}, {{card|Demonic Tutor||LEA}}, {{card|Drain Life||LEA}}, {{card|Drain Power||LEA}}, {{card|Dwarven Warriors||LEA}}, {{card|Force of Nature||LEA}}, {{card|Frozen Shade||LEA}}, {{card|Glasses of Urza||LEA}}, {{card|Hypnotic Specter||LEA}}, {{card|Icy Manipulator||LEA}}, {{card|Mountain||LEA|#=292}} (#292) {{card|Mountain||LEA|#=293}} (#293), {{card|Northern Paladin||LEA}}, {{card|Power Surge||LEA}}, {{card|Prodigal Sorcerer||LEA}}, {{card|Psionic Blast||LEA}}, {{card|Righteousness||LEA}}, {{card|Serra Angel||LEA}}, {{card|Tranquility||LEA}}, {{card|Unholy Strength||LEA}}, {{card|Unsummon||LEA}}, {{card|Uthden Troll||LEA}}, {{card|Veteran Bodyguard||LEA}}, {{card|Volcanic Eruption||LEA}}, and {{card|Weakness||LEA}}.)
*{{card|Birds of Paradise||LEA}} {{-}} there are two slashes and a space after the word "Flying" instead of a hard return.
*{{card|Birds of Paradise||LEA}} {{-}} there are two slashes and a space after the word "Flying" instead of a hard return.
*{{card|Circle of Protection: Red||LEA}} {{-}} miscredited to [[Anson Maddocks]]; it should be [[Mark Tedin]].
*{{card|Circle of Protection: Red||LEA}} {{-}} art miscredited to [[Anson Maddocks]]; it should be [[Mark Tedin]].
*{{card|Cyclopean Tomb||LEA}} {{-}} printed without a [[mana cost]]; it should be four colorless.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-oops…-iv-2002-05-15|Alpha "Oops…" IV|[[Magic Arcana]]|May 15, 2002}}</ref>
*{{card|Cyclopean Tomb||LEA}} {{-}} printed without a [[mana cost]]; it should be {{4}}.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-oops…-iv-2002-05-15|Alpha "Oops…" IV|[[Magic Arcana]]|May 15, 2002}}</ref>
*{{card|Death Ward||LEA}} {{-}} miscredited to [[Dan Frazier]]; it should be [[Mark Poole]].
*{{card|Death Ward||LEA}} {{-}} art miscredited to [[Dan Frazier]]; it should be [[Mark Poole]].
*{{card|Demonic Hordes||LEA}} {{-}} printed with an [[upkeep]] cost of literally "BBB" instead of three black mana symbols.
*{{card|Demonic Hordes||LEA}} {{-}} printed with an [[upkeep]] cost of "BBB" instead of {{B}}{{B}}{{B}}.
*{{card|Elvish Archers||LEA}} {{-}} printed with [[power]]/[[toughness]] 1/2 instead of 2/1.<ref>{{DailyRef|alpha-oops-vii-2002-10-04|Alpha "Oops…" VII|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 4, 2002}}</ref>
*{{card|Elvish Archers||LEA}} {{-}} printed with [[power]]/[[toughness]] 1/2 instead of 2/1.<ref>{{DailyRef|alpha-oops-vii-2002-10-04|Alpha "Oops…" VII|[[Magic Arcana]]|October 4, 2002}}</ref>
*{{card|Force of Nature||LEA}} {{-}} printed with an [[upkeep]] cost of literally "GGGG" instead of four green mana symbols. Douglas Shuler's name was also misspelled (see above).<ref name=I>{{DailyRef|alpha-oops-2002-02-01|Alpha "Oops..."|[[Magic Arcana]]|February 1, 2002}}</ref>
*{{card|Force of Nature||LEA}} {{-}} printed with an [[upkeep]] cost of "GGGG" instead of {{G}}{{G}}{{G}}{{G}}. Douglas Shuler's name is also misspelled (see above).<ref name=I>{{DailyRef|alpha-oops-2002-02-01|Alpha "Oops..."|[[Magic Arcana]]|February 1, 2002}}</ref>
*{{card|Goblin Balloon Brigade||LEA}} {{-}} the wording for the activated ability could be interpreted to give all [[Goblin]]s [[Flying]] instead of only itself, which was the original intent. The wording was changed to reflect the original intent beginning with ''Revised Edition''.<ref name="Alpha Revised">{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-typos-2009-09-22|''Alpha'' Typos|[[Magic Arcana]]|September 22, 2009}}</ref>
*{{card|Goblin Balloon Brigade||LEA}} {{-}} the wording for the activated ability could be interpreted as giving all [[Goblin]]s [[Flying]] instead of only itself. The wording was changed to reflect the latter, which was the the original intent, beginning with ''Revised Edition''.<ref name="Alpha Revised">{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-typos-2009-09-22|''Alpha'' Typos|[[Magic Arcana]]|September 22, 2009}}</ref>
*{{card|Goblin King||LEA}} {{-}} the wording gave all [[Goblin]]s +1/+1 and [[mountainwalk]], but the original intent was that this would not apply to the Goblin King itself.  Beginning with ''Revised Edition'' this problem was solved by listing the Goblin King's type as "Lord"; beginning with ''[[Ninth Edition]]'' the word "Goblin" returned to the type and the wording for the ability was changed to "Other Goblins get +1/+1 and have mountainwalk." <ref name="Alpha Revised"/>
*{{card|Goblin King||LEA}} {{-}} the wording gave all [[Goblin]]s +1/+1 and [[mountainwalk]], but the original intent was that this would not apply to the Goblin King itself.  Beginning with ''Revised Edition'' this problem was solved by listing the Goblin King's type as "Lord"; beginning with ''[[Ninth Edition]]'' the word "Goblin" returned to the type and the wording for the ability was changed to "Other Goblins get +1/+1 and have mountainwalk." <ref name="Alpha Revised"/>
*{{card|Orcish Artillery||LEA}} {{-}} printed with a [[mana cost]] of {{1}}{{R}} instead of {{1}}{{R}}{{R}}.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name=II>{{DailyRef|alpha-oops-ii-2002-02-25|Alpha "Oops..." II|[[Magic Arcana]]|February 25, 2002}}</ref>   
*{{card|Orcish Artillery||LEA}} {{-}} printed with a [[mana cost]] of {{1}}{{R}} instead of {{1}}{{R}}{{R}}.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name=II>{{DailyRef|alpha-oops-ii-2002-02-25|Alpha "Oops..." II|[[Magic Arcana]]|February 25, 2002}}</ref>   
*{{card|Orcish Oriflamme||LEA}} {{-}} printed with the mana cost {{1}}{{R}} instead of {{3}}{{R}}.<ref name=II/>
*{{card|Orcish Oriflamme||LEA}} {{-}} printed with the mana cost {{1}}{{R}} instead of {{3}}{{R}}.<ref name=II/> This would later be used as the basis of the Modern Horizons' card {{Card|Goblin Oriflamme}}, which has the same mana cost and effect of the misprinted version of Orcish Oriflamme.
*{{card|Phantasmal Forces||LEA}} {{-}} printed with an [[upkeep]] cost of literally "U" instead of a blue mana symbol.<ref name=I/>
*{{card|Phantasmal Forces||LEA}} {{-}} printed with an [[upkeep]] cost of "U" instead of {{U}}.<ref name=I/>
*{{card|Red Elemental Blast||LEA}} {{-}} printed as an [[instant]] instead of an [[interrupt]].<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-oops…-vi-2002-09-12|Alpha "Oops…" VI|[[Magic Arcana]]|September 12, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-red-elemental-blast-2004-03-30|Alpha Red Elemental Blast|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 30, 2004}}</ref>
*{{card|Red Elemental Blast||LEA}} {{-}} printed as an [[instant]] instead of an [[interrupt]].<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-oops…-vi-2002-09-12|Alpha "Oops…" VI|[[Magic Arcana]]|September 12, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-red-elemental-blast-2004-03-30|Alpha Red Elemental Blast|[[Magic Arcana]]|March 30, 2004}}</ref>
*{{card|Rock Hydra||LEA}} {{-}} printed with an [[upkeep]] cost of literally "RRR" instead of three red mana symbols; also the cost to preserve a head when the Rock Hydra suffers damage is depicted as "R" instead of one red mana symbol.
*{{card|Rock Hydra||LEA}} {{-}} printed with an [[upkeep]] cost of "RRR" instead of {{R}}{{R}}{{R}}; the cost to preserve a head when the Rock Hydra suffers damage is printed as "R" instead of {{R}}.
*{{card|Sedge Troll||LEA}} {{-}} miscredited to [[Jeff A. Menges]]; it should be [[Dan Frazier]].
*{{card|Sedge Troll||LEA}} {{-}} art miscredited to [[Jeff A. Menges]]; it should be [[Dan Frazier]].
*{{card|Tropical Island||LEA}} {{-}} miscredited to [[Mark Poole]]; it should be [[Jesper Myrfors]].
*{{card|Tropical Island||LEA}} {{-}} art miscredited to [[Mark Poole]]; it should be [[Jesper Myrfors]].
*{{card|Unsummon||LEA}}{{-}} the clause reading "enchantments on creature are CARD ed" should instead read "enchantments on creature are discarded". Douglas Shuler's name was also misspelled (see above).
*{{card|Unsummon||LEA}}{{-}} the clause reading "enchantments on creature are CARD ed" should read "enchantments on creature are discarded". Douglas Shuler's name was also misspelled (see above).


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
Line 295: Line 377:
*{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-setting-record-straight-2010-09-21|Alpha: Setting the Record Straight|[[Monty Ashley]]|September 21, 2010}}
*{{DailyRef|arcana/alpha-setting-record-straight-2010-09-21|Alpha: Setting the Record Straight|[[Monty Ashley]]|September 21, 2010}}


{{Dominaria|sets}}
{{Sets|classic}}
{{Sets}}
[[Category:Magic core sets|1A]]
[[Category:Magic core sets|1A]]

Latest revision as of 09:26, 27 June 2024

Alpha
 
 
Limited Edition
Alpha
[[File:{{#setmainimage:MTG.jpg}}|250px]]
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description The letter “A”
Design Richard Garfield and the Limited Edition design and development team
Development Richard Garfield and the Limited Edition design and development team
Art direction Jesper Myrfors
Release date August 5, 1993
Plane Multiversal
Themes and mechanics Magic: The Gathering,
Ante, Dexterity cards
Keywords/​ability words Banding, First strike, Flying, Landwalk, Protection, Regeneration, Trample
Set size 295 cards
(74 commons, 95 uncommons, 116 rares, 10 basic lands)
Expansion code LEA[1]
Core sets
Limited Edition Alpha Limited Edition Beta Unlimited Edition
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
N/A Limited Edition
Alpha
Limited Edition Beta

Limited Edition Alpha, commonly known as Alpha, is the first print run of Limited Edition, the first core set of Magic: The Gathering. Alpha contains 295 black-bordered cards and was released on August 5, 1993.[2][3]

Alpha is actually a nickname, but is widely accepted as the name for this print run of Limited Edition.[4]

Set details

Alpha was designed by Richard Garfield and the Limited Edition design and development team (Charlie Cateeno, Skaff Elias, Don Felice, Tom Fontaine, Jim Lin, Joel Mick, Chris Page, Dave Pettey, Barry Reich, Bill Rose, and Elliott Segal).[5]

Alpha cards can easily be distinguished from Beta cards by their more rounded corners. The Alpha corner radius is about 2 mm instead of the subsequent 1 mm standard for all other tournament-legal cards.[6] Early tournament rules required that cards must appear unmarked without the use of protective sleeves. Due to the different corners, Alpha cards were considered marked unless the deck comprised only Alpha cards. This initially made them less desirable and thus less valuable than Beta and even Unlimited cards.

Alpha cards were printed using three different print sheets - one for rares, one for uncommons, and one for commons. As part of Richard Garfield's plan to keep players from guessing rarities, basic lands were included on all three sheets. The chance of getting a basic land instead of another card is approximately 4.13% for rares, 21.5% for uncommons and 38.84% for commons. The only lands on the rare sheets were five copies of Island.[7][8]

Numerous Alpha cards have errors that were fixed in the second, or Beta release. Two cards, Circle of Protection: Black and Volcanic Island were accidentally left out of the set entirely.[9][10] Additionally, only two versions of each basic land with unique artwork were included.

Design and development

Magic: The Gathering received its "The Gathering" subtitle for two reasons. First, "Magic" was thought to be too generic a name to trademark. Second, it left open the possibility for future expansions to have other subtitles, such as "Magic: Arabian Nights".

The names of many cards were initially very generic, such as "Angel" instead of Serra Angel and "Skeletons" instead of Drudge Skeletons. Adding descriptors created more flavor on the cards and allowed other types of angels, skeletons, and everything else to appear in future expansions.

The rarity of many cards was based on the idea that players would have a limited set of cards in a particular area, such that there would only be a few copies of Mox Sapphire or Black Lotus in a particular area, thus naturally restricting the power of these cards. The rapid popularity of the game created a much larger community of players than initially anticipated, making it possible for players to amass large collections of these powerful cards.

The rule limiting decks to a maximum of four copies of any card except basic lands did not exist in the earliest rules but was rapidly adopted from tournament play.

Under the original rules, players with less than 1 life were not considered to have lost until the end of the current phase, giving that player a chance to find a solution.

Ante was an optional part of the original game of Magic that remained a part of the game until after the Homelands expansion.

There were originally three types of artifacts: mono artifacts, poly artifacts, and continuous artifacts. Mono artifacts had activated abilities that could only be used once and required tapping the artifact when used. These now have errata adding the Tap symbol, {T}, to the activation cost. Poly artifacts had activated abilities that did not require tapping as part of the activation cost and could be used multiple times. Continuous artifacts had a continuous effect that did not require activation. Under the original rules, continuous artifacts were "turned off" when tapped. Under modern rules, this only occurs if stated in the card's rules text. These three types were removed following the Antiquities expansion and before Revised Edition.

Interrupts were similar to modern instants, only "faster." This meant that when an interrupt was played, only other interrupts could be played in response. The timing rules of interrupts required errata for some cards (such as Red Elemental Blast) for them to work properly under these rules.

Wall was the only creature type with a rule associated with it: Walls can't attack. This rule remained a part of the game until the Champions of Kamigawa expansion, when all Walls were given errata to have the Defender ability.

From a modern developer's viewpoint, the mana costs of some of the cards in Alpha are grossly incorrect. The rules text of many cards were complicated implementations of ideas that could be expressed more simply.[11] Conversely, many other cards and abilities are phrased in a looser way, sometimes describing abilities in flavorful rather than mechanical terms, which resulted in convoluted rules text when their oracle text was converted using more modern and precise rules templating.

Marketing

Alpha booster.
Alpha booster.

Alpha was released at Origins in July/August 1993 with a small run of 2.61 million cards.[12] Cards were sold in 60-card starter decks and 15-card boosters. The set did not receive much exposure beyond the west coast of the United States. Cards were available from late August 1993 through late September 1993.[6]

The 32-page rulebook (included only with starter decks) has Bog Wraith on the cover and contains "Worzel's Story" by Richard Garfield.[5]

Storyline

Alpha did not have a specific storyline, although the cards had a lot of flavor built into them based on the premise that players took on the role of a planeswalker who summoned creatures and cast spells in a duel against another planeswalker. Additionally, flavor text on the cards described the character of many people and places of Dominaria and elsewhere, and names established in Alpha were expanded upon in future stories and expansions, most notably Urza and Mishra.

Themes and mechanics

As the first edition of Magic, Alpha introduced many mechanics and themes. Keyword abilities introduced in this set include banding, first strike, flying, landwalk, protection, regeneration, and trample. The defender, fear, indestructible, reach, and vigilance mechanics were also introduced, but were not keyworded until later. Cards with these mechanics have since received retroactive errata. Many other game mechanics were also introduced in this set but are too numerous to be listed here.

The set contains multiple hosers, which are cards that negatively affect one specific color or basic land type: Karma, Blue Elemental Blast, Deathgrip, Flashfires, Tsunami, Conversion, Lifetap, Gloom, Red Elemental Blast, Lifeforce, Volcanic Eruption (Alpha), and Northern Paladin (Alpha)

Creature types

Creature types were originally intended only to express flavor on creature cards, like flavor text. Thus, the intentional use of creature types to classify different races was not considered until around the design of the Fallen Empires expansion, despite cards like Lord of Atlantis that cared about a creature's race in this set.

The creature types introduced in this set are: Angel, Assassin, Avatar, Basilisk, Bear, Bodyguard (later changed to Human), Cleric, Clone (later changed to Shapeshifter), Cockatrice, Demon, Djinn, Doppelganger (later changed to Shapeshifter), Dragon, Dwarf, Elemental, Elf, Enchantress (later changed to Human Druid), Faerie, Force (later changed to Elemental), Fungusaur (later changed to Fungus Dinosaur), Gaea's Liege (later changed to Avatar), Gargoyle, Ghoul (later changed to Zombie), Giant, Goblin, Goblin King (later changed to Goblin), Hero (later changed to Human Soldier), Hydra, Imp, Knight, Lion (later changed to Cat), Lord (now obsolete), Lord of Atlantis (later changed to Merfolk), Mammoth (later changed to Elephant), Mana Bird (later changed to Bird), Merfolk, Minotaur, Nightmare, Nymph (later changed to Dryad), Ogre, Orc, Paladin (later changed to Knight), Pegasus, Phantasm (later changed to Illusion), Rat, Roc (later changed to Bird), Serpent, Shade, Shadow (later changed to Spirit), Ship (later changed to Human Pirate), Skeleton, Specter, Spider, Treefolk, Troll, Unicorn, Vampire, Wall, Will-O'-the-Wisp (later changed to Spirit), Wizard, Wolf, Wraith, Wurm, and Zombie.

Counter types

Alpha edition included seven cards that use counters: three use +1/+1 counters, Clockwork Beast uses +1/+0 counters, and three used generic counters which were not given any name in the card text. The latter three cards were later given errata that provided names for Corpse counters (Scavenging Ghoul), Mire counters (Cyclopean Tomb), and Vitality counters (Living Artifact).

Cycles

Alpha has eight horizontal cycles and a double cycle, as well as one vertical cycle. Two cycles are each missing a card, which was corrected in Beta.

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Basic lands Plains Island Swamp Mountain Forest
The five basic lands were introduced in Limited Edition.
Moxes Mox Pearl Mox Sapphire Mox Jet Mox Ruby Mox Emerald
Each of these rare artifacts has a mana cost of {0} and "{T}: Add M".
Laces Purelace Thoughtlace Deathlace Chaoslace Lifelace
Each of these rare instants permanently changes the color of a permanent.
Boons Healing Salve Ancestral Recall Dark Ritual Lightning Bolt Giant Growth
Each of these instants has a mana cost of M and an effect involving the number 3. This cycle is asymmetric in that Ancestral Recall is rare, while the other members are common.
Lucky charms Ivory Cup Crystal Rod Throne of Bone Iron Star Wooden Sphere
Each of these uncommon artifacts has a triggered ability that allows the controller pay {1} to gain 1 life when a spell of a given color is cast.
Top-down cycle Island Sanctuary Stasis Word of Command Sedge Troll Birds of Paradise
Each of these rare cards was designed at the last minute before the release of Alpha. They were never playtested and were designed to fit pieces of unused artwork.[13]
Wards White Ward Blue Ward Black Ward Red Ward Green Ward
Each of these uncommon white Auras with enchant creature grants protection from a given color.
Circles of Protection Circle of Protection: White (Alpha) Circle of Protection: Blue (Alpha) Circle of Protection: Green (Alpha) Circle of Protection: Red (Alpha)
Each of these common white enchantments with mana cost {1}{W} allows its controller to pay {1} to prevent damage from a source of the named color. Circle of Protection: Black (Beta) was omitted from the Alpha common sheet.

Double cycle

Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W} {W}{B} {U}{R} {B}{G} {R}{W} {G}{U}
Dual lands Tundra Underground Sea Badlands Taiga Savannah Scrubland Bayou Plateau Tropical Island
Rare nonbasic lands that each produce two colors of mana. The original ten dual lands are some of the most powerful and valuable lands ever printed, since they count as both of their basic land types with no drawbacks, unlike subsequent dual lands. Volcanic Island ({U}{R}) was missing from the Alpha print run, but this was corrected in Beta.

Vertical cycles

Cycle name Common Uncommon Rare
Red three-drop humanoids Gray Ogre Uthden Troll Sedge Troll
Each of these 2/2 red creatures has a mana cost of {2}{R} and increasingly powerful abilities. Granite Gargoyle might also be considered part of this group, though it doesn't fit the theme of monstrous human-like creatures.

Pairs

Alpha has 24 pairs.

Pairs Description
White Knight
({W})
Black Knight
({B})
Uncommon knights with a mana cost of MM, power/toughness of 2/2, first strike and protection from the other's color.
Holy Strength
({W})
Unholy Strength
({B})
Common Auras with enchant creature that give a mirrored bonus to the enchanted creature's power/toughness.
Crusade
({W})
Bad Moon
({B})
Rare enchantments with a converted mana cost of 2 and an effect to give all creatures of its color +1/+1.
Serra Angel
({W})
Sengir Vampire
({B})
Uncommon 4/4 flying creatures with a mana cost of {3}MM and a combat-related ability.
Blue Elemental Blast
({U})
Red Elemental Blast
({R})
Common instants (formerly interrupts) with a mana cost of M and with a modal ability to either destroy a permanent of the other's color or counter a spell of the other's color.
Air Elemental
({U})
Earth Elemental
({R})
Uncommon Elementals with a mana cost of {3}MM, a power of 4, and element names which traditionally oppose each other. This pair and the even more closely mirrored Water/Fire Elemental pair form a group of creatures representing each of the four classical elements.
Water Elemental
({U})
Fire Elemental
({R})
Uncommon Elementals with a mana cost of {3}MM, a power/toughness of 5/4, and element names which traditionally oppose each other. This pair and the Air/Earth Elemental pair form a group of creatures representing each of the four classical elements.
Lord of Atlantis
({U})
Goblin King
({R})
Rare lords that give +1/+1 and landwalk of its corresponding basic land type to its creature type.
Merfolk of the Pearl Trident
({U})
Mons's Goblin Raiders
({R})
1/1 common vanilla creatures with creature types that are affected by their respective lords (Goblin King and Lord of Atlantis).
Phantom Monster
({U})
Roc of Kher Ridges
({R})
3/3 creatures with flying and a mana cost of {3}M.
Timetwister
({U})
Wheel of Fortune
({R})
Rare sorceries costing {2}M that cause all players to draw a new hand of 7 cards.
Wall of Water
({U})
Wall of Fire
({R})
Uncommon 0/5 walls illustrated by Richard Thomas with a silhouetted figure behind a wall, mana cost {1}MM, and the activated ability "M: [this] gets +1/+0 until end of turn."
Wall of Bone
({B})
Wall of Brambles
({G})
Uncommon walls with regeneration and a mana cost of {2}M and a combined power/toughness of 5.
Deathgrip
({B})
Lifeforce
({G})
Uncommon enchantments with an activated ability to counter a spell of the other's color for MM.
Orcish Oriflamme
({R})
Castle
({W})
Uncommon enchantments that conditionally affect its owner's creatures' power or toughness. Both cost {3}M, although Orcish Oriflamme was misprinted as {1}M.
Wanderlust
({G})
Feedback
({U})
Uncommon Auras that deal 1 damage to the controller of the enchanted permanent during each of their upkeeps.
Braingeyser
({U})
Mind Twist
({B})
Rare sorceries that cause target player to draw or discard cards.
Earthquake
({R})
Hurricane
({G})
Sorceries which have a mana cost of {X}M and deal {X} damage to all non-flying or flying creatures and each player.
Flashfires
({R})
Tsunami
({G})
Uncommon sorceries that have a mana cost of {3}M and destroy lands of a particular enemy type.
Timber Wolves
({G})
Benalish Hero
({W})
1/1 creatures with banding and a mana cost of M.
Manabarbs
({R})
Power Surge
({R})
Rare red enchantments that deal damage to a player based on the number of lands they do or don't tap.
Ankh of Mishra
({C})
Dingus Egg
({C})
Rare artifacts that deal damage when a land enters or leaves the battlefield.
Kormus Bell
({C})
Living Lands
({G})
Rare permanents which cost 4 mana and turn lands of a specific subtype into 1/1 creatures.
Winter Orb
({C})
Smoke
({R})
Rare permanents which cost 2 mana and only allow players to untap one of a specific type of permanent each turn.

Notable cards

  • The Power Nine are some of the most valuable and powerful cards ever printed.[14]
  • The original ten dual lands are some of the most powerful and valuable lands ever printed.
  • Armageddon forms the basis of the Erhnamgeddon control deck. It would later be included in the beginner-oriented sets Portal and Portal Second Age and functionally reprinted as Ravages of War in the Portal Three Kingdoms set, yet it was removed from the core set after Sixth Edition for being too powerful.
  • Balance was initially underestimated, as were many symmetrical effects, but quickly proved to be a very powerful card.
  • Berserk was once considered powerful enough to be added to the first Restricted List in January 1994. It was removed from the Restricted List in April 2003 because its relative power decreased as newer cards were printed. After the restriction, the card was removed from the core set for being a "spoiler," or too good. Richard Garfield explained its absence from the Revised set in The Duelist Supplement thus: "Anything that multiplies is potentially abusive. Failure to have a Fog should not warrant 80 damage."
  • Birds of Paradise is one of the best mana fixers ever printed.
  • Black Vise was far too powerful, especially when played on the first turn.
  • Braingeyser was also once considered powerful enough to be added to the Restricted List. It was removed in September 2004 due too for being expensive, slow, and worse than other cards in Vintage.
  • Channel is one of many cards that is overpowered because of its ability to trade one resource for another at a low cost, in this case life for mana. It was a key component of the fabled Channel–Fireball first-turn win in combination with Black Lotus and a source of red mana.
  • Chaos Orb is the first of the "dexterity cards", which require some physical skill to achieve maximum effect. All dexterity cards have been placed on the Banned List.
  • Contract from Below is an insanely powerful card that allows its caster to draw 7 cards at the price of adding to the ante, but the effect is powerful enough to make the added risk very acceptable. Some even consider this the most powerful card ever printed.
  • Dark Ritual enabled many black decks to accelerate powerful cards into play quickly, especially Hypnotic Specter.
  • Demonic Tutor is another powerful effect with a small mana cost that has found its way onto the Restricted List.
  • Fastbond allows a player to quickly access more mana.
  • Hypnotic Specter was originally thought to be too powerful, but the real problem was eventually identified as its combination with Dark Ritual.
  • Icy Manipulator was used in many control decks to slow the opponent down.
  • Illusionary Mask later gained fame for its ability to get Phyrexian Dreadnought into play without triggering its drawback.
  • Lightning Bolt is a very powerful (and common) direct damage spell that still sees play.
  • Mind Twist proved to be very powerful, especially with all the mana acceleration available in Alpha. Like Black Vise, it quickly put an opponent at a great disadvantage and was added to the Restricted List.
  • Nevinyrral's Disk was especially useful in mono-colored black decks with no access to artifact and enchantment destruction.
  • Red Elemental Blast is a common anti-blue card that still sees play today.
  • Regrowth, like Demonic Tutor, has a powerful effect with a small mana cost, especially when combined with any number of other powerful cards.
  • Savannah Lions is considered one of the best White Weenie cards.
  • Serra Angel was used to finish many games in control decks and is one of the iconic creatures of the game. It was once considered too powerful and left the core set for a time.
  • Sinkhole, with a converted mana cost of 2, is considered to be far too cheap for the damaging effect of land destruction, especially as a common card.
  • Sol Ring is yet another card great at accelerating mana, and is also on the Restricted List.
  • Swords to Plowshares is the iconic white creature removal card.
  • Time Vault has had numerous changes to its oracle text in order to make it work as intended.
  • Wheel of Fortune is on the Restricted List due to the power of drawing 7 cards.
  • Wrath of God has been a tournament staple since players learned that powerful symmetrical effects can be good.[15]

Misprints

There are numerous errors on Alpha cards, including the accidental omission of the cards Circle of Protection: Black and Volcanic Island. Many of these errors were corrected in Beta, although most of the misspellings of Douglas Shuler's name persisted through Beta and Unlimited before finally being corrected in Revised.

Trivia

Main article: Alpha/Trivia

References

  1. Wizards of the Coast (August 02, 2004). "Ask Wizards - August, 2004". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. Magic: Limited Edition — Crystal Keep
  3. Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited Editions — Wizards of the Coast
  4. Wizards of the Coast (June 2, 2008). "Ask Wizards, June 2008". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. a b John Carter (December 25, 2004). "The Original Magic Rulebook". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. a b Stephen D'Angelo (February 2, 1999) "Card Rulings Summary". Usenet.
  7. Magic Arcana (October 31, 2002). ""Revising" the base set". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. a b Mark Rosewater (February 16, 2009). "25 Random Things About Magic". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. Magic Arcana (April 10, 2002). "Alpha "Oops…" III". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. Magic Arcana (July 12, 2002). "Alpha "Oops…" V". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. Tom LaPille (June 19, 2009). "Developing Alpha". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. Peter Adkison (March 5, 2021). "Magic: The Gathering print runs from 1993". Facebook.
  13. Magic Arcana (June 13, 2003). "Alpha Top-Down cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. Magic Arcana (October 15, 2003). "The Power Nine". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. Mark Rosewater (February 21, 2005). "Design of the Times". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. Magic Arcana (May 15, 2002). "Alpha "Oops…" IV". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. Magic Arcana (October 4, 2002). "Alpha "Oops…" VII". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  18. a b Magic Arcana (February 1, 2002). "Alpha "Oops..."". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  19. a b Magic Arcana (September 22, 2009). "Alpha Typos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  20. a b Magic Arcana (February 25, 2002). "Alpha "Oops..." II". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  21. Magic Arcana (September 12, 2002). "Alpha "Oops…" VI". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  22. Magic Arcana (March 30, 2004). "Alpha Red Elemental Blast". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

External links