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'''Prerelease tournaments''' (or '''prereleases''') are events held one week before the release of an [[expansion|expansion set]]. Starting with ''[[Shards of Alara]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]] allowed local stores run the tournaments, which vastly broadened their attendance.
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'''Prerelease tournaments''' (or '''prereleases''') are events held one week before the release of an [[expansion|expansion set]].<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/magic-prereleases-2004-09-14|''Magic'' Prereleases|Alex Shvartsman|October, 2004}}</ref> Starting with ''[[Shards of Alara]]'', [[Wizards of the Coast]] allowed local stores to run the tournaments, which vastly broadened their attendance.


==Format==
==Format==
The tournament format is [[sealed deck]]. Players build decks with cards from the upcoming release set. Players build a deck with a minimum of 40 cards from [[booster pack]]s received.  The unused cards are considered their [[sideboard]] for the tournament.
The tournament format is [[sealed deck]]. Players build decks with cards from the upcoming release set. Players build a deck with a minimum of 40 cards from [[booster pack]]s received.  The unused cards are considered their [[sideboard]] for the tournament.


==Prerelease cards==
==Prerelease cards==
{{Main|Prerelease cards}}
{{Main|Prerelease card}}
Prerelease cards have been given out at Prereleases since ''[[Tempest]]''.   
Prerelease cards have been given out at Prereleases since ''[[Tempest]]''.   


==Achievement cards==
==Achievement cards==
Starting with ''[[Commander (2011)]]'' <ref>Wizards of the Coast. (2011.) [http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/events/commander_achievement.pdf Commander achivement card]</ref>, certain sets featured '''achievement cards''' which were created after the succesfull introduction of achievements in ''[[Duels of the Planeswalkers]]''. The achievement card sets certain tasks that are to be completed during the tournament. Examples of tasks are to play a certain card, to have a certain combination of cards on the battlefield or to make use of a newly intoduced [[mechanic]]. After the player has played all his matches, he shows his completed score card (on the back of the achievement card) to the tournament organizer to receive additional prizes. Sets with achievement cards include: ''[[Avacyn Restored]]'' <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/957|The Achievement Card|[[Monty Ashley]]|April 24, 2012}}</ref>, ''[[Return to Ravnica]]'' <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/1070|''Return to Ravnica'' Achievement Cards|[[Monty Ashley]]|September 28, 2012}}</ref>, ''[[Gatecrash]]'' and ''[[Magic 2014]]''.
Starting with ''[[Commander (2011)|Commander]]'',<ref>Wizards of the Coast. (2011.) [http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/events/commander_achievement.pdf Commander achivement card]</ref> certain sets featured '''achievement cards''' which were created after the successful introduction of achievements in ''[[Duels of the Planeswalkers]]''. The achievement card sets certain tasks that are to be completed during the tournament. Examples of tasks are to play a certain card, to have a certain combination of cards on the battlefield or to make use of a newly introduced [[mechanic]]. After the player has played all of their matches, they show their completed score card (on the back of the achievement card) to the tournament organizer to receive additional prizes. Sets with achievement cards include: ''[[Avacyn Restored]]'',<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/achievement-card-2012-04-24|The Achievement Card|[[Monty Ashley]]|April 24, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Return to Ravnica]]'',<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/return-ravnica-achievement-cards-2012-09-28|''Return to Ravnica'' Achievement Cards|[[Monty Ashley]]|September 28, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Gatecrash]]'', ''[[Magic 2014]]'' and ''[[Core Set 2020]]''.
 
==Prerelease packs==
Prerelease packs are special packages that are sold for prerelease events, giving players a sneak peek at a new set. Nowadays, they usually contain a themed insert, six boosters, a [[spindown life counter]], and a [[prerelease card|premium promo card of any rare or mythic rare in the set]]. Early on, these were specially composed and packaged [[booster]]s. Later, they became themed [[deck box]]es as a present for the participants.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/branded-play-2015-09-01|Branded Play|[[Gavin Verhey]]|September 1, 2015}}</ref>
 
Approved [[LGS|Prerelease locations]] can purchase Prerelease packs from authorized distributors and, in North America, from [[Wizards of the Coast]]. Each store receives a specific allocation of Prerelease packs.


==Prerelease gimmicks==
==Prerelease gimmicks==
Starting with ''[[Mirrodin Besieged]]'' prereleases featured gimmicks or 'experiences'. These sometimes included '''prerelease packs''', which are are [[booster]]s that are especially composed and packaged for prerelease events. These fun-enhancing 'experiences' are created by experience designers like [[Dave Guskin]] and [[Gavin Verhey]]. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/236|Magical Powers of Ten|[[Dave Guskin]]|March 01, 2013}}</ref>
Starting with ''[[Mirrodin Besieged]]'' prereleases sometimes featured fun-enhancing gimmicks or 'experiences'. These are created by experience designers like [[Dave Guskin]] and [[Gavin Verhey]].<ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/magical-powers-ten-2013-03-01|Magical Powers of Ten|[[Dave Guskin]]|March 01, 2013}}</ref> Because they weren't popular enough, the 'experiences' were discontinued after ''[[Magic Origins]]''.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/145781094013/why-did-rd-stop-doing-experience-design-like-the|title=Why did R&D stop doing experience design ?|June 11, 2016}}</ref>


===''Mirrodin Besieged''===
===''Mirrodin Besieged''===
''[[Mirrodin Besieged]]'' had ''faction packs'' and urged players to "Pick a Side". Cards with the [[Mirran]] [[watermark]]s appeared only in Mirran boosters, and cards with [[Phyrexian]] watermarks appeared only in Phyrexian boosters. There was also one [[basic land]] in each booster. [[Foil]] cards would show up at about the same frequency as they did in regular boosters and didn't follow the rules about what booster they could show up in (both Mirran and Phyrexian foils could show up in either booster). <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/557|Faction Packs|[[Monty Ashley]]|October 12, 2010}}</ref>
''[[Mirrodin Besieged]]'' had ''faction packs'' and urged players to "Pick a Side". Cards with the [[Mirran]] [[watermark]]s appeared only in Mirran boosters, and cards with [[Phyrexia]]n watermarks appeared only in Phyrexian boosters. There was also one [[basic land]] in each booster. [[Foil]] cards would show up at about the same frequency as they did in regular boosters and didn't follow the rules about what booster they could show up in (both Mirran and Phyrexian foils could show up in either booster).<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/faction-packs-2010-10-12|Faction Packs|[[Monty Ashley]]|October 12, 2010}}</ref>


[[File:Factionpacks.jpg]]
[[File:Factionpacks.jpg]]


===''Dark Ascension''===
===''Dark Ascension''===
At each ''[[Dark Ascension]]'' Prerelease, some number of people were designated as a [[vampire]], [[werewolf]], [[zombie]], or [[spirit]] at the start of the event. Any time a [[monster]] defeated a [[human]] in a Prerelease match, the monster (designated by some flashy stickers) would convert the human to his or her cause. At the end of each Prerelease, the remaining humans and the largest tribe or tribles of monsters would be declared winners, but the rewards were up to the organizers. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/feature/179|''Dark Ascension'' Prerelease Primer|Tim Willoughby|January 23, 2012}}</ref>
At each ''[[Dark Ascension]]'' Prerelease, some number of people were designated as a [[vampire]], [[werewolf]], [[zombie]], or [[spirit]] at the start of the event. Any time a [[monster]] defeated a [[human]] in a Prerelease match, the monster (designated by some flashy stickers) would convert the human to their cause. At the end of each Prerelease, the remaining humans and the largest tribe or tribes of monsters would be declared winners, but the rewards were up to the organizers.<ref>{{DailyRef|dark-ascension-prerelease-primer-2012-01-23|''Dark Ascension'' Prerelease Primer|Tim Willoughby|January 23, 2012}}</ref>


===''Avacyn Restored''===
===''Avacyn Restored''===
For the ''[[Avacyn Restored]]'' Prerelease, stores were able to register for a limited number of [[Helvault]] Prerelease Kits along with the standard kits that come with every prerelease. When players at the special Helvault Events got achievements, they could each physically break a seal on their store's own (cardboard) Helvault. Once all the seals were broken, the store would open their Helvault and all the players would share the spoils within. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/933|Open the Helvault!|[[Monty Ashley]]|March 21, 2012}}</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/189|Branding Play|[[Zac Hill]]|April 06, 2012}}</ref>
For the ''[[Avacyn Restored]]'' Prerelease, stores were able to register for a limited number of [[Helvault]] Prerelease Kits along with the standard kits that come with every prerelease. When players at the special Helvault Events got achievements, they could each physically break a seal on their store's own (cardboard) Helvault. Once all the seals were broken, the store would open their Helvault and all the players would share the spoils within.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/open-helvault-2012-03-21|Open the Helvault!|[[Monty Ashley]]|March 21, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/branding-play-2012-04-06|Branding Play|[[Zac Hill]]|April 06, 2012}}</ref> These were 54 [[oversized]] cards of <c>Avacyn, Angel of Hope</c>, <c>Griselbrand</c>, <c>Sigarda, Host of Herons</c>, <c>Bruna, Light of Alabaster</c>, and <c>Gisela, Blade of Goldnight</c>, 108 [[double-sided token]]s ([[Angel]]/[[Demon]]) tokens and 54 20-sided [[spindown life counter]]s. A select few premium helvaults contained [[foil]] oversized cards and 54 [[promo]] foils thematically tied to angels or demons (some of which were old [[Judge Gift]] cards).<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/helvault-experience-2012-05-02|The Helvault Experience|[[Monty Ashley]]|May 02, 2012}}</ref>


[[File:Cardboardhelvault.jpg]]
[[File:Cardboardhelvault.jpg]]


===''Return to Ravnica''===
===''Return to Ravnica''===
For the ''[[Return to Ravnica]]'' Prerelease, you could choose from five Guild Prerelease Packs. The options were [[Azorius]], [[Izzet]], [[Rakdos]], [[Golgari]], and [[Selesnya]]. Each Guild Prerelease Pack contained five ''Return to Ravnica'' booster packs, a guild-specific booster pack, a special alternate-art prerelease card unique to each guild, an achievement card, a [[Spindown life counter]], a guild symbol sticker, and a letter from the guild's leader. <ref>[http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/returntoravnica/productinfo ''Return to Ravnica'' Product Information]</ref>
For the ''[[Return to Ravnica]]'' Prerelease, you could choose from five Guild Prerelease Packs. The options were [[Azorius]], [[Izzet]], [[Rakdos]], [[Golgari]], and [[Selesnya]]. Each Guild Prerelease Pack contained five ''Return to Ravnica'' booster packs, a guild-specific booster pack, a special alternate-art prerelease card unique to each guild, an achievement card, a [[Spindown life counter]], a guild symbol sticker, and a letter from the guild's leader.<ref>[http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/returntoravnica/productinfo ''Return to Ravnica'' Product Information]</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/guild-letters-2013-02-08|Guild Letters|[[Monty Ashley]]|February 08, 2013}}</ref>


[[File:PrereleasepacksDGM.jpg]]
[[File:PrereleasepacksDGM.jpg]]


===''Gatecrash''===
===''Gatecrash''===
''[[Gatecrash]]'' had the same package as ''Return to Ravnica'', but for the [[Orzhov]], [[Dimir]], [[Gruul]], [[Boros]], and [[Simic]] guilds. <ref>[https://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/gatecrash/productinfo ''Gatecrash'' Product Information]</ref> <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/ld/231|First Impressions|[[Sam Stoddard]]|January 25, 2013}}</ref>
''[[Gatecrash]]'' had the same package as ''Return to Ravnica'', but for the [[Orzhov]], [[Dimir]], [[Gruul]], [[Boros]], and [[Simic]] guilds.<ref>[https://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/productarticle.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/gatecrash/productinfo ''Gatecrash'' Product Information]</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/first-impressions-2013-01-25|First Impressions|[[Sam Stoddard]]|January 25, 2013}}</ref>


===''Dragon's Maze''===
===''Dragon's Maze''===
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[[File:Implicitmaze.jpg]]
[[File:Implicitmaze.jpg]]


A cardboard version of the ''[[Implicit Maze]]'' was used as a gimmick to mark players's progress in the tournament. Players could work collectively to advance their chosen guild through the Implicit Maze each round. There were prizes for each guild that got all the way through the maze, and special prizes for the first guild that did it. And when the maze was completed, all participating players would receive a premium ([[foil]]) [[basic land]] [[promo card]]. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/arcana/1156|The ''Dragon's Maze'' Prerelease|[[Monty Ashley]]|April 18, 2014}}</ref>
A cardboard version of the ''[[Implicit Maze]]'' was used as a gimmick to mark players' progress in the tournament. Players could work collectively to advance their chosen guild through the Implicit Maze each round. There were prizes for each guild that got all the way through the maze and special prizes for the first guild that did it. And when the maze was completed, all participating players would receive a premium ([[foil]]) [[basic land]] [[promo card]].<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/prerelease-2013-01-28|The ''Dragon's Maze'' Prerelease|[[Monty Ashley]]|April 18, 2014}}</ref>


===''Theros''===
===''Theros''===
''[[Theros]]'' featured the first quest of the [[Hero's Path]]: '''Choose a Path'''. <ref>{{DailyRef|mtg/daily/feature/257c|The Path of the Hero|[[Dave Guskin]]|July 24, 2013}}</ref> The Hero Prerelease Pack contains a [[spindown life counter]], a [[Hero Card]] unique to a players' chosen path, one of five quiz activity cards, five Theros [[boosters]], a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's chosen path and one of the five playable Prerelease [[promo]] cards. While building decks and playing matches players can work together to find the answers to the questions about Theros on their activity cards. This social scavenger hunt offers players an opportunity to engross themselves in the lore of the new block and interact with their fellow heroes. Once a player has filled out the card, he or she can check the answer key to see if they completed it correctly. Once completed, they are finished with Quest #1 and ready to continue on the Hero's Path.
''[[Theros]]'' featured the first quest of the [[Hero's Path]]: '''Choose a Path'''.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/path-hero-2013-07-24|The Path of the Hero|[[Dave Guskin]]|July 24, 2013}}</ref> The Hero Prerelease Pack contains a [[spindown life counter]], a [[Hero card]] unique to a players' chosen path, one of five quiz activity cards, five Theros [[boosters]], a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's chosen path and one of the five playable Prerelease [[promo]] cards. While building decks and playing matches players can work together to find the answers to the questions about Theros on their activity cards. This social scavenger hunt offers players an opportunity to engross themselves in the lore of the new block and interact with their fellow heroes. Once a player has filled out the card, they can check the answer key to see if they completed it correctly. Once completed, they are finished with Quest #1 and ready to continue on the Hero's Path.


===''Born of the Gods''===
===''Born of the Gods''===
''[[Born of the Gods]]'' featured the fourth quest of the "Hero's Path": '''Master your Destiny'''. The Hero Prerelease Pack contained a spindown life counter, a Hero Card unique to a players' mastered destiny, one of five quiz activity cards, three ''Born of the Gods'' boosters and two ''Theros'' boosters, a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's mastered destiny, one of the five playable Prerelease promo cards and a Hero's Path welcome letter.
''[[Born of the Gods]]'' featured the fourth quest of the "Hero's Path": '''Master your Destiny'''. The Hero Prerelease Pack contained a spindown life counter, a Hero Card unique to a players' mastered destiny, one of five quiz activity cards, three ''Born of the Gods'' boosters and two ''Theros'' boosters, a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's mastered destiny, one of the five playable Prerelease promo cards and a Hero's Path welcome letter.
===''Journey into Nyx''===
===''Journey into Nyx''===
''[[Journey into Nyx]]'' featured the seventh quest of the "Hero's Path": '''Forge a Godslayer'''. The Hero Prerelease Pack contained a spindown life counter, a Hero [[Equipment]] Card unique to a players' forged Godslayer, one of five quiz activity cards, two ''Journey into Nyx'' boosters, one ''Born of the Gods'' booster and two ''Theros'' boosters, a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's chosen Godslayer, one of the five playable Prerelease promo cards and a Hero's Path welcome letter. During the prerelease, players had the opportunity to win three mystical components, represented by reward stickers. Three component stickers combined in specific ways to create one of seven different enhancements. The activity card was handed in to the tournament organizer to receive the corresponding "enhancement sticker". That sticker was put on the player's Hero Equipment Card in the blank space as a new permanent ability. This resulted in a customized Godslayer.
''[[Journey into Nyx]]'' featured the seventh quest of the "Hero's Path": '''Forge a Godslayer'''. The Hero Prerelease Pack contained a spindown life counter, a Hero [[Equipment]] Card unique to a players' forged Godslayer, one of five quiz activity cards, two ''Journey into Nyx'' boosters, one ''Born of the Gods'' booster and two ''Theros'' boosters, a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's chosen Godslayer, one of the five playable Prerelease promo cards and a Hero's Path welcome letter. During the prerelease, players had the opportunity to win three mystical components, represented by reward stickers. Three-component stickers combined in specific ways to create one of seven different enhancements. The activity card was handed in to the tournament organizer to receive the corresponding "enhancement sticker". That sticker was put on the player's Hero Equipment Card in the blank space as a new permanent ability. This resulted in a customized Godslayer.
 
===''Magic 2015''===
===''Magic 2015''===
[[File:Garruk_the_Slayer.png|right|thumb|''Magic 2015'' oversized challenge card]]
[[File:Garruk_the_Slayer.png|right|thumb|''Magic 2015'' oversized challenge card]]
Every ''[[Magic 2015]]'' prerelease pack comes with a [[oversized]] challenge card, <c>Garruk the Slayer</c>, which is a key component of ''Magic 2015'' 's experience design (designed by [[Ethan Fleischer]] and [[Gavin Verhey]]). The prerelease pack further contains 5 regular [[booster pack]]s, 1 seeded booster pack, 1 [[premium]] [[promo card]], 1 activity insert, 1 [[Spindown life counter]] and 3 [[Wolf]] [[token]]s. One player plays his or her Prerelease deck as normal. This player always goes first. The other player plays as Garruk. Garruk starts at 20 loyalty, and can activate one loyalty ability each turn. Garruk can be attacked and if his loyalty reaches 0, he loses. But if Garruk's horde of [[Wolves]] drops the player to 0, then Garruk wins. The oversized Garruk Planeswalker card can't be returned to its owner's hand or otherwise removed. <ref>{{NewRef|win-ultimate-trophy-2014-06-22|Win the Ultimate Trophy|Blake Rasmussen|June 22, 2014}}</ref>
Every ''[[Magic 2015]]'' prerelease pack came with a [[oversized]] challenge card, <c>Garruk the Slayer</c>, which was a key component of ''Magic 2015'''s experience design (designed by [[Ethan Fleischer]] and [[Gavin Verhey]]). The prerelease pack further contained five regular [[booster pack]]s, a seeded booster pack, a [[premium]] [[promo card]], an activity insert, a [[Spindown life counter]], and three [[Wolf]] [[token]]s. One player played their Prerelease deck as normal. This player always went first. The other player acted and played as [[Garruk]]. Garruk started at 20 loyalty and could activate one [[loyalty ability]] each turn. Garruk could be attacked and if his loyalty reached 0, he lost. But if Garruk's horde of [[Wolves]] dropped the player to 0, then Garruk won. The oversized Garruk Planeswalker card couldn't be returned to its owner's hand or otherwise removed.<ref>{{DailyRef|win-ultimate-trophy-2014-06-22|Win the Ultimate Trophy|Blake Rasmussen|June 22, 2014}}</ref>
 
===''Khans of Tarkir''===
===''Khans of Tarkir''===
The ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]'' prerelease endorseds the player to affiliate with their [[clan]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S3_oYCnBak|title=Magic Panel at SDCC|date=July 26, 2014|author=Wizards of the Coast (YouTube)}}</ref> Each clan prerelease pack came with a clan button and a clan sticker. The prerelease pack further contained 5 regular [[booster pack]]s, 1 seeded booster pack, 1 [[premium]] [[promo card]], 1 clan information card, 1 activity insert and 1 [[Spindown life counter]]. There were forty possible prerelease cards. One dated and stamped prerelease card random from a pool of eight for each Clan pack. One of which was the Khan. "Raise Your Banner": when a game was won, players could put their sticker on the clan banner in the store, to show off how many battle each clan had won.
The ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]'' prerelease endorsed the player to affiliate with their [[clan]].<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S3_oYCnBak|title=Magic Panel at SDCC|date=July 26, 2014|author=Wizards of the Coast (YouTube)}}</ref> Each clan prerelease pack came with a clan button and a clan sticker. The prerelease pack further contained five regular [[booster pack]]s, a seeded booster pack, a [[premium]] [[promo card]], a clan information card, an activity insert, and a [[Spindown life counter]]. There were forty possible prerelease cards. One dated and stamped prerelease card random from a pool of eight for each Clan pack. One of which was the Khan. "Raise Your Banner": when a game was won, players could put their sticker on the clan banner in the store, to show off how many battles each clan had won.
 
===''Fate Reforged''===
===''Fate Reforged''===
[[File:Ugin's Fate.png|right|thumb|Special "Ugin's Fate" booster pack from ''Fate Reforged'']]
At the ''Fate Reforged'' prerelease, players again choose their clan.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/fate-reforged-prerelease-primer-2015-01-12|''Fate Reforged'' Prerelease Primer|[[Gavin Verhey]]|January 12, 2015}}</ref> While they completed three [[achievement]]s, they followed in Sarkhan's footsteps to attempt to alter fate; they got to "Heal Ugin" and "Gain a glimpse of the future". The latter came in the form of a special "Ugin's Fate" [[booster pack]] containing two [[alternate art]] cards that show how the world has changed in the new timeline, a [[token]] and a [[basic land]] card. There's a pool of 40 alternate art cards with a [[holofoil stamp]], the main change in the art being that there are [[dragon]]s now.
At the ''Fate Reforged'' [[prerelease]], players again choose their clan. <ref>{{NewRef|feature/fate-reforged-prerelease-primer-2015-01-12|''Fate Reforged'' Prerelease Primer|[[Gavin Verhey]]|January 12, 2015}}</ref> While they completed three [[achievement]]s, they followed in Sarkhan's footsteps to attempt to alter fate; they got to "Heal Ugin" and "Gain a glimpse of the future". The latter came in the form of a special "Ugin's Fate" [[booster pack]] containing two [[alternate art]] cards that show how the world has changed in the new timeline, a [[token]] and a [[basic land]] card. There's a pool of 40 alternate art cards with a [[holofoil stamp]], the main change in the art being that there are [[dragons]] now.
 
===''Dragons of Tarkir''===
For the ''Dragons of Tarkir'' prerelease, each participating store received a ''Tarkir Dragonfury'' playing board with character pieces that stand upright on them.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/tarkir-dragonfury-explanation-2015-02-24|Tarkir Dragonfury Explanation|[[Gavin Verhey]]|February 24, 2015}}</ref> The board is a Tarkir landscape, and the pieces can be knocked down by a throw with a special [[spindown life counter]], themed to the breath weapon of one of the five Tarkir dragonlords. Each piece has a point value on it, and the player gets points equal to the total number they knock over. If the [[dice|die]] ends up in the central circle, the score is doubled. Every player gets two rolls (resetting the board between each roll). Depending on the highest score, up to four [[alternate art]] [[promotional card]]s could be won: a land, a common, an uncommon, and a rare dragon.
 
===''Magic Origins''===
For ''[[Magic Origins]]'', players were asked to appear at the prerelease with clothes in the color of the favorite planeswalker.<ref>{{DailyRef|arcana/magic-origins-theme-weeks-2015-06-17|''Magic Origins'' Prerelease Themes and Theme Weeks|[[Gavin Verhey]]|June 17, 2015 }}</ref> ''Magic Origins'' [[prerelease pack]]s gave players the opportunity to learn the origin of their favorite Planeswalker. There were five [[prerelease pack]]s, one for each planeswalker's color. Each came with a seven-card seeded [[booster pack]] that corresponded with that color. Each seeded booster pack contained a stamped [[premium]] [[promo card]] (1 of 40), which players could include in their tournament decks. The prerelease pack further contained six regular booster packs, a story booklet, and a [[Spindown life counter]].
 
===''Kaladesh''===
''[[Kaladesh]]'' prerelease packs contain a little make-your-own-thopter insert.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/kaladesh-packaging-promos-and-planeswalker-decks-2016-09-06|''Kaladesh'' Packaging, Promos, and Planeswalker Decks|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 6, 2016}}</ref>
 
===''Amonkhet''===
Players were encouraged to complete the "Five Trials of the Gods". Players who attended Prerelease received a Trials Activity Card in their Prerelease pack. They were rewarded four-sided "lazotep" counters for each trial they completed. The counters could be used to keep track of [[-1/-1 counter]] on their cards.<ref>[http://wpn.wizards.com/en/article/preview-your-akh-event-kits Preview Your AKH Event Kits]</ref>


[[File:FRF Ugin Centerpiece.jpg]]
===''Guilds of Ravnica'' and ''Ravnica Allegiance''===
For the ''[[Guilds of Ravnica]]'' and ''[[Ravnica Allegiance]]'' Prerelease, you could choose from five Guild Prerelease Packs, containing five regular booster packs and one [[seeded booster]] composed entirely of cards relevant to that player's choice of guild. It also contained a randomized, date-stamped foil promo card, drawn from any rare or mythic in the set.
 
===''Strixhaven: School of Mages''===
For the ''[[Strixhaven: School of Mages]]'' Prerelease, you can choose from five College Prerelease Packs, containing five regular ''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' booster packs and one [[seeded booster]], which has its rare/mythic slot card guaranteed to be from the college of choice. It also contains a randomized, date-stamped foil promo card, drawn from any rare or mythic in the set.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/products/strixhaven-school-mages|title=Strixhaven: School of Mages Prerelease Pack|author=[[WPN]]|date=March, 2021|publisher=[[Wizards Play Network]]}}</ref> The College Boosters also contained specific [[double-sided token]]s.<ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/tokens-stx-and-c21-2021-04-15|The Tokens of ''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' and ''Commander (2021 Edition)''|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|April 15, 2021}}</ref>
 
===''Streets of New Capenna''===
''[[Streets of New Capenna]]'' featured five different Prerelease Packs, one for each crime family, that included a spindown die and seeded Family Booster packed with family-focused cards.<ref name="First Look">{{DailyRef|news/first-look-streets-new-capenna-where-family-means-business-2022-03-03|A First Look at Streets of New Capenna: Where Family Means Business|[[Adam Styborski]]|March 3, 2022}}</ref>
 
===''Phyrexia: All Will Be One''===
In one out of every 15 ''[[Phyrexia: All Will Be One]]'' Prerelease Packs, players could open a special [[Phyrexia]]nized [[Spindown life counter]] instead of one of the regular five mana colored Spindowns.<ref name="Promo Overview">{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/news/phyrexia-all-will-be-one-events-promo-overview-emea|title=Phyrexia: All Will Be One Events & Promos Overview|author=[[WPN]]|date=January 18, 2023|publisher=[[Wizards Play Network]]}}</ref>


==Selected organizers==
==Selected organizers==
Line 64: Line 95:
* [[Magicandmonsters.com]]
* [[Magicandmonsters.com]]
* [[Next Level Games]]
* [[Next Level Games]]
* [[Wayne's World]]
* [[Unity Entertainment]]
* [[Unity Entertainment]]
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Ugin's Fate.png|"Ugin's Fate" booster pack from ''[[Fate Reforged]]''
File:FRF Ugin Centerpiece.jpg|Ugin centerpiece from ''Fate Reforged''
File:DTK Tarkir Dragonfury.jpg|Tarkir Dragonfury (''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]'')
File:BFZ Deck box.png|Themed deck box (''[[Battle for Zendikar]]'')
File:SOI Deck box.jpg|Themed deck box (''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'')
File:KLD Deck box.png|Themed deck box (''[[Kaladesh]]'')
File:KLD Thopter insert.png|Thopter insert (''Kaladesh'')
File:AER Deck box.png|Themed deck box (''[[Aether Revolt]]'')
File:AKH Deck box.png|Themed deck box (''[[Amonkhet]]'')
File:AKH Trials of the Gods.png|Trials of the Gods (''Amonkhet'')
File:AKH D4.jpg|Four-sided "Lazotep" counter (''Amonkhet'')
File:ONE Phyrexian life counters.png|Phyrexian life counters (''Phyrexia: All Will Be One'')
</gallery>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 04:54, 4 July 2023

Prerelease tournaments (or prereleases) are events held one week before the release of an expansion set.[1] Starting with Shards of Alara, Wizards of the Coast allowed local stores to run the tournaments, which vastly broadened their attendance.

Format

The tournament format is sealed deck. Players build decks with cards from the upcoming release set. Players build a deck with a minimum of 40 cards from booster packs received. The unused cards are considered their sideboard for the tournament.

Prerelease cards

Main article: Prerelease card

Prerelease cards have been given out at Prereleases since Tempest.

Achievement cards

Starting with Commander,[2] certain sets featured achievement cards which were created after the successful introduction of achievements in Duels of the Planeswalkers. The achievement card sets certain tasks that are to be completed during the tournament. Examples of tasks are to play a certain card, to have a certain combination of cards on the battlefield or to make use of a newly introduced mechanic. After the player has played all of their matches, they show their completed score card (on the back of the achievement card) to the tournament organizer to receive additional prizes. Sets with achievement cards include: Avacyn Restored,[3] Return to Ravnica,[4] Gatecrash, Magic 2014 and Core Set 2020.

Prerelease packs

Prerelease packs are special packages that are sold for prerelease events, giving players a sneak peek at a new set. Nowadays, they usually contain a themed insert, six boosters, a spindown life counter, and a premium promo card of any rare or mythic rare in the set. Early on, these were specially composed and packaged boosters. Later, they became themed deck boxes as a present for the participants.[5]

Approved Prerelease locations can purchase Prerelease packs from authorized distributors and, in North America, from Wizards of the Coast. Each store receives a specific allocation of Prerelease packs.

Prerelease gimmicks

Starting with Mirrodin Besieged prereleases sometimes featured fun-enhancing gimmicks or 'experiences'. These are created by experience designers like Dave Guskin and Gavin Verhey.[6] Because they weren't popular enough, the 'experiences' were discontinued after Magic Origins.[7]

Mirrodin Besieged

Mirrodin Besieged had faction packs and urged players to "Pick a Side". Cards with the Mirran watermarks appeared only in Mirran boosters, and cards with Phyrexian watermarks appeared only in Phyrexian boosters. There was also one basic land in each booster. Foil cards would show up at about the same frequency as they did in regular boosters and didn't follow the rules about what booster they could show up in (both Mirran and Phyrexian foils could show up in either booster).[8]

Dark Ascension

At each Dark Ascension Prerelease, some number of people were designated as a vampire, werewolf, zombie, or spirit at the start of the event. Any time a monster defeated a human in a Prerelease match, the monster (designated by some flashy stickers) would convert the human to their cause. At the end of each Prerelease, the remaining humans and the largest tribe or tribes of monsters would be declared winners, but the rewards were up to the organizers.[9]

Avacyn Restored

For the Avacyn Restored Prerelease, stores were able to register for a limited number of Helvault Prerelease Kits along with the standard kits that come with every prerelease. When players at the special Helvault Events got achievements, they could each physically break a seal on their store's own (cardboard) Helvault. Once all the seals were broken, the store would open their Helvault and all the players would share the spoils within.[10][11] These were 54 oversized cards of Avacyn, Angel of Hope, Griselbrand, Sigarda, Host of Herons, Bruna, Light of Alabaster, and Gisela, Blade of Goldnight, 108 double-sided tokens (Angel/Demon) tokens and 54 20-sided spindown life counters. A select few premium helvaults contained foil oversized cards and 54 promo foils thematically tied to angels or demons (some of which were old Judge Gift cards).[12]

Return to Ravnica

For the Return to Ravnica Prerelease, you could choose from five Guild Prerelease Packs. The options were Azorius, Izzet, Rakdos, Golgari, and Selesnya. Each Guild Prerelease Pack contained five Return to Ravnica booster packs, a guild-specific booster pack, a special alternate-art prerelease card unique to each guild, an achievement card, a Spindown life counter, a guild symbol sticker, and a letter from the guild's leader.[13][14]

Gatecrash

Gatecrash had the same package as Return to Ravnica, but for the Orzhov, Dimir, Gruul, Boros, and Simic guilds.[15][16]

Dragon's Maze

Dragon's Maze Guild Prerelease Packs each contained a Guild booster from Return to Ravnica and one from Gatecrash.

A cardboard version of the Implicit Maze was used as a gimmick to mark players' progress in the tournament. Players could work collectively to advance their chosen guild through the Implicit Maze each round. There were prizes for each guild that got all the way through the maze and special prizes for the first guild that did it. And when the maze was completed, all participating players would receive a premium (foil) basic land promo card.[17]

Theros

Theros featured the first quest of the Hero's Path: Choose a Path.[18] The Hero Prerelease Pack contains a spindown life counter, a Hero card unique to a players' chosen path, one of five quiz activity cards, five Theros boosters, a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's chosen path and one of the five playable Prerelease promo cards. While building decks and playing matches players can work together to find the answers to the questions about Theros on their activity cards. This social scavenger hunt offers players an opportunity to engross themselves in the lore of the new block and interact with their fellow heroes. Once a player has filled out the card, they can check the answer key to see if they completed it correctly. Once completed, they are finished with Quest #1 and ready to continue on the Hero's Path.

Born of the Gods

Born of the Gods featured the fourth quest of the "Hero's Path": Master your Destiny. The Hero Prerelease Pack contained a spindown life counter, a Hero Card unique to a players' mastered destiny, one of five quiz activity cards, three Born of the Gods boosters and two Theros boosters, a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's mastered destiny, one of the five playable Prerelease promo cards and a Hero's Path welcome letter.

Journey into Nyx

Journey into Nyx featured the seventh quest of the "Hero's Path": Forge a Godslayer. The Hero Prerelease Pack contained a spindown life counter, a Hero Equipment Card unique to a players' forged Godslayer, one of five quiz activity cards, two Journey into Nyx boosters, one Born of the Gods booster and two Theros boosters, a special seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's chosen Godslayer, one of the five playable Prerelease promo cards and a Hero's Path welcome letter. During the prerelease, players had the opportunity to win three mystical components, represented by reward stickers. Three-component stickers combined in specific ways to create one of seven different enhancements. The activity card was handed in to the tournament organizer to receive the corresponding "enhancement sticker". That sticker was put on the player's Hero Equipment Card in the blank space as a new permanent ability. This resulted in a customized Godslayer.

Magic 2015

Magic 2015 oversized challenge card

Every Magic 2015 prerelease pack came with a oversized challenge card, Garruk the Slayer, which was a key component of Magic 2015's experience design (designed by Ethan Fleischer and Gavin Verhey). The prerelease pack further contained five regular booster packs, a seeded booster pack, a premium promo card, an activity insert, a Spindown life counter, and three Wolf tokens. One player played their Prerelease deck as normal. This player always went first. The other player acted and played as Garruk. Garruk started at 20 loyalty and could activate one loyalty ability each turn. Garruk could be attacked and if his loyalty reached 0, he lost. But if Garruk's horde of Wolves dropped the player to 0, then Garruk won. The oversized Garruk Planeswalker card couldn't be returned to its owner's hand or otherwise removed.[19]

Khans of Tarkir

The Khans of Tarkir prerelease endorsed the player to affiliate with their clan.[20] Each clan prerelease pack came with a clan button and a clan sticker. The prerelease pack further contained five regular booster packs, a seeded booster pack, a premium promo card, a clan information card, an activity insert, and a Spindown life counter. There were forty possible prerelease cards. One dated and stamped prerelease card random from a pool of eight for each Clan pack. One of which was the Khan. "Raise Your Banner": when a game was won, players could put their sticker on the clan banner in the store, to show off how many battles each clan had won.

Fate Reforged

At the Fate Reforged prerelease, players again choose their clan.[21] While they completed three achievements, they followed in Sarkhan's footsteps to attempt to alter fate; they got to "Heal Ugin" and "Gain a glimpse of the future". The latter came in the form of a special "Ugin's Fate" booster pack containing two alternate art cards that show how the world has changed in the new timeline, a token and a basic land card. There's a pool of 40 alternate art cards with a holofoil stamp, the main change in the art being that there are dragons now.

Dragons of Tarkir

For the Dragons of Tarkir prerelease, each participating store received a Tarkir Dragonfury playing board with character pieces that stand upright on them.[22] The board is a Tarkir landscape, and the pieces can be knocked down by a throw with a special spindown life counter, themed to the breath weapon of one of the five Tarkir dragonlords. Each piece has a point value on it, and the player gets points equal to the total number they knock over. If the die ends up in the central circle, the score is doubled. Every player gets two rolls (resetting the board between each roll). Depending on the highest score, up to four alternate art promotional cards could be won: a land, a common, an uncommon, and a rare dragon.

Magic Origins

For Magic Origins, players were asked to appear at the prerelease with clothes in the color of the favorite planeswalker.[23] Magic Origins prerelease packs gave players the opportunity to learn the origin of their favorite Planeswalker. There were five prerelease packs, one for each planeswalker's color. Each came with a seven-card seeded booster pack that corresponded with that color. Each seeded booster pack contained a stamped premium promo card (1 of 40), which players could include in their tournament decks. The prerelease pack further contained six regular booster packs, a story booklet, and a Spindown life counter.

Kaladesh

Kaladesh prerelease packs contain a little make-your-own-thopter insert.[24]

Amonkhet

Players were encouraged to complete the "Five Trials of the Gods". Players who attended Prerelease received a Trials Activity Card in their Prerelease pack. They were rewarded four-sided "lazotep" counters for each trial they completed. The counters could be used to keep track of -1/-1 counter on their cards.[25]

Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance

For the Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance Prerelease, you could choose from five Guild Prerelease Packs, containing five regular booster packs and one seeded booster composed entirely of cards relevant to that player's choice of guild. It also contained a randomized, date-stamped foil promo card, drawn from any rare or mythic in the set.

Strixhaven: School of Mages

For the Strixhaven: School of Mages Prerelease, you can choose from five College Prerelease Packs, containing five regular Strixhaven: School of Mages booster packs and one seeded booster, which has its rare/mythic slot card guaranteed to be from the college of choice. It also contains a randomized, date-stamped foil promo card, drawn from any rare or mythic in the set.[26] The College Boosters also contained specific double-sided tokens.[27]

Streets of New Capenna

Streets of New Capenna featured five different Prerelease Packs, one for each crime family, that included a spindown die and seeded Family Booster packed with family-focused cards.[28]

Phyrexia: All Will Be One

In one out of every 15 Phyrexia: All Will Be One Prerelease Packs, players could open a special Phyrexianized Spindown life counter instead of one of the regular five mana colored Spindowns.[29]

Selected organizers

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Alex Shvartsman (October, 2004). "Magic Prereleases". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Wizards of the Coast. (2011.) Commander achivement card
  3. ↑ Monty Ashley (April 24, 2012). "The Achievement Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Monty Ashley (September 28, 2012). "Return to Ravnica Achievement Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Gavin Verhey (September 1, 2015). "Branded Play". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Dave Guskin (March 01, 2013). "Magical Powers of Ten". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Mark Rosewater (June 11, 2016). "Why did R&D stop doing experience design ?". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  8. ↑ Monty Ashley (October 12, 2010). "Faction Packs". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Tim Willoughby (January 23, 2012). "Dark Ascension Prerelease Primer". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Monty Ashley (March 21, 2012). "Open the Helvault!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Zac Hill (April 06, 2012). "Branding Play". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ Monty Ashley (May 02, 2012). "The Helvault Experience". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ Return to Ravnica Product Information
  14. ↑ Monty Ashley (February 08, 2013). "Guild Letters". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. ↑ Gatecrash Product Information
  16. ↑ Sam Stoddard (January 25, 2013). "First Impressions". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. ↑ Monty Ashley (April 18, 2014). "The Dragon's Maze Prerelease". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  18. ↑ Dave Guskin (July 24, 2013). "The Path of the Hero". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  19. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (June 22, 2014). "Win the Ultimate Trophy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  20. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (YouTube) (July 26, 2014). "Magic Panel at SDCC"
  21. ↑ Gavin Verhey (January 12, 2015). "Fate Reforged Prerelease Primer". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  22. ↑ Gavin Verhey (February 24, 2015). "Tarkir Dragonfury Explanation". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  23. ↑ Gavin Verhey (June 17, 2015). "Magic Origins Prerelease Themes and Theme Weeks". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  24. ↑ Blake Rasmussen (September 6, 2016). "Kaladesh Packaging, Promos, and Planeswalker Decks". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  25. ↑ Preview Your AKH Event Kits
  26. ↑ WPN (March, 2021). "Strixhaven: School of Mages Prerelease Pack". Wizards Play Network.
  27. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (April 15, 2021). "The Tokens of Strixhaven: School of Mages and Commander (2021 Edition)". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  28. ↑ Adam Styborski (March 3, 2022). "A First Look at Streets of New Capenna: Where Family Means Business". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  29. ↑ WPN (January 18, 2023). "Phyrexia: All Will Be One Events & Promos Overview". Wizards Play Network.

External links

Retrieved from "https://mtg.wiki/index.php?title=Prerelease&oldid=151311"