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===Mana system===
===Mana system===
[[Mana]] is the primary resource for playing spells. Mana is typically drawn from [[lands]] (like the basic lands <c>Plains</c>, <c>Island</c>, <c>Swamp</c>, <c>Mountain</c> and <c>Forest</c>) but it can also be generated by non-land [[permanents]] and [[spells]]. Players choose whatever cards they want. In order for that to work, the game needs some way to make as many cards as possible matter. By making spells have a [[cost]], the designers are able to make different cards important at different parts of the game. Because of this, each card now has a different reason to be considered for a deck. This diversity of card usage is a key factor in making the entire trading card game work.<ref>{{NewRef|mana-action-2011-05-23|Mana Action|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 30, 2011}}</ref>
[[Mana]] is the primary resource for playing spells. Mana is typically drawn from [[lands]] (like the basic lands <c>Plains</c>, <c>Island</c>, <c>Swamp</c>, <c>Mountain</c>, and <c>Forest</c>) but it can also be generated by non-land [[permanents]] and [[spells]]. Players choose whatever cards they want. In order for that to work, the game needs some way to make as many cards as possible matter. By making spells have a [[cost]], the designers are able to make different cards important at different parts of the game. Because of this, each card now has a different reason to be considered for a deck. This diversity of card usage is a key factor in making the entire trading card game work.<ref>{{NewRef|mana-action-2011-05-23|Mana Action|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 30, 2011}}</ref>


===Card types===
===Card types===
A [[card type]] is a characteristic that each ''Magic: the Gathering'' card has. Each card type has its own rules for how they are [[play]]ed. The main card types are: [[artifact]], [[creature]], [[enchantment]], [[instant]], [[land]]. [[planeswalker]] and [[sorcery]]. Some objects may have more than one card type (e.g., artifact creature). Additionally, cards may have [[supertype]]s or [[subtype]]s.
A [[card type]] is a characteristic that each ''Magic: The Gathering'' card has. Each card type has its own rules for how they are [[play]]ed. The main card types are: [[artifact]], [[creature]], [[enchantment]], [[instant]], [[land]]. [[planeswalker]] and [[sorcery]]. Some objects may have more than one card type (e.g., artifact creature). Additionally, cards may have [[supertype]]s or [[subtype]]s.


==History==
==History==
The first ''Magic'' [[core set]], retroactively labelled ''[[Alpha]]'', was created by Dr. Richard Garfield, bought by Wizards of the Coast, and released in August 1993.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/twenty-years-ago-2013-01-23|Twenty Years Ago|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://magic.wizards.com/en/content/magics-25th-anniversary-25-year-timeline Wizards of the Coast (January 31, 2018). "Magic's 25th Anniversay; 25 Year Timeline", magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast.]</ref> High demand led to a second ''[[Beta]]'' print run two months later, followed by a rebranded ''[[Unlimited Edition]]''. When Richard first made the game, he called it ''Magic''. The name was too basic to trademark so the name was changed to ''Mana Clash''. Everyone kept calling it ''Magic'' so they looked into what they needed to do to call it ''Magic''. The answer was to add something to it to make it more unique. Richard chose ''“The Gathering”'' as a sub name signifying the beginning, as the plan was to keep changing the sub names. The next version would be called ''Magic: [[Ice Age]]''.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/113092060568/what-does-the-titular-gathering-in-mtg-mean|title=What does the titular "Gathering" in MTG mean?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=March 08, 2015}}</ref> This idea was however quickly abandonded.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/almost-different-back-2002-08-05|Almost a Different Back|[[Magic Arcana]]|August 05, 2002}}</ref>
The first ''Magic'' [[core set]], retroactively labelled ''[[Alpha]]'', was created by Dr. Richard Garfield, bought by Wizards of the Coast, and released in August 1993.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/twenty-years-ago-2013-01-23|Twenty Years Ago|[[Monty Ashley]]|January 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>[https://magic.wizards.com/en/content/magics-25th-anniversary-25-year-timeline Wizards of the Coast (January 31, 2018). "Magic's 25th Anniversay; 25 Year Timeline", magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast.]</ref> High demand led to a second ''[[Beta]]'' print run two months later, followed by a rebranded ''[[Unlimited Edition]]''. When Richard first made the game, he called it ''Magic''. The name was too basic to trademark so the name was changed to ''Mana Clash''. Everyone kept calling it ''Magic'' so they looked into what they needed to do to call it ''Magic''. The answer was to add something to it to make it more unique. Richard chose ''“The Gathering”'' as a sub name signifying the beginning, as the plan was to keep changing the sub names. The next version would be called ''Magic: [[Ice Age]]''.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/113092060568/what-does-the-titular-gathering-in-mtg-mean|title=What does the titular "Gathering" in MTG mean?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=March 08, 2015}}</ref> This idea was however quickly abandoned.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/almost-different-back-2002-08-05|Almost a Different Back|[[Magic Arcana]]|August 05, 2002}}</ref>


''[[Arabian Nights]]'', released December 1993, was the first [[expansion]] set, consisting of new cards, rather than [[reprint]]s. The first "cycle" of thematically linked new releases, now known as a [[block]], began with ''[[Ice Age]]''. There are now over seventy expansions, ''[[{{CURRENTSET}}]]'' being the latest.
''[[Arabian Nights]]'', released December 1993, was the first [[expansion]] set, consisting of new cards, rather than [[reprint]]s. The first "cycle" of thematically linked new releases, now known as a [[block]], began with ''[[Ice Age]]''. There are now over seventy expansions, ''[[{{CURRENTSET}}]]'' being the latest.
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The full, official rules for ''Magic'' change regularly with the release of new products. Most of these changes simply define and enable new mechanics, though major revisions have occurred infrequently, such as the [[6th_Edition#Rules_changes| 6th Edition update]] in 1999 and the [[Grand Creature Type Update]] in 2007. Proclamations that a new update will finally "kill" the game are common.<ref>{{NewRef|simple-rules-are-holy-grail-magic-2009-06-01|Simple Rules are the Holy Grail of ''Magic''|Dan Gray|June 01, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/twenty-things-were-going-kill-magic-2013-08-05|Twenty Things That Were Going To Kill ''Magic''|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 05, 2013}}</ref> Despite this, the game has flourished, with repeated statements that the most recent large set has become the best-selling set of all time.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/58494083215/for-years-it-mirrodin-was-the-best-selling-set|title=For years, Mirrodin...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=August 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|mm/state-design-2014|State of Design 2014|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 18, 2014}}</ref>
The full, official rules for ''Magic'' change regularly with the release of new products. Most of these changes simply define and enable new mechanics, though major revisions have occurred infrequently, such as the [[6th_Edition#Rules_changes| 6th Edition update]] in 1999 and the [[Grand Creature Type Update]] in 2007. Proclamations that a new update will finally "kill" the game are common.<ref>{{NewRef|simple-rules-are-holy-grail-magic-2009-06-01|Simple Rules are the Holy Grail of ''Magic''|Dan Gray|June 01, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/twenty-things-were-going-kill-magic-2013-08-05|Twenty Things That Were Going To Kill ''Magic''|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 05, 2013}}</ref> Despite this, the game has flourished, with repeated statements that the most recent large set has become the best-selling set of all time.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/58494083215/for-years-it-mirrodin-was-the-best-selling-set|title=For years, Mirrodin...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=August 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|mm/state-design-2014|State of Design 2014|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 18, 2014}}</ref>


[[Mark Rosewater]] attributes the game's success, in part, to three core concepts introduced by Richard Garfield at the game's inception: the [[TCG|trading card game]], the [[color wheel]], and the [[mana]] system.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/good-it-gets-2006-06-05|As Good As It Gets|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 05, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/magic-design-seminar-looking-within-2009-03-02|''Magic'' Design Seminar: Looking Within|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 02, 2009}}</ref> Additionally, since 2008, Wizards of the Coast has devoted efforts to acquiring new players.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/assume-acquisition-2008-03-03|Assume the Acquisition|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 03, 2008}}</ref> Such efforts include a shift in game design to mitigate [[complexity creep]], structured play opportunities to introduce women gamers to ''Magic'' <ref>{{NewRef|feature/lps-and-creating-play-groups-2012-12-11-0|The LPS and Creating Play Groups|Jennifer Robles|December 11, 2012}}</ref>, and in-game representation of women<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/21270120918/|title=Re: your latest...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=April 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/110840728088/|title=Do you guys...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> and minorities.<ref>{{NewRef|uncharted-realms/truth-names-2015-01-28|The Truth of Names|[[James Wyatt]]|Jan 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Doug Beyer]]|URL=http://dougbeyermtg.tumblr.com/post/102494647314/|title=This got asked to Maro...|tumblr-title=A Voice for Vorthos|date=September 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Doug Beyer]]|URL=http://dougbeyermtg.tumblr.com/post/61385493599/|title=Are the Guardians of Meletis...|tumblr-title=A Voice for Vorthos|date=September 15, 2013}}</ref> In spite of these efforts, the percentage of the playerbase that identifies as female is currently in the mid-twenties, down from 38% in the recent past.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/162137383148/|title=I think one of the reasons the community argues with you...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=June 22 2017}}</ref>
[[Mark Rosewater]] attributes the game's success, in part, to three core concepts introduced by Richard Garfield at the game's inception: the [[TCG|trading card game]], the [[color wheel]], and the [[mana]] system.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/good-it-gets-2006-06-05|As Good As It Gets|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 05, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/magic-design-seminar-looking-within-2009-03-02|''Magic'' Design Seminar: Looking Within|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 02, 2009}}</ref> Additionally, since 2008, Wizards of the Coast has devoted efforts to acquiring new players.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/assume-acquisition-2008-03-03|Assume the Acquisition|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 03, 2008}}</ref> Such efforts include a shift in game design to mitigate [[complexity creep]], structured play opportunities to introduce women players to ''Magic'',<ref>{{NewRef|feature/lps-and-creating-play-groups-2012-12-11-0|The LPS and Creating Play Groups|Jennifer Robles|December 11, 2012}}</ref> and more in-game representation of women<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/21270120918/|title=Re: your latest...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=April 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/110840728088/|title=Do you guys...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=February 12, 2015}}</ref> and minorities.<ref>{{NewRef|uncharted-realms/truth-names-2015-01-28|The Truth of Names|[[James Wyatt]]|Jan 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Doug Beyer]]|URL=http://dougbeyermtg.tumblr.com/post/102494647314/|title=This got asked to Maro...|tumblr-title=A Voice for Vorthos|date=September 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Doug Beyer]]|URL=http://dougbeyermtg.tumblr.com/post/61385493599/|title=Are the Guardians of Meletis...|tumblr-title=A Voice for Vorthos|date=September 15, 2013}}</ref> In spite of these efforts, the percentage of the player base that identifies as female is currently in the mid-twenties, down from 38% in the recent past.<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/162137383148/|title=I think one of the reasons the community argues with you...|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=June 22 2017}}</ref>


[[File:Color Wheel.jpg|thumb|right|350px|The "Color Wheel". &copy; Wizards of the Coast.]]
[[File:Color Wheel.jpg|thumb|350px|The color wheel (&copy; Wizards of the Coast)]]


==DCI==
==DCI==
The DCI (formerly, Duelists' Convocation International) is the official sanctioning body for competitive play in ''Magic: The Gathering''. The DCI provides game [[rules]], [[tournament]] operating procedures, and other materials to private tournament organizers and [[players]]. It also operates a [[judge]] certification program to provide consistent rules enforcement and promote fair play. Wizards of the Coast and the DCI control the list of [[banned]] and [[Restricted cards|restricted]] cards, which are considered too strong in particular tournaments.  
The DCI (formerly, Duelists' Convocation International) is the official sanctioning body for competitive play in ''Magic: The Gathering''. The DCI provides game [[rules]], [[tournament]] operating procedures, and other materials to private tournament organizers and [[players]]. It also operates a [[judge]] certification program to provide consistent rules enforcement and promote fair play. Wizards of the Coast and the DCI control the list of [[banned]] and [[Restricted cards|restricted]] cards, which are considered too strong in particular tournaments.  


In order to play in sanctioned events, players must register for a free membership and receive a DCI number. The DCI maintains a global player ratings database using the ELO rating system ([[Planeswalker points]]) and members have access to their entire tournament history online. If a member commits frequent or flagrant rules infractions, his or her membership can be suspended for variable amounts of time depending on the severity, from one month to a lifetime.
In order to play in sanctioned events, players must register for a free membership and receive a DCI number. The DCI maintains a global player ratings database using the ELO rating system ([[planeswalker points]]) and members have access to their entire tournament history online. If a member commits frequent or flagrant rules infractions, his or her membership can be suspended for variable amounts of time depending on the severity, from one month to a lifetime.


==Decks and Tournaments==
==Decks and Tournaments==
Tournament decks in general must have at least 60 cards. A deck may have no more than 4 copies of an individual card, besides basic lands which it may have any number. If a [[sideboard]] is used, it may contain no more than 15 cards.
Tournament decks in general must have at least 60 cards. A deck may have no more than four copies of an individual card, besides basic lands which it may have any number. If a [[sideboard]] is used, it may contain no more than 15 cards.


===Constructed===
===Constructed===
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* [[Vintage]] is the oldest format in the game, simply because it allows players the ability to use almost any card from any black or white [[border]]ed set.  
* [[Vintage]] is the oldest format in the game, simply because it allows players the ability to use almost any card from any black or white [[border]]ed set.  
* In the [[legacy]] format, cards from all sets are playable, though many of the cards which are [[Restricted cards|restricted]] in vintage are banned in legacy.  
* In the [[legacy]] format, cards from all sets are playable, though many of the cards which are [[Restricted cards|restricted]] in vintage are banned in legacy.  
* [[Modern]] is currently the newest [[eternal format]] in the game and bridges the gap between standard and legacy. The cardpool in this format is much smaller compared to either [[legacy]], or [[vintage]]. The cardpool in this format encompasses all set from ''[[Eighth Edition]]'' on.
* [[Modern]] is currently the newest [[eternal format]] in the game and bridges the gap between standard and legacy. The card pool in this format is much smaller compared to [[legacy]] and [[vintage]]. The card pool in this format encompasses all sets from ''[[Eighth Edition]]'' on.


===Limited===
===Limited===
In the [[limited]] format, players do not play with decks they built ahead of time, but play with decks of cards from sealed [[booster pack]]s, which are built at the beginning of a limited tournament before play begins. In limited formats, the minimum deck size is 40 cards.Generally, 17-19 lands and 21-23 spells are played, but there is some variance in this aspect. This format is favored by some, as it allows all players, no matter the size of their collection, to have an equal chance at doing well in a tournament.
In the [[limited]] format, players do not play with decks they built ahead of time, but play with decks of cards from sealed [[booster pack]]s, which are built at the beginning of a limited tournament before play begins. In limited formats, the minimum deck size is 40 cards. Generally, 17-19 lands and 21-23 spells are played, but there is some variance in this aspect. This format is favored by some, as it allows all players, no matter the size of their collection, to have an equal chance at doing well in a tournament.
* In the [[draft]] format, each participating player is seated around a table, usually of 8 players, and is given 3 sealed booster packs. Each player opens the first of their packs, chooses a card from it, and places the chosen card face-down on the table in front of them. The remaining cards in the pack are passed to the left, and players repeat this process with the pack just passed to them, until all the cards are chosen. The same is done with the second pack, this time passing to the right, and with the third pack, passing left again. Each player then builds a deck using the 45 cards they chose from the booster packs. Sanctioned drafts can be run with any number of boosters from any set, as long as each drafter receives the same product. The most common drafts are from the most recent [[block]].
* In the [[draft]] format, each participating player is seated around a table, usually of eight players, and is given three sealed booster packs. Each player opens the first of their packs, chooses a card from it, and places the chosen card face down on the table in front of them. The remaining cards in the pack are passed to the left, and players repeat this process with the pack just passed to them, until all the cards are chosen. The same is done with the second pack, this time passing to the right, and with the third pack, passing left again. Each player then builds a deck using the 45 cards they chose from the booster packs. Sanctioned drafts can be run with any number of boosters from any set, as long as each drafter receives the same product. The most common drafts are from the most recent [[block]].
* In [[Sealed deck]] is a common format used at prerelease tournaments. Everyone is given the same amount of product, e.g. 6 [[booster pack]]s. From that pool of cards, and adding in as many [[basic land]] as desired, each player must build a deck of at least 40 cards. Any opened cards not put in the main deck count as part of the [[sideboard]]. In sealed deck, the skill is making the best out of what you're given.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/signed-sealed-and-delivered-2007-07-09|Signed, Sealed, and Delivered|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 09, 2007}}</ref>
* [[Sealed deck]] is a common format used at prerelease tournaments. In this format, everyone is given the same amount of product (e.g., six [[booster pack]]s). From that pool of cards, and adding in as many [[basic land]] as desired, each player must build a deck of at least 40 cards. Any opened cards not put in the main deck count as part of the [[sideboard]]. In sealed deck, the skill is making the best out of what you're given.<ref>{{NewRef|making-magic/signed-sealed-and-delivered-2007-07-09|Signed, Sealed, and Delivered|[[Mark Rosewater]]|July 09, 2007}}</ref>


==Product slots==
==Product slots==
The line up for regular ''Magic'' products is: <ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/114271732168/i-think-i-had-the-2-block-schedule-down-but-with|title= Are there 5 releases a year, with the fifth being a sort of 'other' slot? |tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=March 21, 2015}}</ref><ref group="note">All seasons according to the [[Wikipedia:Northern Hemisphere|Northern Hemisphere]]</ref>
The line up for regular ''Magic'' products is:<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/114271732168/i-think-i-had-the-2-block-schedule-down-but-with|title= Are there 5 releases a year, with the fifth being a sort of 'other' slot? |tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=March 21, 2015}}</ref><ref group="note">All seasons according to the [[Wikipedia:Northern Hemisphere|Northern Hemisphere]]</ref>
* January: Winter expansion (small; starting in 2019 this will be a large set) <ref name="Metamorphosis 2.0">{{NewRef |making-magic/metamorphosis-2-0-2017-06-12|Metamorphosis 2.0|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 12, 2017}}</ref>  
* January: Winter expansion (small; starting in 2019 this will be a large set)<ref name="Metamorphosis 2.0">{{NewRef |making-magic/metamorphosis-2-0-2017-06-12|Metamorphosis 2.0|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 12, 2017}}</ref>  
* March: [[Masters series]]
* March: [[Masters series]]
* March: [[Duel Decks]] (discontinued, possibly replaced by [[Challenger deck]]s)
* March: [[Duel Decks]] (discontinued, possibly replaced by [[challenger deck]]s)
* April: Spring expansion (large) and [[Welcome Deck]]
* April: Spring expansion (large) and [[welcome deck]]
* June: Summer [[supplemental set]] / innovative slot <ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/45074099870/until-this-year-the-summer-supplemental-product|title=Will there still be a multiplayer set in this slot by default, or could you use it for something else?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=March 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/91091882013/have-you-already-decided-on-what-next-years|title=Have you already decided on what next year's "summer" special release will be? |tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=July 07, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163296790893/ive-been-lurking-on-your-blog-for-a-while-now-and|title=I was hoping I could get some trivia on the original commander set.|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=July 22, 2017}}</ref>
* June: Summer [[supplemental set]]/innovative slot<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/45074099870/until-this-year-the-summer-supplemental-product|title=Will there still be a multiplayer set in this slot by default, or could you use it for something else?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=March 10, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/91091882013/have-you-already-decided-on-what-next-years|title=Have you already decided on what next year's "summer" special release will be? |tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=July 07, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/163296790893/ive-been-lurking-on-your-blog-for-a-while-now-and|title=I was hoping I could get some trivia on the original commander set.|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=July 22, 2017}}</ref>
* July: Summer expansion (this used to be a small set; starting in 2018 this became a large [[core set]]) <ref name="Metamorphosis 2.0"/>
* July: Summer expansion (this used to be a small set; starting in 2018 this became a large [[core set]])<ref name="Metamorphosis 2.0"/>
* August: [[Commander series]]
* August: [[Commander series]]
* September: Fall expansion (large)
* September: Fall expansion (large)
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''Magic'' is yearly featured at several conventions:
''Magic'' is yearly featured at several conventions:


* [[Wikipedia:Origins_Game_Fair| Origins Game Fair]] (June)
* [[Wikipedia:Origins_Game_Fair|Origins Game Fair]] (June)
* [[Gen Con]] (July)
* [[Gen Con]] (July)
* [[Comic-Con]] (July / August)
* [[Comic-Con]] (July/August)
* [[PAX]] (September, March)
* [[PAX]] (September, March)
* [[Promotional cards#Dragon Con|Dragon Con]] (September)
* [[Promotional cards#Dragon Con|Dragon Con]] (September)
* [[HASCON]] (September)
* [[HASCON]] (September)


Thse conventions may feature storyline or design panels, [[Blogatog]] live. Massive ''Magic'' (playing with giant ''Magic'' cards that are three plus feet big<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/164427963623/so-what-was-massive-magic|title=What is Massive Magic?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=August 20, 2017}}</ref>), etc.  
Thse conventions may feature storyline or design panels, [[Blogatog]] live, massive ''Magic'' (playing with giant ''Magic'' cards that are over three feet big),<ref>{{TumblrRef|author=[[Mark Rosewater]]|URL=http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/164427963623/so-what-was-massive-magic|title=What is Massive Magic?|tumblr-title=Blogatog|date=August 20, 2017}}</ref> etc.  
===Online===
===Online===
WotC's online convention, ''Uncon'', featured several tournaments and contests. <ref>{{NewRef|arcana/uncon-2003-prize-sketches-2003-09-18|Uncon 2003 Prize Sketches|[[Magic Arcana]]|September 18, 2003}}</ref>
Wizards' online convention, ''Uncon'', featured several tournaments and contests.<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/uncon-2003-prize-sketches-2003-09-18|Uncon 2003 Prize Sketches|[[Magic Arcana]]|September 18, 2003}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
* In 1994, awards from the The Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) for ''Magic: The Gathering'' and ''[[Legends]]''.
* In 1994, awards from the the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) for ''Magic: The Gathering'' and ''[[Legends]]''.
* ''Magic is'' listed on the [[Wikipedia:Games_100#Hall_of_Fame| Games Magazine Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/magic-gathering-inducted-games-magazine-hall-fame-2003-11-12|''Magic: The Gathering'' Inducted into ''Games Magazine Hall of Fame''|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 12, 2003}}</ref>
* ''Magic is'' listed on the [[Wikipedia:Games_100#Hall_of_Fame|Games Magazine Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{NewRef|arcana/magic-gathering-inducted-games-magazine-hall-fame-2003-11-12|''Magic: The Gathering'' Inducted into ''Games Magazine Hall of Fame''|[[Magic Arcana]]|November 12, 2003}}</ref>
* Academy of Adventure Gaming & Design: ''Best Collectible Card Game of the Year 2015'' for ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]''.
* Academy of Adventure Gaming & Design: ''Best Collectible Card Game of the Year 2015'' for ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]''.
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:MTG Logo blue.png|Logo 1993-1999. Still used on the back of the cards.
File:MTG Logo blue.png|Logo used 1993–1999; still being printed on the back of physical cards
File:MTG logo yellow.png|Logo 1999-2015
File:MTG logo yellow.png|Logo used 1999–2015
File:MTG Logo orange.png|Logo 2015-2018
File:MTG Logo orange.png|Logo used 2015–2018
File:MTG Logo 2018.png|Logo 2018 - current. With variants for different related products.<ref>{{NewRef|news/venturing-outward-new-magic-logo-2018-03-27|Venturing Outward with the ''Magic'' Logo|[[Matt Cavotta]]|March 27, 2018}}</ref>  
File:MTG Logo 2018.png|Logo used 2018–present, with variants for different related products<ref>{{NewRef|news/venturing-outward-new-magic-logo-2018-03-27|Venturing Outward with the ''Magic'' Logo|[[Matt Cavotta]]|March 27, 2018}}</ref>
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 01:15, 11 October 2018

Magic: The Gathering, also Magic or MTG, is a strategy card game created by Richard Garfield in 1993, and published by Wizards of the Coast.[1][2]

Magic holds the title of "Most Played Trading Card Game," and is currently published in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.[3][4]

General

Within the game of Magic, each player takes the role of a planeswalker, a powerful, magic-wielding being.[5]

The game is commonly played with two players, but can be played with more. Each player uses their own deck, which may be constructed from cards they previously owned, or from a limited pool of cards at an event. There are several ways of winning the game, the most common being reducing your opponent to 0 life, from a starting total of 20.[6][7]

There are currently more than 15,000 unique Magic cards,[8] to which hundreds are added each year. Cards are sold in a variety of languages and products, including booster packs and preconstructed theme decks.

Magic is a game of hidden information, meaning that each player knows secrets that the other players do not.[9][10] By contrast, some other games, such as chess, expose the entire game state to all players. Being forced to guess from imperfect information, combined with the inherent randomness in the game (such as from shuffling), makes finding perfect or ideal strategies impractical, if not impossible, and tests a variety of cognitive skills.[11][12][13][14] This is compounded by the continual addition of new cards, which forces regular reevaluation of deckbuilding and gameplay strategies, and leads to an ever-shifting metagame as players adapt.

Trading card game

Magic is a trading card game, or TCG. While trading cards predate Magic by more than a century, and solitaire games using them date to the 1950s, Magic was the first product to combine randomized, collectible cards with deck-construction and interactive gameplay.[15][16][17]

The Colors of Magic

Magic recognizes five colors for mechanical purposes: white, blue, black, red, and green. Each card may be any of these colors, or colorless. A card may also be multicolored, and a hybrid subset of multicolored cards offer additional flexibility.

Each color has characteristic strategies, mechanics, and philosophies. These properties derive from commonplace associations with the colors themselves, and from the practical considerations of creating good gameplay. The "color pie", or color wheel, is a mnemonic device and creative tool based on the ring of colored dots on the back of Magic cards. For any particular color, the color pie uses adjacency on that ring to split the other four colors into a pair of neighboring allied colors and a more distant pair of enemy colors.[18]

Mana system

Mana is the primary resource for playing spells. Mana is typically drawn from lands (like the basic lands Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, and Forest) but it can also be generated by non-land permanents and spells. Players choose whatever cards they want. In order for that to work, the game needs some way to make as many cards as possible matter. By making spells have a cost, the designers are able to make different cards important at different parts of the game. Because of this, each card now has a different reason to be considered for a deck. This diversity of card usage is a key factor in making the entire trading card game work.[19]

Card types

A card type is a characteristic that each Magic: The Gathering card has. Each card type has its own rules for how they are played. The main card types are: artifact, creature, enchantment, instant, land. planeswalker and sorcery. Some objects may have more than one card type (e.g., artifact creature). Additionally, cards may have supertypes or subtypes.

History

The first Magic core set, retroactively labelled Alpha, was created by Dr. Richard Garfield, bought by Wizards of the Coast, and released in August 1993.[20][21] High demand led to a second Beta print run two months later, followed by a rebranded Unlimited Edition. When Richard first made the game, he called it Magic. The name was too basic to trademark so the name was changed to Mana Clash. Everyone kept calling it Magic so they looked into what they needed to do to call it Magic. The answer was to add something to it to make it more unique. Richard chose “The Gathering” as a sub name signifying the beginning, as the plan was to keep changing the sub names. The next version would be called Magic: Ice Age.[22] This idea was however quickly abandoned.[23]

Arabian Nights, released December 1993, was the first expansion set, consisting of new cards, rather than reprints. The first "cycle" of thematically linked new releases, now known as a block, began with Ice Age. There are now over seventy expansions, Modern Horizons 3 being the latest.

The full, official rules for Magic change regularly with the release of new products. Most of these changes simply define and enable new mechanics, though major revisions have occurred infrequently, such as the 6th Edition update in 1999 and the Grand Creature Type Update in 2007. Proclamations that a new update will finally "kill" the game are common.[24][25] Despite this, the game has flourished, with repeated statements that the most recent large set has become the best-selling set of all time.[26][27]

Mark Rosewater attributes the game's success, in part, to three core concepts introduced by Richard Garfield at the game's inception: the trading card game, the color wheel, and the mana system.[28][29] Additionally, since 2008, Wizards of the Coast has devoted efforts to acquiring new players.[30] Such efforts include a shift in game design to mitigate complexity creep, structured play opportunities to introduce women players to Magic,[31] and more in-game representation of women[32][33] and minorities.[34][35][36] In spite of these efforts, the percentage of the player base that identifies as female is currently in the mid-twenties, down from 38% in the recent past.[37]

The color wheel (© Wizards of the Coast)

DCI

The DCI (formerly, Duelists' Convocation International) is the official sanctioning body for competitive play in Magic: The Gathering. The DCI provides game rules, tournament operating procedures, and other materials to private tournament organizers and players. It also operates a judge certification program to provide consistent rules enforcement and promote fair play. Wizards of the Coast and the DCI control the list of banned and restricted cards, which are considered too strong in particular tournaments.

In order to play in sanctioned events, players must register for a free membership and receive a DCI number. The DCI maintains a global player ratings database using the ELO rating system (planeswalker points) and members have access to their entire tournament history online. If a member commits frequent or flagrant rules infractions, his or her membership can be suspended for variable amounts of time depending on the severity, from one month to a lifetime.

Decks and Tournaments

Tournament decks in general must have at least 60 cards. A deck may have no more than four copies of an individual card, besides basic lands which it may have any number. If a sideboard is used, it may contain no more than 15 cards.

Constructed

Most games of Magic, especially casual ones, are played with constructed decks, made by the players before they arrive at game. There are also multiple formats that are played with constructed decks in DCI-sanctioned tournaments:

  • In block constructed, players may play any unbanned cards from a single block.[38]
  • In the Standard format, players play with a deck of at least 60 cards from the most recent core set, the most recent fully released block, and the block that is currently being released.[39]
  • Vintage is the oldest format in the game, simply because it allows players the ability to use almost any card from any black or white bordered set.
  • In the legacy format, cards from all sets are playable, though many of the cards which are restricted in vintage are banned in legacy.
  • Modern is currently the newest eternal format in the game and bridges the gap between standard and legacy. The card pool in this format is much smaller compared to legacy and vintage. The card pool in this format encompasses all sets from Eighth Edition on.

Limited

In the limited format, players do not play with decks they built ahead of time, but play with decks of cards from sealed booster packs, which are built at the beginning of a limited tournament before play begins. In limited formats, the minimum deck size is 40 cards. Generally, 17-19 lands and 21-23 spells are played, but there is some variance in this aspect. This format is favored by some, as it allows all players, no matter the size of their collection, to have an equal chance at doing well in a tournament.

  • In the draft format, each participating player is seated around a table, usually of eight players, and is given three sealed booster packs. Each player opens the first of their packs, chooses a card from it, and places the chosen card face down on the table in front of them. The remaining cards in the pack are passed to the left, and players repeat this process with the pack just passed to them, until all the cards are chosen. The same is done with the second pack, this time passing to the right, and with the third pack, passing left again. Each player then builds a deck using the 45 cards they chose from the booster packs. Sanctioned drafts can be run with any number of boosters from any set, as long as each drafter receives the same product. The most common drafts are from the most recent block.
  • Sealed deck is a common format used at prerelease tournaments. In this format, everyone is given the same amount of product (e.g., six booster packs). From that pool of cards, and adding in as many basic land as desired, each player must build a deck of at least 40 cards. Any opened cards not put in the main deck count as part of the sideboard. In sealed deck, the skill is making the best out of what you're given.[40]

Product slots

The line up for regular Magic products is:[41][note 1]

Note

  1. ↑ All seasons according to the Northern Hemisphere

Conventions

Magic is yearly featured at several conventions:

Thse conventions may feature storyline or design panels, Blogatog live, massive Magic (playing with giant Magic cards that are over three feet big),[46] etc.

Online

Wizards' online convention, Uncon, featured several tournaments and contests.[47]

Awards

Gallery

  • Logo used 1993–1999; still being printed on the back of physical cards

    Logo used 1993–1999; still being printed on the back of physical cards

  • Logo used 1999–2015

    Logo used 1999–2015

  • Logo used 2015–2018

    Logo used 2015–2018

  • Logo used 2018–present, with variants for different related products[49]

    Logo used 2018–present, with variants for different related products[49]

References

  1. ↑ Template:NewRef
  2. ↑ Template:NewRef
  3. ↑ Template:NewRef
  4. ↑ Template:NewRef
  5. ↑ Template:NewRef
  6. ↑ Template:NewRef
  7. ↑ Template:NewRef
  8. ↑ Gatherer search for rules text containing a period. Excludes basic lands and vanilla creatures.[1] Retrieved May 19 2015.
  9. ↑ Template:NewRef
  10. ↑ Template:NewRef
  11. ↑ Template:NewRef
  12. ↑ Template:NewRef
  13. ↑ Template:NewRef
  14. ↑ Template:NewRef
  15. ↑ Template:NewRef
  16. ↑ "Trading Card Central - History". Trading Card Central. Retrieved March 23 2016
  17. ↑ unknown, toppcat (2013-03-28), "It's Cott To be Good!". The Topps Archives. Retrieved Match 23 2016.
  18. ↑ Template:NewRef
  19. ↑ Template:NewRef
  20. ↑ Template:NewRef
  21. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (January 31, 2018). "Magic's 25th Anniversay; 25 Year Timeline", magicthegathering.com, Wizards of the Coast.
  22. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (March 08, 2015). "". Tumblr.
  23. ↑ Template:NewRef
  24. ↑ Template:NewRef
  25. ↑ Template:NewRef
  26. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (August 17, 2013). "". Tumblr.
  27. ↑ Template:NewRef
  28. ↑ Template:NewRef
  29. ↑ Template:NewRef
  30. ↑ Template:NewRef
  31. ↑ Template:NewRef
  32. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (April 17, 2012). "". Tumblr.
  33. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (February 12, 2015). "". Tumblr.
  34. ↑ Template:NewRef
  35. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedDoug Beyer (September 12, 2014). "". Tumblr.
  36. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedDoug Beyer (September 15, 2013). "". Tumblr.
  37. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (June 22 2017). "". Tumblr.
  38. ↑ Wizards of the Coast. (April 28, 2014.) Block Format Deck Construction
  39. ↑ Wizards of the Coast. (April 28, 2014.) Standard Format Deck Construction Block Format Deck Construction
  40. ↑ Template:NewRef
  41. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (March 21, 2015). "". Tumblr.
  42. ↑ a b Template:NewRef
  43. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (March 10, 2013). "". Tumblr.
  44. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (July 07, 2014). "". Tumblr.
  45. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (July 22, 2017). "". Tumblr.
  46. ↑ Error on call to {{WebRef}}: Parameters url and title must be specifiedMark Rosewater (August 20, 2017). "". Tumblr.
  47. ↑ Template:NewRef
  48. ↑ Template:NewRef
  49. ↑ Template:NewRef

External links

Retrieved from "https://mtg.wiki/index.php?title=Magic:_The_Gathering&oldid=13526"