Prerelease card

This first prerelease card, from Tempest, is non-foil.

Prerelease cards are cards given away for paying to play at prerelease tournaments.

History

They were first introduced at the Tempest prerelease in October, 1997. They are stamped or otherwise marked to identify them as the prerelease card. The design has changed over the years. Prerelease cards could have a mix of several of these qualities: foiled, the inclusion of a foiled shooting star symbol, alternate art from that which appears in the set, or a foiled watermark in the text box. Prerelease cards are often creatures that highlight some new aspect of the set. Since the creation of Prerelease Packs, many modern sets have had more than one possible prerelease card per set.

Beginning with Khans of Tarkir, prerelease cards had gone from being an advertised selling point to being mostly hidden information prior to the prerelease tournament. The number of possible prerelease cards per set also increased drastically. This was done for playability reasons, as the prerelease cards are now playable in one's card pool at prerelease tournaments. From Battle for Zendikar on, this was further increased to a stamped version of any rare or mythic rare card from the set. This was done because the earlier prerelease cards were skewing the availability of a single cards, and R&D wants all cards of the same rarity to be very close in number.

List

The following table is a list of prerelease cards:

Card	Set	Date	Comment
Dirtcowl Wurm	Tempest	October 1997	The card was not foil; it was a normal version of the card with the word "Prerelease" and the Magic "M" stamped in gold leaf on the type line.
Revenant	Stronghold	February 1998	Non-foil. "Prerelease 2/98" stamped in gold leaf on the type line.
Monstrous Hound	Exodus	June 1998	Non-foil. "Prerelease 6/98" stamped in gold leaf on the type line.
Lightning Dragon	Urza's Saga	September 26, 1998	The first foil card generally available. "Prerelease M" stamped in gold leaf on the type line. First prerelease card with a shooting star. Highlighted echo
Beast of Burden	Urza's Legacy	February 6, 1999	"Feb. 6, 1999" stamped in gold leaf on the type line.
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms	Portal Three Kingdoms	April 29, 1999	Non-foil. "April 29, 1999" stamped in gold leaf on the type line. Prerelease card for Japan. Highlighted horsemanship
False Prophet	Urza's Destiny	May 29, 1999	"May 29, 1999" stamped in gold leaf on the type line.
Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms	Portal Three Kingdoms	July 4, 1999	Non-foil. "July 4, 1999" stamped in gold leaf on the type line. Prerelease card for Australia and Singapore. Highlighted horsemanship.
Overtaker	Mercadian Masques	September 25, 1999	Highlighted spellshapers. Like the subsequent cards has the date stamped in gold leaf on the type line.
Rathi Assassin	Nemesis	Jan 29, 2000	Highlighted mercenaries
Avatar of Hope	Prophecy	May 27, 2000	Highlighted avatar cycle
Kavu Furens (Raging Kavu)	Invasion	September 23, 2000	Printed with Latin text. "23 Sept. 00" stamped in gold leaf on the type line.
Ό πλανώμενος Φελδδαγρίφος (Questing Phelddagrif)	Planeshift	January 27, 2001	Printed with classical Greek text.
फंगल्शम्ब्लर् (Fungal Shambler)	Apocalypse	May 26, 2001	Printed with Sanskrit text.
باسلْ ليسك - الحجر واللسان (Stone-Tongue Basilisk)	Odyssey	September 22, 2001	Prerelease card printed with Arabic text. Highlighted threshold
Воин Лакватуса (Laquatus's Champion)	Torment	Jan 26 2002	Prerelease card printed with Russian text. Highlighted nightmares
תהילה (Glory)	Judgment	May 18, 2002	Printed with Hebrew text. Last prerelease with a shooting star. Highlighted incarnations
Silent Specter	Onslaught	September 28, 2002	First prerelease with the expansion symbol watermark. Highlighted morph
Feral Throwback	Legions	January 25, 2003	Highlighted amplify
Soul Collector	Scourge	May 17, 2003	Highlighted morph
Sword of Kaldra	Mirrodin	September 20, 2003	First prerelease card to feature alternate art and the first that isn't a creature. Highlighted equipment. All subsequent prerelease cards feature alternate artwork and the gold date stamp printed above the type line.
Shield of Kaldra	Darksteel	January 24, 2004	First prerelease card to mention a card that had yet to be printed. Highlighted indestructible. Second non-creature
Helm of Kaldra	Fifth Dawn	May 22, 2004	Third non-creature
Ryusei, the Falling Star	Champions of Kamigawa	September 18, 2004	Card from the legendary dragon cycle
Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni	Betrayers of Kamigawa	January 22, 2005	Highlighted ninjutsu
Kiyomaro, First to Stand	Saviors of Kamigawa	May 21, 2005	Highlighted wisdom theme
Gleancrawler	Ravnica: City of Guilds	September 24, 2005	Highlighted hybrid mana
Djinn Illuminatus	Guildpact	January 21, 2006	Highlighted replicate
Avatar of Discord	Dissension	April 22, 2006	Highlighted hybrid mana
Allosaurus Rider	Coldsnap	July 8, 2006	Highlighted super pitch cards
Lotus Bloom	Time Spiral	September 23, 2006	Highlighted suspend, fourth non-creature
Oros, the Avenger	Planar Chaos	January 20, 2007	Card from legendary dragon cycle
Korlash, Heir to Blackblade	Future Sight	April 21, 2007	Highlighted grandeur and futureshifted frame
Wren's Run Packmaster	Lorwyn	September 29, 2007	Highlighted champion and deathtouch
Door of Destinies	Morningtide	January 19, 2008	Emphasizes creature types, fifth non-creature
Demigod of Revenge	Shadowmoor	April 19, 2008	Re-emphasizes hybrid mana first introduced in Ravnica
Overbeing of Myth	Eventide	July 12, 2008	Another card from the "Demigod" mega cycle
Ajani Vengeant	Shards of Alara	October 3, 2008	First prerelease mythic rare, first planeswalker and sixth non-creature. Also used as release card. Available in six languages. Highlighted Naya.
Malfegor	Conflux	January 31, 2009	Highlighted Grixis.
Dragon Broodmother	Alara Reborn	April 25, 2009	Highlighted Jund.
Vampire Nocturnus	Magic 2010	July 11, 2009	Highlights injection of vampires back into the Core Set.
Rampaging Baloths & Celestine Reef	Zendikar	September 26, 2009	First time two promos are given out, the second being the first plane as well as the seventh non-creature. Highlights Landfall.
Comet Storm	Worldwake	January 30, 2010	Highlights Multikicker. Eighth non-creature.
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn	Rise of the Eldrazi	April 17, 2010	Foil: Highlights colorless Eldrazi creatures
Sun Titan	Magic 2011	July 10, 2010	Foil: Highlights cycle of titans. It has the date 10th of July 2010 in gold at the bottom right of the image
Wurmcoil Engine	Scars of Mirrodin	September 25, 2010	Foil: Highlights artifacts.
Glissa, the Traitor & Hero of Bladehold	Mirrodin Besieged	January 29–30, 2011	Two prerelease cards, highlighting the Phyrexian and Mirran factions. The later also highlights the Battle cry mechanic.
Sheoldred, Whispering One	New Phyrexia	May 7–8, 2011	Highlights cycle of Praetors
Bloodlord of Vaasgoth	Magic 2012	July 9–10, 2011	Highlights Bloodthirst. Lacks the gold-stamped prerelease date.
Mayor of Avabruck / Howlpack Alpha	Innistrad	September 24–25, 2011	Highlights Transform
Ravenous Demon / Archdemon of Greed	Dark Ascension	January 28–29, 2012	Highlights Transform
Moonsilver Spear	Avacyn Restored	April 28–29, 2012	Ninth non-creature. Highlights Angels
Xathrid Gorgon	Magic 2013	July 7–8, 2012
Archon of the Triumvirate	Return to Ravnica	September 29–30, 2012	Azorius guild promo, highlights Detain
Hypersonic Dragon	Return to Ravnica	September 29–30, 2012	Izzet guild promo
Carnival Hellsteed	Return to Ravnica	September 29–30, 2012	Rakdos guild promo, highlights Unleash
Corpsejack Menace	Return to Ravnica	September 29–30, 2012	Golgari guild promo
Grove of the Guardian	Return to Ravnica	September 29–30, 2012	Selesnya guild promo
Treasury Thrull	Gatecrash	January 26–27, 2013	Orzhov guild promo, highlights Extort
Consuming Aberration	Gatecrash	January 26–27, 2013	Dimir guild promo
Rubblehulk	Gatecrash	January 26–27, 2013	Gruul guild promo, highlights Bloodrush
Foundry Champion	Gatecrash	January 26–27, 2013	Boros guild promo
Fathom Mage	Gatecrash	January 26–27, 2013	Simic guild promo, highlights Evolve
Maze's End & Plains	Dragon's Maze	April 27–28, 2013	Highlights the Implicit Maze.
Megantic Sliver	Magic 2014	July 13–14, 2013
Celestial Archon	Theros	September 27–28, 2013	White promo, highlights Bestow
Shipbreaker Kraken	Theros	September 27–28, 2013	Blue promo, highlights Monstrosity
Abhorrent Overlord	Theros	September 27–28, 2013	Black promo, highlights Devotion
Ember Swallower	Theros	September 27–28, 2013	Red promo, highlights Monstrosity
Anthousa, Setessan Hero	Theros	September 27–28, 2013	Green promo, highlights Heroic
Silent Sentinel	Born of the Gods	February 1–2, 2014	White promo
Arbiter of the Ideal	Born of the Gods	February 1–2, 2014	Blue promo, highlights Inspired
Eater of Hope	Born of the Gods	February 1–2, 2014	Black promo
Forgestoker Dragon	Born of the Gods	February 1–2, 2014	Red promo
Nessian Wilds Ravager	Born of the Gods	February 1–2, 2014	Green promo, highlights Tribute
Dawnbringer Charioteers	Journey into Nyx	April 26–27, 2014	White promo, highlights Heroic
Scourge of Fleets	Journey into Nyx	April 26–27, 2014	Blue promo
Doomwake Giant	Journey into Nyx	April 26–27, 2014	Black promo, highlights Constellation
Spawn of Thraxes	Journey into Nyx	April 26–27, 2014	Red promo
Heroes' Bane	Journey into Nyx	April 26–27, 2014	Green promo
Resolute Archangel	Magic 2015	July 12–13, 2014	White promo
Mercurial Pretender	Magic 2015	July 12–13, 2014	Blue promo
Indulgent Tormentor	Magic 2015	July 12–13, 2014	Black promo
Siege Dragon	Magic 2015	July 12–13, 2014	Red promo
Phytotitan	Magic 2015	July 12–13, 2014	Green promo

Change to random prerelease cards

Khans of Tarkir

Players at the prerelease chose one of the five clans featured in Khans of Tarkir. Within their Prerelease Pack, players randomly received one of eight possible prerelease cards associated with that clan, stamped with the dates "20-21 September 2014". The forty possible prerelease cards were:

Abzan

Anafenza, the Foremost Ivorytusk Fortress Abzan Ascendancy Herald of Anafenza Siege Rhino High Sentinels of Arashin Hardened Scales Duneblast

Jeskai

Narset, Enlightened Master Sage of the Inward Eye Jeskai Ascendancy Deflecting Palm Flying Crane Technique Dragon-Style Twins Master of Pearls Thousand Winds

Sultai

Sidisi, Brood Tyrant Rakshasa Vizier Sultai Ascendancy Villainous Wealth Necropolis Fiend Kheru Lich Lord Grim Haruspex Dig Through Time

Mardu

Zurgo Helmsmasher Ankle Shanker Mardu Ascendancy Jeering Instigator Crackling Doom Bloodsoaked Champion Utter End Butcher of the Horde

Temur

Surrak Dragonclaw Avalanche Tusker Temur Ascendancy Crater's Claws Trap Essence Trail of Mystery Icy Blast Rattleclaw Mystic

Fate Reforged

Players at the Fate Reforged prerelease chose one of the five featured clans featured. Within their Prerelease Pack, players randomly received one of six possible prerelease cards associated with that clan, stamped with the dates "17-18 January 2015". The thirty possible prerelease cards were:

Abzan

Daghatar the Adamant Dromoka, the Eternal Dragonscale General Rally the Ancestors Sandsteppe Mastodon Warden of the First Tree

Jeskai

Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest Ojutai, Soul of Winter Jeskai Infiltrator Mastery of the Unseen Sage-Eye Avengers Soulfire Grand Master

Sultai

Tasigur, the Golden Fang Silumgar, the Drifting Death Archfiend of Depravity Soulflayer Supplant Form Torrent Elemental

Mardu

Alesha, Who Smiles at Death Kolaghan, the Storm’s Fury Brutal Hordechief Flamerush Rider Arcbond Mardu Strike leader

Temur

Yasova Dragonclaw Atarka, World Render Flamewake Phoenix Shaman of the Great Hunt Shamanic Revelation Wildcall

Dragons of Tarkir

Players at the prerelease chose one of the five dragon broods featured in Dragons of Tarkir. Within their Prerelease Pack, players randomly received one of eight possible prerelease cards associated with that brood, stamped with the dates "21-22 March 2015". The forty possible prerelease cards were:

Dromoka

Dragonlord Dromoka Dromoka's Command Arashin Sovereign Sunscorch Regent Hidden Dragonslayer Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit Avatar of the Resolute Arashin Foremost

Ojutai

Dragonlord Ojutai Ojutai's Command Pristine Skywise Icefall Regent Stratus Dancer Living Lore Blessed Reincarnation Myth Realized

Silumgar

Dragonlord Silumgar Silumgar's Command Necromaster Dragon Deathbringer Regent Silumgar Assassin Sidisi, Undead Vizier Profaner of the Dead Damnable Pact

Kolaghan

Dragonlord Kolaghan Kolaghan's Command Boltwing Marauder Thunderbreak Regent Ire Shaman Zurgo Bellstriker Pitiless Horde Blood-Chin Fanatic

Atarka

Dragonlord Atarka Atarka's Command Harbinger of the Hunt Foe-Razer Regent Den Protector Surrak, the Hunt Caller Crater Elemental Volcanic Vision

Magic Origins

Players at the Magic Origins prerelease chose one of the five featured planeswalkers. Within their Prerelease Pack, players randomly received one of eight possible prerelease cards associated with the color of that planeswalker, stamped with the dates "11-12 July 2015". The forty possible prerelease cards were:

Gideon

Kytheon, Hero of Akros / Gideon, Battle-Forged Hixus, Prison Warden Tragic Arrogance Vryn Wingmare Gideon's Phalanx Knight of the White Orchid Kytheon's Irregulars Relic Seeker

Jace

Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy / Jace, Telepath Unbound Alhammarret, High Arbiter Talent of the Telepath Harbinger of the Tides Thopter Spy Network Soulblade Djinn Mizzium Meddler Willbreaker

Liliana

Liliana, Heretical Healer / Liliana, Defiant Necromancer Kothophed, Soul Hoarder Dark Petition Despoiler of Souls Languish Priest of the Blood Rite Graveblade Marauder Gilt-Leaf Winnower

Chandra

Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh / Chandra, Roaring Flame Pia and Kiran Nalaar Chandra's Ignition Abbot of Keral Keep Exquisite Firecraft Embermaw Hellion Goblin Piledriver Scab-Clan Berserker

Nissa

Nissa, Vastwood Seer / Nissa, Sage Animist Dwynen, Gilt-Leaf Daen Nissa's Revelation Evolutionary Leap Honored Hierarch Managorger Hydra Outland Colossus Gaea's Revenge

Battle for Zendikar onwards

Zendikar Rising prerelease card with specific date stamp in the right corner of the art box

Starting with Battle for Zendikar, players at the prerelease received one stamped version of any rare or mythic rare card from the set as their promo card. Sometimes there are exceptions or additions.

• Dominaria — Players also received a stamped card from a selection of all legendary cards (other than two legendary enchantments).
• Battlebond — Players received a partnered pair of stamped cards.
• Guilds of Ravnica and Ravnica Allegiance — Players received a stamped version card from a selection of all rare / mythic rare cards relevant to that player's choice of guild.
• War of the Spark — Players also received a stamped planeswalker card from the set. For Japanese version's prerelease, the additional planeswalker cards had the alternate artwork.
• Modern Horizons — Players received a specific prerelease participation promo card again: Astral Drift
• Double Masters — Wrath of God and Chord of Calling.
• Commander Legends — Sengir, the Dark Baron
• Innistrad: Double Feature — Endless Ranks of the Dead

Strixhaven: School of Mages onwards

Strixhaven prerelease card with date stamp in the left corner of the art box

Starting with Strixhaven: School of Mages the specific golden date stamp on the prerelease cards was replaced with a golden stamp indicating the Players Tour season. In the stamp, located in lower left corner of the art box, the relevant years are separated by the shooting star.

Prerelease promo cards

Starting with March of the Machine prerelease, players may find a second promo in their prerelease packs alongside their usual year-stamped foil promo card: one of three mechanically unique promo cards. These Prerelease promos are not Standard-legal, as they are intended to be played in Commander instead.

Prerelease	Set	Code	Promos	Notes
2023-04	March of the Machine	MOC	Goro-Goro and Satoru Katilda and Lier Slimefoot and Squee	Highlight legendary creature pairs. Available in nonfoil or foil, with the regular border or the appropriate Multiverse showcase card treatment per card.
2024-02	Murders at Karlov Manor	MKM	Melek, Reforged Researcher Tomik, Wielder of Law Voja, Jaws of the Conclave	These cards having the set code MKM made it difficult to understand that they were not playable in Standard or Limited. The ARG inside the prerelease packs hinted at alternate graphic variants of the cards, but it was a red herring and only one version of each exists.

See also

• Release card
• Buy-a-Box

External links

• List of Prerelease cards on Scryfall
• Prerelease events promos at Magic Librarities