Category:Magic sets

Sets are, strictly speaking, any releases of Magic cards. In common parlance, however, the term more often than not refers to releases of reprinted cards, or non-expansion-set sets. Examples of such sets include, but are not limited to, core sets, Beatdown, and the Duel Decks series.

Levels of sets

Starter-level sets

Starter-level sets are sets that are of the lowest level of Magic thematic and mechanical complexity. Starter-level sets are aimed to introduce, and teach, prospective and newer players to the game.

Advanced-level sets

Advanced-level sets are core sets of the game.

Expert-level sets

Expert-level sets are sets that are generally of the highest level of Magic thematic and mechanical complexity. Expert-level sets are all expansion sets.

Types of sets

Un-sets

Un-sets are non-tournament-legal mock sets with a "fun" or "joke" theme.

Expansion sets

Expansion sets, or expansions, are subsets of sets that are often released as part of blocks, with large expansions and small expansions, and with a storyline.

Usually, a block, which is characterized and differentiated by its storyline, themes, and mechanics, comprises three expansion sets, one large expansion and two small expansions; but, there are variations to this organically developed model.^[1]

Large expansions

Large expansions are expansions that contain 200 or more cards, usually 300 or more cards, and establish the storyline, themes, and mechanics of a given block that is typically named after or similarly to the first expansion in a block, which itself is a large expansion. Basic lands are often, but not always, printed in large expansions.^{[note 1]}

Small expansions

Small expansions are expansions that contain less than 200 cards, usually 150 or so cards, and build upon the storyline, themes, and mechanics of a given block in which it is featured and that are established in the large expansion(s). New themes and mechanics may be introduced, however.

More often than not, small expansions are the second and third sets of a three-expansion block and do not feature basic lands; however, the "large expansion / small expansion / small expansion" model is not a rule, and has previously been deviated from.^{[note 2]}

List of Magic expansions and sets

The following is a chronological list of all Magic: The Gathering expansions and sets released thus far. Old two-letter set codes used prior to the release of Torment are listed in parenthesis after the current code.

Notes

References