1996
The year 1996 was the fourth year of existence for Magic: The Gathering.
Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 16–18 | First Pro Tour held in New York City. Won by Template:Flagicon Michael Loconto.
|
| March 4 | First publishing of the Reserved List. |
| April 13 | Opening of the Wizards of the Coast Official Tournament Center. |
| May | Release of the Pro Tour Collector Set. |
| May 5–7 | Pro Tour Los Angeles, won by Template:Flagicon Shawn "Hammer" Reigner |
| June 5 | First mentioning of Gleemax, the brain behind R&D. |
| June | Release of Alliances, after an expansion hiatus of eight months. |
| June | Release of the Rivals Quick Start Set, the first box set with preconstructed theme decks. |
| Summer | Black Summer, dominated by Necropotence-based decks and anti-Necropotence decks like Turbo Stasis. |
| July 4 | Debute of the Arena League |
| July 6–7 | Pro Tour Columbus, won by Template:Flagicon Olle Råde |
| July | First issue of the Sideboard magazine |
| August 14–18 | 1996 World Championships in Seattle, won by Template:Flagicon Tom Chanpheng.
|
| September 13–15 | Pro Tour Atlanta (Season 1996-1997), won by Template:Flagicon Frank Adler. |
| October 7 | Release of Mirage, the first set in the new block model.
|
| November | Release of the Multiverse Gift Box, previewing Visions |
| November 22–24 | Pro Tour Dallas, won by Template:Flagicon Paul McCabe. |
| End of 1996 | Release of the Introductory Two-Player Set for European and Asian markets. |
| December | DCI gets 100,000th member. |
| Player of the Year: Template:Flagicon Olle Råde |
Publications
- Arabian Nights (comic) - January
- Antiquities War - January, February
- Wayfarer - January, February, March
- Homelands (comic) - February
- Ashes of the Sun - March
- Legend of Jedit Ojanen - March, April
- Shandalar (comic) - March, April
- Elder Dragons (comic) - April, May
- Fallen Angel (comic) - May
- Dakkon Blackblade (comic) - June
- Distant Planes - June
- Song of Time - June
- And Peace Shall Sleep - July
- Serra Angel (comic) - August
- Urza–Mishra War - September, October
- Fallen Empires (comic) - September, October
- Dark Legacy - December
- Magic: The Gathering Official Encyclopedia
- Magic: The Puzzling
First involved
Wizards of the Coast
- Sue-Ann Harkey (art director)
Design and Development
Artists
Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break Alliances
- Bill Sienkiewicz
- Carol Heyer
- D. Alexander Gregory
- Diana Vick
- Greg Simanson
- John Matson
- Lawrence Snelly
- Rebecca Guay
- Terese Nielsen
- Zak Plucinsky
Template:Col-break Mirage
- Adam Rex
- Adrian Smith
- Al Davidson
- Andrew Robinson
- Bob Eggleton
- Charles Gillespie
- Chippy
- Cliff Nielsen
- David O'Connor
- David Ho
- Dermot Power
- Dom!
- Donato Giancola
- Gary Grace
- Gary Leach
- Geofrey Darrow
- Gerry Grace
- Hannibal King
- Ian Miller
- Janine Johnston
- Jennifer Law
- John Bolton
- John Malloy
- John Coulthart
- Junior Tomlin
- Kari Johnson
- Kathryn Rathke
- Kev Walker
- Martin McKenna
- Mike Dringenberg
- Mike Kerr
- Patrick Beel
- Robert Bliss