Prerelease card

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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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3]
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[4] 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[5] Legions January 25, 2003 Highlighted amplify
Soul Collector[6] Scourge May 17, 2003 Highlighted morph
Sword of Kaldra[7] 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[8] Ravnica: City of Guilds September 24, 2005 Highlighted hybrid mana
Djinn Illuminatus[9] Guildpact January 21, 2006 Highlighted replicate
Avatar of Discord[10] Dissension April 22, 2006 Highlighted hybrid mana
Allosaurus Rider[11] Coldsnap July 8, 2006 Highlighted super pitch cards
Lotus Bloom[12] Time Spiral September 23, 2006 Highlighted suspend, fourth non-creature
Oros, the Avenger[13] Planar Chaos January 20, 2007 Card from legendary dragon cycle
Korlash, Heir to Blackblade[14] Future Sight April 21, 2007 Highlighted grandeur and futureshifted frame
Wren's Run Packmaster[15] Lorwyn September 29, 2007 Highlighted champion and deathtouch
Door of Destinies[16] Morningtide January 19, 2008 Emphasizes creature types, fifth non-creature
Demigod of Revenge[17] Shadowmoor April 19, 2008 Re-emphasizes hybrid mana first introduced in Ravnica
Overbeing of Myth[18] Eventide July 12, 2008 Another card from the "Demigod" mega cycle
Ajani Vengeant[19] 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[20] Conflux January 31, 2009 Highlighted Grixis.
Dragon Broodmother[21] Alara Reborn April 25, 2009 Highlighted Jund.
Vampire Nocturnus[22] Magic 2010 July 11, 2009 Highlights injection of vampires back into the Core Set.
Rampaging Baloths &
Celestine Reef[23] 		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[24] Worldwake January 30, 2010 Highlights Multikicker. Eighth non-creature.
Emrakul, the Aeons Torn[25] Rise of the Eldrazi April 17, 2010 Foil: Highlights colorless Eldrazi creatures
Sun Titan[26] 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[27] New Phyrexia May 7–8, 2011 Highlights cycle of Praetors
Bloodlord of Vaasgoth[28] Magic 2012 July 9–10, 2011 Highlights Bloodthirst. Lacks the gold-stamped prerelease date.
Mayor of Avabruck / Howlpack Alpha[29] Innistrad September 24–25, 2011 Highlights Transform
Ravenous Demon / Archdemon of Greed[30] Dark Ascension January 28–29, 2012 Highlights Transform
Moonsilver Spear[31] Avacyn Restored April 28–29, 2012 Ninth non-creature. Highlights Angels
Xathrid Gorgon[32] Magic 2013 July 7–8, 2012
Archon of the Triumvirate[33] 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[34] 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[35] Dragon's Maze April 27–28, 2013 Highlights the Implicit Maze.
Megantic Sliver[36] Magic 2014 July 13–14, 2013
Celestial Archon[37] 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 {Clan Symbol Abzan}
Jeskai {Clan Symbol Jeskai}
Sultai {Clan Symbol Sultai}
Mardu {Clan Symbol Mardu}
Temur {Clan Symbol Temur}

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 {Clan Symbol Abzan}
Jeskai {Clan Symbol Jeskai}
Sultai {Clan Symbol Sultai}
Mardu {Clan Symbol Mardu}
Temur {Clan Symbol Temur}

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 {Clan Symbol Dromoka}
Ojutai {Clan Symbol Ojutai}
Silumgar {Clan Symbol Silumgar}
Kolaghan {Clan Symbol Kolaghan}
Atarka {Clan Symbol Atarka}

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 {W}
Jace {U}
Liliana {B}
Chandra {R}
Nissa {G}

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.

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 Highlight legendary creature pairs. Available in nonfoil or foil, with the regular border or the appropriate Multiverse showcase card treatment per card.[39]
2024-02 Murders at Karlov Manor MKM 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

References

  1. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (March, 2007). "Ask Wizards - March 2007". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  2. ↑ Mark Rosewater (January 17, 2016). "That whole "any rare or mythic can be a promo" deal seems kinda lazy.". Blogatog. Tumblr.
  3. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 02, 2003). "First prerelease card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 26, 2004). "The first foil prerelease card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. ↑ Magic Arcana (February 3, 2003). "Prelease card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. ↑ Magic Arcana (May 19, 2003). "Scourge Prerelease card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. ↑ Magic Arcana (September 22, 2003). "Mirrodin Prerelease card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. ↑ Magic Arcana (September 13, 2005). "Ravnica Prerelease Card Revealed". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. ↑ Magic Arcana (January 10, 2006). "Guildpact Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. ↑ Magic Arcana (April 18, 2006). "Dissension Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  11. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 3, 2006). "Coldsnap Prerelease Card Revealed". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. ↑ Wizards of the Coast (September 8, 2006). "Time Spiral Worldwide Prerelease Fact Sheet". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. ↑ Magic Arcana (January 16, 2007). "Planar Chaos Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. ↑ Magic Arcana (April 16, 2007). "Future Sight Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. ↑ Magic Arcana (September 26, 2007). "Lorwyn Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. ↑ Magic Arcana (January 17, 2008). "Morningtide Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. ↑ Magic Arcana (April 14, 2008). "Shadowmoor Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  18. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 7, 2008). "Eventide Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  19. ↑ Magic Arcana (August 21, 2008). "Shards of Alara Prerelease Card!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  20. ↑ Magic Arcana (January 15, 2009). "Conflux Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  21. ↑ Magic Arcana (April 21, 2009). "Alara Reborn Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  22. ↑ Magic Arcana (June 30, 2009). "Magic 2010 Promos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  23. ↑ Magic Arcana (September 16, 2009). "Zendikar Prerelease Promos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  24. ↑ Magic Arcana (January 11, 2010). "Worldwake Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  25. ↑ Magic Arcana (March 17, 2010). "Rise of the Eldrazi Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  26. ↑ Magic Arcana (June 14, 2010). "Magic 2011 Prerelease Card". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  27. ↑ Magic Arcana (April 19, 2011). "New Phyrexia Prerelease and Launch Party Promos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  28. ↑ Magic Arcana (July 8, 2011). "Magic 2012 Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  29. ↑ Magic Arcana (August 29, 2011). "Innistrad Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  30. ↑ Magic Arcana (January 9, 2011). "Dark Ascension Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  31. ↑ Magic Arcana (April 10, 2012). "Avacyn Restored Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  32. ↑ Magic Arcana (June 20, 2012). "Magic 2013 Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  33. ↑ Magic Arcana (September 11, 2012). "Return to Ravnica Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  34. ↑ Magic Arcana (January 2, 2013). "Gatecrash Promo Cards". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  35. ↑ Trick Jarrett (April 11, 2013). "Dragon's Maze Promos & Tokens". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  36. ↑ Trick Jarrett (June 25, 2013). "Magic 2014 — Core Set Promos & Tokens". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  37. ↑ Trick Jarrett (September 3, 2013). "Theros Promos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  38. ↑ Steve Sunu (July 22, 2020). "Three Small Words, One Great Effect". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  39. ↑ WPN (February 20, 2023). "First Look for Retailers: March of the Machine". Wizards Play Network.

External links

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