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