Magic: the Gathering is a trading card game created by Richard Garfield in 1993, the first set being released in 1994. This card game requires two or more players, in which each player battles against an opponent using spells, items, and creatures on their Magic cards. The game has won many awards and has over 35 million players as of 2018. Magic can be played in person with printed cards or using a virtual card deck through the Internet-based Magic: The Gathering Online or third-party programs. As a result of being such a popular game, it should come as no surprise that some legendary cards that, due to the power they give the player, the artwork, or simply the date when they were first created, have become immensely popular, rare, and sought after. We will go over the rarest and the most common ones and briefly discuss the identifying features of each card.
The History of Magic The Gathering
Wizards of the Coast first released Magic: The Gathering in 1993, and it is now the most popular collectible card game globally. In the intervening 20 years, the game has released around 12,000 different cards, and the rules have been constantly tweaked to keep things fresh and exciting. As a result, there are hundreds of different formats to play MTG in, though some are more popular than others.
How To Start Playing
The game is played by allowing each player to draw from their deck of cards, made up of land cards, spells, creatures, and enchantments. If you are a beginner and want to understand the basics, you can learn more on MTG by reading details about different topics, rules, and lore of the game. It helps to get a solid understanding before diving in. Essentially, the game begins with players drawing seven cards, and the remaining deck is placed in the middle, forming the stack from which players draw cards. The game’s goal is to use a combination of land cards, spells, and creatures to destroy your opponent before they defeat you.
Common Cards
These cards are the workhorse cards of MTG, and they are the cards that novices need when just starting and are a numerous part of a veteran player’s arsenal.
Lightning Bolt
The lightning bolt card gives three damage anywhere and is a great card to have as part of any deck.
Identifying Features
Color: Red.
Illustration: Powerful image of a lightning bolt.
Illustrated by: Christopher Rush.
Delver of Secrets
It can be found in many decks, including Legacy and Pauper, as it offers a possible turn-two 3/2 Flyer. The card’s aggressiveness can contribute to the possibility of it happening in a deck with lots of Instants and Sorceries. Even though it is unlike Blue, it could fit well in a deck with lots of Prowess Creatures and Wizard synergies.
Identifying Features
Color: Blue.
Illustration: A human wizard holding a cage in one hand and a flying mantis in the other.
Illustrated by: Nils Hamm.
Counterspell
The blue color is well known for its counterspells. Counterspell offers blanket protection for 2 Blue Mana, which is a bargain considering Blue Elemental Blast, and even the recently released Mystical Dispute only cost 1, Blue Mana.
Identifying Features
Color: Blue.
Illustration: A wizard being stopped midday through casting a spell.
Illustrated by: Mark Poole.
Growth Spiral
First printed in 2018, this is one of the most recent cards. Because of its power and importance, it was the first card to feature in a major tournament. In other words, every player used a complete set in their decks.
Identifying Features
Color: Yellow.
Illustration: A girl creating spiral patterns in a forest.
Illustrated by: Seb McKinnon.
Spell Pierce
While spell Pierce and Counterspell have many similarities, Spell Pierce is unique in that it offers a unique trade-off and versatility.
Identifying Features
Color: Blue.
Illustration: A mythical, fantasy wizard casting a powerful spell.
Illustrated by: Deruchecnko Alexander.
Rare Cards
Every Magic The Gathering player knows the feeling of opening a booster pack and seeing a super rare card staring back at them. It’s like the fantasy version of hitting the lottery! The rare MTG cards are the rarest in the history of the game. Recently, a sealed booster box of the rare cards from the Alpha set was sold for a record $65,000. The cards in the Alpha set were very hard to find when Magic The Gathering came out in 1993.
Time Walk
Time Walk. It’s been around since Alpha, and it has been in every set except the earliest ones. It has been reprinted in a few core sets. It has been banned and unbanned, has won tournaments, and been a part of some fun decks. These days it’s forbidden from tournament use because of its power, but that adds to its collectability.
Identifying Features
Color: Blue.
Illustration: Three skeletal creatures walking down a road.
Illustrated by: Amy Weber.
Timetwister
Initially released in 1993, Timetwister is part of the Alpha set. In addition, the Timetwister belongs to the Power Nine.
Identifying Features
Color: Blue.
Illustration: A warrior with a melting shield resulting from fighting a sorcerer who is standing in front of an hourglass.
Illustrated by: Mark Tedin.
Ancestral Recall
There was originally an intention to print several copies of Ancestral Recall, making it available as a common card to players. Nevertheless, the company decided to switch it to rare due to its powerful abilities. It is only allowed at Vintage tournaments in a limited capacity; because it forces the opponent to draw three cards or enables the player to draw three without losing any cards.
Identifying Features
Color: Blue.
Illustration: A warrior covering his ears while standing in front of an Aztec-style pyramid.
Illustrated by: Mark Poole.
Black Lotus
One of the most highly coveted, rarest, and powerful cards, the Black Lotus comes from the original 1993 Alpha Set and is among the Power Nine. It came out thanks to a limited print run of only 1,100 cards.
Identifying Features
Color: Black.
Illustration: A black/ blue colored lotus flower in a green field.
Illustrated by: Christopher Rush.
Summary
MTG is an extremely popular game and, as a result, has created a valuable market for the rare cards of the pack. Nevertheless, many of the rare cards are so overpowered that they are often banned from tournaments.
