These are abandoned under the current system. A large expansion established each block's setting and mechanics, followed by one or two set(s) that developed on the block's themes. Standard annually rotates out older sets in favor of newer ones, putting less emphasis on legacy cards.įor a long time, Magic expansions used to be grouped into blocks, which carried an overarching theme across two or three sets. Until 2018, expansions were organized into blocks according to their theme and release date.Įxpansions are the focal point of Magic, especially its primary gameplay format, Standard. Each expansion has a theme running through the gameplay and flavor of its cards. The most recently released expansions form a large part of the game's Constructed and Limited environments.

Expert-level sets were all expansion sets.Įxpansions are sets that feature the latest Standard-legal cards and mechanics. They have been discontinued for a while as they did not fulfill this purpose, but have been brought back recently in the form of 2-Player Starter Sets, and more recently as Spellslinger Starter Kits.Īdvanced-level sets were the core sets of the game.Įxpert-level sets were sets that were generally of the highest level of Magic thematic and mechanical complexity. Starter-level sets were aimed to introduce, and teach, prospective and newer players to the game. Starter-level sets were sets attempting the lowest possible level of Magic mechanical complexity. These ratings stopped appearing on packaging with the release of Lorwyn (2007). The most recent released set is Phyrexia: All Will Be One.Ī rating system for complexity in the line of sets was introduced with Fifth Edition, Tempest, and Portal Second Age, (1997–1998).

An expansion symbol and, more recently, a three-character abbreviation is printed on each card to identify the set it belongs to.

Cards in a set can be obtained either randomly through booster packs, or in box sets that have a fixed selection of cards. A set in Magic: The Gathering is a pool of cards released together and designed for the same play environment.

Mtg card sets from 2009 and 2010