Magic: The Gathering Sets: Every MTG Set In Order

With a 30-year history and almost countless Magic: The Gathering set releases to date, it can be hard to keep track of the game’s history and what happened when. But fear not, this handy article will provide a short history to the long list of Magic: The Gathering sets.

As there are many, many sets, we’re going to go through main releases first before delving into some standalone products. If you’re looking for the complete Magic: The Gathering set list with all the MTG sets in order, you’ll find one at the end or the article.

The Genesis of MTG: Early Set Releases

Our list of MTG sets in order begins with the first release – known as Alpha – in 1993, setting the groundwork for the identity of the five colours (with the likes of Counterspell, Giant Growth and Lightning Bolt), and featuring the iconic ‘Power Nine’, which remain among the rarest and expensive cards in the game. It was an instant hit, and the reprint sets of Beta and Unlimited followed (both ’93), which were almost identical apart from a few minor printing changes and card fixes.

These core releases were followed by the early MTG sets Arabian Nights (’93), Antiquities, Revised Edition, Legends, The Dark, Fallen Empires (all ’94), and Fourth Edition in 1995. Understandably, the era was defined by power – with the likes of Black Lotus and the Moxes powering out bombs (at the time) like Shivan Dragon, Ernham Dijinn and Juzan Dijinn. Generally though, creatures weren’t great, with players opting for win cons like Black Vise while locking up the game with cards like Stasis, Winter Orb, and Stripmine. Fun if you knew what was going on, horrendous if you didn’t!

This early era has among the most resonant of Magic’s artwork. A little 90s, perhaps, but also much more conceptual and expressive than the more ‘serious’ pieces of today. Stasis stands out, and I've also always loved the pumpkin-esqe Nether Shadow, and the work of the Foglios on cards such as Mishra’s Factory are among the game’s most iconic art.

Era of Expansion: Mid-years and the Rise of Planeswalkers.

The mid-years of Magic: The Gathering really changed how people played the game. Standard – then Type 2 – became a format in early 1995, pushing players to use cards from the most recent MTG sets only, with the first Pro Tour In 1996.

The release of Ice Age (’95) was a key landmark, being the first standalone expansion set, and therefore the first to have its own reprints of the five basic lands, as well as the newly introduced snow lands. Its most famous card – Necropotence – would take over formats for years. It was also the first ‘block’, featuring (at the time) Homelands (’95, later replaced by Coldsnap) and Alliances (’96), with the reprint sets of Chronicles/Renaissance released inbetween in ’95.  

The three-block structure continued for years after, with Mirage Block (Mirage, Visions, Weatherlight) beginning the Weatherlight Saga storyline with its final set, which continued with Tempest Block (Tempest, Stronghold and Exodus), bringing the iconic Slivers and brutal efficiency with the likes of Jackal Pups and Cursed Scroll. The infamous Urza Block came next (Urza’s Saga, Urza’s Legacy and Urza’s Destiny), featuring a host of cards so broken it nearly led to the game’s demise. Combo decks dominated with Grim Monolith, Time Spiral, and Tolarian Academy among some of the biggest offenders, until eventually bans were made.  

Masques Block (Marcadian Masques, Nemesis and Prophecy) was a much-needed power reset, leading into the conclusion of the Weatherlight Saga storyline with Invasion, Planeshift and Apocalypse.

The Magic story reset with Odyssey and its block expansions of Torment – the ‘black set’ – and Judgement. Onslaught Block followed (Onslaught, Legions, Scourge), with Eighth Edition coming before the next ‘broken’ era of artifacts and affinity from Mirrodin Block (Mirrodin, Darksteel and Fifth Dawn) leading to multiple bannings. The divisive Champions Block followed, before the iconic Ravnica sets.

Coldsnap came in ’06 and was curiously added to the Ice Age black (replacing Homelands), followed by the time-travelling Time Spiral block, providing reprints from the past, alternative realities, and snapshots of the future. Lorwyn Block not only featured four sets rather than three, but also brought a new card type to the game – Planeswalkers. These powerful new cards were instant staples and brought a new focus to Magic’s story, becoming the much-loved heroes (and villains).

The gold sets of Alara block gave new names to the ‘shard’ combinations of colours as Jund took over Standard, followed by the ‘lands matter’ theme of Zendikar block, not only brining the most powerful Planeswalker we’d seen at the time in Jace, the Mind Sculptor, but also a new big bad to the multiverse – the Eldrazi.

Modern Mastery: Recent MTG Sets and Their Influence

Following Magic 2011 came a return to Mirrodin – and the Phyrexians – with Scars of Mirrodin, Mirrodin Besieged and New Phyrexia. What follows are too many sets to cover in detail, with highlights including the first appearance of Innistrad in 2011 (debuting double-faced cards), the introduction of the Masters sets with Modern Masters in 2013 and the first ‘wedge’ set in Khans block in 2014. Following returns to both the planes of Innistrad and Zendikar, Kaladesh was released in 2016, bringing more ban-worthy cards relating to the ‘energy’ mechanic as well as some over-powered vehicles in the debut for the artifact subtype. We returned to Dominaria for the first time in many years in 2018, before we went into an all-out Planeswalker war culminating in War of the Spark, with Nicol Bolas’ plans eventually thwarted.

We had a much-needed break from multiverse conflict with Throne of Eldraine, one of the most overpowered Standard sets of all time (looking at you, Oko, Thief of Crowns). This was not long followed by Ikoria, Lair of Behemoths and the outrageous ‘Companions’, leading many Magic players to wonder what on earth was happening in the Wizard's design team. A power reset was needed as it became clear that Wizards was increasingly designing for the Commander format.

Zendikar Rising brought with it the MDFCs and we experienced ‘snow’ once more with Kaldheim in 2021, giving us the first Phyrexian appearance in a while and kick-starting a storyline that would bring us bang up to date, with the gorgeous Kamigawa Neon Dynasty leading into Dominara United, The Brothers War, Phyrexia: All Will Be One, and March of the Machine. The Phyrexians were defeated and today, just like after the War of the Spark storyline, we’re once again back to Eldraine for a story reset.

Special Sets and Crossovers: Standalone Wonders in MTG History

Over the past 30 years – and especially in recent times – there have been many standalone sets, offering their own gaming experience or simply unique takes on classic cards. For example, 1998 was the first of the joke-focused and silver-boarded Un-sets with Unglued, followed by Unhinged (’04), Unstable (’17), Unsanctioned (’20) and Unfinity just last year (‘22).

Other interesting unique Magic: the Gathering sets set releases include Conspiracy, the first ever multiplayer focused booster set, and Battlebond, which was the first set geared towards Two-headed Giant. We’re also witnessing the era of Universes Beyond, which uses other IPs, from Street Fighter to Warhammer 40K, in the game of Magic: the Gathering. The first Magic set to get the Universes Beyond treatment was the Tales from Middle Earth Lord of the Rings set, released this year. These releases enable players to combine the IPs they are most passionate about with the game they love.

Each of these offer their own gameplay, but also fit within the wider game, with almost all cards available to play in casual formats like Commander, and even eternal ones like Legacy and Vintage.

Archiving Magic: Maintaining and Updating Your MTG Set Collection

With so many Magic: The Gathering sets, it can be tricky to stay on top of your collection. How you decide to organise your cards depends on you as a player – if you’re competitive, or at least favour certain formats, organising by legality can be useful – e.g. Standard staples in one box, Modern in another. If you’ve got the space, organising by set is perfect, and then subs-splitting by colour. Organising by rarity is a non-negotiable, specifically keeping rares and mythic safely preserved in a binder or similar. Many cards, even new ones, can get very valuable, so you need to make sure your collection is protected.

Fortunately for those looking to expand their collections, or simply stay on top of the metas of their favourite formats, cards are being reprinted now more than ever, while new staples are emerging with almost every set. It’s worth keeping an eye on the spoilers, top performing deck lists, and content from your favourite players to see what you may want (or need) to invest in.

Magic: The Gathering Set List

• Wilds of Eldraine – 2023
• Commander Masters – 2023
• MTG Lord of the Rings – 2023
• March of the Machine: The Aftermath – 2023
• March of the Machine – 2023
• Jumpstart 2022
• Dominaria Remastered – 2023
• Phyrexia: All Will Be One – 2023
• The Brothers’ War – 2022
• Unfinity – 2022
• Dominaria: United – 2022
• Double Masters 2022 – 2022
• Battle for Baldur’s Gate – 2022
• Streets of New Capenna – 2022
• Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty – 2022
• Innistrad: Crimson Vow – 2021
• Innistrad: Midnight Hunt – 2021
• Adventures in the Forgotten Realms – 2021
• Modern Horizons 2 – 2021
• Strixhaven: School of Mages – 2021
• Time Spiral Remastered – 2021
• Kaldheim – 2021
• Kaladesh Remastered – 2020
• Zendikar Rising – 2020
• Double Masters – 2020
• Jumpstart – 2020
• Core Set 2021 – 2020
• Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths – 2020
• Unsanctioned – 2020
• Theros Beyond Death – 2020
• Game Night 2019 – 2019
• Throne of Eldraine – 2019
• Core Set 2020 – 2019
• Modern Horizons – 2019
• War of the Spark – 2019
• Ravnica Allegiance – 2019
• Ultimate Masters – 2018
• Game Night – 2018
• Guilds of Ravnica – 2018
• Core Set 2019 – 2018
• Battlebond – 2018
• Dominaria – 2018
• Masters 25 – 2018
• Rivals of Ixalan – 2018
• Unstable – 2017 – Un-set
• Iconic Masters – 2017
• Ixalan – 2017
• Hour of Devastation – 2017
• Amonkhet – 2017
• Aether Revolt – 2017
• Kaladesh – 2016
• Eldritch Moon – 2016
• Eternal Masters – 2016
• Shadows over Innistrad – 2016
• Oath of the Gatewatch – 2016
• Battle for Zendikar – 2015
• Magic Origins – 2015
• Modern Masters 2015 – 2015
• Tempest Remastered – 2015
• Dragons of Tarkir – 2015
• Fate Reforged – 2015
• Khans of Tarkir – 2014
• Magic 2015 – 2014
• Vintage Masters – 2014
• Conspiracy – 2014
• Journey into Nyx – 2014
• Born of the Gods – 2014
• Theros – 2013
• Magic 2014 -2013
• Modern Masters – 2013
• Dragon’s Maze – 2013
• Gatecrash – 2013
• Return to Ravnica – 2012
• Magic 2013 – 2012
• Avacyn Restored – 2012
• Dark Ascension – 2012
• Innistrad – 2011
• Magic 2012 – 2011
• New Phyrexia – 2011
• Mirrodin Besieged – 2011
• Scars of Mirrodin – 2010
• Magic 2011 – 2010
• Archenemy – 2010
• Duels of the Planeswalkers – 2010
• Rise of the Eldrazi – 2010
• Worldwake – 2010
• Zendikar – 2009 – Expansion set
• Magic 2010 – 2009
• Alara Reborn – 2009 – Expansion set
• Conflux – 2009
• Shards of Alara – 2008
• Eventide – 2008
• Shadowmoor – 2008
• Morningtide – 2008
• Lorwyn – 2007
• Tenth Edition – 2007
• Future Sight – 2007
• Planar Chaos – 2007
• Time Spiral – 2006
• Coldsnap – 2006
• Dissension – 2006
• Guildpact – 2006
• Ravnica: City of Guilds – 2005
• Salvat 2005 – 2005
• Ninth Edition – 2005
• Saviors of Kamigawa – 2005
• Betrayers of Kamigawa – 2005
• Unhinged – 2004
• Champions of Kamigawa – 2004
• Fifth Dawn – 2004
• Darksteel – 2004
• Mirrodin – 2003
• Eighth Edition – 2003
• Scourge – 2003
• Legions – 2003
• Onslaught – 2002
• Judgment – 2002
• Torment – 2002
• Odyssey – 2001
• Apocalypse – 2001
• Seventh Edition – 2001
• Planeshift – 2001
• Beatdown – 2000
• Invasion – 2000
• Prophecy – 2000
• Starter 2000 – 2000
• Nemesis – 2000
• Battle Royale – 1999
• Mercadian Masques – 1999
• Starter 1999 – 1999
• Urza’s Destiny – 1999
• Portal Three Kingdoms – 1999
• Sixth Edition – 1999
• Urza’s Legacy – 1999
• Anthologies – 1998
• Urza’s Saga – 1998
• Unglued – 1998
• Portal Second Age – 1998
• xodus – 1998
• Stronghold – 1998
• Tempest – 1997
• Weatherlight – 1997
• Portal – 1997
• Fifth Edition – 1997
• Visions – 1997
• Mirage – 1996
• Alliances – 1996
• Homelands – 1995
• Renaissance – 1995
• Chronicles- 1995
• Ice Age – 1995
• Fourth Edition – 1995
• Fallen Empires – 1994
• The Dark – 1994
• Legends – 1994
• Antiquities- 1994
• Arabian Nights – 1993
• Unlimited Edition – 1993
• Beta / Limited Edition Beta – 1993
• Alpha / Limited Edition Alpha – 1993