Editing
Set
(section)
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
==Expansions== '''Expansions''' are sets that feature the latest [[Standard]]-legal cards and [[mechanic]]s. The most recently released expansions form a large part of the game's [[Constructed]] and [[Limited]] environments. Each expansion has a theme running through the gameplay and [[flavor]] of its cards. Until 2018, expansions were organized into [[block]]s according to their theme and release date. Expansions are the focal point of ''Magic'', especially its primary gameplay [[format]], [[Standard]]. Standard annually rotates out older sets in favor of newer ones, putting less emphasis on older cards. For over 20 years, ''Magic'' expansions were grouped into [[block]]s, which carried an overarching theme across two or three sets. A large expansion established each block's setting and key mechanics, followed by small expansion(s) that developed on the block's themes and added complementary mechanics.<ref name="SizeMatter">{{DailyRef|latest-developments/size-matters-2012-04-27 |Size Matters|[[Zac Hill]]|April 27, 2012}}</ref> Under the system in place since 2018, sets are no longer designed in blocks. [[Set Design]] ends roughly eight months before a set releases.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/187887145128/were-sagas-proven-popular-before-theros-was|title=Were sagas proven popular before Theros was completed?|September 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/187890556878/set-design-ends-roughly-eight-months-before-a-set|title=I think I remember you saying a set is finalized roughly six months before release?|September 22, 2019}}</ref> ===History=== The game's first expansions, from ''[[Arabian Nights]]'' (1993) to ''[[Homelands]]'' (1995), were independent releases as they came out before the introduction of blocks. ''[[Mirage block]]'' established a convention of making expansions in blocks of three, one block per year. This practice would remain the default for ''Magic'' from 1996–2014. Exceptions were ''[[Coldsnap]]'' (2006), an extra summer expansion that was retconned into the third set of the [[Ice Age block]], and the [[Lorwyn–Shadowmoor block]] (2007–08), which consisted of two mini-blocks of two sets apiece.<ref name="ArcanaBlocks">{{DailyRef|arcana/building-blocks-2014-08-25 |Building Blocks|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|August 25, 2014}}</ref> The mini-block structure was adopted into the "[[Two-Block Paradigm]]," which was used beginning with Shadows block. Under this system, Wizards eliminated the core set to allow them to make four expansion sets each year. These were divided into two blocks annually: one including the autumn and winter sets, and a second including the spring and summer sets.<ref name="Metamorphosis">{{DailyRef|mm/metamorphosis |Metamorphosis|[[Mark Rosewater]]|August 25, 2014}}</ref> The Two-Block paradigm proved to be unsuccessful in some cases, and the end of the block structure was announced by [[Mark Rosewater]] on June 12, 2017.<ref name="Metamorphosis 2.0">{{DailyRef|making-magic/metamorphosis-2-0-2017-06-12|Metamorphosis 2.0|[[Mark Rosewater]]|June 12, 2017}}</ref> Beginning in 2018, three large [[standalone]] would be released each year (spring, autumn, and winter), supplemented by a revamped [[Core Set]] in the summer. This was called the [[Three-and-One Model]]. In 2020, Wizards of the Coast decided to stop using the term "Standard-legal set" for expansions as it implied a little too strongly that the new sets were just about [[Standard]]. Instead, they started to use the term [[premier]] set.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/grand-experiment-2020-05-25|The Grand Experiment|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name="PremierTentpole">{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/725360506267926528|title=Just so we're clear on the terminology...|August 10, 2023}}</ref> In 2021 core sets were retired again. ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]'' started out in design as core set but was later transformed in a more complicated [[expansion]] set. Wizards announced there will be four standalone premier expansion sets each year. ===Large and small expansions=== A large expansion is one with more than 240 cards, while a small expansion has 200 or fewer. The typical block structure began with a large set, followed by one or more small sets in a supporting role. However, the second or third set can also grow into a large set as needed by [[R&D]].<ref group="note">''[[Rise of the Eldrazi]]'', ''[[Avacyn Restored]]'', and ''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]'' are each the third expansion of its respective block. They are large expansions to highlight and provide room for a dramatic reboot in gameplay and tone. The second set in [[Return to Ravnica block]], ''[[Gatecrash]]'', was made large to allow a new distribution of the ten [[Guilds of Ravnica|guilds]].</ref><ref name="ArcanaBlocks" /> Historically (under the three-set block formula) this was due to a need for the third set to expand on the block's existing themes while also having its own unique flavor and mechanics.<ref name="SizeMatter" /><ref name="Metamorphosis"/> The exact number of cards in a set has varied widely over the years, especially those from before the block structure was well defined. [[Mirage block]] through [[Onslaught block]] established a convention of 350 cards in the first set, and 143 cards in each of the second and third sets. This changed with [[Mirrodin block]], which reduced the size difference by shifting some [[uncommon]]s and [[rare]]s from the large expansion into the small expansions.<ref name="SizeSets">{{DailyRef|latest-developments/size-sets-2003-06-20 |The Size of Sets|[[Randy Buehler]]|June 20, 2004}}</ref> The new custom (306 large, 165 small) continued until ''[[Coldsnap]]''. [[Time Spiral block]] had larger expansions to accommodate [[timeshifted]] cards. The standard card pool consisting of the Time Spiral, Lorwyn, and Shadowmoor blocks plus the core set was the largest in ''Magic'' history. Following this, feedback regarding the number of cards printed annually caused Wizards to cut back the size of sets.<ref name="Changerously">{{DailyRef|making-magic/year-living-changerously-2008-06-02 |The Year of Living Changerously|[[Mark Rosewater]]|2008 June 02}}</ref><ref name="PlayBlocks">{{DailyRef|making-magic/playing-blocks-2009-12-07 |Playing With Blocks|[[Mark Rosewater]]|December 7, 2009}}</ref> [[Alara block]] saw the introduction of [[Mythic rare|Mythic rares]] and a size reduction for sets. Commons, uncommons, and rares in large sets were reduced by 20 each, and 15 mythics were added. Fewer uncommons and rares were printed in small sets as well. Given the fast turnaround, it was clear Wizards was already planning on decreasing set sizes before feedback reinforced this. ''[[Innistrad]]'' introduced [[Double-faced card|double-faced cards]], and with it a separate sheet that increased set size any time it returned. [[Magic 2015]] restored the 20 uncommons cut during Alara block in an effort to improve [[Limited|limited format]] play. Beginning in the fall of 2015, there were two large expansions released each year, one in the fall and one in the spring (the [[Two-Block Paradigm]]).<ref name="Metamorphosis" /> The [[Standard]] play format [[rotation|rotated]] with the release of each large expansion, rather than just once a year as had been the case since 1997; however, only one mid-season rotation went forward before negative feedback convinced Wizards to return to the once-a-year cycle. In this new structure, core sets were eliminated. After the introduction of the Two-Block Paradigm, the second set of a two-expansion block would be usually small (but not always). To facilitate the new draft structure (2 boosters of the second set / 1 of the first set) the average size for a small expansion went up to around 184 cards, adding ten commons, seven rares, and some mythics.<ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/128230798418/hi-mark-what-are-reasons-behind-changing-the|title=What are reasons behind changing the Draft format?|September 02, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/128588372698/in-this-new-bba-world-is-184-the-new-default|title=Is 184 the new default size of small sets?|September 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|latest-developments/double-small-set-drafting-2015-12-04|Double Small-Set Drafting|[[Sam Stoddard]]|December 4, 2015}}</ref> Small expansions were abandoned with the introduction of the [[Three-and-One Model]].<ref name="Metamorphosis 2.0" /> ''[[Rivals of Ixalan]]'' was the last small expansion. When [[Core Set 2019]] (two sets after Rivals) was released, Standard had over 2,000 legal cards, on par with the Time Spiral-Shadowmoor size, and each eight-set Standard format since has been larger than that. The number of rares and mythics in ''[[Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms]]'' was increased to sixty and twenty respectively. From 2020 to 2023, the baseline ''Magic'' set size is 101 commons, 80 uncommons, 60 rares, and 20 mythic rares.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/nuts-bolts-13-design-skeleton-revisited-2021-03-22|Nuts & Bolts #13: Design Skeleton Revisted|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 22, 2021}}</ref> With the shift to [[Play Booster]]s and the reduction from 10 commons a Draft pack to 6, Premier Sets have changed to 81 commons and 100 uncommons.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/731372278856794112/how-did-play-boosters-change-the-way-you-designed#notes|title=How did play boosters change the way you designed sets?|October 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/nuts-and-bolts-16-play-boosters|Nuts & Bolts #16: Play Boosters|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 4, 2024}}</ref> ===Standalone sets=== A "standalone set" is a set that is designed to be played by itself. ''[[Ice Age]]'', ''[[Mirage]]'' and ''[[Tempest]]'' were all marketed as such.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/taming-beast-2011-12-05|Taming the Beast|[[Michael G. Ryan]]|December 5, 2011}}</ref> The concept became outdated when the [[block]] structure and [[limited]] [[draft]] became the standard. Standalone sets returned when the block model was discontinued in favor of the [[Three-and-One Model]], starting with ''[[Dominaria]]''. ===Event sets=== An “event set” is structurally built to capture an event in the ''Magic'' storyline. It also can refer to the set itself as a culmination of a [[storyline|story arc]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/675542156948144128/with-brothers-war-ive-noticed-that-with-both-of|title=With Brother's War I've noticed that with both of the Event sets|February 7, 2022}}</ref> Event sets include: *''[[War of the Spark]]'' *''[[The Brothers' War]]'' *''[[March of the Machine]]'' ===Faction sets, nostalgia sets and backdrop sets=== Within [[R&D]], sets can be characterized as [[faction]] sets (e.g. ''[[Ravnica: City of Guilds]]''), as nostalgia sets (e.g. ''[[Dominaria]]'') or as backdrop sets.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/724680510354407424|title=What other types of sets exist besides event sets?|August 3, 2023}}</ref> The latter are characterized as set on a world we’ve been to before, but with a different mechanical focus.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/724564515667230720|title=What is "a backdrop set"?|August 2, 2023}}</ref> ===Showcase sets=== Showcase sets were introduced in [[2024]] with ''[[Outlaws of Thunder Junction]]''. A showcase set has a theme and uses the [[Omenpath]]s to get creatures (and possibly objects) from across the [[Multiverse]] that fit into that theme. R&D plans to try and make one set each year that plays into this new space.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/outlaws-of-the-land-part-1|Outlaw of the Land, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 26, 2024}}</ref> ===Travelogue sets=== A different kind of set made possible by the omenpaths, the "Travelogue set", where the set takes place across multiple planes. An example is the 2025 [[Death Race]] set.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/739814067500417024|title=Would you say the Death Race Set is a Backdrop Set, an Event Set or neither?|January 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/746511504364421120|title=Can you share whether the Death Race set is also a Showcase set?|March 31, 2024}}</ref> ===Tentpole sets=== In 2022, Wizards of the Coast introduced the marketing term "tentpole set" for the six major releases for each year (four [[premier set]]s, and two special supplemental sets).<ref name="Cynthia Williams">{{WebRef|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2022/wizards-of-the-coast-president-cynthia-williams-on-tabletop-trends-2023-strategy-and-more/|title=Wizards of the Coast President Cynthia Williams on tabletop trends, 2023 strategy, and more|author=Thomas Wilde|date=December 17, 2023|publisher=Geekwire.com}}</ref><ref name="PremierTentpole"/> A tentpole set has to have [[random]]ized [[booster]]s for [[Limited]] as a main component, but also has accompanying products, like [[Commander deck]]s, associated with it.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/725122033896357888|title=Does tentpole include commander?|August 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/725316816871768064|title=What's the difference between a tent pole set and a supplemental set?|August 10, 2023}}</ref> ===Micro sets=== ''[[March of the Machine: The Aftermath]]'' was the first set marketed as a "micro set".<ref name="Arrives">{{DailyRef|announcements/march-of-the-machine-arrives-in-2023|''March of the Machine'' Arrives in 2023|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|December 13, 2022}}</ref> It was sold in 5-card [[Epilogue Booster]]s that continued the story in between sets. Each booster guaranteed a [[foil]] and a [[Showcase]] card.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/products/march-of-the-machine-the-aftermath|title=March of the Machine: The Aftermath: Epilogue Booster|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|date=December 13, 2022|publisher=[[Magic.gg]]}}</ref> Because of the negative reception of ''March of the Machine: The Aftermath'', future micro-set releases are unlikely.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/741831401351102464|title=Hated? Not just disliked, but hated? Should we assume that means mini-sets like Aftermath are unlikely in the future?|February 9, 2024}}</ref> The planned micro set ''[[The Big Score]]'' was incorporated in [[The List]] for ''[[Outlaws of Thunder Junction]]''.<ref name="MATretrospective">{{YouTubeRef|LdQvmxffjX4|Epilogue on Epilogue|creator=[[Blake Rasmussen]], [[Max McCall]], [[Zakeel Gordon]]|channel=Magic: The Gathering|date=February 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/747220756152418305|title=Was the decision to not execute on it made before or after MAT failed so spectacularly?|April 8, 2024}}</ref>
Summary:
Please note that all contributions to Magic the Archiving may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here.
You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see
Magic the Archiving:Copyrights
for details).
Do not submit copyrighted work without permission!
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Navigation menu
Personal tools
Not logged in
Talk
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Namespaces
Page
Discussion
English
Views
Read
Edit
View history
More
Search
Navigation
Main page
Recent changes
Random page
Help about MediaWiki
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Special pages
Page information