MAGIC: THE GATHERING Celebrates 30 Years with $999 Set

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In August 1993, Magic: The Gathering became the first modern trading card game. It has stayed relevant over the intervening decades with crossovers like Fortnite, Street Fighter, and Stranger Things. But the classic cards also hold a lot of nostalgia. Knowing this, Wizards of the Coast is releasing the 30th Anniversary Edition beginning November 28, 2022. The set, modeled after the Limited Edition Beta cards, will sell for $999. And even though the cards can’t be used in sanctioned tournaments, the image gallery of artwork is enough to tempt any Magic fan.  

Card art (back and front) for Magic: The Gathering's 30th Anniversary Edition
Wizards of the Coast

According to the publisher: “Each display of 30th Anniversary Edition will contain four packs of pure nostalgia reimagined in a modern context. Each pack contains 15 cards, 13 cards in the modern frame—1 rare, 3 uncommons, 7 commons, and 2 basic lands—plus one basic land in the retro frame, one additional retro frame card, and a token.” 

The set will also be a limited edition, like the early releases with black borders and pointed edges that are coveted by collectors. Black Lotus cards may continue their reign as the ultimate find. Each of the 30th Anniversary cards has that special artwork on the back at least.

Wizards of the Coast are planning lots of other sets and special releases in the next year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Magic: The Gathering, including a Lord of the Rings mashup. Proving it’s never too late to get into Magic, there’s even Bob Ross paintings on some cards. Netlfix also announced an animated series coming soon. Thirty years later and the magic of Magic is still going strong. 

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth. 

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