How do I know if my MTG card is historic?
Magic: The Gathering has a vast array of cards, and knowing whether your card is historic can be a daunting task. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a newcomer to the world of MTG, understanding what makes a card historic is crucial for enthusiasts of the game. In this article, we will break down the essential aspects that determine if your MTG card is historic.
What does "Historic" mean in MTG?
To understand the concept of historic cards in MTG, we first need to grasp the concept of the format. The historic format in MTG allows players to build decks from cards released before September 2018. These decks can be composed of any cards printed before this cutoff date, excluding banned lists. Historic cards can have various rarities, colors, and types, from common to mythic rare.
Supertypes and Historic Cards
For a card to be considered historic, it must belong to a specific supertypes: Artifact or Saga. These supertypes grant the card a status symbol, denoting that they are from the Historic Era of Magic: The Gathering. Note that this only applies to card types with the corresponding supertypes, which will be highlighted in the content below.
Are standard cards legal in historic?
By definition, a standard card is not typically considered historic, as its release date is beyond September 2018. Newer sets, expansions, and updates often feature exclusive cards not included in Historic. These cards will still be played in their relevant formats (Standard, Modern, and Legacy).
However, with the advent of Historic Anthologies, historic cards are added to this format through these releases, making some standard cards also Historic.
Cards Allowed in Historic
A full list of cards included in Historic Anthologies and new sets will not be detailed here, as this information is readily available on MTG’s official website or via the MTG Portal app. What is crucial is keeping track of new additions through official updates, sets releases, and ban/exception lists.
Types of Historic Cards
For any card to be historic:
- Has one of the following supertypes: Artifact, Saga or combinations of both.
- Belongs to set releases prior to September 2018 (i.e., sets prior to the format’s introduction). This can include, for example:
• Printings before 2006 (original sets like Alpha, Beta, Unlimited Editions, and others)
• Retired sets after 2006, i.e., cards released alongside the early days of new formats. - Is not part of prohibited or banned lists, in accordance with MTG official rules and guidelines.
Historic Cards List
In summary, only cards from sets and periods before September 2018, specifically Artifact, Saga, and potentially non-Standard cards (from Anthologies, etc.) will qualify for the historic format.
How do I know if my MTG card is Historic?
Answer: By cross-checking your card(s) with the set-release dates (prior to Sept 2018) or checking their supertype to ensure it is one of the specific ones listed here (Artifact or Saga); also consider potential anthological additions to ensure legal entry in Historic.