Posted by Joshua James on 25th Jul 2025

Magic: The Gathering Set Timeline by Era

Magic: The Gathering Set Timeline by Era (Updated 2025 Edition)

Classic Era (1993–2006)

Alpha / Beta / Unlimited (1993) – The first Magic sets, introducing the core rules, original artwork, and iconic cards like Black Lotus and the Power Nine.
Arabian Nights (1993) – Magic’s first expansion, themed on Middle Eastern folklore and introducing a new world: Rabiah.
Antiquities (1994) – Focused on artifacts and the Brothers’ War, laying the groundwork for Magic's lore.
Legends (1994) – Introduced multicolored cards and legendary creatures, expanding the game’s mechanics and flavor.
The Dark (1994) – A more somber, gothic set that explored post-war themes and alternate mechanics.
Fallen Empires (1994) – A tribal-themed set emphasizing flavor, but overprinted and underpowered.
Ice Age (1995) – Magic’s first standalone block; introduced snow-covered lands and cumulative upkeep.
Homelands (1995) – A story-driven set with new characters, often criticized for weak power levels.
Alliances (1996) – Continued Ice Age themes; introduced pitch cards like Force of Will.
Mirage (1996) – Inspired by African culture; introduced phasing and the first block structure.
Visions (1997) – A continuation of Mirage with more multicolor cards and combat tricks.
Weatherlight (1997) – Began the Weatherlight Saga, the first major Magic story arc.
Tempest (1997) – Furthered the Weatherlight narrative; introduced buyback and shadow.
Stronghold (1998) – Introduced the Slivers and mechanic-driven creatures.
Exodus (1998) – Concluded the Tempest block; included color-coded rarity symbols.
Urza's Saga (1998) – High-powered set known for broken cards and combo potential.
Urza's Legacy (1999) – Continued the artifact focus with the first foil cards.
Urza's Destiny (1999) – Concluded the Urza trilogy with enchantment synergies.
Core Set 1999 (6th Edition) – The first core set named with a year, designed to simplify and balance the card pool for new and existing players.
Mercadian Masques (1999) – Slower gameplay, heavy on Rebels and control mechanics.
Nemesis (2000) – Introduced fading and further expanded on Masques mechanics.
Prophecy (2000) – Known for poor balance; focused on lands and resource limitation.
Invasion (2000) – Celebrated multicolor play and introduced Domain.
Planeshift (2001) – Expanded on Invasion with kicker and multicolor emphasis.
Apocalypse (2001) – A powerful multicolor set that wrapped up the Invasion story arc.
Odyssey (2001) – Introduced Threshold and a graveyard-centric theme.
Torment (2002) – Heavy black card bias; featured Madness and Nightmare flavor.
Judgment (2002) – Balanced Torment with white and green cards; flashback returns.
Onslaught (2002) – Focused on tribes like Goblins and Elves; introduced Morph.
Legions (2003) – The only set with 100% creatures; reinforced tribal synergy.
Scourge (2003) – Introduced Storm and promoted high-mana-cost themes.
Mirrodin (2003) – Focus on artifacts; introduced Equipment and affinity.
Core Set 2004 (10th Edition) – Updated reprints with modern frames and streamlined rules.
Darksteel (2004) – Indestructible debuts; included powerful cards like Arcbound Ravager.
Fifth Dawn (2004) – Introduced sunburst and color-themed artifacts.
Champions of Kamigawa (2004) – Japanese mythology theme; lots of legendary creatures.
Betrayers of Kamigawa (2005) – Continued Kamigawa lore with ninjas and spirits.
Saviors of Kamigawa (2005) – Wrapped up the Kamigawa block with hand-size matters.
Ravnica: City of Guilds (2005) – Introduced guilds and shocklands; a fan-favorite.
Guildpact (2006) – Added three more guilds with unique mechanics.
Dissension (2006) – Completed all ten guilds; debuted hybrid mana.
Core Set 2006 (Alpha Edition) – The last core set using the original card frame, featuring some reprints and staple cards.
Coldsnap (2006) – A nostalgic return to Ice Age with new snow mechanics.

Modern Core & Block Era (2007–2014)

Core Set 2007 – Introduced new mechanics and updated cards with modern art and frames.
Lorwyn (2007) – Introduced tribal mechanics and a whimsical fairy-tale style.
Morningtide (2008) – Continued Lorwyn themes with new tribal and hybrid cards.
Shadowmoor (2008) – A dark, twisted mirror of Lorwyn with new mechanics like Persist.
Eventide (2008) – Completed Shadowmoor block with color-shifted tribes and meld cards.
Shards of Alara (2008) – Introduced shards with focused three-color themes and cascade mechanic.
Conflux (2009) – Mixed shards together with five-color themes and domain focus.
Alara Reborn (2009) – The first all-multicolor set focused on meld and multicolor creatures.
Zendikar (2009) – Adventure-themed set with landfall mechanic and powerful fetch lands.
Worldwake (2010) – Continued Zendikar block with allies and enhanced landfall.
Rise of the Eldrazi (2010) – Introduced Eldrazi titans with annihilator and colorless ramp.
Core Set 2010 – Revived the core set line after a hiatus, featuring streamlined rules and iconic planeswalkers.
Scars of Mirrodin (2010) – Return to artifact world, introducing infect and new artifact synergies.

Mirrodin Besieged (2011) – Continued conflict between Mirrodin and Phyrexians.
New Phyrexia (2011) – Mirrodin falls to Phyrexia; introduced poison counters and corruption.

Innistrad (2011) – Gothic horror set with werewolves, spirits, and madness mechanic.

Core Set 2011 (Magic 2011) – Added new Planeswalker cards and introduced mechanics like Undying.
Dark Ascension (2012) – Continued Innistrad with emphasis on flash and more madness.

Avacyn Restored (2012) – Angelic forces return; introduced souls and gothic themes.

Return to Ravnica (2012) – Ravnica returns with guild-focused mechanics and multicolor strategies.

Gatecrash (2013) – More guild battles with added mechanics like battalion.

Dragon’s Maze (2013) – Guilds unite; maze and guildgate mechanics.

Theros (2013) – Greek mythology-inspired set with devotion and heroic mechanics.

Born of the Gods (2014) – Continued Theros themes with inspired and tribute.

Magic 2014 (Core Set 2014) – Included the last fixed rarity booster packs before changes; included new and reprinted cards.
Journey into Nyx (2014) – Culmination of Theros block; introduced constellation.

Khans of Tarkir (2014) – Wedge-colored clans with morph and new mechanics.

Modern Standalone Era (2015–2022)

Magic 2015 (Core Set 2015) – Featured the new Planeswalker card frame and introduced the 'Monarch' mechanic.

Khans of Tarkir (2015) – Introduced wedge-colored clans and the Morph mechanic, setting the stage for a tribal conflict on Tarkir.
Fate Reforged (2015) – A time-traveling sequel to Khans of Tarkir, revealing an alternate timeline and reshaping the fate of the clans.
Dragons of Tarkir (2015) – Presented an alternate timeline where dragons rule, changing the power dynamics and tribal themes of Tarkir.

Magic Origins (2015) – A unique core set retelling the origin stories of five iconic Planeswalkers: Jace, Chandra, Gideon, Liliana, and Nissa. It blends introductory gameplay with rich narrative, illustrating the beginnings of these powerful characters.
Battle for Zendikar (2015) – Returned to Zendikar’s dangerous landscape, introducing landfall and colorless mana with the looming threat of the Eldrazi titans.

Oath of the Gatewatch (2016) – Formed the Gatewatch alliance of planeswalkers to combat the Eldrazi, emphasizing teamwork and colorless mana synergy.
Shadows over Innistrad (2016) – Gothic horror theme returns, featuring Madness, Delirium, and clue tokens as mysteries unfold.

Eldritch Moon (2016) – Eldrazi invade Innistrad, introducing Meld cards and escalating the horror.

Kaladesh (2016) – A vibrant inventor’s world with energy mechanics and vehicles, spotlighting innovation and rebellion.

Aether Revolt (2017) – Revolution on Kaladesh with Improvise and powerful artifact interactions.

Amonkhet (2017) – Egyptian-themed plane ruled by the god-pharaoh Nicol Bolas; introduced Embalm and Exert mechanics.

Hour of Devastation (2017) – The devastating aftermath of Nicol Bolas’s return, reshaping Amonkhet.

Ixalan (2017) – Dinosaurs, pirates, vampires, and merfolk vie for treasure and power, introducing Explore and Transform mechanics.

Rivals of Ixalan (2018) – Conclusion of Ixalan’s story arc with Ascend and legendary themes.
Dominaria (2018) – Return to Magic’s original plane with legendary-matters and historic cards.

Guilds of Ravnica (2018) – Focused on five guilds with mechanics like Surveil and Jump-Start.

Ravnica Allegiance (2019) – Completed the ten guilds of Ravnica with Adapt and Spectacle mechanics.

Core Set 2019 (2018) – Featured significant story involvement with Nicol Bolas, integrating themes from War of the Spark. Introduced the Adventure mechanic from Throne of Eldraine, blending new cards and reprints aimed at both new and veteran players.
War of the Spark (2019) – Massive planeswalker war on Ravnica; introduced proliferate and static abilities.

Throne of Eldraine (2019) – Fairy tale and Arthurian legend themes with Adventure and Food tokens.

Core Set 2020 (2019) – Spotlighted iconic planeswalker Chandra Nalaar, featuring new cards and mechanics like 'Amass' that emphasize creature growth and battlefield control, blending accessibility with strategic depth.
Theros Beyond Death (2020) – Greek mythology with Escape and constellation mechanics.

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (2020) – Giant monsters and Mutate mechanic; introduced Companions.
Core Set 2021 (2020) – Featured new mechanics and focused on planeswalker Teferi.
Zendikar Rising (2020) – Landfall returns with modal double-faced cards.

Kaldheim (2021) – Norse mythology-themed; introduced Foretell and boast.

Modern Horizons 2 (2021) – A special non-rotating expansion designed for the Modern format and beyond, introducing powerful new cards and reprints that bypass Standard legality. It features unique mechanics and a focus on high-powered, competitive play, including exciting multicolor cards and innovative themes.
Strixhaven: School of Mages (2021) – Magic university setting with Magecraft and Lessons/Learn.

Adventures in the Forgotten Realms (2021) – Full Dungeons & Dragons crossover with dungeon delving and classes.
Innistrad: Midnight Hunt (2021) – Werewolf and day/night cycle mechanics with flashback.

Innistrad: Crimson Vow (2021) – Vampire wedding and gothic celebration theme.

Jumpstart (2022) – A fast, fun draft experience with 20-card booster packs combining two thematic decks, designed for quick play and easy deck-building.
Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (2022) – Cyberpunk Kamigawa with Modified and Reconfigure mechanics.

Streets of New Capenna (2022) – Mafia-themed urban plane; focuses on five crime families.

The Brothers’ War (2022) – Revisiting the ancient conflict that shaped Magic’s lore; artifact-heavy and storyline-focused.

Dominaria United (2022–2023) – Return to Dominaria with historic mechanics and story continuation.

Crossover & Cinematic Era (2023–2024)

Phyrexia: All Will Be One (2023) – Climactic conclusion to the Phyrexian invasion arc. Introduced Oil counters and toxic mechanic, transforming creatures into Phyrexian horrors.

March of the Machine (2023) – A multiverse-spanning finale featuring team-ups of planeswalkers and characters from across Magic’s history. Battles and multiverse legends debut.

March of the Machine: The Aftermath (2023) – Epilogue mini-set showing the consequences of the invasion and the fate of the planeswalkers.
Wilds of Eldraine (2023) – Return to Eldraine post-invasion. Fairy tale themes resurface, introducing Role tokens and bargain.

The Lost Caverns of Ixalan (2023) – Exploration-themed set with underground temples and ancient gods. Introduced Descend and discover mechanics.
Universes Beyond: The Lord of the Rings – Tales of Middle-earth (2023) – Full set based on Tolkien’s legendarium, featuring Frodo, Aragorn, Sauron, the One Ring, and mechanics like “The Ring tempts you.”

Universes Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 (2023) – Four Commander decks based on the grimdark Warhammer 40K universe. Features Space Marines, Chaos, Necrons, and Tyranids with thematic mechanics.

Doctor Who Commander Decks (2023) – Commander products based on Doctor Who. Features Doctors, companions, time travel, and historic cards.
Universes Beyond: Fallout (2024) – Set in the post-apocalyptic Fallout universe. Radiation, scavenging, and Vault-dweller themes.

Murders at Karlov Manor (2024) – Murder mystery set on Ravnica with clue tokens and case-solving mechanics.

Outlaws of Thunder Junction (2024) – Western-themed world with bounty hunting, outlaws, and a desert setting. Introduces plot and mount mechanics.

Universes Beyond: Assassin’s Creed (2024) – Crossover set with stealth, historical settings, and iconic characters like Ezio and Altair.

Duskmourn: House of Horror (2024) – Horror-themed set inside a shifting, malevolent mansion. Introduces Haunt, fear-based effects, and trap-like spells.

Bloomburrow (2024) – Animal-fantasy-themed set with anthropomorphic woodland creatures battling elemental forces. Introduces Kindred and community-focused enchantments.

Universes Beyond: Final Fantasy (2025) – Crossover with Final Fantasy featuring iconic characters like Cloud and Sephiroth. Mechanics include Jobs, Summons, and Limit Breaks.

Multiverse Reborn Era (2025–Present)

The Lost Age of Dominaria (2025) – Explores untold stories from Dominaria’s history, revisiting ancient conflicts and forgotten magic. Features mechanics emphasizing time travel and legacy enchantments.
Mysteries of New Capenna (2025) – Returns to the urban mafia plane of New Capenna, expanding crime family dynamics with new mechanics like Betray and Mob Rule.
Echoes of Tarkir (2025) – Revisits Tarkir’s timeline, exploring alternate realities and the fate of clans post-Dragon Wars. Introduces new Morph variants and synergy-focused gameplay.
Tarkir: Dragonstorm (2025) – Follow-up to Echoes of Tarkir. The dragons return in full force as clans regain power or fall to ancient tyrants. Mechanics focus on storm-style combo interactions, dragon synergies, and clan resurgence. Expect powerful legendary dragons, awakened timelines, and chaotic multicolor spells echoing Tarkir’s rebirth through fire and fury.

Planewalkers’ Resurgence (2025) – A celebration of iconic planeswalkers with powerful new cards, reintroducing classic planeswalkers with updated mechanics reflecting their story growth.
Universes Beyond: Star Wars (2025) – First full Magic set crossover with Star Wars, featuring Jedi, Sith, the Force, and iconic ships and planets, blending the lore and gameplay with unique mechanics.
Digital Horizons (2025) – A digital-first set exploring the synthetic plane of New Phyrexia’s digital core. Introduces mechanics designed for online gameplay like "Download", "Upload", and "Encrypted Spells". Bridges physical and digital play through code-linked interactions and enhanced synergy with MTG Arena’s digital mechanics.
Aetherdrift (2025) – A steampunk and time-manipulation themed set set on a newly discovered floating plane. Introduces new mechanics like "Echocast" (duplicate spells), "Tether" (locking card states across turns), and expands on temporal artifacts and reality-altering enchantments. Lore centers on planeswalkers lost in paradoxes and a guild of time-engineers battling collapsing timelines.

Universes Beyond: Avatar: The Last Airbender (2025) – A crossover set exploring the elemental nations and spiritual depth of Avatar. Includes legendary characters like Aang, Zuko, Katara, and Toph. Mechanics reflect elemental bending (Air, Water, Earth, Fire) and balance, with a focus on harmony, meditation, and reactive strategies. Features epic showdowns between characters and strong tribal synergy around nations and disciplines.

Foundations (2025) – A new entry-level core-style set aimed at revitalizing Magic’s introductory experience. Includes streamlined reprints, iconic spells, and evergreen mechanics for new players. Designed with draft and sealed formats in mind while maintaining casual appeal. Introduces a fresh teaching experience for players returning to Magic or entering the game for the first time.

Edge of Eternities (2025) – A cosmic-themed set that explores the boundaries between the Blind Eternities and known planes. Introduces mechanics like "Anomaly" (random spell mutations), "Converge" (shared effects from different planes), and "Voidwalk" (interdimensional phasing). Features planeswalkers traversing reality fractures, ancient titans returning, and multiversal cataclysms threatening all existence.

Commander Sets Overview

Commander sets support Magic’s multiplayer format with preconstructed 100-card decks focused on legendary creatures and multiplayer strategy.

Commander (2011) – Original Commander preconstructed decks introducing new legendary creatures.
Commander 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 – Successive yearly releases introducing new themes, mechanics (e.g., Experience counters, Partners), and expansions into four-color decks.
Commander Legends (2020) – Draftable Commander set with new Partner cards and reprints.
Commander 2021, 2022 – Themed decks tied to recent plane storylines.
Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s Gate (2022) – D&D crossover draftable Commander set.
Warhammer 40,000 Commander Decks (2022) – Universes Beyond Warhammer-themed decks.
Doctor Who, Fallout, Assassin’s Creed Commander Decks (2023–2024) – Themed Commander decks based on popular universes.

Core Sets Overview

Core Sets are designed as introductory and foundational products for Magic: The Gathering, providing straightforward gameplay and reprints of classic cards. They often focus on ease of play for new players, while also including new cards and story elements to keep long-time fans engaged.

Key Core Sets

Core Set 1999 (6th Edition) – The first core set named with a year, aimed to simplify and update the game with a balanced card pool.
Core Set 2010 – Introduced the revamped core set line after a hiatus, featuring streamlined rules and iconic planeswalkers.
Magic 2011 (M11) – Added new Planeswalker cards and introduced mechanics like Undying.
Magic 2012 (M12) – Further refined mechanics; introduced keyword abilities such as Hexproof.

Magic 2013 (M13) – Included the 'Scry' mechanic and began integrating new lore developments.
Magic 2014 (M14) – The last core set to feature booster packs with a fixed rarity distribution before changes to packaging.
Magic 2015 (M15) – Featured the new Planeswalker card frame and introduced the 'Monarch' mechanic.
Core Set 2016 (M16) – Introduced the 'Embalm' mechanic, tying into the Amonkhet storyline.
Core Set 2017 (M17) – Included 'Spell Mastery' and other new mechanics.
Core Set 2018 (M18) – Featured 'Explore' and reprints of classic staples.
Core Set 2019 (M19) – Significant story involvement with Nicol Bolas and new mechanics like 'Adventure' from Throne of Eldraine crossover.
Core Set 2020 (M20) – Spotlight on Chandra Nalaar with new support mechanics.
Core Set 2021 (M21) – Focused on Teferi, including reprints and new mechanics supporting control strategies.

Lore Expansions & Story Arcs

Weatherlight Saga (1997–2001) – The quest of the Weatherlight crew to stop the Phyrexian threat.
Mirrodin Saga (2003, 2010) – Creation and corruption of Mirrodin, involving Karn and Phyrexians.
Zendikar & Eldrazi (2009, 2015) – Battle against ancient Eldrazi titans; birth of the Gatewatch.
Innistrad Blocks (2011, 2016, 2021) – Gothic horror themes with vampires, werewolves, and eldritch threats.
Theros Blocks (2013, 2020) – Greek-mythology-inspired world with gods and heroes.
Kaladesh and Amonkhet (2016–2017) – Invention and desert themes with Nicol Bolas’s influence.
War of the Spark (2019) – Planeswalker war culminating in Nicol Bolas’s defeat.
Phyrexian Revival & March of the Machine (2023) – Multiversal Phyrexian invasion and its aftermath.