Play Your Way With the Best Magic the Gathering Cards
Originally released in 1993, Magic the Gathering unleashed the world of collectible card games, with the game becoming one of the most popular in the world. In this game, players take on the role of a planeswalker, an individual capable of traveling between different worlds and planes in the multiverse. As players progress through the game, they collect cards that represent creatures and spells, which they use to defeat their opponents.
While the original version of the game is still popular today, it’s also spawned several spin-offs and adaptations. In fact, there are around 20 different versions of Magic the Gathering available right now, each with its own set of rules and gameplay mechanics. Sounds amazing, right? To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Magic the Gathering cards of 2024. Let’s take a look!
Buyer’s Guide: Magic the Gathering Cards
With fantasy games, Magic the Gathering is a classic known for its unique gameplay and complex mechanics. If you’re new to the game, it can be overwhelming at first. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about Magic the Gathering cards and help you select the right cards for your deck. Let’s dive right in!
Different Magic the Gathering Cards
While all Magic the Gathering cards fall under the category “General,” they are further divided into different subcategories. These include:
Planeswalkers
Planeswalkers are the main characters in Magic: The Gathering. They have incredible power and can travel between worlds at will, which makes them strong in battle. With these cards, you can summon creatures and cast spells during a match. Each card shows what color they represent as well as their abilities and stats on it, so you can use it accordingly.
Artifacts
Artifacts are cards that represent magical items, animal constructs, or pieces of equipment. An artifact card can be attached to a creature to activate its abilities and give it a boost on the battlefield.
Creatures
Creatures are the backbone of your army in Magic the Gathering. There are many different creatures, such as warriors, minions, beasts, and monsters. They can be summoned by paying their mana costs and attacking your opponent’s life points directly or indirectly through abilities.
Enchantments
As the name implies, enchantments are magical spells that stay on the battlefield. They can be cast as sorcery or an instant, but once they are on the field of play, they remain there until they are removed by another spell or ability. Enchantments can have many different effects, such as buffing your creatures or making them more difficult to kill.
Lands
Basic lands are used to pay the mana cost when casting spells or summoning creatures. They come in five different colors: red, blue, green, white, and black. These basic lands have no abilities other than producing colored mana. While you can only have a maximum of four copies of other cards, you can have unlimited copies of basic lands.
How To Choose Magic the Gathering Cards?
Quantity
The quantity of cards varies from brand to brand but you will find one hundred cards in a single pack of Magic the Gathering cards. The number of cards also depends on the type of game you plan on playing. For instance, a Legacy format game has a minimum of 60 cards while an EDH (Commander) game requires exactly 100 cards and one commander card. Ideally, your deck should have a minimum of sixty cards so you can choose a good mix of spells, lands, and creatures to play with.
Condition
The condition of the card is important because it affects its value. The condition of the card is often described by terms like mint and near mint. A card that is in mint condition means that it has never been played, or even touched. These cards do not contain any dents or scratches, their edges are crisp and sharp while their artwork is still bright and vivid.
Near mint refers to a card that has been played, but not excessively. Its edges may be slightly worn down from being shuffled and handled over time. If you are just starting out and want to get a feel for the game, it may be better to start with a near-mint or even slightly played card. This way you can see how the cards work and what they look like without having to pay an arm and leg.
Rarity
In Magic: The Gathering, there are five levels of rarity for each card: common, uncommon, rare, mythic rare, and promo. Depending on your skill level and the type of deck you are building, each rarity has its own place in your collection.
For example, if you are new to the game and want to build a standard deck, then common and uncommon cards might be the ideal choice. If you want to build a competitive modern deck with some of the most powerful cards in Magic history, then rare or mythic rare cards are the way to go. It should be noted that promo cards are only available through Wizards of the Coast promotions or giveaways; they cannot be obtained through booster packs.
Reviewing Our Favorite Magic the Gathering Cards of 2024
Cosmic Gaming Collections Magic the Gathering Cards – Best Overall
Want to outwit your opponent in the ultimate battle of wits? Get your hands on the Cosmic Gaming Collection Magic the Gathering Cards. This booster pack of Magic the Gathering cards contains one Mythic or rare planeswalker, three uncommon planeswalkers, 15 rares, 15 foils, 50 basic lands, and 1000 other magic cards. Featuring cards from both vintage and new series, these Magic the Gathering cards give you access to new spells, creatures, and artifacts, providing an edge over the opponent.
All cards are inspected meticulously by experts to ensure that they meet our high standards of quality. These cards even come packed in a sturdy cardboard storage box that makes it easy to store your cards at home or take them with you wherever you go. Because of their amazing variety, high-quality construction, and unmatched value, these Magic the Gathering cards stand at the top of our list.
Pros
- High-quality, tear-resistant build
- Eye-catching illustrations with balanced color diversity
- Minimal duplicates
- Comes in a near-mint condition
Cons
- Some cards may have a rough edge
Star City Games Magic the Gathering Cards – Great Value
The Star City Magic the Gathering Cards are a great way to get into the game. Featuring one thousand Magic the Gathering cards, this set contains at least 950 common and uncommon cards, 25 rares, 25 foil cards, and promotional cards that can be used to build a deck or add value to your existing collection.
With hundreds of different cards from the revised and new series of Magic the Gathering, you cast powerful spells and summon powerful creatures to challenge your opponent. You can also customize your deck with a variety of cards that allow you to play different strategies and styles. Made from premium quality material, these Magic the Gathering cards can withstand the rigors of the battle and still maintain their integrity. The cards are also very easy to shuffle, making them perfect for gamers of all ages.
Pros
- Premium construction for maximum durability
- Smooth edge ensures easy shuffling
- Contain a variety of cards with different effects
- Comes in a high-quality cardboard box
Cons
- May contain duplicate cards
Magic the Gathering Innistrad Midnight Hunt Cards – Most Versatile
Ready to challenge the werewolves, warlocks, and wizards of Innistrad? With the Innistrad Midnight Hunt Magic the Gathering Cards, you can go to battle with the monsters of the night. Boasting eight booster packs, this Magic the Gathering card set contains 40 basic land cards including 20 foil and 20 non-foil that can be used to build your deck for the duel. With this Magic the Gathering card set, you’ll also get one foil alt-art promo card — Triskaidekaphile — that can be used to turn the tables on your opponent. This Magic the Gathering card set also comes with a glow-in-the-dark Spindown life counter, so you can keep track of your life total as you battle for victory.
Featuring a high gloss treatment, this set of Magic the Gathering will add a luxurious touch to your game. These Magic the Gathering cards also feature ornate linework that gives them a hand-drawn feel, while the striking alternate-art makes the monsters and spells look even more powerful than usual. This classic card set comes packed in an exclusive Innistrad-themed box, making it easy to store your card when not in use.
Pros
- Premium foil construction
- High-gloss coating to maintain the integrity
- Realistic illustration for maximum authenticity
Cons
- May not be ideal for beginners
Magic the Gathering Cards – Most Budget-Friendly
Are you a fan of the strategy and fun of Magic the Gathering? Do you want to get your hands on some of the rarest and most coveted cards in the game? Then you’ll love this set of Magic the Gathering cards. Featuring one thousand cards, this Magic the Gathering card set includes the most sought-after rare and mythic rare foil cards to build your own custom deck.
This set also contains multi-colored cards, which are used to cast spells in many different ways, artifacts, which can be attached to creatures and make them more powerful, and non-basic land cards that can be played in any untapped state. Available in near-mint condition, these Magic the Gathering cards are exceptionally durable and feature an ultra-premium material that will provide years of fun. Because of their versatile variety, these cards are fully compatible with all other Magic the Gathering sets and are ideal for new players or experienced veterans of the game.
Pros
- Premium material for maximum resilience
- Contain cards from the sixth edition onwards
- Available in near-mint condition
Cons
- Do not contain a planeswalker card
People Also Asked
A: The Black Lotus Alpha is considered to be the most valuable and sought-after card from the Alpha set of Magic: The Gathering, with only about 3300 copies of it in existence. In fact, it was auctioned for over half a million dollars in 2021.
A: While both Alpha and Beta cards have the same black border, Alpha cards feature significantly more rounded corners with a 2mm radius. Beta cards have slightly sharper and more pointed edges which give them a more angular appearance.
A: Yes. A card's value depends upon the condition of the card and its rarity. If a card is damaged or worn out, it will lose value. Similarly, if it's reprinted — no matter how good the card is — its value will drop.
