- The whole reprint will be divided into four separate $250 packs
- The packs will include cards with both modern and classic frames
- These cards will not be tournament legal as many of them are from the reserve list
To celebrate 30 years since its release, Magic: The Gathering’s developer is releasing limited edition collector’s grade Alpha card reprints.
Wizards of the Coast Is Reprinting Cards from Alpha
It is safe to say Magic: The Gathering is one of the most popular tabletop games in the world. Its rise to prominence started three decades ago and for its 30th anniversary, the game’s creators are releasing the Magic 30th Anniversary Edition. This is a reprint containing many of Magic’s first Alpha set. Fans of the game will be able to purchase this booster deck for the whopping sum of $999. The reprinted Alpha cards will come in both the original retro frames as well as modern frames.
Considering the very high price and the fact that these cards will not be tournament legal, one has to realize this is a collector’s piece. Hardcore fans of Magic who want to purchase the packs will be able to do so when developer Wizards of the Coast releases it on November 28. The shipping is expected to happen in late 2022 and early 2023.
What Will Buyers receive?
“Each display of 30th Anniversary Edition will contain four packs of pure nostalgia reimagined in a modern context,” wrote Wizards in their official announcement. There will be four packs, each costing about $250. They will each contain 5 cards, 13 cards in the modern frame—1 rare, 3 uncommons, 7 commons, and 2 basic lands. The packs will also come with one basic land in the retro style frame, one additional retro frame card, and a token.
Although this is an anniversary product that includes most of the Alpha cards, six of them have been removed and will not be included in the packs. These are Contract from Below, Darkpact, Demonic Attorney, Earthbind, Weakness, and Crusade.
Many of the reprint cards are part of the so-called “reserve list”. This is a collection of over 500 cards from the early days of Magic that will never be officially reprinted so they retain their value on the secondary market. They are some of the most powerful cards in the game and this is why Wizards is reprinting Alpha cards as non-tournament legal cards that are intended for collectors and casual play.
As part of its 30th Anniversary celebration, Wizards is planning a Magic 30 event in Las Vegas that will feature panels, draft events, and this year’s Magic World Championship to go along with the Alpha reprints.
