Magic: The Gathering, also known as MTG, has been a beloved trading card game for over two decades. With new sets being released regularly, it can be overwhelming to keep track of all the set symbols. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive list of MTG set symbols in chronological order.
MTG set symbols are small icons that appear on the bottom right corner of each card, indicating which set it belongs to. These symbols are unique to each set and can be used to identify the set at a glance. Collectors and players alike often find it useful to recognize these symbols, especially when organizing their card collections or building decks.
Early Sets (1993-1995)
The first sets of MTG were released in the early 1990s, and they laid the foundation for the game's future success. Here are the set symbols for the early sets:
- Alpha (1993) - A stylized letter "A"
- Beta (1993) - A stylized letter "B"
- Unlimited (1993) - A stylized infinity symbol
- Revised (1994) - A stylized letter "R"
- The Dark (1994) - A stylized letter "D"
- Fallen Empires (1994) - A stylized crown
- Homelands (1995) - A stylized letter "H"
Classic Sets (1995-1997)
The mid-1990s saw the release of several classic sets that are still popular today. Here are the set symbols for these sets:
- Mirage (1996) - A stylized pyramid
- Visions (1996) - A stylized eye
- Weatherlight (1997) - A stylized wing
- Tempest (1997) - A stylized wave
- Stronghold (1998) - A stylized castle
Modern Sets (1998-2000)
The late 1990s saw the release of several modern sets that introduced new mechanics and themes. Here are the set symbols for these sets:
- Exodus (1998) - A stylized cross
- Urza's Saga (1998) - A stylized gear
- Urza's Legacy (1999) - A stylized lightbulb
- Urza's Destiny (1999) - A stylized clock
- Mercadian Masques (1999) - A stylized mask
- Nemesis (2000) - A stylized skull
Block Sets (2000-2003)
The early 2000s saw the release of several block sets, which introduced new mechanics and themes. Here are the set symbols for these sets:
- Invasion (2000) - A stylized globe
- Planeshift (2000) - A stylized planet
- Apocalypse (2001) - A stylized flame
- Odyssey (2001) - A stylized scroll
- Torment (2002) - A stylized skull
- Judgment (2002) - A stylized scales
- Onslaught (2002) - A stylized fist
- Legions (2003) - A stylized shield
- Scourge (2003) - A stylized flame
Continued Sets (2003-2010)
The mid-2000s saw the release of several continued sets, which built upon previous mechanics and themes. Here are the set symbols for these sets:
- Mirrodin (2003) - A stylized gear
- Darksteel (2004) - A stylized metal plate
- Fifth Dawn (2004) - A stylized sun
- Champions of Kamigawa (2004) - A stylized kanji symbol
- Betrayers of Kamigawa (2005) - A stylized wave
- Saviors of Kamigawa (2005) - A stylized kanji symbol
- Ravnica: City of Guilds (2005) - A stylized guild symbol
- Guildpact (2006) - A stylized guild symbol
- Dissension (2006) - A stylized guild symbol
- Coldsnap (2006) - A stylized snowflake
- Time Spiral (2006) - A stylized clock
- Planar Chaos (2007) - A stylized swirly pattern
- Future Sight (2007) - A stylized crystal ball
- Lorwyn (2007) - A stylized leaf
- Morningtide (2008) - A stylized sun
- Shadowmoor (2008) - A stylized moon
- Eventide (2008) - A stylized sun
- Shards of Alara (2008) - A stylized shard
- Conflux (2009) - A stylized vortex
- Alara Reborn (2009) - A stylized rebirth symbol
- Zendikar (2009) - A stylized map
- Worldwake (2010) - A stylized wave
- Rise of the Eldrazi (2010) - A stylized elder symbol
Newer Sets (2010-2020)
The 2010s saw the release of several newer sets, which introduced new mechanics and themes. Here are the set symbols for these sets:
- Scars of Mirrodin (2010) - A stylized gear
- Mirrodin Besieged (2011) - A stylized metal plate
- New Phyrexia (2011) - A stylized phyrexian symbol
- Innistrad (2011) - A stylized angel symbol
- Dark Ascension (2012) - A stylized zombie symbol
- Avacyn Restored (2012) - A stylized angel symbol
- Return to Ravnica (2012) - A stylized guild symbol
- Gatecrash (2013) - A stylized guild symbol
- Dragon's Maze (2013) - A stylized maze symbol
- Theros (2013) - A stylized Greek column
- Born of the Gods (2014) - A stylized Greek column
- Journey into Nyx (2014) - A stylized Greek column
- Khans of Tarkir (2014) - A stylized Khan symbol
- Fate Reforged (2015) - A stylized dragon symbol
- Dragons of Tarkir (2015) - A stylized dragon symbol
- Magic Origins (2015) - A stylized five-color symbol
- Battle for Zendikar (2015) - A stylized map
- Oath of the Gatewatch (2016) - A stylized gate symbol
- Shadows over Innistrad (2016) - A stylized angel symbol
- Eldritch Moon (2016) - A stylized moon symbol
- Kaladesh (2016) - A stylized gear symbol
- Aether Revolt (2017) - A stylized aether symbol
- Amonkhet (2017) - A stylized Egyptian column
- Hour of Devastation (2017) - A stylized Egyptian column
- Ixalan (2017) - A stylized dinosaur symbol
- Rivals of Ixalan (2018) - A stylized dinosaur symbol
- Dominaria (2018) - A stylized tree symbol
- Core Set 2019 (2018) - A stylized five-color symbol
- Guilds of Ravnica (2018) - A stylized guild symbol
- Ravnica Allegiance (2019) - A stylized guild symbol
- War of the Spark (2019) - A stylized spark symbol
- Modern Horizons (2019) - A stylized clock symbol
- Core Set 2020 (2019) - A stylized five-color symbol
- Throne of Eldraine (2019) - A stylized castle symbol
- Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (2020) - A stylized dinosaur symbol
- Core Set 2021 (2020) - A stylized five-color symbol
Conclusion
MTG set symbols are an integral part of the game, and recognizing them can be a fun and rewarding experience for collectors and players alike. With this comprehensive list, you should be able to identify most of the set symbols in chronological order.
We hope this article has been helpful in your MTG journey. Do you have a favorite set symbol or a favorite set? Share your thoughts in the comments below!