9th Edition (Magic: The Gathering)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ninth Edition | ||
|---|---|---|
| Expansion symbol |  |
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| Release date | August 29, 2005 | |
| Mechanics | None new | |
| Keywords | Aura | |
| Size | 350 (110 rares, 110 uncommons, 110 commons, 20 lands)
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| Magic: The Gathering Chronology |
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| Saviors of Kamigawa | 9th Edition | Ravnica: City of Guilds |
Ninth Edition (9th Edition) or Core Set is the current base set for the collectible trading card game, Magic: The Gathering.
Contents |
[edit] Set history
Ninth Edition features many cards from older base sets and expansions. While many of these cards were very powerful during their original print run it remains to be seen if they are still powerful in Magic today. With Ninth Edition came a redesign of Fat Packs. The Fat Pack consisted of two boxes wrapped around by a card box wrapper featuring new art. The player's guide was also reduced in size but was now sturdier. Also added were 6 divider pieces with artwork for inside the boxes.
[edit] Mechanics
Ninth Edition does not feature any mechanics not present in previous expansions. However, Ninth Edition does modify the list of mechanics considered suitable for base sets. The trample and protection mechanics were included after being removed from Classic Sixth Edition and later base sets. Equipment, first introduced in the Mirrodin set, is also in Ninth Edition, although it was moved up in rarity. Furthermore, all mechanics now have reminder text; mechanics such as flying and trample did not in earlier sets.
Ninth Edition is also the first set to be printed using the new template for enchantments. Previously, enchantments that were played on other permanents were called "local enchantments" and were printed with the type "Enchant creature," "Enchant land," etc. With the Champions of Kamigawa set, Wizards of the Coast made an effort to simplify the type line, which had contained rules interactions that were not written on the card. Following this reasoning, the line "Enchant something" was a problem for several reasons. It has been changed to "Enchantment - Aura" and the targeting restriction moved to the text box. Mark Gottlieb explained the changes in this article. While errata has been issued to make all such cards conform to this template, Ninth Edition is the first set where the cards have actually been printed this way.
[edit] Theme decks
The theme decks for 9th Edition are:
- Army of Justice (white)
- Lofty Heights (blue)
- Dead Again (black)
- World Aflame (red)
- Custom Creatures (green)
[edit] Notable cards
The reprinting of popular cards that had been removed from recent basic sets had proved one of the most popular aspects of Eighth Edition, and even more fan favorites made their way into the newer set.
- Greater Good: Originally from Urza's Saga, 9th Edition was the first time it was included in a core set and it saw lots of tournament play in decks that exploited the Kamigawa block Dragons.
- Hypnotic Specter: Affectionately known as "Hyppie", this card was last printed in Fourth Edition. Without Dark Ritual available in Standard, however, the Specter is no longer as feared and respected as it once was. Nevertheless, it has already made an impact on the Standard tournament format.
- Sengir Vampire: Like the Specter, this is a popular black creature making an appearance in the basic set for the first time since Torment. Few large black creatures with no painful drawbacks are as efficient as the Vampire.
- Force of Nature: Yet another famous card from the original set of Magic that was reintroduced in Ninth Edition with new artwork, the Force is a very large green creature that forces its controller to commit resources to it each turn, or suffer painful consequences.
- Kird Ape: Another card reprinted for the first time in years, this time since Revised (3rd Edition). However, Kird Ape is weakened without the inclusion of Taiga, which could make it a 2/3 on first turn. But with the introduction of Stomping Ground in the Guildpact expansion, Kird Ape is a strong card once again, especially in Zoo decks, which have been resurrected with the ape.
- Jester's Cap: Back during Fifth Edition, the last time the "Cap" was printed, Jester's Cap was the answer to decks that relied on a specific combination of cards to win. Since then, many other cards have been printed that somewhat duplicate the Cap's ability to strip key cards from an opponent's library, but very few others have the potential to be used by any color.
