Decoding the Mystique: What Does Rarity M Mean in Magic: The Gathering?
In the vast and captivating world of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), rarity is a crucial element that dictates a card’s availability and, often, its desirability. Within this system, “M” stands for Mythic Rare, representing the highest standard rarity tier, and indicating a card that appears less frequently in booster packs than commons, uncommons, and rares. These cards often feature unique abilities or significant power levels, making them highly sought after by collectors and players alike.
Understanding Rarity in Magic: The Gathering
Before diving deeper into the intricacies of Mythic Rares, let’s establish a firm understanding of the overall rarity system within MTG. Rarity signifies how likely a card is to appear in a booster pack. A card’s rarity directly influences its value and the difficulty in acquiring it.
Magic cards are typically classified into these rarity levels:
- Common (C): The most frequently appearing cards in booster packs.
- Uncommon (U): More scarce than commons but still relatively accessible.
- Rare (R): Less common than uncommons, and often boasting more potent effects.
- Mythic Rare (M or MR): The least frequent standard rarity, reserved for especially powerful or unique cards.
- Basic Land (L): Basic lands like Plains, Islands, Swamps, Mountains, and Forests have their own rarity but are often treated as common for distribution purposes.
- Special (S): Similar to basic lands, these cards are always accessible to you, and they may be marked with an “S” instead of a “C.”
- Token (T): Tokens are not found in booster packs and are used to represent creatures or other permanents created by card effects.
The Significance of Mythic Rares
Mythic Rares were introduced in the Shards of Alara set to further differentiate card power and collectibility. These cards often represent central characters in a set’s storyline or boast incredibly impactful abilities.
Why Mythic Rare Was Introduced:
- To Increase Collectibility: Introducing a higher rarity increased the “chase” aspect, encouraging players to open more packs in search of these elusive cards.
- To Provide a Design Space for Powerful Cards: It allowed Wizards of the Coast to print cards with splashy, game-changing effects without flooding the market with them.
- To Enhance Storytelling: Mythic Rares often depict iconic characters and pivotal moments, enriching the narrative experience of each set.
Identifying a Mythic Rare
Identifying a Mythic Rare is straightforward. Look for the expansion symbol located in the center-right, below the illustration. The color of this symbol indicates the card’s rarity:
- Black: Common
- Silver: Uncommon
- Gold: Rare
- Orange-Red/Bronze: Mythic Rare
Even foil cards retain the colored symbol from the non-foil version, so this remains the primary indicator of rarity.
Mythic Rare Drop Rates
The probability of pulling a Mythic Rare from a booster pack is lower than that of pulling a Rare card. The general approximation has been around 1 in 8 booster packs, although this rate has changed slightly over time.
Before Zendikar Rising, approximately 1 in 8 booster packs contained a Mythic Rare instead of a Rare. Starting with Zendikar Rising, the odds shifted slightly to approximately 1 in 7.4 booster packs.
The underlying printing process contributes to these odds. On a typical printing sheet, a certain number of slots are allocated for each rarity. Fewer slots are assigned to Mythic Rares compared to Rares, leading to their reduced frequency in booster packs.
Factors Affecting Card Value
A card’s rarity is a significant factor influencing its value, but it is not the only one. Other factors include:
- Playability: How useful the card is in various MTG formats (Standard, Modern, Commander, etc.)
- Demand: Popularity among players and collectors.
- Condition: The physical state of the card.
- Edition: The set from which the card originates. Older, more limited print runs often command higher prices.
- Foiling: Foil versions are generally more valuable than non-foil versions.
- Print Errors/Variations: Sometimes, printing errors or variations can make a card exceptionally rare and valuable.
While Mythic Rares are inherently rarer than other cards, not all Mythic Rares are equally valuable. A highly playable Mythic Rare in a popular format will typically command a much higher price than a less sought-after one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rarity in MTG
Here are some frequently asked questions about rarity in MTG to provide additional clarity and insights:
1. What is the highest rarity in Magic: The Gathering?
The highest standard rarity is Mythic Rare. While some extremely rare promotional cards or unique printings exist, Mythic Rare is the highest official rarity designation found in regular booster packs. There are promotional cards (like Judge Promos), Masterpieces (like Inventions from Kaladesh), and Secret Lairs which are rarer and more exclusive than mythic rares but are not booster-set rarities.
2. What do the different rarity symbols look like?
- Common: Black
- Uncommon: Silver
- Rare: Gold
- Mythic Rare: Orange-Red/Bronze
3. How do I know if my MTG card is valuable?
Check online price guides (like TCGPlayer or Card Kingdom), consider the card’s playability in popular formats, and assess its condition. Also, consider if it’s a foil, an alternate art version, or a card with a misprint.
4. What does “L” mean on a Magic card?
“L” stands for Basic Land. While technically having their own rarity, basic lands are generally treated as commons for distribution.
5. What does “S” mean on a Magic card?
“S” stands for Special. These cards are treated as available and they may be marked with an “S” instead of a “C.”
6. What is a “Secret Rare”?
Secret Rares are cards with collector numbers exceeding the total number of cards in the set (e.g., 250/249). They are often highly sought after. These are common in Pokemon but less so in Magic.
7. What is the difference between a Rare and a Mythic Rare?
Mythic Rares are rarer than Rares, appearing less frequently in booster packs. They often possess more potent effects and significant storyline relevance.
8. Are all Mythic Rares expensive?
No. A card’s value depends on its playability, demand, and other factors beyond just its rarity.
9. How did the introduction of Mythic Rares change Magic: The Gathering?
It increased the collectibility aspect, provided a design space for powerful cards, and enhanced the game’s storytelling.
10. What is the chance of getting a foil Mythic Rare?
The chances of pulling a foil Mythic Rare are substantially lower than pulling a regular Mythic Rare. Foil drop rates vary between sets. Typically, one foil card exists in every 6 booster packs. Whether that foil is a Mythic Rare or Common depends on the set design.
11. Does rarity affect gameplay?
Indirectly. Rarer cards often have more powerful or unique effects, impacting deck-building strategies and gameplay experiences.
12. Where can I learn more about Magic: The Gathering?
Explore resources like the official Magic: The Gathering website, reputable MTG news sites, and community forums. Also, organizations like the Games Learning Society, accessible at GamesLearningSociety.org, are invaluable for understanding the deeper societal and educational impacts of gaming.
13. What are Masterpiece cards?
Masterpiece cards are special, visually distinct reprints of existing cards that appear in specific sets with extremely low drop rates, far rarer than Mythic Rares.
14. Is there a rarity above Mythic Rare?
No, however, certain promotional cards are significantly more difficult to obtain. These are not part of the booster-pack rarity system, but their limited availability makes them highly coveted.
15. How has the printing sheet changed over time regarding rarity?
The configuration of printing sheets evolves with each new set, affecting the relative proportions of cards at each rarity level and the frequency of unique foil treatments.
Understanding rarity in Magic: The Gathering enriches the playing, collecting, and trading experiences. Knowing the significance of “M” for Mythic Rare provides valuable context, allowing you to appreciate these elusive cards and make informed decisions in the dynamic world of MTG.