Table of Contents

What is the Best Set for MTG? A Deep Dive into Magic: The Gathering’s Finest

Determining the single “best” set in Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a challenge, akin to choosing the best song ever written. It’s subjective and depends heavily on what criteria you prioritize. However, if we consider a blend of factors like impact on the game, power level, overall design, collectibility, and lasting legacy, one set stands out: Alpha. While it might not be the most balanced or even playable by today’s standards, Alpha’s historical significance and immense impact on the game make it the best overall MTG set. Alpha, also known as Limited Edition Alpha, represents the genesis of MTG and its card design. Its raw power, the inclusion of iconic cards like the Black Lotus, and its scarcity cement its position as the most important, valuable, and impactful MTG set of all time. Its impact is felt across every subsequent expansion and format. While other sets may excel in specific areas, none possess the combination of groundbreaking design and historical weight that Alpha brings to the table.

Evaluating What Makes a “Best” Set

Before delving deeper, let’s clarify what constitutes a “best” set. It’s not solely about the most powerful cards or the highest price tag. Several factors intertwine:

Power Level: How impactful are the cards within the set for competitive play? Do they warp formats or create exciting new archetypes?
Design and Innovation: Does the set introduce novel mechanics or push the boundaries of existing ones? Does it feel fresh and creative?
Collectibility: Are the cards visually appealing and sought after by collectors? Does the set have chase cards that drive demand?
Format Impact: How does the set affect various formats like Standard, Modern, Commander, and Vintage? Does it create lasting changes?
Long-Term Legacy: Does the set remain relevant and influential over time? Do its cards stand the test of time?
Enjoyment: Is the set fun to play with? Does it create compelling gameplay experiences?

Why Alpha Earns the Top Spot

While subsequent sets have learned from and improved upon the mechanics of Alpha, its place in MTG history remains untouchable. Here’s why it reigns supreme:

Groundbreaking Design

Alpha was the blueprint. It introduced core concepts like mana, creature types, spells, and the color pie, fundamentally shaping the game we know today. Many cards, despite their raw power, represent the very foundations of Magic’s design. This includes the original “Power Nine,” a group of incredibly powerful cards, including the infamous Black Lotus.

Raw Power

Many of Alpha’s cards, including the Power Nine, are notoriously overpowered by today’s standards, making it an interesting relic of a time before strict card balancing. The presence of these extremely powerful cards is both a point of reverence and something that is often avoided, making the set uniquely desirable.

Historical Significance

Alpha is the first MTG set ever printed, marking the birth of the trading card game phenomenon. Its status as the original sets it apart. Owning even a single common card from Alpha is a powerful connection to the history of the game. Its historical significance has driven its immense collectibility.

Scarcity and Collectibility

The limited print run of Alpha makes its cards exceedingly rare and valuable. Cards from this set often fetch prices ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, cementing its place as a collector’s dream. The Black Lotus is the shining example of this, but many other cards are also valuable due to their scarcity.

Lasting Influence

Alpha’s influence on every aspect of MTG is undeniable. It laid the groundwork for all subsequent sets and continues to be a point of reference for game designers and players alike. It’s the foundation on which the entire game was built, and its impact will continue to be felt for years to come.

Other Contenders for “Best”

While Alpha stands out, other sets also deserve recognition for their significant contributions:

Modern Horizons 2: This set is praised for its power level, impactful cards for the Modern format, and strong overall design. It has become a staple set for many players due to its strong cards. Modern Horizons 2 is also the best-selling MTG set of all time.
Urza’s Saga: Known for its wildly powerful cards, Urza’s Saga warped formats and is still considered one of the most powerful blocks in MTG history.
Zendikar Rising: A popular set known for its interesting mechanics like Landfall and the return of popular planeswalkers.
Throne of Eldraine: A set with a fairy tale theme which introduced powerful cards, most infamously Oko, Thief of Crowns, a card that was eventually banned in multiple formats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the best MTG sets, designed to help you navigate the complexities of this fascinating game.

1. What is the most expensive MTG card?

The Black Lotus, particularly from the Alpha set, is the most expensive MTG card. A graded copy of this card has sold for over $540,000 at auction.

2. What is the best set for Commander?

While many sets have great cards for Commander, the Universes Beyond: Warhammer 40,000 preconstructed decks are considered some of the most powerful and well-designed for the format.

3. Which MTG set has the most valuable cards overall?

The Alpha set has the most valuable cards overall, with even common cards fetching high prices due to their scarcity and historical importance.

4. Why is the Black Lotus so expensive?

The Black Lotus is expensive due to its raw power, historical significance, and extreme scarcity. It was only printed in early sets and has never been reprinted, making it a highly sought-after collector’s item.

5. What is the most aggressive deck in MTG?

Typically, Red/Green Aggro decks are considered the most aggressive in MTG, focusing on fast creatures and direct damage spells.

6. What is the Power Nine?

The Power Nine refers to nine extremely powerful cards from the earliest MTG sets (Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited), including the Black Lotus, Mox Sapphire, Mox Pearl, Mox Emerald, Mox Ruby, Mox Jet, Ancestral Recall, Time Walk, and Timetwister.

7. What is the most played format in MTG?

Commander is currently the most popular format in Magic: The Gathering, known for its casual and social gameplay.

8. What is the 75% rule in MTG Commander?

The 75% rule refers to building Commander decks that are powerful but avoid being excessively competitive, aiming for a fun and engaging experience for all players.

9. What is the rarest MTG set?

The Summer Edition, also known as “Edgar,” is the rarest MTG set due to its limited print run.

10. Is the Black Lotus banned in most formats?

Yes, the Black Lotus is banned in most formats, including Standard, Modern, and Pioneer, due to its extreme power level. It is allowed only in Vintage.

11. What is the strongest Commander in MTG?

Commanders like Teysa Karlov, The Ur-Dragon, and Razaketh, The Foulblooded are often considered some of the strongest due to their unique abilities and ability to quickly dominate games.

12. Why is MTG Commander so popular?

Commander is popular because of its casual nature, social gameplay, and the freedom it provides for creative deck building.

13. Are signed MTG cards worth more?

In terms of official grading, signatures are considered “damaged”. However, a subset of collectors highly value signed cards, which can add to their price in specific niche markets.

14. What is the best MTG deck ever made?

This is subjective and highly format-dependent. However, powerful decks like the 4c Ramp and Mono-Red Aggro are consistently strong contenders in the current Standard format.

15. Are the Power Nine still printed?

No, the Power Nine have not been reprinted in standard sets since their initial release. They remain highly sought-after and exceptionally rare. Digital versions have been released, but these cannot be used in physical matches.

Conclusion

The “best” set in Magic: The Gathering is a matter of opinion, but Alpha undeniably holds a unique and significant place. Its status as the first set, its raw power, and its impact on the game make it the top pick. While other sets like Modern Horizons 2 and Urza’s Saga also hold a special place in the community, the genesis of MTG as a game will always be associated with Alpha. Understanding the historical impact and characteristics of these sets helps players to appreciate the rich history of Magic: The Gathering.

What is the best set for MTG?